London is one of the world’s most visited cities, known for its exceptional museums and galleries, famous cultural landmarks, and captivating historical sites. The capital of the UK offers endless opportunities for exploration. Even if you can’t visit in person, you can experience London’s attractions online. Here are my top recommendations for virtual experiences in London.
Virtual London Map
If you want to get your bearings, Visit London offers an excellent virtual map of the city. This map includes 360-degree images of iconic sites like Big Ben, the London Eye, and Westminster Abbey, allowing you to explore locations from a street view. You can access the map here.
Big Ben
Commonly referred to as Big Ben, the Elizabeth Tower houses the famous Great Bell. Completed in 1859, the tower is currently undergoing restoration. You can enjoy an online tour of the Elizabeth Tower here.
Buckingham Palace
As the official residence of the Queen, Buckingham Palace is also home to the Royal Collection, one of the largest and most important art collections worldwide. You can access over 250,000 items from the collection here. Additionally, you can explore several areas of the palace through virtual tours.
London Eye
At 135 meters, the London Eye was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world when it opened in 1999. Located near the River Thames and the Houses of Parliament, a ride on the London Eye offers breathtaking views of the city. You can enjoy the whole experience in this video.
London Zoo
Established in 1828, London Zoo is operated by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and focuses on animal conservation. The zoo is home to thousands of animals ranging from gorillas and meerkats to komodo dragons. You can explore the zoo from the comfort of your home through webcams, live streams, zookeeper videos, and behind-the-scenes updates here.
Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is the highest public garden in London, featuring landscaped gardens spread over three levels atop the Walkie Talkie building. With an open-air terrace and observation decks, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city. Access is free but requires booking when open. You can take a virtual walking tour of the Sky Garden here.
Tower Bridge
The iconic Tower Bridge was constructed in the 19th century to relieve traffic congestion. It opens approximately 1,000 times a year to allow boats to pass underneath. Visitors can access the bridge’s high-level walkway and experience the glass floor for a unique view of the streets and river below. You can watch a video demonstrating the glass floor here.
Tower of London
Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, the Tower of London began as a military stronghold. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses the Crown Jewels and is guarded by the Beefeaters (Yeomen Warders). You can enjoy a guided tour of the Tower of London here.
View from the Shard
Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe, modeled after a shard of glass and featuring 11,000 glass panels. Visitors can see up to 40 miles from the 72nd-floor viewing platform. In this video, architecture critic Oliver Wainwright visits the platform, which is 244 meters high.
You can view live camera feeds and daily time-lapse recordings from The Shard here.
Westminster Abbey
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Westminster Abbey has been the coronation site for British monarchs for nearly 1,000 years. It also houses the grave of the Unknown Warrior, a serviceman’s body brought from France in 1920 to honor those lost in World War I. You can take a virtual tour of Westminster Abbey here.
Explore More of London from Home
If you found this interesting, be sure to check out these additional posts about experiencing London online—click on the images to read more:
