By Elizabeth Baker
Although London offers a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities, including Big Ben, the London Bridge, the London Tower and Buckingham Palace, many tourists spend too much of their time traveling from one attraction to the next and not enough time just sightseeing. If you are heading to London, be sure to visit these stunning attractions, which offer picturesque views of the city, fun photography opportunities and information on London's rich history.
Visit Big Ben
This massive clock is one of London's most popular tourist destinations, and it serves as one of the most well-known icons in the city. The clock was erected by Commissioner of Works Sir Benjamin Hall and is visited by over 3 million tourists each year. Each of the clock's four faces are 23 feet squared, and the statue itself is estimated to be 300 feet tall. Visit the clock by walking to St. Margaret Street.
Picnic in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, located in the center of London, contains acres of lush, green grass and is the perfect location for a mid-day picnic. The largest park in London, Hyde Park is also considered one of the Royal Parks of London. It is divided in two by the Serpentine River and connects with the Kensington Gardens, a royal garden that was once considered a part of the park. Hyde Park is comprised of over 350 acres of land and is open throughout the year from 5:00 a.m. until midnight. The park has also served as a location of protest; the Chartists, Reform League, Suffragettes and Stop the War Coalition have all held protests in the park.
Visit the Tower Bridge
After lunch, head to the Tower Bridge in east London. The Tower Bridge is the most well-known bridge in London and offers stunning views of the entire city. Established in 1894 as a suspension bridge, the bridge now serves all of London and lifts to allow boats to pass. The bridge was briefly closed in 1910, due to its popularity amongst pickpockets and prostitutes, but it is now reopened to the public and is located close to the Tower of London.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Baker has been writing professionally since 2002, specializing in health, education, food and travel topics. Her work has appeared in "The Claremont Review," "The Bullet," "The Mercury" and "Positive Teen." Baker has a Bachelor of Arts in English and creative writing from Gettysburg College and is a graduate student in the University of Iowa's nonfiction writing program.
