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If you happen to’re planning a go to to England’s capital and it’s your one and solely probability to see it, then you definitely’re going to need to know what are the once-in-a-lifetime issues do in London.
This information is just not going to characteristic all of your touristy sights, you don’t want to go to one other wax museum or experience one other hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
This information options all the enduring websites, the unmissable landmarks, and the distinctive methods to see London’s unbelievable historical past and various tradition.
I’ve not solely visited London a number of occasions, however I lived there for two.5 years, and I dare say there’s not a nook or cranny I haven’t explored (or a British slang phrase I haven’t adopted, apparently).
In order the British, would say, “let’s have at it!”
Add a header to start producing the desk of contents
High tip!
Lots of the paid sights are on the London Go by Go Metropolis, which is a superb money-saving low cost vacationer card for a choose variety of days or sights. Relying on what you need to do in London, you would both use it for all of the sights, OR use the cardboard for the costliest attraction after which buy separate tickets for the cheaper sights individually.
1. Uncover the magic at Warner Bros Harry Potter Studios, London
Excessive on the record of many guests to London is the Harry Potter tour on the Warner Bros Studios. It was certainly one of our favourite issues to do in London with children.
Situated about one hour northwest of London, this backstage tour will take you thru units, props, and interactive reveals of the true film settings of the Harry Potter movie sequence.
READ MORE: Information to the Harry Potter Studios tour in London!
You’ll be amazed at how they created magical scenes from such small, intimate settings. All of us beloved this magical deep dive into the Wizarding World.
Permit for 3-4 hours for the self-guided tour. That gives you sufficient time to learn the tales, experience a broomstick, stroll by the forbidden forest and people scary spiders, and drink butterbeer.
You should e-book upfront for timed entry tickets, in any other case, you’ll anticipate hours.
2. Do a Beefeater Tour within the Tower of London
A go to to the Tower of London wouldn’t be pretty much as good with out doing the free 45 minute beefeater tour.
Nicknamed Beefeaters, Yeoman Warders have been guarding the Tower of London since Tudor time when Henry VIII determined that the Tower ought to be protected by a part of the royal bodyguard.
They had been initially a part of the Yeoman of the Guard – the monarch’s private bodyguard who traveled with him in every single place.
The Yeoman Physique of 32 women and men are all drawn from the Armed Forces, and will need to have an impeccable file of service and excessive ranks.
They share entertaining and ugly tales of its macabre historical past from its former years (and I imply centuries) as a Royal residence, armory, treasury, and zoo (thank goodness they stopped that!)
The Tower of London is definitely a fort comprising twenty-two towers however sitting within the center is the unique White Tower constructed within the 1070s by William the Conqueror. The partitions, towers, and moat surrounding it got here within the 1200s and have been there ever since.
There’s a lot to see and do right here, together with seeing the Crown Jewels.
High tip: Get there for doorways opening and purchase a skip the road ticket. The Tower of London is infamous for its lengthy traces, which may prolong into hours. Tickets will even be cheaper on-line. It’s additionally a part of the London Go by Go Metropolis.
Some of the well-known vacationer sights in London, with a number of the greatest views of the town, is the London Eye on the River Thames.
It’s the tallest remark wheel in Europe and an effective way to see completely different viewpoints of the well-known buildings in London, just like the Large Ben and Homes of Parliament.
The capsule you sit in strikes slowly sufficient (30-minutes to do a full revolution) that you simply get time to benefit from the expertise and get nice photographs.
4. Go to a Royal Park
Londoners love their Royal Parks. These 5000 acres of high quality inexperienced areas present a gorgeous respite from a busy day exploring the town.
There are eight royal parks in London, a lot of that are within the central space, and all are free to go to.
They’ll have stunning gardens, fields for picnics and sports activities, lakes with boat rides, tree-lined paths, stunning views, wild life, and lots of may have public occasions, concert events, and festivals.
My favorites are St James’s Park, Regent’s Park, Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park, and Hyde Park.
As you’re most likely on a brief go to to London, should you solely have time for one, make it Regents Park. It’s additionally the place you’ll discover London Zoo (nice for teenagers) in addition to an out of doors theatre, botanic backyard, and a lake for boating on. It’s one of the crucial various park in London.
London is stuffed with pleasant parks, gardens, and squares everywhere in the metropolis!
5. Eat at Borough Market
Okay, Borough Market has change into a little bit of a vacationer gimmick as of late, but it surely’s probably the most iconic meals marketplace for road meals in London, so that you resolve should you’d wish to pay £10 for a small bowl of risotto with two substances in it.
Borough Market is situated on the south aspect of the River Thames, close to to London Bridge, and homes a group of meals stalls and distributors promoting contemporary produce.
It’s filled with candy treats and snacks to attempt, akin to strawberries dipped in chocolate, gentle native cheeses, bowls of Vietnamese pho, sausage rolls or a refreshingly candy peach prosecco.
On the periphery, you’ll discover pubs, cafes, eating places, murals and some Harry Potter filming places, together with the Leaky Cauldron Pub.
I’ll warn you; weekends are shoulder-to-shoulder busy. Throughout the week it’s a a lot quieter expertise.
Don’t Miss: If you’d like road meals however much less touristy, head to Brick Lane for the meals corridor there – it has road meals for each nationality conceivable. Additionally, the classic markets and retailers are nice there, and it’s well-known for its bagels.
6. Expertise a Conventional Afternoon Tea
It’s alleged that afternoon tea started in England in 1840, by Anna Stanhope, the Duchess of Bedford.
As dinner was served late within the night, this was a method of satisfying her starvation pains mid-afternoon.
It grew to become a modern type of leisure and over time it grew to become an expertise for extra than simply the rich.
Some additionally say the French began it. However, let’s not get entangled in that battle.
For now, we’ll have fun the English custom of excessive tea, named so for the excessive tables it’s served on. They arrive in layers of savory and candy gadgets akin to scones with jam and cream, finger sandwiches, macaroons, and pastries.
When you would possibly suppose you’re required to drink copious quantities of tea with it, you possibly can select to have espresso, and lots of will now come served with flutes of champagne or cocktails. Now we’re speaking!
Excessive Tea on the Ritz is probably the most well-known for setting the usual for afternoon tea. The Savoy is one other old-school favourite for conventional pomp. We had many suggestions for top tea at Fortnum & Mason.
The Lanesborough goes to offer you that vibrant floral Bridgerton afternoon tea aptitude. Equally aesthetically pleasing – in a brilliant and fashionable method is the Ampersand Lodge the place we skilled our science-themed excessive tea, which made Kalyra’s London for teenagers record!)
There’s even a unusual expertise like afternoon tea on a London bus or on a Thames River cruise.
High tip: Click on to learn extra about our science themed afternoon tea on the Ampersand Lodge in Kensington, and should you’re planning to go to different elements of the UK, we additionally had a tremendous afternoon tea in Oxford.
7. See the Altering of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Okay, so technically we didn’t see the altering of the guard at Buckingham Palace on our final journey – however I did see it after I lived in London.
We had deliberate for it on the day it doesn’t occur, so, verify the schedule!
That is the way you make Buckingham Palace a bit of greater than only a sticky beak by the gates and some “I used to be right here” photographs.
The Altering of the Guards is the ceremony the place The Queen’s Guard palms over duty for shielding Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace to the New Guard.
The pomp and ceremony of the precision drill and bands taking part in stirring music make it one of the crucial fashionable London sights – and it’s free!
Buckingham Palace has been the official London Residence of the Royal Household since 1837. If the Royal Commonplace flag is flying it means Queen Elizabeth II is in residence, and if the Union flag is flying it means she’s out of city.
Because the Queen has chosen of late to reside extra at Windsor Fort, her favourite of all her palaces, the percentages are you’ll see the Union flag.
Don’t miss the altering of the guards. Listed below are the occasions:
- June – July: Every day
- August – Could: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- Begins at 11am and goes on for about 45 minutes.
8. Eat a Conventional Sunday Roast
You will note all of them throughout London and the UK – conventional Sunday Roast. It’s a British cultural expertise to not miss.
It’s mentioned to have began through the reign of King Henry VII in 1485. The royal guards would eat roast beef each Sunday after church, which is claimed to have given them the title ‘beefeaters.’ (they now run the excursions on the Tower of London).
On Sundays all through the U.Ok., pubs and eating places are packed full for the roast dinner; it’s thought-about the time for households or mates to get collectively and share nice meals.
Though Roast Dinners started with beef, fashionable occasions make room for rooster, pork, lamb, and even vegetarian. Many locations will provide a standard pub roast or one with a bit of extra of a contemporary aptitude.
Sometimes included are roasted potatoes and root greens, inexperienced greens like cabbage and spring greens, cauliflower cheese, and plenty of gravy. It’s conventional to serve it with a Yorkshire pudding, which is a savory eggy batter poured over beef drippings.
We completely loved our Sunday Roast on the Edinboro Fort Pub in Camden. They’ve a stunning beer backyard and gluten-free beer to match!
Learn extra: If you happen to want extra inspiration on pubs in London, take a look at our full information to pubs we beloved in London!
9. Snap a selfie infront of the enduring Large Ben
Large Ben is to London what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. It’s certainly one of London’s landmarks that can’t be missed off any itinerary.
Large Ben is the 13.5 tonne iconic clock tower on the Homes of Parliament. Formally, it’s the Elizabeth Tower, however everybody calls it Large Ben after Benjamin Corridor, the First Commissioner of Works when it was completed in 1858.
You possibly can see it from many viewpoints in London, together with the London Eye, Westminster Bridge, cruising alongside the river, and our favourite, Parliament Sq..
Parliament Sq. is subsequent to the Homes of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It has statues of well-known political leaders together with Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and Nelson Mandela.
Certainly one of our favourite iconic London photographs we captured on our journey – that even native Londoners didn’t learn about – was that of Winston Churchill searching upon Large Ben.
The Homes of Parliament is the place all of the necessary enterprise in working the nation occurs. You possibly can tour inside on choose days and occasions. I used to be lucky to have a pal working there after I lived in London who invited me in for a drink at one of many pubs inside. It was a cool expertise!
If you happen to’re considering British Politics, Quantity 10 Downing Road is a five-minute stroll from Large Ben and is thought for being the house of the Prime Minister. These days the Prime Minister doesn’t stay there, however nonetheless makes use of it to carry conferences.
10. Tour Westminster Abbey
Because you’re at Parliament Sq., let’s cross the highway and tour Westminster Abbey, the Royal Church of England. Each monarch since William the Conqueror has been topped right here and lots of have been married within the abbey as properly.
I loved our self-guided audio tour of Westminster Abbey greater than I assumed I might, as did our youngsters (14 & 10).
You’ll stroll by the attractive, tiled sanctuary the place weddings occur; the frilly quire; go to the tombs of many royals and necessary folks; pay your respects on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier; and see the tasteless Coronation Chair.
Don’t miss the Poets Nook the place you’ll discover the resting locations of a few of England’s most interesting: Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, and Hardy.
I additionally loved seeing the attitude of the abbey from strolling across the cloisters and gardens. This tour is a part of the London Go by Go Metropolis.
11. Tour Princess Diana’s former house, Kensington Palace and Gardens
Kensington is named the house of the Younger Royals. It’s the official residence of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (i.e. Prince William and Kate) and their youngsters. Harry and Meghan lived right here for a time, and most famously, it was beloved Princess Diana’s house.
That is additionally the place the legendary Queen Victoria was born. You possibly can observe her Royal footsteps on a tour by her re-imagined childhood rooms and the King and Queen State Flats, and the magnificent King’s State Flats and Queen’s State Flats.
I beloved the Life By way of a Royal Lens exhibition sharing the Royal Household by images, the views from the home windows, the frilly Kings Staircase, and King’s Gallery.
And probably the most stunning Kensington Gardens with their memorial to Diana and the legacy of her work doing good for the world. We actually loved this London expertise.
The palace is open from 10.00am – 6.00pm each day, however closed Sunday and Monday. It’s additionally included on the London Go by Go Metropolis.
12. Watch road performers at Covent Backyard
Some of the well-known squares in London is Covent Backyard.
Wander the cobblestoned areas surrounding the central market, which had its beginnings as a convent backyard within the 1500s. It served completely different functions from then, however by the 1800s it had developed into the most important produce market on this planet. Its overwhelming dimension prompted its relocation in 1974.
It’s also subsequent to different vacationer sights in London, like Trafalgar Sq. and Nelson’s Column, Leicester Sq., Soho, and the West Finish theater district.
There are infinite eating places and bars and native shops. Performers rotate all day lengthy on the road slightly below the balcony of the well-known Punch and Judy pub (good luck making an attempt to get on it!).
Don’t overlook to unfold out throughout the central Covent Backyard market space to discover the encompassing cobblestone streets and aspect alleys for different secret gems!
If you want a break, head to Lamb & Flag for a household pub lunch within the oldest pub in Covent Backyard.
13. See a theater present or musical within the West Finish
London is famend as the most effective locations on this planet for theater. There are over 40 theater venues within the West Finish performing to over 14 million yearly.
There’s a giant number of musicals on provide, a number of the hottest ones being the Lion King, Depraved, Les Misérables, and Hamilton. (I noticed Les Misérables and Saigon when dwelling in London)
On our final trip to London, Kalyra, Savannah and I went to see Matilda within the Cambridge Theater in Covent Backyard, whereas Craig caught up together with his outdated Rugby teammates from Sydney in Chelsea.
Matilda the Musical is based mostly on the Roald Dahl e-book and film. A lot of the forged are younger youngsters, who’re very gifted. We laughed the whole time!
I’m glad we added this it to our London itinerary on the final minute as our teen mentioned it was certainly one of her favourite London experiences.
If you wish to have a singular expertise and see one thing quintessentially English, you possibly can catch a Shakespeare manufacturing at The Globe Theatre on the banks of the River Thames.
Honest warning; this theater is a standing theater so possibly take into consideration that if there’s a manufacturing of Hamlet or King Lear.
14. Hunt for murals in Shoreditch
In case you are brief on time and need to expertise extra cultural sights, then save Shoreditch as a factor to do in your journey.
These with longer than three days in London and love exploring fashionable tradition will need to do a mural tour of the Hip Shoreditch in East London.
Road artwork within the UK continues to be technically unlawful and regarded a legal exercise, which implies road artwork can pop up rapidly, however be taken down simply as quick.
Shoreditch is the anomaly and is the epicenter of London’s road artwork scene as they battle again on the vandalism label. Probably the most well-known secret road artist of all time – Banksy has left his mark in Shoreditch a number of occasions.
The Free Shoreditch Road Artwork tour – this got here so extremely really useful to us, however we couldn’t make it work with our schedule. Undoubtedly a factor to do in London after we return.
15. Drink a Pimm’s & Lemonade overlooking The Thames
In case you are coming to England and intend on experiencing a excessive tea, you can’t move on ingesting a Pimm’s & Lemonade. It’s considerably of an unofficial drink of London, particularly on a sizzling summer season’s day. (What? You imply that’s a factor?)
James Pimm invented and marketed the very first “Pimm’s” as a well being tonic within the 1840s. It was a gin-based drink combined with a secret mixture of herbs and different liquids and was used to assist digestion. It was served in a small tankard-style cup which was often called the ‘No.1 Cup’
It’s a terrific drink to have with mates because it’s typically served by the Pitcher, ice-cold and stuffed with contemporary fruits. It has a mildly candy and spiced taste and is refreshing. I can’t consider I by no means drank it after I lived in London. I preferred it lots!
Select a bar, any bar, however if you wish to observe our recommendation: When it hits Pimm’s o’clock on a sunny day in London get pleasure from yours with a view on the Founder’s Arms on the River Thames at Southwark.
16. Have a London Ale + a Conventional Pub Lunch
As we talked about, we completely love the English pub expertise, and had lunch in a single nearly each day. Effectively, a minimum of we stopped in for a pint of ale!
Nearly any pub in London may have a comfy, heat ambiance with an unbelievable historic story to inform. You’ll discover low ceilings, creaky stairs, stay music, beer gardens, and stunning London views.
Most will provide a menu of historically English pub meals. We already talked about the unmissable Sunday roast, however different English favorites to attempt are the fish and chips, bangers and mash and gravy, and pie with mash and gravy. You might even discover some mushy peas – one other English favourite.
And I used to be thrilled to search out a few pubs that had gluten free fish and chips.
Alongside your pub lunch, you’ll want to style a conventional English ale pulled into the glass by a hand pump. As a earlier bartender in London, I can inform you pulling a number of of those pints of a night can provide you sore arms!
It is a uniquely British dishing out system that’s particularly applicable for conventional cask-conditioned ales. It permits the casks to be stored in a cooler cellar beneath the bar and the beer to be pulled or drawn as much as the bar and offers a decrease carbonation beer.
The English will inform you it’s a much better tasting beer. Craig agrees and drank loads of them to reach at that conclusion.
17. Stroll alongside the Southbank Stroll
We took any probability we may to stroll alongside Southbank to get from A to B.
This South Financial institution to Southwark stroll alongside the Thames begins at Westminster Bridge, wanting in the direction of the Homes of Parliament all the way in which to Tower Bridge. Or vice versa. It’s roughly 2.5 miles / 4km in complete.
There are beautiful views throughout and also you’ll move iconic sights just like the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Shard, London Eye, and Tate Trendy all beneath the omnipresent watch of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Alongside the way in which, you’ll discover some fashionable and well-known pubs like our favorites The Anchor and The Founders Arms. Plus, the sunsets from listed below are stunning.
18. Straddle the Prime Meridian in Greenwich
Head to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the Place of Time, situated about 40 minutes southeast of Central London alongside the Thames.
Right here you possibly can study the fascinating historical past of how the Royal astronomers experimented and studied the celebs to give you right this moment’s fashionable model of time.
Its measurement (GMT) all begins on the Prime Meridian. You possibly can verify off your bucket record that you’ve stood with one foot within the West and one foot within the Japanese hemisphere.
Placing the icing on the cake is the view behind the glittering fashionable skyscrapers forming the Canary Wharf skyline in entrance of the Thames.
It’s the right encapsulation of the fashionable and historic worlds that London has advanced by to change into this unbelievable metropolis we love a lot.
The Royal Observatory can be an included attraction on the Go Metropolis Go.
19. Go to Trafalgar Sq.
Trafalgar Sq. is likely one of the most well-known locations in London. Everyone who visits likes to have their photographs with the large lions, which characterize the braveness of Britain. Youngsters will love climbing them!
The 52-m excessive statue of Lord Nelson dominates the sq. and the Nationwide Gallery is the beautiful constructing within the background.
It’s actually the guts of London and has at all times been a preferred place for Londoners to assemble, whether or not that’s to usher in the New Yr collectively, or protest, rally, or march for necessary rights and causes.
Certainly one of my favourite issues about Trafalgar Sq. is the pedestrian lights surrounding it. They’re LGBTQ visitors lights that embrace two males and two girls holding palms and forming a coronary heart, and numerous gender symbols together with a transgender signal.
20. Take within the view of London from The Shard
Piercing the sky above London is the needle-like construction of the Shard, the tallest constructing in Western Europe.
It’s rapidly changing into a London icon, particularly for the unbelievable views from its 72nd ground open-air platform. There may be an enclosed viewing platform on degree 69 as properly.
The Shard View is an costly factor to do in London, however the 244m excessive sweeping London views make it worthwhile. I completely beloved the improbable perspective of the River Thames snaking by the town east to west.
It was significantly transferring for me as I lived in London for 2 years and by no means noticed it from this angle. I LOVE this metropolis a lot!
Intention for about an hour earlier than sundown so you possibly can expertise the nightfall golden gentle views, sundown panoramic views, and nighttime views when these London lights sparkle.
You need to reserve your tickets upfront. It’ll additionally prevent cash. This attraction is included within the Go Metropolis Card. This is able to be the star occasion of the move!
Wish to expertise 5-star luxurious with these views? The Shangri La Lodge is situated on Degree 34 of the Shard. Every room has floor-to-ceiling home windows offering spectacular views of the town, and maintains the theme of Oriental class discovered all through the resort. Examine availability and e-book your keep right here.
21. Cruise or stroll alongside Regents Canal
Certainly one of our favourite experiences in London was a canal boat cruise from Little Venice to Camden Market in North London.
Regent’s Canal is a nine-mile ribbon of water that runs from Little Venice to the the place it spills into the Thames at Limehouse.
It provides guests an opportunity to expertise a quieter aspect of London. What was as soon as a busy cargo transportation route has change into leisurely waterways by London providing folks a tranquil place to stroll, paddle, or boat experience.
The enjoyable and picturesque 40-minute canal experience will take you alongside Regents Canal, by the 248m Maida Hill tunnel, and previous the unique neighborhoods of Maida Vale and Primrose Hill, with houses of celebrities, and expansive and landscaped again gardens of grand homes.
We additionally walked alongside right here from Camden to Regents Park.
22. Store for bohemian gadgets in Camden City and Camden Market
When you’re exploring Regent’s Canal, it’s essential to incorporate a cease off in Camden City. It’s certainly one of our favourite locations in London for its eclectic, grungy, various fashion.
It’s a London neighborhood identified for the Camden Markets and its stay music scene. Many well-known artists from all over the world have performed right here or bought their begin right here, or sadly, died right here.
Click on the next hyperlink for our information on issues to do in Camden Markets, which incorporates the canal boat experience, a Sunday pub roast, Regent’s Park, and a few prime pubs for stay music!
23. Go to the London Museums and Artwork Galleries (most of them free!)
We’re not massive museum folks, so we didn’t go to many. We journey a lot and have visited so many museums that we are inclined to run the opposite method now.
Nevertheless, London has distinctive museums. And, as a bonus, the everlasting collections at London’s museums are FREE. If you happen to love museums, I’ve little doubt you’ll love exploring The British Museum, filled with archeological findings that the Brits joke are “issues the English stole from different nations” and the well-known Pure Historical past Museum.
We did spend an hour within the British Museum and it was improbable and I do want it was longer.
Different notable ones are the Nationwide Gallery and the Tate Gallery (Tate Trendy for contemporary artwork).
Yow will discover a museum of any dimension and swimsuit any curiosity – there’s even a Vagina Museum in Hackney!
For these touring with children, you possibly can’t miss the Pure Historical past Museum incorporates a life-size blue whale skeleton and an enormous robotic T-Rex. Proper subsequent door is the interactive Science Museum, the place youngsters can study science by play.
Throughout the highway from the Pure Historical past Museum and the Science Museum is the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is the world’s largest museum of ornamental arts – should you like statues, this can be a museum to take a look at.
The Tate Trendy was one other London gallery attraction we devoted a while to and completely loved the artwork on show. It’s properly price including this to your London itinerary, if not for the views alone!
Another museums in London that guests love are the British Warfare Museum, The Nationwide Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark (a retired navy ship), and Nationwide Portrait Gallery. As you possibly can see, you would use a minimum of two days to only discover the museums of London!
24. Take a strolling tour by London’s historical past
Each road and cobblestone alleyway in London has an interesting historic story to inform. Certainly one of our favourite methods to expertise the tradition and historical past of a vacation spot is to take a strolling tour.
What do you need to study? There’ll be a strolling tour for it.
As we had been visiting London with children on this journey, we didn’t do the Jack the Ripper strolling tour. However that was one of many first issues I did after I moved to London. I LOVED it! Sure. It’ll freak you out.
What freaked me out much more was I typically needed to stroll previous certainly one of his killing alleyways on a night after my shift on the pub to get house. The chills in my backbone doubled the tempo of my legs!
25. Tour Winston Churchill’s Warfare Rooms
Immerse your self within the environment of the Blitz with a visit down into the historic Cupboard Warfare Rooms.
This warren of tunnels and bunkers beneath Whitehall was the headquarters for Britain’s struggle effort throughout World Warfare II.
The tour begins at Westminste Millennium Pier, only a brief stroll from Westminster Underground Station, and then you definitely take a brief stroll round London overground by visiting Large Ben, Homes of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Road, and at last to discover the Warfare Cupboard Room from the place Winston Churchill deliberate Britain’s subsequent transfer.
You possibly can really see the chair (full with scratch marks on its arms), which he used throughout extremely annoying conferences.
Within the Map Room, nothing has modified since 16 Aug 1945, when the lights had been lastly switched off.
Wartime maps, colour-coded telephones, and even rationed sugar cubes stay precisely as they had been when the struggle ended.
26. Stroll throughout Tower Bridge (and see it open!)
You’ll need to stroll throughout is Tower Bridge, one other well-known landmark of London. Nearly anybody coming to London is already acquainted with the elegant great thing about its neo-Gothic turrets and blue suspension cables.
Stroll throughout Tower Bridge free of charge and get nice views overlooking the Thames and again over the Tower of London.
You possibly can head up into the north tower to the (paid) Tower Bridge Exhibition for increased views and to study extra in regards to the structure, engineering, and historical past. It’s a paid attraction and is included in your London attraction move.
Examine for occasions when the Tower Bridge will increase up its bridge arms so boats beneath can move by. They do should e-book it 24 hours upfront so you possibly can plan forward for this cool expertise.
On common, Tower Bridge opens its bascules round 800 occasions a 12 months, that’s round twice a day. Examine opening occasions right here.
Take a river cruise to see it from beneath as properly.
27. Take a Thames River Sightseeing Cruise
There may be nothing like seeing London from the attitude of its snaking River Thames.
The Lastminute.com London Eye River cruise is a 40-minute round tour of the Thames on a small open-top ferry with guided commentary. The departure touchdown dock is correct beneath the London Eye.
I beloved the commentary that taught us lots in regards to the historical past of the Thames and the function it’s performed in London life.
The cruise will take you previous Large Bend and the Homes of Parliament earlier than turning round to move east passing beneath a lot of London’s bridges spanning the river – every with its personal title and story.
You’ll study many tales in regards to the iconic Landmarks you’ll move like Large Bend, London Bridge, HMS Belfast, The Shard, Tate Trendy, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower Bridge, which you’ll get to sail beneath earlier than turning round to cruise again.
You possibly can see extra in our Reel of the River Thames cruise. (Comply with us over there for extra enjoyable journey adventures and suggestions!)
Click on on the hyperlinks beneath to study extra about these river cruises on the Thames and to e-book your journey.
28. Tour St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is likely one of the most well-known cathedrals on this planet and certainly one of London’s most opulent buildings.
There’s a rule that St Paul’s should be seen from eight separate locations all through London which is why so most of the fashionable skyscrapers are uncommon shapes. They’re making room for that line of sight!
Now that you simply’ve seen that spectacular dome from across the metropolis, it’s time to see it from the within and study this architectural masterpiece from Sir Christopher Wren, constructed after the Nice Fireplace of London between 1675 and 1710.
We visited on a guided tour with Independence by Globus, however normal admission contains an audio information. Go to the crypt to see memorials of a whole lot of well-known and nice folks, together with the our bodies of Wellington and Nelson mendacity immediately beneath the dome.
Sadly, the whispering gallery across the base of the dome was closed after we visited, however this is likely one of the greatest issues to do in St Paul’s in addition to the Stone Gallery and Golden Gallery, each on the prime of the dome providing unbelievable views of London.
Ask the attendants if they will take you to the spiraling Harry Potter staircase. This staircase in St Paul’s was used because the “Divination Stairwell” situated within the North Tower of Hogwarts Fort for the Harry Potter movies.
High tip: E-book your entrance upfront, because the traces can get extremely lengthy.
29. Get your photograph at Platform 9¾ Kings Cross Station
Even should you don’t observe the Harry Potter filming path throughout London, I like to recommend you propose for getting your photograph working the cart into the wall at Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross.
That’s in fact if you’re a Harry Potter fan, in any other case, it may not float your boat.
I used to be the one one in our household who did it and I had a load of enjoyable. The Head Wizard was so cool in displaying every individual completely different witchy poses. As this was a as soon as in a lifetime, I used to be not going to carry again!
We had been fortunate to solely have a ten minute wait. Strains right here may be as much as two hours. Get there as early as you possibly can, or later shut to complete time. Good luck muggles.
Simply so , Kings Cross Station is actual. Platform 9¾ is just not. They’ve a delegated house on the station (not even on the platforms) on your photographs with the cart going into the wall.
There’s a Harry Potter retailer right here as properly the place you should purchase your fan favorites.
If you wish to see the platforms (the place many scenes had been filmed) both catch a practice someplace or ask the guards if they will allow you to on the platform to take a photograph. Throughout the highway is St Pancreas which is the background setting for the flying automobile scene within the second film.
Kings Cross was my arrival level in London after I first arrived in 1997 as a broke backpacker with an contaminated foot and never understanding a soul. I used to be overwhelmed and scared.
I bought fairly emotional coming again right here because it jogged my memory of my journey from there to right here and the way a lot I’ve grown! You possibly can learn extra about that story right here.
30. Go to Leadenhall Markets
If you happen to’re heading east in the direction of Liverpool Road then I like to recommend you go to the beautiful Leadenhall Markets in Central London.
These stunning lined markets had been initially established in 1321 as a marketplace for butchers and fishmongers (Nevertheless historical past says it was the middle of Roman London as a bazaar space within the 1st Century!)
A lot of the ornately adorned inside and cobbled laneways that you simply see preserved right this moment are from a redesign in 1881.
It’s now a buying precinct with fashionable bars, cute cafes, boutique shops, and a few taverns. One of many causes vacationers come right here is that it was used as the outside for Diagon Alley within the first couple of Harry Potter movies.
The Lamb Tavern is a superb pub right here, in operation since 1790.
31. Comply with the Harry Potter Movie Places Path
There are fairly a number of places in London the place scenes from the Harry Potter films had been filmed. If you happen to’re a fan, this is likely to be certainly one of your favourite issues to do in London.
We didn’t particularly observe a path or do all of it in in the future, however we knew the place a variety of the places had been and, if it was within the space we had been visiting, we made a aspect step to go and see it.
Among the finest methods to expertise Harry Potter places in London is thru a strolling tour.
I want we did this simply so we may have heard extra tales and felt extra linked to every location.
Doing it ourselves didn’t have fairly the identical magic and was extra only a “properly that is it,” snap a photograph after which go away.
I’ve talked about a pair on this publish already, however a number of the main spots are:
- Kings Cross Station & St Pancreas
- The Leaky Cauldron at Borough Markets
- Cecil’s Court docket and Godwin’s Court docket, Covent Backyard
- Leadenhall Markets
- Millennium Bridge
Harry Potter Followers: London Boys Faculty (on the left as you method the north aspect) on Millenium Bridge was the place Daniel Radcliffe went to high school.
Keep in mind when the Loss of life Eaters assault London within the scenes from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? They had been filmed on the Millennium Bridge.
32. Watch a soccer match at Wembley
If you happen to can time it proper, I extremely advocate incorporating a soccer match into your London itinerary.
You possibly can both see a stay match at one of many many soccer stadiums across the metropolis, or just from inside a pub, or out of doors massive display screen when massive matches are on.
It’s an electrical expertise with a lot fever and pleasure with the English chanting, singing, and celebrating lengthy into the evening … in the event that they win. God assist London in the event that they don’t!
As I lived in a home with Australians, Kiwis, South Africans, Irish, and Brits, you possibly can think about the enjoyable we had on the pub practically each weekend watching cricket, rugby, or soccer.
Don’t overlook London is house to Wimbledon, the enduring tennis stadium. Cricket followers can also need to go to Lords (my dad’s favourite factor to do in London. He even performed on it.) Rugby followers at Twickenham, and soccer followers, Wembley (there are much more!).
33. Get a selfie at Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is sort of a mini Occasions Sq. in New York. Stuffed with neon lights, large flashing promoting billboards, and other people getting selfies. It’s overrated, however many vacationers find it irresistible so I’m including it right here for you.
It’s only a highway junction with a round house within the center with a statue of Eros on it.
From right here you possibly can simply stroll to Piccadilly, Leicester Sq., Shaftesbury Avenue, the curving Regent Road, and Covent Backyard.
Learn this convenient information with suggestions for getting round London. You can even make a duplicate of our London map with all sights pinned.
34. Buy groceries on Oxford Road
Surprisingly excessive on many guests’ record of issues to do in London is to go to Oxford St, the world’s greatest excessive road (that’s Fundamental Road for non-UK folks).
Possibly it has no attract for me as I walked alongside it scores of occasions whereas dwelling in London to get from A to B.
Oxford Road is likely one of the busiest streets in London, particularly on a weekend, so be ready for shoulder rubbing. It simply will get too intense for me.
It stretches 1.5 miles from the nook of Hyde Park all the way in which all the way down to Tottenham Court docket Highway and is stuffed with shops promoting vogue, magnificence, tech, and homeware. You’ll discover manufacturers and malls akin to Hole, River Island, Primark, Selfridges, Home of Fraser, and Marks & Spencer.
There are additionally greater than 500 eating places alongside the road and aspect streets.
35. Take a day journey to Tub or Oxford
Want a break from the depth of London? There are a lot of improbable UK locations which can be straightforward day journeys from London.
We advocate going by practice as it’s simpler than a automobile rental. You can additionally do the Nationwide Categorical bus service, which is probably the most reasonably priced technique to attain the key cities within the UK, however practice journey is way sooner.
You may be in Oxford or Cambridge in an hour or so from London, whereas the bus takes a few hours.
We caught the practice to Tub from London for 2 nights, and then Oxford for 2 nights in the midst of our London journey. Each had been improbable cities filled with wealthy structure and historical past.
You can even rent a automobile from Oxford (method cheaper than hiring in London) and make a journey out to the enduring Cotswolds villages for an opportunity to see rural England and its quaint medieval villages.
As an alternative of a day journey, we advocate an in a single day keep, so it’s not as rushed.
Different prime locations to go to in England near London embrace Windsor, Stonehenge, Brighton, Cambridge, and the South Downs (the place the White Cliffs of Dover are situated).
Yow will discover a choice of day journey excursions from Get Your Information right here.
What number of days in London do you want?
If you wish to see the most effective of London, I might advocate you spend a minimum of a few weeks there. We did 10 days of intense exploring from early morning to late at evening, and I nonetheless really feel like we may have seen extra.
However, from a vacationer perspective, and also you’ll most certainly solely have a brief go to to London. On the naked minimal, permit your self 5 days. You’ll must be selective about which of those sights in London you see first.
London is a prime vacationer vacation spot for a purpose!
Suggestions for Visiting London
London is jam filled with prime sights, cultural experiences, cool neighborhoods, and surprises and hidden gems on each road, nook, and cobblestoned alley.
Earlier than you exit and begin exploring London, I’ve simply a number of phrases of recommendation for you…
We walked on common 10 miles a day to see and do as a lot as we may. London is certainly one of our favourite cities on this planet and has been our favourite household journey up to now!
But it surely’s fairly massive, so that you’re going to want comfy strolling footwear when exploring.
I additionally advocate you get your self an Oyster Card should you don’t have a contactless fee card. That is the best and most cost-effective method to make use of London’s public transportation. You possibly can choose up an Oyster Card from any main underground station. You can even faucet your contactless credit score or debit card, or Apple Pockets or Google Pockets.
You must also pack an umbrella and be ready for rain, even when it’s brilliant sunshine in the midst of August. It’s no exaggeration what they are saying about England, it actually does rain lots.
Lastly, don’t go away reserving lodging to the final minute. Lodging is notoriously costly, particularly should you e-book late, so get in early and e-book as quickly as you possibly can.
FREE London Bucket Checklist Printable PDF
We’ve created a easy one-page guidelines of all the highest issues to do in London, UK and Printable PDF itinearay outlines for you! Pop your title within the type beneath to entry it.
Extra London Journey Suggestions
There are a variety of issues you must know earlier than visiting London, so take a look at the next guides that will help you plan your journey:
Which of these items are you most excited to do in London? Please share within the feedback beneath.
