Australian's have been visiting London since Aussie-time began. It once loomed large in our collective cultural subconscious. Things are different now, but, even so, huge numbers of us know all about its sights, traditions and history before we set eyes on the place – in fact, even if we never do set eyes on the place!
Yes, this city is travel-cliché-rich. Cynical people might regard it as one big cliché. But, like Paris, Rome and other historic European centres, London is far more than its famous sights. One day soon I’ll look at its less famous ones, but today I’m back on the trail of clichés. And I don’t have to hunt very far …
London Travel Cliché No. 1: Buckingham Palace
Oh dear. This one really is a cliché. Pity the poor Queen, whose gazed-at home it is. Is it worth plodding down the Mall (rhymes with ‘felll’, not ‘fall’) to see? Probably, especially if your visit coincides with Changing the Guard (daily May-July; check days/times for other months). And here's a tip: if you see four sentries outside the palace, the Queen is in residence; she’s elsewhere if there are only two.
London Travel Cliché No. 2: The Tower of London
Clichéd though it may be, the ancient and sinister Tower is a must. History seeps from its stones, some of which have been there since the time of the Roman Emperor Claudius. As London sights go, it’s a little bit out of the way, but well worth the tube ride. Plus it's right next to Tower Bridge - another clichéd sight.
Photo by rudolf schuba
London Travel Cliché No. 3: Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament
Oh yes, these are worth seeing, and they look good from both sides of the Thames. Take a proper tour if you can; you won’t regret it. Then you can stroll across the road to another deeply clichéd piece of London …
London Travel Cliché No. 4: Westminster Abbey 
Don’t miss it. Take a guided tour, because - unless you’re some kind of prodigy - you haven’t a hope of discovering all its history and treasures on your own. It really is a wonderful place.
Photo by gailf548
London Travel Cliché No. 5: St Paul’s Cathedral
This is a matter of taste and 99% of the world will probably disagree, but St Paul’s isn’t my kind of cathedral. It’s not old enough, dim enough or mysterious enough. But it didn’t become a cliché for no reason, so I’ll bow to the weight of popular opinion and advise you to go there. You’ll probably love it. Just don’t expect the atmosphere of countless ages that hangs over Westminster.
London Travel Cliché No. 6: London Bridge
Sorry, the old (12th century) one fell down, the “new” (19th century) one’s in Arizona, and the modern one isn’t particularly exciting. The bridge you really want to see is Tower Bridge: still an impressive sight. Oh, and I'm just kidding about the original bridge. It didn't fall down, it was pulled down at the ripe old age of 600.
London Travel Cliché No. 7: Trafalgar Square
You’re not supposed to feed the pigeons here now, and that’s sad. But Trafalgar Square is special; it’s the heart of London. You really can’t not go there. It’s close to many attractions (the adjacent National Gallery for one). Nelson’s Column, Landseer’s stunning lions, the fountains, the surrounding classical buildings, sculptures and views down Whitehall make it all very worthwhile.
Photo by kayj.rm
More London clichés one day soon. There's no shortage of them, but - almost without exception - they are worth going out of your way to see.