See 4 of The Best London Attractions For Free in 1 Hour – Self Guided Tour
This is the perfect self-guided tour for every new visitor to London. Especially good for those short on time and on a tight budget.
The tour snakes through the fashionable West End of London showcasing the history, cultural and royal influences. The tour climaxes with the thirst quenched at the pub with a much-deserved beverage (of course).
I called London home for many years and whenever someone visited me, I would take them on this tour. With a few adjustments over the years, it’s tight. My mother still raves about how much fun she had rushing around the underground and scaling the stairs to street level to be wowed by some of the most commonly known tourist attractions in the world.
The tour can be completed within an hour (if you’re really fast) or stretched out with add on’s, wandering aimlessly, too many selfies &/or getting lost.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Tube pass.
- Ability to walk.
- A map or screen shots of Google maps on your mobile phone.
STOP 1
BIG BEN
SEE 4 OF THE BEST LONDON ATTRACTIONS FOR FREE IN 1 HOUR
Take the tube to Westminster station. Alight and mind the gap. Exit to street level where you’re greeted by the most famous clock tower in the world. Take in the magic of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. If death or royal weddings take your fancy, Westminster Abbey is on the same block. There’s plenty of black and gold signposts pointing out all the major landmarks.
After admiring Big Ben from up close, wander across the Westminster Bridge to the south side of the Thames River and get the best photos. The London Aquarium and the London Eye sky-wheel is right next to where you’re now standing.
Walk further south to Waterloo Tube Station and re-enact the classic scene from The Bourne Ultimatum.
FUN FACT – NERD ALERT
Big Ben is the ‘nickname’ given to the bell inside the tower and not the actual clock.
SEE 4 OF THE BEST LONDON ATTRACTIONS FOR FREE IN 1 HOUR
STOP 2
TRAFALGAR SQUARE
Ride the London Underground train to Charing Cross Station. Exit and you will be in Trafalgar Square. Watch out for pigeons and crane your neck upwards at Admiral Nelson on his column rising above. The National Gallery is bordering the square. The Nation Gallery is free to enter and has one of the finest collections of art, anywhere in the world. In less than 10 minutes you can see a Davinci, Van Gough’s Sunflowers, a Raphael, Michelangelo, Monet, Rembrandt and Botecelli. I’m not sure what Donatello ever added to the Ninja Turtles?
FUN FACTS – NERD ALERT
- The National Gallery has over four and a half million visitors every year (Source: alva.org.uk, 2009)
- Trafalgar Square sees 15 million visitors per year
SEE 4 OF THE BEST LONDON ATTRACTIONS FOR FREE IN 1 HOUR
STOP 3
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Head on foot through the Admiralty Arch to the Northwest of Trafalgar Square and stroll up the wide street expanse of ‘The Mall’. The road is one big red carpet, bordered by beautiful parklands and flagposts leading up to the well known magnificence of Buckingham Palace.
FUN FACT – NERD ALERT
If you want to know if The Queen is home, look for a flag atop the palace, indicating “The Queen is here!”
SEE 4 OF THE BEST LONDON ATTRACTIONS FOR FREE IN 1 HOUR
STOP 4
PICCADILLY CIRCUS
After you’re done with Buckingham Palace, head down the street ‘Piccadilly’ and descend from the street to the Green Park tube. Ride the train 1 stop to Piccadilly Circus. A side note – it’s not a very long walk if you head straight to Piccadilly Circus by foot and there’s plenty to see including the world famous Ritz where high tea is really a thing to do in London(if you like extending the pinky). Piccadilly Circus is a busy must see attraction reminiscent of Times Square in New York. It is on the cheesier side, a typical tourist trap, but has to be done.
FUN FACT– NERD ALERT
The advertising lights have only been turned off for individuals on two occasions: Firstly for the funeral of Winston Churchill in 1965, then again for Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
SEE 4 OF THE BEST LONDON ATTRACTIONS FOR FREE IN 1 HOUR
STOP 5
PUB
LIke that terrible Whitney Houston song from the Bodyguard, you want to end on a high note! There’s no finer way to end any London tour than with a beer. The last stop should always be the pub and there’s so many options. Leave the madness of Piccadilly Circus and you will be spoilt with an array of quaint old English pubs down the side lanes. Enjoy an overpriced warm pint served by a Polish immigrant while uploading the pics from the completed tour of London’s top attractions in the City of Westminster.
BEER FACT
English real ales are served at room temperature (gross)
Cheers.
