Experience
Great Britain

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL : LONDON

A treasure trove of bric-a-brac and The Queen’s palace

The English capital is as well known for its quirkiness as it is for its upholding of traditions. In this city, home to the UK’s Royal Family, you can seamlessly go from afternoon tea to an evening rock concert in a pub. London undoubtedly offers a unique and exciting atmosphere.

A PARADISE FOR BARGAIN HUNTERS

London is renowned for its markets, which bustle in the streets come rain or shine. The city’s most famous are Camden, Portobello, Borough and Brick Lane. Every Sunday, crowds of shoppers visit this sprawling market, searching for treasures or browsing from stall to stall. London’s famous East End became trendy after undergoing a period of gentrification, like many other European cities. The area holds on to its authentic, hardworking spirit, home to a diverse community. The market atmosphere is set against a backdrop of colourful street art, while smells of street food and sounds of buskers drift into the air. Brick Lane market offers everything, from retro furniture to vintage clothes, trinkets, second-hand books, rare records and more. Because this market isn’t in Central London, it’s popular among locals with fewer tourists than others. It’s a great place to enjoy some of London’s best, most unique shopping.

Must-sees in London

Posters and street art on a facade on Brick Lane in east London

BIG BEN

It’s the most famous clock in the city, maybe even in the world! Constructed in the 19th century, the Palace of Westminster’s tower with its four clock faces stands proudly in the London skyline at more than 96-metres tall. Big Ben is actually the nickname given to the bell inside the tower.

London Eye Ferris wheel on the banks of the Thames

THE LONDON EYE

Commissioned for the New Year’s celebrations in 2000, the London Eye, also called the Millenium Wheel, is a towering observation wheel on the South Bank. The wheel’s 32 glass capsules offer 360-degree views up to 40 kilometres away on a clear day.

Les escaliers et le toit en verre du British Museum

THE BRITISH MUSEUM

This is the world’s third-most-visited museum, home to over 7 million objects. It’s impossible to see everything in one visit. Highlights include the Great Court, designed by Norman Foster, the circular Reading Room frequented by Virginia Woolf and Karl Marx and the ancient Egyptian mummies. Soho, one of London’s most vibrant areas, is just next to the museum and is the perfect place to stroll, shop or enjoy a stage show.

NOTTING HILL

Who could fail to fall in love with this London neighbourhood, with its famous colourful houses? The setting for the 1999 film starring Hugh Grant and Julia Robers, Portobello Road, is a three-kilometre street famous for its bustling market. Find antique treasures and discover a new favourite place in London.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

The Queen’s official residence in London, Buckingham Palace, was built in 1703, with the Royal Family living there from 1837. In summer, you can visit the State Rooms, where official ceremonies are held. The Changing of the Guard is a famous spectacle outside the palace. Neighbouring Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in the centre, an oasis of greenery for the city.