I was exceptionally fortunate to run around London and select surrounding areas for a fortnight in November, and was able to visit and revisit many, many places. If you happen to be new here, I have many interests: royal history, literary history, ballet and theatre history, fashion history. And I explored them all, believe me. While I saw many incredible places, there are a few places that truly stuck with me. These are my favourite historic sites of 2025!
My Favourite Historical Sites of 2025
I visited three palaces, three cathedrals, four museums, and many more historic sites over my trip. You can expect more on my favourite places in the coming months but I had to share my highlights!
Princess Charlotte of Wales’ Memorial, St. George’s Chapel
Unfortunately, the Royal Collection Trust will not let you take photos in any of their properties (or at least not at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle- including St. George’s Chapel-, or Holyrood…), so I do not have any photos of this. However, seeing Princess Charlotte of Wales’ memorial in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor was particularly moving.
Given that the current Princess Charlotte of Wales (William and Catherine’s daughter) has essentially erased the original, the first Princess Charlotte of Wales was the daughter of the future King George IV and Caroline of Brunswick. She married Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld but sadly died from childbirth complications in 1817. Charlotte had been immensely popular, and the nation mourned her and her son. The memorial was designed by MC Wyatt and remains a testament to a beloved princess.
You can find an image of the memorial here: https://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/news/artistic-memorial-feature-bbc/
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
This was a big trip for me, ballet-wise. Not only was I able to see La fille mal gardée, a ballet I have always wanted to see, but I was finally able to see Francesca Hayward dance in person. (It was completely worth waking up at 2:30am CST to get tickets.) However, aside from the ballet, I love being steeped in the history of the ballet and the opera at the Royal Opera House. If you are able to get tickets for a show (which I recommend to pretty much everyone), allow yourself some time to walk around beforehand. There are costumes on display throughout, and you can find many old posters reprinted to enjoy. It is easy to miss when you are looking forward to the performance but a treasure trove for anyone who is interested in theatre history!
Mary, Queen of Scots’ Tomb, Westminster Abbey
I revisited both Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral on this trip, as I was very rushed at both in 2013 and wanted to take my time. (Plus, photos are now allowed at St. Paul’s!) While there is a literal plethora of things to see at the Abbey, being able to spend several minutes fully taking in Mary, Queen of Scots’ tomb was major for me. Mary has long been one of my favourite historic figures, and her tomb is so incredibly opulent. Given how difficult the final decades of her life were, in no small part due to her English cousin, it seems oddly fitting for her son to create this incredible monument to her life.
V&A Museum
It is obvious to point this out when it comes to London, but the V&A is quite possibly my favourite place on earth. A massive museum that encompasses all of my interests, wrapped in an historic building? SIGN. ME. UP.
Not only was I able to see both Marie Antoinette Style and Cartier, I wandered around the Asian Galleries, the Cast Courts, the Theatre and Performance Gallery, and Jewellery Gallery. It might sound odd (especially given that I live in the middle of Canada), but as overwhelmingly large as the V&A is, it feels like home. Everything can and does provoke thought and pondering, and I love that you can spend endless hours simply taking it all in.
Jane Austen’s Grave, Winchester Cathedral
I promise this list is not solely graves! However, seeing Jane Austen’s grave (and in the 250th anniversary year of her birth) was something that will remain with me forever. My grandfather introduced me to Jane Austen’s books when I was fourteen and I am immensely grateful for it. The grave is the same as many others on cathedral floors, but holds so much meaning for so many of us. Lucky for me, the cathedral was very quiet and I was able to take my time. Paired with the brass plaque on the wall and the new statue outside of Winchester Cathedral, I think Jane is well-represented. (It also does not hurt that there is a twelfth century bible and several medieval monarchs buried there.)
What are your favourite historic sites of 2025?
Cheers,
The Historian
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