If you're lucky enough to know someone who works inside, you can get a little tour of Portcullis…read moreHouse. I like the glass ceiling that lets in some natural light. Lunch at the cafe is great as well - nice fresh hot dishes for astoundingly low prices. Funny mix of school groups and lots of government workers in suits.

Absolutely a must-see tour if you're sightseeing in London…read more We've been lucky enough to have a few private tours. My daughter's ex-boyfriend is from London (he's still like family) and works within the Houses. He's got a higher level political position and it's always so special to see how his dream job continues to advance. So proud of that kid. It's always an honor to walk the halls, House of Commons, House of Lords, etc. There is so much history here and I learn something new each time we visit. The architecture is nothing short of spectacular.

A trip to London would not be complete without a visit to one of London's most famous…read morelandmarks--the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Weighing in at 13 tons, the clock tower's bell was cast in 1858 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. The Houses of Parliament, officially known as the Palace of Westminster, is the seat of government in England. It is home to the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is where politics takes place. The seat of Britain's government for many centuries, it was also once the site of the royal Westminster Palace occupied by William the Conqueror. The best view of the parliament buildings can be had by crossing Westminster Bridge and looking back. If you're one of many looking to snap your photo with one of the most photographed buildings in the world, the best vantage point is from Westminster Bridge.

Clarence House is the current residence of Prince Charles and Camilla and former home of Queen…read moreElizabeth, the Queen Mother before her passing. Since Prince Charles and Camilla do live here, Clarence House is only open 1 month of the year in August. However, if you buy tickets and sign it and get it stamped at the end of your visit, it's good for unlimited future visits for one year (though really, it's good for all of August next year because they're not open year-round). The tour is 45 minutes long and each tour is a bit different. Your guide will go over highlights that they're interested in, so if you get a different guide, you'll learn, hear, and see different tidbits and aspects of each room. Even though there are several stories, you only experience the rooms on the first floor. At the end of your tour, there is a gift shop for souvenir purchases. Beware of the condescending gentleman (if you can even call him that!) at the register who provides a snoot attitude when he deems you haven't purchased enough to receive a paper bag.

Famous as the London home of the late Queen Mother. Now the official residence of the Prince of…read moreWales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Pre-booked guided tour with a timed entrance. Small group views The Entrance Hall leading to the Lancaster Room. The Morning Room has been re-decorated by the Prince of Wales. Favourite along with the Dining Room. No photography is allowed in the grounds. Small gift shop. Wheelchair users can view all rooms.

Westminster Abbey was one of the highlights of our visit to London. We arranged for a special…read moreMedieval Monastery tour of the Abby that included learning in-depth history. The 90 minute tour cost £15 plus general admission. We booked on-line two weeks in advance. We arrived early with our tickets stamped for opening at 9:30. Security staff scans and queues up visitors by ticket times and there was a line that had well over a thousand people waiting to enter. All general admission visitors are given a headset with a wonderful guided tour upon entering. There is a logical pathway to follow and learn about the Abbey. Hannah was our private tour guide. She was wealth of information about the history of the Abbey and the people that were important. As part of the tour we had access to parts of the facility that were not part of the normal tour route. We were also allowed to sit in the choir seating for a brief lecture. It was invigorating to sit where royalty had been. The tour is fabulous and very worth the money. The Abbey is mostly French Gothic, but a mix of styles as different King's added on sections and chapels during their reigns. Much of the Abbey was restored after the damage caused by looting after the Reformation and additional damage caused by the WWII Blitz bombing. Most of the stained glass has been replaced. The history dates back over 1000 years and we saw evidence of an ancient door and uncovered mosaics. There is a lot to see, including graves of many notable people and royalty. Restrooms are available towards the end of the tour (but expect a line). There is a cafeteria and several gift shops. Current renovations are adding additional guest restrooms. Wear comfortable walking shoes, expect uneven floors. Arrive a bit early to go through security. I highly recommend a visit. I wouldn't bring young children.

This highly visited tourist attraction was founded in 960 AD. That's insane! It was rebuilt in…read more1245. Also insane! UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourist must see, especially if your first time in London. Incredible Gothic architecture that's really wonderful to be able to see up close and personal. Nothing short of awe-inspiring. Super close to Houses of Parliament which makes for easier sightseeing.

Excellent place to see the changing of the guard!! Make sure to arrive around 30 minutes prior,…read morethey do not let anyone on the street FYI. I believe the time was 10:45 to see them come in. Super fun! But it gets very crowded

Henry the eighth built this Palace on the grounds of the old Saint James hospital in the early…read more1500's. The lush St James Park hides the palace. This is currently the Royal Court. Princess Anne uses the palace as her residence & office.

I mean you really can't miss Big Ben when you're in the area of the Houses of Parliament…read more The Gothic-Revival structure was built in 1859. Not only should it be part of sightseeing for visitors to London but it's a great landmark for meeting up with folks. "I'll meet you at Big Ben at noon for lunch" kinda thing. I mean you just can't miss it since it's nearly 315 feet tall.

What an exciting legendary British landmark to see! The tower is actually called Elizabeth Tower…read moreafter Queen Elizabeth II, but many people still call it by the nick name of the bell, Big Ben. The gothic tower sits close to the Thames and attached to the Parliament building. The building was designed by Augustus Pugin and Charles Barry. We did not go inside for the tour which cost £35. Ordering tickets is complicated as tickets are only released on the second Wednesday of each month and can only be ordered on line. (I don't even understand what "released on second Wednesday" means. It makes planing complicated.) Anyway, tickets weren't available for 3 months out. Great views of the Tower can be seen from Westminster Bridge. In the mornings, it is a great experience to hear Big Ben ring, counting off the hours. The clocks are said to be the most accurate clocks and have far outlasted my watches. Elizabeth Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Definitely worth a visit and if you can order tickets three months in advance, a tour!

Visiting the iconic Buckingham Palace was a must do on my trip to London. We planned our visit as…read morepart of a walking tour through St. James Park. We weren't alone. Hundreds of visitors were taking selfies in front of the massive gold and black gates. Everyone was hoping to get a glimpse of royalty that might pass through the massive black and gold gates. The palace from the Mall vantage point is a neoclassical addition that was completed in 1913. The famous balcony where I watched the Queen appear for decades is the central focal point. There is no charge for a walk by visit, but for a fee, you can tour parts of the inside.

Another thing to do on a first visit to London. Watching the changing of the guard is really cool…read more The audio guided tour is really helpful and educational as you're going through the state rooms, gallery, throne, and the incredible staircase. The cafe is outside (garden) and provides incredible views.

Trafalgar Square was a pleasant surprise visit for us. We walked to the National Gallery on a…read moreFriday night to find the Square full of life. Entertainers were performing on the Square as people watched. The Square is large with Nelson's Column as the central focal point. Nelson's Column commemorates Horatio Nelson's victory over the French and Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Nelson did not survive the battle. Numerous other statues of military figures, royalty and other influential people stand around Square. There is even a statue of George Washington that was a gift from the state of Virginia. The Square is surrounded by Museums and other government buildings. The Square is a perfect spot to watch the sunset and enjoy the day. I highly recommend a visit to this historic site.

Another well-known public square in London that acts as a hub for surrounding places like the…read moreNational Gallery. At any given time you can see political events taking place here as well as organized protests, etc. National and local celebrations are often held here as well. It's a gathering spot for folks to meet up, eat lunch, and people watch. There's a water feature and amphitheater style stepped seating. Of course the National Gallery boasts the iconic blue rooster sculpture.

Seriously. You. Must. Do. This. The Victoria Tower is the…read moretallest tower in the Palace of Westminster and it houses the Parliamentry Archives. It includes the fascinating hole in the floor looking down on the Sovereign's Entrance which they use to know when to raise to royal standard as the Queen steps off the coach and looking down through does make you feel a little seasick. Also it includes the Acts Room. Absolutely fascintating tour that lasts about half an hour or so. You can book in advance to go and use the Archives search room, but tours of the Tower come up from time to time (usually on IanVisits). In the meantime there is the online tour to whet your appetite: http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/online-tours/virtualtours/victoria-tower/

When you're walking down past the Westminster Abbey to get some really cool pictures of the…read moreParliament house and you notice this really old 3 story house, it's the Jewel Tower. This tower dates back from the 14th century. It's now run by the English Heritage so it's now a museum. The London Pass gets you in for free, but it's pretty cheap already if you don't have the pass. Because this tower is right across the street from the Parliament, the exhibit inside the tower pretty much talks about the Parliament, the laws, and how the Parliament it is at the present time. So you get to know a little bit of history and you know how laws are passed in Britain. Neat stuff.

The Jewel Tower in London dates back over 700 years and is one of only two surviving sections of…read morethe medieval Royal Palace of Westminster, the other being Westminster Hall. It was built in approximately 1365 to house the treasures of Edward III and its alternative name was the King's Privy Wardrobe. It is a small three storey building constructed of stone, which stands across the road from the current Palace of Westminster. The bottom floor of the tower features a 14th century ribbed vault. It was located at the far southern end of the palace complex, and was built into the palace's defensive walls but was detached from the main buildings, which explains its survival of the great fire of 1834 which destroyed most of the palace. It displays an exhibition about the history of Parliament 'Parliament Past and Present', and the second floor includes panels telling the story of this small but important building. The third floor continues with the more modern role of the tower as the home HQ of the British weights and measures. It currently costs £3.20 to enter (adults). This is a bit expensive, even for london, for what you actually get. Apart from a few display boards, albeit new, and a few artifacts from history, you will be in and out within 20 mins and onto your next site. The site contains a small shop but no visitor toilets.