Top Tourist Spots for First Time Visitors
London is a vast city that attracts millions of tourists every year from all over the world. It can be daunting trying to tackle a city as big as this one, trying to fit everything in to ensure that you get the best experience, however, this guide aims to help you tick off some of the major tourist spots to leave you feeling like you have done London the right way.
Tower of London
The Tower of London is situated in the region of Tower Hill, a short tube ride away from the Park Grand Hotel Paddington Court. It has become world famous for its tumultuous history that spanned centuries and today, it is one of the major tourist attractions in the city. It was built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror as a fortress to protect London from invaders. From here, the White Tower was extended by the reigning monarchs that succeeded William, creating the walled Tower that we know today. The history of Tower is gory because, even though it started out as a royal palace, with the creation of Whitehall and Hampton Court, it swiftly became a prison, used to house any traitors to the crown. Many were tortured and killed here including the Princes of the Tower, Sir Thomas More, Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey and, today, you can visit the burial sites of the two queens executed here. The yeomen still guard the Tower and offer tours that are packed filled of knowledge and interesting facts, they really add to the whole experience, especially when you visit the torture chambers.
London Eye
The London Eye is one of the most iconic sights in the world; it is broadcasted all around the world during events such as New Year’s Eve and is the one attraction that is most associated to the city. The London Eye can be found in Southbank which is a few tubes away from The Grand Restaurant Paddington and is one of the major attractions that you will constantly have to queue for as it is so popular. It makes a full rotation in 30 minutes which allows you to reach a height of 443ft to see the landscape of the city from the air. On a clear day, you are able to see to Windsor and if you decide to travel at night, the twinkling lights of the city are breath-taking. Just be organised if you decide to visit the London Eye and buy your tickets in advance, you will save yourself a lot of money.
The West End
You can’t visit London and not go to the West End; it would almost be a crime. Choose from an incredible selection of musicals, plays, operas and ballets to have a truly magical experience and, with a great amount of discount tickets available around the city, you can also save yourself some money. If you have a show in mind, make sure you get to the ticket offices early, many of which are in Leicester Square, to give you the best chance of getting seats for the show you want.
