London

Culture & history

Step into your capsule and feel the exhilaration as you rise up over the water and come face to face with the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Soar above them, up to 135 meters on the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel.  There are mesmerizing 360-degree views of the whole city laid out before you. See the most famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London and up to 40km out of the city to Windsor Castle on a clear day. Enjoy the gradual rotation and just stand and stare at the hustle and bustle of London life unfolding beneath you, the beautiful sunset over the city, or the thousands of twinkling lights after dark. 

Take a tour of the timeless Tower of London – part of British history since the 11th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 1086 by William the Conqueror.  Discover London’s castle – a secure fortress, royal palace, and infamous prison. Spot the ravens that live on the premises and find out why they are known as the guardians of the Tower. Stroll across Tower Green to see where many executions took place, including those of 2 of Henry VIII's wives. You will also have access to the inside of the tower. Prepare to be dazzled by the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. These priceless symbols of the British Monarchy compose the greatest working collection of crown jewels in the world. Pore over the 23,578 gems, including the glistening Imperial State Crown - this piece alone has 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies. Gain valuable insights into the Tower's History from some of its most famous residents, The Yeoman Body. Whilst Tours may be currently unavailable, the Yeoman Warders will be on hand to provide fascinating stories of the Tower through the ages.

Admire the views of London's most iconic sights with a cruise on the River Thames. Cruise to Greenwich to see London's historical sights from the River Thames. Journey past iconic sights such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, and the Tate Modern. Choose between either a one-way or round-trip journey, with skip-the-line entry, and avoid the queues at the ticket office as you go straight to board the boat. Listen to the downloadable audio commentary on your smartphone as you enjoy the comfort of a modern but traditional vessel. Admire the pyramid structure of The Shard and see other monuments from London's historic waterway. Head to the open deck for panoramic views of London's landmarks. Stop at Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, and Tower Bridge Quay before arriving at Greenwich Pier. Feel free to explore the charms of Greenwich on your own terms, and see sights such as Greenwich Market, the Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Park, and the Royal Observatory which are all within easy walking distance from the pier.

Millions of people have flocked through the doors of London’s Madame Tussauds since it first opened more than 200 years ago. Add your name to the list and make your way up the red carpet to see all your favorite stars. The museum-style ropes and poles have gone, so you can truly get up close and personal with A-list celebrities, sporting legends, political heavyweights, and historical icons. Relive the moments and events that made the world take notice. Join your favorite celebrities at the ultimate party including Eddie Redmayne, Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hardy. Join the Royal Family on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony, take a selfie with royal couple Harry and Meghan and meet Harry Styles. Explore the jungles of Kong: Skull Island with Tom Hiddleston as Captain James Conrad or hail a London cab for a journey through 400 years of the capital’s history. Then use the force to be transported to a galaxy far, far away and star in the action with the greats of the Star Wars universe.

Perfect for those with a penchant for Harry Potter, this Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London provides a unique opportunity to explore the magic of the Harry Potter films — the most successful movie series of all time. Venture behind the scenes to discover a huge array of fantastic sets, costumes, and props. Learn some closely guarded secrets, including facts about the special effects and animatronics that made the Harry Potter films so hugely popular around the world. Step onto the famous cobblestones of Diagon Alley, featuring the shopfronts of Ollivander's Wand Shop, Flourish and Blotts, and Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. See iconic props from the films, including Harry’s Nimbus 2000 and Hagrid’s motorcycle. Rediscover other memorable sets from the film series, including the Gryffindor common room, the boys’ dormitory, Hagrid’s hut, and the Potions classroom. Visit Platform 9 ¾ and ride the Hogwarts Express! Explore a perfect recreation of the platform and the train itself and relive the magic of Harry’s trips to Hogwarts by posing with a luggage trolley right before it disappears through the wall and walking through the train carriage. Learn how the iconic train scenes were filmed, and browse through your favorite character’s luggage! Top off your Hogwarts Express adventure in a train-themed souvenir shop and load up on goodies inspired by your favorite Potter films. For the first time ever, enter the set of Gringotts Wizarding Bank! Walk through the wizarding bank of Gringott's, the Lestrange vault, a gallery of goblins, and much more. Admire the imposing marble columns and discover the costumes and prosthetics belonging to Bogrod, Griphook, and many other Goblin bankers. Then enter the depths of the Lestrange vault used to store the treasures of Bellatrix Lestrange and surround yourselves with treasure. You'll have approximately 4 hours to enjoy the magic of the Harry Potter studio. Due to heavy traffic at busier times of the year, this may be shorter however the minimum time spent at the studio will be no less than 4 hours. With the bus journey included, the total duration of the tour is normally 7–7.5 hours, subject to traffic and entry times. Magical Mischief: 20th January – 16th April: Discover how filmmakers created pandemonium when the Weasley twins disrupted the quiet exams. Both Fred and George will be suspended from the ceiling with bags filled with their latest product, Weasleys’ Wildfire Whiz-bangs - ready to fill the Great Hall with a burst of colour. More of their products will be on display outside their shop Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes on Diagon Alley.

A trip to London wouldn't be complete without a visit to Tower Bridge, one of the city's most famous landmarks. A visit to Tower Bridge will take you back to the Victorian era, immersing you in the landmarks story from the very beginning. Marvel at the views of the city from the stunning glass walkway, set 42 metres above the River Thames. Situated between the North and South Towers, you can enjoy awe inspiring and unique views of the city. You can also read all about the history and construction of Tower Bridge. Take a trip back in time and discover the impressive Victorian Engine Rooms that once powered Tower Bridge. See where more than 80 people were needed to operate the engines and raise the bridge. The engine rooms will ignite your senses to get a feel of what it was like back in the Victorian era. See the former workers of Tower Bridge forever immortalised in the Blue Line that leads from the Towers to the historic Engine Rooms. The Blue Line shines light on some of the unsung heroes who kept the famous landmark in motion.

Avoid the crowds and chaos of the public departure lounge and relax in style before your flight from London Heathrow Airport. Choose between a 3-hour or 6-hour stay, then make yourself comfortable in one of the premium lounges located in Terminal 2 (departure), Terminal 3 (arrival), Terminal 4 (departure and arrival), and Terminal 5 (departure). In the lounge, enjoy the opportunity to unwind before your flight and relax on the comfortable seating as you watch the TV, equipped with Sky Sports. You can also make use of the lounges' unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi, and dine on an array of freshly prepared seasonal food as well as drinks from a fully serviced bar.

Discover historic Westminster Abbey at your own pace. Immerse yourself in this place for worship, celebration, and ceremony, where many of Britain's most significant moments in history have happened. See the Coronation Chair, the oldest piece of furniture in the country that is still used for its original purpose. Since 1066, the Abbey has played host to the coronation of every British monarch including Queen Victoria and Elizabeth II. Learn how the Abbey is the resting place for many great monarchs, poets, musicians, scientists, and politicians. Explore Poets' Corner, so-called due to the many poets and writers buried here.

Explore St. Paul’s Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece and England's place of national celebration. Today St Paul’s is both a busy working Anglican Cathedral and one of London’s leading sightseeing attractions. Touchscreen multimedia guides are now included for sightseers; listen and watch, as the guide uses film, new photography, and detailed commentary to offer an effective interpretation of this unique landmark. Opt for a more personal approach with tours of the cathedral floor and crypt led by cathedral guides 4 times daily; join in at no extra cost as you spend 60 minutes walking through the cathedral and learning about its art, its history, and its religious significance. Alternatively, join one of various short introductory talks offered throughout the day for a snippet of additional insight. These guided tours and talks are available on a first come first served basis. Please register on arrival.  As you walk through the cathedral, you will notice it is filled with natural light, glittering mosaics, and paintings adorning its dome interior. See the chapels on the ground floor, then, for those who are able, climb the 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery to test the unique acoustics. Climb 119 further steps to the Stone Gallery and then 152 final steps to the Golden Gallery, both of which afford spectacular panoramic views of the city. Take time to visit the crypt to view the many tombs and memorials to world-famous Britons, including Lord Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. Please note that entrance to the Golden Gallery is subject to availability due to capacity controls in operation and there may be time restrictions in place.

Explore London on a convenient hop-on hop-off bus tour. Learn about the city's history, culture, and architecture from onboard audio commentary and enjoy the panoramic views offered by the open-topped bus. Your ticket also includes a shuttle service route. Visit all of London's most important sights on a bus route with 36 stops, starting at Grosvenor Gardens and ending at Buckingham Palace. See Queen Elizabeth Gate in Hyde Park and the Thames Embankment. Travel across Westminster Bridge and catch a glimpse of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye. See St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Tower Bridge. Experience the glitz and glamour of London's West End as your tour bus heads to Leicester Square and finally, head to Buckingham Palace, the principal royal residence. Enjoy the flexibility of exploring the sights at your own pace. You can hop off at any of the 35 stops along 3 routes and explore the nearby sights. Purchase a 24 or 48-hour ticket and enjoy a free cruise along the River Thames between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier. Pass under some of the city's most famous bridges and see London from the water. Red Route Bus Stops: 1) Belvedere Road 2) Aldwych (One Aldwych Hotel) 3) Ludgate Hill (St Paul's Cathedral) 4) Queen Victoria Street (The City) 5) London Bridge 6) Tooley Street (Tower Bridge) 7) Tower Hill (Tower of London) 8) Victoria Embankment 9) Westminster Bridge (Big Ben) 10) Horseferry Road 11) Buckingham Gate (Buckingham Palace) - closed until further notice 12) Buckingham Palace Road (Victoria Station) 13) Buckingham Palace Road, Stop Z12 14) Grosvenor Gardens 15) Queen Elizabeth Gate, Hyde Park 16) Marble Arch (Speakers Corner) 17) Marble Arch (Park Lane) 18) Haymarket 19) Pall Mall East (Trafalgar Square) 20) Westminster Bridge (South) Green Route - Shuttle Service 40) Waterloo Road 41) Old Vic 42) Southampton Row, Stop Y, for the British Museum 43) Woburn Place 44) Pancras Road 45) Midland Road 46) Euston Road 47) Euston Square 48) Great Russell Street, British Museum 49) City Sightseeing Shop Southampton Row 50) Lancaster Place, Somerset House 1) Belvedere Road 51) York Road (Southbank) 52) Lambeth North Station Blue Route Bus Stops: 17) Marble Arch (Park Lane) 26) Knightsbridge 27) Royal Albert Hall 28) Kensington Road 29) Gloucester Road 30) Victoria and Albert Museum 31) Harrods 15) Queen Elizabeth Gate, Hyde Park 16) Marble Arch (Speakers' Corner)