Historic Sites in The White Cross

"Westminster Abbey is a large, mainly Gothic, church located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the most notable religious buildings in the United Kingdom and is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and, later, British monarchs. Most of the present building dates from 1245 to 1272 when Henry III decided to rebuild an old abbey in the Gothic style."

"Touring the mystical cathedrals and abbeys of London and the country is a must-do experience in England. The construction of the current Westminster Abbey began in 1245 by Henry III, and since then, it has become England's main religious building. Westminster Abbey receives more than a million visitors annually, making it one of the most famous landmarks in London."

"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."

"London is an eminently walkable city, and you’ll be able to take in the majority of the key highlights, from the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace through to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Then, on your second day, take advantage of that car and head out to some of the attractions outside of London. I’m thinking Windsor Castle, or Hampton Court Palace – both eminently explorable, and easy to reach with a car."

"I got the above shot about five minutes before the below shot, and you can see how dramatically quickly the light and clouds have changed!. The other thing to keep in mind are the crowds. Attractions like the Tower of London get really busy."

"The London Pass is a pre-paid sightseeing card which gives you FREE fast-track entry to the city’s top tourist attractions, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. The view from the Shard"

"If you see pictures of London, they often contain images of the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben. This is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses that make up the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In case you didn’t already know, Big Ben is not the name of the clock or the tower it is housed in."

"North of Oxford Street, there’s no missing the striking buildings of the Wallace Collection, one of the most interesting free art museums in London. Inside the buildings, you’ll find paintings from the 15th to 19th century, with a particularly impressive collection of 18th century French artworks said to rival the collection at Versailles. This free museum is the only place you’ll ever be able to see these masterpieces – when Sir Richard Wallace’s widow bequeathed the collection, she made it a condition that not a single piece should ever leave the imposing building."

"One of London's best small galleries, hidden away just north of Oxford Street, the Wallace Collection is an enthralling glimpse into 18th-century aristocratic life, set up in a lavishly restored Italianate mansion stuffed with 17th and 18th-century art. You might also like:. Best day trips from LondonSecret London: 9 unusual sights hidden in the cityLondon watchlist: films to see before your trip"

"Wallace collection displays magnificent artworks in the historic London town. It has some of the most amazing old paintings, decorative arts, and world-class armouries. This stunning London museum is free and also has a glazed courtyard restaurant."

"Marble Hill House is a beautifully proportioned Palladian villa overlooking the Thames at Twickenham. It’s in a fine location, just across the river from one of the main entrances to Richmond Park. It’s also one of the loveliest visitor attractions in London, and one of several things to see in Richmond and around."

"Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare is a small garden temple built in 1756 on the River Thames. The temple was built by actor David Garrick to honor William Shakespeare; it has since turned into a museum meant to honor Garrick, as well. The temple displayed Garrick's extensive personal collection of Shakespearean artifacts."

"More of a yard than a proper park, Postman’s Park is still one of the largest green spaces in the City of London yet it remains a hidden gem. It’s also full of plaques dedicated to everyday heroes – these stories of self-sacrifice were collected by artist George Frederic Watts and turned into a memorial in 1900 – making it a very peaceful spot."

"We've praised The Bluebird for its versatile approach to dining and Chelsea-style leisure. It's a compound comprised of a swanky restaurant, a more casual cafe, outdoor space, and, of course, the boutique to end all boutiques. The ground floor shop is "an ever-evolving space; part concept store and part cabinet of curiosity, where you can discover high-end designers alongside niche labels and emerging fashion talent, interspersed with objets, ephemera, collectibles and cult beauty brands." They stock everyone from Balenciaga to Levi's, and their homewares are to die for – go for a Fornasetti candle, try on something you couldn't possibly afford, and get your brows done by Blink."

"This King’s Road landmark has been a place to be seen since opening back in 1997 – even more so with its swish new look. Formerly a garage, Bluebird underwent a major refurbishment a couple of years ago courtesy of Sagrada, the designers behind The Arts Club, which split up the large space into neat sections. Both the street-level bar and first-floor restaurant feature plush interiors – think exposed steel red beams, indoor trees and deep Chesterfield booths – while the al fresco courtyard remains an idyllic summer spot."

"Restaurants Contemporary European King’s Road. The main dining room of this King’s Road branch of Bluebird Café looks like it’s actually outside; it has a conservatory-style glass roof and loads, we mean loads, of plants. If you want to really get some fresh air, there’s a massive outdoor dining area with fake grass, umbrellas and garden-style furniture serving a Mediterranean menu."

"In a nutshell: Coffee and bottle shop in Tottenham Where is it?. 10 Vicarage Parade, West Green Road, London N15 3BL Why should you care?. More change for Tottenham with Perkyn's, serving up coffee in the day and over 60 types of beer in the evening."

"Franzè & Evans, in Shoreditch, East London, anchors one end of trendy Redchurch Street just before it flows into Bethnal Green Road. They serve interesting breakfasts and modern Italian lunches, but it’s also the best place I know for a breather after a day of hipster shopping. It’s perfectly located, an oasis at the end of this street of expensive, avant garde boutiques and underground designer shops too cool for signs."

"Some of the most famous names from the comedy circuit feature at Comedy Carnival, stars of Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week among them. At Bar Rumba on Shaftesbury Avenue off Leicester Square, Comedy Carnival has shows every Friday and Saturday night from 8.00-10.00pm and also stages a gig on one Saturday each month at Infernos on Clapham High Street. The familiar faces of Reginald D Hunter and Holly Walsh are complimented by some of the freshest talent from across the world."

"The Leicester Square Theatre has an illustrious past, as it was the venue of the Cavern Club in the swinging Sixties. The group The Small Faces had a residency there, the Rolling Stones played there with the Who, and the Sex Pistols held several gigs there, including their preview of 'London Calling'. Over the last few years, it's been a venue to some of the world's top comedy acts."

"Reopened after extensive (and expensive) renovation in 2019, the Mandarin Oriental is nothing less than stunning. The hotel’s Edwardian footprint interplays with tranquil, quirkily contemporary interiors and bright colors; the suites and rooms finished in sparkling Art Deco style are by innovative designer Joyce Wang; and there’s an exceptional basement spa with an added Philip Kingsley hair and scalp bar, and a mani-pedi studio by celebrity French podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez. The exterior is all iconic red brick and cream and the building feels quintessentially English, while the interior is restrained yet innovative, color-popping yet elegant, with added floral displays, bronze and silver embossed leaf-themed wallpaper, and fun 1920s-style pendant lights created from equine hair culled from the Horse Guards’ stable."

"Perfectly perched between Knightsbridge and Hyde Park, this glamorous hotel features opulent rooms, suites and a world-renowned spa. For added gastronomic delight, the hotel is home to the exclusive Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, which has two Michelin stars. The hotel has recently undergone a massive refurbishment making it more luxe than ever."

"The master bathroom is exquisite with a large bath below a fibre optic chandelier, along with a steam room and powerful shower. The Halcyon gallery displays unique artwork throughout the suite, available for guests to purchase. The suite has access to a large balcony for up to 40 guests for a drinks reception."