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Must-visit historic buildings of London

Quentin Long Quentin Long

In London almost every building has history, but these ancient palaces and houses are the ones well worth a visit.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace Road
Underground: St James’ Park / Green Park / Charing Cross

It’s probably not that old and there are some more historically worthy palaces, but it is the seat of the British (and Commonwealth) monarchy.
The palace opens for two months of the year – typically August and September – for the public to peek into the royal residence.
Three major spaces are open; the State Rooms, the Royal Mews and the Queen’s Gallery. There are 19 State Rooms packed with some of the best artworks from the Royal Collection.
The Mews are the glittering and sparkly carriages, most suitable for children, and the Queen’s Gallery will show the Royal Collection, which changes every year.

Westminster

Deans Yard, Westminster
Underground: Westminster / St James’s Park

Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, is the place of royal weddings, notable burials and graves, and one of the great choral groups of the world.
Tours of the church, the Nave, Cloisters, Poets’ Corner, Royal Tombs and the Shrine.
The Abbey is not open for visitors on Sundays but you could attend a service on that day.
There has been a price hike in entrance and guide fees, much to the annoyance of travellers, which puts it on the nice-to-see list as opposed to the must-see.

St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Churchyard
Underground: St Paul’s

The monolithic Sir Christopher Wren structure really does tower over the city, so much so that St Paul’s and Big Ben are probably the most iconic buildings across the kingdoms supposedly united.
Famous burials include Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and Duke of Wellington, and of course the marriage of Lady Di and Charles.
Guided tours and climbing to the top of the dome are a highlight.

Kensington Palace

Palace Ave, Kensington
Underground: High St Kensington / Queensway

The royal residence in London for most of the younger generations of blue bloods, the palace has been open to the public since 1899.
Spruced up again for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the gardens are now immaculate and visitors can trace the stories of four former residents; the most popular would have to be Lady Di.

Houses of Parliament

Parliament Square, Westminster
Underground: Westminster

For anyone who lives in a democracy, a tour of the Houses of Parliament is going to be worthwhile.
The House of Lords and Commons, and the 1000 plus rooms – you obviously don’t see them all – and plenty of secret gardens and towers.

Tower of London

Tower Hill
Underground: Tower Hill

Home to the Crown Jewels and the Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeaters, the tower is probably best for history buffs.
It is the original castle and fortress of the royal family, with the central White Tower dating back to the original 1066 Norman Conquest.
The tower will also entertain kids who love a great gory story from a bearded guy dressed in a funny coat.

 

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Quentin Long
Quentin Long is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Australian Traveller Media. Quentin is a sought-after travel media commentator. He is Australia’s most trusted source for travel news and insights, having held weekly radio segments across the country since 2006, and regularly appearing on Channel 9’s Today and A Current Affair programs from 2010. Don't ask him his favourite travel experience as that's like asking him to choose a favourite child. However he does say that Garma Festival is the one travel experience that changed him the most.
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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
    Continue
    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.