Best 20 historic sites, houses and palaces in London

Discover the incredible history of the Tower of London. The historic site has been a palace, prison, armoury and powerful fortress, and even a menagerie. Now visit the priceless Crown Jewels and join an iconic Beefeater on a tour to hear their bloody tales.

Built in 1984, Tower Bridge is the most iconic bridge in London. Find out more about how the famous bridge’s history at the Tower Bridge Exhibition, where you can also enjoy fantastic views from 45m (131 ft) above the Thames on the bridge’s walkways.

Experience life as a 17th- and 18th-century royal courtier as you make your way up the King's Staircase or through the magnificent King’s and Queen’s State Apartments in Kensington Palace and explore the rooms Queen Victoria used as a child to learn more about her extraordinary life from her journals.

Visit Buckingham Palace for a glimpse inside one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today. During the summer you can tour the 19 spectacular State Rooms, and during the rest of the year you can still see the famous exterior of the palace and watch the Changing the Guard ceremony.

The official residence of the Lord Mayor of London, the Palladian-style Mansion House was built in the 18th century and has served many purposes over the years, including a court (the cellar once held prisoners' cells). 'In-house' guides conduct regular tours around the house and its magnificent collections of plates and art.

The imposing Lambeth Palace has been the official London residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury since the 13th century. Lambeth has one of the largest collections of church records in its library, where visitors can take a guided tour along with the crypt, guard room and chapel.

Eltham Palace is a stunning Art Deco mansion on the grounds of a former medieval royal palace. The lavish interiors reflect the glamour and allure of 1930s fashionable society. You can also wander around 19 acres of beautiful gardens and medieval features, including London's oldest working bridge over the moat.

Kenwood House is a magnificent stately home in Hampstead. It featured in the romantic comedy Notting Hill. The interiors, designed by Robert Adam, are beautifully restored and contain masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Turner and Gainsborough. In summer, you can see live music concerts in the grounds.

The most intimate of royal palaces, Kew Palace was built as a private house in 1631 and used by the royal family between 1729 and 1818. Visitors can experience a riot of colour in authentically re-created Georgian rooms, wander through the eerie upper floor, which has been left untouched for centuries, and visit the newly restored Royal Kitchens.

Built in 1756-66 for John, first Earl Spencer (an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales), Spencer House is London's finest surviving 18th-century private palace. Inside, you'll find eight meticulously restored rooms furnished with antique and neo-classical furniture, paintings by Reynolds and other objects of art. 

Visit the 300-year-old townhouse where writer Samuel Johnson compiled his ambitious Dictionary of the English Language. The building boasts many original features, plus fascinating artefacts relating to Johnson, including manuscripts written in his own hand, portraits of Johnson and his contemporaries, and even the writer's walking stick.

Fenton House in Hampstead Village is one of London's most enchanting country houses. Exhibits include European, Oriental and English porcelain, 17th-century needlework and Georgian furniture. Music lovers should check out the collection of early keyboard instruments. Plus there's an orchard and a working kitchen garden.

Leighton House is the former studio-house of the great Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton. Inside you can see extraordinary period interiors including the Arab Hall, and a permanent exhibition of Victorian paintings, drawings and sculpture by Leighton, Burne-Jones, Millais, Stevens and Alma-Tadema

A spectacular mansion surrounded by parks and farmland, Osterley is one of the last surviving country estates in London. Originally built in 1575, it was transformed by Robert Adam into an elegant 18th-century neo-classical villa. Explore the stunning interiors with an audio-visual guide, then enjoy a stroll in the huge grounds.

You'll recognise the signature style of designer craftsman William Morris as soon as you step through the door. Red House in London is full of his decorative arts and is the perfect place for craft lovers to channel some inspiration. If the weather's good, you can head into the gorgeous gardens to pick up even more ideas.

The William Morris Gallery is a public gallery devoted to the life and work of William Morris. Morris, a designer, craftsman, writer, conservationist and socialist was one of the founders of the arts and crafts movement in Victorian Britain. The grade II listed building was Morris's family home from 1848 to 1856.