Must See Sights and Landmarks in Connaught Water Area

"Another location with a long association with British royalty, Westminster Abbey stands on a site that's been associated with Christianity since the early 7th century. Officially known as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster, Westminster Abbey was founded by Edward the Confessor in 1065 as his place of interment. From his burial in 1066 until that of George II almost 700 years later, most sovereigns were not only crowned here but were buried here, too."

"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"

"The Abbey was built by Edward the Confessor, and William the Conqueror was crowned in it on Christmas Day 1066. Thousands of people are buried, or have their ashes interred, in it. Many others have plaques."

"The Shard may not seem like a top romantic spot for Valentine’s Day, but with all it has to offer, it may be a one-stop shop. Stay at the Shangri-La hotel, dine in the restaurants, and even take in the tallest view of the city from the building’s observation floors. Even if you don’t opt to spend more than an hour or two of your Valentine’s Day here, it can still be your base of operations for anywhere you visit in London."

"The Shard is one of the masterpieces of the architect Renzo Piano. Ever since the Shard opened in February 2013, the beautiful skyscraper has been a site that many visitors travelling to London want to see. The Shard stands at the height of 309.6 metres, making it the tallest building in the United Kingdom and the sixth-tallest building in all of Europe."

"Scraping the sky at 306 metres, western Europe’s tallest building boasts a high-end hotel, restaurants and bars and London’s highest viewing platform—an unobstructed 360-degree view stretching as far as 64 kilometres. Here are 12 more observation decks with thrilling views."

"The Tower of London, which is officially known as Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle in London that sits on the River Thames. The Tower of London has stood since 1066. Beginning in 1100 and lasting through 1952, the Tower of London was used as a prison, though it was intended to be a royal home."

"The Tower of London is one of the top tourist activities in London and a great one for families. This is where you’ll see the Crown Jewels and tour the tower with a yeoman warder. The Tower may be better suited for older children, but younger children will enjoy playing make-believe in this real-life castle and fortress."

"If there ever was a defining landmark in London, it’s the Tower Bridge. Often mistaken by tourist as the London Bridge, the Tower Bridge is quite a bit more ornate and lovely than the plain London Bridge to it’s west. Traffic (both foot and car) abounds on the Tower Bridge, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit the inner workings of the bridge and learn all about it."

"The best view of Tower Bridge (in my opinion) is from the water; however, not everyone has a chance to do a Thames River Cruise. If that’s not on your itinerary, try to get a photo of Tower Bridge from afar, featuring something else iconic – perhaps City Hall?. Alternatively, a head on shot crossing the bridge is pretty incredible, too!"

"Basically Tower Bridge is one of the single most photogenic spots in London. From whatever angle you decide to photograph it, it looks brilliant. I personally love photos taken on the bridge, as it really gives you an idea of the scale and size of this architectural feat."

"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 Houses of Parliament, or the Westminster Palace, is designed in the gothic-architectural style. It is the meeting place for the two Houses of Parliament, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The current palace was built in 1847 after a fire destroyed the original building."

"The Palace of Westminster, as the complex is called, was first established on this site by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century."

"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"

"Arguably London's most famous landmark, this clock tower rises above the Houses of Parliament, former site of the Palace of Westminster. Although the tower has long been called "Big Ben," that moniker actually belongs to the tower's largest bell, which weighs more than 13 tonnes. The tower itself is 320 feet high, and its four clock faces are each 23 feet across."

"30 St Mary Axe was one of the tallest buildings in London when completed in 2004. It quickly became one of the most recognisable icons of London, and remains one of its best-known contemporary buildings. The 180-metre-high structure owes its nickname to its curved upper storeys, which give it the shape of a certain vegetable."

"Designed by the famous Architect Norman Foster, The Gherkin is essentially an office building. ‘Gherkin’ is a type of cucumber, which is the design inspiration behind this building shape. Designed in neo-futuristic style, The Gherkin won the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Stirling prize in 2004."

"Walking through one of London’s numerous parks is also an option, and so is admiring the architecture of Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, or St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the evenings, have some fish and chips in a pub or enjoy London’s multicultural dining options. You will stay in the city until the morning of Day 3."

"This striking Arts and Craft church was built in 1888-90, at the south-eastern side of Sloane Street. It was paid for by the 5th Earl of Cadogan, in whose estate it stood. John Dando Sedding’s design blends late Victorian trends of Pre-Raphaelite medieval and Italianate styles."

"This Anglican parish church was built in the late 19th-century and it’s so wide that it its width even exceeds that of St. Paul’s Cathedral"

"Before Renzo Piano’s “The Shard” was built, the tallest skyscraper in London was One Canada Square, also known as Canary Wharf. Inaugurated in 1991, with a total height of 771 feet divided into 50 floors, the skyscraper is famous for its pyramidal top, which makes it highly recognisable. The design was the work of the architects Cesar Pelli & Associates, Adamson Associates and Frederick Gibberd Coombes & Partners"

"Famous for its pyramid-shaped roof, unlike the rest of the skyscrapers in this list, One Canada Square is not located in the City of London. Constructed in London’s other renowned financial district, Canary Wharf. It was once the tallest building in London from 1990 until it was surpassed by The Shard."

"The elegant redbrick exterior of the smallest of Britain's royal palaces seems almost humble when compared with the grandeur of, say,…"

"It’s easy to spend your days walking around South Kensington’s alleyways but you will have a lot of London’s iconic sites at your doorstep too. This includes the V&A, Natural History Museum, The Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park!. What’s more, all the other London landmarks are just a hop, skip, and jump away. This makes it our top choice for a short summer getaway in London"

"What: There is something captivating about dining in a market, and Chamberlain’s position in the atmospheric labyrinth of Leadenhall is no different. The longstanding restaurant, which has been open since 1947, serves a menu of impeccable fish dishes, all of which come beautifully presented. Opt for classic combinations such as Orkney scallops with lardo or treat yourself to the most indulgent of dinners and order the turbot with truffle.Where: 23-25 Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR"

"Located right in Diagon Alley – better known to muggles as Leadenhall Market – is this behemoth of a restaurant. It spans three floors, has its very own outdoor terrace within the historic market, and boasts a total of four private dining rooms. Moreover, as it’s owned by the prestigious Billingsgate wholesaler Chamberlain & Thelwell, it has access to the very best seafood in town."

"Atul Kochhar is the first Indian chef in the world to receive a Michelin star. His new restaurant, Kanishka, on Maddox Street, explores lesser known regions of Indian food. Cooking methods include salting, smoking and fermenting, made necessary by the remoteness of the regions."

"From Sikkim venison tartare to banana old fashioneds, Kanishka is the Mayfair restaurant cooking up impressive dishes in London. If you're after tasty bites and beautiful decor to match, then you've come to the right place."

"Whether you're looking for a place that'll impress or just wanna get a few Instagram-worthy shots, head to Kanishka for all that plus stunning Indian plates and lip-smacking cocktails to wash it all down."