Royal landmarks to visit in London

Are you heading to the capital for the King's Coronation? If so, why not pay a visit to some of London's iconic royal landmarks. There are plenty of attractions with links to the royals to explore while you're in the city.  

Hop on board a Grand Central service to London and you'll be able to get your regal bank holiday celebrations underway in no time!  

Westminster Abbey

Located near the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey is a stunning Gothic church that welcomes around one million visitors every year.

Admire the beautiful architecture of this cultural World Heritage Site and take in the rich history of this breathtaking building, which hosted the weddings of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William and Kate.

If you're looking to attend one of the King's coronation events, you can head here to begin the celebrations, as the coronation service will take place at Westminster Abbey on the morning of Saturday 6th May. Spectators can watch the King's procession, where King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will arrive at Westminster Abbey from Buckingham Palace.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace was once home to a number of previous royal residents and is where many of the Royal Family spent their childhood. The palace was originally built as a private country house in 1605 by Sir George Coppin, In 1689, King William III and Queen Mary II purchased the property and had it commissioned to expand it into a royal palace.

Some parts of the palace are open for the public to explore. Feel free to view the many exhibitions, such as the gowns worn in the Georgian era and the courtly games in the King's State Apartments. This is where many meetings were held in the presence of royalty, so you'll be sure to find impressive sculptures, artwork, and interiors throughout.

You can also purchase tickets to all-access public areas, such as the State Rooms along with the Sunken Garden, where Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement.

Fortnum & Mason

Located near King's Cross Station, Fortnum & Mason is a must-visit for anyone who loved Queen Elizabeth II. The prestigious department store has been the royal grocer for over a century and has built an admirable reputation as one of the most upmarket stores in the city.

The store was originally founded in 1707, so you'll be immersed in history as soon as you step through the entrance. Why not head to the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon to enjoy a delightfully British afternoon tea and dine like a true royal?

Alternatively, pick up a pack of the famous Royal Blend tea bags to take home as a souvenir, or splurge on a special edition hamper that has been specially curated for the coronation celebrations.

Royal Parks

There are plenty of royal parks to visit in London, some of the most famous Royal Parks in London include:

Hyde Park:

Covering 350 acres, Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London and offers various leisure activities such as boating, horse riding, cycling, and tennis. It also hosts numerous events like concerts, exhibitions, and fairs.

Kensington Gardens:

Adjacent to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens covers 275 acres and is home to the iconic Kensington Palace. The park features beautiful gardens, walking paths, statues (including the Peter Pan statue), and the Serpentine Gallery.

Regent's Park:

Spread across 395 acres in northwest London, Regent's Park is known for its stunning gardens (such as Queen Mary's Gardens), sports facilities (including cricket grounds), open-air theatre performances during summer months, ZSL London Zoo, and Primrose Hill offering panoramic views of the city skyline.

St James's Park:

Located near Buckingham Palace in central London covering 57 acres area; St James's Park features a lake with waterfowl (including pelicans) and picturesque flower beds.

Green Park:

A peaceful retreat next to Buckingham Palace covering 47 acres with mature trees & grasslands; it serves as a popular spot for picnics during warm weather days.

The Queen's House

Slightly off the beaten track lies the Queen's House in Greenwich, a stunning palace situated within the peaceful grounds of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Originally where King Henry VIII was born, the former royal residence is now home to renowned art collections and royal portraits.

The house was once occupied by royal mistresses, brides, ambassadors, governors of Greenwich Hospital and rangers of Greenwich Park. The Queen's House is now part of the National Maritime Museum and is free to enter.

Household Cavalry Museum

Get a behind-the-scenes insight into the work that goes on to plan royal ceremonial duties, operational roles, and the famous Changing of the Guard.

This living museum is located in Whitehall and celebrates the history and achievements of the Household Cavalry and the armoured renaissance role of HM The Queen's Mounted Bodyguard.

The museum features personal stories, first-hand accounts of the troopers' training, interactive displays, and rare objects, which are on display for the public to view. You'll be able to spot the troopers working with their horses in the original 18th century stables. You can book tickets by heading to their website.

Enjoy a royal day out with Grand Central

If you simply can't wait to get down to London, book your train tickets via the Grand Central app today. Please note: London is expected to be very busy during the coronation weekend, so please allow extra time for your journey and check our live service updates regularly.

Why not make your trip to London extra special by upgrading your ticket to First Class? Whether you're looking for ultimate relaxation or simply fancy some extra legroom, choose to upgrade today and feel refreshed and ready to go on arrival at your destination.