London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, has an assorted range of cultures, religions, and more than 300 different languages are spoken in the city. Famous landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul's Cathedral are historical sites that visitors of all ages will enjoy.
Covent Garden
Take a stroll through Covent Garden, an area of London that has been in existence since Roman times. Visitors to the garden can see historical sites such as St. Paul's Cathedral and the British Museum, which was established in 1753. Visiting Covent Garden is free, and the only money you will need is if you want to have lunch or purchase fresh fruits or vegetables from the market. A variety of street performers are near the Piazza, outside of St. Paul's Church and at the North Hall of the Market Building.
British Museum
The British Museum is free to visit. It was established in 1753 and offers more than 13 million historical artifacts on display. Visitors can enjoy a variety of exhibits such as the Medieval Gallery where you can get a glimpse of the Royal Gold Cup, which was made sometime between 1370 to 1380 A.D. in Paris.
Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace
Witness the changing of the Queens guards when the new guards take the position of the old guards. A military band plays during the change. The changing of the guards occurs at exactly 11:30 a.m. every day from April through July and on alternate days August through March. The guards begin arriving at 11:15 a.m. accompanied by music, so you should arrive prior to this time to view the entire ceremony, which lasts until 12 p.m. If the Queen is in residence, you will see the flag on top of the palace.
House of Parliament
The House of Parliament is in the Palace of Westminster. Spend the entire day exploring sites such as Big Ben, the historic Palace of Westminster and watching a debate. The House of Parliament allows visitations in the galleries to observe historical laws being made or debates taking place. Admission into the galleries is free and takes place Monday through Thursday and some Fridays. The times vary, depending on the house, and during recess the galleries are closed.
The London Eye
Take a ride on Europe's tallest Ferris wheel, which is 443 ft. tall. Your ride will be in one of 32 compartments, each of which holds 25 people. While in the capsule you are free to roam around and look out the windows at the view of London below. The ride lasts approximately 30 minutes.
