London has been on my trip list for quite a while and I’m very glad that I have recently managed to visit it. I don’t know why I have postponed my trip to London for so long. The only thing I know for sure is that I wanted to enjoy London in the summertime.
Having this idea in my mind I chose to plan my trip to London at the beginning of this summer and it seems that it has been an inspired choice. Even though the season is not necessarily a guarantee of good weather, especially in London, I was lucky enough to spend a few sunny days in this famous and vibrant metropolis.
London has a lot to offer and the sun shining in the sky is the only thing you need to enjoy this city to the fullest. The bright sunlight gives this amazing city a magical appearance and it also plays an important role when it comes to good mood and positive emotions. It goes without saying that I used this perfect weather to admire this lovely city in all its splendor.
It is true that it was a very active trip because I tried to visit as many tourist attractions as possible, but in the end, I lived an amazing experience in London. I have simply fallen in love with this beautiful city and for good reason. Interesting museums, fabulous palaces and cathedrals, impressive buildings and bridges, perfect views admired from the highest places in London and a lot of green spaces are just a few of the reasons why I love London.
There are no doubt a lot of reasons to fall in love with London, but after my experience there I would say that the following 20 reasons are the most powerful ones:
1.Enjoying a 360-degree panoramic view over the main tourist attractions in London, in one of the 32-high tech glass capsules of the Coca-Cola London Eye is a mandatory experience. This 135-meter tall wheel is one of the landmarks of the city. The world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel is simply amazing and the best choice in case you want to live an unforgettable experience.
2.Admiring the elaborate architecture of the Palace of Westminster in the sunshine is a real delight. Commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the palace lies on the north bank of the River Thames and shelters the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The charming appearance of this palace has simply conquered my heart.
3.Discovering Westminster Abbey, the 700-year old iconic church of London is a must-see experience. This beautiful Gothic church is the place of coronations and other ceremonies of national significance. The notoriety of the church has increased a lot after it was used as the venue for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011.
4.Admiring the architectural details of the imposing Big Ben was a difficult task because unfortunately, the tower is being renovated at the moment. Even so, it would be impossible not to feel a strong emotion when the clock tower strikes the hours. That sound made me realize how lucky I was to be in one of the most famous cities in the world.
5.Exploring the crowded Trafalgar Square is an authentic English experience. Enjoying the vibe of the crowd, visiting the small St Martin-in-the-Fields Church or admiring the paintings in the National Gallery are just a few of the things that I really liked doing in the largest square in London.
6.Spending a few moments in front of Buckingham Palace is another great experience. This beautiful palace is the residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837 and nowadays is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. The palace is also used for many official events and receptions held by the Queen. It was a real pleasure to spend a few minutes in front of this palace and admire its beautiful architectural details.
7.The view that can be admired from the 72nd floor of the Shard is another fabulous experience. I have always liked to admire cities from really high places and the Shard is definitely the best place to do this in London. This glass pyramidal tower is the place where I enjoyed the most beautiful views over the entire city. The Shard is a 95-floor skyscraper which shelters a few offices, restaurants, hotel rooms and also a viewing gallery and an open-air observation deck.
8.Tower Bridge is another emblematic place in London and a strong reason why I love this fantastic city. Considered one of the finest and the most famous bridges in the world, its architecture is really impressive. I went for a walk on this lovely bridge and I let myself mesmerized by the beautiful views over the River Thames and the surrounding areas. Tower Bridge is also a perfect place from where you can admire the Tower of London, another interesting tourist attraction. Near Tower Bridge there is also a small port where I enjoyed a few moments of relaxation.
9.Southwark Cathedral was a great surprise for me because I didn’t expect this building to be so beautiful. The exterior and the interior are both impressive and simple. London’s oldest Gothic building, Southwark Cathedral is remarkable because of its iconic crossing tower and its stained-glass windows. Nowadays, the cathedral shelters several tombs and monuments.
10.Borough Market is situated south of Southwark Cathedral. It is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London. I really enjoyed walking around this market and admiring the diversity and the mix of cultures which define London. Eating in this market is quite an experience, because there are so many options you can choose from.
11.The lovely St. Paul’s Cathedral is the place where I felt deep inner peace. The exterior of the cathedral is really remarkable because of the dome which depicts eight scenes from St. Paul’s life. This is one of the largest cathedrals in the United Kingdom and it is also very famous because it is the place where Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer got married.
12.Taking pictures of my favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds was one of the funniest experiences I lived in London. The museum exhibits a high number of wax figures of celebrities, including the Royal Family of the United Kingdom, but it also offers other experiences. For example, it was a pleasure to relax in a traditional black cab and discover London’s rich history through innovative scenes with wax figures.
13.Spending a few hours at the Sea Life Aquarium is another great experience. It is a real delight to explore this underwater world and admire the magnificent sharks, the colorful clownfish, the lively sea turtles, the mysterious jellyfish and a lot of other aquatic species. Admiring the UK’s biggest shoal of piranhas, enjoying the Rainforest Adventure, feeding the sharks or walking on a glass floor are among the most famous experiences offered by this aquarium.
14.Plunging into the world of Shrek and his friends is a really funny experience. Shrek’s Adventure is a museum where I had the opportunity to enjoy 12 themed live shows. The museum is divided into areas specially arranged to create fairytale settings. Each actor tells an interesting story through the eyes of a charismatic character. A lot of special effects and animation gave me the impression that all the stories were real.
15.The Dungeon Experience requires audience participation and it will prove to be different than anything you have ever tried. The Dungeon is a museum that brings together professional actors who play scary roles. The museum is divided into areas specially arranged to mimic historical events. I had the chance to enjoy 19 interactive shows which revealed scary and important moments in London’s history. The Torture Chamber, the Plague Doctor, Jack the Ripper and the Whitechapel Labyrinth are just a few examples of shows.
Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed there 🙁 🙁 🙁
16.Walking in the beautiful Hyde Park is an experience I remember with great pleasure. Covering an area of 350 acres, Hyde Park is the largest park in London. Different species of trees and plants, ornamental flower gardens, large green lawns and a beautiful lake perfectly describe the beauty of this park. Swimming, boating, cycling, skating, horse riding, jogging or simply walking are just a few of the activities which can be enjoyed there. Besides the lovely green areas, Hyde Park shelters a few interesting tourist attractions such as: the Serpentine Bridge, the Joy of Life Fountain, Achilles Statue and Diana Memorial Fountain.
17.Taking pictures of the famous red telephone boxes is a common experience in London and I really enjoyed it. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the red telephone box is a British icon. Even though different models were designed over time, K2 is the most famous one and it has become a recognizable symbol of London. In 2006, as part of a competition organized by the Design Museum and BBC Television, to find Britain’s favorite design icon since 1900, the Telephone Box was placed in the top ten by the British public.
18.London’s beautiful neighborhoods are another reason why I love this amazing city. I tried to discover London step by step and enjoy it to the fullest. Besides its central areas, Notting Hill is my favorite neighborhood in London. It was a real pleasure to walk in its coquettish streets, to admire the colorful houses, to enjoy the crowded coffee shops and terraces, to visit the beautiful St. John’s Church and to explore the Portobello Market.
19.Shopping in London comes in handy whenever you want to take a break from visiting tourist attractions. The famous Oxford Street and Regent Street are my favorite shopping areas in London. It was a delight to walk in these beautiful streets which are beautifully decorated with a multitude of British flags and bright billboards and to explore the numerous shops located here.
20.Last but not least, I can definitely say that I fell in love with the English pubs. Relaxing in a lovely atmosphere and eating a tasty dish seasoned with a local beer is a real treat. The traditional fish & chips, the hamburger & chips, the meat pies and the delicious English sandwiches are among my favorite local dishes. It is true that Londoners don’t eat very healthy, but their cuisine is simply delicious and it is definitely worth trying.
