Where do I even begin? London has so many unique attractions to see. From visiting the Houses of Parliament, riding the London eye, having four-hour bike tours that take you through the city of London. There is so much to do and see. Here are some of my favorite experiences from London.
Being able to visit the Palace of Westminster was a fantastic experience. It is within walking distance from Westminster Abbey and even Buckingham palace, so you can do all 3 in one day. The tour lasts about 1-2 hours and the tour guide exactly where to go and discusses the history and functions of each room. You can also watch a debate when the House of Commons is sitting, which is very interesting for those who like politics or history. Some Interesting facts I learned from the tour were that there is a “roping room” that is an area reserved for the ladies in waiting (but we could not see it firsthand). Also, Interestingly, the houses of parliament had experienced two fires, one in 1512 and one in 1834. It was during Queen Elizabeth’s time that the palace was rebuilt.
The London Eye! What can I say? It’s a Must!! The London Eye is a popular tourist attraction visited by over 3.75 million people a year. It is located a few minutes walks from Waterloo. It’s, in my opinion, the number one thing to do in London. Brilliant views over London, and there’s a ton of time to take pictures.
All the Bike tours throughout the city of London are a wonderful experience. Here are some of my favorite spots that we stopped at. We saw many great locations including, the Kensington Gardens, where people were sitting outside on beautiful green lawns. Those who decided to go inside the main building at Kensington gardens could have traditional English tea.
Another stop was Buckingham Palace, with guards standing at attention in full uniform. Sprawling over 39 acres, Kensington Palace is open to the public when the queen is not using it as her private residence. Onlookers place their faces up against the fence to catch a glimpse of the changing of the guards. The next stop on our bike tour is known as Horse Guards Parade. This location is typically utilized for ceremonies and parades. Every morning the ceremony of Changing of the Guard takes place at the Horse Guards Parade.
The famous Westminster abbey was the next stop on our tour. King Henry the third was responsible for building the current Westminster abbey, known as one of the most famous buildings in Europe. King William and Kate were married at this location, illustrating the significance of Westminster Abbey to the royals.
Do you like the movie Parent Trap? Here is a pic above of the house used in the popular movie.
We did a night bike tour on our last night in London and rode across the London Bridge. (Fun but a little scary riding a bike right near cars on the bridge.) There are so many different bike tours to do in London, depending on the duration and locations you want to see. I would highly recommend doing any bike tours because you Avoid the city’s traffic on a bike, Avoid getting lost with a guide, and it’s an excellent introduction for first-time visitors.
We decided to eat at “Memories of India” on our first night in London as we were in the mood for some Indian food. And it did not disappoint! The food was terrific, and excellent value for all you get!
“Sketch” is a popular restaurant in London. It is stunning inside and has a unique bathroom looking and different from any other place we’ve seen.
Have you ever been to an Ice Bar? 10/10 recommend it! It is so cool (literally). The walls were made exclusively of ice, and we wore parkas. It was so cold inside that they only let you stay in for about 30-40 minutes. They serve incredible fruity drinks for a very good price. They also have fantastic ice sculptures inside the bar (one including a bus.)
Hard Rock Cafe is a lovely restaurant. Friendly and attentive waiters and seriously excellent burgers to match. The Staff then took us to a room below the restaurant called “the vault,” where famous memorabilia are displayed. We saw Madonna’s performance outfits, Joe Perry’s guitar, and Freddy mercury’s Chair. Many patrons enjoy purchasing T-shirts, hats, and various other types of souvenirs.
Recommend visiting Harrods, and it was so lovely ( although out of my price range for the most part, lol). Built-in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod. The store had all the top brands created by different designers with multi-tiered floor plans, cafes, and clothing on the second through fifth levels. Recent well-known visitors to Harrods include Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Taylor swift.
There are 330 departments in Harrods and 23 restaurants making Harrods a place where a shopper could have spent the entire day. Window shopping alone could keep a customer entertained for hours in this shopper’s paradise. Being one of the largest and most well-known department stores globally, Harrods lives up to its name and reputation.
Anyone who knows me knows I am a Harry Potter freak. I could not have been more excited to be a part of this tour. The making of Harry Potter is located in Leavesden, a permanent exhibit offering tours to the public interested in seeing how the movie was made and the props used in the film. The tour can take up to around 4 hours to make it through the exhibit. They offer food, and you can even enjoy the famous Butter Beer Yummm. If you love Harry Potter, you need to check out the set See More Pictures Below.
The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton is a great place to stay. It is in a great location and has great amenities. It is super close to all attractions.