Best Things to do near Buckingham Palace

History buffs, tourists, foodies, flock towards Buckingham Palace simply because of the things all around it! Well, to be honest almost everyone would have a good time around this area since there’s a good balance of amazing food, interesting stuff to see, and the best thing? Almost everything is free! Take a look at these spots for your next trip to Buckingham Palace:

What are the main attractions near Buckingham Palace?

Trafalgar Square

London’s Trafalgar Square is a public square that is home to some of the most popular sights in the city, including monuments, galleries, and old buildings. Since the early 19th century, it has been one of the most significant public areas in London and is named after the Battle of Trafalgar, a pivotal naval engagement in the Napoleonic Wars. Not a lot of people actually know this but the square is quite literally the center of London, I mean based on measurements and science-y stuff they declared this to be the centre of the city.

There’s a bunch of stuff to do near Trafalgar Square such as the King Charles Statue or the Nelson’s Column, a 169 feet monument that was built between 1840 and 1843 to commemorate Nelson’s decisive victory in the Battle of Trafalgar, during which he lost his life, aside from this there’s also the iconic Pride Traffic lights where pedestrians and tourists are reminded of the city’s commitment to inclusivity. However there are two great spots here that I especially would like to highlight, The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery.

📍Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS, United Kingdom

National Gallery

The collection of the National Gallery is arranged chronologically and thematically, offering visitors a comprehensive tour through the development of Western European art and consists of over 2,300 paintings, including masterpieces by iconic artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Velázquez, Turner, and many others. The collection of the National Gallery is arranged chronologically and thematically, offering visitors a comprehensive tour through the development of Western European art.

Best part is that it’s a free London attraction! You could be basically admiring priceless works of art without breaking the bank. It’s also just at the side of the square so you could move on to another gallery that are absolutely one of my personal things to see.

📍(Center) Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom

National Portrait Gallery

The finest features of the National Portrait Gallery in London are its vast collection of portraits, which spans six centuries of British history, and its top-notch exhibition schedule that features the creations of some of the greatest artists in history in addition to the finest modern and contemporary art.

More than 215,000 portraits in the museum’s collection depict the motivational and occasionally unexpected personal tales that have shaped and are still shaping a country, from international icons to regional heroes, national treasures to unsung heroes. If you take a tour you’d also get a chance to learn a lot about these artworks and how the different Kings and Queens of the British Royal family inspired a few of them and their history.

📍(North of) Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom

Westminster Abbey

For more than a millennium, the Westminster Cathedral has been a center of worship and a major player in British history. so much so that it’s been declared as a world heritage site. It has hosted royal weddings, coronations, and the last resting places of many famous people, including British monarchs.

The Abbey’s architecture, with its elaborate carvings, stained glass windows, and soaring arches, is a masterpiece of Gothic design. It’s also one of the burial site for the most influential people in British history like Henry III, Edward I, Edward III, Henry V, Elizabeth I, and Mary Queen of Scots.

📍Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom

Big Ben / House of Parliament

Any things to do in London Guide wouldn’t be complete without the a quick pitstop to one of the most famous buildings in the world, The Big Ben. On my first trip to London, I was basically looking for this building when I wanted to sightsee, mainly because I see this movie in almost every British movie I see. Officially dubbed the Elizabeth Tower, the clock tower rises nearly 100 meters into the sky from its advantageous location on the banks of the River Thames. It is a marvel of engineering and a masterwork of neo-gothic architecture.

Right beside it is also a stunning building and a great feat of neo-Gothic architecture, featuring intricate carvings, stained glass windows, and soaring arches. You could also take a look at the rooms inside like the. House of Commons and the House of Lords, and witness democracy in action, which I think is pretty cool.

📍London SW1A 0AA, United Kingdom

Churchill War Rooms

This underground headquarters was the nerve centre during World War II, it is a series of tunnels and rooms that have been preserved exactly as they were in 1945 and provides unique insight of the British government during the war. There’s Churchill’s personal room, the map room , and the cabinet war rooms where they tracked the fighting across the country. It is a truly immersive experience and the staff there are more than willing to explain a few pieces of equipment here and there, as well as disclose some information about the war that was previously closed to the public.

📍King Charles St, London SW1A 2AQ, United Kingdom

London Eye

There is a lot of things to do in the London Eye area, so I suggest you check out our guide to this borough, If I could I would visit this place daily. A lot of top attractions are here that locals and visitors alike frequently come back to like the Southbank Centre, the many hotels and restaurants nearby and in Covent Garden, and a few iconic London pubs!

Our stay in London was super memorable because we took part in the Thames boat ride and from the Eye going all the way to London Bridge we were able to see a landmarks bunch of landmarks in London without the hassle and stress of navigating the busy streets of London. We were able to see the changing architecture from different parts of the city and we got an amazing view of the Tower of London!

📍Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom

James’s Palace

Constructed in the early 16th century, James’s Palace is the most senior royal palace in London and has played a significant role in British history. It served as a retreat for  Henry VIII and later became the official London residence of the royal family after the destruction of the palace of Whitehall.

Even though St. James’s Palace is literally still in use, tours are available so that guests can see the armory and museum honoring the palace guards, which has an impressive assortment of weapons from various eras. The palace is a stunning example of Tudor architecture, featuring a stone facade of grand red-brick four-storey gatehouse flanked by a pair of octagonal towers

📍Marlborough Rd, St. James’s, London SW1A 1BQ, United Kingdom

Women of WWII Monument

Unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II, The monument, a national war memorial for Britain, is situated on Whitehall in London and honors the contributions made by over seven million women during the conflict, including 650,000 who enlisted in the armed forces. The monument is a sizable rectangular block covered in high relief sculptures of 17 people, each of whom represents a different profession that women have chosen. The sculpture is a 1.7-meter-tall hollow bronze sculpture that looks like a coat rack.

It symbolizes Churchill’s call for women to “Let the Women Come Forward,” which meant that they should abandon their regular lives to fight for survival in whatever capacity was required. It is a fitting tribute to the vital but often forgotten work done by women during World War II, and it stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of these remarkable women.

📍Whitehall, London SW1A, United Kingdom

(Inside) Buckingham Palace

I mean we can’t possibly have a list about the palace without actually talking about the amazing things inside! The Buckingham Palace is one of the most-visited landmarks in the city because it gives you kind of a sneak peak at royalty and how they lived. Inside you could visit the state rooms or take a look at the royal collection of artwork in the queen’s gallery!

If the timing’s right, right outside you would be able to witness the Horse Guards parade or the ceremonial change of guard. The view of Buckingham palace is also beautiful and massive and could serve as a great backdrop for some pics!

📍London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

Looking for More Guides?

The Palace might be the most famous landmark in the city but there’s still a bunch of stuff out there in other parts of London that are so worth exploring! Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with a lot of guides on different parts of the city so head on over to our site and check out some of our other guides!