Discover London’s diverse delights: unveiling must-see attractions and hidden gems
By Emily Egna
The largest city in the United Kingdom and the capital of England, London has it all from massive museums and charming pubs to enormous parks and ancient landmarks. Below are some of London’s best attractions.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
While tiny, this museum displays the impressive, worldly collection of architect Sir John Soane, thousands of artifacts crammed into a single house. Designed by Soane himself, the home is filled with everything from books and art to furniture and giant pieces of sculpture, and it is kept exactly as it was at the time of his death in 1837. The small space allows one to examine the relics closely, providing a much more intimate experience than the traditional museum would.
Across the road is Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the largest public square in London and the perfect place to stroll or picnic after exploring this museum.
Tower of London
A trip to London would be incomplete without visiting the Tower of London. Although famous for its history as a prison and place of torture, the fortress also houses a palace and the Crown Jewels. Guarded by the Yeomen Warders and a flock of ravens, the Tower was built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s and was the first of its kind in England.
Now, nearly 1,000 years later, visitors can walk the battlements, view the White Tower’s extensive collection of armor, explore the historical instruments of torture in the Bloody Tour and see for themselves if the ghost of Anne Boleyn still haunts the Tower’s many passageways.
Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
Located in the attic of the Old St Thomas’ Hospital church at the top of a spiral staircase of 52 stairs, this museum is not one you want to skip. The operating theater is the oldest surviving surgical theater for female patients in Europe, and the accompanying herb garret provides a unique perspective into the history of medicine.
On display are dried herbs, traditional remedies, Victorian era surgical tools, preserved specimens, and exhibits on several doctors who worked in the hospital. The unique setting of the museum makes it even more immersive, and the staff are extraordinarily knowledgeable and willing to answer questions.
The Regent’s Park is a perfect place to explore the hustle of the city. Photo by Emily Egna
The Regent’s Park
Located in the northwest of inner London, this park occupies 487 acres of land and even has a lake you can boat in. The park also contains Queen Mary’s Gardens, which are home to London’s largest collection of roses. The approximate 12,000 of them range in color, scent, and size and take up 85 garden beds.
The park is scattered with benches and deck chairs for people to relax, breathe in the sweet scent you only get from 12,000 roses, and escape the hustle of the city.
Shakespeare’s Globe
Whether or not you are a Shakespeare fan, the Globe Theatre is not an attraction you want to skip. The only structure in London allowed to have a thatched roof since the Great Fire, this theater is a recreation of the one Shakespeare’s plays were performed in, and the reconstruction is less than a thousand feet from the original site.
Walking through the wooden doors and staring up into the sky above, it is impossible not to feel like it is 1600 and you are one of the first people in the world to see one of the bard’s great works.
Shakespeare’s Globe is an attraction you won’t want to skip. Photo by Emily Egna
Trafalgar Square
In the middle stands a 185-foot column topped by Lord Nelson to honor his victory over the French fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar. Accompanied by two great fountains, this area is a wonderful place to hang out, eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants nearby, and just absorb the city.
Right off the square are the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, home to impressive collections of paintings.
Victoria and Albert Museum
This museum is great for its sheer amount and variety of stuff. From fashion and art to furniture and ironwork, every room you step into has a surprise. And there are hundreds of rooms. You could get lost in the corridors and wander for hours, never growing tired of what you see.
The museum is also conveniently located near the Science Museum—known for its interactive exhibits—and the Natural History Museum which has a life-size blue whale model, a dodo bird skeleton, and an impressive collection of gemstones among many other displays.
Camden Lock Market
From food, clothing, and posters to souvenirs, jewelry, and antiques, it would be accurate to say you can find your heart’s desire in Camden Lock Market. Located next to a picturesque canal, this market bustles with business the entire day. The air is laden with the smells of fresh foods, and you could go there every day and still find something new.
For an added adventure, several companies offer boat rides down the canal to Little Venice, a charming area known for its cozy restaurants, cafes, and pubs. You can even eat your meal on a boat.
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