London is a city thrumming with culture and history. There is something new to explore around every corner and down every alley.
There’s a reason it’s such a popular tourist destination in the UK, having brought in over 20 million visitors pre-pandemic!
As a UK resident yourself, there can be a pressure to avoid the ‘tourist-y’ stuff and see the real London.
But fun as it can be to get lost in a district or on a Tube line, a quintessential tourist’s day out in London can provide structure and guaranteed fun.
Sometimes it’s fun to embrace the mainstream; so which London landmarks should you visit as part of your perfect tourist’s day out?
London Zoo
London Zoo has a vaunted place in world history, being the oldest scientific zoo on the planet.
This fact alone makes London Zoo a place well-worth visiting, being just as enriching a historical experience as it is a zoological one! London Zoo is a jewel amongst London landmarks, having started out with none other than the Tower of London’s own menagerie.
Today, the zoo is just as magical as it has always been.
It can also be a relatively cheap way to spend the day, especially if you work for the NHS; health workers can use a London Zoo NHS discount to reduce the cost of access, making for a beautiful day of meeting baby sloths at a great price.
The Tower of London
The Tower of London itself is also a winning way to spend a day, being a totem for London’s rich and storied history under monarchy.
The Tower of London has seen kings and queens come and go, whether willingly or by execution.
It is home to the Crown Jewels, as well as nine beautiful ravens that have their own place in the Tower’s – and the Kingdom’s – history.
Tower of London tours are a fun way to learn more about London and England’s history, and also provide unprecedented access to some of the items and trinkets that define the nation’s royalty.
There are also installations throughout the year that showcase the art and culture of the region.
Camden Market
Camden was once a symbol of counterculture in London, being a melting pot of different cultures and influences and an inspiring locale for artists and creatives.
Today, Camden is more attraction than local haunt, with its countercultural history inspiring tourists to flock in the summer months.
Camden Market is a quintessential part of the Camden experience, with idiosyncratic stalls and food vendors selling a variety of incredible tastes and smells.
An afternoon spent lost in Camden Market is an afternoon very well spent indeed – and you may find yourself coming away with more than a few souvenirs as a result!