There are very few places in the world that can combine history, style and culture at the same time but London is definitely one of them. You'll be transported back in time on many of our coach trips to London as each street and place has a tale to tell with its stunning architecture, from the soaring limestone peaks of the Houses of Parliament to the magnificent dome of St Paul's Cathedral and the wonderful exterior of the Tower of London.
For the ultimate of views, head to London's South Bank and book a flight on the London Eye. If it's a clear day you may be able to see as far as Windsor Castle from the top so grab your binoculars and see what else you can spot during your flight. Another attraction stealing the limelight is The Shard which pierces the sky at 1,016ft and offers visitors the chance to admire the city from a different perspective from the View From The Shard viewing platform. For a view with a difference, head to Greenwich where you can walk across the O2 arena or take a cable car across the River Thames!
One of London's many highlights is its connection with Royalty and you cannot leave the city without visiting Buckingham Palace – the home of The Royal Family. If you're lucky enough to be in London during July and August, you'll have the opportunity to go inside the Palace and see the magnificent State Rooms. The Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace is a popular event which tends to sell out quite quickly so you are advised to book tickets as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
If you want to get away from it all with the girls, London weekend breaks are perfect as there's something for everyone in the capital. For relaxation, book yourself into a spa hotel and enjoy the available treatments. However, if you're looking to dance and have a good time, hit the bars and clubs of Leicester Square, Soho or Mayfair. London theatre breaks are a fabulous alternative too with a show available to suit all tastes whether you're looking for comedy, romance or spine-tingling thrillers. Shopaholics will fall in love with London where you can find High Street stores mingling with designer boutiques along Oxford Street, Bond Street and for the ultimate shopping experience visit Westfield Stratford. Looking for a bargain? Check out the street markets along Notting Hill and Portobello Road.
London doesn't fail to impress if you're on the look-out for culture and it needn't cost too much either. There are a number of museums within your reach where admission is free so if you have children who love dinosaurs take them to the Natural History Museum or let them experiment to their heart's content with interactive displays at the Science Museum. For the adults, soak up the art world on your London tour with a visit to the National Gallery and new Tate Modern.
Whether you're enjoying theatre breaks in London, gazing across the skyline from the Oxo Tower on the South Bank or strolling through Hyde Park, there is no doubt that you are visiting one of the greatest cities on earth!
Tourist offices
To find out more about visiting London, check out their official tourism website at visitlondon.com
Being the capital city there are many great attractions to visit and explore in London that we're hard pushed to know where to start! Here are some top things to do when you arrive.
London Eye
Located on the River Thames, the London Eye is possibly the most prominent landmark, recognisable to people from around the world. Your 'flight' takes around 30 minutes, in which time you'll complete a full rotation and take in the sights of London - on a clear day you will be able to see for miles and miles. This attraction is also popular at night time, giving visitors the chance to see London lit up before them.
Theatre Land
The West End is famous worldwide as having one of the best theatre scenes. With so many long standing productions like Wicked, Mamma Mia, The Lion King and Les Miserables and newer productions like Paddington The Musical, multi award-winning Matilda the Musical and The Devil Wears Prada, you are sure to find something to please everyone in your party!
Covent Garden
No trip to London would be complete without a visit to Covent Garden with its abundance of shops, street entertainers, restaurants and cafes. If you're exploring Covent Garden and arrive via the Underground be sure to take the lift, as there are no escalators in the station and there are a lot of stairs to reach the top!
Tower Bridge
Located near the Tower of London, Tower Bridge is one of the most recognisable bridges which crosses the River Thames from North London to South London. Constructed in the late 1800’s the bridge was constructed to open to allow oversized River Traffic to pass through.