• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • First Time Here?
    • Archive
    • London Blogs
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • London Theater Tickets
    • Shopping
    • Tips
    • Tours
    • Transport
    • Maps
    • Parks
    • Resources
    • Restaurants
    • Top 10 London
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Buildings
    • Food
    • London Books
    • Movies
    • Museums
    • Music
    • Pubs
  • Londonism
    • Reviews
    • Fun London
    • Iconic London
    • Life in London
    • London Realities
    • Moving to London
    • Politics
  • The Tube
  • London History
    • Great London Buildings
    • Great Londoners
  • Contact
  • Guidebooks
    • 101 London Travel Tips – Guidebook
    • 101 Free Things to do in London

Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / News Features / Secret Hacks You Didn’t Know About London’s Top Tourist Attractions

Secret Hacks You Didn’t Know About London’s Top Tourist Attractions

Dec 20, 2019 By Jonathan

London has some of the most recognised sites and attractions in the world. From the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, these places draw millions of tourists each year from all over the world.

You probably think you know everything there is to know about these iconic places. However, some little-known facts about London’s most famous tourist sites will surprise you. These hacks can make it easier for you to visit overwhelmingly popular attractions, or let you discover new sides to places you thought you knew inside and out.

Buckingham Palace

What it’s known for: Possibly the most famous royal residence in the world, tourists come in droves to stand at the gates, admire the palace’s imposing façade and watch the changing of the guard. This grand palace was originally acquired by the British royal family in 1762 when it was purchased by George III. It was later expanded by George the IV in 1825, and then further added to in 1846 and 1913 (under George V), when the east front gained its present Neoclassical façade that crowds flock to see today.

Secret hack: Not many people know that visitors can also tour the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace at certain times. This is not possible year-round as these rooms are still very much in use by the royal family. However, since 1992 the palace has opened up the State Rooms to the public for around 10 week each year, usually when the Queen heads to Balmoral for her summer break. These grand and impressive rooms are the spaces used by the royal family to receive visitors during State and official occasions, and feature very fine antiques, furnishings and decorations.

The Tower of London

What it’s known for: The Tower of London is a World Heritage Site and arguably not only one of the most famous but also historical important sites of London. This was the seat of power for the whole country for many years, variously being the chief armoury, treasury, the Royal Mint, a prison for important political figures, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England (as it continues to be today). Visitors flock here to see these dazzling crown jewels, as well as to meet the ravens and see the impressive royal armoury.

Secret hack: Besides these famous collections, the Tower is also home to a number of exhibitions and museums. Go beyond the throngs of tourists at the Crown Jewels, and you will discover some fascinating pieces of English history. This includes the exhibition on the Royal Menagerie, which describes the incredible range of exotic animals that have been kept at the Tower, including lions, tigers, elephants, zebras and even alligators.

Harry Potter Studio at Warner Brothers London

What it’s known for: The Harry Potter Studio at Warner Brothers London is also known as “Harry Potter World” and it really is an all-immersive Harry Potter experience. The studios are incredibly popular with fans of all ages who come to see the genuine sets, costumes and props from the films. The tour includes a number of interactive experiences, such as walking through the Great Hall of Hogwarts, browsing Diagon Alley, and drinking a Butterbeer.

Secret hack: Anyone who’s tried to take their kids (or themselves) to Harry Potter World will know that the official site can sell out months in advance. However, it is possible to avoid disappointed tantrums and be able to find tickets at the last minute. The Tour Scanner site has tickets to the Harry Potter Studios up to just a few days in advance, perfect for last minute changes to plan, or a spontaneous outing.

The London Underground

What it’s known for: London’s iconic underground train system is one of the things that the city is most famous for, and tourists delight riding the trains as well as taking snaps by the famous tube signs and maps. However, train tunnels are not the only thing under London’s streets.

Secret hack: The subterranean world below London actually has a wealth of surprises to offer. Below the streets of the city are an amazing area of tunnels, spaces and shelters. This includes the Clapham South Subterranean Shelter, a deep, vast shelter with another space for 8000 people. It has built during the Blitz as a civilian shelter and this extensive space includes over a mile of subterranean passageways, a medical bay and eight canteens. It can be visited at certain times on private tour.

The Houses of Parliament

What it’s known for: The impressive and iconic Houses of Parliament buildings are not only the heart of British government to this day, but a symbol of the city of London and the country in general. Visitors come to the banks of the Thames to see the historic buildings, and in particular the legendary Big Ben.

Secret hack: Few people know that visitors are not confined to seeing the Houses of Parliament from the outside but can actually peak inside too. UK residents can arrange a free tour by contacting their MP or a member of the House of Lords. This guided tour will show you inside the buildings whilst describing the history of the UK Parliament and its modern workings today.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Filed Under: News Features

About jonathan

Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Get the Anglotopia/Londontopia App

Our Advertisers

If you are a mobile gamer, you may want to take a look at UK’s new mobile casinos and slots reviewed by NewCasinoUK.

Join the London Forum

  • Mudlarking
  • MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON
  • What's Your Favorite Place in London?
  • Paddington Station

London Guide

  • Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
  • Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
  • London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
  • Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
  • London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Support Londontopia

Search our Extensive Archive

Top 10 London

  • Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
  • London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
  • Top 10 London: Ten More Things to Do Along the River Thames
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
  • Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haggerston
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Recent Posts

  • Museum launches campaign to acquire Florence Nightingale’s customized wheelchair
  • V&A set to open first major UK exhibition on Renaissance sculptor Donatello
  • Ten National Trust Properties in London
  • What’s On in London Events for February 2023
  • Only Fools And Horses musical to close in West End after four years
  • Artist Ai Weiwei to launch first design-focused exhibition at London’s Design Museum
  • London Travel Alert: Staff at British Museum to walk out during half-term break
  • Poet Lemn Sissay ‘over the moon’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
  • English Heritage has unveiled six new blue plaques for London
  • National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions

Best Posts on Londontopia

  • 101 London Travel Tips
  • Top 100 London Attractions
  • How to Find the Cheapest Airfares to London
  • 10 Things NOT to do in London
  • Best London Guidebooks
  • 101 Free Things to do in London
  • London Lingo – A London Word Dictionary
  • Top 7 Tips for Doing London on the Cheap
  • Top 11 Myths American Believe about London
  • Guide to Eating in London
  • Best Times of Year to Travel to London
  • London Packing Tips
  • Top 11 Movies Set in London
  • Top Attractions off the Tourist Track
  • Top 5 Most Amazing London Hotels
  • Top 10 Hostels in London
  • Best Views in London Restuarants
  • London Taxi Ettiquette
  • Top 12 London Views
  • Great Fire of London
  • A Guide to Five of London’s Bridges
  • 10 Random Facts and Figures about Trafalgar Square
  • Top 100 British Slang Words

London Places to Explore

Bloomsbury Buckingham Palace Canary Wharf City of London Covent Garden Cutty Sark Greenwich Hampstead Hampton Court Palace Heathrow Houses of Parliament Hyde Park Imperial War Museum Islington Kensington Kensington Palace Leicester Square London London Eye London Transport Museum Museum of London National Gallery Notting Hill Piccadilly Circus Putney Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regent's Street Royal Academy Selfridges Somerset House Southbank Southwark St Pancras St Paul's Cathedral Tate Britain Tate Modern The City Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square V&A Wandsworth West End Westminster Westminster Abbey

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Recent Videos

Walk Around London Virtually Right Now – Watched Walker is the YouTube Channel We All Need Right Now

Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground

Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line

London History: The Place Where Old London Double Decker Buses Went to Die

London Video: A Look at the Great Smog of London

Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?

London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail

London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin

Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys

Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’

Footer

About Londontopia

Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!

When We’re in London Next

We don’t currently have any travel plans to London but hope to visit at some point in 2021.

  • SEO Backlinks
  • Travel Blog

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Copyright © 2023 Anglotopia, LLC · Website Developed by Anglotopia, LLC · Log in