London Private Luxury Sightseeing from Southampton Cruise

Cumberland Gate, Hyde Park (north-east corner)
The Marble Arch is a triumphal arch designed by the architect John Nash and carried out between 1827 and 1830. It was originally constructed as part of King George IV’s scheme to develop Buckingham House into Buckingham Palace.
Based on the Arch of Constantine in Rome, the marble-faced arch with its bronze gates was to form a grand entrance on the east side of the palace and was envisaged as a memorial to Britain’s victories against Napoleonic France.
The arch is covered with sculptures, on the north side by Sir Richard Westmacott and on the south by EH Baily. These were added when the arch was dismantled and erected in its present position in 1851 at Cumberland Gate.

Buckingham Palace is recognised around the world as the home of the monarch, the focus of national and royal celebrations, as well as the backdrop to the regular Changing the Guard ceremony.

Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace encompasses colourful spectacle and British pageantry.
During the Changing the Guard ceremony, also known as ‘Guard Mounting’, one detatchment of troops takes over from another. The King’s Guard is made up of the St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace detachments. The New Guard, who during the course of the ceremony become The King’s Guard, march to Buckingham Palace from Wellington Barracks with musical accompaniment.

The ceremony usually takes place, weather permitting, at 11.00 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, and at 15:00 on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

The Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066, and is the final resting place of 17 monarchs. The church we see today was begun by Henry III in 1245. It’s one of the most important Gothic buildings in the country, and has the medieval shrine of an Anglo-Saxon saint at its heart.

Big Ben is probably the world's most famous clock. That iconic silhouette is instantly recognisable and is one of the most Instagrammed landmarks on the planet.
Six monarchs and 41 prime ministers have come and gone since the bells first struck their now familiar music across Westminster.
Here we tell Big Ben's historic story in words and images. It's a rich tale of drama, intrigue and politics. Discover why it was built, the engineers and clockmakers who created this horological masterpiece and the incredible efforts being made to restore Big Ben to its former glory, even exceed it.

An iconic London landmark and one of Britain's best loved historic sites, Tower Bridge is open to the public 363 days a year. Within the Bridge's iconic structure and magnificent Victorian Engine rooms, the Tower Bridge Exhibition is the best way of exploring the most famous bridge in the world! Come learn about this incredible feat of Victorian engineering, discover how the Bridge is raised and enjoy stunning panoramic views across London from your high-level walkways, 42 metres above the River Thames.

The Tower of London is a 1,000 year old castle that protects the Crown Jewels. Throughout its long history, it was a secure fortress, a royal palace, and an infamous prison. Kings and queens demonstrated their power from here, shaping society and influencing your world. Today within the walls of this mighty fortress you can see the spectacular displays of the Jewel House, the Tower’s Mint and the Royal Armouries (including the armours of Henry VIII). Meet the Yeoman Warders, who have guarded this castle for centuries, and the Tower’s symbolic guardians – the Ravens.

LONDON'S HIGHEST FREE VIEWING PLATFORM
Located on Level 58, your viewing platform offers 300-degree views of London, showcasing its most iconic landmarks. It only takes 41 seconds for one of the two high-speed lifts to take you to the viewing platform - travelling at up to eight metres per second.

Rebuilt by Christopher Wren after the great Fire of 1666, St. Paul's has been the site of many historic state occasions; including Sir Winston Churchill's state funeral and the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. A busy working Christian community with several daily services at which all are welcome. St Paul’s also welcomes visitors with access to five levels of the Cathedral including the Whispering Gallery with its unique acoustics and the Stone and Golden Galleries atop the Dome offering breathtaking panoramic views over London.

Set in London’s West End, Covent Garden is a vibrant, must-see destination for anyone who enjoys shopping, theatre, restaurants, bars, history and culture. Things to see in and around Covent Garden include the London Transport Museum, the Royal Ballet and Opera, Somerset House and Covent Garden Market.

Trafalgar Square is named after Britain’s victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Although Britain won, war hero Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson was killed during the battle on his ship, HMS Victory. Nelson's contribution was remembered with Nelson’s Column, a key feature of the square.
The site of Trafalgar Square was previously the Royal Mews from the 14th to the 17th centuries. The mews moved to its current location at Buckingham Palace in the early 19th century.
John Nash subsequently redesigned the square, which officially opened in 1844. More recently, it was redeveloped to include a pedestrianised area at the north of the square in 2003.
During its history, the square has been a place for protests, demonstrations and large-scale events, which continues to this day.

Camden is the cultural, shopping, alternative and music centre of London. You can visit the never ending Camden Markets and tour the streets of the outstanding neighbourhood of alternative life style in London.
Camden's history stretches back over hundreds of years. Camden Town, often shortened to Camden as ambiguously also used for the much larger London Borough of Camden, is one of the 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. Laid out as a residential district from 1791 and originally part of the manor of Kentish Town and the parish of St Pancras, London, Camden Town became an important location during the early development of the railways and is also located on the London canal network. Its industrial economic basis has been replaced by retail, tourism and entertainment, including a number of internationally known markets and music venues that are strongly associated with alternative culture.