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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We attended mass at The London Oratory and had a nice time. The sanctuary is absolutely stunning…read more We attended the Sunday evening service, so it was not as busy. The statues, art, and architecture are stunning! It's an incredible space and absolutely worth a visit even if you don't participate in the services. It's is also conveniently near a lot of nice restaurants and shopping, so you can visit it while doing other things in London. Be sure to pop in!

Located on the Brompton road between Knightsbridge and south Kensington, you can see this Catholic…read moreChurch from the distance. It's an architectural masterpiece and given that it's situated next to both the V&A museum and natural history museum, the building needed to make a statement which it does. This is one of the few Catholic Churches in London that offers the mass in Latin and as such is a must stop for any traditionalist. The Latin mass attracts lots of young people and is say its well worth experiencing. Services are offered in English too and the church is also open for private prayer.

This is a palace?…read more Obligatory stop with our tour group. I wasn't very impressed though.... It's small. And pretty boring looking lol Sorry not sorry! lol I expect more for a palace in London. There's a garden area too. Also small and not very exciting. lol

Interesting place. Took the 131 step walk up the Mideval tower. Misty, foggy day so view not that…read moregreat. Focus on garden theme, and not so much the building. Enjoyed hearing bits about the building's history.

The Apsley House has been the home for the Dukes of Wellington. The original occupant was Lord…read moreApsley but he sold the house and since then, the Dukes have occupied it. Now these days, it just a house museum. If you have the London Pass, entrance to the Apsley House is already paid for. But I think it is cheap to come in anyway so if you're in the area, you should definitely stop by. Photography is not allowed. An audio guide is included since it does help out with the history of each room and its paintings. Lots of rooms in this house with very high ceilings filled with dozens and dozens of paintings, relics, Victorian style furniture and tables. It's the type of house where you would want to take off your shoes or put up the floor runners because you don't want to have the slightest piece of dirt in the rooms. It's a very nice and maintained house. They have hundreds and hundreds of parties here throughout the years and it looks like it's brand new.

Home of the "Iron Duke" of Wellington. Tons of paintings in the house. Interesting items that he…read morecollected. The huge statue of Napoleon at the staircase is interesting, to say the least. 2 for 1 train ticket deal, so I only paid £10 for me and my wife to enter.