London is full of historic sites that will captivate and amaze. From the majestic Tower of London to Buckingham Palace, this list will take you back in time.
St Paul’s Cathedral boasts a remarkable 1,700-year-old story. Westminster Abbey serves as an institution to mark royal coronations ceremonies and union celebrations, while Cabinet War Rooms were Winston Churchill’s nerve center during World War II.
The Tower of London
William the Conqueror’s tower still amazes and chills us nearly 1000 years later. This tower serves as both royal palace and fortress, housing crown jewels, prison, execution site, menagerie, public records office, arsenal and armory – among many other functions.
As its origins can be traced to a motte-and-bailey fortress, where a ditch was dug and dirt piled to form a mound, on which soldiers stored weapons, horses, food and valuables before brick reinforcement reinforced its inner walls in 17th century.
Yeoman Warders are believed to be descended from medieval knights and provide protection for its ravens – it’s also where Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were interred – while it can be reached easily from Tower Hill subway station which serves the Circle and District lines.
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral stands as one of London’s iconic landmarks. Designed by Christopher Wren, this structure stands as the tallest church in Britain and features one of the two largest domes globally.
Church history in Britain is intricately intertwined with that of this church. The first church on this site was erected by King Erkenwald in 604 CE; subsequent attempts failed due to either ransacking or being destroyed by fire.
Michelangelo inspired its spectacular dome design for St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is among its most notable features, while other highlights include tombs and memorials of national heroes including Admiral Lord Nelson and Sir Christopher Wren himself as well as Henry Moore sculptures and thought-provoking works by Gerry Judah on display within its crypt. Additionally, other artworks on display at the cathedral include Henry Moore sculptures as well as thought-provoking works by Gerry Judah – making for an impressive visit!
The Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament (also referred to as the Palace of Westminster) are home of Britain’s bicameral parliament and its famous clock tower known as Big Ben is one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
Beginning your house tour at Westminster Hall is sure to impress! Boasting England and Europe’s largest medieval hammerbeam roof, this room is filled with portraits of Henry VIII and his six wives as well as copies of paintings which once graced its walls depicting Spain’s defeat at Armada.
The Palace has long been seen as the embodiment of British politics, earning the name “Mother of Parliaments” due to its lasting success as a democracy. Indeed, Britain’s system was widely adopted around the globe during the 19th century and remains in operation even today.
The Museum of London
The Museum of London is one of the world’s leading urban history museums, providing a history of London since prehistoric times. Exhibits range from Roman ceramics to Oliver Cromwell’s death mask and recreations of rooms and streets from different periods.
The museum houses many fascinating artifacts from London’s past, such as an ornately decorated 1928 lift from Selfridges and Florence Haig’s Hunger Strike medal awarded during her hunger strike protest against segregation. There is also an interactive exhibit which takes visitors through one day during World War II.
Other museums worth seeing are the Inns of Court & City Yeomanry Museum and Handel & Hendrix Museum – this latter one chronicling composer George Frideric Handel and guitarist Jimi Hendrix in their nearby homes.
The Temple of Mithras
City gems that often go unnoticed include bits of Roman wall, towers from long-demolished churches and the Temple of Mithras – discovered for the first time in 1954 and captivating public interest with long queues forming to see it.
W.F Grimes discovered its remains during rebuilding work after World War II on Walbrook Street and reconstruction opened about 100 metres from its original location at Temple Court on Queen Victoria Street in 1962.
Bloomberg SPACE restores the temple to the site where it was discovered, featuring contemporary art commissions responding to one of London’s key archaeological sites. It also provides an opportunity to learn more about Roman soldiers stationed along the British frontier’s popular mystery religion – popularly observed among them.
