Must See Sights and Landmarks in Banyards Area

"Standing proudly next to the Westminster Houses of Parliament, the home of British politics, is the beautiful and hugely significant Westminster Abbey. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site back in 1987, this church is one of the most important in the UK and dates back to around 800AD. Westminster Abbey is steeped in history and has been the scene of royalty since William the Conqueror in the 1000s."

"At number ten on our list of the best buildings and architecture in London is the historic Westminster Abbey. It’s one of the Uk’s most notable religious buildings. It’s also the traditional place of coronation and burial site for British Monarchs."

"Westminster Abbey is one of the most important historical places in London. The royal abbey church dates back almost a thousand years. It is also the burial place of many of Britain’s kings and queens."

"This distinctive skyscraper is equally impressive when viewed from the exterior or the interior with its panoramic views over Tower Bridge and the Thames. Best shot: Rich, aka @paperboyo has become InstaFamous thanks to his playful photographs featuring papercuts of well known landmarks, such as The Shard. I’ve had an incredible variety of experiences this year from shooting ocean sunrises with pro-photographers to climbing rooftops with daredevils and it’s all because of the opportunities Instagram has opened up for me."

"Unsurprisingly for a hotel occupying levels 34 to 52 of the Shard, there are breathtaking views everywhere you look in the 202-room Shangri-La: be it the floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedrooms, the panoramic..."

"The unmissable Tower of London (actually a castle of 22 towers) offers a window into a gruesome and compelling history. A former royal residence, treasury, mint, armoury and zoo, it's perhaps now most remembered as the prison where a king, three queens and many nobles met their deaths. Come here to see the colourful Yeoman Warders (or Beefeaters), the spectacular Crown Jewels, the soothsaying ravens and armour fit for a very large king."

"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."

"Nowhere else does London's history come to life so vividly as it does in this mini city of 20 towers, the intimate details of lords and…"

"Tower Bridge is one of the most well-known bridges in London (although often mistaken for London Bridge) and will allow you to get some great views of the city and the Thames. Inside the tower, you can learn more about the mechanics of the bridge by watching videos and exploring the Engine Room. Kids will enjoy the app that allows you to use your phone for a real-life simulation."

"After the houses of Parliament, this bridge is London’s most well known site. There are several excellent angles to photograph this bridge from. – A very popular photo to take is traffic light trails going through the archways of the bridge."

"A view of the Elizabeth Tower and the Houses of Parliament through a pedestrian tunnel on London’s South Bank|© Beatrice Preve / Alamy Stock Photo. One of the finest examples of Gothic Revivalist architecture in the world, the Palace of Westminster was built by 19th-century architect Sir Charles Barry, but the real brains behind it was the incredibly talented Augustus Pugin. He was just 23 when Barry enlisted him to help with the design of the building and was instrumental in its Gothic detailing (his superior was more of a Classicist)."

"Home to the world’s most famous clock, Big Ben (officially the Queen Elizabeth Tower, but no one calls it that), the Houses of Parliament is a neo-Gothic wonder built in the mid-19th century. It is made up of two houses – the Commons and the Lords – and if you reserve ahead (or just try your luck on the day) you can go inside to watch British democracy in action."

"The Seven Noses of Soho are a quirky art installation in Central London and one of the city’s most unusual free attractions. The strange little statues are plaster reproductions of artist Rick Buckley’s nose and were installed around Soho as a prankprovoked by the controversial introduction of CCTV cameras throughout London during the 1990s – the noses were installed under the noses of the cameras. While 35 noses were originally installed, only 10 still remain today and searching for them all certainly makes for one of the most unique free days out in London."

"If you’re travelling between The Mall and Trafalgar Square, that’s Admiralty Arch stretching elegantly overhead. Completed in 1911 to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria, the Portland stone structure is more than an arch—it’s actually a functional building. Check out these rarely seen photos of the British royal family through the years."

"St Mary Woolnoth was said to have been founded originally by Wulfnoth, a Saxon noble, on a Roman Temple to Concord. The church is famous among architects. It was built by Nicholas Hawksmoor in 1716-1721."

"This bizarre looking Anglican church was designed by Hawksmoor – his only City of London church. The original dated back to Norman times"

"One of the most iconic landmarks in London is at Trafalgar Square, where Nelson’s Column was erected to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars of 1805 between France and Spain. The square is in the center of London in the Charing Cross area, and has become a central point for visitors to London. As you walk around the square, you’ll notice many sculptures, statues and monuments that were erected at various points in history."

"With a menu focusing on seasonal and ethically-sourced produce, Holy Carrot is the home of ultimate mindfulness. Located at Urban Retreat in Knightsbridge, the restaurant is fully plant-based and gluten free, serving some raw dishes. Highlights from the menu include a raw red pepper burrito, a British pea velouté and crispy quinoa maki."

"As their slogan, “Eat Dirty, Vegan Style” would suggest, Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner serves up American-style comfort food, such as burgers, hotdogs, buffalo wings, sandwiches, mac n cheese, fries and more!. The Reuben sandwich and the mozzarella sticks are firm fan favorites. Not only this but they’re also known for their incredible vegan milkshakes; think chocolate peanut butter, banana biscoff and chocolate peppermint cream."

"If you’re looking for over-the-top vegan junk food that will convince even the most ardent of meat-eaters, then look no further than Rudy’s Vegan Diner. The Camden Market-based diner offers all the staple US diner classics from The Dirty Burger to The Dirty Dog. Rudy’s even offer a Reuben sandwich with all the trimmings, including sauerkraut and Russian dressing."

"In a nutshell: Restautant for the vegan butcher Where is it?. 206A Upper St Islington, London N1 1RQ Why should you care?. After the launch of their vegan 'butcher' (which has proven to be very popular indeed), Rudy's have brought their vegan diner to Islington right next door."

"Restaurants American Hackney. Weekend brunch (from 10am) is of the all-day variety (and often ‘bottomless’) at this sheeny eatery from the guys behind the now-glorious Sebright Arms. Order at the counter from a menu that spans everything from Greek yoghurt with granola or avocado on toasted sourdough with pumpkin seeds and pea shoots to shakshuka, mushroom vegan balls, sweet and savoury waffles, as well as the daunting 12-hour pork hash – a free-wheeling combo involving long-cooked meat with two poached eggs, fried potatoes, peppers, chorizo and brown sauce onions."

"Restaurants American Hackney. A sheeny all-day eatery from the guys behind the now-glorious Sebright Arms in Bethnal Green, the Vincent serves up everything from late breakfasts to dinners with a broad American accent. Baked eggs, pork hash, ‘vegeree’ and waffles give way to burgers, buttermilk chicken buns, chilli chips and chocolate brownies, while drinks include the ubiquitous craft beers, hard shakes and some jokey cocktails."

"If you’re nuts for Nutella, celebrate with us and pop in for a Cronutella!. #bakednotfried #donut #croissantdonut #happydays #donuts #food #foodie #foodporn #doughnuts #donut #yummy #chocolate #dessert #delicious #dumdumdiaries #donutresist #nutella #nutelladay. A post shared by Dum Dum Donuts, W1 (@dumdumdonuts.w1) on Feb 5, 2019 at 9:01am PST"

"Dum Dum Donutterie is the place to head if you like your doughnuts baked, not fried. The artisan doughnut shop has become renowned for their ‘cro’ doughnuts, a croissant and doughnut crossover, and rightly so, they’re blooming delicious!. It seems we aren’t the only lot obsessed with their treats because they often sell out on the daily."

"The croissant/doughnut hybrid at Dum Dums have been selling like hot cakes… I mean cronuts!. Right now they’re one of the most popular desserts in London. So what makes them special?"

"From Armani Jeans and DKNY Men to Clarks and the Disney store, there's a variety of shops in the centre. If you want to grab some food, options for lunch include Nando's, The Real Greek, YO!. Sushi, Chicago Rib Shack and Franco Manca."

"One of the newer additions to London’s shopping scene is Westfield Stratford City. This shopping centre opened in September 2011 and it’s considered to be one of the largest in Europe. It bears a retail floor area of 175,000 m2!"