London's Top Ten Landmarks For Tourists And Sightseers

By Author: Tom J Hicks
Total Articles: 3
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London is a city bathed in history, architecture and culture and is a sightseer's paradise. We've put together the top ten London landmarks in association with Harmony Cars luxury London airport transfers.

10. Harrods-
For a truly amazing shopping experience, you will want to find your way to the world famous Harrods department store in Knightsbridge. With a history spanning back to 1834, Harrods will offer you an unthinkably large choice of the most luxurious goods available in London.

9. The London Eye-
Like the O2, the London Eye (or the Big Wheel, as it's often called) was built to commemorate the Millennium in London. At a staggering 135 meters tall (that's 64 red telephone boxes stacked together), The Eye affords passengers a view as far out as Windsor Castle on a clear day. The Eye was meant to be deconstructed after a year but Londoners and tourists alike took to it so much that it has remained there ever since and the London skyline would now appear empty without it. The huge observation wheel provides the perfect launch pad for London's New Year's fireworks every December 31st and is one of ...
... the best ways for tourists to see every other London landmark!

8. Piccadilly Circus-
Nothing epitomises a night out in London like the sight of Piccadilly Circus' famous neon billboards aglow. It's the UK's equivalent of New York's Times Square and acts as a light-up gateway to the relaxed and fun district of Soho as well as the sophisticated and high class night-time venues of Mayfair.

7. Trafalgar Square-
Home to Nelson's Column, the National Gallery and a host of perpetually hungry pigeons, Trafalgar Square is a popular area, particularly with tourists, who come to relax by the ornate fountains and lounge on the statues of lions on plinths. Trafalgar Square is also home to the famous Fourth Plinth which supports no permanent statue but has been used to showcase the artwork of Thomas Schutte, Rachel Whiteread and Bill Woodrow. Most recently, the Fourth Plinth has hosted sculptor Anthony Gormley's One & Other project, in which members of the public are invited to occupy the plinth alone for an hour each. Whilst on the platform, participants may do whatever they choose, provided it's legal.

6. St Paul's Cathedral-
Looming over the north bank of the Thames is Sir Christopher Wren's great, domed masterpiece. Completed in 1710, the cathedral was built to rejuvenate the ravaged landscape in the wake of the Great Fire of London. St Paul's has a thriving community of parishioners and plays host to a wedding almost every Saturday.

5. Tower Bridge-
Straddling the river Thames, Tower Bridge is a combination of bascule and suspension bridges. The two towers of the bridge are frequently used for high-profile events and are bathed in coloured light after dark each night. Tower Bridge is frequently mistaken for London Bridge which is actually the next bridge downstream. This happened most recently (and publically) in American singer Fergie's video for her song London Bridge, in which she cavorted on a boat in front of Tower Bridge.

4. The Tower of London-
Watch your neck! The Tower of London was the infamous setting of many an execution, and provided the final shelter for some very high-profile prisoners including Sir Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey and Catherine Howard, each of whom entered the Tower by water, through Traitor's Gate. Since 1303, the Tower of London has also been home to the Crown Jewels and housed the Royal Menagerie in the 13th century.

3. Westminster Abbey
With over 1000 years of history and many exquisite architectural features, Westminster Abbey is sure to fascinate you for hours. Here you will experience the final resting places of some of the most important people in England's past, along with thousands of examples of ancient artefacts, stained glass, manuscripts and paintings.

2. Buckingham Palace
Each year hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Buckingham Palace to pay their respects to Her Majesty and witness the Changing of the Guard. After the tragic death of Lady Diana, Buckingham Palace became a place of pilgrimage for mourners and the Mall was strewn with oceans of flowers, gifts and messages of condolence.

1. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament-
Exiting Westminster Station and looking up, it's impossible not to be awed by the sheer size of the great clock tower. Big Ben is in fact the name of the huge 13 ton bell inside and not the clock as a whole. Also known as the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament comprise of the House of Commons (which was rebuilt in 1950 after its destruction during World War II), the House of Lords and Westminster Hall. In 1605 Guy Fawlkes famously failed in his attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament as part of the Gunpowder Plot and was found guilty of high treason.

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