Must See Sights and Landmarks in High Wych Area

"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."

"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..."

"For a truly spectacular view of London, you’re going to want to head up London’s tallest building, the Shard. This 95 storey skyscraper was opened in 2012, with the viewing deck opened in 2013."

"Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this uncompromising slab of a building has been many things—including the site where Henry VIII ordered the execution of two of his wives. Now the Tower is most famous as the home of the Crown Jewels. Come, take a tour from one of the Beefeaters (offered every half hour), and gawp at the sparkling and the frightening alike."

"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."

"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."

"Definitely up there as one of my favourite bridges in the world, Tower Bridge is marvellous to photograph both during the day…. … and at night, as a long exposure. It’s also good from both sides of the river, although if you go to the south bank then you can frame it with the Tower of London as well, which is nice."

"Crossing over the River Thames, the Tower Bridge is an iconic symbol of London. It was built between 1886 and 1894 in the Victorian gothic style. It sits in the heart of the city, near the Tower of London."

"🌳🌲🌿☘️🍃🍀🌱The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street is a unique public space that spans three storeys and offers 360 degree uninterrupted views across the City of London. Visitors can wander around the exquisitely landscaped gardens, observation decks and an open air terrace of what is London's highest public garden🌲🌳🌴🌱🍀☘️🌿 #skygarden #london #beautiful #views #restaurant #stunning #londonbridge #bigben #toweroflondon #theshard #mustsee. A post shared by Life FR (@life_fr_) on Jan 2, 2018 at 10:22am PST"

"Get the lift to the top of 20 Fenchurch Street and let your toddler explore London’s highest public garden. There are 360 degree views of the London skyline, gardens to run around in and a café where you can buy cakes and pastries. Cost – Free, but you need to prebook."

"At the Sky Garden you’ll get panoramic views of the city and you can also stop for food and drink. You have to book a ticket in advance to visit but it’s free. Head to skygarden.london for more info."

"Trafalgar Square is a popular public square located in the City of Westminster, Central London. John Nash was the architect in charge of the square's design during the 1820s, and it was constructed in the 1830s. The public square is so popular to the extent that it has been featured in many award-winning movies, like the Children of Men, Casino Royale, and The Avengers."

"Trafalgar Square is a large city square commemorating Lord Horatio Nelson’s victory against Napoleon’s navy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The central monument within the square is a single tall column on which the figure of Nelson stands gazing over London. His monument is surrounded by four colossal lions and a series of large fountains."

"Go wild and climb atop one of Trafalgar Square’s enormous bronze lions. The big cats guard Nelson’s Column, a memorial to Admiral Horatio Nelson who died in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. With its glorious fountains and close proximity to the National Gallery, the square is always buzzing with activity."

"St Giles Cripplegate, The origin of Cripplegate could be from the Anglo-Saxon ‘crepel’, a burrow, denoting the long, narrow underground or covered way leading to the gate. Alternatively, it could be that more cripples gathered at this particular gate begging alms than at other gates of the city.The first known church was built during the 14th century on the ground outside the gate close to where the Walbrook ran under the London Wall. It was rebuilt in the 17th century and much altered in Victorian times.Oliver Cromwell was married here, and in 1674 the poet John Milton was buried."

"This Church of England church was built just outside the city wall, next to the Cripplegate, hence the name (without means outside). It was initially built in the 11th century before the current building was constructed in 1394, with the stone tower being added in 1682. While it survived the fire of 1666, it has been severely damaged on three other occasions, from fires in 1545 and 1897 and from an air raid during the Blitz in 1940."

"This 16th-century church is one of the few to have survived both the Great Fire of London and the Blitz. It is situated inside the Barbican"

"67 km from city center 8 out of 40 places to visit in London. In the fictional yet captivatingly magical world of Harry Potter, Platform 9 and ¾ signifies the mystical train platform between the ordinary world platforms 9 and 10, through which young wizards and witches could jump over to hop aboard the Hogwarts Express to reach the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"If you’re a Harry Potter fans you have to go see platform 9 and 3/4. Actually, you should go see it even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan!. It’s inside Kings Cross station, but not between platforms 9 and 10 sadly, these are only accessible if you have a valid train ticket."

"Relive you Harry Potter fantasies by visiting the station platform made famous by the books and movies. It’s located at Kings Cross Station and you can’t miss the trolley half sticking out of the brick wall."

"The Honourable Artillery Company Museum opened in 1987; it then closed and underwent a complete rebuild. The Duke of Edinburgh reopened the museum in 2011. The collection is dedicated to the Honourable Artillery Company and includes uniforms, silver, medals, weapons, equipment, art, and armour dating back to the 1530s with a special emphasis on the 1600s and 1700s militia."

"The Gherkin, located at 30 St. Mary’s Axe, is one of London’s most recognizable towers, and the quirky name helps bring it instantly to the forefront of anyone’s mind. In total, the building has 500,000 sq ft, and it contains a whole community within, complete with many bars and restaurants. It truly deserves its reputation for being ‘the most civilized skyscraper in the world’."

"Affectionately known as The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe is one of the most famous buildings in London. Construction of the building was completed in December 2003 and opened in April 2004. Famous for its unusual shape, the curve in the building was designed to maximise the amount of office space available due to the limited space which buildings in the City of London have."

"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."

"Once voted the nation's favourite park, Victoria Park is the largest green space in Tower Hamlets, with amenities including a boating lake, two cafes, a skate park and a large playground. The flower-strewn Old English Garden is a particular highlight, as are the canine statues that guard the park gates. Make sure you drop into the phenomenal People's Park Tavern while you're there."

"Definitely one of East London’s finest green areas, Victoria Park combines wide open green space, a pretty epic playground, a killer cafe (brunch is highly recommended), hidden pagodas and a lake for the peddle boat enthusiasts out there. A great walk for kids and adults alike, Victoria park is one of the best parks in London to visit."

"You can also be a little sporty at the tennis court or the sports playground. Did you know that over nine million people visit Victoria Park every year?. No wonder it is known as the People’s Park in London."

"Two Tree Island is a small island just southwest of Leigh-on-Sea and connected only by a bridge. With its breathtaking sights and a wealth of various wildlife to observe and explore, it’s no wonder that Two Tree Island is so popular with bird watchers and nature enthusiasts."

"Fans of the film Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, will recognise the name as the shrimp company Forrest sets up with his friend Bubba in Alabama: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. The restaurant sticks to the movie theme throughout with fun references and merchandise, and of course plenty of shrimp alongside other dishes from America’s Deep South such as jambalaya."

"Based on hit film Forrest Gump, this southern American eatery near Piccadilly Circus is themed on the movie's main characters and Alabama location. It’s all about the shrimp at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., with lots of crustacean creations; but there’s plenty for all the family to enjoy, from grilled steaks and salads to jambalaya."