The London 2012 Olympic Games has prompted many changes within the
English capital but, with this major event fast approaching, there are
now even more attractions and sights for tourists to visit than ever
before.
Olympic tickets were extremely sought after and many people were left disappointed when they failed to acquire these coveted items.
However, regardless of whether individuals have tickets or not, visiting the capital at some point throughout the summer still promises to be worthwhile. There are a number of attractions you can visit that are related to the world’s most famous sporting event – and the excitement generated has encouraged new attractions and special events.
A Map of Top London attractions to visit in 2012
The Tower of London goes back to the time of William the Conqueror in 1070 and has been a castle, fortress and prison. It’s near the River Thames and has 20 towers; the largest is the White Tower. At the Tower of London, you can see the fabulous Crown Jewels of England, armor worn by kings such as Henry VIII, and the huge ravens. There’s a legend that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, London will fall, so they’re very well-fed. The Tower served as an execution site for some famous prisoners, and you can see exhibits on that also. Have someone snap your picture with one of the beefeaters. They’re usually glad to pose with you if you promise not to behave!
If you don’t mind queuing up for awhile, try a ride on the London Eye, a gigantic observation wheel built for the Millennium celebration. It’s the tallest wheel in the world, and you can see all over the city; you can take some amazing photos while you’re up on top. Because it’s such a popular attraction, two to three hour waits are not uncommon, but you can have some interesting conversations with people you meet in the line. Maybe you’ll learn some new British phrases.
Trafalgar Square is centrally located in London and is a great place to meet people and take photos. There are four giant lion statues, one on each corner of the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson in the center of the square. On one side of the square is the National Gallery, a premier art gallery that includes some of those famous paintings you studied in school, and admission is free. St. Martin-in-the-Fields, an historic church, is on another side of the square; go down to the Café in the Crypt for a quick bite.
The British Museum has an amazing collection, composed of artifacts from all over the world. The Rosetta Stone, Parthenon statues, Assyrian walls, an extensive Egyptian collection, and priceless British possessions are all found within the walls of the British Museum, and admission is free. The British Library, one of the world’s greatest, contains such treasures as the Magna Carta, da Vinci notebooks, and Beatles manuscripts, and is near the museum.
If you love shopping, take the Knightsbridge tube to Harrods. The building itself is unbelievable; it’s ornate, multi-storied, and takes up a whole city block. You can find food from all over the world in the luxurious food court; try to be there at noon when the bagpipers come through. Harrods is probably the best-known department store in the world, and visitors from all over the world are usually there to shop. Their motto is “everything for everyone everywhere” and you can find just about anything you’re looking for at Harrods. Check out the Egyptian Hall on the ground floor for fine collectibles, and the amazing Toy Kingdom on the fourth floor. Harrods is closed on Sundays, and has some odd restrictions posted outside for shoppers; no one is permitted in the store wearing cut-offs, torn jeans, tank tops, or backpacks, and no photography is allowed. There are guards at the entrance who will not allow you to enter if you are in violation of this dress code.
The Globe Theater, where Shakespearean plays are held, is across the Thames near the Tate Modern. Even if you can’t get tickets to a play, check out the building, which is a reconstruction of the original 1599 design in which Shakespeare produced many of his plays. The play season is in the summer, from May until September, and is an exciting experience. You can sit on the wooden bleachers or buy a “groundling” ticket and stand; some of the plays run over three hours, so consider this carefully. I thoroughly enjoyed the plays I saw at the Globe; the costumes were magical, the actors amusing, and the audience participation quite fun. Check their website for play dates and details.
Two cathedrals you should definitely see in London are St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. St. Paul’s, one of the largest churches in the world, dates from the 1600s and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Notice the statue of the firemen who worked around the clock saving the cathedral from German bombing raids during the Blitz. Go down into the crypt, or climb the stairs to the top of the dome if you’re able.
Westminster Abbey dates from medieval times and has been the site of every British monarch’s coronation since 1066. Many well-known Brits are buried there, and the gothic architecture is truly amazing, especially the ceiling. Take a tour to learn the interesting facts about Westminster Abbey.
Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guards should be on your list of sights to see in London. The famous guards with the tall bearskin hats can be seen at Horse Guards Arch, and you can take their picture as they remain at their solemn post. The ceremony at Buckingham Palace takes place at 11:30 each day, and the parade lasts about 45 minutes. Starting in the fall, the ceremony is on even days at Buckingham Palace and on odd days at Windsor Castle, except on Sundays.
The atmosphere in the city is guaranteed to be incredible during the Olympics and, as London prepare for visitors to arrive in droves, there are more than enough attractions to keep both locals and international visitors entertained.
For those wanting to protect their budgets, there are even some sporting events that you could attend for free.
For example, the route of the women’s marathon and the men’s marathon will include iconic locations such as St James’ Park, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament, giving spectators the chance to witness the action without paying a penny.
Athletics events that are also free include the long walk races whilst cycling has four free events.
The men’s road race and the women’s road race, which will pass famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the Natural History Museum, Richmond Park, Hampton Court Palace and Kingston high street, can also be observed free of charge.
The other two cycling events are the women’s individual time trials and the men’s individual time trial events, which commence and finish at Hampton Court Palace and Bushy Park.
The Olympic Park is the central sporting complex for the event and is set to be named the Queen Elizabeth Park after their conclusion – making it a permanent attraction. A visit to this iconic area is therefore a must for visitors either before, during or after the Olympic games.
Other London attractions which have developed in response to the Olympic Games are the London Olympic Stadium. This is located south of the Olympic Park and will be home to many athletes throughout the Games, remaining a prime attraction for visitors after their conclusion.
Of course, there are plenty of other attractions located within the capital for those planning to visit London for an extended period of time.
Museums such as the National History Museum, the Science Museum and the Imperial War Museum are popular attractions with tourists and locals, providing an educational and enjoyable experience for all.
Art galleries are also popular and those looking to embrace English culture can also visit one of the numerous theatres for unforgettable drama, dance or musicals .
Many of these attractions are likely to take on an Olympic focus in the summer and this means that the wealth of events and activities available to visitors is likely to expand.
Getting around in London is quite easy; you can ride the tube or train, take one of the old-fashioned black cabs or a double-decker bus, or go for a boat cruise. Of course, walking will also take you just about everywhere. If you need to check your email and your hotel doesn’t have the facilities, check out Burger King’s downstairs bank of internet computers that can be rented for a pound or two. Burger King is a good source of ice, too, if you don’t like those lukewarm drinks favored in Europe. I’ve never found the food in London to be too appealing, but there are some excellent ethnic restaurants; ask locals for suggestions. Same-day half-price tickets to the theater are available at a Leicester Square ticket booth; information centers there will also book hotel rooms, provide free maps and help visitors with information about London.
Olympic tickets were extremely sought after and many people were left disappointed when they failed to acquire these coveted items.
However, regardless of whether individuals have tickets or not, visiting the capital at some point throughout the summer still promises to be worthwhile. There are a number of attractions you can visit that are related to the world’s most famous sporting event – and the excitement generated has encouraged new attractions and special events.
A Map of Top London attractions to visit in 2012
The Tower of London goes back to the time of William the Conqueror in 1070 and has been a castle, fortress and prison. It’s near the River Thames and has 20 towers; the largest is the White Tower. At the Tower of London, you can see the fabulous Crown Jewels of England, armor worn by kings such as Henry VIII, and the huge ravens. There’s a legend that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, London will fall, so they’re very well-fed. The Tower served as an execution site for some famous prisoners, and you can see exhibits on that also. Have someone snap your picture with one of the beefeaters. They’re usually glad to pose with you if you promise not to behave!
If you don’t mind queuing up for awhile, try a ride on the London Eye, a gigantic observation wheel built for the Millennium celebration. It’s the tallest wheel in the world, and you can see all over the city; you can take some amazing photos while you’re up on top. Because it’s such a popular attraction, two to three hour waits are not uncommon, but you can have some interesting conversations with people you meet in the line. Maybe you’ll learn some new British phrases.
Trafalgar Square is centrally located in London and is a great place to meet people and take photos. There are four giant lion statues, one on each corner of the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson in the center of the square. On one side of the square is the National Gallery, a premier art gallery that includes some of those famous paintings you studied in school, and admission is free. St. Martin-in-the-Fields, an historic church, is on another side of the square; go down to the Café in the Crypt for a quick bite.
The British Museum has an amazing collection, composed of artifacts from all over the world. The Rosetta Stone, Parthenon statues, Assyrian walls, an extensive Egyptian collection, and priceless British possessions are all found within the walls of the British Museum, and admission is free. The British Library, one of the world’s greatest, contains such treasures as the Magna Carta, da Vinci notebooks, and Beatles manuscripts, and is near the museum.
If you love shopping, take the Knightsbridge tube to Harrods. The building itself is unbelievable; it’s ornate, multi-storied, and takes up a whole city block. You can find food from all over the world in the luxurious food court; try to be there at noon when the bagpipers come through. Harrods is probably the best-known department store in the world, and visitors from all over the world are usually there to shop. Their motto is “everything for everyone everywhere” and you can find just about anything you’re looking for at Harrods. Check out the Egyptian Hall on the ground floor for fine collectibles, and the amazing Toy Kingdom on the fourth floor. Harrods is closed on Sundays, and has some odd restrictions posted outside for shoppers; no one is permitted in the store wearing cut-offs, torn jeans, tank tops, or backpacks, and no photography is allowed. There are guards at the entrance who will not allow you to enter if you are in violation of this dress code.
The Globe Theater, where Shakespearean plays are held, is across the Thames near the Tate Modern. Even if you can’t get tickets to a play, check out the building, which is a reconstruction of the original 1599 design in which Shakespeare produced many of his plays. The play season is in the summer, from May until September, and is an exciting experience. You can sit on the wooden bleachers or buy a “groundling” ticket and stand; some of the plays run over three hours, so consider this carefully. I thoroughly enjoyed the plays I saw at the Globe; the costumes were magical, the actors amusing, and the audience participation quite fun. Check their website for play dates and details.
Two cathedrals you should definitely see in London are St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. St. Paul’s, one of the largest churches in the world, dates from the 1600s and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Notice the statue of the firemen who worked around the clock saving the cathedral from German bombing raids during the Blitz. Go down into the crypt, or climb the stairs to the top of the dome if you’re able.
Westminster Abbey dates from medieval times and has been the site of every British monarch’s coronation since 1066. Many well-known Brits are buried there, and the gothic architecture is truly amazing, especially the ceiling. Take a tour to learn the interesting facts about Westminster Abbey.
Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guards should be on your list of sights to see in London. The famous guards with the tall bearskin hats can be seen at Horse Guards Arch, and you can take their picture as they remain at their solemn post. The ceremony at Buckingham Palace takes place at 11:30 each day, and the parade lasts about 45 minutes. Starting in the fall, the ceremony is on even days at Buckingham Palace and on odd days at Windsor Castle, except on Sundays.
The atmosphere in the city is guaranteed to be incredible during the Olympics and, as London prepare for visitors to arrive in droves, there are more than enough attractions to keep both locals and international visitors entertained.
For those wanting to protect their budgets, there are even some sporting events that you could attend for free.
For example, the route of the women’s marathon and the men’s marathon will include iconic locations such as St James’ Park, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament, giving spectators the chance to witness the action without paying a penny.
Athletics events that are also free include the long walk races whilst cycling has four free events.
The men’s road race and the women’s road race, which will pass famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the Natural History Museum, Richmond Park, Hampton Court Palace and Kingston high street, can also be observed free of charge.
The other two cycling events are the women’s individual time trials and the men’s individual time trial events, which commence and finish at Hampton Court Palace and Bushy Park.
The Olympic Park is the central sporting complex for the event and is set to be named the Queen Elizabeth Park after their conclusion – making it a permanent attraction. A visit to this iconic area is therefore a must for visitors either before, during or after the Olympic games.
Other London attractions which have developed in response to the Olympic Games are the London Olympic Stadium. This is located south of the Olympic Park and will be home to many athletes throughout the Games, remaining a prime attraction for visitors after their conclusion.
Of course, there are plenty of other attractions located within the capital for those planning to visit London for an extended period of time.
Museums such as the National History Museum, the Science Museum and the Imperial War Museum are popular attractions with tourists and locals, providing an educational and enjoyable experience for all.
Art galleries are also popular and those looking to embrace English culture can also visit one of the numerous theatres for unforgettable drama, dance or musicals .
Many of these attractions are likely to take on an Olympic focus in the summer and this means that the wealth of events and activities available to visitors is likely to expand.
Getting around in London is quite easy; you can ride the tube or train, take one of the old-fashioned black cabs or a double-decker bus, or go for a boat cruise. Of course, walking will also take you just about everywhere. If you need to check your email and your hotel doesn’t have the facilities, check out Burger King’s downstairs bank of internet computers that can be rented for a pound or two. Burger King is a good source of ice, too, if you don’t like those lukewarm drinks favored in Europe. I’ve never found the food in London to be too appealing, but there are some excellent ethnic restaurants; ask locals for suggestions. Same-day half-price tickets to the theater are available at a Leicester Square ticket booth; information centers there will also book hotel rooms, provide free maps and help visitors with information about London.
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