Best London Virtual tours + resources to check out today
Wish to explore London city before you actually travel? Or just want to spark some wanderlust from the comfort of your house? We got you covered! Presenting the very best London Virtual tours that you must check out on the internet today.
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Best London Virtual tours to check out today
London is still on our bucket list. Other than a short layover, we have not explored London intimately (yet). We use online travel resources from Google Maps, virtual tours (like this one), online reviews, travel blogs/websites, etc.
Books (history, fiction, and non-fiction, Lonely Planet guides) are super useful in planning and narrowing down to attractions and tours we like to take. Travel books filled with photos definitely fuels wanderlust inspiration any day and anytime!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
360 Visit London – Virtual Tour
For those who have never explored London, this is a good place to start. This is not only a planning tool but an all-in tour, where you choose your place of interest, enjoy the landmark interiors and learn about its history.
On the homepage, you will see options for Westminister Abbey, Royal Albert Museum, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and more.
Houses of Parliament – Virtual Tours in London
The two Houses of Parliament – the House of Commons and the House of Lords – are located at the Palace of Westminster, in the United Kingdom.
The Palace name is derived from the Westminster Abbey located nearby. The original palace site dates back to the 11th century and is owned by the royal monarch who retains its original status as a royal residence.
The Westminister Palace virtual tour includes an exploration of the following areas – House of Commons and House of Lords chamber, central, peer and member lobby, Royal Gallery, and the Prince’s Chamber.
There is a ‘Women and Parliament’ virtual tour included online, which showcases research and content from the 2018 exhibition ‘Voice and Vote’.
The British Museum – London Virtual Tours
Calling all history fans – this is the BEST museum to learn and virtually see your history lessons come to life!
The British Museum is a public institution in the United Kingdom. It is dedicated to human history, art and culture, and is one of the largest in the world. Many of the collections were sourced during the era of the British Empire from across the globe.
There are a couple of ways to explore this museum. British Museum with Google, allows you to choose continents and eras and then learn about each period, in chronology. Learn more about it here.
Google Arts and Culture Society has a great website with reading materials, documentaries, and virtual tours. We enjoy a mix of videos, articles, and Google street-view types of sightseeing. If you are like us, you will enjoy this site. Click to learn more about it here.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is a paradise for those who are fascinated by landscapes, rocks, dinosaurs and fossils and flora and fauna.
The museum’s vast collection will keep everyone hooked from the young to the old. Through these virtual tours from Google Arts and Culture, you can ‘walk’ the museum corridors and online gallery spaces.
One of the most popular exhibits is Dippy the dino, where you can poke and explore the popular features of the extinct dinosaur, one of the must-visit places, if traveling to London with kids
For articles, exhibit updates, visit their official website.
Buckingham Palace Virtual Tour
One of the most popular things to do in London is to visit the Palace! Buckingham Palace is the royal residence and the administrative headquarters in London. This has been the site of weddings, ‘bucket list change of guards’, and of mourning.
The Palace is located in the City of Westminster and is a must-visit for every London first time visitor!
The first tour of the Buckingham Palace takes you to the Grand Staircase and then the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room, and the Blue Drawing Room.
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most gorgeous buildings in the United Kingdom. A concert hall, with a capacity of 5200+, it has witnessed some of the world’s finest artists performed here on stage since 1871.
The hall has showcased BBC Prom shows, tennis matches, film premieres, and awards, graduation ceremonies, as well as regular shows and recitals from the Royal Choral Society, Classical Spectacular, and recently the Cirque du Soleil.
London National Gallery
Trafalgar Square is on my bucket list. And the National Gallery of London is located at/near this famed square.
The National Gallery is home to over 2,600 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to the 1900s. The stunning gallery building was established in the 18th century and it has ‘rooms’ that are exhibition halls.
- Via Google Street View, you can explore 18 of these exhibition rooms and their collections (2011). Click to view the gallery here.
- You can also virtually tour the following rooms (360 Google view) – Rooms 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, and Central Hall (2016).
- Sainsbury Wing VR tour with Renaissance paintings on display (created by Matterport 3D port). Click to view here
When you actually get to visit the National Gallery, remember the admission is free, and they have tons of exhibitions on a regular basis.
Churchill War Rooms – Virtual Tour
The Churchill War Rooms is home to the World War II Cabinet Rooms in London – a British heritage site.
For modern world history lovers, this is a must-visit as it includes the historic underground complex of the British command centre during the Second World War. The site also includes a biographical museum dedicated to the life of Winston Churchill, called the Churchill Museum.
Tower of London Virtual Tours
The Tower of London has been a cradle of British history. It was besieged numerous times and was a sign of oppression and control. It has been used as a prison, armory, Royal Mint, and Public Records Office.
The Official Website is the Tower of London. On their website are short videos, articles, and details about exhibitions.
10 Drowning Street Virtual Tour London
10 Downing Street, or simply Number 10 is the official residence of the British Prime Minister. You might remember scenes from the famous movie, ‘Love Actually’. And today you can take a virtual tour of the famed residence.
As part of the EyeRevolution Project virtual tours of London, you can explore the great staircase, the cabinet room, the Prime Minister’s office, and the Pillared Room.
This residence was originally assigned to Sir Robert Walpole in the 18th century by King George II and has a remarkable story to share, which shaped the future of the country since its construction (1732-5).
Old Sessions House
The Old Sessions House was completed in 1780 and was originally built as a large gathering hall. It functioned as a courthouse until the late 19th century, also known as Middlesex Sessions House. The building was constructed in classical style, with a dome that resembles the Pantheon in Rome, Italy.
The building is where judges sat in sessions, and where prisoners were held. The Old Sessions House has a dungeon on-site as well.
Sneakpeak into a Georgian House in Whitechapel, East London Virtual tour
Wish to take a tour of a Georgian architectural house? You are lucky! This house in Whitechapel was recently restored with a mix of antique and vintage interiors – which are super stunning.
Through virtual tours, you can explore the different rooms and get inspiration for your ‘Georgian interior decor’ at home!
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Movies set in London to transport you to London, virtually
Movies are another way to virtually tour a city, and London is no different. (We also get inspired by scenes to shortlist our photo spots!)
So here are some of the finest movies shot in London city
- Love Actually (2003): 8 London couples try to deal with love and relationship in different ways. Their tryst with love makes them discover how complicated relationships can be. (Romantic/Comedy)
- Notting Hill (1999): A British bookseller, meets and falls in love with Anna, a high-profile American actress. The movie goes through many problems due to their different social statuses, and happily ever after in the end. (Romantic/Comedy)
- Sherlock Holmes Series (2009): Detective Series (Thriller/Drama)
- My Fair Lady (1964): Story of a poor, Cockney flower seller who transforms a lady of high society by an arrogant professor. (Romance/Drama)
- Waterloo Bridge (1940): Story of lost love between a ballerina and a WWI army officer. (Drama/Historical/Romance)
- Battle of Britain (1969): History set-up showcasing the aerial combat scenes of Britain’s “finest hour” of World War II. (Drama/History)
Books (fiction and non-fiction) set in London
Need more London love? Here are some of the finest books to learn about London. This list includes both fiction and non-fiction.
Fiction
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- London by Edward Rutherfurd, 1997
- History of London in a novel setting spanning centuries from the ancient times to the 20th century
- Click view on Amazon – download on Kindle or order Paperback option
- SS-GB by Len Deighton, 1979
- Story of a Scotland Yard detective set in Nazi-occupied Great Britain
- Click view on Amazon – download on Kindle or order Paperback option
- White Teeth by Zadie Smith, 2000
- Story of two army buddies, a native Englishman and a Bengali Muslim, in a post-war setting
- Click view on Amazon – download on Kindle or order Paperback option
- The Great Stink by Clare Clark, 2005
- A murder mystery that pulls a Crimean War veteran, seeking refuge into the world of London sewer system and more
- Click view on Amazon – download on Kindle or order Paperback option
- Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella, 2001
- Confessions of a London woman’s life and funny tales of living beyond her means, with nuances from the everyday English lives
- Click view on Amazon – download on Kindle or order Paperback option
- London by Edward Rutherfurd, 1997
Non-Fiction
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- A History of London by Stephen Inwood, 1998
- London history spanning 2000 years
- Click view on Amazon – download on Kindle or order Paperback option
- Letters from London by Julian Barnes, 1995
- Diary and daily life counts from the early 1990s
- The Last Lion by William Manchester & Paul Reid; 1983, 1988, and 2012
- A three-volume biography of Winston Churchill from 1874 to 1965
- Click view on Amazon – download on Kindle or order Paperback option
- London: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd, 2001
- The Story of London through the author’s eye
- Click view on Amazon – download on Kindle or order Paperback option
- A History of London by Stephen Inwood, 1998
The Earth Cam
Just like Google Maps and virtual tours powered by Google, there is another website where you can view streets, landmarks as they are at this hour. These views are completely free when browsing on your desktop, but there is also a paid subscription available for mobile phones, starting at $5 USD.
Get Your Guide – virtual tours and experiences
Our travel partner – Get your guide – hosts virtual tours and experiences through their social media channels and website, free of cost. Click to view the latest from Get your guide – virtual experiences
We hope you enjoyed this list of London virtual tours and resources. If you have additional resources that should be on this list, don’t hesitate to leave a comment with suggestions!
Take care xoxo!
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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