Go All-In On UK Culture On Your London Trip
Despite the complications posed by Brexit, London is still just a short train journey from mainland Europe.
Before the pandemic, the historic centre of the UK was seconded only by Paris in terms of visitor numbers, but people were soon restricted from heading to the city by the Coronavirus pandemic. However, the good news is that travel lines have largely reopened, and fully vaccinated visitors are once again welcomed back to the city.
So, if you’re yearning for a trip and are prepared to travel, these are some of the historic and beautiful places you should visit when considering a trip over to London, known as The Big Smoke.
Buckingham Palace
It’s simply the most iconic building in Britain. Built in 1837, the Palace has been the home of the Queen since the times of Queen Victoria. If you visit at 11.00 am, you could witness the Changing of the Guard where you will see the Queen’s Guards marching down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, where they will change places with the Guards who have been in-situ overnight. If you want to know if the Queen is home, look out for the royal standard flag. If it’s flying, Her Majesty may well be looking right back at you through the windows. Buckingham Palace is located in the heart of the city, and it’s easily accessible. Being in the borough of Westminster, you could even double up with a visit to the nearby Houses of Parliament too.
Empire Casino
Ian Muttoo from Mississauga, Canada, Leicester Square, London, CC BY-SA 2.0
Like much of Europe, London is free of restrictions on poker and gaming, so most towns have somewhere for players to enjoy the game. London casinos have been a part of their culture for many years, stretching back to the days of gangland culture and the Kray twins. You’ll need to brush up on your knowledge of poker hand rankings if you want to have that winning sensation in London’s poker and casino venues. The best of those sites is the Empire Casino which first opened its doors in 1884. The historic location is still a favourite haunt of some of the UK’s celebrities, as the cinema located next door is used for many high-profile red-carpet premieres. The casino is described as Vegas-style in the heart of London, but whilst it has lots of modern facilities and technology, it is still steeped in that classic British architecture and history.
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is a major venue in the bustling area of Covent Garden, where market halls and speciality shops line the streets. The site on which the Opera House sits was first used as a playhouse back in the mid 18th century. However, fires ravaged the building in the early and mid-1800s, resulting in the reconstruction of the Opera House. Since then, much has been done to preserve the building’s historical status, and visitors can take in a tour that tells the harrowing but exciting story of its past.
Tower of London
The Tower of London has had a host of uses since being built on the banks of the River Thames by William the Conqueror in 1078. From prison to Palace and even a private zoo, the building has a well-storied history. From the exhibition of the Crown Jewels, the Royal Mint, and the stories of ancient torture and pain in the Bloody Tower, if you’re looking for a place to look back throughout the centuries of British culture, this is the place for you.
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