FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, then you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in London will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, beaches, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in London.
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100 Unforgettable Things to Do in London England
If you are planning a trip to London England and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. 30 million people visit London England every year. London is well known for its iconic red phone booths, double-decker buses, black cabs, pubs, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Beatles, famous bridges, free museums, Harry Potter, amazing street art, afternoon tea, fish and chips, and all things Royal. The Instagram-worthy places in London are endless. Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, museums, and the best restaurants in London to create your personal London England bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your London England trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!
Not to Miss Landmarks in London
- Visit Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch, and witness the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony.
- See the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and learn about its history as a royal palace, fortress, and prison.
- Attend Evensong at Westminster Abbey, the final resting place of British monarchs.
- Step inside St. Paul’s Cathedral Whispering Gallery and climb up to its famous dome for panoramic views.
Must Do Attractions and Activities in London
- Explore the street art murals in Shoreditch and Brick Lane made by world-famous artists.
- Check out The Making of Harry Potter on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
- Watch Shakespeare come to life during a performance at the Globe Theatre.
- See a concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
- Tour the Houses of Parliament and photograph Big Ben.
- Take a boat ride on the Thames.
- Watch the feeding of the pelicans at St James Palace.
- Watch the Horse Guard parade and dismounting ceremony at Whitehall.
- Explore all the Harry Potter sites, including filming locations and themed spots.
- Watch the Tower Bridge lift up at night.
- Tour the Royal Mews and see the Gold Stage Coach.
- See the LCD display and relax by the fountain in Piccadilly Circus.
- See John Snow’s water pump in SoHo.
- Experience the pedestrian scramble at Oxford Circus.
- Check out Little Venice on the water bus from Camden Lock.
- Take the London Rock Music Tour.
- Walk across the Abbey Road intersection made famous by the Beatles and write a message on the wall at Abbey Road Studios.
- Tour Dianna’s former residence at Kensington Palace.
- Take a Jack the Ripper tour through the Whitechapel area.
- Ride on the upper deck of a double-decker bus
- Get lost in the maze and tour Hampton Court Palace
- Walk across the top of the Tower Bridge and gaze down at the cars below you
- See a musical in the West End.
- Watch a tennis match at Wimbledon.
- Attend a sing-along screening at Prince Charles Cinema.
- Stand on the Prime Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
- Enter the colorful and artistic world of the Sclater Street Graffiti Tunnel.
- Explore Hampstead, London’s secret village.
- Catch a match at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, known as the “Home of Cricket”.
- Visit the historic Wembley Stadium, England’s national football stadium.
- Take a cable car ride over the River Thames and enjoy the city’s skyline.
- See the Lubetkin Penguin Pool at the world-famous London Zoo.
Best Museums in London
- Check out the Rosetta Stone and learn about human culture at the British Museum.
- See Tippoo’s Tiger and Constable’s paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
- View Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych at the Tate Modern and check out the top-floor river views.
- Browse British art from 1500 to the present day at the Tate Britain.
- Take the National Gallery highlights tour.
- See historical manuscripts, Shakespearean works, and the Magna Carta at the British Library.
- Check out the Diplodocus skeleton at the Natural History Museum.
- Learn about England’s role in World War II at the Churchill War Rooms.
- See the Apollo 10 Command Capsule at the Science Museum.
- Visit the Old Royal Observatory, Royal Naval College, and National Maritime Museum in Greenwich Park.
- Learn about London’s criminal underworld at The Clink Prison Museum.
- Browse the unique collection of 350,000 objects at the Horniman Museum.
- Learn about psychoanalysis and see Freud’s iconic couch at the Sigmund Freud Museum in his former residence.
- Get your fix of iconic red buses at the London Transport Museum.
- Step into London’s dark side at London Dungeons.
- Stop at the Sherlock Holmes Museum and explore his study.
Outdoor Activities in London
- Grab a coffee and go for a walk on the South Bank.
- Kayak or take a boat cruise along the Thames River to see the city’s landmarks from the water.
- Have a picnic in Hyde Park and listen to a protest on Speaker’s Corner.
- Visit Kew Gardens, the largest botanical garden in the world.
- Take a walk through Richmond Park, a nature reserve famous for its red and fallow deer population.
- Check out the view from Primrose Hill in Regent’s Park.
- Check out the white roses in the sunken garden honoring Princess Diana in Kensington Gardens.
- Take a break and relax at St. Dunstan in the East, a church ruin transformed into a garden.
Where to Eat in London
- Grab a quick lunch from Kingly Court or one of the gourmet food stalls at the Borough Market.
- Enjoy afternoon tea at iconic establishments like The Ritz or Claridge’s.
- Explore the street food scene in Camden Town or Brick Lane.
- Experience Michelin-starred dining at acclaimed restaurants like The Ledbury or Hakkasan.
- Eat at the Café Royal, a dessert restaurant, or buy a sweet treat at Harrod’s Department Store.
- Drink bubble tea in Chinatown.
- Stop in a traditional pub for lunch and order fish and chips.
- Have lunch suspended 100ft in the air at London in the Sky.
- Eat a cupcake from Lola’s.
- Splurge on dinner at The Ivy, an iconic and glamorous dining establishment.
- Have dinner at a street food market, try Shoreditch’s Dinerama or Flat Iron Square under the London Bridge.
London Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Take a DIY pub crawl along Fleet Street or stop in the Mayflower Pub for a history fix.
- Have a pint at Sherlock Holmes Pub, the Albert or on the terrace at Founders Arms
- Spend a night out bar hopping in Greenwich, Camden or Shoreditch.
- Stop for cocktails in Mayfair at Annabell’s or the Cuckoo Club.
- Have a relaxing evening out at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in Soho.
- Enjoy rooftop cocktails with a view at Madison Rooftop Terrace, Sushisamba, Queen of Hoxton, or Radio Rooftop Bar.
- Dance the night away at Fabric, Ministry of Sound, XOYO, Scala, or Phonox.
Shopping in London
- Shop til you drop on Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Bond Street.
- Browse London’s famous Department Stores: Harrods, Selfridges, and Liberty.
- Explore the boutiques on Carnaby Street or Leadenhall Market.
- Wander the trendy shops in Camden Town.
- Do some souvenir shopping and watch street performers at Covent Garden.
- Browse the antiques at Portobello Market.
- Experience the Columbia Road Flower Market on a Sunday morning.
Instagrammable Places in London: Lookouts, View Points and Selfies
- Views: the London skyline from Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill, Greenwich Park, the Sky Garden, the top floor of the Tate Modern, and The Monument.
- See the city from up high on the London Eye, the O2 Arena, the Shard, rooftop of One New Change.
- Photograph: the Tower Bridge lifting at night, Leadenhall Market, the Millenium Bridge, an Underground sign, a red phone booth, the bronze lions in Trafalgar Square, colorful Neal’s Yard, Notting Hill’s colorful streets and houses, Kindertransport statue at Liverpool Street Station, the Charlie Chaplin statue at Leicester Square Park, Paddington Bear at the Paddington Station, Harry Potter’s Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station.
London Special Events
- Notting Hill Carnival, an annual celebration of Caribbean culture, is held in August.
- London Fashion Week, a showcase of cutting-edge trends, is held in September and February.
- The world-famous Chelsea Flower Show is held in May.
- Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, is held in July.
- Trooping the Color, the Queen’s Birthday Parade, is held in June.
- Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland Christmas Market is held in December.
- Attend London’s New Year’s Eve Celebration and fireworks.
Be sure to check the London England Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Day Trips from London
London is a great base for day trips throughout England, including the high-speed train to Liverpool. My favorites are Liverpool, Bath, Canterbury, Brighton, Beachy Head, Stonehenge, Cambridge, and York. Click through for information on each!
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Plan your Trip to London England
Why Visit London England
People are drawn to London for various reasons and fascination with the Royals is often at the top of the list. London is well known for its iconic red phone booths, double-decker buses, black cabs, pubs, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Beatles, famous bridges, free museums, Harry Potter, amazing street art, afternoon tea, fish and chips, and great shopping.
How Many Days in London is Enough
3-4 days in London is enough to experience the city and visit a few museums. Add more time if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
Is London Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in London is low and London is considered a safe city. However, the risk of pickpockets and muggings is medium and the risk of a terrorist attack is high. Check their website for more information.
Best Time to Visit London
The high season in England is July and August, expect high prices and crowds. The days are long and temperatures rarely rise above 78°F in the summer months. The shoulder season is May, early June, September, and early October. Winter is the low season, prices and crowds drop from November through March. Days are short, cold, and dreary; temperatures rarely drop below 35°F. Expect rain in all seasons. Christmas is a fun time to visit London to see the lights and markets.
How to Get to London
Many airlines fly nonstop to London. London has several major airports. Heathrow one of the world’s busiest airports and the biggest in the U.K., if you are traveling from the US it is likely where you will land. A nonstop flight from LAX to London Heathrow is 10.5 hours. Nonstop New York City JFK to London Heathrow is about 7 hours.
How to Get Around London
Heathrow Express is the easiest way to get to the city. Trains run every 15 minutes and the ride is 15 minutes to the Paddington Station. A ticket will cost you £25.00 at the time of this update. You can save money by taking the underground Piccadilly line. The ride is 50 minutes and costs £5.50. Check the Heathrow website for all transportation from Heathrow Airport to London options.
Although most will want to ride a double-decker bus and take at least one black taxi, the London Underground is simple to use and the most efficient way to explore the city. All payment for public transportation in London is contactless and you will need an Oyster Card to pay. Car rental, parking, and gas are expensive.
Where to Stay in London
I have stayed in several locations in London. Choose a hotel near the underground! I can’t stress that enough. Check out Club Quarters Hotel, it is in a great location.
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What Should I Budget for London
According to Budget My Trip, the daily cost of travel is $250 per person per day. As always, the cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
What Should I Pack for London
The overall clothing style in England is edgy. The English like vintage clothing and mix prints, patterns, and styles. Skinny jeans, cardigans, tweed, and mid-length tea dresses are common in England. England has a moderately damp climate, be prepared for drizzle and rain at any time.
Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in London
London is full of romantic restaurants and venues to watch a performance. Consider dinner at Sky Garden with amazing views followed by a West End show. Alternatively, book a romantic dinner cruise along the Thames, enjoy a picnic in Hyde Park, or add a love lock to the Millennium Bridge.
Things to Do in London for Kids
London is full of attractions for young children. Consider the London Zoo, the interactive Natural History Museum, and Science Museum, Shrek’s Adventure, or SEA LIFE London Aquarium. Young children will also enjoy riding on a double-decker bus or a traditional black taxi.
Things to do in London for Teens and Young Adults
Young adults will enjoy riding the London Eye, the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour, exploring the trendy shops in Camden, and wandering the street art in Shoreditch.
Visiting More England Cities?
It is easy to travel around England. London is an ideal base to explore the country. Commuter and high-speed trains are easy ways to take day trips outside the city. Car rental, parking, and gas are expensive, consider taking organized day trips to cities that are not well connected, the Cotswold for example.
Check out our England Travel Guide with links to must-see destinations and itineraries!
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London England Attractions and Day Tours
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