Looking Ahead to the Tourism Year in London

London, the capital of England, is one of the most amazing cities in the world. People travel from all over to visit it.

According to the City of London website, in 2019, London received 21 million visits. Day trips accounted for 19.7 million visits, and overnight stays for 1.3 million. This is some city!

Below is a look at London and what makes it so special, including some places tourists love to visit when they explore the capital and some of the city’s best entertainment venues.

London is one of the top tourist destinations

The city came in third in Mastercard’s 2019 Global Destination Cities Index, but it might be a little upset that Paris moved up to the number two spot and beat it.

It’s no surprise that London is so popular. The city provides lots of fantastic reasons for people to visit, even if only for a day or two. The attractions and the nightlife are two major ones. Shopping is another powerful reason to visit.

Anyone who enjoys a good city view will also love London, as there are some iconic locations in the city, such as the Shard and the London Eye, where you can soak up the London skyline. If you don’t fancy spending money, you can relax in the London parks or walk along the River Thames.

Those are a couple of suggestions of things you can do when you’re in London, but here are a couple of places tourists like to visit when they arrive in the city:

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has beautiful architecture. It is also used as a place of worship.

The abbey has been the venue for the coronation of monarchs since 1066, is the location for royal weddings, and was so for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. It’s also the final resting place for 30 monarchs.

The Abbey isn’t just a resting place for monarchs, however. Poets’ Corner, a part of the abbey, has memorials and graves for more than 100 poets. These include Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Geoffrey Chaucer, and the Bard himself, William Shakespeare.

HM Tower of London

This London castle is a fortress, a royal palace, and a prison. The tower houses the Crown Jewels, which have been stored and displayed here since 1661.

The jewels consist of 23,578 gemstones and are part of the Royal collection. Some of the items are still used today in royal ceremonies. Like Westminster Abbey, the tower is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Entertainment venues in London

London has some outstanding entertainment venues. Highlights include the Barbican, where it’s possible to view art exhibitions; Wembley Stadium, where you can catch a rock gig or some sport; the O2, where you can see a gig live; and the Cadogan Hall, where you can sit back and admire some classical music.

One entertainment venue you might wish to visit if you’re visiting London is a casino. And why not? The city has plenty, all offering a fabulous experience.

If you are going to step inside one of these glitzy establishments, you might wish to make the most of the free bets offered at online casinos, so you can practice before heading to the tables.

The Hippodrome

The Hippodrome is one of the grandest affairs you’ll ever experience, not just in the world of casinos but in life. This former theatre hosts three different themed casinos under its roof and provides gaming facilities across six floors.

The casino is also home to eight different bars, a three-tier rooftop terrace, a steakhouse, and, like many casinos, hosts shows and other events.

Les Ambassadeurs

Les Ambassadeurs is a high-end casino in Mayfair that lets people from all over the world play. The facilities in the casino are ultra-luxurious, so if you’re a member, you’ll enjoy the best casino experience.

The casino is open around the clock, with at least 16 tables on the main gaming floor, and features private gaming rooms.

Future arrivals in Tourism Year in London

Just how many might come to London in 2023 is hard to say. In 2022, 41% of all international trips to the UK were expected to go to London.

If such figures are to be the case for 2023, visits to London will be a substantial chunk of the visits to the UK. Visit Britain, and the British tourist board has predicted around 35.1 million visits to the nation in 2023.

London is an exceptional city. If you’ve not had the chance to visit yet, you should go. It’s popular and gets very busy, so plan your trip as much as possible in advance to be sure of accommodations.