The best sight-seeing in and near London, England
Surprisingly, there is more to study abroad than drinking
Studying abroad is one of the best decisions a college student can make during their studies. It liberates you from the day-to-day grind of a university and provides you with an essential part of your education that Syracuse University just can’t give you in New York.
I recently took an extended vacation to London to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child because I’m a huge nerd. Regardless, here are my favorite touristy sight-seeing locations in and near London.
Tower Bridge
Tube stop: Tower Hill
Chances are that you’ve mistaken this bridge for London Bridge just like everyone else. Tower Bridge is the beautiful (blue) bridge that is one of the many symbols of London and it’s located right by the London Tower, a former prison that has a temporary ice-skating rink in front of it for the winter season. (There are a lot of places to go skating in London.) To see Tower Bridge from a distance, you can walk down to the water and look left if you’re on North Bank (where the tube stop is) or right if you’re on South Bank.
My family is so cute, I know
The Coca-Cola London Eye
Tube stop: Waterloo
The London Eye has become part of the famous London skyline thanks to Coca-Cola. While it’s super cool to see, it isn’t exactly in a student’s budget. At over 20 pounds a ride, that’s nearly $30 USD. I didn’t go on it but it sure is nice for photos.
The Victoria and Albert Museum
Tube stop: South Kensington
Any museum will do but this one is my favorite. The V&A has some of the best art exhibits I’ve ever seen. A friend recommended it because of the permanent fashion exhibit as well as the rotating undergarment exhibit that runs until March. The museum offers many types of art from many artists and countries such as Raphael and Japan. There’s even a piece demonstrating wrought iron techniques from our neighbor Rochester, New York! There is no entrance fee but they do ask for donations, including a 1 pound donation for a map of the museum.
Parliament Square
Tube stop: Westminster or walk from Waterloo/London Eye
Here you can find two famous architectural feats: Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. If you take the tube to Westminster, you’ll exit the station and be standing face to face with Big Ben. The best part is definitely the church but it does cost 20 pounds to enter the church unless you are going to worship. However it may be worth it as it was the site of Princess Diana’s funeral as well as William and Kate’s wedding.
So touristy and I love it
Saint Paul’s Cathedral
Tube stop: St. Paul’s
Saint Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and famous cathedrals in the world. It was the site of Princess Diana’s wedding to Prince Charles and is done in a beautiful Baroque style. While it does cost about 20 pounds to tour the cathedral, you can get in for free right before worship hours if you plan to worship. (You can also just go in really quickly like I did and pretend like you’re going to worship.)
Shakespeare’s Globe
Tube stop: Blackfriars or St. Paul’s and walk across Millennium Bridge
If you’re a big theater fan (and even if you aren’t), it’s worth the trip across the River Thames to Shakespeare’s Globe. The theater company is still operated and even has an exhibit right next to the theater.
Bath, England
Bath was originally a Roman settlement but it has been revived by the monarch on multiple occasions. It’s known as a city of gold because of the natural color of the nearby stone that is used to build all of the houses and shops in the city. The main attraction is the Roman thermal bath at the edge of the city. We took a bus tour with Golden Tours to get there. It was about an hour or so to get there.
Having the chance to study abroad during your undergraduate studies can offer to much to your education. Congratulations on making the decision to go abroad!