The London Eye is Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel, set on the South Bank of the River Thames, and is a major feature of the city’s skyline. The 443-foot tall structure was built as part of London’s millennium celebrations and boasts some of the city’s very best views from its 32 capsules, which hold up to 25 people. It’s a great way to begin your holiday, providing an unforgettable perspective of more than 55 of the city’s most famous landmarks in just a 30-minute ride. A nighttime ride means fewer crowds and even more spectacular views.
Tower of London
Tower of London[/caption]The Tower of London is a little over two miles from the London Eye but it’s worth stretching your legs for a visit. It’s played many roles in England’s history, serving as a castle in wartime as well as a monarch’s residence during times of peace. Most notoriously, it’s been a prison and execution site for rebels, along with a notable haunted history. Visitors can choose from a variety of tours available through multiple outfitters, including the humorous Beefeater tour and the creepy-yet-fascinating ghost tour. You can see the crown jewels, which boasts the First Star of Africa, the largest flawless cut diamond at an astounding 530 carats, and the executioner’s block which beheaded a couple of Henry VIII’s wives as well as a number of problematic heirs to the throne.
Big Ben
You might think Big Ben is just a clock, but it’s a whole lot more than that. The Houses of Parliament’s clock tower, located just a half-mile from the London Eye, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. The name Big Ben technically refers to the massive bell inside the tower, weighing over 13 tons. The clock tower is officially known as the Elizabeth Tower after it was renamed in 2012 in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. The minute hands are nearly 14 feet in length and weigh roughly 220 pounds. Its timekeeping is strictly regulated by a stack of coins that are placed on the huge pendulum, and it has rarely stopped – even after a bomb destroyed the Commons chamber in World War II, the clock tower survived while Big Ben continued to strike the hours. At night when the clock faces are illuminated, it’s particularly stunning.
The National Gallery
The National Gallery is the crown glory of Trafalgar Square and is home to some of the most famous and most beautiful paintings in the world. It’s less than a mile from the London Eye and doesn’t cost a thing to get in. The vast space features Western European paintings from the 13th to 19th centuries, including works by masters like Van Gogh, da Vinci, Picasso, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Renoir and Titan. If you’re short on time and want to see just one great masterpiece, make it Holbein’s “The Ambassadors.” The painting is laden with symbolism and known for its seemingly smudged image in the foreground that’s transformed into a human skull when viewed sideways.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
About a 20-minute walk from the Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is an identical reconstruction of the original building that housed Shakespeare’s theater, and is made entirely from English oak. It features an open-air playhouse that is set along the banks of the Thames River and serves as an exhibition space that’s dedicated to Shakespeare, while it also includes the Swan at the Globe Bar and Brasserie. Performances are engineered to duplicate the original environment during the playwright’s time, which means you won’t find any spotlights, and plays are staged during daylight hours as well as in the evening with the help of interior floodlights. All music is performed live as it was centuries ago, without microphones, speakers or amplification.
Westminster Abbey
A little over a half-mile from London Eye is Westminster Abbey, considered the greatest church in the English-speaking world. It was the setting for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding and the place where England’s kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066. The grand structure is truly a must-see living pageant of the country’s history with 3,000 tombs, the remains of 29 kings and queens, and hundreds of memorials lying within its walls and under its stone slabs.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the London residence of Queen Elizabeth II, located just over a mile from the London Eye. Open during the summer while Her Majesty is away on vacation, highlights include the State Rooms where the Queen and members of the Royal Family host guests for official affairs. Visitors can marvel at some of the most magnificent pieces from the Royal Collection, including opulent chandeliers, paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto as well as beautiful French and English furniture. If you watched the Royal Wedding, you may recognize the Throne Room, which served as the backdrop in the official photographs of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
St. Paul's Cathedral
One of the most iconic buildings in the city, the architectural masterpiece known as St. Paul’s Cathedral is carved into the London skyline, about a 30-minute walk from the Eye. Among its highlights includes the famous Whispering Gallery, known for its mysterious acoustics, as well as a burial crypt housing a host of celebrated British luminaries including Nelson, Wellington and Sir Christopher Wren, the designer of the Cathedral.
Morpeth Arms
With all that walking, you’ll probably be ready for a break, and perhaps a pint. If you’re fascinated by the paranormal, enjoy it at Morpeth Arms, which advertises itself as a place to eat, drink and ghost hunt – it even has a ghost cam. Staff and patrons have reportedly experienced all sorts of happenings believed to be related to the pub’s basement. It contains holding cells that were used to hold Millbank Penitentiary prisoners, kept here while waiting to board convict ships to take them to Australia. About 164,000 convicts were transported to the Australian colonies between 1788 and 1868.
