Historic Sites in The Fleet

"London’s most famous and beautiful church is a definite must-see in the city. Rebuilt in the 13th century (but with a history that goes back even further), it is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. To visit as a tourist you’ll need to buy a ticket either online or at the abbey, but you can enter free as a worshipper."

"The London Pass is a pre-paid sightseeing card which gives you FREE fast-track entry to the city’s top tourist attractions, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and a Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. The view from the Shard"

"This is one of the oldest fortresses in London, built after the Norman Conquest of England, to house the new royalty who had just moved into the country and needed a nice secure palace to live in. As such, it’s a highly defensible castle, with two defensive walls and a moat, so it feels very castle-like. It’s also the home to the English Crown Jewels and has played host to notable historical events, in particular, the executions of 112 people, including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey."

"The Tower of London – Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, the Tower of London was turned into a prison in 1100. Some of its most famous prisoners included King Henry VI, the wives of King Henry VII, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard and Sir Thomas More. These days the Tower is a museum rather than a prison. A great way to see some of the grounds is with an entertaining tour hosted by the Yeoman Warders who will frighten and dazzle you with tales of the Towers past."

"A view of the Elizabeth Tower and the Houses of Parliament through a pedestrian tunnel on London’s South Bank|© Beatrice Preve / Alamy Stock Photo. One of the finest examples of Gothic Revivalist architecture in the world, the Palace of Westminster was built by 19th-century architect Sir Charles Barry, but the real brains behind it was the incredibly talented Augustus Pugin. He was just 23 when Barry enlisted him to help with the design of the building and was instrumental in its Gothic detailing (his superior was more of a Classicist)."

"Another impressive building that we briefly mentioned above is the Houses of Parliament. The Houses of Parliament is also known as the ‘Palace of Westminster’ which is located on the left bank of River Thames. The building was built for Edward the Confessor in the 11th century and was enlarged by William I (the conqueror)."

"This doesn’t go quite as high as the Shard, but you are closer to Westminster so get great views of the Houses of Parliament. You could also do both of course!. If you want to do the London Eye, we’ve found the best prices are available by booking your ticket online here."

"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"

"The Wallace Collection is an interesting free art museum located inside a large townhouse in Marylebone known as Hertford House. The museum has a collection of paintings from the 15th to 19th century, as well as antiques and sculptures sourced from around the globe by Sir Richard Wallace. Nearest tube station: Bond Street."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Admission is free but you must book your visit in advance here. NEAREST METRO STATION: Bond Street"

"However, today visitors can still see one remaining section of the palace complex, the Banqueting Hall (fee*) designed by famous architect Inigo Jones with a ceiling painted by Peter Paul Reubens. Today Whitehall is the center of the Government of the United Kingdom and you’ll pass a number of buildings home to various departments and ministries, including the Ministry of Defense and the Cabinet Office. Along this street you’ll also find The Household Calvary Museum (fee*), located in the 18th century stables of the Horse Guards, which gives information on the history of the Household Cavalry and displays a small collection of uniforms and weapons."

"Valentines Mansion & Gardens is a Grade II on the National Heritage List for both building and garden. Built in 1696, the mansion was for the widow of Archbishop of Canterbury John Tillotson's widow, Lady Tillotson. It later was the home of Sir Charles Raymond."

"There was a church on this site during the time of the Romans.Some believe that St Bridget, an Irish saint, established the first Christian church on the site in the 6th century. During the Great Plague of 1665, a plague pit was dug within the churchyard. Pepys mentions having to bribe the gravedigger in order to find room to bury his brother."

"If this church were a computer program, it would be called St Bride’s 8.0. It’s the eighth building on the site just to the south of Fleet Street. It’s another beautiful Wren church in white stone."

"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."

"This brightly coloured bistro on Brick Lane ticks just about every stereotype box, from poster-clad walls, candles and the kind of furniture that looks as if it might belong on a patio, through to a menu of unashamed clichés. From tartare to confit via terrines, moules and escargot, Chez Elles serves exactly what people want at very decent prices, taking itself with far too little seriousness to feel French at all. Bravo.Chez Elles, 45 Brick Lane, E1 6P"

"Straddling the line between high class cuisine and comfort food, the menu at À la Russe takes notes from both French and Mediterranean roots. The result is an eclectic and superb dining experience, served elegantly over white tablecloths and candlelight. The 3 course Table D’Hote meal is very affordable for the quality you’re getting, and we suggest it."

"A fine array of set-price lunch and dinner menus and warm, friendly service make this Continental-style bistro excellent value. As well as French classics such as rabbit with mustard and chicken supreme, it also... Sandwiches in Windsor & Eton"

"Fashion fans should bookmark this undeniably chic patisserie pronto. Pasticceria Marchesi is one of Milan’s most established bakeries and is now owned by one of the world’s biggest fashion powerhouses, Prada. They opened a London outpost earlier this year and it’s become one of Mount Street’s most Instagrammable spots – for both it’s sweet treats and sugar almond coloured interiors."

"Mini Éphémère, a lemon and yuzu meringue and cream version of the Merveilleux. Finding a delicious sweet treat for less than £2 anywhere in London is rare but finding something that will put your sweet tooth into a trance in South Kensington for £1.20 is some kind of miracle. At Aux Merveilleux de Fred, the mini versions of their namesake confections are so light – and inexpensive – that you can indulge without guilt."

"For the melt-in-the-mouth pastry experience only a true French chef such as Frédéric Vaucamps can achieve, book yourself in at Aux Merveilleux de Fred. Famed for their brioches, meringues and truffles, which are must-buys, the whole menu is highly acclaimed. Do yourself a favour and get some takeaway buns to enjoy as you travel around the rest of the city – they are truly merveilleux."

"Italian-originating Said is the London offshoot of Rome’s oldest chocolate shop, but the gravity of such status doesn’t stop it from getting a little silly. Hot chocolate here transcends warm beverage to full-blown dessert – rich, thick, molten chocolate is spooned into cups so generously it often overflows. Cakes can be ordered here too, with the option of adding a dutiful drenching of hot milk, dark or white chocolate sauce."

"Specialising particularly in rich, meat and cheese-led dishes from Northern Italy, Mele e Pere in Soho pleases with a mix of boldly-flavoured salads, small antipasti-style plates and indulgent pastas that make frequent and liberal use of truffles, parmesan and butter. We'll admit to finding the chili-stuffed deep-fried olives addictive on a Class A scale, and the strong, slow-cooked flavours of a beef ragu aren't far off. Propping up the bar is a great way to sample a few of the smaller dishes, and from 4-7pm every weekday is 'aperitivo hour' meaning 50% off drinks with any food order."