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Visit London in a Weekend - Part #1

Planning to visit London soon? Discover recommended route and list of London most iconic places and monuments to view in a day. Find out what to see in London for a weekend or short trip.

Visit London in a Weekend - Part #1

So you have decided to visit London but only for a few days. This blog will not only tell you which places you MUST visit in London, but also guide you with routes you can take if you want to explore as much as possible in very little time.

The below route will take you through London most iconic places and touristic monuments. These are perfect for photography, general culture and beautiful architecture.

Please note that this is just a recommendation that you may or may not follow. Also be aware that there is a lot of walking involved which is also how you best get to know every corner of the city =) (blue line below is public transport).

Visit London route to take in London for a weekend trip

1. Tower of London

Tower of London photograph

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London has been a royal residence since William I gifted it to his friend and supporter, Geoffrey de Mandeville. The castle has been used as a fortress and prison for over 1,000 years, making it one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks.

The first thing you should do when visiting this historical landmark is take in its views from across the river at St Katharine's Dock. From here you will see how much history is contained within its walls!

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Ticket prices are usually £30 for adults and £15 for children under 15 years old, in case you want to go inside the fortress. 

2. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge with bridge down in sunny day

Tower Bridge is also known as the "Lifting Bridge" because it lifts up to allow boats to pass underneath it. It was built in 1886 and is a symbol of the city. The bridge has a total length of 183 meters (200 yards) with four towers that are about 11 meters high (37 feet). The bridge is over 100 years old, and has been designated a Grade I listed structure by Historic England.

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Interesting Fact: Tower Bridge was originally known as “London Bridge” until 1967 when it was renamed “Tower Bridge” after the Tower of London which is located nearby. 

3. The Shard

The Shard - tallest building in London and Western Europe

The Shard London is a skyscraper that was built in 2012, and it's the tallest building in Western Europe. It was designed by Renzo Piano, and it stands over 1,000 feet (305m) tall. The building was designed to be an office building, but it also has apartments, restaurants, and luxury shops.

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Floor 72 is a viewing platform that offers 360-degree views of London, as well as restaurants and bars with stunning interiors.

4. London Bridge Borough Market

View to London Bridge Borough Market

You'll find Borough Market in the center of London, very near to The Shard described above, and it's open on Saturdays and Sundays. It's a great place to buy food and drink, as well as to eat. There are also many restaurants nearby.

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There are many other markets in London so make sure you check out my London Best Market series of blogs for detailed information about each one =).

5. Shakespeare's Globle

Soutbank near Shakespeare's Globe Theater. January 2020, London, UK.
Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak / Unsplash

A replica of Shakespeare's original theater with modern materials and techniques. The theater has been open since 1997 and hosts many plays throughout the year. It also hosts plays based on works by other writers from his time period.

The theater is open to visitors throughout the day, but tickets are often sold out for evening performances.

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William Shakespear was a 16th century English playwright, poet and actor. The Globe was built in 1599 and burned down in 1613. 

6. Tate Modern

If you're in London and interested in art, the Tate Modern should be on top of your list. Located in the old Bankside Power Station, this art museum has a variety of exhibitions on display. The museum has ramped up its programming over time; currently it holds up to four major exhibitions per year and often hosts special events like talks by artists or curator-led tours.

The museum is free to visit and open daily from 10 AM - 6 PM (7:30 PM on Fridays).

7. Millennium Bridge

The view from the east river of London towards the millennium bridge and St.Pauls Cathedral.
Photo by Chris Karnbach / Unsplash

One of London's most famous landmarks, along with Tower Bridge and Westminster Bridge. It is popular with tourists because it offers great views of the city skyline and has an interesting history behind it too!

It opened in 2000 and uses a special type of cable-stayed bridge that is designed to flex with wind and other movements in order to prevent damage to the structure. The bridge connects Tate Modern museum described above with St. Paul's Cathedral.

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It has also been called "Wobbly Bridge" because of its tendency to sway when large crowds are crossing it—even though it was designed to withstand up to 7,000 people walking across it at once.

8. St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral

You might have heard of St. Paul's Cathedral, or "the Dome," as it's commonly known. It is a church in London, and it is the second-largest cathedral in the world. Its dome is often said to be England's most iconic landmark.

In fact, until 1960 it was both the tallest building in London and one of its most important churches—and even after that time, its grandeur has remained undiminished (it still holds both titles). If you're looking for an unforgettable experience during your trip to London, visiting this beautiful place will give you just what you need!

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The cathedral was built to replace an earlier cathedral that was destroyed by fire in the Great Fire of 1666, making it over 300 years old!

9. Oxford Street

Busy Oxford street with UK flags

One of the most popular shopping streets in London, England. It's also the oldest, having been established in 1690 by Charles II. The street runs from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road and is about 1 mile long.

Oxford Street is popular because it's easy to get to from all over London, and it has a lot of shops for people who want to shop at high-end brands or go on a shopping spree.

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There are also lots of places to eat on Oxford Street, so it's a great place for families with kids who need to refuel after all that walking!

10. Carnaby Street

Canarby Street

Popular shopping destination for Londoners and tourists alike. The street became known as Carnaby St. in the 18th century when a number of shops opened up along it.

The street is a place where you can find all kinds of unique clothing, jewelry and accessories for men, women and children—not to mention some great food options if you're hungry!

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Carnaby Street is well-known for being the birthplace of British rock 'n roll music in the 1950s.

11. Piccadilly Circus

Photograph of Piccadilly Circus

London is a city of many wonders, and Piccadilly Circus is one of its most famous landmarks. It's the meeting point for many of the city's most popular and famous streets, including Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Charing Cross Road.

It is home to the world-famous Trocadero and Regent Street, as well as the site of a number of other attractions that draw big crowds every day.

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Don't forget to visit this place at night as well if you are looking for some nightlife! The Soho district is known not only for its food and history but also for its multiple clubbing places.

12. Covent Garden

Photo by Tânia 📸 / Unsplash

Covent Garden is a popular district in London, known for its restaurants, shops, and street performers. It has been a part of London since the 1630s.

Originally intended as an open-air market, it was built around a piazza that still stands at the heart of the district today.

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Today it has become a popular place for shopping at over 200 stores, restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs. 

13. Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is one of London's most popular tourist destinations, so it's no surprise that this is one of our favorite places to visit. The square serves as a public space and contains several monuments that commemorate important events in British history.

The Trafalgar Square area includes many famous buildings like the National Gallery, which features artwork from throughout history.

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If you're looking for something more relaxing, then you can always check out the fountains or sit on one of their benches!

14. London Eye

The London Eye is stilled by the Covid 19 lockdown in London
Photo by John Cameron / Unsplash

The London Eye is the world's largest Ferris wheel, and at 135 meters tall it's also one of the tallest structures in Europe. It features 32 capsules that can hold up to 25 people each, giving you a unique view of London from above.

The ride takes 30 minutes to complete one rotation, and on clear days you'll be able to see 25 miles in all directions while riding it!

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Bear in mind that the queue to get into the London Eye is long and the tickets are around £32.50 but you can find some 2 for 1 deals online.

15. Big Ben and Houses of Parliament

Elizabeth Tower

If you want to take in some of London's most iconic sights, Big Ben and Parliament is a must. This clock tower was completed on May 18, 1858 and was originally known as the Clock Tower (Big Ben is the name of the bell inside). The tower is 315 feet (96m) tall, making it London's third tallest building. It's located within Westminster Palace and has been home to both houses of British parliament since 1834.

Soak up some history while learning more about this landmark by visiting Parliament Square besides it, where you'll find a statue of Winston Churchill who served as Prime Minister during World War II from 1940-1945.

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Interesting Fact: The Big Ben is the name referring to the bell inside the tower, while the tower itself is known as The Elizabeth Tower.

16. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey with Red Telephone box

In the heart of London, Westminster Abbey is a place of worship dedicated to the coronation of English and British monarchs, as well as royal weddings. The building is famous for its architectural details and highly important historical connections. It was founded by Edward the Confessor in 1065 out of an existing monastery, which he personally endowed with many treasures. Over the next 800 years, it grew into one of Europe's greatest cathedrals.

Here are some famous features:

  • The Great West Door: This huge door is often used by Britain's nobility when they arrive at their coronation ceremonies inside the abbey.
  • The Nave And Crossing: Hall-like space is surrounded by 36 columns that support arches above. These are decorated with statues from various saints and kings.
  • The Whispering Gallery: Hanging over this tall circular room are corbels—carved wood brackets—that create a whispering effect when someone stands on them because sound gets reflected back down at you twice before leaving through another hole in one direction or another.

17. 10 Downing Street & Horse Guards Parade

Horse Guard Morning Ceremony - Changing of the Horse Guards in the Morning. London, England, UK. January 2020.
Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak / Unsplash

10 Downing Street is a historical building in London that's best known for being the home of the Prime Minister since World War II.

A few minutes walk from it, you will find the Horse Guards Parade which is a historic site in London, England that has been used for military parades since the 17th century.

Horse Guards Parade is one of London's most popular tourist attractions because it offers visitors a chance to see military traditions that date back hundreds of years. The site also hosts many popular events throughout the year including Trooping the Colour (an annual parade held to mark Queen Elizabeth II's birthday).

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You are free to take photos with the soldiers as long as you do not stand on their way when they start patrolling.

19. St. James' Park & Buckingham Palace

Photo by Ferdinand Stöhr / Unsplash

Connected to the Horse Guard Parade you will find St James's Park - a royal park in the City of Westminster, Central London. It is overlooked by Buckingham Palace, and lies within the St James's district.

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch and a working palace. Its history stretches back to 1703, when it was purchased by John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham and Normanby. The original building consisted only of a single storey and was known as Buckingham House. It was expanded in 1825 by architect John Nash into what we know today as Buckingham Palace.

Since its completion in 1837, no monarch has ever lived anywhere else during their reign (with one exception: King Edward VII lived at Windsor Castle during his brief time on the throne). Since then, it has been home to all but two reigning queens: Victoria (who spent most of her life at Windsor Castle), and Elizabeth II who did not move into Clarence House until after she married Prince Philip in 1947 (she also spent much time at Balmoral Castle).

20. Hide Park

Hyde Park is a large park in central London that is popular with both locals and tourists. The park stretches from Oxford Street to Bayswater Road, covering a total area of over 350 hectares (890 acres). Hyde Park is divided into two parts by the Serpentine lake: the Long Water runs east-west across one side of the Serpentine, while The Broad Walk runs north-south along the other side.

It is home to many great attractions including Kensington Gardens, Constitution Hill and Speakers’ Corner. It’s also famous for its annual events such as Celebrate Culture which takes place every September where local communities come together to celebrate their heritage through music and dance performances on stage!

Summary

London is a great city to visit, especially if you've got one day to spend. In fact, it's a great place to visit for as long as you want! You can really get the feel of London in just one day but it's also worth staying longer too (we recommend at least a weekend).

I hope that this article has given you some ideas for what to do and where to go.

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