A History Lover’s Guide to London

Palaces

Tip: Ahead of your trip sign up for a membership to Historic Royal Palaces and you will save on admission if you plan to visit more than one of the Historic Royal Palaces which can be found at this link.

The Tower of London - An incredible place to visit, the Tower of London was once a lavish palace, but is most famous as a prison for some of history’s most notorious inmates, both innocent and guilty. This is also the home of the British Crown Jewels which are a must see for me on each visit!

Kensington Palace - This is the birthplace of and was home to Queen Victoria in her youth. It was also home to Princess Diana and is the current London residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Set in Kensington Gardens as part of Hyde Park, you can have a lovely indoor/outdoor day exploring the palace and the surrounding Park.

Hampton Court Palace - A short train ride from London will whisk you back to Tudor England and Hampton Court Palace. Walk in the footsteps of Henry VIII and the unfortunate Anne Boleyn. The newer Baroque part of the Palace was built by William and Mary in the late 17th century and provides a lovely backdrop when touring the gardens.

Museums

Victoria and Albert Museum - The Victoria and Albert Museum was one of the first museums established to share its collections with the public in the way that most museums function today. At its core, it is a celebration of design and craftsmanship. Housing an enormous collection of items ranging from paintings to wallpaper to underwear (yes, you read that right), the V&A has something for everyone.

Natural History Museum - Right next to the V&A, this museum is one of London’s most popular. Whether you have dinosaur fans in your group or just want to explore the architecture of one of Britain’s most iconic buildings, the Natural History Museum is sure to be a hit!

British Museum - Here you will see treasures from cultures around the world, including the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles.

Churchill War Rooms - This museum takes you behind the scenes of Churchill’s WWII. You will visit the actual bunker from which the British government conducted the War. This is a truly unique experience; not to be missed.

Other sites

Westminster Abbey - One of the most famous churches in the world, Westminster Abbey is a must see for any history buff. The history of the Abbey itself is impressive enough to leave a lasting impression on any visitor, but couple that with the many illustrious people who are interred within the Abbey walls and you have an incredibly unique historical site that offers a wide range of experiences.

Greenwich - While most of the sites in Greenwich are technically part of Royal Museums Greenwich, there is so much more to this little enclave of the city. The maritime history of the city is apparent here as you walk among the stunning architecture of the Old Royal Naval College. From there you can take a short walk to visit the famed British clipper ship the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and take a turn walking along the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory.

Day Trips

Oxford - I could pack a week into Oxford alone, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be a good day trip from London. The University claims to be the oldest in the English speaking world and they certainly have the traditions and historical buildings to prove it. Not just for history lovers, Oxford has some of the most beautiful and varied architecture of any university in the world. Splurge and book a private tour with an Oxonian, you will come away feeling like you went back to University for a day.

Windsor - While Windsor Castle is one of the Royals' favorite residences, it is arguably the most historically significant. Contained within the complex is Saint George’s Chapel which was founded in the 14th century and contains the remains of Kings and Queens including Henry VIII and the recently departed Elizabeth II. The Castle itself is still a working royal residence so keep your eyes peeled for the King and Queen! Make sure that you take a stroll through the town as well and pop into a pub for a pint or two.

Eat

Alto by San Carlo - This hotspot is on the roof of the famed Selfridges department store. The mouthwatering Italian menu is almost as appetizing as the sweeping views of the city and Instagrammable decor.

Berners Tavern - Speaking of Instagrammable restaurants, Berners is home to one of the most beautiful dining rooms in London. Enjoy the contemporary, seasonal British menu in an elevated setting.

Trafalgar Tavern - This historic tavern has been a few different things over its almost 200 year history, but in the 60’s was brought back to its original roots as a pub. If you make your way to Greenwich, make sure to stop in for a pint or lunch.

The Ivy Soho Brasserie - The stalwart Ivy Collection of restaurants is hard to miss in London. The Soho outpost has a lively, upscale atmosphere but remains casually comfortable and, most importantly, serves a nicely varied menu sure to please any diner.

Dishoom - There are several Dishoom locations in London, and you can’t miss any of them. In a city known for having wonderful Indian restaurants, Dishoom stands out as one of the best.

Drink

The American Bar at the Stafford Hotel - The Stafford is a history lover’s dream, make sure to ask about its role during WWII. The American Bar is a genuine example of the American style cocktail bars that were popularized in Europe during the 1920’s.

The Connaught Bar at the Connaught Hotel - It’s hard to match the old world elegance of the Connaught Hotel and its bar is no exception. You can’t visit this spot without sampling one of their famous martinis.

The Goring Cocktail Bar at the Goring Hotel - If you find yourself near Buckingham Palace close to cocktail hour (or not), stop into the stately Goring Hotel for your drink of choice. You will never find yourself in bad company here, as the late Queen used to host events here quite frequently. The bar snacks are a nice treat as well.

Tea

Tea at the Ting - There are many classic spots to enjoy high tea in London, but if you want to view history from above, you may want to check out the afternoon tea service at the Ting Restaurant in the Shangri-La Hotel in the famous "Shard" skyscraper. Ask for a table overlooking the Tower of London and Tower Bridge and enjoy the afternoon with a view.