London, London, London! A city that doesn’t need an introduction. We are all swooned by their amazing accent, stellar fashion sense and love for tea. London is a unique travel experience because you can choose to have a new type of experience each time you visit and each experience will have its own energy and memories that follow.
In this itinerary, you’ll find our top recommendations for exploring the rich history London has to offer. This experience was one we genuinely loved, especially since we are self-proclaimed history nerds! As you have read in our previous BLOG post, The ShiShi Style team is committed to providing and creating intentionality and thoughtfulness in our blogs and itineraries. Sure, it is easy to search on ChatGPT or Google for a list of places to visit, however here at ShiShi Style, we focus on giving you the “why” behind each stop.
Happy planning, and enjoy diving into London’s fascinating past!
To start off the journey, we recommend starting off your trip with seeing the Koh-i-Noor diamond aka a diamond that is 105.6 carats 😲
👉 Tower of London
The Tower of London, built in 1078, has served many roles throughout history from a royal castle to a notorious prison, execution site, and royal treasury. Infamous figures like Guy Fawkes were imprisoned here, and high-profile executions, including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, took place on its grounds.
Today, the Tower is a museum and home to the Crown Jewels, including the world-renowned Imperial State Crown and the crown containing the Koh-i-Noor diamond. The brilliance of these jewels is simply beyond description and seeing them in person is a breathtaking experience.
The Tower of London is a museum that also exhibits dazzling ceremonial regalia, including crowns, scepters, and the Imperial State Crown. The oldest part of the fortress, with Norman architecture and historic armor displays.
It is adjacent to the infamous Tower Bridge, which is picture perfect and walking along the bridge to see the scenic views of the River Thames.
Why visit the Tower of London: For those fascinated with the British monarchy, royal regalia, and history steeped in intrigue and power, this is a must-see. It is also interesting to see the armour many wore and get a deeper understanding of the Royal life along with the tortures conducted at this place.
📸 Tips for Visiting:
Arrive early to beat the crowds at the Crown Jewels
Allow 2–3 hours minimum to explore everything
Combine with a walk across Tower Bridge for a full historic day
Skip the line and buy your tickets in advance HERE
👉 Westminster Abbey
Personally, I was blown away by the amount of history packed into this church. As someone who grew up learning the history of the British Empire and the Monarchs, visiting Westminster Abbey felt like stepping into the pages of a history textbook. It’s the kind of place that instantly brings back memories of your history teachers or professors.
Westminster Abbey is located right in the heart of Westminster, near Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. I recommend setting aside an afternoon to explore this area, not only for its deep historical significance, but also for its stunning architecture and the chance to capture that iconic London photo with Big Ben in the background.
Here is our ‘why’ for visiting the Westminster Abbey:
Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in this church in 2011 (iconic right?)
Every English and British coronation since 1066, including Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III took place here (even more iconic!!)
This is the final resting place of monarchs, scientists, poets, and other notable figures and you can visit their tombs.
We do not want to spill all the beans, but here are a few names of those buried at the Westminster Abbey: Monarchs (Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Henry VII), Poets (Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, Rudyard Kipling), Other Legends (Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin)
📸 Tips for Visiting:
It is worth paying for the headset and recordings to help you understand the depth of the history and information.
Allow 2–3 hours minimum to explore everything
Book ahead online at Westminster Abbey Website to skip the line
👉 British Museum
The British Museum is known to hold some of the most iconic artifacts from around the world and it shows you a journey through human history and culture, spanning thousands of years. Regardless of whether or not you are interested in history, it is just plain old amazing to get to see these items which played key roles in building who we are as a society today. Clearly, I’m falling back into my nerdy mode again. To spare you from my history excitement, here are a few of 5 top artifacts that I found really fascinating to see at the museum:
Rosetta Stone (Ancient Egypt, 196 BCE): It is an inscribed stone that was the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. It was discovered in 1799 and it helped us unlock thousands of years of ancient Egyptian history.
Elgin Marbles: Parthenon Sculptures (Ancient Greece, 5th century BCE): They were part of the Parthenon temple in Athens and these sculptures depict scenes of gods, battles, and religious processions to help us understand what happened during that time.
Code of Hammurabi (Babylon, c. 1754 BCE): It is one of the oldest known legal codes in the world, this tall basalt stele contains 282 laws and punishments from ancient Mesopotamia. It was a symbol of early law and governance.
Sutton Hoo Helmet (Anglo-Saxon England, early 7th century CE): This is an Anglo Saxon helmet that is mostly intact and it is one of the most important archaeological finds in British history.
Benin Bronzes (Nigeria, 13th–19th century CE): These are brass plaques and sculptures from the Kingdom of Benin demonstrate highly sophisticated African artistry and metalworking.
📸 Tips for Visiting:
Book ahead online at British Museum Website to skip the line
After a full day immersed in royal stories, ancient artifacts, and iconic landmarks, you’ve only just scratched the surface of London’s rich and layered history. Whether you’re a history buff or a curious traveler, these historical locations are sure to leave you with a deeper appreciation of the stories that shaped not just Britain, but the world. Happy traveling and being a history nerd just like us!
