Self -Catering Accommodation and Sight-seeing in London Guide

There are plenty of hotels in London and accommodation rentals which include apartments and houseboats.  These may generally be booked from 3 days for a short break to weeks at a time and provide a cost effective and comfortable way of staying in London.  

• Self catering accommodation London

Always wear comfortable footwear for exploring London - even though there is an extensive underground train system, you will find that you walk several kilometres each day. A travel card purchased at any underground station will enable you to hop on and off trains around the capital.

A highly recommended way of seeing many famous landmarks is to walk the Thames Path from the Tower of London to Westminster. Much of what you can see is interesting and free.

There are just so many things to see that if you're interested in all of it then it would take more than one day to see.  The Thames Path is well signposted and would enable you to pass or stop at all of the following landmarks:

• Tower Bridge with optional Exhibition
• Tower of London (entry fee but can be highly entertaining with a good guide (Beefeater).  View the crown jewels.
• Boats trips on the Thames are available beside the Tower of London. 
• You could visit HMS Belfast moored permanently on the Thames if you're interested in ships and military matters. Entry fee applies.
• View the fire of London Monument in passing.  This can be climbed for a view (for a fee) but if you wait until you cross the river via the Millenium Bridge, you can obtain excellent free views from the viewing gallery at the top of the Oxo Tower.  (Also good clean toilets).

• The Thames path varies in its character as you walk. There is a stylish tiled underpass section with historic images. Other sections are somewhat scruffy but all have excellent views of the River Thames.
• Keep walking until you come to the Millenium Bridge.  Stop at St. Pauls if you wish to view, then cross the bridge and take a tour of the Tate Modern art gallery. To the left of Tate Modern is the resurrected Globe Theatre - famous for Shakespearean plays.
• Continue on this side of the Embankment.  Pop into the Oxo Tower and take the lift to the top floor where there is a free viewing gallery plus wine bar, toilets etc.

• Various other things to see en-route including the Festival Theatre.  The approach to the London Eye is a street entertainer venue with a variety of acts to amuse.
• London Eye for the slowest moving carousel on Earth and views of London. Book tickets in advance.  Queues can be lengthy.  
• The London Aquarium is well worth a visit. Saatchi Gallery alongside.
• Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are across the river via Westminster bridge, as are Westminster Abbey and cathedral, Foreign and Commonwealth office, Portcullis House and various other very beautiful government buildings.

• Buckingham Palace
• Covent Garden

• Hyde Park
• Leicester Square

• Self-catering Thames Path