Exploring the Hidden Relics of Royal London: 6 Unmissable Attractions to Add to Your Itinerary
You’ll be hard-pushed to find another city in the world with the rich royal heritage that London boasts, and many beautiful places are full of history and character that are waiting to be discovered off the beaten path.
London’s royal heritage can be found in the most unlikely of places, and a short stroll through the city can uncover many landmarks and relics of the past.
From Buckingham Palace to the Crown Jewels on show in the Tower of London, the United Kingdom capital’s enchanting, eccentric, and at times gory history of kings and queens is available to explore.
With plenty of leafy parks and eye-catching architecture, London is a city that’s best explored on foot, and there are many walking tours of London that allow you to do just that while unearthing the city’s best-kept secrets.
London’s rich royal heritage has kept tourists and locals alike captivated for centuries. Here are six wonders off the beaten path that are just waiting to be discovered:
1. St James’s Park
Buckingham Palace may be a very common visitor attraction for Royal Family fans in London, but many pay a visit without exploring the enchanting St James’s Park located just a stone’s throw from the royal residence.
St James’s Park is London’s oldest Royal Park and offers a rare spot of tranquility amid the hustle and bustle of the city.
Although London boasts plenty of green space, St James’s Park is full of character and unconventional delights. Just a short walk from the main pathways can bring you into close contact with some of the park’s more secluded areas near its lake. You should also keep an eye out for a statue of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who appears to also enjoy the scenery.
St James’s Park is an unmissable part of royal London because of its unique qualities. Duck Island Cottage, for instance, is a 17th Century cottage by the lake that once belonged to the royal duck keeper.
Near Duck Island Cottage, you may also get to interact with some of London’s most unlikely residents, the St James’s Park pelicans. Since they were first introduced to the park in 1664 as a gift from the Russian Ambassador, more than 40 pelicans now call St James’s Park their home. You can see the pelicans being fed near the cottage between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm each day.
2. Hampton Court Palace
If you’re interested in London’s royal history, then it’s worth paying a visit to the home of one of England’s most notorious monarchs, King Henry VIII.
The king who famously, or infamously, had six wives, is closely associated with Hampton Court Palace located to the southwest of the city.
Overlooking the River Thames and Bushy Park, it’s difficult to find a more picturesque royal residence in the United Kingdom and was considered to be England’s answer to the Palace of Versailles in its heyday.
Built in 1515, the palace features a stunning red-brick facade and 60 acres of gardens. Today, you can book a tour to step back into 16th Century court life, and on sunny days Hampton Court Palace makes for an ideal location to enjoy its surrounding greenery.
3. Beauchamp Tower
London’s royal history isn’t all palaces, parks, and gardens. Beauchamp Tower, a prison for high-profile inmates, doesn’t get as much attention as the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, but it’s one of the world’s best-kept royal time capsules.
If you’ve ever crossed paths with a king or queen throughout history, the chances are you’ll end up in Beachamp Tower, which was constructed in 1281 during the reign of King Edward I.
The name for the tower comes from Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, who was imprisoned in the tower for rebelling against King Richard II, and many more treasonous prisoners were kept in the tower throughout its history.
However, the most alluring aspect of the Beauchamp Tower is its well-preserved graffiti carved by its prisoners throughout the past 800 years. Having to endure long hours in their cells, the carvings can offer an amazing insight into the life of anyone who angered their monarch.
With notable prisoners including the future Queen Elizabeth I, King Henry VIII’s wife Anne Boleyn, and Guy Fawkes all spending time in the Tower of London, it’s worth visiting this landmark’s more murky past.
4. Kew Palace
Back to more serene locations now and Kew Palace should be high up on your itinerary if you’re a fan of stately homes and breathtaking gardens.
The palace itself has the look of a grandiose country escape despite being situated in the busy western suburbs of the city.
Key Palace is situated near Kew Gardens, an expansive botanical garden that comes to life in the spring and summer months.
On the grounds of Kew Palace is Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, a rustic retreat that can help you forget you’re in the midst of one of Europe’s busiest cities. There’s also the Great Pagoda, which offers an excellent city view.
Kew Palace was a much-loved location for Georgian kings and queens throughout the 1700s, and the building serves as a relic of 18th Century royal life.
5. The Household Cavalry Museum
Based at Horse Guards in Whitehall, the Household Cavalry Museum offers the perfect tribute to the King’s mounted bodyguard.
The Household Cavalry refers to the soldiers on horseback who guard the royals at ceremonies and who also serve in the army. Many royal revelers enjoy the changing of the guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace which is one of the city’s best free attractions.
The Household Cavalry Museum offers an insight into the cavalrymen who help to keep the Royal Family safe, and you can tour the 18th Century stables on the grounds while learning all about how the horses and riders are trained.
6. Diana Memorial Fountain
Another royal landmark in London that can offer a poignant moment of peace and reflection in the Diana Memorial Fountain located in Hyde Park.
Consisting of 545 pieces of Corish granite shaped by computer-controlled machinery and pieced together by hand, the Diana Memorial Fountain is a fitting tribute to the People’s Princess.
Crafted to reflect Diana’s life, the fountain’s water flows from the highest point in two directions, cascading, swirling, and bubbling before meeting in a pool at the base.
Located by The Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, the fountain can be an excellent stop-off on a leafy stroll between Buckingham Palace and London’s parks and helps to take you through Britain’s rich royal lineage up until the modern day.
Uncovering London’s Royal History
London is a city that’s steeped in history that spans millennia, and at its heart is a royal treasure trove of palaces, gardens, memorials, and even prisons that serve as living relics of an action-packed past.
Whether you’re interested in the luxury that the kings and queens of the past lived in, or are more fascinated by the infamous temperament of past monarchs, London is the place to discover the beauty, serenity, and temperament of royal life throughout the past.
