Most people associate city light displays with the Christmas season, but if you are visiting London then you should be prepared to be filled with awe as you wander the night time streets at any time of year. In this post we recommend some of our favourite sites to visit on a nightly after dinner stroll.
London’s Bridges
Amongst the 34 bridges crossing the Thames River as it flows through London, there are some stunningly creative night time illuminations that will give you a new perspective on these great pieces of architecture.
If you are staying in Chelsea then you shouldn’t miss Albert Bridge: a structure painted in pastel colours by day and lit up with gold tracery at night. After a concert or play in the Southbank Centre you can stroll along the Embankment and catch sight of Blackfriars Bridge, the Millennium Bridge and Southwark Bridge dressed up in their evening finery of lights.
Gas Lamps
If you want a glimpse of London as it would have appeared in the days of Charles Dickens then you should head over to St James’s Park, Hyde Park, Carlton Gardens or the courtyard of Pickering Place where some of the few surviving Victorian gas lamps that once lit the city’s streets still stand.
Every evening a team of 5 lamplighters tend these lamps – they are the only five left in the city who know how to light these relics.
You can enjoy the soft orange glow that gives the mentioned London locations the romantic hue of the past as you explore the streets by night. The contrast with the harsh yellow electric lights will have you yearning for those bygone days.
Big Ben
London’s renowned landmarks are also rather spectacular after the sun goes down. The Great Bell attached to Westminster Palace, the seat of the UK’s Parliament, is housed in the tower that is affectionately known as Big Ben.
At night, this neo-Gothic tower dominates the architectural landscape and glows with a dramatic magnificence.
London City Hall
You might not have considered putting London City Hall on your agenda but for a spectacular night view of modern and old architecture juxtaposed then this is definitely the destination for you.
The round glass building built by the leading architects Foster & Partners sits against the backdrop of the classical Tower Bridge. At night these old and new glittering structures and a plaza of fountains create a moving sight to behold.
How to Get There
London is a major hub for international flights to the European continent. There are many airports serving multiple destinations: Gatwick, London Heathrow, London City Airport, Stansted and Luton. We offer London airport transfer services from all these points into the city centre, ranging from shuttle buses to private transfers and shared taxis.
If you are travelling from a destination in Europe you can take the Eurostar and arrive in central London by train.
Where to Stay
Central Hotel Golders Green – If you are on a budget when you come to London then you should look slightly outside the city centre for the less expensive but comfortable accommodation options. Central Hotel Golders Green has free Wi-Fi, onsite parking and continental breakfasts. Located at a 5 minutes’ walk from the Underground, you can reach all the main London attractions in about 30 minutes.
Queen’s Park Hotel – Situated in the Bayswater area of London, near Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, the Queens Park Hotel is a great example of a comfortable and well located hotel.
Cheval Three Quays at The Tower of London – Stay in style when you visit London at this luxury 5-star hotel in the heart of the city. These are unparalleled apartments for short visits that will provide you with contemporary design, hi tech equipment and top class service during your visit.
