Historic Sites in Jockey End

"This is one of the oldest fortresses in London, built after the Norman Conquest of England, to house the new royalty who had just moved into the country and needed a nice secure palace to live in. As such, it’s a highly defensible castle, with two defensive walls and a moat, so it feels very castle-like. It’s also the home to the English Crown Jewels and has played host to notable historical events, in particular, the executions of 112 people, including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey."

"Discover the unique history of this medieval fortress, royal palace and infamous prison. 🏰 The Tower of London is home to the dazzling Crown Jewels 👑 and legendary Beefeaters 💂‍♀️ and ravens."

"The Wallace Collection is a national museum which exhibits art collections that were compiled by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and the illegitimate son of the fourth Marquess, Sir Richard Wallace. In 1897, Lady Wallace, the widow of the late Sir Richard Wallace, handed the museum to the British Nation. The museum is housed in the historic Hertford House located in Manchester Square, Westminster."

"The Wallace Collection is a London art gallery made up of the collection of the Marquess family. The art all dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries and was gathered by five generations of the Marquesses along with Sir Richard Wallace, who was an illegitimate Marquess son. Today, the collection contains more than five thousand pieces."

"Built in 1605, Kensington Palace became the favourite royal residence under William and Mary of Orange in 1689, remaining so until George III (r 1760-1820) became king and moved out. Today, it's still a royal residence, with the likes of Prince William and Catherine and Prince Harry and Meghan living there. A large part of the palace is open to the public, however, including the King's and Queen's State Apartments."

"Kensington Palace (fee*) is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens. It began as a fairly humble 17th century two-storey Jacobean mansion and was expanded by the royal family into the giant royal residence it is today."

"If you find yourself with boisterous kids after insisting on an exhibition at the excellent Courtauld Gallery, simply pop outside and strip off. The courtyard, surrounded by 19th century buildings, contains a lively fountain featuring 55 jets, a terraced cafe and a glorious restaurant if you are feeling flash. Bring the baby and let him/her have a splash around in what can turn into a small paddling pool."

"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."

"London is bursting at the seams with historic architecture, but the neo-classical Somerset House is a true standout. Built in the late 1770s, it’s home to art exhibitions, open-air concerts, and 55 sparking fountains. It’s worth a visit in the winter, too: the courtyard hosts one of the world’s best skating rinks."

"Stop 6: Learn About History At The Fire Monument After enjoying some awesome local grub, cross the London Bridge and make your way to the Fire Monument. This monument honors those who lost their lives in the Great fire of London back in 1666. For a nominal fee, climb up and see some great views of London including the unique buildings – the Gherkin, The Cheese Grater, and of course, the tallest of all – the Shard."

"Monument to the Great Fire of London After your visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, walk east to the Monument of the Great Fire of London. This is a permanent reminder of the Great Fire of 1666 that destroyed the city of London. Christopher Wren was also the architect for this monument."

"Entrance is £5 for adults and you get beautiful 360 views over the roofs of the City. I like it because it’s high enough to get a view but not tall enough to lose the details. See the exact location here."

"This magnificent neoclassical mansion stands at the northern end of Hampstead Heath in a glorious sweep of landscaped gardens that lead down to a picturesque lake. The 17th-century house was substantially remodelled in the 1760s and rescued from developers by Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, who donated it and the wonderful collection of art it contains to the nation in 1927. Among its treasures are paintings by Rembrandt (one of his many self-portraits), Constable, Gainsborough and Vermeer."

"This largely Palladian villa offers an escape to a gracious country house with a magnificent collection of Old Masters and beautiful…"

"From fully-qualified doctors to avid viewers of Holby City, this museum will remind you of how surgery used to be a whole lot more gruesome back in the day. Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre is in Southwark, dating back more than 300 years. Nowadays you can tour the theatre, which has been kept exactly as it was when it was used during a time of no anaesthetic (ow), no antiseptic (ew) and certainly no antibiotics (crikey)."

"The V&A's Theatre Collections hold the UK's national collection of material about live performance in the UK since Shakespeare's day, covering drama, dance, musical theatre, circus, music hall, rock and pop, and other forms of live entertainment. Theatre and Performance galleries dedicated to the performing arts, display works of art, costumes, ephemera, video recordings, puppets, posters and photographs."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets cost £20 GBP (around $26 USD). Make sure to book your tickets and pick a time-slot in advance directly on the museum website."

"Not to be confused with St Paul's Cathedral (a big attraction that comes with a ticket price), this church on the western flank of Covent Garden Piazza is also known as the Actor’s Church. The first Punch and Judy show took place here in 1662, and there are memorials to Charlie Chaplin and Vivien Leigh."

"Not to be confused with St Paul's Cathedral (a big attraction that comes with a ticket price), this church on the western flank of Covent Garden Piazza is also known as the Actor’s Church. The first Punch and Judy show took place here in 1662, and there are memorials to Charlie Chaplin and Vivien Leigh."

"Also known as the Actor’s Church, this is situated next-door to Covent Garden and was designed by the famous architect Inigo Jones"

"Restaurants British Southwark. Jammed onto the side of an architectural practice in Southwark, this serene Aussie-style café-restaurant is something of a quiet classic in this part of town. Come the weekend, the standard breakfast menu (lots of eggs and avocado, as you’d expect) expands into brunch territory with a host of sizeable salads and burgers, waffles, pancakes and favourites such as sweetcorn fritters."

"This arcade is pretty lush with beautiful shops lining the sides. During the main opening hours it can be quite busy, but if you are patient or go at night you should be able to get a clean shot. Best time for pics: Morning or eveningCost: FreeLocation: Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, London W1J"

"With ceilings and lights now restored to how they would have looked when it was built in 1819, Burlington Arcade is the finest of Mayfair's…"

"Head to Brick Lane and you will be amazed by hundreds of vintage clothing rails, jewellery, tables of sunglasses and stacks of antique chairs. This is one of London’s hippest areas in East London which is perfect for vintage finds, people watching and just enjoying the mixture of cultures. In recent years, the street market has incorporated several indoor markets like The Tea Rooms, Backyard Market, Sunday Upmarket, Boiler House and the Vintage Market."

"This East London stretch is best known for its abundance of curry houses, but it’s also the setting for an atmospheric Sunday market. Hop between stalls selling retro bric-a-brac and vintage items, as well as some fresh produce. Backyard Market and Sunday UpMarket in the Old Truman Brewery are offshoots of Brick Lane Market, showcasing arts and crafts, and a gastronomic array of food vendors."

"If you're after a market with plenty going on, then Brick Lane won't disappoint. Expect eclectic clothing, plenty of second hand furniture, and stalls offering up all kinds of bric-a-brac. There's loads of street art to look out for too, as well as live music and a brilliant foodie scene."