Elizabeth’s London: Hotels in London Where History Lives

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London is the largest city in Europe and boasts a rich and varied history. One of the most important periods in that history is the Elizabethan era, a period when England saw profound cultural and societal changes under the reign of Elizabeth I.

With careful planning, a trip to London can provide tourists with the chance to relive some of the most important events in Queen Elizabeth’s life by visiting the sites where those events took place. Elizabeth’s London was quite different than the bustling metropolis of today; commerce centered on the river and the transportation options it provided for merchants. London was rich by the standards of the time, with numerous shops and opportunities for enterprising merchants.

A number of contemporary hotels in London offer accommodations to travelers seeking a taste of Elizabethan culture and history; some of the most important attractions are listed below, along with notable hotels in London that are located nearby.

Westminster Abbey
The first stop for many travelers on their Elizabethan tour will, of course, be Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth was crowned Queen there on January 15, 1559, and was buried there in 1603 next to her sister, Queen Mary Tudor. Guests seeking reasonably priced hotels in London near this historic landmark will find the nearby Sanctuary House to be one of the most comfortable and affordable hotels in London; other reasonably priced London hotels within close proximity of Westminster Abbey can be found on sites like HotelsCombined.com. Just across the Westminster Bridge, and close to Westminster Abbey, is the Marriott County Hall and the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge. These are great locations, being adjacent to the London Eye and the London Aquarium. The Marriott is right on the Thames and located in what was once “County Hall” – a majestic building erected in 1922 and once home to the Greater London Council.

The Tower of London
The Tower of London is another must-see stop on a tour of Elizabeth’s London; it was the site where the princess Elizabeth was held and interrogated for three months during the reign of Mary Tudor, and the place where Elizabeth’s mother Anne Boleyn was beheaded. One of the major tourist attractions in London, the Tower is said to be haunted by a number of notable ghosts; Elizabeth certainly felt that this was true, and avoided the place almost entirely during her reign. A number of London hotels are located conveniently close to the Tower, including the Hilton Tower Bridge Hotel; this deluxe hotel is within convenient walking distance of the Tower of London and offers cheaper rates on weekends. Also, be sure to check The Tower Hotel.

Whitehall Palace
Whitehall Palace was the setting for some of the most extravagant banquets and social gatherings in Elizabeth’s England. Today, all that remains of Whitehall is the Banqueting House; the rest of the palace was destroyed by fire in 1698. The remaining hall features stunning paintings by Peter Paul Rubens on the interior ceiling and today serves as a national monument open to the public from Monday through Saturday each week. (Note: The Ruben’s painted ceiling was not installed at the palace until 1636 and, therefore, was not on display when Elizabeth I was alive. It is said, however, that it was the last thing Charles I placed his eyes on before being beheaded just outside of the room.) The Banqueting House is also available to lease for private functions; this may limit public access at some times, so it’s best to call ahead for tickets. For accommodations in this upscale area, some of the finest hotels in London are located nearby. The Trafalgar Hilton offers a full range of amenities for guests; travelers can obtain the best rates for this and other hotels in London by visiting the HotelsCombined.com website.

The Globe

The Globe Theatre on the banks of the Thames was an important center for social life in Elizabeth’s London; William’s Shakespeare’s plays were performed for nobles and peasants alike in this grand venue.

Today, a reconstruction of the theater is located on the very spot where the original Globe once proudly stood. The original Globe gained prominence during the reign of Elizabeth I, and the reconstruction was dedicated and opened by her royal namesake, Elizabeth II, in 1997.

Guests to the theater can obtain first-rate lodgings at one of the London hotels located close by allowing travelers to make the most of their tour of Elizabeth’s London. You might enjoy Express by Holiday Inn Southwark. which is within walking distance to the Globe and easy access to the Tate Modern. The Milennium Bridge provides accessibility directly to the other side of the Thames, St. Paul’s and The City.

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