Are you visiting London on your next trip to England? With over 2000 years of history, the city has many historical sites you could visit and widen your knowledge. You will notice the modern architectural structures built recently, but London’s heritage still stands out, attracting people worldwide.
We have compiled a list of places you should visit to enrich your knowledge of history.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Located in South Kensington, London, the Victoria and Albert Museum contains many decorative arts. Founded in 1852 as the Museum of Manufacturers in Marlborough House, St. James, the museum housed the decorative items until 1857, when they were transferred to the South Kensington Museum and re-displayed in 1857.
As the collection grew, the need for a new museum arose. Queen Victoria laid the foundation for the new building in 1899, and the museum would be renamed Victoria and Albert Museum. After its construction, it opened in 1909.
The displayed items in the museum include works of art in pottery, metalwork, jewelry, woodwork, and textiles. The exhibited items are from historical Germany, Italy, England, France, and as far East as India and China.
You can participate in the educational workshops held at the V&A Museum every year. Ticketed exhibits are also held throughout the year, covering various themes like music and fashion.
Hampton Court Palace
The Hampton Palace is one of the most sophisticated palaces in the world. The palace also has 24 hectares of well-maintained gardens, providing the perfect venue for many important events. Its halls and rooms are extravagantly decorated.
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, King Henry VIII’s chief advisor, was the original owner of the palace. However, King Henry VIII moved all his six wives into the palace, which became his residency. King George II was the last person to live in Hampton Court Palace. After King George III assumed power in 1760, the palace remained closed until 1838, when Queen Victoria opened it to the public.
A visit to the Hampton Court Palace allows you to see the many works of art from the Royal Collection. You will see paintings showing King Henry VIII’s conquests in various battles. The paintings also display the multiple feasts King Henry VIII threw.
The gardens also provide beautiful scenery, and you will enjoy the view. A lot of fun activities also happen here.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a vibrant space designed in 1830 to celebrate the triumph of the British army over the French army in the Battle of Trafalgar. The victory prevented the French from invading England. Nelson died during the war. A commemorative column was built in the square, and his statue is atop it.
Several other statues are also present, including George Washington’s statue, gifted to England by the State of Virginia. In Trafalgar Square, you’ll find the National Gallery, which houses more than 2300 paintings from the 13th to 20th Centuries. Several events happen in the square annually, and you can have fun on your visit.
The Imperial War Museum
If you want to learn about the history of conflicts worldwide, visit the Imperial War Museum. This museum contains exhibitions covering World War 1 and 2, the holocaust, and the role of women in the conflicts. It also covers worldwide political issues during the time.
It was established in 1917 during the First World War. Its aim was to explore how conflict affects people. The exhibitions displayed include objects used on the battlefield, letters, pictures, and even sound and video recordings. Paintings about war are also displayed in the museum.
The Imperial War Museum opens daily from 10 am to 6 pm. It is free to enter, but you may pay for some temporary exhibitions. Some things to look out for include the holocaust exhibition, the naval guns, World War 2 rockets, and surveillance drones.
Family activities may take place, especially during holidays
The Brunel Museum
The museum was designed to celebrate the first ever underwater tunnel in the world. Marc Isambard Brunel designed the tunnel in 1823 and worked on it with his son, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. They aimed to reduce congestion on The Thames.
You can take a tour around the museum and learn a few things about the Thames Tunnel, which took over 18 years to complete. You have the option to book a guided tour and access the shaft. You will also experience a live recreation of the conditions Brunel faced when they started the project.
It is an exciting experience, and you can also buy books at a gift shop in the museum to learn more about the tunnel’s history. Several events also happen in the museum, including creative writing workshops and musical events.
Westminster Abbey
Over a million tourists visit Westminster Abbey every year. It is a church in Westminster with over 1000 years of heritage and is the official coronation church for the British Monarch. Additionally, many famous people in the history of Britain are buried here.
Since many people visit the church, be ready to wait if it is crowded. It is an active parish, and worshippers don’t pay anything before admission.
Some exciting parts of Westminster Abbey include the Poets’ Corner – where more than 100 great poets are buried and have their memorials held. These poets include William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, Philip Larkin, and many others.
The Coronation Chair, having existed for over 700 years, is a center of attention at Westminster Abbey. You could also check out the Pyx Chamber, The Chapter, and The Quire. In the Quire, you will be entertained by the choir, a tradition that has existed since the 10th Century.
Another notable part is the tombstone of an unknown soldier who died during the First World War. His body arrived from France and was buried on November 11th, 1920. The grave is labeled “Unknown Warrior,” with writings composed by Herbert Ryle, Dean of Westminster, inscribed.
Final Thoughts
London is a city with many historical sites that someone can visit and learn some history. We have only mentioned a few in this article. Other sites include Big Ben, Charles Dickens Museum, London Royal Airforce Museum, and many others.