Strawberry Hill House is an extraordinary Gothic revival villa, originally built by Horace Walpole, the 18th-century poet and son of England's first prime minister. This architectural marvel stands as a testament to Walpole's imagination and flair, embodying his love for gothic style and literature.
The house is a remarkable display of Gothic revival architecture, featuring an array of unique elements that capture the eye. Its whimsical design includes crenellated battlements, pointed arches, and elaborate decorations that give it a fairy-tale appearance. Each room presents a different aspect of Walpole's eclectic taste, from the lavish interiors to the striking stained glass windows.
Besides its architectural allure, Strawberry Hill House holds significant cultural value. As the home of Horace Walpole, it became a hub for intellectuals and artists of the time. Walpole's influence extended beyond architecture, as he was also an author who wrote the first Gothic novel, "The Castle of Otranto", within these walls. This connection to literary history adds another layer of intrigue to the estate.
Surrounding the villa, the gardens of Strawberry Hill offer a serene escape. Designed to complement the house's enchanting character, the landscape features meandering paths, lush greenery, and charming views. These gardens provide a peaceful setting for visitors to reflect on the creativity and vision of Horace Walpole.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry_Hill_House
Properly St Lawrence Jewry next Guildhall, it is the official church of the Lord Mayor of London.
Equestrian statue of the Iron Duke, with four soldiers at each corner of the pedestal, representing regiments that fought under him: a Grenadier, Scottish Highlander, Irish Dragoon, and Welsh Fusilier. The bronze came from melting down captured French cannons.
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.
An intersection of seven streets in the northern part of the Covent Garden district. Lots of mid-range designer clothing and shoe stores
More of an artificial stream than a fountain, flowing in an oval through an open grassy area which, in normal summers, is a popular paddling spot for children and grown-ups alike.
Designed by one of Britain's leading architects, Sir Norman Foster, this curved glass skyscraper was the 2004 recipient of the Stirling Architectural Prize for Best Building. It was built on the site of the Baltic Exchange building, destroyed in 1992 by an IRA bomb which killed three. On the Bury Street side of the Gherkin by some black stone benches is the Tomb of the Unknown Girl for a teenaged Londoner who died 1,600 years ago (see infobox above), marked with a marble laurel wreath and inscription. Searcy's Restaurant (from £50) at the top takes bookings up to five weeks in advance and you have to go through security before going up.
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.
In contrast to the other Royal Parks in the area, Green Park can seem a little plain. It has no lakes or buildings and few monuments. It is still a pleasant green, lightly wooded, area in the centre of London, neighbouring two other parks and Buckingham Palace.
As with any Merlin attraction, it is arguably overpriced for what it is. Brings to life the gorier elements of London's past both real life and fictional. Including the execution of Charles I after the English Civil War, the bubonic plague, Jack the Ripper, Mrs. Lovett's pie shop and Sweeney Todd's barber shop with faithful recreations of disaster, disease, and torture using live actors. Younger children may be scared.
The second largest of the London Royal Parks, covering an area of 450 hectares (1,099 acres). Lying north of Hampton Court Palace, the history of the park is inextricably linked to the palace, yet it has always had its own distinct rural character. There are herds of both Red Deer and Fallow Deer, they are wild but usually safe, just don't go too close or get between a hind and its calf. The D-Day linked bits are easiest found from the Teddington side. Go through SHAEF gate and there is an information board. You should be able to spot a flagpole a hundred yards into the park, this marks the spot where General Eisenhower had his office, if you have time, or children who are up for a challenge, there are bronze markers with combined British and Canadian and US flags at the corners where the main buildings of Camp Griffiss were. The partially restored early 18th-century baroque water gardens are a short walk from the Hampton Hill gate. The park is subdivided by Chestnut Avenue, Christopher Wren's grand approach to Hampton Court Palace which runs from Teddington Gate to Hampton Court Gate and with the gilded Diana fountain closer to the Palace end (you may have seen it as location for the finish line of some of the cycling events at the 2012 Olympics).
Completed in 1823, this attractive church near Broadcasting House is one of John Nash's masterpieces, with a prominent spire and circular vestibule. As of May 2025, it accessible only for worship.
After leaving its brutalist skyscraper on Old Broad St, the London Stock Exchange now resides on Paternoster Sq. Dating back to 1698, it is one of the world's oldest and largest stock markets.
The TfL-backed Hidden London offers tours around the disused Aldwych tube station which had its own branch on the Piccadilly line. The tour explains the station's unusual history including its use for protection (for both people and historical artefacts held by the British Museum) from the Blitz during WWII. More recently, it was used as a filming location and for testing station equipment and decor. Of note, it was used for filming James Bond: Die Another Day, V for Vendetta and the Prodigy music video for Firestarter. Tours are roughly an 1 hour and 15 minutes long, wear sturdy shoes (not sandals).
Not as popular with tourists as St Paul's north of the river, Southwark Cathedral has been the site of worship since the year 852. Literally in the shadow of London Bridge, the Cathedral is a shelter from the noise of the city. Next to the Cathedral is the Borough Market open Th-Sa with a wide range of speciality food to buy, a good area for lunch.