Top 10 “must see” attractions in London

Millions of visitors flock to London every year. As the nations' capital it is a great blend of old and new, with plenty of medieval history and modern attractions all rolled into one. Whatever your interests there is something for you. But here is our top 10 list of the sites you just must not miss on a trip to London:

1. Buckingham Palace – home of the Queen of England and a great building in its own right. Don't miss the changing of the guards at 11:30am, but do check when you get into the capital as it doesn't always take place every day. We recommend you get there early to secure a good location.

2. The Tower of London – it doesn't get more historical than this! Home to the Crown Jewels of England, and where Anne Boleyn, the famous wife of Henry VIII, was beheaded. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. In 900 years it has been a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house.

3. Tower Bridge – Often called London Bridge by those who don't know better. This iconic bridge is recognisable anywhere in the world. Now you can take a tour around its innermost workings too.

4. The London Eye - Created by British Airways for the millennium, it is a giant Ferris wheel that gives you a 360-degree view of the city. We suggest you book in advance if possible – you can do it online. Otherwise, prepare for a very long wait.

5. The Houses of Parliament – the home of the UK's government. Actually made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, Big Ben is also one of the biggest attractions with its characteristic chiming every quarter of hour. Make sure you arrive on the hour for the full effect.

6. Westminster Abbey – a short walk form the Houses of Parliament, this great building is an architectural delight. The location for Princess Diana's funeral, and home to Isaac Newton's tomb, the Abbey recently featured in the film "The Da Vinci Code".

7. St. Paul's Cathedral - this historic site has been the venue of many notable events such as the wedding of Charles and Diana - the Prince and Princess of Wales. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1710, we suggest you don't miss the Whispering Gallery.

8. Trafalgar Square – Don't miss Nelson's Column, which celebrates England's greatest sea-farer. Also, don't miss the lions! You can walk across the square to the National Gallery too. Each year in December, the people of Norway send a gift of an enormous Christmas tree to Britain, which is erected in Trafalgar Square.

9. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - this theatre is a reconstruction of the original Globe where Shakespeare's plays were first shown to the world. The Globe Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse designed in 1599. The theatre season runs from May to September with productions of the work of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and modern authors.

10. The British Museum – founded in 1753, the British Museum holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures. Housed in one of Britain's architectural landmarks, the collection is one of the finest in existence, spanning two million years of human history. Access to the collections is free.

Whatever you want to see in London we suggest you make sure you get a great hotel – take a look at The Savoy, The Hempel, the Langham, The Metropolitan and Sheraton Park Lane at www.greatshortbreaks.com.

About the author:
Steve Nichols runs the website www.greatshortbreaks.com, which specialises in booking the best London Hotels and Theatre breaks.

ENDS

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