Exploring the Wonders of London in My Solo Trip #FreedomTrip

Working in a sales role in one of the major IT companies in India have gifted me with multiple opportunities to go for solo trips. Though I have limited time to explore the cities be it in India or abroad. But my curiosity and travel freak mind seldom seem to resist the temptation of sneaking out a few hours from my busy schedule to explore the prominent tourist destinations. A similar situation happened when I had visited London.

London is always buzzing with life and entertainment. The city is symbolic of hosting some of the old and historic monuments and buildings which traverse your mind back to the ancient years.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of the phenomenal places to visit in London. The iconic structure traversing across River Thames, is a suspension bridge constructed between the years 1186 and 1894. Standing in grandeur with its 213 feet high towers and a length of almost 800 feet, the bridge glorifies the history of London. The Bridge comprises two massive vertical towers connected with each other with two horizontal walking pathways. You can walk over on the bridge platform to feel the essence and beauty of the gigantic Tower Bridge. The bridge glitters with lights at night and you must not miss the view if you are not too tired at the end of the day to come back to this place again.

Big Ben - Clock Tower

The moment I saw the iconic clock tower, in reality, I was astonished. Hoisted inside the Elizabeth tower, the majestic tower clock Big Ben will greet you with its melodious chimes. I stood awestruck at the sight of its towering grandeur. The bell is said to weigh about 15.1 tons with its every hand of length 9 feet and 14 feet respectively. The height of the clock tower is almost 320 feet from ground level. The clock is the brainchild of Edmund Beckett Denison who worked in conjunction with astronomer Sir George Airy and Edward Dent, a clockmaker.

London Eye

If you wish to relax and enjoy the entire London from a bird’s eye view, the London Eye or the Millennium Wheel is the answer. It is the tallest observation wheel in Europe providing scintillating views of the magnificent city. Riding the wheel and clicking some fabulous pictures is what a photographer crazes for. There are entry fee charges and the ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. There are 32 AC capsules for the visitors to ride and enjoy the beauty around.

Westminster Abbey/ Palace

The Palace of Westminster is another spectacular place to visit in London. It comprises the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Placed at the backdrop of the River Thames, you will be amazed at its royal looks. Along with Big Ben, it shimmers at night with the vibrantly coloured lights. It is a scintillating view to watch the reflections of the light on the river waters. The palace has been skilfully designed by Sir Charles Barry leveraging the traditional Gothic style of architecture. It consists of three main towers - the tallest being the Victoria Tower, second is the Elizabeth Tower that houses Big Ben and the shortest being the Central Tower.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace absolutely needs no introduction. The royal palace of the Queen of England stands high upholding the grandness and charm of the country. The architectural beauty, the amazing sculptures, and the vast greenery mesmerized my heart. I kept on walking around amazed by the royal grandeur and fascinated by its intrinsic beauty. The palace started to be the residence of the British monarch in 1837 during the reign of Her Highness Queen Victoria. There are about 775 rooms inside the palace, encircled by the huge royal private garden. If you can reach the palace before 11:00 AM you will be able to witness the Royal Parade and the Grand Salute.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Dating back to the 17th century, St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the renowned places to visit in London. There are prayer services held every day and on some specific hours as per the guidelines decided by the Bishop of London. You can walk over the Millennium Bridge to reach the cathedral. Both the exterior and interiors of the cathedral are exemplary with exquisite carvings and designs. The artistry is the brainchild of Christopher Wren. Inspired by Michelangelo's dome of St Peter's Basilica, he designed the beautiful dome of the cathedral.

The Natural History Museum of London

The Natural History Museum of London is one you must not miss while visiting London. It was earlier known as the British Museum (Natural History). The museum hosts about 80 collections of scientific specimens of plants and animals. The specimens represent history for 4.5 billion years. The collections inside the museum are spread across different branches: Zoology, Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy and Palaeontology. The museum is divided into four major zones – Blue, Green, Red, and Orange. It is famous in the world for its exclusive models of dinosaurs in its gallery. The fossils and the history behind human evolution are wonderfully depicted on the walls of the museum. The artistic decors on the walls and the ceilings of the museum are worth millions of praise and appreciation.

There are ample ways to move around London. You can opt for the underground metro or buses. Else you can avail the Hop on Hop off bus services accompanied by a guide who will tour you around the prominent places of London. The other option is the cruise on River Thames.

You can cover all the above mentioned places in one day. Happy visiting London!!