London is undeniably one of the most delightful cities in the world to visit with stunning architecture, reflected in landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, guaranteed to wow and impress. Open up a London map and you’ll discover historical buildings, significant landmarks or a London museum – all just a stone’s throw away from each other, enabling you to create your own unique sightseeing tour.
The old and the new
Architects of today have created some innovative designs that make London a modern and contemporary city to visit. Take, for example, the area surrounding the Isle of Dogs which is home to the financial centre of Canary Wharf and some of UK’s tallest buildings (such as One Canada Square).
However, London has certainly not lost its cultural identity amid this modern growth. Old buildings and beautiful architecture, steeped in more than three thousands of years of history, remain as popular as ever and entice tourists from the world over.
London’s extraordinary gems
Westminster Abbey is an excellent example of the English medieval tradition with its vast stained glass windows and towering spires. Not only is it a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gothic church has also witnessed 38 coronations (dating back as far as 1066), and is the burial place for many famous English aristocrats and poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer. The Abbey continues to find fame today, playing host to the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Famed for its distinctive dome and beautiful structure is Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, St Paul’s Cathedral. The magnificent cathedral was burnt down in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the rebuilt masterpiece survived an attempted bombing in 1913; seeing it remain of utmost significance to the country, holding important services such as the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer in 1981 and the funerals of Lord Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill, among others.
There’s no doubt that the historic buildings scattered around the city of London frame the backbone of English culture and heritage, a history that can be explored in great detail in almost any London museum. Other significant sites not to be missed include the Tower of London (where visitors get a chance to see Henry VIII’s spectacular armour), the almighty Tower Bridge, and the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, Windsor Castle.
In with the new
Walking down any street in London, it doesn’t take long to realise that the city is made up of tall and often oddly-shaped, glass buildings such as the 30 St Mary Axe building (affectionately known as the Gherkin).
Other contemporary delights of London include the Tate Modern art museum which, along with the spectacular Millennium Bridge, was briefly featured in the 2009 film, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The Tate Modern building was converted from the Bankside Power Station and now features international modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day.
Another iconic building is the breathtaking Hindu temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, located in north-west London. The Mandir appeared in the Guinness World Records in 2000 as the largest Hindu temple outside India. The temple’s traditional Indian art and decorative design is a symbol of the multiculturalism and diversity London has become renowned for.
Sporty London
As well as being internationally recognised as both a historic and metropolitan city, London also plays host to some of the nation’s favourite sporting events. The prestigious new Wembley Stadium opened in 2007 and is set to host the football finals of the 2012 London Olympics.
Wimbledon is arguably the most popular tennis tournament in the world, former great Pete Sampras once said, “I love Wimbledon. This is the best court in the world”. Fans can visit the grass courts and gain access to restricted VIP areas to relive the winning moments of their favourite tennis players.
Whatever you’re looking for, London has it all: from breathtaking architecture (both old and new), to world-leading museums.
