{"id":1354,"date":"2017-03-20T11:07:27","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T11:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spaceaparthotel.com\/?p=1354"},"modified":"2024-05-20T10:02:57","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T10:02:57","slug":"visiting-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spaceaparthotel.com\/blog\/whats-on-in-london\/visiting-london\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting London"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Visiting London for the first time can be daunting: historical attractions, beautiful open spaces, high-end shops and important landmarks; there is so much to do and see, it is hard to know where to start. Fear not as we\u2019ve put together this handy guide to help you discover the best attractions in London if you\u2019re a first-time visitor to the Capital.<\/p>\n

Buckingham Palace<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\nBuckingham Palace is the go-to place for anyone setting off on their first tourist adventure. The 18th-century palace features 775 rooms and is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. While you may not be afforded a glimpse of the Queen in her quarters, seeing Changing of the Guard is the main reason why people flock to the palace. It is a popular ceremony where the old guard hands over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace and St James to the new guard. Make sure you check the times<\/a> before you visit as times vary according to seasons and the famous British weather.<\/p>\n

Buckingham Palace Road, SW1A 1AA<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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London Eye<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\"london-eye\"\/<\/div>\n
\nOne of the most popular tourist attractions since it opened in 2000 is the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel offering spectacular views over the Capital\u2019s skyline. Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the wheel is 443 feet and is the world\u2019s largest cantilevered observation wheel. Opening times vary, with the summer months providing the longest opening hours. It\u2019s not the cheapest thing to do but well worth it particularly on a day when visibility is good.<\/p>\n

Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Open Spaces<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\nFor such a built up city, London has a vast selection of impressive parks and open spaces. There are eight Royal Parks in the Capital, with Hyde Park being the most famous and centrally located. In fact it is just moments away from the Space Apart Hotel and offers 350 acres of open space, as well as activities such as boating along the Serpentine and horse riding.<\/p>\n

Hampstead Heath is also worth a visit. People come from all over London to visit the Heath, which is London\u2019s largest parkland situated just 2 miles from the West End. There are over 790 acres of meadows, scenic trails, woodlands and hilltops which afford sweeping views of the London skyline.<\/p>\n

If you have the time, Richmond Park is another popular open space to visit. Located on the fringes of South West London, in the borough of Richmond, the park is not as centrally positioned as the Heath and Hyde Park, yet is one of London\u2019s most important parks thanks to its status as a national reserve. It is also the second largest in the Capital measuring 2,360 acres, and is famous for the deer who roam the open spaces.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\nOfficially called The Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament enjoy a status as one of the most iconic buildings in London. Accompanied by the Elizabeth Tower (more commonly referred to as Big Ben, which is actually the name for the bell in the tower), these two landmarks sit alongside each other and are must-see attractions. There are tours available, however, it is free if you just want to take a picture of the impressive exterior. We recommend going at night when the buildings are lit up reflecting beautifully over the River Thames.<\/p>\n

Westminster, SW1A 0AA<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The West End<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\nNo visit to London is complete without a bit of retail therapy. The best place to start is on Oxford Street where there are plenty of shops, including Selfridges, a high-end department store, and the iconic HMV. Bond Street provides designer boutiques, while Piccadilly Circus features the famous statue of Eros and the iconic advertising hoarding. Kensington and Knightsbridge are also highly recommended with their boutique shops, Michelin-starred restaurants and Harrods and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, two of the world\u2019s most famous department stores.<\/p>\n

As far as restaurants go, the choices are endless with cuisines from all over the world available in the West End. Whether you\u2019re dining in a high-end restaurant owned by Gordon Ramsay, or enjoying a quick snack at one of the many independents, there\u2019s something for everyone. The selection of eateries is so vast, it is best to walk around, finding places as you go. However, James Street and St. Christopher\u2019s Place are often good starting points.<\/p>\n

Be sure to check with the Space Apart Hotel building manager to see if there are any coupons available, saving you money at the some of the restaurants in these areas.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Museums<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\nLondon is full of culture and history, so it is not surprising to see so many museums in the city, all offering completely different experiences. The British Museum is located in Bloomsbury and is dedicated to human history, art and culture; The Victoria and Albert Museum can be found in South Kensington and is the world\u2019s largest museum for decorative arts and design; The Science Museum, also in South Kensington, is the home to scientific facts and demonstrations that are sure to engage your mind; and The Tate Modern Gallery, which can be found on Bankside, SE1 and is known for its international modern art.<\/p>\n

The British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG<\/em><\/p>\n

The V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL<\/em><\/p>\n

Science Museum, Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD<\/em><\/p>\n

The Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\nThese attractions offer a good starting point when it comes to the most popular places to visit; landmarks and sites that really capture the essence of the city.<\/p>\n

London also has many events going on throughout the year. Check out our own \u2018What to do in London\u2019 guide<\/a> for month specific events happening in the Capital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Visiting London for the first time can be daunting: historical attractions, beautiful open spaces, high-end shops and important landmarks; there is so much to do and see, it is hard to know where to start. 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