London is home to some of the most recognizable buildings and structures in the world. Discover The 16 Most Famous Landmarks of London!

Big Ben, London

Famously situated on the River Thames, London is a popular tourist destination.  It is also one of the most influential cities and one of the largest financial centers in the world!

London is home to 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• The Tower of London
• Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St. Margaret’s Church
• Kew Gardens
• Maritime Greenwich – The ensemble of buildings at Greenwich that represent English art and science in the 17th and 18th centuries. The park includes the Old Royal Observatory that defines the Greenwich Mean Time.

The most iconic and recognizable landmarks of London range from centuries-old towers to modern constructions, such as the London Eye and The Shard!  If you are in London on a sightseeing trip, these 16 most famous landmarks are a must-see!

London at night

1. Big Ben

Big Ben is the name for the Great Bell of the Elizabeth Tower, located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. Completed in 1859, the tower features neo-Gothic style. The tower is 315 feet tall.

Big Ben, London

2. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster in London. It is known for being the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English monarchs. The abbey was founded in 960 (over 1,000 years ago).

Westminster Abbey, London

3. Palace of Westminster

Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It’s located on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster in London. The Palace was originally built in 1016 and rebuilt in 1840 – 1876.

Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret’s Church are UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Palace of Westminster, London

4. St Margaret’s Church

St Margaret’s Church was founded in the 12th century by Benedictine monks.
The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, St Margaret’s Church are UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Victoria Tower

Victoria Tower is 98.5 meters tall and is located at the south-west end of the Palace of Westminster. The tower houses the Parliamentary Archives (which includes the records of the House of Lords and House of Commons dating back to 1497).

Victoria Tower, London

6. Buckingham Palace

Located in the City of Westminster, Buckingham Palace is the London residence and headquarters of the monarch of the UK.

Buckingham Palace, London

7. Horse Guards Building

Built in the 18th century, Horse Guards is a beautiful historic building in the City of Westminster in London. The building served as military headquarters. Part of the building now houses the Household Cavalry Museum.

Horse Guards Building, London

8. London Eye

Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, The London Eye is the iconic observation wheel in London. The structure is 135 meters tall, with a diameter of 120 meters.

London Eye

9. Victoria Memorial

Dedicated to Queen Victoria, Victoria Memorial is located at the end of The Mall (road in the City of Westminster between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square) in London.

Victoria Memorial, London

10. River Thames

River Thames is another iconic symbol of London. The river is 215 miles long, and it flows through southern England including London, Oxford, Reading, Henley-on-Thames, and Windsor.

Big Ben, River Thames, London

11. Waterloo Bridge

Waterloo Bridge is a bridge crossing the River Thames in London. The name of the bridge refers to the victory of the British, Dutch and Prussians at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Waterloo Bridge, London

12. Savoy Hotel

Savoy Hotel in London is one of the most famous and iconic hotels in the world.

Savoy Hotel, London

13. The Tower of London

The Tower of London is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in London. The tower dates back to the 11th century.

14. St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral is located on Ludgate Hill, at the highest point of the City of London. The cathedral features the English Baroque architectural style.  St Paul’s Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of London.

15. Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, London. Trafalgar Square has been an important and iconic location of numerous public events, including sports events, parades, annual celebrations, political events, etc.

16. The Shard

The Shard is a 95-story skyscraper in London. At 1,017 feet high, the Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom.

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Bath is a stunning city in the valley of the River Avon, only 114 miles west of London. Bath is world-famous for its Roman-built baths. It’s a perfect day trip from London!

Pulteney Bridge, Bath, England

Quick Facts about Bath

• Bath is the largest city in the county of Somerset, England.
• Bath is located 114 miles west of London.
• The city is located in the valley of the River Avon.
• The city is famous for its well-preserved Roman-built baths. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Bath was a popular spa town in the Georgian era.
• It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK.

Bath, England

Georgian Architecture

Because Bath became a popular spa town in the Georgian era, many of the buildings were built featuring Georgian architectural style, including these structures:

• Royal Crescent is a row of 30 terraced houses laid out like a crescent in Bath, England. This spectacular architectural structure was built between 1767 and 1774.
• The circus is a set of historic buildings (townhouses) that form a circle in Bath, England. Built between 1754 and 1768, these buildings feature intricate design and are a fine example of Georgian architecture. Originally, it was called King’s Circus.
• Grand Pump Room is a building in the Abbey Church Yard, Bath. Built between 1789 and 1799, it was a meeting place for visitors to the city.
• Bath Assembly Rooms were a popular meeting place for the noble and fashionable people of that period of time. Built in 1771, the building is made of Bath stone – a particular type of limestone that gives the buildings in Bath their unique warm hue.

Bath, England

Bath Abbey

Bath Abbey was founded in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries. The abbey features the Perpendicular Gothic architectural style. Bath Abbey is an Anglican parish church.

Bath Abbey, England

Pulteney Bridge, Bath, England

Pulteney Bridge was designed by Robert Adam (a Scottish neoclassical architect) in a Palladian style (a European style of architecture inspired by the works of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio).

The bridge design features shops built on both sides.  The Pulteney Bridge crosses the River Avon in Bath, England.

Pulteney Bridge, Bath, England

Roman-built Baths

Bath is world-famous for its Roman-built baths. Main sites include the Great Bath, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House, the Sacred Spring, and the museum featuring exhibits from Roman Bath.

Bath, England

Bath, England

Empire Hotel, Bath

Built in 1901, Empire Hotel is a historic hotel located close to Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge in Bath, England. It was built from Bath Stone, an oolitic limestone that gives honey hue to many buildings in Bath.

Empire Hotel, Bath, England

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The city of Oxford is famous for its spectacular historical sights featuring many architectural styles from late Anglo-Saxon times. Oxford is also home to the Oxford University. Discover the 5 most famous landmarks of the historic city of Oxford!

Exeter College, Oxford

Quick Facts about Oxford

• Oxford is about 56 miles northwest of London, which makes it a perfect day trip if you are in London!
• The city of Oxford is famous for its Oxford University which is one of the oldest in the world.
• The city of Oxford was founded in the 8th century.
• The city covers the area of about 17 square miles.

Fun history fact:

The settlement of Oxford was initially established by the Anglo-Saxons, and originally the name of the settlement was Oxenaforda which meant “ford of the oxen”.  “Ford” means a shallow place, a causeway, where a river could be crossed. The original name of the city literally meant “a river crossing for oxen”.

The University Church of St Mary the Virgin, an Oxford church

The 5 Most Famous Landmarks of Oxford

1. The Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is one of the largest university library systems in the UK.
The Bodleian Library has several historic rooms:

• Divinity School is a 15th-century building attached to the Bodleian Library.
• Duke Humfrey’s Library dates back to the medieval times when Humphrey of Lancaster (the first Duke of Gloucester) donated his collection of 281 books to the University of Oxford after he died in 1447.
• The Radcliffe Camera was built in neo-classical style in 1737–1749. The building houses the Radcliffe Science Library.
• The Weston Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford.

The Bodleian Library, the main research library of the University of Oxford

2. The Radcliffe Camera

The Radcliffe Camera was built in neo-classical style in 1737–1749. The building houses the Radcliffe Science Library.

The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford University

3. Exeter College

Exeter College is the fourth oldest college of Oxford University.  It was established in 1314
by Walter de Stapledon of Devon, Bishop of Exeter. Originally, it was a school dedicated to the education of clergymen.

Exeter College, Oxford

4. The University Church of St Mary the Virgin

St. Mary’s Church is a historic church located on the High Street in Oxford. The church is known for its spectacular spire that was added in the 1320s.

The University Church of St Mary the Virgin, an Oxford church

5. Oxford Castle

Oxford Castle is a partially ruined Norman medieval castle in Oxfordshire, England. At the castle you can explore the following sites:

• Saxon St. George’s Tower is one of the oldest buildings in Oxford. The tower offers spectacular panoramic views over the city of Oxford.
• Debtors’ Tower and Prison D-Wing.
• 900-year-old crypt.
• Motte-and-Bailey Mound.

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Paris is one of the world’s most iconic cities and is home to numerous historical landmarks. The historical district along the Seine in the center of Paris is designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site. Discover the 10 Best Things To Do in Paris!

10 Best Things To Do in Paris

Paris is home to many recognizable buildings and structures, including the Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, the Louvre museum, Musée d’Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur on the hill of Montmartre, and many others.

It’s the city that is to be explored on foot or by a river cruise to absorb all of its architectural beauty.  With so many things to do and see in Paris, it could be difficult to decide which sites to see if you have a limited amount of time to spend in Paris.

Paris has a reputation as the “City of Art”. In fact, the historical district along the Seine in the center of Paris is designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site.  Below are the 10 Best Things To Do in Paris!

1. Eiffel Tower

At 324 meters tall, the Eiffel Tower is the highest structure in Paris.  The Eiffel Tower was constructed for the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

2. The Louvre Museum

The Louvre is one of the most visited art museums in the world.

Louvre Museum, Paris

3. Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d’Orsay is world-famous for its collections of French Impressionist art.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris

4. Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame de Paris is a spectacular medieval Catholic cathedral located on the Île de la Cité (a natural island in the Seine in Paris). The cathedral features French Gothic architectural style.

The Cathedral is temporarily closed.

Notre Dame de Paris, View from the Seine, Paris – photo taken in 2016

5. Luxembourg Palace

Luxembourg Palace was built in the 17th century to be the royal residence of Marie de’ Medici, who was the Queen of France as the second wife of King Henry IV of France.

Luxembourg Palace, Paris

6. Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III is one of the most intricately designed bridges in Paris.   With a total length of 160 meters and a width of 40 meters, this bridge connects the Champs-Élysées with the Invalides buildings and the Eiffel Tower.   The bridge was named after Tsar Alexander III (the Emperor of Russia from 1881 until 1894).

Pont Alexandre III, Paris

7. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris (or Sacré-Cœur Basilica) is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, Paris.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, Paris, France

8. Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe is located at the Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of the Champs-Élysées (an avenue between the Place de la Concorde and the Place Charles de Gaulle). The Arc has a truly remarkable location: it’s situated at the center of twelve radiating avenues.

The arc commemorates the soldiers of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The height of the arc is 50 meters.

9. Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles) was the home of the French royalty in the 17th and 18th centuries!   It’s only 12 miles away from the center of Paris, and is a “must see” place for any tourist.

Palace of Versailles, Paris, France

10. Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is a large square located at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées. It’s decorated with beautiful statues and fountains. The Obelisk of Luxor is located at the Place de la Concorde, Paris, France.

The Obelisk of Luxor, Place de la Concorde, Paris, France

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