Top 5 Greater London Destinations

Right at the heart of the capital, you’ll find a varied selection of high-profile tourist attractions to visit. But if you cast the net a little wider, there are quite a few overlooked gems out there, each of them worthy of tourist attention. Let’s run through some of the best places to visit in Greater London, and see how you might reach them.

Croydon Airport

When you think about air travel around London, then the chances are that Heathrow and Gatwick spring to mind a great deal more easily than Croydon. But Croydon’s historic airport provides a fascinating look back through aviation history, and you’ll find the visitor’s centre open on the first Sunday of every month. While you’re in the area, you can take a visit to nearby Purley, home of Kenley Aerodrome. You can catch a train to Purley from Croydon and be there in a matter of minutes.

Greenwich

This part of the city packs an enormous amount into a small space. It’s a must visit for fans of scientific and maritime history, as it’s here that you’ll find the Royal Observatory and Planetarium, as well as an astonishingly beautiful stretch of parkland. That’s not to mention the O2 arena, which hosts a string of world-class performers throughout the year.

Pembroke Lodge Gardens

This iconic stretch of parkland is most famous for an apocryphal story, which involves Henry VIII watching a rocket fired from the Tower of London – this being the signal that his second wife, Anne Boleyn, had been executed, and that he was therefore free to marry again. The site in question, atop King Henry’s Mound, can be found in the midst of Pembroke Lodge Gardens. There’s a telescope at the top, so you’ll be able to see a range of sites, including the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Another point from which you’ll be able to enjoy a great view over the capital is from Harrow, in northwest London. From the top of the hill, you’ll be able to see the entire skyline – with the nearest landmark probably being Wembley Stadium, whose arch looms across the estates. If the weather is a bit on the foggy side, then visibility will be restricted, and often severely; the best approach is to wait for clear skies, and then lace up your walking boots.

Eel Pie Island

Eel Pie Island is a tiny slice of land jutting from the Thames in Twickenham. The Rolling Stones used to play here regularly in the 60s, but now it’s home to a motley collection of sculptors, painters and other artists. If you’re looking to pick up something unique, to decorate your home, then this is the place to visit!