London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It has enjoyed a long history dating back to two thousand years ago when Romans first settled along the River Thames to form a city. Within the city, tourists will find plenty of fun attractions. If you’re planning a trip to London, be sure not to miss out on these top ten attractions.

1. Big Ben is the popular nickname for the Elizabeth Tower, perhaps the most famous clock tower in the world. Big Ben was built in 1858 and stands 315 feet into the sky. Be sure to time your visit to the clock tower to hear the main bell ring and the secondary bells chime. The main bell, which weights over 13 tons, rings on the hour every hour. The secondary bells chime every 15 minutes. The name Big Ben actually started out as a nickname for the main bell. It quickly caught on and was frequently used for the entire tower.

2. Buckingham Palace was built in 1705 as a residence for the royal family of the United Kingdom. It also serves as a conference location for state officials of the country. You’ll have to check the palace’s calendar before your visit, they’re not always open for tours every day of the year. Inside the palace, you’ll learn about the state rooms and the Queen’s art gallery. Outside of the palace, the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place once a day. During this ceremony, palace guards dismount and exchange their horses.

3. Tower Bridge is often confused with London Bridge, which is directly across from it on the River Thames. London Bridge actually looks like a normal bridge, whereas the Tower Bridge is a famous suspension bridge attached to two towers along the river banks. It was built in 1886. About 40,000 pedestrians and motor vehicle drivers cross the bridge every year. Tourists can take the Tower Bridge Exhibition to see its Victorian era steam engine room.

4. River Thames is the longest river in England and flows right through London. It’s 215 miles in length and has several landmarks located on its embankment. There are several river tour cruises which operate on the River Thames. You should consider taking one of them to get a quick overview of London. Along the way, you’ll see landmarks like the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the London Eye.

5. British Museum has a huge collection of historic relics from several cultures around the world. Their collection spans multiple eras, so you’ll learn plenty for ancient civilizations. The museum holds over eight million pieces. Some famous artifacts include the Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles, and Beowulf manuscript. To top it all off, the British Museum is completely free to see!

6. London Eye is the tallest ferris wheel in Europe and sits right between the River Thames and Jubilee Gardens. At the top of the wheel, riders are 443 feet high and will have fantastic views of central London. If you happen to be in London during New Years, the London Eye serves as the city’s primary celebration spot. It’s definitely worth a spin.

7. Tower of London, officially named Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, was built almost one thousand years ago in 1078. It has served as an armoury, treasury, and prison. If you’re interested in the medieval ages, the Tower of London is worth a visit. Right now, it serves as home to the crown jewels.

8. Westminster Abbey is a popular tourist spot where visitors can learn more about England’s royal history. This church was built in 970 and has served as the venue for royal coronations and weddings. Inside the church, you’ll find several coronation artifacts and royal tombs.

9. St Paul’s Cathedral was built in the 17th century, although a church was previously erected on this site in 604. It has a fantastic dome shaped architecture which provides amazing acoustics inside the church. Why is St Paul’s Cathedral so popular among tourists? It sits on top of Ludgate Hill, the tallest hill in Central London. Visitors are welcome to climb up the dome for a beautiful 360 degree view of London.

10. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre offers an exceptional experience for any fans of Shakespeare. Check their schedule to see if there’s a play during your trip. The actors and actresses use authentic techniques for acoustics and lighting instead of speakers and light bulbs. They’re also open during the daytime for tourists, where visitors will learn more about Shakespeare and his days in London.