Making an attempt to see all the town’s highlights on foot won’t appear a simple job, however all you want are comfortable sneakers and this London landmarks strolling path to tick off the important thing locations.
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I’ve designed this self-guided London strolling tour so it’s simple to do in sections in the event you don’t fancy a seven-mile stroll round London with youngsters, plus there are many locations to cease alongside the best way, whether or not you wish to uncover the town’s household points of interest in additional element or simply to relaxation any weary legs.
Alongside the best way, you may see all the pieces from Trafalgar Sq. and Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, to call just some spots on my London landmarks strolling route with youngsters. Finest foot ahead!
Half 1: London landmarks stroll map
In case you’re in search of a shorter model of the stroll to your first time in London, you may skip the primary few stops and start by Buckingham Palace – Covent Backyard, Trafalgar Sq., Leicester Sq. and Piccadilly Circus are all simple to mix at one other time.
Simply soar to cease 7 to chop out the primary 1.5 miles or so of the London stroll. After all, in contrast to different guided London strolling excursions, you may take this one at your personal tempo, and cut up the route into as many sections as you need.
In any other case you may view the sightseeing map for the primary part of the stroll under (or click on the hyperlink). This covers round 2.5 miles and takes you from the Covent Backyard Piazza to St James’s Park, prepared to start out the subsequent part at Horseguards Parade.
Cease 1: Covent Backyard
Covent Backyard was house to the primary public sq. within the nation, and the Piazza remains to be an incredible place to discover.
The previous market constructing is now full of outlets and cafes, though you may nonetheless browse the stalls of the brand new Covent Backyard market close by.
There are repeatedly pop-up occasions going down for households at Covent Backyard too, so it’s all the time value trying out what’s on. It’s additionally house to the London Transport Museum to see all of the methods Londoners have travelled round their metropolis over the centuries.
After you’ve seemed round, head alongside Henrietta Road and Chandos Place (or another route you like) in direction of Trafalgar Sq..
Cease 2: Trafalgar Sq.
The official coronary heart of London, all distances are measured from this level – from the statue of Charles I astride his horse if you wish to know the exact location.
The sq. itself is house to the Nationwide Gallery and Nationwide Portrait Gallery, a sequence of statues and public artwork on the fourth plinth, in addition to the well-known Nelson’s column with 4 7-ton lions guarding the bottom.
Discover extra of the highlights of Trafalgar Sq. with a Treasure Map Path, one in all a number of trails masking central London – plus 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS
Behind their surprisingly relaxed exterior, there are some sudden tales too. Legend has it that if Massive Ben ever chimes 13 occasions, the lions will awake… What’s actually true is that the large cats have been sculpted from bronze cannon captured on the Battle of Trafalgar, the place Nelson met his finish.
Sir Edwin Landseer was given the fee (after a lot wrangling and delays by the committee in cost), regardless of being extra well-known for his portray than as a sculptor.
He additionally hadn’t had a lot expertise of lions, so after loads of time hanging round London Zoo, he lastly persuaded the zoo to let him have a useless lion as his mannequin (following a wait of two years till the animal died of pure causes).
When he finally bought began, he labored so slowly that the true lion had decomposed an excessive amount of for use, so the paws are supposedly modelled on an bizarre home cat! If you wish to examine one to the lions at the moment within the zoo, you’ll uncover that their backs are additionally the flawed form.
From right here, stroll again up Charing Cross Street and Irving Road to carry you to Leicester Sq.
Cease 3: Leicester Sq. and Chinatown
Proper within the coronary heart of vacationer London, Leicester Sq. is all the time busy however value a cease for these within the metropolis’s film and theatre historical past. Plus, the massive Lego retailer and M&M shops listed here are all the time an enormous hit with youngsters.
Wish to skip Leicester Sq.? You possibly can go direct from Trafalgar Sq. to Piccadilly Circus by way of Whitcomb Road and Coventry Road.
Dodge the crowds and spot a number of the Scenes within the Sq. statues, of assorted characters from movie and TV together with Harry Potter, Mr Bean and Paddington.
You too can take heed to the Swiss glockenspiel chime, seize low cost theatre tickets and splash within the fountains throughout summer time.
For extra issues to do in Leicester Sq. with youngsters, in addition to the encompassing space, take a look at my prime suggestions
From right here, you possibly can take a brief detour to Lisle Road and Gerrard Road to wander round Chinatown. In any other case, head alongside Coventry Road in direction of Piccadilly Circus.
Cease 4: Piccadilly Circus
Well-known for its brightly illuminated adverts throughout the busy junction, the neon indicators are actually much more high-tech than the unique bulbs within the electrical billboards.
On the centre of Piccadilly Circus, you’ll spot the Shaftesbury Memorial statue – normally generally known as Eros. Whether or not it’s truly Eros depicted right here is one thing no-one appears fairly certain of: it’s additionally stated to be an outline of the angel of Christian charity or of Eros’s brother Anteros.
The sculptor himself, Albert Gilbert, informed individuals various things at completely different occasions, so perhaps even he didn’t know. Both method, in the event you ask somebody to fulfill you by the statue of Eros, everybody is aware of the place you imply.
Harry Potter followers will even get pleasure from recognizing one of many places from the movies – one of the vital sophisticated scenes to shoot, that includes over 300 extras, filming beginning at daybreak because it was the one time the world may very well be closed to visitors.
It’s additionally well-known for its crowds, as round half 1,000,000 individuals go via right here on daily basis. There’s no circus right here, by the way, and by no means has been: the phrase comes from the Latin for circle.
Subsequent, head on down Piccadilly itself
Cease 5: Piccadilly (Fortnum & Mason/The Ritz)
This road has been the house of Queen Elizabeth II, who lived at 145 Piccadilly after her start in 1926 – though you may’t see the home itself any extra because it was later destroyed within the Second World Battle.
Lately, there are a string of retailers and accommodations stretching alongside its size, in addition to the Royal Academy of Arts.
Fortnum & Mason is without doubt one of the most well-known – in the event you’re in search of a really indulgent place to cease for a drink, head to The Parlour for ice cream or afternoon tea – however look out for the Burlington Arcade as properly, a historic lined arcade courting again to 1819.
There are many extra on a regular basis outlets too, together with an enormous Waterstones with a improbable kids’s e book division – excellent for locating some nice books about London for youths.
Make your method alongside the road and finally you’ll get to The Ritz, on the sting of Inexperienced Park: in the event you’re planning to cease for afternoon tea right here, be ready to e book properly forward and to decorate up!
In case you’re questioning the place the phrase Piccadilly even comes from, it’s a specific kind of collar generally known as a piccadill. One tailor specialising within the design owned a home referred to as Piccadilly Corridor, which then gave its identify to the world.
Proceed previous The Ritz and take any gate into Inexperienced Park
Cease 6: Inexperienced Park
Certainly one of eight Royal Parks in London, it’s additionally the smallest – however whereas the park isn’t as well-known as a number of the others similar to Hyde Park, it’s a calming short-cut away from the crowds as you make your method all the way down to Buckingham Palace.
Except you go to in Spring, when the daffodils are in bloom, you may discover that there are not one of the formal flowerbeds of the opposite parks.
So the story goes, King Charles II’s spouse demanded that every one flowers be faraway from the park after she caught him choosing a bouquet for one more girl – true or not, the custom continues.
It’s a good place to identify squirrels, so carry some nuts to feed them as you go.
Observe the trail via the park to Structure Hill on the south aspect.
Cease 7: Buckingham Palace
As you emerge from Inexperienced Park, you’ll see the Victoria memorial on the centre of the highway and the black and gold railings separating the general public from Buckingham Palace.
Some of the well-known stops on the entire London landmarks strolling route, you may get a glimpse of the outside of Buckingham Palace year-round, however you solely get the possibility to go indoors for a number of months of the 12 months.
The State Rooms are normally open from July to October, though you may go to the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery outdoors these months as properly.
Check out the flagpole to search out out whether or not the monarch is staying there throughout your go to: if it’s the Royal Normal, meaning they’re in residence, but when it’s the Union Flag, they’re residing elsewhere. There’s all the time extra probability of seeing the Royal Normal flying on a weekday somewhat than a weekend.
For extra royal locations in London with youngsters, take a look at my prime suggestions
After you’ve taken a take a look at the monarch’s official residence, flip round and head down The Mall earlier than taking one of many entrances into St James’s Park.
Cease 8: St James’s Park
The oldest of the royal parks (and the second smallest), St James’s Park is one other pretty inexperienced haven – and right here you’ve bought the possibility to identify the park’s most well-known residents, the pelicans.
There have been pelicans residing right here because the seventeenth century when Charles II was given a pair they usually even have their very own island within the lake. There isn’t at the moment an official feeding time, however you may nonetheless spot the birds swimming on the lake and preening.
Find time for a cease on the Blue Bridge over the lake for views again to Buckingham Palace and out in direction of Horse Guards Parade and the London Eye within the different course.
There’s additionally a playground within the south-west nook, not removed from Buckingham Palace, in addition to a restaurant and bogs on the other aspect in direction of Horse Guards Parade.
You’ll discover loads of squirrels to feed right here too, in addition to a number of the stops on the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Stroll.
Cross the highway to Horse Guards Parade to start part 2 of the London landmarks strolling route
Half 2: London landmarks stroll map
This half covers virtually 4 miles, and takes virtually twice as lengthy – see the route under or click on right here for the map.
Cease 9: Horse Guards Parade
In case you arrive right here earlier than 11am on a weekday (10am on Sundays), you may see the King’s Life Guard Change – much less busy than the principle altering of the guard, which runs from St James’s Palace alongside The Mall and from Wellington Barracks.
In case you’re visiting outdoors these occasions, you may nonetheless spot the horse guards on Whitehall, with two on guard right here within the sentry packing containers – cross the parade floor and head via the buildings to exit onto Whitehall the place you will discover them roughly reverse Banqueting Home (although they’re arduous to overlook!)
The Family Cavalry Museum can also be inside these buildings, for an opportunity to be taught extra concerning the guards and to identify the horses within the stables.
Then stroll alongside Whitehall in direction of Parliament Sq., passing the memorial to the Girls of World Battle II and the Cenotaph, in addition to the statues in Parliament Sq. earlier than turning into Broad Sanctuary
Cease 10: Westminster Abbey
Unmissable in case your youngsters are considering British historical past – you may check out the surface or head inside to discover correctly.
Over 3,300 individuals have been buried or commemorated at Westminster Abbey, together with 16 separate British monarchs (or 17, in the event you consider the bones considered the Princes within the Tower embrace these of Edward V) plus a lot of their consorts.
You possibly can see the tombs of Henry V and all of the Tudors besides Henry VIII, alongside early kings similar to Edward the Confessor, who died every week after the abbey was consecrated, Plantagenet Kings and different monarchs together with Elizabeth I, proper as much as George II.
The abbey has additionally seen 16 royal weddings, from Henry I in 1100 to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. And each king or queen of England has been topped right here, besides two – Edward V, who was deposed and presumed murdered earlier than his coronation, and Edward VIII who abdicated earlier than his may happen.
There are excursions and a free household path. Prebooking is advisable: get discounted tickets in the event you e book via my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Stroll again to Parliament Sq.
Cease 11: The Homes of Parliament and Massive Ben
One other of the enduring sights of London, the Elizabeth Tower – which homes Massive Ben – has been below scaffolding for the previous couple of years throughout a protracted restoration venture, however has been unveiled in all its glory as soon as extra.
The 96m tall clocktower dates again to 1859 and with London visitors (and plenty of guests climbing the steps inside as a part of the Massive Ben excursions), the renovations have been the primary for round 40 years.
Now unveiled as soon as extra, the clock face is seen and excursions are beginning once more, with restricted numbers – solely appropriate for youngsters aged 11+.
The 13.7 tonne Nice Bell, as Massive Ben is formally identified, was silenced in the course of the facelift, however the well-known ‘booooong’ is ringing once more, hanging the hour and sounding the quarter chimes, so that you’ll be capable of hear it sound.
In case you’ve all the time fancied seeing contained in the Homes of Parliament there are numerous excursions you may take to discover inside.
There are multimedia excursions, in the event you favor to go at your personal tempo – together with an audio information for youths – or you may take one of many guided excursions, to find extra concerning the historical past and traditions of Parliament and its house.
In addition to the 90-minute guided tour accessible for all guests, there’s additionally a 75-minute free choice for UK residents.
UK residents may get a free ticket to see a debate, both within the Home of Commons or the Home of Lords – value doing in the event you fancy taking in one of many extra widespread debates. You’ll want ID, there’s airport-style safety and it’s plan to decorate fairly neatly too.
Contact your MP upfront, in any other case you may probability your luck on the day and queue to get in to see the Home in session – recess very often coincides with college holidays in the event you’re visiting with youngsters although.
Cross Westminster Bridge to the South Financial institution
Cease 12: The South Financial institution
The London Eye might be one of the best identified place to get a fowl’s eye view of the capital (though actually not the one choice – take a look at my suggestions for another nice London views with youngsters)
Towering excessive above the South Financial institution and searching throughout the Thames, you may get some spectacular panoramas, or simply get pleasure from watching it flip slowly.
Prebooking is strongly suggested, with reductions in the event you purchase your tickets on-line upfront. There are additionally fast-track tickets accessible to skip the queues, which is good with youngsters, particularly in peak season.
From right here, you’ll go a string of different household points of interest as you wander alongside the Thames previous Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge, earlier than reaching Bankside.
Take a look at my put up on one of the best issues to do on the South Financial institution with youngsters for extra suggestions
Alongside the best way, you may go to the Sea Life Aquarium, Shrek’s Journey and the London Dungeon, see road artwork, go a skate park, get pleasure from views alongside the water, together with an incredible level to take a photograph close to Gabriel’s Wharf, earlier than reaching the Tate Fashionable and Shakespeare’s Globe, the place you may take a tour behind the scenes.
If you wish to detour barely away from the riverside, it’s solely a brief stroll from Tate Fashionable to Borough Market to select up one thing to eat.
Head over the Millennium Bridge again to the north financial institution of the Thames
Cease 13: St Paul’s Cathedral
Famously constructed from the ashes of the Nice Fireplace of London, in the present day it’s arduous to think about London’s skyline with out Christopher Wren’s well-known dome.
Exterior you may spot the define of the previous cathedral marked out on the bottom, to get an thought of the way it as soon as seemed.
And you can even head inside to discover St Paul’s Cathedral besides on Sundays or when it’s closed for particular companies – click on right here to e book discounted tickets utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Within the Whispering gallery, a whisper on one aspect might be heard on the opposite – I bear in mind doing this with my mother and father as a toddler, and it looks as if magic that this needs to be potential.
For now, that’s briefly closed to the general public however there are two extra galleries above with fabulous views in the event you’re glad to climb 528 steps.
You too can see tombs of well-known Britons within the crypt, together with Wren himself, Lord Wellington and Lord Nelson plus memorials to Florence Nightingale, Samuel Johnson and poet John Donne, the one one to have survived the hearth.
Stroll down Cannon Road within the course of London Bridge (hold a watch out for the London Stone alongside the best way). Flip onto King William Road and earlier than you get to the bridge itself, flip down Monument Road in direction of The Monument.
Cease 14: The Monument
On the junction of Monument Road and Fish Road Hill, the Monument to the Nice Fireplace of London (higher identified merely because the Monument) was additionally designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1677.
Standing 202 toes excessive, it’s 202 toes from the spot the place the hearth began on Pudding Lane – in the event you laid it down, it might attain proper to the bakery.
For extra Nice Fireplace of London places, take a look at this put up
In addition to studying the plaque on the backside, you can even climb the 311 steps to the gallery on the prime of the Monument to look out throughout the town.
Solely 33 persons are allowed inside at any time, with a free certificates for these which make the climb.
Earlier than you head on to the subsequent cease, you possibly can make a fast detour to London Bridge – there’s been a bridge in round this spot because the Romans constructed Londinium, though the trendy bridge might be one in all London’s dullest. You do get some nice views of Tower Bridge and the Shard from right here.
Then head to Decrease Thames Road and observe it east in direction of the Tower of London – it’s not probably the most thrilling part as you stroll London, alongside a busy highway, so you may take the tube from Monument station to Tower Hill in the event you favor, or head as much as Eastcheap to catch the quantity 15 bus (which additionally runs from St Paul’s Cathedral in the event you don’t thoughts lacking Monument altogether)
Cease 15: The Tower of London
From the crown jewels to the well-known ravens and beefeaters, a go to to the The Tower of London makes an incredible day trip with youngsters in London.
You will get a glance throughout the moat to a few of its partitions and fortifications in the event you don’t wish to go inside, in addition to seeing the river entrance to Traitor’s Gate from the trail on the waterfront.
However it’s properly value making time to move inside. With virtually 950 years of historical past inside its partitions, you may discover former royal residences, adorned as they might have been when kings lived there, and uncover the Tower’s grim historical past as a jail too, together with a memorial to 2 of Henry VIII’s executed queens.
It additionally homes a part of the Royal Armoury, a show on the Royal Mint, plus you’ll discover shows on the Tower’s menagerie of animals, uncover stay performances throughout college holidays, and stroll the partitions.
Tickets might be purchased on the day, though prebooking is advisable – there’s a reduction in the event you e book by way of tiqets utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
There’s additionally a brand new immersive expertise close to the Tower themed across the Gunpowder Plot, the place you’ll be whisked again to 1605 to see in the event you can foil Man Fawkes…
Stroll across the Tower to get to Tower Bridge – there are steps up from the river degree
Cease 16: Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is definitely probably the most well-known of London’s bridges, and in addition to getting a view of its well-known blue and white paint, you may head inside to find its historical past.
There’s an opportunity to face on the glass walkway and look all the way down to the views alongside the river, earlier than heading into the engine rooms. There are common household actions for youths too, plus a Tower Bridge Path for Little Explorers and household path app.
There’s a reduction on tickets to Tower Bridge in the event you e book utilizing my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6 (or after all it’s free to stroll throughout in the event you don’t wish to go inside).
In case you’d like an opportunity of seeing the bridge’s spectacular opening as a much bigger boat comes via, test the carry occasions.
The place subsequent?
Congratulations! Your self guided London walks are at an finish and also you’ve ticked off a number of the key London sightseeing spots alongside the best way.
From right here, there are many issues to do close to Tower Bridge with youngsters in the event you’ve nonetheless bought the vitality – head over to the opposite aspect of the river to discover Bankside, see the HMS Belfast or Golden Hinde maybe.
You can decide up a ship from Tower Pier or London Bridge Metropolis Pier to get one other view of the town from the water.
Or in the event you didn’t go to Borough Market earlier within the day, you may reward all that strolling with one thing scrumptious. Too drained to go that far? There’s a Crosstown Doughnuts truck at Extra London, round 5 minutes’ stroll away, plus some extra views of Tower Bridge.
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Pictures: St Pauls and Tower of London copyright MummyTravels, Leicester Sq. courtesy AdobeStock, Essential picture and all others courtesy of Depositphotos,
