Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Lambourne End

"Of course you will want to check off primary attractions such as The Big Ben, The London Eye, or Westminster Abbey off your list. If you’re a keen shopper, you will want to hit the shopping mecca that is Oxford Street. But also make sure you experience luxurious afternoon tea in London , take an offbeat food tour, sample street art, and hit a few alternative bars in town. Check out our Guide To London for loads of offbeat and fun ideas of things to do in London."

"Famous for being the spot where coronations take place, Westminster Abbey is another tourist top spot. It’s a stunning, majestic building that has been around since 1090 when it was originally built. Various monarchs have ensured the upkeep of the building, guaranteeing that Westminster Abbey continues to be one of the crown jewels of London."

"An important architectural and historical stop, Westminster Abbey is where kings and queens are crowned still today and where many famous figures are buried. The cathedral is immensely popular with tourists, so be prepared to wait. Highlights include the Gothic-style nave, built in the 13th century, and the ornate coronation chair."

"The tallest building in London is The Shard, constructed in 2012 it broke a number of records, many of which it still retains. It was the tallest building in Europe until 2013 and is still the tallest building in Western Europe, with the only taller buildings being located in Moscow. The Shard is also the second tallest free-standing structure in the United Kingdom after the Emley Moor transmitting station located in West Yorkshire."

"The Shard has one of the most beautiful and photogenic views over London (if you manage to go on a sunny day, unlike the one when I went and snapped the photo below). My advice for visiting The Shard is to go enjoy the view from the cocktail bar, instead of the viewing floor. As you can imagine cocktails are expensive, however they are only a couple pounds more expensive than the entry ticket to the viewing deck."

"The Shangri-La Suite is the top suite at the Shangri-La at The Shard, designed to maximise the view of London’s skyline from every direction possible. The 2,000 square foot one bedroom suite is plush and homely with one of the best views you’ll see from any hotel room. Click to read about the Shangri-La Luxury Circle programme which gives guests access to a host of added value amenities."

"The Tower of London is such a great place to visit with kids if they’re into learning about the history of London, castles and stories of kings and queens – including a bit of blood and gore!. Kids will be enthralled by the stories of the famous tower ravens, Henry the VIII and his many wives, the Guy Fawkes plot, the yeoman warders and Beefeaters with their pomp and ceremony. Save the best until last – the spectacular Crown Jewels including dazzling crowns and jewellery that are still in use today."

"The Tower of London – Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, the Tower of London was turned into a prison in 1100. Some of its most famous prisoners included King Henry VI, the wives of King Henry VII, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard and Sir Thomas More. These days the Tower is a museum rather than a prison. A great way to see some of the grounds is with an entertaining tour hosted by the Yeoman Warders who will frighten and dazzle you with tales of the Towers past."

"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."

"The bridge opens and closes almost 1000 times a year (schedule posted online and at the bridge). The Tower Bridge Exhibition provides a history of the bridge and allows access to the bridge’s top walkway by way of an elevator. You can see the river below through the reinforced glass section in the middle of the walkway."

"Tower Bridge is one of the tourist attractions you can't afford to miss because it is one of the famous monuments in London. It was built between 1886 and 1894. The Bridge is one of the most-visited landmarks globally with more than 40,000 people using it daily."

"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."

"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."

"To escape the crowded streets and enjoy a picturesque, waterside side stretch of North London, take to the canals that once played such a vital role in the transport of goods across the capital. The towpath of the Regent's Canal also makes an excellent shortcut across North London, either on foot or by bike. In full, the ribbon of water runs 9 miles from Little Venice (where it connects with the Grand Union Canal) to the Thames at Limehouse."

"If your kids are learning about the Great Fire of London at school I thoroughly recommend a themed day out in the capital visiting all of the following major sights. Start with a visit to the Museum of London to wander around the Plague and Fire gallery. You can then easily walk to St Paul’s Cathedral, which was completely rebuilt after the original cathedral, Old St Paul’s, was burnt down in the 1666 fire."

"Monument was built between 1671 and 1676 to commemorate the Great Fire of London. Today, you can access the viewpoint at the top for some great views of the city. However, you will be required to climb a spiral staircase comprised of 311 stairs (although it felt like a thousand!) and pay a small entrance fee."

"Alternatives (or additional spots) in the area to the above attractions: Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market (one of London’s most famous food markets), The Old Operating Theatre Museum (fee*), The Monument (fee*), and The View from the Shard (fee*)."

"Not only is St Helen’s one of the oldest surviving churches in the City of London, but it is also the largest, and contains more monuments than any other church in London (except Westminster Abbey of course). The church was designed with two parallel naves, which is why is it is so much wider than a usual church, and it was actually divided in two at one point, with half serving the nuns and the other half serving the parishioners (it is also the only nunnery still standing in the City of London). Among the more famous parishioners of this church was William Shakespeare who lived nearby in the 1590s."

"St Helen Bishopsgate was formed originally of two medieval churches joined together. On the left is the nave of a Benedictine Nunnery, which, in the early 13th century was built onto the existing parish church. The two congregations were then separated by a solid screen (now columns)."

"This church dates from the 12th-century and managed to survive both the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Blitz"

"It’s hard to believe that tucked away amongst the built up surroundings of Hampstead, just 6 kilometres from Trafalgar Square, lies 800 acres of fields and woods. Hampstead Heath transports you to the countryside, with its mosaic of habitats providing a resource for the copious amounts of wildlife. Featuring a number of priority species identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the Heath is known as one of London’s best places for wildlife."

"Easily one the most cherished green spaces in London, this is a very popular and much-loved area of London which can be found in the well-heeled area of Hampstead. The ‘Heath’ is a natural-looking park with a variety of landscapes including hills, ponds, woodlands and open grassy places. For the more active visitors the area is home to eight playgrounds running tracks, three swimming pools, grassland, woodlands, ponds and sports areas."

"Huge and sprawling with incredible views, woodlands and open air swimming ponds!. The perfect park for a winter wander, a place to watch the fireworks in London or picnic in the sun and a swim for the brave."

"The Harry Potter fans reading this will recognise Millennium Bridge as a key Harry Potter London spot; it’s the bridge that the Death Eaters knock down at the start of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. For everybody else, it’s just a cool metal structure that connects the north and south banks of the river. The view of the metallic architecture of the bridge, combined to the rooftops of London and the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral in the distance make for the perfect Instagram shot."

"Cross the Millennium Bridge made famous in the Harry Potter films and make your way to the Borough Market!. Enjoy a variety of produce, dairy, and meat stands, unique fusions of flavor like lavender lemonade, and stop into Hotel Chocolat’s restaurant for some incredible mac ‘n’ cheese overlooking where Bridget Jones called home in the three films. Borough Market offers such a variety and is a must-visit place to eat lunch during your 4 day London itinerary."

"London has a bit of a thing for bridges, and another of my favourite photo spots is at the Millennium Bridge. Don’t worry about confusing it with the previously mentioned Tower Bridge – this one is a sleek steel suspension bridge. Not only does it create an interesting juxtaposition of old and new, but it has many interesting angles that create some unique perspectives."

"6 New Union Square, Embassy Gardens, Nine Elms, London SW11 7DN Why should you care?. Homeboy, the modern Irish cocktail bar run by Aaron Wall and Ciaran Smith in Islington, has expanded to Embassy Gardens (near Darby's and right next to the US Embassy at Nine Elms). Expect their top cocktails and an all-day food menu too, including toasties and curried chips."

"Steve Williams and Raef Hodgson’s peerless Bermondsey wine bar has moved out of its traiteur and sandwich shop phase to reopen outdoors for a selection of snacks, which can be ordered with drinks and enjoyed on one of three tables on the terrace out front. Recently that menu included cauliflower croquettes; smoked cod’s roe and radishes; green beans, tomato, and saffron; chicken and bacon terrine; bread; and sorbet. Takeaway lunches do continue, offering some of London’s best sandwiches."

"It’s all about the natural wines and the serious talent in the kitchen at 40 Maltby Street, where trains rumble overhead and the decor’s strictly DIY (a tiny kitchen, home-made tables, and wine festival posters on the walls). You’ll find a scribbled blackboard by the bar, listing the menu—it changes daily. The wines are all sourced from small-scale producers, and there are half-a-dozen options by the glass and eight pages of bottles."

"Here, chef Steve Williams (ex Ledbury and Harwood Arms) is quietly turning out extraordinary dishes that have fellow chefs and restaurateurs regularly citing this as one of their favourite places in town. And it's not just the food that's good, given that it's owned by Gergovie Wines, you can expect a very decent wine list here too. Delivery: Takeaway only"

"If you're looking for a relaxed spot to chow down on continental cuisine then look no further than Sagardi. The Curtain Road spot specialises in all things Basque, with premium steaks and salted cod taking centre stage."

"267 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2UQ Why should you care?. Butcher & Brew have been established in Streatham for a few years, and now they've also just opened on the opposite side of London on Islington's Upper Street. Beer and meat is the neme of the game here."

"The first thing to be said about this homely, two-room East Sheen venue is that, although it is vegetarian, it uses some cheeses with animal rennet, including Parmesan — chef-proprietor Emerson Amélio de Oliveira strongly believes these have a superior flavour. That said, the eco-friendly venue, with sustainability at its heart, has by far the most inventive vegetarian menu in London. Oliveira comes from a Brazilian-Italian background; and this is reflected in dishes such as hand-made pastas and risottos, alongside the use of Amazonian fruit and veg."

"There are wraps, and then there are double stuffed chip-filled Greek wraps. Souvlaki Street serves up proper souvlaki made using quality local ingredients. There is a choice of pork shoulder, chicken or halloumi, and you can go ALL IN with three in one."

"What a relief that Souvlaki street – along with other al fresco establishments – has reopened at Pop Brixton. We will be getting extra halloumi and spicy feta dip with ours, obviously."