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If you happen to’re planning a go to to England’s capital and you recognize it’s your one and solely likelihood to see it, you then’re going to need to know what are the once-in-a-lifetime issues do in London.

This information shouldn’t be going to characteristic all of your touristy points of interest, you don’t want to go to one other wax museum or journey 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 instances, 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!”

1. Uncover the magic at Warner Bros Harry Potter Studios, London

Excessive on the checklist of many guests to London is the Harry Potter tour on the Warner Bros Studios. It was one among 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.

Enable for 3-4 hours for the self-guided tour. That provides you with sufficient time to learn the tales, journey 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 all places.

The Yeoman Physique of 32 women and men are all drawn from the Armed Forces, and will need to have an impeccable report 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 citadel 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.

Prime tip: Get there for doorways opening and purchase a skip the road ticket. The Tower of London is infamous for its lengthy traces, which might prolong into hours. Tickets will even be cheaper on-line. It’s additionally a part of the London Move by Go Metropolis.

One of the crucial well-known vacationer points of interest in London, with a few of the greatest views of the town, is the London Eye on the River Thames.

It’s the tallest statement wheel in Europe and an effective way to see totally different viewpoints of the well-known buildings in London, just like the Massive 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 images.

4. Go to a Royal Park

Londoners love their Royal Parks. These 5000 acres of high quality inexperienced areas present an attractive 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 plenty of could 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 might be in all probability 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 outside theatre, botanic backyard, and a lake for boating on. It’s probably the most various park in London.

London is filled with pleasant parks, gardens, and squares all around the metropolis!

5. Eat at Borough Market

Okay, Borough Market has grow to be a little bit of a vacationer gimmick today, but it surely’s probably the most iconic meals marketplace for avenue meals in London, so that you resolve should you’d prefer to pay £10 for a small bowl of risotto with two substances in it.

Borough Market is positioned on the south facet of the River Thames, close to to London Bridge, and homes a group of meals stalls and distributors promoting contemporary produce.

It’s stuffed with candy treats and snacks to strive, corresponding to strawberries dipped in chocolate, comfortable 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 areas, together with the Leaky Cauldron Pub.

I’ll warn you; weekends are shoulder-to-shoulder busy. In the course of the week it’s a a lot quieter expertise.

Don’t Miss: If you’d like avenue meals however much less touristy, head to Brick Lane for the meals corridor there – it has avenue meals for each nationality conceivable. Additionally, the classic markets and outlets 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 means of satisfying her starvation pains mid-afternoon.

It grew to become a trendy 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 a good time the English custom of excessive tea, named so for the excessive tables it’s served on. They arrive in layers of savory and candy objects corresponding to scones with jam and cream, finger sandwiches, macaroons, and pastries.

Whilst you would possibly assume you’re required to drink copious quantities of tea with it, you’ll be able to select to have espresso, and plenty 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 means is the Ampersand Lodge the place we skilled our science-themed excessive tea, which made Kalyra’s London for teenagers checklist!)

There’s even a unusual expertise like afternoon tea on a London bus or on a Thames River cruise.

Prime 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 components 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 once 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 slightly greater than only a sticky beak by the gates and some “I used to be right here” images.

The Altering of the Guards is the ceremony the place The Queen’s Guard arms over duty for safeguarding Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace to the New Guard.

The pomp and ceremony of the precision drill and bands enjoying stirring music make it probably the most fashionable London points of interest – and it’s free!

Buckingham Palace has been the official London Residence of the Royal Household since 1837. If the Royal Customary 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 Citadel, her favourite of all her palaces, the chances are you’ll see the Union flag.

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 throughout 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 identify ‘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 instances make room for rooster, pork, lamb, and even vegetarian. Many locations will provide a standard pub roast or one with slightly 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 totally loved our Sunday Roast on the Edinboro Citadel 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 Massive Ben

Massive Ben is to London what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. It’s one among London’s landmarks that can’t be missed off any itinerary. 

Massive Ben is the 13.5 tonne iconic clock tower on the Homes of Parliament. Formally, it’s the Elizabeth Tower, however everybody calls it Massive Ben after Benjamin Corridor, the First Commissioner of Works when it was completed in 1858.

You’ll be able to 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 images we captured on our journey – that even native Londoners didn’t find out about – was that of Winston Churchill searching upon Massive Ben.

The Homes of Parliament is the place all of the vital enterprise in operating the nation occurs. You’ll be able to tour inside on choose days and instances. I used to be lucky to have a good friend working there once 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 concerned with British Politics, Quantity 10 Downing Avenue is a five-minute stroll from Massive Ben and is understood for being the house of the Prime Minister. These days the Prime Minister doesn’t reside there, however nonetheless makes use of it to carry conferences.

10. Tour Westminster Abbey

Because you’re at Parliament Sq., let’s cross the street and tour Westminster Abbey, the Royal Church of England. Each monarch since William the Conqueror has been topped right here and plenty of have been married within the abbey as properly.

I loved our self-guided audio tour of Westminster Abbey greater than I believed I might, as did our children (14 & 10).

You’ll stroll by the attractive, tiled sanctuary the place weddings occur; the flowery quire; go to the tombs of many royals and vital individuals; 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 best: Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, and Hardy.

I additionally loved seeing the angle of the abbey from strolling across the cloisters and gardens. This tour is a part of the London Move by Go Metropolis.

11. Tour Princess Diana’s former dwelling, Kensington Palace and Gardens

Kensington is named the dwelling of the Younger Royals. It’s the official residence of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (i.e. Prince William and Kate) and their kids. Harry and Meghan lived right here for a time, and most famously, it was beloved Princess Diana’s dwelling.

That is additionally the place the legendary Queen Victoria was born. You’ll be able to observe her Royal footsteps on a tour by her re-imagined childhood rooms and the King and Queen State Residences, and the magnificent King’s State Residences and Queen’s State Residences.

I beloved the Life Via a Royal Lens exhibition sharing the Royal Household by images, the views from the home windows, the flowery 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 every day, however closed Sunday and Monday. It’s additionally included on the London Move by Go Metropolis.

12. Watch avenue performers at Covent Backyard

One of the crucial 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 totally different functions from then, however by the 1800s it had developed into the biggest produce market on this planet. Its overwhelming measurement prompted its relocation in 1974. 

It is usually subsequent to different vacationer points of interest 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 just under the balcony of the well-known Punch and Judy pub (good luck making an attempt to get on it!).

Don’t neglect to unfold out throughout the central Covent Backyard market space to discover the encompassing cobblestone streets and facet alleys for different secret gems!

Whenever 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 top-of-the-line 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 few 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 primarily based on the Roald Dahl e-book and film. Many of the solid are younger kids, who’re very proficient. We laughed all the time!

I’m glad we added this it to our London itinerary on the final minute as our teen mentioned it was one among her favourite London experiences.

If you wish to have a singular expertise and see one thing quintessentially English, you’ll be able to catch a Shakespeare manufacturing at The Globe Theatre on the banks of the River Thames.

Honest warning; this theater is a standing theater so perhaps take into consideration that if there’s a manufacturing of Hamlet or King Lear.

14. Hunt for murals in Shoreditch

If you’re brief on time and need to expertise extra cultural points of interest, 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. 

Avenue artwork within the UK continues to be technically unlawful and thought of a felony exercise, which implies avenue artwork can pop up rapidly, however be taken down simply as quick.

Shoreditch is the anomaly and is the epicenter of London’s avenue artwork scene as they battle again on the vandalism label. Probably the most well-known secret avenue artist of all time – Banksy has left his mark in Shoreditch a number of instances.

15. Drink a Pimm’s & Lemonade overlooking The Thames

If you’re coming to England and intend on experiencing a excessive tea, you can not go on consuming a Pimm’s & Lemonade. It’s considerably of an unofficial drink of London, particularly on a scorching summer time’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 generally known as the ‘No.1 Cup’

It’s an awesome drink to have with mates because it’s typically served by the Pitcher, ice-cold and full of contemporary fruits. It has a mildly candy and spiced taste and is refreshing. I can’t imagine I by no means drank it once I lived in London. I preferred it loads!

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 take pleasure in 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 day by day. Effectively, at the very least we stopped in for a pint of ale!

Nearly any pub in London could have a comfy, heat ambiance with an unbelievable historic story to inform. You’ll discover low ceilings, creaky stairs, reside 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 strive 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 just a few of those pints of a night may give you sore arms!

It is a uniquely British allotting system that’s particularly acceptable for conventional cask-conditioned ales. It permits the casks to be saved in a cooler cellar beneath the bar and the beer to be pulled or drawn as much as the bar and provides 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 likelihood we might to stroll alongside Southbank to get from A to B.

This South Financial institution to Southwark stroll alongside the Thames begins at Westminster Bridge, trying in the direction of the Homes of Parliament all the best way to Tower Bridge. Or vice versa. It’s roughly  2.5 miles / 4km in whole. 

There are gorgeous views throughout and also you’ll go iconic points of interest just like the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Shard, London Eye, and Tate Fashionable all below the omnipresent watch of St Paul’s Cathedral. 

Alongside the best way, you’ll discover some fashionable and well-known pubs like our favorites The Anchor and The Founders Arms. Plus, the sunsets from listed here are stunning.

18. Straddle the Prime Meridian in Greenwich

Head to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the Place of Time, positioned about 40 minutes southeast of Central London alongside the Thames.

Right here you’ll be able to be taught the fascinating historical past of how the Royal astronomers experimented and studied the celebrities to give you at this time’s fashionable model of time.

Its measurement (GMT) all begins on the Prime Meridian. You’ll be able to verify off your bucket checklist that you’ve stood with one foot within the West and one foot within the Jap 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 proper encapsulation of the trendy and historic worlds that London has advanced by to grow to be this unbelievable metropolis we love a lot.

The Royal Observatory can be an included attraction on the Go Metropolis Move.

19. Go to Trafalgar Sq.

Trafalgar Sq. is without doubt one of the most well-known locations in London. All people who visits likes to have their images with the large lions, which signify 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 gorgeous constructing within the background.

It’s actually the guts of London and has at all times been a preferred place for Londoners to collect, whether or not that’s to herald the New 12 months collectively, or protest, rally, or march for vital rights and causes.

Certainly one of my favourite issues about Trafalgar Sq. is the pedestrian lights surrounding it. They’re LGBTQ site visitors lights that embrace two males and two girls holding arms and forming a coronary heart, and varied 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 turning into a London icon, particularly for the unbelievable views from its 72^nd ground open-air platform. There’s 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 shifting 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!

Goal for about an hour earlier than sundown so you’ll be able to expertise the nightfall golden mild views, sundown panoramic views, and nighttime views when these London lights sparkle.

You will need to reserve your tickets upfront. It would additionally prevent cash. This attraction is included within the Go Metropolis Card. This may be the star occasion of the go!

Wish to expertise 5-star luxurious with these views? The Shangri La Lodge is positioned 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 lodge. Verify 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 affords guests an opportunity to expertise a quieter facet of London. What was as soon as a busy cargo transportation route has grow to be leisurely waterways by London providing individuals a tranquil place to stroll, paddle, or boat journey.

The enjoyable and picturesque 40-minute canal journey 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 objects in Camden City and Camden Market

Whilst you’re exploring Regent’s Canal, you should incorporate a cease off in Camden City. It’s one among our favourite locations in London for its eclectic, grungy, different type. 

It’s a London neighborhood identified for the Camden Markets and its reside music scene. Many well-known artists from world wide have performed right here or received 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 journey, a Sunday pub roast, Regent’s Park, and a few prime pubs for reside music!

23. Go to the London Museums and Artwork Galleries (most of them free!)

We’re not massive museum individuals, so we didn’t go to many. We journey a lot and have visited so many museums that we are likely to run the opposite means 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, stuffed with archeological findings that the Brits joke are “issues the English stole from different international locations” 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 Fashionable for contemporary artwork).

You will discover a museum of any measurement and go well with any curiosity – there’s even a Vagina Museum in Hackney!

For these touring with children, you’ll be able to’t miss the Pure Historical past Museum includes a life-size blue whale skeleton and an enormous robotic T-Rex. Proper subsequent door is the interactive Science Museum, the place kids can study science by play.

Throughout the street 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 Fashionable was one other London gallery attraction we devoted a while to and totally 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’ll be able to see, you possibly can use at the very least two days to simply discover the museums of London!

24. Take a strolling tour by London’s historical past

Each avenue and cobblestone alleyway in London has a captivating 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 be taught? 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 once I moved to London. I LOVED it! Sure. It would freak you out. 

What freaked me out much more was I typically needed to stroll previous one among his killing alleyways on a night after my shift on the pub to get dwelling. The chills in my backbone doubled the tempo of my legs!

25. Tour Winston Churchill’s Warfare Rooms

Immerse your self within the ambiance of the Blitz with a visit down into the historic Cupboard Warfare Rooms.

This warren of tunnels and bunkers below Whitehall was the headquarters for Britain’s conflict effort throughout World Warfare II.

The tour begins at Westminste Millennium Pier, only a brief stroll from Westminster Underground Station, and you then take a brief stroll round London overground by visiting Massive Ben, Homes of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Avenue, and eventually to discover the Warfare Cupboard Room from the place Winston Churchill deliberate Britain’s subsequent transfer.

You’ll be able to truly see the chair (full with scratch marks on its arms), which he used throughout extremely anxious 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 conflict 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 at no cost and get nice views overlooking the Thames and again over the Tower of London.

You’ll be able to head up into the north tower to the (paid) Tower Bridge Exhibition for larger views and to be taught extra concerning the structure, engineering, and historical past. It’s a paid attraction and is included in your London attraction go.

Verify for instances when the Tower Bridge will elevate up its bridge arms so boats beneath can go by. They do must e-book it 24 hours upfront so you’ll be able to plan forward for this cool expertise.

On common, Tower Bridge opens its bascules round 800 instances a 12 months, that’s round twice a day. Verify opening instances right here.

Take a river cruise to see it from beneath as properly.

27. Take a Thames River Sightseeing Cruise

There’s nothing like seeing London from the angle 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 true below the London Eye.

I beloved the commentary that taught us loads concerning the historical past of the Thames and the function it’s performed in London life.

The cruise will take you previous Massive Bend and the Homes of Parliament earlier than turning round to go east passing below a lot of London’s bridges spanning the river – every with its personal identify and story.

You’ll be taught many tales concerning the iconic Landmarks you’ll go like Massive Bend, London Bridge, HMS Belfast, The Shard, Tate Fashionable, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower Bridge, which you’ll get to sail below earlier than turning round to cruise again.

You’ll be able to see extra in our Reel of the River Thames cruise. (Observe us over there for extra enjoyable journey adventures and ideas!)

28. Tour St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral is without doubt one of the most well-known cathedrals on this planet and one among London’s most luxurious buildings.

There’s a rule that St Paul’s should be seen from eight separate locations all through London which is why so lots 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 Hearth of London between 1675 and 1710.

We visited on a guided tour with Independence by Globus, however commonplace admission consists of an audio information. Go to the crypt to see memorials of lots of of well-known and nice individuals, together with the our bodies of Wellington and Nelson mendacity straight below the dome.

Sadly, the whispering gallery across the base of the dome was closed after we visited, however this is without doubt 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” positioned within the North Tower of Hogwarts Citadel for the Harry Potter movies.

Prime tip: Ebook 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 intend for getting your photograph operating the cart into the wall at Platform 9¾  at Kings Cross. 

That’s in fact in case you are a Harry Potter fan, in any other case, it won’t 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 particular person totally 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’ll be able to, or later shut to complete time. Good luck muggles. 

Simply so you recognize, Kings Cross Station is actual. Platform 9¾ shouldn’t be. They’ve a chosen area on the station (not even on the platforms) to your images with the cart going into the wall. 

There’s a Harry Potter retailer right here as properly the place you should buy 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 street 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 once 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 received 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’ll be able to learn extra about that story right here. 

30. Go to Leadenhall Markets

If you happen to’re heading east in the direction of Liverpool Avenue then I like to recommend you go to the gorgeous 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 embellished inside and cobbled laneways that you simply see preserved at this time are from a redesign in 1881.

It’s now a procuring 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 good pub right here, in operation since 1790.

31. Observe the Harry Potter Movie Places Path

There are fairly just a few areas in London the place scenes from the Harry Potter films had been filmed. If you happen to’re a fan, this may be one among your favourite issues to do in London.

We didn’t particularly observe a path or do all of it in sooner or later, however we knew the place loads of the areas had been and, if it was within the space we had been visiting, we made a facet step to go and see it. 

Among the best methods to expertise Harry Potter areas in London is thru a strolling tour.

I want we did this simply so we might have heard extra tales and felt extra related 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 depart. 

I’ve talked about a pair on this put up already, however a few 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 College (on the left as you strategy the north facet) on Millenium Bridge was the place Daniel Radcliffe went to high school.

Bear in mind when the Demise 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 suggest incorporating a soccer match into your London itinerary. 

You’ll be able to both see a reside match at one of many many soccer stadiums across the metropolis, or just from inside a pub, or out of doors massive display 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’ll be able to think about the enjoyable we had on the pub practically each weekend watching cricket, rugby, or soccer.

Don’t neglect London is dwelling to Wimbledon, the enduring tennis stadium. Cricket followers might 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 Instances Sq. in New York. Stuffed with neon lights, huge flashing promoting billboards, and other people getting selfies. It’s overrated, however many vacationers adore it so I’m including it right here for you. 

It’s only a street junction with a round area within the center with a statue of Eros on it. 

From right here you’ll be able to simply stroll to Piccadilly, Leicester Sq., Shaftesbury Avenue, the curving Regent Avenue, and Covent Backyard.

Learn this convenient information with ideas for getting round London. You too can make a duplicate of our London map with all points of interest pinned.

34. Buy groceries on Oxford Avenue

Surprisingly excessive on many guests’ checklist of issues to do in London is to go to Oxford St, the world’s greatest excessive avenue (that’s Most important Avenue for non-UK individuals).

Possibly it has no attract for me as I walked alongside it scores of instances whereas dwelling in London to get from A to B.

Oxford Avenue is without doubt 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 best way all the way down to Tottenham Court docket Highway and is full of shops promoting style, magnificence, tech, and homeware. You’ll discover manufacturers and department shops corresponding to Hole, River Island, Primark, Selfridges, Home of Fraser, and Marks & Spencer.

There are additionally greater than 500 eating places alongside the road and facet streets.

35. Take a day journey to Bathtub or Oxford

Want a break from the depth of London? There are a lot of improbable UK locations which are simple day journeys from London.

We suggest going by practice as it’s simpler than a automobile rental. You possibly can additionally do the Nationwide Categorical bus service, which is probably the most reasonably priced option to attain the most important cities within the UK, however practice journey is far quicker.

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 Bathtub from London for 2 nights, and then Oxford for 2 nights in the midst of our London journey. Each had been improbable cities stuffed with wealthy structure and historical past.

You too can rent a automobile from Oxford (means 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 suggest 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 positioned).

You 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 very best of London, I might suggest you spend at the very least 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 might have seen extra.

However, from a vacationer perspective, and also you’ll almost certainly solely have a brief go to to London. On the naked minimal, permit your self 5 days. You’ll should be selective about which of those points of interest 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 points of interest, cultural experiences, cool neighborhoods, and surprises and hidden gems on each avenue, nook, and cobblestoned alley.

Earlier than you exit and begin exploring London, I’ve simply just a few phrases of recommendation for you…

We walked on common 10 miles a day to see and do as a lot as we might. London is one among our favourite cities on this planet and has been our favourite household journey to date!

Nevertheless it’s fairly massive, so that you’re going to want snug strolling sneakers when exploring.

I additionally suggest you get your self an Oyster Card should you don’t have a contactless fee card. That is the best and most cost-effective means to make use of London’s public transportation. You’ll be able to decide up an Oyster Card from any main underground station. You too can faucet your contactless credit score or debit card, or Apple Pockets or Google Pockets.

You also needs to 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 loads.

Lastly, don’t depart 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’ll be able to.

FREE London Bucket Record 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 identify within the type beneath to entry it.

Extra London Journey Suggestions

There are loads of issues it’s best to 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.