Who said that London is the land of gloom? Granted, the British capital has foggier days than bright and sunny ones, but it is by all means the land of the elaborate and extravagant, ostentatious and showy. In London, you will cross paths with Shakespearean history, Elizabethan theatres, and literary hideouts at every twist and turn, along with legendary buildings and historical monuments.
There is no place referred to more than London in English literature. From the shenanigans of Oliver Twist to the creepy Sherlock Holmes diaries, the British impact on literature is unique. Apart from its literary offerings, there are several venues of interest are worth exploring in the British capital.
The London Eye
The London Eye also known as the Millennium Wheel, is considered Europe’s largest. It provides exhilarating views of London, allowing you to see the city from new heights. Visibly seen as you hover over Heathrow upon descent to the British capital, the Eye is 135 metres high. It roughly takes 30 minutes to complete a cycle on it.
The London Eye is close to Big Ben by the Thames. It has commanding views of up to 25 miles on a clear day. The 32 sealed passenger capsules are air-conditioned, the wheel rotates gently to allow passengers to walk on and off the capsules at ground level. As if needing sufficient cool air, you don’t have to fret about the temperature inside the wheel’s capsules.
Buckingham Palace and Big Ben
It is unimaginable to explore London without a stop by Buckingham Palace, its most famous residence. Each year crowds gather around the iconic palace to capture photos and create memories. Buckingham has served as the official residence of the Queen since 1837. Although it is used for many official events and receptions, it is open for visitors every summer. The Palace has 775 rooms, including 19 Staterooms. When dignitaries arrive to meet the UK’s Sovereign, the Palace opens its gates for Royal events and celebrations.
After exploring Buckingham, head east to its towering and iconic Big Ben, Westminster’s famous clock is London’s most popular landmark and one of its iconic symbols. History has it that when the Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire in 1834, a new building was commissioned for the House of Parliament, and a tower and clock were built instead. John Warner constructed the massive bell; London heard its first tolls on May 31, 1859.
Central London
The joys of a brisk walk through central London to savour its unique sites and landmarks is an experience not to be missed. After all, London is great for walks. Located at the junction of five bustling streets, Piccadilly Circus is one of the city’s unique landmarks. Its colourful backdrop and bustling streets with neon signs and billboards are reminiscent of New York’s Times Square. Piccadilly is a beehive of activity, it is surrounded by several buildings and theatres accessible by London’s Underground, also called the Tube. Hyde Park is another special place worth exploring. Uniquely located past the main entrance of Buckingham Palace, it has several lakes. The park covers 142 hectares and is open from 5:00 am to midnight.
Kensington and Knightsbridge are where London’s gentry live, meet and mingle. Renowned as London’s most fashionable neighbourhood, Kensington has chic boutiques, picturesque parks, and a rich art and cultural scene. It is also home to the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National History Museum, and the Science Museum. It is a hotspot for tourists and locals alike, filled with Victorian buildings and embassies, along with an array of designer shops and antique shops.
Located south of Hyde Park in London’s West End is Knightsbridge, home to one of the world’s most famous and luxurious department stores. Knightsbridge has come a long way from its humble beginnings. In the past, it was a tiny village known for its 17th-century pubs and shops. Knightsbridge is one of the most sought-after locations in central London, best known for the Harrods and Harvey Nichols department stores.
The iconic Harrods department store occupies one million square feet of retail space across 330 departments, making it a one-stop shopping spot for everything from designer clothes to opulent accessories and vintage champagnes. It employs over 2,000 staff. The Egyptian Room and the luxurious Food Hall are two of its most popular venues.
For many, afternoon tea at Harrods is a quintessential British experience. For more than 150 years, Harrod’s impressive Tea Room has served distinguished celebrities and famous personalities. The newly designed tea room located on the Ground Floor is an iconic dining spot. Guests can choose from a delightful array of finger sandwiches, scones, and freshly baked pastries and cakes complemented by a variety of British teas.
London Bridge
Another quintessential London experience is a stop by the London Bridge. The popular nursery rhyme “London Bridge is falling down” would have you believe that there were some issues with the famous river crossing, which is unquestionably true. The old London bridge is believed to have had some structural issues and tumbled in 1821 due to damage from ice. This has subsequently occurred several times. Rebuilt in 1886 and then in 1894, the London Bridge is an iconic site, a walk across the bridge is a delightful experience for great river views with the Tower of London in sight.
A Thames river cruise is easily accessible with several options, the cheapest starting at 10 Pounds. If you are planning more than one ride on the Thames, purchasing the River Pass with unlimited travel between piers is advisable. The Tower Bridge experience and a visit to London Bridge are undoubtedly worthwhile. Tower Bridge crosses the Thames close to the Tower of London and is a famous touristic spot. It is also one of five London bridges owned and maintained by the City of London. When visiting the bridge, look for the glass floors with unobstructed views of the traffic below the bridge. The bridge opening occurs several times a week during the day. It is an exciting experience you may encounter upon your visit.
Literary London
British writers have had the most significant influence on English literature, more than any other country. Also renowned in their own right are France’s Kafka and Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, along with Russia’s Tolstoy. All had an indelible mark on literature but not as forceful as the English. Who can argue about the ingenuity of Charles Dicken’s cleverly plotted novels or Shakespeare’s unfathomable literary works with metaphors and idioms? London has several literary locations worth exploring, breathing life into its favourite literary pastimes, the most popular being the Globe Theatre and the Charles Dickens Museum.
The Globe opened its doors in the autumn of 1599. It was among the most popular Elizabethan theatres in England. Built in 1597, the theatre was a hotspot for Shakespeare’s most famous plays, i.e., Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, and others. In 1613 disaster hit the Globe. Small cannon balls were fired at a performance of Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, and fire quickly spread. The theatre was destroyed within an hour. That didn’t deter its proprietors from reconstructing another theatre with brick foundations. The newly built theatre was the same size but more extravagant, with a tiled roof, not a thatched one. Each year students from around the world visit the Globe Theatre to learn about English literature.
To wrap up your literary tour, stop by the Charles Dickens Museum. The author’s house was converted into a museum in 1925. It has four floors with Dickensian vibes. Once there, you will see Dickens’ desk and other notable artifacts, including the first editions of his original letters, manuscripts, and other personal items. At the centre of the house is the study room where Dickens wrote several newspaper stories, journals, essays, and novels, all with a quill pen and candlelight. Some of Dickens’s most famous works were written here, including bestsellers like Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, and the Pickwick Papers.
With all it has to offer, London is fancy in its own right. From its distinctive literary hideouts to the bustling streets of Piccadilly and Knightsbridge, London will unarguably fascinate your senses!
