We had arranged a walking tour through London Walks of Westminster Abbey and it was worth it. I am…read moresure the audio guides provided with admission are decent (we used similar ones at St Paul's) but the guided tour was excellent. The history and the beauty of the building makes this along with St Paul's must sees in London. Because this tour was preset for mid afternoon the building was very crowded. If we had done this on our own we would have gotten the first time slot of the day. I am sure it would have been a bit less crazy. It was fascinating to see who is buried or memoralized here. You could spend hours here there is so much to absorb.

My husband and I visited Westminster Abbey when we were in London for a few days about two weeks…read moreago. I'm sure that I visited Westminster Abbey when I was a kid, but I was visit it again as an adult. The church was actually founded in 959, but the building dates back to 1245-1269. The church has been location of the coronation of 40 monarchs and a burial site for 18 monarchs. At least 16 royal weddings have taken place here as well. The abbey is also the burial site of more than 3,300 people: monarchs, prime ministers, poets, actors, scientists... The church's Gothic architecture is incredible. I don't even know how many pictures I took of the stained glass, the ceilings, the facade, the flying buttresses.... Hundreds?! I will say that Westminster Abbey was the most crowded attraction we visited during our time in London. It's no surprise. Westminster Abbey is an incredible historic site - who wouldn't want to see it on a visit to London?! But it was packed. We grabbed our audio guide and then just stayed patient as we got stuck in traffic jam after traffic jam in the abbey. I can't imagine that Westminster Abbey isn't on everyone's itinerary for a first trip to London. It should be!

Clarence House is the current residence of Prince Charles and Camilla and former home of Queen…read moreElizabeth, the Queen Mother before her passing. Since Prince Charles and Camilla do live here, Clarence House is only open 1 month of the year in August. However, if you buy tickets and sign it and get it stamped at the end of your visit, it's good for unlimited future visits for one year (though really, it's good for all of August next year because they're not open year-round). The tour is 45 minutes long and each tour is a bit different. Your guide will go over highlights that they're interested in, so if you get a different guide, you'll learn, hear, and see different tidbits and aspects of each room. Even though there are several stories, you only experience the rooms on the first floor. At the end of your tour, there is a gift shop for souvenir purchases. Beware of the condescending gentleman (if you can even call him that!) at the register who provides a snoot attitude when he deems you haven't purchased enough to receive a paper bag.

Famous as the London home of the late Queen Mother. Now the official residence of the Prince of…read moreWales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Pre-booked guided tour with a timed entrance. Small group views The Entrance Hall leading to the Lancaster Room. The Morning Room has been re-decorated by the Prince of Wales. Favourite along with the Dining Room. No photography is allowed in the grounds. Small gift shop. Wheelchair users can view all rooms.

Excellent place to see the changing of the guard!! Make sure to arrive around 30 minutes prior,…read morethey do not let anyone on the street FYI. I believe the time was 10:45 to see them come in. Super fun! But it gets very crowded

Henry the eighth built this Palace on the grounds of the old Saint James hospital in the early…read more1500's. The lush St James Park hides the palace. This is currently the Royal Court. Princess Anne uses the palace as her residence & office.

Everyone has heard of Buckingham Palace as it is known to the home of the monarch,Royal…read morecelebrations and the Changing of the Guard. We did the State Room Tour which is only available from July-Sept. Breathtaking! So many priceless treasures. You definitely want to book your tickets in advance as it gets sold out. The checkin process was very easy as was going thru their security checkpoint. The only thing that was disappointing is No Photos are allowed in The Palace or on the Tour. The tour is a self guided tour with a head site that is provided. Small bags similar to what fits under an airline seat are allowed. After the tour you can visit the Garden Cafe or gift shop. Definitely a must stop in London!

We were exited about visiting the palace. The checkpoint and entrance is rather quick when you have…read morethe ticket online. The security is tight. The visit includes 14 rooms in the palace. We like the audio guide is included. We also like the opportunity to take the picture with the royal preset picture. What we don't like which the Royal collection and trust can improve are below. 1. No picture allow in the palace is kind of step back to ruin the interest of the visitors. Second the exit is a ten minute walks to the entrance if you decide to go back to front. Third the garden on the general admission is kind of let down. There are no flowers at all. Even the king bees hive cannot be seen because is block from view. Fourth the ice cream parlor blocks the possibility view to the palace from a distance view. I think the visit compare to many attractions in the London is not the best. Not sure to recommend this visit.

This is where rock legend David Bowie lived in 1973-1974…read more Rock Star madness? It was at the time of the coal miners strike, and he wanted to know what it would be like living in a coal mine, so he painted all the interior of the house totally black (walls, ceilings, t.v. furniture etc.) Can be viewed from outside onlyno idea if it is still black inside. The houses cost just under a million in this street, Captain Scott, Antarctic explorer, lived at No. 56 which carries a blue plaque. Lady Wilde, mother of Oscar Wilde, lived at No 87. Blue plaque. Dame Sybil Thorndike, the actress, and her husband Lewis Casson, lived at No. 74 George Best, footballer, lived at No. 87

It wasn't so Much about the house itself but about the man…read moreand the ideas and songs that may have come out of room. For regular people it was just about walking by a house for me it was more than that.

Absolutely a must-see tour if you're sightseeing in London…read more We've been lucky enough to have a few private tours. My daughter's ex-boyfriend is from London (he's still like family) and works within the Houses. He's got a higher level political position and it's always so special to see how his dream job continues to advance. So proud of that kid. It's always an honor to walk the halls, House of Commons, House of Lords, etc. There is so much history here and I learn something new each time we visit. The architecture is nothing short of spectacular.

A trip to London would not be complete without a visit to one of London's most famous…read morelandmarks--the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Weighing in at 13 tons, the clock tower's bell was cast in 1858 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. The Houses of Parliament, officially known as the Palace of Westminster, is the seat of government in England. It is home to the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is where politics takes place. The seat of Britain's government for many centuries, it was also once the site of the royal Westminster Palace occupied by William the Conqueror. The best view of the parliament buildings can be had by crossing Westminster Bridge and looking back. If you're one of many looking to snap your photo with one of the most photographed buildings in the world, the best vantage point is from Westminster Bridge.

If you're lucky enough to know someone who works inside, you can get a little tour of Portcullis…read moreHouse. I like the glass ceiling that lets in some natural light. Lunch at the cafe is great as well - nice fresh hot dishes for astoundingly low prices. Funny mix of school groups and lots of government workers in suits.

This is a palace?…read more Obligatory stop with our tour group. I wasn't very impressed though.... It's small. And pretty boring looking lol Sorry not sorry! lol I expect more for a palace in London. There's a garden area too. Also small and not very exciting. lol

Interesting place. Took the 131 step walk up the Mideval tower. Misty, foggy day so view not that…read moregreat. Focus on garden theme, and not so much the building. Enjoyed hearing bits about the building's history.

The Apsley House has been the home for the Dukes of Wellington. The original occupant was Lord…read moreApsley but he sold the house and since then, the Dukes have occupied it. Now these days, it just a house museum. If you have the London Pass, entrance to the Apsley House is already paid for. But I think it is cheap to come in anyway so if you're in the area, you should definitely stop by. Photography is not allowed. An audio guide is included since it does help out with the history of each room and its paintings. Lots of rooms in this house with very high ceilings filled with dozens and dozens of paintings, relics, Victorian style furniture and tables. It's the type of house where you would want to take off your shoes or put up the floor runners because you don't want to have the slightest piece of dirt in the rooms. It's a very nice and maintained house. They have hundreds and hundreds of parties here throughout the years and it looks like it's brand new.

Home of the "Iron Duke" of Wellington. Tons of paintings in the house. Interesting items that he…read morecollected. The huge statue of Napoleon at the staircase is interesting, to say the least. 2 for 1 train ticket deal, so I only paid £10 for me and my wife to enter.

Dragged my cousin here to mass when I visited him in London…read more I was surprised to find such a large Filipino population there, I had no idea that a lot of Filipinos lived in London. The parishoners were friendly and introduced themselves to us after mass. The cathedral was beautiful on the outside, the inside as well although the ceiling was plain, I would have liked to see some mosaic on it. The front is Neo-Byzantine Architecture and it looks like bricks, although I'm not sure what material was used.

Another of the most iconic buildings in London, but also one that many tourists don't know about…read more They go to the Westminster Abbey at the other end of Victoria Street and miss this fantastic marvel. Built in the late 1890's and though not consecrated until 1910, the Cathedral is an interesting and "foreign" look. Red brick with white bands is in a Byzantine style that makes it very unusual and it stands out from the boring concrete and glass office structures in the vicinity. The massive 285 tower literally towers over the area and is open to climb for viewing. Inside the Cathedral is also impressive with mosaics all around and under a ceiling that defies description. It's important to note that this is an active and working Cathedral, so show some respect, eh? No flashes! And your donations are appreciated. Interestingly, Mass has been celebrated at this Cathedral by both Pope John Paul II (in 1982) and by Pope Benedict XVI (in 2010). Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1977 (though not for a religious ceremony), the first visit of a reigning monarch to a Catholic Church since the Reformation of the 15th Century.