Big Ben And Other Historic Landmarks In London

Every city has its own unique vibe. London is fast-paced, energetic, and a space where a millennium of history blends with modern wonders. It is one of those destinations where hundreds of new attractions and activities pop up every day, but amongst every new bar, art exhibit or tearoom – the one thing that will never change is the iconic collection of historic landmarks in London.  

From Big Ben to Westminster Abbey, London is dominated by grand architecture dripping in great historical importance, which also happens to be fantastic photo spots.  

The history of London is a long but interesting one. Many may not know this, but the city was founded by the Romans in 43AD but was only solidified as the capital of England in 1066 after William the Conqueror marched the streets after his victory in The Battle of Hastings. It was here where he was also crowned king in Westminster Abbey and then commissioned the constructed the White Tower of the Tower of London to serve as his primary royal residence and place of governance. 

It is amongst high streets and parks, pubs and riverfronts, that centuries of history are felt in this vibrant city. There is no way to avoid it, and therefore, no way to miss the historic landmarks that guarantee the permanence of London culture. 

Travel and Accommodation In London 

While London overall is a big city, Central London is not – and this is where these historic landmarks are located. Most are within walking distance of one another, and those further away are super easy to get to by catching a bus or train. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with where you stay, but if you want to wake up early and be able to explore the attractions without crowds, I recommend staying on the north side of the River Thames. 

Good options include:

• Comfort Inn London – Westminster
• citizenM London Bankside
• Apex London Wall Hotel
• Dorsett City London
• Leonardo Royal London St Paul’s

London is incredibly well connected, and you can catch any transport link by simply tapping your card or phone wallet to the card readers on the bus or at the barriers before the train platforms. 

The well-connected system, however, is also expensive. One bus ride costs £1.65, while train ride costs depend on whether you travel during peak (7-9am and 4-7pm) or off-peak hours. It’s easy to spend a lot on transport, so do as the locals do, and walk as much as you can. 

Another great option however, is using London’s great collection of hop-on hop-off busses from which you can admire many landmarks from a new perspective and with complete ease.

Ten Historic Landmarks In London 

Big Ben

The famous neo-Gothic style clock tower unveiled itself next to the Houses of Parliament in the mid-19^th century after the original Palace of Westminster was destroyed overnight by a fire in October 1834. 

Big Ben is a prominent structure of the London skyline, but the name is not that of the tower itself, but rather, references the bells within the clock tower. It is unclear how the nickname originated, but it is thought that it was probably named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the man in charge of commissioning the structure. 

In any event, this historic London landmark is one the most famous because its beauty captures the wandering eyes of everyone – from historians to Instagrammers. 

Buckingham Palace

Perhaps one of the most popular royal residences in Europe, Buckingham Palace and its 775 rooms was originally opened for the Dukes of Buckingham in 1705. Just over 100 years later, it became the official residence of the British monarchy in 1837, when Queen Victoria began her reign. 

Thousands of tourists flock to the imposing front gates to peer through, and get a glimpse of the grand estate and watch the traditional, incredibly English Changing of the Guard ceremony that takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 11am.

Although the palace is generally closed to visitors for obvious reasons, public access is provided to the State Apartments each summer where you can saunter through Queen Elizabeth’s large garden and the Queen’s Gallery. 

Cost of entry (state apartments): £16-£30 when booking in advance.

Houses Of Parliament

Once the Palace of Westminster, this lavish complex on the north bank of the Thames is now commonly referred to as the Houses of Parliament. It is here that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, meet.

It is the beating heart of British politics and is home to Westminster Hall, where the infamous Guy Fawkes – who attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament – was put on trial.

Cost of entry: £13-£29 when booking in advance. UK residents go free.

London Bridge

Although not at all appealing, no list containing the most historic landmarks in London is complete without mentioning London Bridge. The history of the bridge which connects City of London with Southwark across the River Thames, is a long one.

The first London Bridge was one of timber that was built during Roman Britain. Replacing this was then Peter of Colechurch’s stone arch bridge of 1209, which was such a commercial centre that houses and shops were built upon it. As a result, the bridge witnesses 500 years worth of calamities – from fires to collapsing arches – that inspire the infamous nursery-rhyme.

Eventually, the stone arch bridge is redesigned and completed by Charles Labelye in 1762 and then again by John Rennie in 1820. Rennie’s bridge stands for less than 140 years, and in 1972 the fifth and final London Bridge was unveiled.

While the modern London Bridge that stands before us today has no real historical significance, the centuries of turmoil and work leading up to its point is one of great interest.

London Roman Wall

Compared to the other landmarks on this list the London Roman Wall is easily the least famous. 

Built between 190 and 220AD to protect what was then the important Roman city of Londinium, this wall is one the only ruins of Roman Britain in London and stretches for about three miles between Blackfriars and Tower Hill.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London, the majestic St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the largest and most notable of its kind and is a true architectural masterpiece. 

It is a historic landmark in London in every sense of the term because, including its famous high domes, the cathedral was also where Princess Diana shared her wedding vows with Prince Charles. Today, the tourist sight is one of the best spots to find cherry blossom trees in spring and enjoy panoramic views of the city if you climb the 528 steps into the dome. 

Cost of entry: £8-£18 when booking in advance.

Tower Bridge

Constantly confused with the less glamourous London Bridge by tourists, Tower Bridge is 800ft of gorgeous suspension that has been spanning the Thames since the late 19^th century. The area around the bridge is vibrant throughout the year but is especially lovely in the summer when you can sit by the water and catch great sunsets. 

Tower Bridge is also more than a pretty picture. Throughout the day you can watch it show off its advanced architecture and mechanics as it opens to let large ships pass through. 

Tower of London

Dating back 1000 years, the Tower of London is a dominating fortress that over the course of its history, has served as an arsenal, prison, execution site, and even a zoo. Today, the site is less grim, and a visit here allows you to marvel at the permanent home of the Crown Jewels.

Cost of entry: £24-£30 when booking in advance.

Trafalgar Square

Like all many major cities across Europe, London hosts a large and picturesque square at the heart of the city for the gathering of locals and tourists alike. It is one of the busiest parts of the city but never forgets its place in history – especially through its name. 

The square commemorates the British victory over Napoleon’s military during the Battle of Trafalgar off the coast of Spain, which people believe prevented a possible French invasion. It was also once the site of the King’s Mews (where Edward I is believed to have housed his royal hawks) and a prison during the civil war. Old statues, lovely fountains, and access to the National Gallery are the main sights of the square that reflect the past, but seasonal events like the Christmas Market also bring the place to life to connect with the present.

Westminster Abbey

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most visited churches, this majestic structure was built in the 11^th century by the order of King Edward the Confessor. Besides its pretty façade, many marvel at this medieval site for the key role it plays in English high society – particularly the crowning of the country’s monarchs and the burial of famous figures from Dickens to Newton.

More recently, the abbey gained fame within pop culture for being the location of Prince William and Princess Catherine’s wedding. 

Cost of entry: £12-£27 when booking in advance.

Average Cost For Exploring The Historic Landmarks In London Per Person (2 Days)

Transport (local travel): £20

Accommodation: N/A

Attractions: £73 – £134 

Food and amenities: £75

Practical Information About London

Location: England, United Kingdom

National Languages: English 

Currency: Sterling Pound

Neighbouring Countries: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland