Are you planning a trip to London for the summer? Although Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge are some of the best places to visit, I wanted to share 3 different places in London to visit. The most popular places to visit are always going to be the busiest. So it is best to avoid those or go really early in the day.
There are a number of museums to visit in London and the main ones are The Natural History Museum and The Science Museum. These are both free to get into but they are also very busy. Because many people go there in the school holidays and at weekends. What we wanted to share today are different places in London to visit with your family or alone.
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The Imperial War Museum
The first of our places to visit in London is The Imperial War Museum. It can be found on Lambeth Road, which is a small walk from London Waterloo train station. Unlike many other history museums, this museum is perfect for all types of people – from kids to adults. In fact, kids love the experience of getting up close and personal with the war history. There is one section that is recommended for older children. But you know your own child and whether they will be okay. As well as the permanent and temporary displays, fun activities are planned for both children and adults. Especially during most of the school holidays and at weekends.
As soon as you go in, there is so much to see, you will certainly be amazed. There is a large display room that is dedicated solely to tanks, naval weapons, and air weapons. There are many things from the first world wars. Other displays highlight the wars since 1945, crimes against humanity, and the secret war, and there is even an art gallery onsite for you to visit.
Museums are a great idea as there are so many to choose from as well as the Imperial War Museum, there is the Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, Natural History Museum and more.
The Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament can be found on Westminster Road. You really cannot miss the Houses of Parliament in London and it is easy to get to by bus and tube. Although it isn’t officially a museum, there is so much to see and do in there that it feels like one. The only difference is that you don’t have to pay because it is free to get in.
There has been a British government operating in the Houses of Parliament for over 900 years. So a lot of historical decisions have been made there and it is a big part of English history. You can get some great photos from the outside. But you can also book to go inside as well where you will find the Crypt Church, Members’ Lobbies, and Westminster Hall.
We would recommend going inside if you get the chance. But if there is a big queue, don’t worry because the view from the outside should be enough to make the visit worthwhile. On the outside, you will see Big Ben and many other historical landmarks in the background. It is also across the road from The London Eye.
Trafalgar Square And The National Gallery
Trafalgar Square is quite historical as well as being a place where festivals and special events take place. It is also where you will find the National Gallery. In the winter you will find a huge Christmas tree and people celebrate New Year’s Eve there too. So whatever time of the year you visit, there is always something to do.
Inside Trafalgar Square, you will find Nelson’s Column. This 18-foot statue, at the top of a tall column honours Admiral Nelson. He was the victorious admiral during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The statue, which is five meters high, is positioned on a base made from old, antique guns.
You will also find four pillars for statues These hold permanent displays of the statues of Sir Charles James Napier, George Sir Henry Havelock, and King George IV. The fourth Pillar is a pillar that displays art from artists chosen from an independent panel of artists, curators as well as journalists. If you have your art displayed here, it is a great honour!
At the top of Trafalgar Square, you will find The National Gallery. This is free to enter, but they do rely on donations from the public. You can see so many different pieces of art here and you can spend most of the day walking around admiring them. There is even a great selection of Van Gogh’s art.
More Places To Visit In London
There are many more places to visit in London, depending on your budget and where you are visiting. If you have a guidebook of London, please double-check check they are still open after Covid. Sadly so many places have had to close due to having no money,
I would love to add to that list, Camden town, Battersea, power station, and Greenwich, Cutty Sark.
Even if you have visited Camden in the past, I highly recommend you take a revisit. A massive regeneration project has taken over in the last few years, making it a massive food hub full of street food vendors and an indoor food market with seating and toilets available. For families, there is also a new indoor theme park and an arcade called Babylon. It’s great for all weather conditions as it’s sheltered and you won’t believe in the inside, there is also a rollercoaster ride for kids.
Battersea power station has also been through a massive regeneration program where the power station itself has been converted into a shopping mall. But the location itself is beautiful as it located on the Thames, and there’s also plenty of up-and-coming restaurants there where you can dine in style.
I might be biased because I live in Greenwich but I highly recommend anyone visiting London to come over to Greenwich. There is the Maritime Museum there that is free. Educate you about the trade going along the Thames and it’s very kids friendly.
I do love Camden, although not been for a while. I would love to visit Battersea but my husband said it is not that easy for us to get too sadly
We haven’t been to London for a while, but we might check out the houses of parliment next time we do!
There is so much to do and see in London
love visiting all these places – have done since I was a child
Me too I still love the excitement of visiting London
I’ve only ever been to London once and that was just a shopping trip, I would love to go again to see the sights properly.
It is a great place to explore
Always looking for new places to visit in London so this is great recommendations
There is so much to do in London you can never get bored