London is one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities. Yes, it celebrates its rich history, its royals and great figures from literature and more, but it also has modern attractions and thriving business districts.
Cutting-edge music, incredible gastronomy, unforgettable street markets, outsider art and more keep the capital on its toes. Visitors here are in for a treat.
Iconic attractions
London has a seemingly endless array of things to do, so much so that it's impossible to fit everything into one trip. But you can certainly get a flavor of this buzzing city.
Many visitors head for Buckingham Palace, which opens to visitors from July to September, although it’s an impressive building to see even if you don’t venture inside. A ride on the London Eye also gives you great views of the city’s skyline, and from your capsule you’ll see dozens of iconic landmarks including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
If you’re keen to get out of the city center, just a short drive away you’ll find the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Leavesden near Watford, where you can see the sets, costumes and props used in the Harry Potter films. Elsewhere, there’s the Tower of London, the British Museum, the vibrant theater scene of the West End, and countless top restaurants - this is one of the best cities to eat in anywhere in the world.
Dreaming spires
Less than 50 miles from Heathrow you’ll find historic Oxford, home to one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. You can tour many of its 38 colleges, with their buildings dotted all around the city.
Oxford also boasts the Ashmolean Museum and Bodleian Library. The former, open since 1683, finds room for modern classics from Picasso, but also Van Gogh, Egyptian antiquities and more in a collection that spans 8000 years.
Step beyond the imposing entrance of the latter and you’re entering one of the world’s oldest and finest libraries, dating from 1602. It holds many treasured manuscripts, including four copies of the Magna Carta. If, after all this culture, you feel like getting out on the water, you can rent a punt or take a steamer along the river.
Just a short drive out of the city center meanwhile is Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in a park designed by the famous landscape gardener Capability Brown, the Grade I-listed building dates back to the early 1700s and is a popular visitor attraction, with tourists flocking to explore its gilded rooms and collections of art, tapestries and sculpture.
Park life
Less than 10 miles away from Heathrow along the M4 is Richmond Park, one of London’s eight royal parks that spans a landscape covering 2,500 acres.
This national nature reserve is home to many ancient trees and rare species of birds and plants and if you’re lucky you might even spot deer grazing on the grasslands. The park also boasts impressive views of St Paul’s Cathedral from King Henry’s Mound.
It doesn’t all have to be about relaxation though, as visitors can try their hand at a range of activities including horse riding, golf and even power kiting.
Car rental at London Heathrow Airport makes it possible to enjoy the sights and sounds of the British capital, as well as giving you the freedom to explore so much more.
