London

London is the capital of England and is considered the biggest urban area within the United Kingdom. With history and heritage that date back to Roman settlement, London has a lot to offer to all kinds of tourists who come visiting from all over the world. In this city, the old and the new come together for truly unique experiences that will leave visitors wanting for more.

Sights & Activities:

When in London, visitors should not miss stopping by the four UNESCO World Heritage sites the city is so proud of. First on the list would be the Palace of Westminster, lying prominently on the northern bank of the River Thames. The palace is where House of Lords and the House of Commons conduct their parliamentary duties and is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world. It would be advisable to visit the structure during the summer months when tours are offered in some of its nearly 1,200 rooms. Highlights of the tours include the original Westminster Hall and what remained of the famed St. Stephen’s Chapel. Of course, a visit to the Palace of Westminster would not be complete without beholding the Clock Tower, more popularly known as the Big Ben. The bells of the tower toll every quarter hour, while the biggest bell, the original Big Ben, strikes the hour.

Next on the itinerary would be the district of Greenwich, located on the southern banks of the River Thames. Maritime Greenwich is recognized by UNESCO for the buildings that hold immense architectural and historical values. The area also lent its name to the Greenwich Meridian and the Greenwich Mean Time. Among the highlights of the district are the remnants of the clipper Cutty Sark, the Old Royal Naval College, the Trinity Hospital almshouse, the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House, the Royal Park, the former Royal Observatory, the Greenwich Market, the Greenwich Theatre, and the Greenwich Playhouse.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site is the Tower of London, which bears the official name of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress. The whole complex is actually composed of several structures surrounded by two rings of walls that played defensive roles during the country’s tumultuous past. The complex is more associated with the imprisonment and executions of several royalties and prominent figures in English history. Apart from taking tours around the complex, most visitors also come to the Tower of London to view the Crown Jewels, now kept under guard at the Jewel House.

The fourth World Heritage site is the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, or simply, the Kew Gardens. Located on the southern banks of the River Thames, it is a well-recognized botanical research institution composed of numerous gardens and glasshouses. Visitors get to tour the gardens on foot for free, with a volunteer guide. There are also tours offered aboard the Kew Explorer for a small fee. Among the sights to look out for is The Great Pagoda that is 163 feet tall, the replica of a Japanese temple known as the Chokushi-Mon, several museums and galleries, and the world’s largest compost heap.

After touring the four destinations recognized by UNESCO, visitors can also stop by several well-known attractions all over London. The London Eye or the Millennium Wheel is a huge Ferris wheel that is 135 meters tall. Located within the Jubilee Gardens, it provides visitors with bird’s eye views of all of London as it slowly turns.

Museum enthusiasts will surely have their fill of the city, with the National Gallery housing a huge collection of paintings from all over the world. A visit to the British Museum will lend information and knowledge on human culture and history, with the institution boasting of extensive collections from all over the world. The Science Museum, on the hand, is recognized as a leading repository of scientific and medical knowledge collected from all corners of the globe. It showcases collections of scientific instruments and interactive exhibitions that impart scientific learning to all visitors. In an effort to reach out to children, it periodically organizes the Science Night, when children and their guardians are allowed to stay overnight.

Weather:

London’s weather is anything but predictable. Though it experiences the four seasons of the year, residents rarely, if ever, experience extreme weather changes. Summer months from June to August are generally warm and sunny, while autumn comes during September to November. Mild winter is experienced every December to February and spring usually ushers in during March and lasts till May. All throughout the year, however, it would be prudent to bring along an umbrella and a coat, as rainfall is expected anytime.