A London walking tour is the best way to experience the iconic and historic attractions.
Before Christmastime a friend and I had 3 full days. We walked nonstop taking in the famous sites in Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Soho and Bloomsbury districts. Here, we explored the cultural icons, such as, Tower of London and Bridge, Tate Museum, Picadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, National Gallery Museum and British Museum all within 3 days! Just purchase your Oyster Card for efficient Underground/Overground trains, plus bring good walking shoes and a raincoat, then let’s go…
London is especially festive in the Christmas season with lights and decorations everywhere.
London Walking Tour and Top Attractions – Day 1
We began our walking tour at the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. The historic Tower of London on the north bank is about 1,000 years old. This castle was the royal residence and even a prison at one time, and currently the home of the Crown Jewels of England. I didn’t take the inside tour guided by Beefeaters. However, I was 1 of the 40,000 people that crossed the bridge each day. We walked along both sides of the suspension bridge, with its 2 towers across the Thames River in the late afternoon. This is a nice vantage point from which to take in London’s essence on its lifeline, the Thames River.
Then, after the Tower Bridge we strolled along the Thames toward Westminster in the early evening. We stopped at the Tate Museum of Modern Art, with free admission and even walked by Shakespeare’s Globe nearby. Also, we strolled by the iconic London Eye, the large Ferris Wheel lit up in neon red.
Top Attractions in London – Westminster
Next, we made our way to the bustling Picadilly Circus, with its colorful neon signs and video displays, feeling a bit like Manhattan’s Times Square. The Christmas lights created an even more festive spirit! We then walked in vibrant Soho along Carnaby, Oxford & Regent Streets, with endless shops and restaurants, and also many theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue. Our evening ended at a Chinese Restaurant in the adjacent Chinatown.
London Walking Tour – Day 2
On day 2 we started at Buckingham Palace and observed the Changing of the Guard, along with a large crowd. Considering all the fanfare around this monument, I was a bit disappointed in that it’s not an elegant building. We watched the Changing of the Guard among massive crowds and then moved on to the next destination.
Next, we headed for Westminster Abbey. Unfortunately, it was closed to the public on Sunday. I was disappointed in missing out on the Poet’s Corner, commemorating the Poet legends. However, this historical Gothic landmark is gorgeous to wander by with a beautiful setting for the British Royal Weddings for more than 1000 years. Nearby, we walked by one of London’s most famous symbols, Big Ben. This is the nickname for the Great Bell of the striking clock at Palace of Westminster. It was wonderful to see, however it was covered with much scaffolding for reconstruction.
The National Gallery Museum is a Must-see for Free
Then, we walked about a mile to the National Gallery, with 2,300 paintings from mid 13th century to 1900. This museum is unbelievably free and gloriously surprised me with the massive collection from so many masters. It’s easy to navigate as many of the paintings are masterpieces and in close proximity. I blissfully observed Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Degas, Gaugin, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Rubens, Da Vinci, Turner and Vermeer all within 3 hours.
Overall, it felt like being downloaded with centuries of creative genius, all within an implosive afternoon. I left feeling so grateful to have not missed this spectacular showcase of art history. Also, National Portrait Museum is nearby, however, we did not have time to visit it. Exhausted, afterwards we wandered over to Soho for some delicious Italian food to end this awesome day.
London Walking Tour – Day 3 at the British Museum in Bloomsbury
Lastly, we spent our day at the British Museum in Bloomsbury, about a mile from The National Gallery. One can easily spend a whole day here! The colossal British Museum is home to more than 8 million artifacts and is considered one of the greatest museums of the world. However, it is not without controversy, as many of the artifacts were collected from around the world during England’s colonization years.
Many countries want their art back, for example Egypt and Greece. Most likely because of these circumstances, this spectacular worldly showcase is free admission. The highlights for me to see were the famous Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles from Greece’s Parthenon, Cleopatra’s mummy and coffin and the Enlightenment Gallery in King George III’s library.
Originally, the massive collections in the Enlightenment Gallery are largely the foundation from which this museum evolved. The Enlightenment Period from 1680-1820 was a time of reason and learning. By observing the natural and manmade world, mysteries were unlocked. Therefore, the trend was collecting objects, like fossils, flints, ancient scripts, & Greek vases to classify them for understanding. The renowned Irish Physician, Sir Hans Sloane collected more than Pitems on medicine and botany. I astonishingly observed part of the 256 volumes from his Herbarium.
Also, Stonehenge and Bath Day Trips from London
Overall, London is such a treasure trove of history and culture. And it’s easy to navigate with its awesome public transit and intimate neighborhoods from which to experience all of its sights. However, the concrete can catch up to you, as my feet were sore, making me ready for a day trip outside of London. Lastly, we took a splendid day trip from London to both Bath and Stonehenge with Premium Tours Company. For more information, read more. Stonehenge and Bath Tours – A Perfect Day Trip in England.
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