20 Top London Attractions

20 Top London Attractions

London is one of the most vibrant, diverse and exciting cities with some of the world’s best sights, attractions and activities. With so much to do, it’s hard to narrow down the long list of attractions to visit, but below you’ll find our 20 Top London Attractions in no particular order.

1. Tower of London

Photo by Rafa Esteve, Under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Tower of London is one of the world’s most famous fortresses and has seen service as royal palace, prison, armoury and even a zoo. The ancient stones hold within them dark secrets, as fortified vaults shine with priceless jewels and historic uniformed Beefeaters stroll the grounds. Situated in Central London, just a stone’s throw from the River Thames, the Tower of London is one of the city’s premier attractions and surely one of the 20 Top London Attractions.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £20.00 Child: £10.00
Opening Times: Open all year.
1 March to 31 October: Tuesday-Saturday 09:00-17:30
Sunday-Monday 10:00-17:30.
Last admission 17:00.
1 November to 28 February: Tuesday-Saturday 09:00-16:30
Sunday-Monday 10:00-16:30.
Last admission 16:00.
Note: Closed 24-26 December (inclusive) and 1 January.

Website: Tower of London

2. Tower Bridge Exhibition

Built in 1894, this is one of the best known and most iconic bridges in London. Visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition and you’ll not only learn about the history of the Bridge but you’ll also enjoy breathtaking views of London from the high-level walkways – a perfect photo opportunity.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £9.00 Child: £3.90
Opening Times: Open all year.
April to September: Monday – Sunday 10:00-18:00. Last admission 17:30.
October to March: Monday – Sunday 09:30-17:30. Last admission 17:00.
Note: Closed 24-26 December (inclusive) and 1 January.

Website: Tower Bridge Exhibition

3. The London Bridge Experience

The London Bridge Experience is a unique and interactive journey through the deep, dark history of London. Travel through time and take a light-hearted look at 2000 years’ worth of history within London Bridge and the surrounding area. Watch Boudicca fight her battles against the Romans, get twisted up in the fates of traitors and their treachery but beware to keep your head! Be engulfed in the powerful Great London Fire and follow the gruesome and gory tales of Jack the Ripper. Finally, for those who dare, enter the bowels of the Bridge and be terrified, tormented and tricked within The Tombs. This unique and interactive experience surely make it one of the 20 Top London Attractions.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £24.00 Child: £18.00
Opening Times: Open all year.
All Year Round: Monday-Friday 10:00-17:00
Saturday-Sunday 10:00-18:00.
Last admission 17:00.
24 December to 1 January: Monday-Sunday 11:00-16:00. Last admission 16:00.
Note: Closed 25 December.

Website: London Bridge Experience

4. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is an open-air playhouse built as a reconstruction of the building where the great playwright penned many of his plays. The Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour and Exhibition introduces visitors to all aspects of the Globe, historical and contemporary, including Sam Wannamaker’s epic struggle to recreate the theatre from the 1599 original.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £13.50 Child: £8.00
Opening Times: Open all year.
Late October to Early April: Monday-Sunday 09:30-17:00
Late April to Early October: Monday 09:00-17:00.
Tuesday-Saturday 09:00-12:30.
Sunday 09:00-11:00
Note: Closed 24 – 25 December. Opening Times are subject to change. Tours depart every 30 minutes.

Website: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

5. Thames River Cruise

A Thames river cruise is without doubt one of the best ways to see London, meandering through the heart of the city and past so many of its most famous attractions. See and experience the sights and splendour of this great city from the relaxed comfort of City Cruises modern, all-weather boats with open upper decks and spacious lower saloons with panoramic windows. Thames river cruise is without doubt one of the 20 Top London Attractions.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £18.00 Child: £9.00
Boats run frequently and daily
Timing: Monday-Sunday from 10:00
Tour durations: Options from 30 minutes, to 3 hours
Four locations to hop-on and hop-off: Westminster, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Greenwich
Note: Closed 25 December.

6. Tate Modern London

A visit to London isn’t complete without a trip to Tate Modern. Britain’s national museum of modern and contemporary art from around the world is housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the Thames. The awe-inspiring Turbine Hall runs the length of the entire building and you can see amazing work for free by artists such as Cézanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol and Bourgeois.

Information
Admission to the gallery is free for everyone
Opening Times: Open all year.
Sunday-Thursday 10:00-18:00
Friday-Saturday 10:00-22:00.
Last Admission: 45 minutes before Closing
Note: Closed 24 – 26 December.

Website: Tate Modern London

7. Westminster Abbey

Under CC BY 2.0

Just a short walk from the Thames, Westminster Abbey is a must-see and a significant structure in British history. This beautiful gothic church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site popular with many visitors to London. Complete with paintings, stained glass windows and other religious artifacts, Westminster Abbey owns the most important collection of monumental sculpture anywhere in Britain.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £18.00 Child: £8.00
Opening Times: Open all year.
Monday-Friday 09:30-16:30
Saturday 09:30-14:30.
Sunday Open for services only
Last Admission: 1 hour before Closing
Note: Sundays (service only), closed 24th to 25th December, Good Friday and during ceremonial events.

Website: Westminster Abbey

8. Churchill War Rooms

Under CC BY 2.0

Explore the secret headquarters of ‘the greatest Briton’, Sir Winston Churchill, and uncover the underground nucleus of Britain’s war effort. The first London museum of its kind, the Churchill War Rooms and Museum depicts all ninety years of Winston Churchill’s life, divided into five chapters starting from his childhood, through his early years as British Prime Minister and the period famously known as the ‘Gathering Storm’.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £15.90; Child: Free
Opening Times: Open all year.
Monday-Sunday 09:30-18:00
Last Admission: 17:00
Note: Closed 24th to 26th December.

Website: Churchill War Rooms

9. Windsor Castle

Factor in a short trip outside London to visit the impressive and historic Windsor Castle. Famous for its architecture and longstanding Royal place of residence, the Castle was built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion. As well as having been used as a military headquarters during the Civil War and as a refuge for the royal family during WWII, Windsor Castle is now Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite weekend home.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £18.50 Child: £11.00
Opening Times: Open all year.
March to October: Monday-Sunday 09:45-17:15
Last admission: 16:00
November to February: Monday-Sunday 09:45-16:15
Last Admission: 15:00
Note: St Georges Chapel is closed on Sunday. As the Castle is a working Royal Residence opening times may vary.

Website: Windsor Castle

10. Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is the former home of the flamboyant King Henry VIII. He extended and developed this grand palace after acquiring it in the 1520s and its many royal occupants have furnished the palace with decadent tapestries and paintings throughout the centuries. Set in 60 acres of formal gardens, including the famous maze and Great Vine, this palace is well worth a visit.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £16.50 Child: £8.25
Opening Times: Open all year.
Mid October to Mid March: Monday-Sunday 10:00-16:30
Last admission: 15:30
Mid March to Mid October: Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Last Admission: 17:00
Note: Closed 24th to 26th December.

Website: Hampton Court Palace

11. Kensington Palace

As one of central London’s royal residences, Kensington Palace has been a home and refuge to the royal family since the 17th century. Now, it is the official residence to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – otherwise known as our familiar Kate and Wills. Built in 1605, it has roots in Jacobean architecture and was first known as Nottingham House. Now it is one of London’s most exquisite palaces and comes with acres of manicured gardens and the world famous Orangery.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £15.00; Child: Free
Opening Times: Open all year.
March to October: Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Last admission: 17:00
November to February: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00
Last Admission: 16:00
Note: Closed 24th to 26th December.

Website: Kensington Palace

12. British Museum

Another one of the top London attractions is the world-famous British Museum which exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times, from around the world. Highlights such as the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies are visited by up to six million visitors per year.

Information
Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets.
Opening Times: Open all year.
Open daily 10:00-17:30
Open late on Fridays until 20.30

13. National Gallery

The National Gallery displays over 2,000 Western European paintings from the middle ages to the 20th century, making it one of the top London attractions. Discover inspiring art by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir and Van Gogh. The pictures in the collection belong to the public and admission to see them is free. There are special exhibitions, lectures, video and audio-visual programmes, guided tours and holiday events for children and adults.

Information
Opening Times: Open all year.
Daily 10:00-18:00. Friday 10:00-21:00
Note: Closing commences 5 minutes before time stated. Free admission to the collection and some special exhibitions. Charge for major loan exhibitions.

Website: National Gallery

14. Natural History Museum

Hundreds of exciting, interactive exhibits in one of London’s most beautiful landmark buildings. Highlights include the popular Dinosaurs gallery, Mammals with its unforgettable model blue whale and the spectacular Central Hall, home to the Museum’s iconic Diplodocus skeleton. Don’t miss the state-of-the-art Cocoon where, on a self-guided tour, you can see hundreds of fascinating specimens and look into laboratories where you can see scientists at work.

The Museum offers a wide-ranging programme of temporary exhibitions and events including chances to join experts in the Darwin Centre’s high-tech Attenborough Studio in topical discussions about science and nature. Entry to the Natural History Museum is free. There are admission charges for some of the special exhibitions and events.

Information
Opening Times: Open daily 10.00-17.50
Last admission 17.30. Open late on the last Friday of each month.
Note: Closed 24 – 26 December..

Website: Natural History Museum

15. The London Eye

The London Eye is a major feature of London’s skyline. It boasts some of London’s best views from its 32 capsules, each weighing 10 tonnes and holding up to 25 people. Climb aboard for a breathtaking experience, with an unforgettable perspective of more than 55 of London’s most famous landmarks – all in just 30 minutes!

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £19.10; Child: £12.60
Opening Times: Open all year
1 October to 31 March: 10:00-20:30
1 April to 30 June: 10:00-21:00
Note: Closed 25 December..

Website: The London Eye

16. Science Museum

The Science Museum is the most visited science and technology museum in Europe. There are over 15,000 objects on display, including world-famous objects such as the Apollo 10 command capsule and Stephenson’s Rocket.

The interactive galleries bring to life first scientific principles and contemporary science debates. Plus, you can experience what it’s like to fly with the Red Arrows or blast off into space on an Apollo space mission in our stunning 3D and 4D simulators or watch a film on a screen taller than four double-decker buses in the IMAX 3D Cinema. Entry is free but some exhibitions require tickets.

Information
Opening Times: Open 10:00-18:00 daily

Website: Science Museum

17. Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world’s greatest museum of art and design, representing more than 3,000 years of human creativity, with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity.

In recent years, the V&A has undergone a dramatic programme of renewal and restoration. Highlights include the Medieval Renaissance galleries containing some of the greatest surviving treasures from the period, the breathtaking Jewellery gallery and the stunning British Galleries, illustrating the history of Britain through the nation’s art and design. In addition to its outstanding free permanent collection, the V&A offers a programme of temporary exhibitions and an extensive events programme. Entry is free but special exhibitions require you to purchase tickets.

Information
Opening Times: 10:00-17:45 daily
Friday 10:00-22:00
Note: Closed 24, 25 and 26 December..

Website: Victoria and Albert Museum

18. Royal Museums Greenwich

In 2012, the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House, the Royal Observatory (incorporating the Peter Harrison Planetarium) and the Cutty Sark joined together under a new name: Royal Museums Greenwich. Located in the beautiful World Heritage Site of Greenwich, these four top attractions welcome thousands of visitors each year. Take a day to enjoy all that Royal Museums Greenwich have to offer: you can stand in two hemispheres astride the Prime Meridian, touch a 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite, see Harrison’s timekeepers and Nelson’s uniform, before travelling to the stars in London’s only planetarium. With so many treasures on display, and a changing series of special exhibitions, there’s always something new to amaze and entertain you at Royal Museums Greenwich. Some are free to enter; some charges apply.

Visit Royal Museums Greenwich for more information.

19. Madame Tussauds

Walk down the red carpet and strike a pose with Kate Winslet, before challenging your favourite sportstars like David Beckham or Lewis Hamilton. Start your royal experience with an audience with the Queen, before planting a kiss on Prince William’s cheek.

For the brave, get face-to-face with scary serial killers in our live fear experience SCREAM. After a sneaky behind-the-scenes look at how our World-renowned sculptors create the figures, relax in our taxis and relive the rich history of London.

Then step up to your favourite Marvel Super Heroes before getting ready to experience the spectacular and exclusive Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie, where our Marvel Super Heroes battle it out to save London from impending doom.

So, who do you want to meet?

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: from £28.00; Child: from £22.50
Opening Times: Please refer to the below website for full details.

Website: Madame Tussauds, London

20. ZSL London Zoo

ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park is the perfect fun-filled family attraction. Opened in 1847, the London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo. Today it houses over 760 different species of animal and is the only zoo in London where you can experience big animals such as gorillas and giraffes.

Explore the “Into Africa” exhibit where you can come face to face with some of Africa’s most unusual animals including zebras and hunting dogs, or try “Meet The Monkeys” an exciting walk-through experience. Other top exhibits include the Butterfly Paradise, where you can enjoy myriad species of butterfly as they fly around you.

Information
Normal Ticket Price: Adult: £23.63 Child: £16.81
Opening Times: Open daily from 10.00
Note: Closed 25th December. Closing times may vary..

Website: ZSL London Zoo

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Source: VisitLondon.com