21 Best Things To Do In London

Heading “across the pond” for vacation? No matter what your interests are, London, England has something for literally everyone. You have a lot of choices, so to help you with your itinerary, here are the 21 best things to do in London.

The British Museum

Considered by some to be the best museum in London, this architectural beauty houses some of the most famous antiquities in the world. See the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, the Lindow Man and other artifacts. Admission is to the museum is free but it will cost you to see some individual exhibitions. If you wish to spend most of the day there, you can eat at the on-site pizzeria, quick-service cafe or Great Court Restaurant.

The Tower Of London

The Tower was once an arsenal, a prison, a zoo, and a place of execution. See the world-famous crown jewels. The Yeoman Warders or tower guards, will lead you on a historic, hour-long excursion and share torrid tales of the bloody tower’s terrible past. Don’t miss the White Tower, one of the planet’s most famous castles, either. Want to save yourself some money? Buy your admission tickets in advance from the Tower of London’s official website.

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Buckingham Palace

This is the official London residence of the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II. Travelers are able to tour this extravagant home in the summer, winter, and spring. Visit the 19 rooms where England’s royal family hold official and ceremonial events. Witness the magnificence of it all complete with opulent candelabra, chandeliers, French and English furniture and paintings by such artists as Rubens and Rembrandt as well. On a budget? Watch the Changing of the Guard for free.

Portobello Road Market

This colorful market, located in Notting Hill, is a fave of both tourists and locals. This place is said to be the world’s largest antique market. With more than 1,000 merchants, one can also purchase a variety of items including art, clothing, food, and other English items such as vintage tea sets, and Banksy recreations. Tourists should remember, however, that the market is only fully operational on Saturdays between 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Westminster Abbey

This historic, medieval church has hosted numerous royal coronations and weddings. The guides like to keep things moving so do your homework so you don’t miss anything you really want to see. Bibliophiles must see the Poets’ Corner where such famous writers as Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, and Geoffrey Chaucer were laid to rest. Fans of historical intrigue should see the tomb shared by half-siblings and rivals Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I. Purchase a London Pass and get in free.

Piccadilly Circus

Not really a circus, PC is similar to New York’s Times Square. It is the meeting place of five bustling streets and the hub of activity in London. Famous for its proximity to hot nightclubs, hip shops, and noteworthy restaurants, it exudes energy. The ambience is most exciting at night when the neon lights can be seen reflecting off of the Eros statue and the Edwardian-era buildings there. There is no charge to access Piccadilly Circus.

Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

This free, lush, green property was once enjoyed by King Henry VIII. It stretches from Oxford Street in the east to Kensington Palace in the west. Stroll Hyde Park’s bike and footpaths and enjoy the fauna and flora. See the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain and Serpentine Lake, rent a boat and take in famous Speakers’ Corner, a place where such famous people as George Orwell, Vladimir Lenin, and Karl Marx have voiced their opinions.

The National Gallery

Situated in Trafalgar Square, this is London’s largest gallery. It has 2,300 in-house pieces. Featured here are paintings from both the 13th to 19th centuries, including French Impressionist works and Italian Renaissance masterpieces. Take the free, hour-long tour. See Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” and Botticelli’s “Venus and Mars.” The gallery also provides maps and audio tours for children. There’s no charge to see the permanent collections but the gallery sometimes charges admittance to special exhibitions. Check the website for prices.

The West End Theatre District

Seeing a show in the West End theater district is as important as catching a show on New York City’s own famous Broadway. Tourists can enjoy both classic and new productions. Located near energetic Leicester Square, you don’t have to be a theatre fan to take in the experience. In fact, shows here are attended by tourists and locals alike. For good deals on same-day ticket prices, stop by an official ticket booth in Leicester Square.

Tower Bridge

Free to visit, this architectural must-see is the most famous bridge in London. Construction on this famous bridge across the Thames began in 1886. It’s noteworthy for its detail and mobile travel ways that can be raised to allow large vessels to pass under it. Here travelers can take in the memorable views from the bridge. From its elevated walkways, travelers can see the famous, historic Tower of London, the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the contemporary Shard.

Tate Modern

One of four Tate museums, the Tate Modern is free to visit. Situated on the South Bank of the Thames, it is home to 70,000 art pieces that make up Britain’s national art collection. This museum houses more modern artworks than the other three Tate museums. Once a power plant, the building is presently the home of works by such famous artists as Picasso and Dali. Here all the pieces are sorted by theme instead of the artist.

Churchill War Rooms

The fascinating Churchill War Rooms include the historic, maze-like underground bunker that the late, former Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his war cabinet utilized to plot their actions and shelter them from bombing raids during the Second World War. Here you’ll learn the true tale of this nigh “larger-than-life” world leader. Veteran visitors suggest getting there early to avoid the long lines. If you’re looking for a price break, purchase your tickets online in advance.

Camden Market

Everyone likes stopping in at this free market. This daily market features almost 200 individual stalls and sells such things as fashion and furniture. You’ll find more of an assortment of items across the bridge at the lock market on Camden Lock. Buy souvenirs or indulge in Portuguese desserts, and even hot dogs. Towards the end of the
string of long and winding stalls, you can even buy unique home decor items and leather goods.

Houses Of Parliament

The famous Houses of Parliament in the Palace of Westminster consist of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Traditional tours are available but those in the know recommend the self-guided tours. You will see numerous areas such as the Royal Gallery, the House of Commons Chamber, and the oldest building on the estate, Westminster Hall. Even if you’ve little interest in the country’s center of government, these well-known buildings feature impressive interiors.

Victoria & Albert Museum

Admission here is free at this palatial museum named for the royal couple from the 19th century. Found in South Kensington, the V&A features a collection of applied artwork from different disciplines, eras, and genres. The artwork is organized by categories like architecture, drawings, furniture, jewelry, textiles, and so forth in an attempt to make visiting this mammoth museum easier. There are also different temporary exhibits, free weekly lectures, and guided tours.

Natural History Museum

Found in Kensington, London, this free museum contains over 70 million different exhibits and specimens including a simulated earthquake exhibit and dinosaur bones. This museum is a popular, family-friendly location so expect to see lots of children. Smartphone owners are advised to download the museum’s free app in order to make navigating around the exhibits easier. The museum also offers visitors behind-the-scenes data on its many collections, audio guides, and even interactive interior maps.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

This church is believed to be the second most “must-see” place of worship in all of London, England. Its iconic dome is actually one of the largest on the planet. St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most predominant places along the city’s skyline. An early dome was irreparably burnt during the infamous Great Fire of London, Sir Christopher Wren’s version of the dome, finished in 1711, made it through multiple bombings during World War II.

The London Eye

Also known as the Coca Cola London Eye, this huge, 400-foot high Ferris wheel is ensconced on the River Thames. This attraction is more known for providing wondrous views as opposed to a death-defying ride. Circling slowly, passengers in one of the 32 capsules can take in a 360-degree view that offers a remarkable view of London’s South Bank allowing one to see at least 55 of the city’s famous landmarks and tourist attractions.

Jack the Ripper Tour With Ripper Vision

If you visit around Halloween or are just into crime, murder, and mystery, this tour is perfect for you. It focuses on the infamous story of a local serial killer, Jack the Ripper, who mutilates and murders five or more women back in the late 1800s. Guides carry special picture projectors to aid amateur detectives. Sign up for this tour and enjoy trying to solve this murderous mystery.

Liquid History Tours

If you enjoy bar crawls or kicking back with a cold brew, this tour will allow you to experience the pubs and drinking culture of London. An ingrained part of life in the U.K., this tour will take you to several of London’s most famous and significant ale houses and pubs. Stops include places like the Old Bank of England, which once served as legal courts, and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, which once hosted Charles Dickens.

London Food Tours

Foodies climb aboard on this food-focused tour of one of the world’s culinary capitals London, England. Sure, you could have some tea at Harrods and grab a bite at a fish and chip shop but this tour will let you really dig into the city’s individualistic culinary scene. In fact, one company, London Food Tours, provides passengers with a true taste of local cuisine complete with neighborhood-themed tours like the Twilight Soho Food Tour and the East End Food Tour.