Holiday accommodation near Buckingham Palace, London

Everyone visiting London, the capital city of England wants to go and see Buckingham Palace, the London home of British royalty. The royal family, the tradition, pomp and ceremony are all part of British culture and image abroad. Tourists are a permanent feature around British palaces and castles, central London parks and near the River Thames.

The enormous London parks such as Green Park, St. James' and Hyde Park, are part of the green lungs of the city. Londoners use them during their lunch breaks and tourists picnic there. There are lakes with ducks, all very tame and pleased to eat up the remnants of discarded sandwiches.

London is potentially a good value holiday or short break destination. There is free entry to the museums and art galleries although donations are requested. Greenwich on the east side of London has a magnificent maritime museum to visit and also Greenwich Meantime exhibition and observatory. A fee is due for visitors who wish to spend time in the observatory. Visitors leaving the GMT buildings are afforded a magnificent view of Canary Wharf and east London from the top of the hill. There is also an antiques market in Greenwich and various tourist attractions to keep keep visitors happy and occupied.

Thames river boats can be boarded at Greenwich for sightseeing trips down the river past Tower Hill, the Houses of Parliament and all the way down to Hampton Court, another royal palace. A river cruise is an effortless way of seeing many London landmarks and recommended as a starting point. It is also possible to book a river cruise during the summer that goes all the way out to the Thames estuary in Essex. It is always worth performing a search on the web for London river cruises because there are often special deals available.

Self-catering vacation rentals in London

London is an enormous culturally diverse city. Travel is generally expensive, and the underground trains, although convenient, are very overcrowded. Best value if obtained by purchasing multi- passes that allow people to use all underground trains and buses at no extra cost.

There is an endless list of places of interest. The next best way of seeing London, after the river cruise is on foot and this provides a fascinating insight into London life and its people. Recommended places to visit are:

• The City Hall and guilds - for history and an insight into how London operates
• The Inns of Court and Royal Court of Justice - for beautiful buildings, tradition
• London cathedrals and churches such as St Paul's
• The Embankment, Tate Modern - for art and culture
• Trafalgar Square and the national art galleries
• The Kensington Museums - for science and hands on activities, superb for children
• The Royal Palaces: Buckingham Palace, Hampton Court, the Tower of London and if you have time Windsor just outside west London. Joint tickets are usually available.
• London markets, for example Camden. Catch a boat to London Zoo.

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