London

London is the lively capital of the United Kingdom and a must see destination for visitors from all over the globe. As one the world's most exciting cities, London has something for everyone and there is so much to do, you'll be hard pressed to pack everything in!

Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower © Neil Redler

London Tours

The first stop for many visitors to the capital is Buckingham Palace, the King’s official London home. Millions come to enjoy the changing of the guard each day, but in August and September the gates are opened and visitors can step inside and explore the Palace itself.

Buckingham Palace © VisitBritain / Andrew Pickett

Westminster Abbey, just a stone's throw away from the Palace, has been at the heart of the nation's religious observance for over 700 years. Westminster Abbey is the resting place for many of the UK's greatest people, from Elizabeth I to Winston Churchill.

The newly renovated Elizabeth Tower - also known as Big Ben © Neil Redler

The Abbey stands adjacent to the Houses of Parliament, one of London's most recognisable landmarks on the banks of the Thames, which has been the seat of British government since the 13th Century. The adjoining Elizabeth Tower, which is often referred to by the name of its main bell, Big Ben, is an icon of London.

County Hall and the London Eye from Westminster Bridge © Neil Redler

A visit to London is a central part of our tailor-made Churchill Tours. Follow in the footsteps of Britain's World War Two leader by visiting some of the sites in the capital associated with the great man, as well as the places which played a key role in the war.

Greenwich and the River Thames © VisitBritain / Jason Hawkes

Greenwich in London is known as the 'Home of Time' as it is the location of the Prime Meridian, which divides the earth into the eastern and western hemispheres and determines the global Time Zone system. Visitors to Greenwich in London can stand on the Prime Meridian Line and discover the remarkable story of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Situated on the banks of the River Thames, Greenwich is one of the most beautiful parts of London and has many other attractions for visitors to enjoy.

A visit to a traditional pub is one of the top things that many visitors to London look forward to. The pub is a world-famous British institution and there are hundreds of pubs all over the capital to suit all tastes - from cosy taverns with a long and distinguished history, to more modern Michelin starred gastro pubs serving delicious food. The Mayflower, for example, is the oldest pub on the River Thames, while The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead featured in The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

A traditional London pub © VisitBritain

You can find out more about London's historic pubs in this fascinating podcast, The History of London's Pubs - Pilgrims, Phantoms and Parrots, from storiesofbritain.com:

Podcast courtesy of storiesofbritain.com, featuring Marc Zakian, Antony Robbins and Tony Lewis 

A visit to London would not be complete without taking in a show - the 'West End' is famous internationally for its concentration of theatres, where you can see many of today's top plays and musicals. Or perhaps you would like to enjoy one of our increasingly popular Opera Tours?

The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

London has been inspiring writers and poets for centuries and there is so much for book lovers to experience on a tailor-made Book Lover's Tour. Follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare, uncover ancient manuscripts and historic texts at the British Library, browse timeless bookshops, enjoy a literary themed afternoon tea or relax with a pint in a traditional inn frequented by writers of yore.

Discover the Charles Dickens Museum on a book lover's tour of London

River Thames Cruises

A boat ride along the River Thames is another must - and a journey through time - as ancient monuments jostle with modern skyscrapers, such as the distinctive 95 storey Shard, which was opened in 2012 and offers some of the best views of the capital. 

As you cruise along the Thames you will see many of London's other greatest landmarks, from the London Eye to Shakespeare's Globe, and from St Paul's Cathedral to Tower Bridge.

The Tower of London © Neil Redler

The historic Tower of London, pictured above, which dates back almost 1,000 years, is one of the UK's leading tourist attractions. See the famous Beefeaters and of course the Crown Jewels - a dazzling collection of royal regalia.

Where ancient meets modern - the Tower of London with 'The Gherkin' behind