Discover London: Iconic Places, Hidden Gems and Modern City Life

Discover London: Iconic Places, Hidden Gems and Modern City Life

The British capital, where history and modernity collide. London offers something for everyone, from renowned landmarks to royal residences, quaint independent cafes and large, peaceful parks.

If it’s your first visit to the city or you are a long-term resident, there are always new streets, markets, viewpoints, parks and canals to explore.

Iconic London Landmarks

Visiting London would not be complete without witnessing some of its best-known architectural marvels and landmarks, such as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, on the banks of the River Thames, from where they provide a good viewpoint for taking photos. This area is conveniently close to Westminster Abbey and the gardens of St James’s Park.

Buckingham Palace lies further to the north of the Houses of Parliament, and visitors who like British royal history go there in droves. The Changing of the Guard is a well-known ceremony which receives visitors especially in the summer season.

Tower Bridge is situated further to the east of Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament. This is perhaps one of the most photogenic locations to visit, on the River Thames to the north of the Tower of London.

To get another viewpoint of the city the most obvious site is the London Eye, whose capsules afford remarkable views over the Thames and central London.

Exploring London’s Lesser Known Sites

However some of the most rewarding experiences are away from the city's most obvious tourist sites.

One of these, Neal’s Yard, can be found tucked away near Covent Garden and consists of several bright, colourful buildings where there are independent businesses. This spot makes for an excellent photo opportunity.

At a slower pace in Little Venice visitors can walk alongside canals and watch long narrowboats bobbing in the water or even take a boat ride to Camden Town, the north London area full of quirky, alternative shop fronts, street food, live music venues and a massive market.

Hampstead has more of a village-like feel with independent shops and historical streets, and sits right on the edge of Hampstead Heath which provides wonderful views out over London's skyline.

Leadenhall Market, one of London's most attractive Victorian buildings (which has stood in the City of London since it was rebuilt after the great fire in 1666) has been used as a filming location for various films and it retains a strong sense of old world charm.

A Variety of LondonNeighbourhoods

One of London's biggest assets is its variety and the diverse range of neighbourhoods which feel like they could all belong to different cities entirely.

From the pastel coloured houses of Notting Hill where the famous Portobello Road market takes place, to the completely different, bustling alternative vibe of Camden with its street food and street market stalls. Shoreditch offers a constantly changing canvas of street art as well as independent businesses; a true urban experience with restaurants, bars and clubs aplenty. Greenwich offers history within its beautiful park, alongside the Royal Observatory where time is measured and views of London are abundant.

London's Gastronomic Delights

Food is an area where London now excels on a world scale due to the blend of its culture: Borough Market is perhaps the most well-known food location and, just around the corner from the Globe theatre, people can buy all kinds of fresh produce, along with exotic dishes and a variety of international foods. Brick Lane has become extremely popular for South Asian cuisine, but street food and various cafes and independent eateries offer dining experience for every budget. Traditional British dishes are readily available (fish & chips, Sunday roasts, Sunday tea) but there is no end to international cuisine on offer with thousands of restaurants on offer which can tickle the taste buds to all corners of the globe.

Parks and Green Spaces

In contrast with its reputation as a chaotic, busy city London has an extraordinary amount of parks and green areas where you can escape the hustle and bustle and see many things you cannot see in the centre of the city. Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Richmond Park and Hampstead Heath all have their specialities to offer visitor and locals alike. These range from the wide, open fields and grazing deer of Richmond Park to the sweeping views of London from Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath. These spaces are used equally as much for sports and recreation as they are for relaxation and spending time with family and friends.

Modern Day London

Modern day London is a city that seems to be changing all the time with new, exciting architectural buildings, transport developments, business start-ups, places of entertainment and residential projects taking place across the city. Many parts of London which were traditionally places where people worked have been converted into exciting, modern shopping, business and living areas; all along the River Thames can be seen signs of this transformation. The London Underground system along with a reliable transport network and miles of dedicated cycle lanes makes it fairly easy to get to where you want to go without having to rely on a car.
Getting around and discovering the true value of London

The true appeal of visiting London lies not just in trying to get through a list of famous landmarks but a much more rewarding experience is afforded by taking the time to walk through different neighbourhoods, explore the markets, enjoy the independent shops and cafes, visit the city's lesser-known museums, and find the green spaces that lie in the gaps between the big tourist attractions. Whether it is the architecture, the history, the entertainment or the people which hold your interest you can always rely on London to deliver something wonderful, when the sun sets over the Thames and you stumble across a tiny, cobbled street in Hampstead, London truly comes alive for you.

A Final Conclusion

Beyond the iconic landmarks of the British capital; you can find a unique, evolving cityscape which marries old and new worlds. Whatever it is you love to do and whoever you meet you are bound to find a great many exciting things within the 2,000 year history and culture London has to offer, and there is nothing quite like watching the sunrise over the Thames but the greatest joy and adventure comes in discovering London beyond the well worn tourist trails.