From the London Eye to the Tower of London: Must-See Sights for your Next UK Trip
Uncovering London’s many sights
A whirlwind of history, culture, cuisine and architecture collide in London, making it one of the world’s most diverse and fascinating cities. It’s truly jam-packed with sights and attractions to suit every kind of visitor – no matter if you’re keen to tick off some true icons or delve deeper into its rich past.
Here, we take a look at just a small snapshot of London sights and landmarks to add to your travel agenda. Plus, we’ll venture beyond the city limits with a handful of suggestions for those keen to explore further than the Big Smoke.
Iconic London Landmarks
The UK capital certainly has no shortage of iconic landmarks. However, if you’re short on time or sticking to a budget, you may just want to choose one or two for your next visit.
The London Eye is a sight that’s graced many postcards over the years – and it really is one of the best ways to enjoy uninterrupted views of the city’s world-famous skyline. You’ll find it on the southern shores of the River Thames (not far from Waterloo station) and we’d recommend booking your tickets in advance for the best price and to secure your preferred time slot.
Another favourite iconic London landmark of ours is the Tower of London. Perhaps one of the UK’s most historic structures (and the current home of the Crown Jewels), it’s played host to many famous figures and events over the centuries. You can easily spend a whole day exploring its towers and battlements, soaking up intriguing stories of battles, births and beheadings.
Historic sites and cultural gems
If you can’t get enough of London’s royal history, another must-see landmark is Buckingham Palace. The current home of King Charles, it’s been a working royal residence since it was first built in the early 18th century. You could opt for a tour of its lavish State Rooms or visit on Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
London is also one of Europe’s most culturally diverse destinations – and few places summarise that better than the British Museum. This prestigious institution first opened in 1759 and it now currently hosts over eight million artefacts related to human history. Explore collections which unearth the secrets of ancient civilisations – from the Egyptians to Medieval Europe. The museum is also set to display the Bayeux Tapestry in 2026 as part of a special temporary exhibition.
Beyond London: exploring the rest of the UK
If you’re in the UK for a little longer, why not expand your cultural adventure beyond London’s limits? There are numerous attractions just a day trip away from the capital – including prehistoric landmarks, more royal palaces and picture-perfect university campuses.
Stonehenge
This ancient collection of carefully placed stones sits on Salisbury Plain and is thought to date back over 5000 years. It was a very important structure to Pagan communities and continues to see people flock to it on important days like the summer and winter solstices.
While you could visit it independently by hiring a car from London, taking an organised tour with a company like Golden Tours is the simplest way to experience its ethereal majesty.
Windsor Castle
If you can’t get enough of the UK’s royal residences, one of the most impressive sits just an easy day trip outside of London. Windsor Castle is hands-down one of the world’s most iconic castles and it nestles within the picturesque English town of Windsor.
As well as exploring its grand State Rooms (including glimpsing the Garter Throne Room), Windsor Castle’s grounds are equally as enjoyable. They’re also where you’ll find St George’s Chapel – the location of many royal weddings over the years. It’s additionally the final resting place of countless iconic monarchs, including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.
Oxford and Cambridge
This duo of lovely cities is well worth adding to your itinerary – with both sitting under two hours away from Central London. Oxford and Cambridge are, of course, most famous for their prestigious university campuses, which you can easily spend a few hours wandering around.
Cambridge is well-known for punting along the River Cam, while Oxford has been the backdrop of many films over the years – including the much-loved Harry Potter series. Both cities also sit a short distance from each other, making it perfectly feasible to visit both on a full-day tour.
Planning your UK adventure
Visiting a city as big and as bold as London can seem a little overwhelming at first. Luckily, it’s a metropolis that’s well set up for visitors – from the vast and affordable London Underground system to accommodation options to suit every kind of budget.
You might prefer to avoid the high prices of staying in Central London and snooze slightly further afield. You’ll also find that most London attractions are a little bit quieter on weekdays, especially if you plan your visit first thing in the morning.
Why choose the Heathrow Express for your UK journey?
Enjoy a stress-free visit to London as soon as you touchdown at Heathrow with our high-speed rail service. The Heathrow Express will see you arriving into Paddington station in Central London in just 15 minutes, allowing you to maximise your time in the city and minimise any time spent in busy traffic or on slower commuter trains.
It’s an especially good option if you’re only in the UK for a short period of time and want to get the most out of your visit. Why not book your tickets for the Heathrow Express in advance today?