Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in The Angel

"It’s where Londoners go to express themselves – to rally, protest and say their minds at Speakers’ Corner or to share the excitement of the big event, such as the Rolling Stones playing to half-a-million fans. Summer rock concerts and the Winter Wonderland funfair are only the latest incarnations of crowd-pleasers stretching back to the grisly carnivals that accompanied executions at Tyburn Tree, now Marble Arch. Most of the time, however, the park is simply a huge and peaceful place to jog, ride, rollerblade, practise tai chi, swim in the Serpentine, have a picnic or do whatever it is Londoners do to feel free."

"One of London's largest Royal Parks, Hyde Park is home to the vast Serpentine Lake (which you can swim in), the majestic Wellington Arch and even a hidden pet cemetery. With 350 acres to explore, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to picnic spots, and there are three cafes (including a stingray-shaped one) where you can replenish your supplies. Other points of interest include the Diana Memorial Fountain, the Hyde Park Rose Garden, and the Achilles statue, which actor Laurence Olivier once called "the best arse in London"."

"Hyde Park is the largest park in central London and another of the capitals important Royal Parks. There are plenty of free things to do in Hyde Park, including taking a stroll through the colourful Rose Garden, visiting the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain (or one of the parks many other statues and memorials), stepping inside the free Serpentine Art Gallery, listening to the speakers at Speakers Corner or sitting beside the large Serpentine Lake to watch the swans and pedalos for a while."

"Day 1: Arrive in London, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, the London EyeDay 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Whitehall, Covent GardenDay 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky GardenDay 4: National Gallery, Greenwich, Prime Meridian, Up at the O2Day 5: British Museum, Portobello Road Market, Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrod’s"

"Another iconic London building, Westminster Abbey is a royal church and UNESCO World Heritage site with over 1000 years of history. But it’s the stunning exterior and well placed red phone boxes that make this one of the most Instagrammable places in London!. Walk away from Westminster Abbey to the corner of Tothill Road where you’ll find red phone boxes gracing each side."

"When Asian hospitality chain Shangri-La opened in the Shard, Western Europe’s tallest building, in 2014, it was literally head and shoulders above the rest of London – as well as being the first luxury hotel south of the river. The hotel, which occupies the floors from level 35 upwards, pairs its pared-back guestrooms – lots of business-friendly beige and black lacquer – with panoramic views across the entire city. Deep baths are positioned by the glass windows to maximise the views."

"Alternatives (or additional spots) in the area to the above attractions: Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market (one of London’s most famous food markets), The Old Operating Theatre Museum (fee*), The Monument (fee*), and The View from the Shard (fee*)."

"Part of London’s new modern skyline, this skyscraper is the highest in the European Union at the time of writing. It rises to 309 metres. The building is a popular tourist destination, with great views of London."

"The Tower of London is such a great place to visit with kids if they’re into learning about the history of London, castles and stories of kings and queens – including a bit of blood and gore!. Kids will be enthralled by the stories of the famous tower ravens, Henry the VIII and his many wives, the Guy Fawkes plot, the yeoman warders and Beefeaters with their pomp and ceremony. Save the best until last – the spectacular Crown Jewels including dazzling crowns and jewellery that are still in use today."

"3 km from city center 7 out of 40 places to visit in London. A royal fortress and a World Heritage Site which is also famous for being an infamous prison back in the day, the Tower of London, founded in 1066 and located in the heart of the city, is a majestic fortress, with a history dating back to centuries before the present day. Treat your eyes to the world-famous and priceless jewels, archaic yet riveting architecture, and to a clear view of the River Thames on a day trip to this Tower."

"Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this uncompromising slab of a building has been many things—including the site where Henry VIII ordered the execution of two of his wives. Now the Tower is most famous as the home of the Crown Jewels. Come, take a tour from one of the Beefeaters (offered every half hour), and gawp at the sparkling and the frightening alike."

"Next suggested stop is HMS Belfast(fee*), which is permanently moored on the Thames a short walk from Tower Bridge on the south bank. This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with an interest in boats. Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963."

"Tower Bridge is without a doubt the most famous drawbridge in the world. This alone makes it a must-see landmark when visiting London. A lot of photographs have been taken from this spot already and the pedestrian ways seem to be crowded 24/7."

"The Bascule suspension bridge was built in the mid to late 1800s. It stands more than 200 feet tall and runs more than 800 feet long. The Tower Bridge Exhibition is in the bridge towers."

"Lose yourself amongst the stone pines, olive trees, and cypresses of this typical Mediterranean landscape. The King William's Temple stands in the middle of the garden, lending a sense of grandeur to the vibrant landscape."

"Cutty Sark is another of the iconic London landmarks found in Greenwich. At this attraction, you can board and explore the Cutty Sark, a historic British clipper ship. The ship has been restored to the way it was in the mid-1800s."

" A combination of hotel, leisure complex & conference centre, the former Georgian country home of Lord Mountbatten is just a 20-minute train ride ..." Read our full review"

"Old Royal Naval College This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Greenwich. It once served as a naval hospital and later as a naval college. Now, this site is being used as a filming location for many famous movies such as The King’s Speech, Patriot Games, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Avengers, and The Dark Knight Rises."

"The Old Royal Naval College is a set of buildings designed by Christopher Wren whose original purpose was to serve as a place to care for and house retired seamen. Later the large building complex was used as a naval training college and today is used for a number of functions, and many of the buildings are open to the public."

"Begun by Sir Christopher Wren in 1694 as a rest home for ancient mariners, the college became a school in 1873. It's still used for classes…"

"Not so much a gallery as an art-filled time portal, this considerable collection of 18th and 19th century fine art and design at Hertford House is the work of Sir Richard Wallace and his ancestors. Paintings in the collection include works by Rembrandt, Fragonard, Rubens, Canaletto, Velazquez and the wonderful Laughing Cavalier by Franz Hals. Hertford House, Manchester Square, Mayfair, W1U 3BN, wallacecollection.org"

"Held in the Marquesses of Hertford’s former townhouse, the Wallace Collection is one of the world’s finest collections of French 18th century paintings and decorative art. Once owned by Edward Seymour, nephew of Queen Jane Seymour, the noble 17th century townhouse is a thing of beauty in itself. However, it’s the paintings, sculptures, furniture, medieval objects, and armour that undoubtedly take centre stage."

"One of London's best small galleries, hidden away just north of Oxford Street, the Wallace Collection is an enthralling glimpse into 18th-century aristocratic life, set up in a lavishly restored Italianate mansion stuffed with 17th and 18th century art."

"A stately home with as opulent an exterior as the art it holds within, Somerset house was once a palace for the Duke of Somerset Edward Seymour in 1547. Now one of the more grandiose of London’s institutions, the palace hosts exhibitions from all over the world and continually draws enormous crowds. The gallery is “known for the breadth of cultural collaborations across photography, fashion, art, film and music."

"Situated on the Southside of the Strand in central London, overlooking the RiverThames, SomersetHouse is a major art and cultural center in the heart of London. For photographers, this is the most amazing light scenario, with white faded walls and floors. It’s basically a huge outdoor studio, with beautiful light bouncing off everywhere."

"Somerset House is home to London's Courtauld Gallery (currently closed for refurbishment) with its collection of Old Masters, Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings, and The Embankment Galleries with a rotating programme of exhibitions dedicated to art, design, fashion and photography. Some exhibitions require tickets."

"One of St Albans most unusual museums is the delightful Signal Box Museum, housed in a restored 1892 signal box. See how trains were signalled during the days of steam locomotives and try your hand at the restored Victorian signals. A small museum on the ground floor of the signal box looks at the history of the railway in Hertfordshire and hosts a display of railway ephemera."

"A post shared by t m s c (@tschlagi) on Sep 26, 2018 at 10:56am PDT. If you want to visit this charming railway attraction, you will need to plan your visit, as it is only open on the afternoons of the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. But, having said that, if you make it here, you can expect an afternoon of railway fabulousness, especially if you have young children."