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Trust the locals when it comes to sightseeing with these big-name spots that Londoners love
‘It's a thing of architectural beauty especially all lit up at night. I love running over Tower Bridge and my fondest memory is standing on it, cheering during the London Marathon. It was London at its finest. I hope one day to experience the thrill of running the marathon myself.’
Fleur Hallett, www.fleurruns.com
Follow Fleur on Instagram: @fleur_runsEileen Cotter Wright, www.crookedflight.com
Follow Eileen on Twitter: @Crooked_Flight
‘It's impossible not to be in awe when you stand in front of it. It's a true London icon and the views from the top are incredible - if you don't mind terrifyingly claustrophobic steps! There's also loads of sneaky hidden features like the self-supporting staircase.’
Katie Wignall, www.lookup.london
Follow Katie on Twitter: @look_uplondon
‘The Museum of London is a little treasure tucked away just west of Moorgate. For me, it's one of the best museums to visit for all the great city's history, from *that* fire right up to the spectacular 2012 Olympics. And there's a particular treat for lovers of the Victorian era.’
Jess Lawrence
Follow Jess on Twitter: @JessLaw247‘It always feels like such an exciting place; people falling off the lions, trying to fit the whole of Nelson's Column in a photo and getting sprayed if you stand too close to the fountain during a strong breeze. I also filmed one of my scenes in the film ‘A Royal Night Out’ there at the dead of night and it felt very special (and cold).’
Samantha Baines
Follow Sam on Twitter: @samanthabaines‘A free gallery means no pressure to do the whole thing in one go, so you can really focus on the art. I'm doing the National Gallery bit by bit. I like to paint, and when I'm despondent, only the Canaletto room can save me.’
James Fitzgerald, www.jfitzgerald.co.uk
Follow James on Twitter: @jamesfitz789
‘The first ever time I was in London, I only had 12 hours before flying back to America, so I needed to go up the London Eye. It was a taster of seeing everything in one place that I'd explored that day. For the most incredible views of Big Ben and Parliament across the Thames and the rest of London for that matter, I can't recommend this enough to anyone new visiting London.’
Kelly Prince-Wright, www.kellyprincewrites.com
Follow Kelly on Twitter: @kellyprincew
‘It's one of those places that transcends every generation of your life. You visited as a child, then at school, then as a teenager with little-to-no money (because it's free!) and I still visit now and will for many years to come. It's an icon that changes with the seasons - butterfly house, ice rink - but that blue whale will always be hanging down from the ceiling. The museum wouldn't be the same without it!’
Alice Westoby, www.thelondonloveletter.com
Follow Alice on Twitter: @alicemayw‘One of my earliest childhood memories involved being mesmerised by the penguins. Name me a five-year-old that wouldn't be captivated by England's biggest penguin pool. Spheniscidae aside, not too many other places offer a stay in a sleeping hut near a lion enclosure, the opportunity to socialise with sloths in a rainforest setting and embark on a sunset safari, all within a scenic boat trip of Camden Market.’
Alex Foch
Follow Alex on Twitter: @whatsford0ner‘It doesn't matter how old you are or what your interests are, you will definitely find something to amaze you here. I love the fact that most of the exhibits have audiovisual or tactile parts and you feel like you are a part of something. It's an interesting and interactive environment where you will learn about things you never imagined.’
Ellen Sinopoulos, www.taleoftworuns.com
Follow Ellen on Twitter: @taleoftworuns
‘I knew about the Shard over five years before it was built (yes it took that long!), and it sparked my interest in both architecture and London. I was one of the first to visit the top of The Shard and I'll never forget watching the orange glow of the evening sun bathe over the London skyline. One of the best views in the world if you ask me!’
Daniel Pharaoh, www.dayoutinlondon.com
Follow Daniel on Twitter: @danpharaoh‘As soon as you get off the M40, the Emerald City, the Art Deco-inspired building suddenly appears. If you're not careful you miss its illuminated Wizard of Oz green magic. It's the best "Welcome back to London baby" you can get. I've loved it since I was a kid.’
Sanchia Legister, www.sanchiaLegister.com
Follow Sanchia on Twitter: @MissSanchiaLege
‘Tate Modern is so special. I visited every year when at school and then countless times when going on to study art at university. Since moving to London it's the place I go back to time and time again, never failing to see something new. My favourite time to visit is a rainy Sunday afternoon. Best of all, it's free and open to everyone.’
Claire Holden
Follow Claire on Instagram: @ladies_leisure
‘It’s the epitome of London for me, especially in the winter months. People in woolly hats wander round sipping mulled wine, while the nearby pubs are filled to the rafters with friends catching up after not seeing each other all year 'because it's Christmas'. I always get the best fuzzy feeling when walking through the market and the area.’
Jo Irwin, www.theladylondon.com
Follow Jo on Twitter: @_LadyLondon‘Perhaps it's the awe-inducing layout that really presents, front and centre, the toil of thousands upon thousands of authors. Whatever it is, hunkering down in the British Library for a day inspires me like no other. To be surrounded by all that knowledge just feels so impressive, like I might actually be soaking up all that history and wisdom by some form of magical osmosis... Oh, and their coffee is pretty stellar too!’
Hayley Jane, www.breaktheloop.net
Follow Hayley on Twitter: @breaktheloop
‘The courtyard is breathtaking, ice skating there in winter is really magical. In hot summer days the fountains put up the show. The staircase inside the building is a piece of art and the guided tour is worth it to learn about its history.’
Laura Lopez, www.unspeakablethoughtsunspoken.blogspot.co.uk
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