London is well-known for its historic buildings, one of the most famous of which is Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s official city residence, which is located in the City of Westminster. You can visit the Queen’s Gallery, which holds art exhibitions throughout the year, and during the summer, you can see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, visit the Royal Mews and take a tour of the State Rooms. Other historic London attractions include the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.

London is also home to a wide range of museums and art galleries, such as the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Britain and Tate Modern. A number of London’s lesser known, but equally fascinating museums, including the Charles Dickens Museum and the Foundling Museum, are located within an area known as Museum Mile. Walk this route from the Euston Road to the River Thames and explore the Royal Opera House or visit the British Library, which houses more than 14 million books as well as other documents, including the Magna Carta.

Shopping

The capital is the perfect place to go shopping; it has everything from designer stores to local markets. Head for upmarket Knightsbridge to visit London’s most famous department store, Harrods, and the fashionable Harvey Nichols, or take a stroll along Bond Street, where you’ll find designer shops including Chanel and Prada, and jewellers such as Cartier and Tiffany and Co. For something more eclectic, try Camden Market or the King’s Road and, for the perfect break during your shopping trip, take afternoon tea at The Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly or at Claridge’s in Mayfair.