Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Uxbridge

"One of London's largest Royal Parks, Hyde Park is home to the vast Serpentine Lake (which you can swim in), the majestic Wellington Arch and even a hidden pet cemetery. With 350 acres to explore, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to picnic spots, and there are three cafes (including a stingray-shaped one) where you can replenish your supplies. Other points of interest include the Diana Memorial Fountain, the Hyde Park Rose Garden, and the Achilles statue, which actor Laurence Olivier once called "the best arse in London"."

"Established in 1536 by Henry VIII, Hyde Park is one of London’s largest green spaces, with more than 4,000 trees, vibrant flower gardens and a large meadow which plays host to many public concerts and celebrations. Check out the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, enjoy a bite in the royal park’s lakeside restaurants, or rent a row boat for a leisurely paddle on the Serpentine. Here are nine secrets no one knew about Princess Diana until after her death."

"Once a royal hunting ground, Hyde Park is popular for its vast open space and numerous attractions and one of our favourite London sights to Instagram. Best shot: Hyde Park is so vast that it’s best to pick a focal point such as the Victoria and Albert Memorial, or the Italian Gardens."

"Throughout its history, the abbey has been home to every coronation since 1066 and has seen sixteen royal weddings, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Visitors to the abbey can take in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Poets Corner, as well as pay their respects to leading British cultural figures including Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and Geoffrey Chaucer. With more than a million people visiting Westminster Abbey each year, it’s a great place to explore some of the greatest moments in British culture."

"With its beautiful architecture, it’s only natural that Westminster Abbey would feature on this list. My personal favourite spot to photograph it from is from the phone boxes in front of Barclays Bank. That way you can, once again, combine a famous London landmark with a London icon."

"In a city like London with strict codes, decent architecture and access to the world’s leading architects, is not so easy to actually get things to be built. Big teams of lawyers, political figures and the general public are involved in what gets or doesn’t get built in the capital. So the fact that the Shard, the EU’s tallest building, got approved and erected means a great deal."

"The Shard is one of the tallest buildings in Europe and it is a popular tourist attraction as it offers a restaurant, bars and a viewing platform. So, many visitors head there to get one of best views in the city. When The Shard was completed in 2012 it was the tallest building in Europe, but it has now been knocked off the top spot by new skyscrapers built in Moscow."

"Renzo Piano, its designer, is said to have been inspired by London’s railway lines when building this 95-floor behemoth. Visit the viewing area at The Shard, The View from The Shard observatory, stay at the Shangri-La Hotel, or visit one of The Shard’s restaurants."

"What better place to start your London itinerary than with a visit to the Tower of London, home to the English Crown Jewels and the site of numerous key historical events, including the execution of all sorts of people who were deemed inappropriate by whoever was in charge at the time. These days there’s less blood running on the grass, but you will still find plenty to do, from popping in to see the monarch’s crown through to exploring the White Castle at the centre of the keep. My advice for getting the most out of your visit is to arrive as soon as the Tower opens, which is around 9am, and beating the crowds to the crown jewels. You’re likely going to want to spend at least an hour here, if not two – there is a lot to see (and photograph!) here."

"Day 1: Arrive in London, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, the London EyeDay 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Whitehall, Covent GardenDay 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky GardenDay 4: National Gallery, Greenwich, Prime Meridian, Up at the O2Day 5: British Museum, Portobello Road Market, Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrod’s"

"The Tower Of London is an iconic London stop so make sure to see it during your 4 day London itinerary. Skip The Line At The Tower Of London And Crown Jewels and buy advance tickets here!"

"Day 1: Arrive in London, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, the London EyeDay 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Whitehall, Covent GardenDay 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky GardenDay 4: National Gallery, Greenwich, Prime Meridian, Up at the O2Day 5: British Museum, Portobello Road Market, Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrod’s"

"Some people thought I was being brave when I posted shots like this on Instagram, but this composition is actually taken from an island in the middle of the road (so it’s totally safe). Try using a tripod, long exposure and taking pictures at night for a similar result to below. Best time for pics: Blue hour/nightCost: FreeLocation:Link on Google Maps"

"Inside Tower Bridge, there’s also a spectacular Glass Floor Walkway from which to admire the views. Take a break at one of the great places to eat near Tower Bridge afterwards. Best shot: from the South side of the river just past the bridge – or on the bridge itself whilst there’s no road traffic."

"The newest wild-swimming spot in London is located in the most significant green space of Lewisham in South East London. Actually, it’s located in an old Georgian lake lost in 1800 when it was first created by John Cator of Beckenham Place Mansion. Now the lagoon is back to its former glory."

"Queen’s Wood is one of the four ancient woods in the London Borough of Haringey. Today it is situated very close to Highgate tube station, but Queen’s wood was originally part of the Forest of Middlesex that spread over the largest part of London. Despite its closeness to the crowded city, the wood succeeded to preserve the largest part of its natural habitat, with a rich flora and fauna: different species of grasses, trees, shrubs, birds (three species of woodpecker), and insects."

"For years I had no idea of its existence, until one day when we decided to go explore further from Tower Bridge.St. Katherine Docks almost takes you back in time, surrounded by old buildings, an inn, and lots and lots of boats. Completely hidden from the main attractions in the city, this place is a London hidden gem located very close to Tower Bridge, so why not adding it to your list while in the area?"

"A stately home with as opulent an exterior as the art it holds within, Somerset house was once a palace for the Duke of Somerset Edward Seymour in 1547. Now one of the more grandiose of London’s institutions, the palace hosts exhibitions from all over the world and continually draws enormous crowds. The gallery is “known for the breadth of cultural collaborations across photography, fashion, art, film and music."

"Every winter, skating at the ice rink in Somerset House is one of the most fun things to do in London. There are several other ice rinks around London (including at the Tower of London and Natural History Museum) but it’s pretty hard to top Somerset House. The courtyard is a great place to spend time in summer too, when th fountains in the courtyard are a great place to splash and cool off."

"Situated on the Southside of the Strand in central London, overlooking the RiverThames, SomersetHouse is a major art and cultural center in the heart of London. For photographers, this is the most amazing light scenario, with white faded walls and floors. It’s basically a huge outdoor studio, with beautiful light bouncing off everywhere."

"The paddling pool for children and the enclosed play area is available to the kids. Parents can enjoy the cafe, tweens or teens the tennis courts and netball/basketball facilities."

"London's largest, most prominent square remembers British victory over the French in a battle off the coast of Spain. Led by Lord Horatio Nelson, British forces diminished Napoleon I's military power and headed off a possible French invasion of England. Today, Nelson's statue stands atop a commemorative column in the square."

"A hub for street performers, Trafalgar Square is also home to the renowned National Gallery. Take a look at the latest quirky artwork on the Fourth Plinth, David Shrigley’s “Really Good”, a sculpture of a hand doing a thumbs-up. Best shot: Nelson’s Column, framed by the famous fountains."

"About: Reading Abbey is a large, ruined abbey located in the centre of the city. Although some of the beautifully carved stones have made their way into Museum collections, a series of ruins still stand tall at the edge of Forbury Gardens. The Abbey was founded in 1121 by King Henry I and was one of Western Europe’s most prestigious religious and political centres."

"The Empire is very much the Manchester United of London casinos; it’s the Coca Cola of London casinos, the MCU of London casinos. An unashamedly populist behemoth that caters to everyone from the high rollers to students looking to spin a cheeky £20. Those who had gaming experience only at online casinos, will be amazed by the luxury gambling venue."

"The Empire Casino is also located in Leicester square and is one of the most popular casinos on our list. Expect poker tables, black jack, roulette and slots and also a cocktail bar and the FuLuShou Asian food restaurant. If you visit on a Friday or Saturday night you can also enjoy DJ sets until late in the morning."

"Empire At The Casino is grand den of gambling, luxury, bars and fine restaurants which will keep you entertained all night long. Whether you like a good game in of Poker in the private gaming rooms, or a touch of roulette on the casino floor, there is something for everyone at this London casino."

"Thai Square Richmond offers a variety of authentic dishes designed by an award-winning Thai chef, all freshly prepared with ingredients flown in daily from Thailand. This Thai Square branch proudly joins the other prize-winning Thai Square restaurants…"

"One of the neighborhood's most popular international restaurants, this family-friendly place has been serving classic Chinese, Singaporean and Malaysian dishes since the mid-'80s. Contemporary Asian decor fits the diverse crowd well, and the menu beckons with dishes like lamb in Peking sauce, Thai green curry with baby aubergines and lemon grass, and wasabi prawns with cucumber strips. If it's nice out, consider dining at a sidewalk table."

"For the most authentic (yes, really) Chinese food in London, a visit to Teddington (albeit the less fashionable side) is a must. While the exterior is in need of a little TLC, don’t let that put you off from experiencing the best dim sum in west London. The preparation that goes into each dish is more than a match for more celebrated joints dotted around the capital’s more visually appealing areas."

"Visit one of the largest Chinatown London restaurants for Cantonese dishes and a wide choice of dim sum, with a focus on seafood. Housed over three floors and featuring karaoke rooms and even its own carp pond, Imperial China London knows how to impress. During the weekend, you're also able to delve into a roast meat platter featuring roast duck and barbecued pork."