Westminster to the Tower: A London City Walk

The Tower of London — the historic fortress with the Crown Jewels — and Tower Bridge — the Victorian bascule bridge with the glass floor walkway — stand right beside each other on the river, and first-time visitors regularly book, or photograph, one thinking it’s the other. They’re separate sites with separate entrances and separate tickets, so double-check which one you’re booking before you commit to a queue.

Number 10 has sat behind solid security gates across Whitehall since 1989, put up after IRA mortar attacks, so the black door itself is no longer visible from the public pavement — the closest most visitors get is peering through the railings at the gated entrance. It’s still worth a look for the sentries and the street sign, just don’t plan your photo stop around the door.

Unlike the rest of this walk, the Elizabeth Tower isn’t a walk-up stop — climbing the spiral stair to see Big Ben up close only happens on a pre-booked guided tour, released through UK Parliament’s own website on a fixed schedule rather than sold at the door. If you haven’t booked, treat the tower as a view from Parliament Square, not a stop with an entrance.