The ancient Thameside castle at the heart of London, where London began, ravens roam, and Yoeman Warders guard the Crown Jewels

London's great Gothic abbey is packed with the tombs and monuments of British monarchs and some the world's most famous playwrights, poets, scientists, and other notables

London's Royal Residence, from the State Rooms and royal gardens to the Queen's Gallery and the (yawnfest) changing of the guard

Set your watch by the actual Greenwich Mean Time clock, straddle the Prime Meridian line that divides the eastern and western hemispheres, and tour the fascinating little museum about it all

Even if you can't attend a performance, this painstaking replica of an Elizabethan theater in the round is worth a visit just to see it and learn more about the history of British theatre

Visiting the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace

London's iconic exclamation point, the clock tower housing Big Ben, sprouts from the honey-hued complex of be-spired 1840 buildings where British Parliament meets (and you can attend sessions)

Lovely views from the world's most overpriced Ferris wheel

The London equivalent of Times Square, a broad traffic circle bedecked in neon acting as the de facto center of the West End

Visiting the Royal Gardens of Buckingham Palace

This actual Victorian boarding house at 221b Baker Street is a (contrived, but fun) recreation of how Holmes' and Watson's home might have looked

Attend a play or musical in London at a West End theater or other venue

Raising your pinkies at a proper British afternoon tea in London (preferably with scones)

Riding the famous double-decker buses of London

The play's the thing... to do at Shakespeare's Globe, a faithful recreation of a genuine Elizabethan theater in the round.

A sightseeing boat ride on the Thames River in London

The boring of the tourists—I mean the changing of the guard—at London's Royal Residence

The world's most famous department store

Famous Harry Potter sights, filming locations, and moments from the Harry Potter books and movies

Raising your pinkies at a proper British afternoon tea in London (preferably with scones)

A staunchly traditional British restaurant

Breakfast at London's Fox & Anchor pub comes with a pint of Guinness and the company of the slaughterhouse workers

The classics of British cuisine in the finest in British private club carvery (est. 1828)

The original Hard Rock Cafe serves overprices, undwerhelming American fare surrounding by Rock 'n' Roll memorabilia

Classic sights and experiences that just scream "You're in London now!"

The history and rebirth of London's famous double-decker buses

Weird, random, oddball, and just plain fun tours and activities you can sign up for in the U.K.

Stay in a real castle and live happily ever after (temporarily) as King and Queen of the castle

Yes, they drive on the left in Great Britain; they also love roundabouts

So, which is it? "The United Kingdom" or "Great Britain?"

Fun facts and history about Queen Elizabath II and Britain's Royal Family