Must See Sights and Landmarks in Ham 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."

"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."

"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."

"Designed by Architect Renzo Piano and based in Southwark, London, The Shard stands tall at 309.6 metres. Designed in neo-futuristic and modern style, it houses some of the world’s best offices, restaurants and hotel rooms. It has been open to the public since 2013."

"Options at the Shard are to go to the viewing platform on the top floor or stay in the amazing Shangri-La hotel. Both will present you with spectacular 360 views of the city. The Shard is also a good spot for sunset and blue hour pics."

"Tour the (in)famous Tower of London, and find out more about its 900-year history. It’s had many uses over the years – as a palace, prison and even a zoo – but today it’s famously the home of the Crown Jewels. Prepare to be dazzled by the Royal Family’s riches – I recommend booking ahead through Get Your Guide so that you can skip the line."

"The Tower of London is one of the top places to visit in London. The White Tower, the one bona fide castle in London, dates back to the late 11th century. Along with Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Place and St Paul’s, it should be essential for London first time visitors."

"Next suggested stop is HMS Belfast(fee*), which is permanently moored on the Thames a short walk from Tower Bridge on the south bank. This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with an interest in boats. Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963."

"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."

"A visit here is a journey to the heart of UK democracy. The Houses of Parliament are officially called the Palace of Westminster, and its oldest part is 11th-century Westminster Hall, one of only a few sections that survived a catastrophic 1834 fire. The rest is mostly a neo-Gothic confection built over 36 years from 1840. The palace's most famous feature is its clock tower, Elizabeth Tower (but better known as Big Ben), covered in scaffolding until restoration works are finished in 2021."

"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."

"The palace of is an iconic building not just in London, but around the world. You can photograph it in various ways, and from several locations. – You can take an iconic photo of the palace of Westminster from the bridge."

"This beautiful little 18th-century church was James Gibbs’ first commission. It sits in the middle of a busy traffic island on the Strand"

"Climbing the O2 is an easy, fun outdoor challenge without the need for ice axe or crampons says Kirstie Pelling from The Family Adventure Project. The action takes place on a bouncy walkway at the 02 dome in Greenwich. You clip and unclip yourself all the way up so there’s lots to keep the children entertained."

"Certainly one of the most unique ways to see London, this thrilling urban expedition takes you on a journey across the giant dome of…"

"This church was initially built in the 13th century when it was known as St Olave-towards-the-Tower, dedicated to the patron saint of Norway, King Olaf II. It was a favourite place of worship of the diarist Samuel Pepys, and he and his wife Elizabeth are both buried in the nave of the church. The present building was erected in 1450, and survived the Great Fire in 1666 thanks to Sir William Penn (whose son would found Pennsylvania) and his men from the local naval yard."

"As one of several churches in London with Scandinavian connections, St Olave Hart Street is often claimed to have been established as early as 1056. However, this may be true, as the memories of Olaf’s London adventures were at their best during this period. Furthermore, it was just a short period of time before Norway attempted to invade England in 1066."

"It was one of a small number to survive the Great Fire of London. It suffered far greater damage during the London Blitz of World War II, and the 15th century body of the church was restored by the mid-1950s. It’s a small church with a wealth of history."

"Restaurants Pâtisseries Islington. Breakfast at Ottolenghi’s Islington branch – the one with the on-table toasters – is a rite of passage for posh kids who live locally. Evenings are more grown up, although small people will easily be won over by the colourful counter displays – plus cakes for the journey home."

"Apple and vanilla cake with soft apple pieces, juicy sultanas, a liberal amount of maple cream cheese icing – mildly sweet, immensely creamy – plus a light dusting of powdered sugar to finish. There’s olive oil in the cake too, which gives it the perfect moisture."

"If you fancy something a little less sweet (no sprinkles here, thank you very much), make a trip to one of Yotam's four delis around London. They're just as good at homemade jams and chutneys there as they are at swirly-strawberry meringues."

"The oldest scientific zoo in the world, London Zoo is home for more than eight hundred species of animals, being by far the most diverse zoological garden in the United Kingdom. Sometimes referred to as Regent’s Zoo (because it is situated in Regent’s Park), London Zoo is a great day out for any family with a few kids. Besides the enormous range of animals and insects that can be seen in such areas as the Aquarium, the Penguin Pool, Gorilla Kingdom, Butterfly Paradise, Rainforest Life and Nightlife, the Reptile House, and so many others, London Zoo also attracts children to the area that is primarily dedicated to them: Animal Adventure."

"From the Tiger Territory, Gorilla Kingdom and Penguin Beach to the Butterfly Paradise and Fruit Bat Forest, the London Zoo – with 760 species across 36 acres – reigns supreme among the inner-city animal attractions. Better still, it’s set to get bigger. This spring, an epic 2,500sqm Land of the Lions enclosure opens with state-of-the-art facilities for a breeding group of endangered Asiatic lions."

"The world's first scientific zoo contains 12 listed buildings, 12,000 animals & 650 species. Regent's Park Outer Circle, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 4RY. Tube: Chalk Farm Station"

"Nestled in Battersea Park, this Children’s Zoo may not exactly be big, but that’s part of its charm. They house a range of mammals, reptiles and birds, from farm to smaller exotics animals. With various feeding times, picnic and play areas and children’s rides, this zoo is especially good for the little ones."

"Battersea Park Children's Zoo is home to a host of farmyard animals, flamingos, otters and monkeys. Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ. Tube: Sloane Square Station"

"Having turned vegan in 2016, French chef Alexis Gauthier will make the food at his Soho restaurant, housed in a converted Georgian townhouse, entirely plant-based upon reopening following lockdown. His vegan ‘Les Plantes’ menu includes a jar of ‘faux gras’ made from lentils, mushrooms and walnuts."

"When it comes to fine dining in London, Gauthier is the place to be. And not just any fine dining: Michelin-star fine dining, at that. What makes their vegan à la carte menu so special, we hear you ask?"

"For the Mr Darcys and Elizabeth Bennets of this world, a cosy night in a Georgian townhouse should do just the trick. Add the fact that French restaurant L’Escargot has entertained most of Soho’s most famous bon viveurs in its 90-year history, and you’ll detect a frisson of scandal in the air. For ultimate date ambience, be sure to grab a table in the front dining room: plush velvet furnishings, scarlet red walls and a chandelier hanging from its period ceiling are all built for romantic revellers."

"Coco Chanel, Mick Jagger, and Princess Diana have all dined here, so you know it’s going to be good. A fixture in Soho since 1927, you can’t leave without trying the dish the restaurant is named after: the snails."