Hampton Court Palace, once the grand residence of English monarchs like Henry VIII, now invites the public to explore its remarkable history. Visitors can easily spend an entire day wandering through its numerous attractions, each offering a glimpse into the past.
The palace boasts an impressive 60 acres of gardens, perfect for a leisurely stroll. One of the highlights is the famous maze, a challenging yet fun activity that has attracted adventurers for centuries. The gardens provide a serene backdrop to the palace's grandeur, offering both beauty and tranquility.
The Tudor kitchens offer a fascinating insight into the culinary world of the past. Here, the hustle and bustle of preparing grand feasts for royalty comes to life. Visitors can imagine the aromas and sounds that once filled these historic kitchens.
The Chapel Royal is another notable site within the palace, showcasing stunning architecture and a sense of spiritual grandeur. With its rich history, the chapel continues to be a place of reflection and awe.
Inside the palace, the Great Hall stands as a testament to Tudor opulence. This magnificent room, once hosting extravagant banquets and royal gatherings, captivates with its impressive hammer-beam ceiling and historic tapestries.
Mantegna's Triumphs of Caesar paintings add an artistic dimension to the palace experience. These masterpieces offer a glimpse into the grandeur of past empires and the artistry of the Renaissance era.
Various exhibitions dedicated to Henry VIII provide deeper insights into the life and times of one of England's most famous kings. Through artifacts and displays, visitors can discover stories of power, politics, and personal life that shaped his reign.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Court_Palace
A medieval church that was rebuilt in the late 18th century, noted for its well-preserved interior. The former churchyard was converted into a public space in 1880, called Postman's Park as it was frequented by workers from the nearby Post Office headquarters.
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this tall column (which can be ascended to get a great view) marks the alleged site where the Great Fire of London broke out in September 1666.
The oldest church in the City, founded by Saxon abbots in 675 AD.
A neoclassical triumphal arch, designed by Decimus Burton and first erected in 1826 as a grand entrance to Buckingham Palace. From 1846 onwards, the arch was topped with a massive equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington - a major road widening of Piccadilly in 1882 was the opportunity to finally remove the over sized statue to Aldershot. The present magnificent statue Peace Descending on the Quadriga of War was placed on top of the Arch in 1912, and remains today the largest bronze sculpture in the United Kingdom, spectacularly lit at night. During the 1950s, the arch served as the smallest police station in the city, when it was occupied by ten constables, two sergeants and a cat! The arch was opened to the public for the first time in 2001 after a £1.5 million restoration by English Heritage. (Wellington Arch is also available for corporate and private events, with dramatic views down Constitution Hill and across central London from the Arch's spacious balconies, Wellington Arch is a novel and unique place to impress your guests).
Su Catholic Church of England with bells and smells (incense). There is an impressive model of the old London Bridge.
A Victorian school, now a university with a mission to advance knowledge of the fine arts. Exhibitions are common. Times and admission charges vary but can often be free, although visitors may need to book tickets to certain events.
This park used to be the grounds of Lambeth Palace but has been a public park since 1901. In addition to the green space it provides, it contains a range of sports facilities (booking required, except for the cricket nets) and a playground.
Peaceful gardens and interesting monuments including the daughter of Richard Cromwell, son of Oliver Cromwell.
A retirement home for soldiers created by King Charles II. Tours around the listed building and grounds are regular and include the museum (which can be visited separately) whose exhibits contain military memorabilia donated by Chelsea Pensioners over the years.
Created by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Janet Laurence to remember the Australians who died in both world wars. Made from Australian granite.
A branch of the Imperial War Museum, the Cabinet War Rooms preserves the underground corridors and rooms from which Churchill and the cabinet directed the war against Hitler and the Nazis, maintained almost exactly as they were left in 1945. In 1984, IWM opened the rooms to the public for the first time. In 2005, the attached Churchill Museum was opened as the world's first permanent museum dedicated to the life and wartime achievements of Sir Winston Churchill. Audio guides are included in your admission. No cloakroom, no rucksacks, no suitcases. Café is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Hot food is served until 3pm.
This small tower across the road from the Houses of Parliament is the only part of the original Palace of Westminster still standing. While it is overshadowed in splendour by the surrounding buildings, it's well worth a visit, and has good displays about the early history of Westminster.
Grade I listed Saxon church founded before the 12th century. The exterior was mostly constructed in the 15th century, and the interior in the 19th. The north side of the church houses a musician's chapel opened in 1955. In addition to the services, there are often evening (chargeable) concerts.
At the junction of five major roads, Piccadilly Circus is the home of the famous aluminum statue of Eros, which sits atop a fountain. The monument is officially known as Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain and initially wasn't supposed to depict Eros, but different god Anteros. The north side of Piccadilly Circus holds an enormous display board of electric advertisements, including Britain's biggest illuminated display (the widest in the world), advertising Coca-Cola.
One of the most expensive residential streets on the planet! Most of the buildings here are embassies or ambassadorial residences but the rest of the mansions belong to some of the richest people in the country (or elsewhere). For added historical value, during World War II, the current Norwegian embassy was where King Haakon VII led the Norwegian government-in-exile (commemorated by a blue plaque) and MI19's "London Cage" prisoner-of-war facility was located here. There is no public right of way but the Crown Estate allow pedestrians and cyclists to use the street; photography is not permitted.