London is a bustling city that is home to 9 million people. This huge metropolis also sees its share of tourists from all over the globe on a yearly basis. It is estimated that 14 million British tourists visit London annually and over 9 million tourists from abroad do too.

London is a city that is steeped in history and culture with its many castles, grand buildings, royal residences, enchanting parks, museums and many monuments. London has grown into a city with something to offer everyone who finds his or her way there.

Three of the most famous buildings in the world are situated in London and these include Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. All three of these structures are listed on the World Heritage List.

Both Westminster Palace and Westminster Abbey are considered to be architectural masterpieces that are unequalled in their design, majesty and beauty. Westminster Palace is where the British Parliament sits while Westminster Abbey is always the location for every coronation and for a great many other kinds of Royals events and festivities. Visitors are allowed to watch the debates in the House of Commons and House of Lords when parliament is in session. The House of Lords is where the Queen's throne is to be found.

While there, it is imperative that you take note of one of London's most well known landmarks, Big Ben. This amazing clock adjoins Westminster Palace in the east and stands 315 feet high. The four dials of the clock are 23 feet square with the minute hand being 14 feet long and the figures, 2 feet high. Big Ben never skips a beat and has been showing London the correct time since the year 1859.

The Tower of London (which was historically referred to as "The Tower") is an historic monument well worth rediscovering. Situated in central London on the north bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London was originally built in 1078 by William the Conqueror and is a complex of many impressive buildings that are surrounded by walls and a moat.

The Tower of London was used as a fortress but was also used as a royal palace, a prison (in particular for high profile prisoners), a place of torture and execution, an armoury, a treasury and still other things such as a zoo, a public records office, the Royal Mint and an observatory. Since the year 1303, the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom have been housed at the Tower of London.

Outside of London is Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle was built over 900 years ago for William the Conqueror as a method of guarding and watching over London. Windsor Castle is to be found above the River Thames and is approximately a one-day's march from the aforementioned Tower of London. Originally built from wood, Windsor Castle has been a Royal Palace for a great many years. Windsor Castle is the official home of the Queen and the State Apartments are home to some of the finest works of art as well as armour in the entire world. Guided tours through Windsor Castle are available for groups.

The admission to many art galleries and museums in London is free but some attractions do charge a fee. Speaking of museums, the top 10 interesting museum sights in London that you must see on a rediscovery tour include Tom Bata's Shoe Factory, The Clink, Headstone Manor, Birch's Immortal Shop, Brunel's Tree … Alive and Kicking, Egyptian Hall, Museum Bomb Coincidence, Museum of Body Parts, Bruce Castle Museum, and London Canal and Ice Cream Museum.

The London Canal and Ice Cream Museum is to be found at 12-13 New Wharf Road at King's Cross which is a very central, as well as accessible, spot in London. This museum is located in what used to be an ice warehouse that was built in 1862-1863 for Carlo Gatti, the famous ice cream maker. A tour through this museum will yield the history of the ice trade and the history of ice cream as well as an extensive history of the canals. This is the only museum found in London that features inland waterways.

With all the attractions London has to offer it's no wonder so many travellers come to visit each year. With all these locations easily accessible it's time to rediscover London.

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