Scenic Spots: 7 Spectacular Places to See in London

“While there’s so much to do in London, sometimes, what with our usually hectic pace of life, we need to actually stop doing and start seeing (a lot more). Thankfully, as well as being home to a plethora of shops, bars, clubs, restaurants and museums, the UK’s capital also has plenty of beautiful places where we can do just that. Here is your guide to some of the most spectacular places to see on your holiday in London.

Primrose Hill
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Famous for its celebrity residents, cute dog-friendly cafes and colourful houses, the top attraction of Primrose Hill is, unsurprisingly, the hill itself. At the top of the grassy park you’ll find magnificent views over London from 63 metres above sea level. This gorgeous sight is one of the six protected viewpoints in London.

Nab a spot on a bench at the top of the hill and enjoy counting some of the city’s most famous landmarks. From here, you can spot the London Eye, the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Palace of Westminster and the BT Tower. You can also see nearby Hampstead.

Photo by Nicholas Doherty on Unsplash

The Churchill Arms
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The Churchill Arms, based in Kensington, is certainly no regular pub. Built in 1750, and once a favourite haunt of Winston Churchill’s grandparents, the pub pays tribute to one of the 20th century’s greatest hero with its unique selection of Churchill memorabilia.

But what the pub is best known has less to do with the UK’s most famous PM – its colourful, fabulous flower displays are a huge draw, so glorious they have even been recognised and awarded by the Chelsea Flower Show. Here’s an interesting fact: the pub’s flower bill adds up to about £25,000 a year. The good news for you is that no matter what season you visit, you’re guaranteed a floral treat for the eyes.

St Dunstan in the East Church Garden
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One of the most mysterious and romantic sights in London, St Dunstan in the East is a must-see. Originally built around 1100, The Church of St Dunstan was badly damaged in 1666 by the Great Fire of London, and, after being renovated, with a steeple and tower later added by Sir Christopher Wren, the church was almost destroyed in the Blitz of 1941.

The decision was made not to rebuild the church, but instead, its ruins were turned into a public garden, with greenery allowed to grow over the building. It’s a beautiful, peaceful yet eerie secret garden that everyone from horticulture enthusiasts to history buffs will enjoy walking through.

Photo by Patrick Schneider on Unsplash

Richmond Hill
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If you’re looking to escape the madness of the busy city and have a bit of downtime in a truly tranquil setting, head to the top of Richmond Hill to enjoy magical views of the Thames, as well as the surrounding woods and meadows. From here, you can spot Marble Hill, Petersham Meadows, Twickenham Stadium and even the control tower of Heathrow Airport.

The only English landscape view protected by an Act of Parliament, the vista has been painted by artists since the 17th century, including Sir Joshua Reynolds, William Marlow and JMW Turner.

Kyoto Garden
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If you can’t quite make a trip to Japan at the moment, you can experience the next best thing in Holland Park’s stunning Kyoto Garden, a gorgeous and tranquil space that was gifted from the Japanese city.

The oasis of calm has verdant greenery, tumbling tiered waterfalls, a koi carp pond, Japanese maple trees, stone lanterns and a pretty bridge. It’s even home to a series of resident peacocks who are only too happy to fan out their feathers to impress onlookers. Best of all, it’s free to enter and it only takes moments for the garden’s calmness to rub off on you.

Photo by Eva Dang on Unsplash

Annabel’s Mayfair
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One of the most exclusive clubs in the world, Annabel’s, in posh Berkeley Square, can only be accessed by its members. But you don’t need to go into the 18th-century building to appreciate its glory, as the exterior of the club is arguably its most jaw-dropping sight.

The facade of the building is very often entirely covered in an eye-catching floral display that is beloved by any passer-by with an Instagram account. A recent display to mark the Chelsea Flower Show saw the entire front of the building decorated with fresh, vibrant blooms. It’s a stunning sight to behold.

Crystal Palace Park
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If you happened to wander into Crystal Palace Park accidentally, you might be forgiven for mistaking it for a Jurassic Park filmset. The park itself is a peaceful, relaxing green space, but what visitors really marvel at is the 30 giant dinosaur statues, which date back to 1854 and were sculpted by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins.

Though the sculptures are not exactly accurate in their biology, it’s a treat to set them nestling in the pretty green space. Also in the park, you can explore the Crystal Palace Park Maze, one of the largest in the country, and the remains of the once-magnificent Crystal Palace, which burnt down in 1936.

Make sure to check out fabulous deals on London hotels for your next holiday to the English capital!”