Fergusbrandon

London is an absolutely fascinating place to visit whether you are heading there for the first time, or you have been a number of times and still want to come back for more. There is a rich history to the city, a vibrant mix of cultures, plenty of astonishing and awe-inspiring landmarks and lots of exciting and fun-filled attractions to keep you going as well.  But with a city so full of things to do, how does the first time visitor decide which ones are worth seeing and which ones can wait until the next time you come to London?

This is a tricky one as it really depends on the type of thing you enjoy doing.  If you are looking for history then attractions such as the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Westminster Abbey are perfect options.  For thrill-seekers, you might want to try Up at the O2, the treetop walk through Kew Gardens or heading out to nearby theme parks such as Thorpe Park.  There’s plenty for families to do too with many of London’s leading art galleries and museums offering free entry and free activities designed to keep children engaged and interested.  Then there are all the other attractions and landmarks we could mention!  There is never an easy way to break down which attractions should be considered ‘must-see’ but we have tried our best to garner a variety which should appeal to the majority of first-time visitors to the city and which should give you a real flavour of what makes London so appealing to the millions of tourists who come here each year:-

The London Eye

You will find that plenty of London residents have their own opinion on the London Eye and its continued presence in the city (not to mention the cost of a ride) but there is something about this attraction which just keeps on drawing people to it year after year.  Since the London Eye was installed in the city, there have been many other cities following suit with giant ferris wheels of their own; Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle to name but a few but none can compare to the London Eye; it is the tallest one of its kind in the whole of Europe and offers visitors the chance to step into one of the 32 see-through capsules and be treated to a magnificent view across London.  It takes around half an hour to complete the trip, and there are interactive screens for those who are interested in discovering insightful information during the ride.  Visitors are also free to move around inside the capsules so you can make sure you take in the 360 degree panoramic view over London; on a clear day you can see as far as Windsor Castle.

London Markets

For a true understanding of what makes London tick, you should definitely plan in time to head to one of London’s bustling markets.  The city was created on trade and the markets were one of the first ways in which this was achieved.  Although new markets crop up constantly across the city, there are some which have been in place for hundreds of years such as Old Spitalfields Market and Borough Market, which is less than 20 minutes from the Montcalm at the Brewery hotel.  The main market day in London tends to be a Saturday but for midweek visitors there are some that take place throughout the week such as Camden Market and Greenwich Market.  A stroll around one of London’s markets is a real treat and something which every tourist should experience.  Many of the markets are also surrounded by independent shops and cafes too which make the perfect place to browse and enjoy a refreshment break once you’ve wandered around the variety of stalls.

The Tower of London

This historical landmark is situated in the heart of the city, and from the Montcalm Hotel London City should be very easy to reach.  Even if you aren’t a particular fan of history you should still take the opportunity to explore this attraction which has over 1,000 years of history and has played a role in almost every significant period of time in London.  It was originally built as a fortress but has also been a palace, a zoo, a place of execution and a prison and is now home to the Crown Jewels.  There are regular special events which take place, usually aimed at families as well as live performances, Beefeaters dressed in full livery and the mystery of the two Princes who vanished from the tower to contend with too.

Buckingham Palace

If you don’t fancy a trip to the Tower of London then you might instead prefer a quick visit to the London residence of HM The Queen Elizabeth.  Royalist or not, you can’t fail to be impressed by the size and scale of the palace with its 775 rooms; the building is 108 metres long across the front, 120 metres deep and 24 metres high and is a real landmark in the city. If you are staying in the Marble Arch by Montcalm then you are just a short walk away from this magnificent building and could surely find time to stop and pose for a photograph or two outside the iconic black fencing.  

The Royal Parks

London is home to a surprising number of parks and the eight Royal Parks are each fine examples of beautiful and picturesque spaces which are just crying out to be explored.  You could stick to central London and visit the likes of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens or head further afield to Richmond Park, but we would truly recommend making the most out of these wonderful spaces whether you have small children who need to run and play and burn off steam or you simply want to enjoy some fresh air and space in the busy city.