Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Paines Lane

"Throughout its history, the abbey has been home to every coronation since 1066 and has seen sixteen royal weddings, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Visitors to the abbey can take in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Poets Corner, as well as pay their respects to leading British cultural figures including Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and Geoffrey Chaucer. With more than a million people visiting Westminster Abbey each year, it’s a great place to explore some of the greatest moments in British culture."

"From the Houses of Parliament, walk around Parliament Square, head south on Abingdon Street for literally no more than 3 minutes, and find yourself face-to-face with Westminster Abbey. Over 1,000 years old (founded 960), Westminster Abbey is, besides being beautifully preserved, famous as the traditional site of the British monarchy’s coronations and funerals."

"The Abbey was built by Edward the Confessor, and William the Conqueror was crowned in it on Christmas Day 1066. Thousands of people are buried, or have their ashes interred, in it. Many others have plaques."

"The United Kingdom’s tallest building dominates the London skyline, and offers incredible views from its three-storey viewing platform, The View at the Shard. Book your ticket online, or perhaps grab some cocktails in one of their charming bars. Read Next: Using the London Pass – The Most Cost-Effective Way to See London’s Biggest Sights"

"Designed by Architect Renzo Piano and based in Southwark, London, The Shard stands tall at 309.6 metres. Designed in neo-futuristic and modern style, it houses some of the world’s best offices, restaurants and hotel rooms. It has been open to the public since 2013."

"Tower of London and Traitors’ Gate on the bank of the River Thames, London|© jax10289 / Alamy Stock Photo. With nearly a thousand years of history, the Tower of London is the oldest intact building in the capital. The White Tower was the first part to be constructed, at the behest of William the Conqueror, who wanted a formidable Norman fortress as the ultimate power symbol."

"The Tower Of London is an iconic London stop so make sure to see it during your 4 day London itinerary. Skip The Line At The Tower Of London And Crown Jewels and buy advance tickets here!"

"It’s one of the most iconic London tourist attractions, and certainly unmissable during your visit to the capital. This 19th century bridge across the Thames is an instantly recognisable symbol of London, so be sure to take a tour (you can book online) and get some great photos."

"Basically Tower Bridge is one of the single most photogenic spots in London. From whatever angle you decide to photograph it, it looks brilliant. I personally love photos taken on the bridge, as it really gives you an idea of the scale and size of this architectural feat."

"The Palace of Westminster (more widely known as the Houses of Parliament) is the seat of Parliament in the United Kingdom. The present building largely dates from the 19th century when it was rebuilt following a fire in a splendid example of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture. The House of Commons (elected Members of Parliament) is located to the north of the building and is decorated with green leather upholstery, and the House of Lords is located to the south and decorated with red leather upholstery."

"More than 1000 years of history can be discovered at London’s magnificent Houses of Parliament, stretching beautifully around the corners of Westminster and housing Big Ben. View it from the bank of the Thames and admire a building that continues to remain one of the capital’s biggest attractions, or head inside to delve into its past and present on a Houses of Parliament audio tour. You can also learn more about Big Ben with a free Elizabeth Tower talk."

"The Palace of Westminster is perhaps best recognised as the hub or perhaps the heart of British politics, housing both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Located on the River Thames, this landmark is famous on an international level. The original palace was destroyed in 1834, but the current palace was built back up."

"Located on an island in the middle of the bustling Strand, St Clement Danes Church church offers an oasis of calm. Explore the famous London church, whose bells are mentioned in the traditional Oranges and Lemons nursery rhyme, and hear them ring out across the City of London several times a day. Reconsecrated as the Central Church of the Royal Air Force in 1958, the church is also home to books of remembrance and more than 1,000 RAF badges."

"St Clement Danes church is one of the best-known churches in Westminster, London. It’s a fine white Baroque building with a prominent spire on a traffic island in the Strand, close to the Royal Courts of Justice. It’s famous for the nursery rhyme ‘Oranges and lemons ring the bells of St Clement’s’, and it’s not the only church in our list to get a mention in."

"Christopher Wren and James Gibbs rebuilt the original 9th-century church, but only its outer walls and steeple survived destruction in the Blitz"

"This 49.5m-tall eight-sided pagoda (1762), designed by William Chambers (who designed Somerset House), is one of Kew Gardens' architectural icons. During WWII, the pagoda withstood the blast from a stick of Luftwaffe bombs exploding nearby, and was also secretly employed by the Ministry of Defence to test bomb trajectories (which involved cutting holes in each floor). Current restorations – due to be completed in 2018 – will return its former full colours, along with the 80 dragons that once decorated the pagoda."

"A trip here offers more than just plants, as you can also visit art galleries, the Great Pagoda, and tour Kew Palace, a former royal residence located within the gardens. You can explore at your own pace or join one of the garden’s guided walk tours that come free with entry. This is a must-see for any garden lover. Kew Gardens are located in outer London and can be reached by public transportation."

"The Great Pagoda was built in 1762 as a gift for Princess Augusta. It was designed by Sir William Chambers at a time when Asian architecture was beginning to become fashionable in Europe. Kew Gardens: The Pagoda and Bridge (1762) by Richard Wilson RA, 1714–1782, British, active in Italy (1750–56)Yale Center for British Art"

"The Cutty Sark (fee*) is a British clipper ship built in Scotland on the River Clyde in 1869. The ship is historically significant for being one of the last tea clipper ships ever built and one of the last clipper ships of this period still in existence. The ship was originally used to carry tea from China to England as quickly as possible and would visit almost every major world port during its life at sea."

"Built in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line, Cutty Sark is the iconic British clipper ship turned museum in Greenwich, London. It was one of the last tea clippers to be built and one of the fastest, before sailing ships gave way to steamships domination. It’s a great family day out, with lively characters and crew members telling the many stories of the ship from the past."

"This sleek, romantic clipper was built in 1869, one among a vast fleet of tall-masted wooden ships that plied the oceanic highways of…"

"Britain’s oldest society devoted to fine arts was founded in 1768 and moved here to Burlington House a century later. For its 250th birthday in 2018, the RA gave itself a £56-million makeover, opening up 70% more public space. It also made it free to visit its historic collection, which includes drawings, paintings, architectural designs, photographs and sculptures by past and present Royal Academicians, such as Joshua Reynolds, John Constable, Thomas Gainsborough, JMW Turner, David Hockney and Norman Foster."

"It’s one of the country’s most celebrated gallery spaces, which is no small achievement seeing as that’s the Royal Academy’s side gig. The 250 year old RA started out as and continues to be a functioning art school, but is known to most for its world-class exhibitions. It doesn’t have its collection on permanent display, so puts all its oomph into blockbuster shows, ranging in recent years from an Ai Weiwei show to an exploration of abstract expressionism."

"Drink authentic German-style beer from German KRAFT Brewery, straight from the tank and locally brewed in Mercato Metropolitano. Pick from the all-year-round Pale Ale, Helles Lager and German wheat beer, or try a seasonal one full of character – all beers are unfiltered and unpasteurised which makes them suitable for vegans."

"In the centre of town sits King’s Head, a former coaching house dating back to 1455. While the stables are now used as a National Trust exhibition, The Farmer’s Bar is very much still a hubbub of social activity. The bar is well stocked with draught ales from the local Chiltern Brewery – a pint of Beechwood Bitter proving to be the most popular – and wines from the Rothschild Estate (home to Aylesbury’s most prominent family)."

"King’s Head is a local hotspot, and it’s run by the Chiltern Brewery, so you’ll find the bar stocked with ale from Chiltern. The pub is open from 11am to 11pm Monday through Saturday, and the pub stays open from noon to 10:30 pm on Sunday. Food service is available all week long."

"For Those Cake Moments specialises in buttercream cakes that can be customised and personalised following the design that you have in mind. In the business for more than 5 years now, they have been delivering soft, delicious and tasty creations that everyone will enjoy. You can choose from different buttercream flavours like chocolate, cheese and vanilla."

"The Family Cake Company is a premier cake shop that offers bespoke cake designs that are beautifully handcrafted to the delight of all their customers. Offering different cakes for all occasions like birthdays, weddings, engagement, christening, communion, baby shower, Christmas and Halloween, you would certainly have the perfect cake that will complete your special event and make it more luxurious and fancy. Using the best and finest ingredients and following your allergen advise, they guarantee that you will enjoy the flavourful creations that they have."