Unusual-and-usual-things-to-do-in-London

London: 20 must-do’s and 20 fun and unusual things to do too!

Last updated on August 2nd, 2026 at 03:25 pm

It is one of the most visited cities in the world – and its easy to see why. London doesn’t really try to impress you – it just does.

For first-time visitors, London can feel huge. There’s history everywhere – inside places like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, but also a modern vibe around the Thames, the canals, the street markets, and some of the neighbourhoods. There is something for everyone.

What makes London especially good for travellers is how easy it is to explore. You can walk between major landmarks, hop on the London Underground when your feet get tired, and fill your days with everything from world-class museums to parks like Hyde Park—many of them completely free.

And f you’re planning a trip to London, you’re probably wondering the same things most people do: how expensive it is, what you shouldn’t miss, and how to make the most of your time. This guide covers all of that – plus a realistic itinerary, practical tips, and a few local insights to help you experience London properly, not just tick off landmarks.

Enjoy!

Contents

Trip Planning Checklist

The top 20 things to do in London – the must do’s!

20 unusual and fun things to do in London

Take a day trip from London

An Itinerary for 3 – 7 days in London

Where to stay in London

Frequently asked Questions about traveling to London

Travel Tips for London

Related Posts

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The London Eye at night

Trip Planning Checklist

These are the booking platforms I personally use for all my travels. If you book through these affiliate links, it helps support this site and keeps me producing free travel guides – at absolutely no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for the support! Cheers!

All in one – if you want to book flights and accommodation as a package, use expedia

Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight cheaper than booking direct with the airline!

Accommodation – I use booking.com for hotels, Hostelworld for a hostel, and Vrbo for holiday houses.

Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.

Tours and Activities – book with Viator or GetYourGuide. My top picks for London are:

Car rental – I usually use DiscoverCars

Insurance – I usually use EKTA , but another good option, especially if you are from the US is SafetyWing. EKTA works well as they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!

Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is often my first option for buses, ferries and trains – they are expanding worldwide but are very strong in Asia. They cover parts of Europe like Germany and France, and Australia and Latin America – especially Argentina.

Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!

Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!

The top 20 things to do in London – the must do’s!

These are the things most people have at the top of the list when they are heading to London. Of course you might skip a couple but probably not many. After these 20, I have added 20 more fun or unusual things to do too so that you have options and are not just ticking off the landmarks!

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Big Ben in London

1. See Big Ben and the Parliament Buildings

Its an icon of England and a must see in London – Big Ben on top of a tower of the UK Parliament Buildings – or the Palace of Westminster next to the River Thames. It is worth seeing it all lit up at night as well as during the day.

Fun fact – did you know that Big Ben is the nickname for the bell of the Great Clock of Westminster – not the actual clock or tower it sits on!

You can go to see it on your own from Westminster tube station, or learn more on a combo tour:

PS – don’t miss the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square behind the Parliament Buildings next to Westminster Abbey.

2. Visit Westminster Cathedral

Westminster Cathedral (Catholic) is about a 15 min walk from Big Ben, and close to Victoria and St James Park stations. It is not the same as Westminster Abbey (Anglican) which is behind Big Ben!

This is the largest Catholic church in England and Wales and has an interesting exterior of striped brick and stone – while the interior is of course quite imposing and stunning!

3. Watch the change of the guard at Buckingham Palace

Everyone it seems wants to see “the Palace” and of course it should be on your list – but be prepared for crowds at the Changing of the Guard. And if you want a good view – especially in summer then you need to go early! I do recommend this Changing of the Guard Tour if you do definitely want to see it – a local will get you as good a spot and tell you lots about it. (The tour also goes to Downing St and Big Ben etc)

Another thing to consider is this – don’t go for changing of the guard at the palace but do go for the Changing of the King’s Life Guard at Horse Guards Parade. Its on at 11:00am daily (10:00am on Sunday) with less crowds and there are horses involved too!

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Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Memorial in London

4. Watch one of Shakespeare’s work of art at the Globe Theater

Even my kids loved going to Shakespearian shows here! And while in England you must see something of the worlds most famous playwright! I do recommend going to a show if there is one on that evenly remotely interests you – just to soak up the atmosphere. But if not, or as well as seeing a show, this Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Guided Tour is really interesting and I highly recommend it! A tour is also included in the London Pass.

5. Take in some tunes at the Royal Albert Hall

While thinking of shows…. the Royal Albert Hall is not only a fascinating piece of architecture but one of the world’s most famous and iconic performance venues. Go to a show if you can – they do interesting things like films in concert as well as more traditional musical performances. A tour of the Royal Albert Hall is also included in the London Pass. It’s about 10 mins from the South Kensington underground station.

6. See the dome at St Pauls Cathedral

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St Pauls Cathedral is a must see in London

St Pauls is an Anglican cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of London. It is famous for a few things but its dome is key – it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1963 and the impressive dome dominated the skyline for more than 300 years. It is 111m (365 ft) high and is still one of the highest in the world.

A few famous people are buried here including the 1st Duke of Wellington, Horatio Nelson, Joshua Reynolds and JMW Turner. Diana and Charles were married here too!

It is free to go to a service but there is an entry fee for sightseeing. It is open for sightseeing from Monday to Saturday usually at 8.30am (10am on Wed) to 4pm. The Dome Galleries open at 9.30am (10am on Wed) with last entry at 4.15pm. 

Buy your St Paul’s Cathedral Admission Ticket or combine it with a tour of the Westminster area with this St Pauls Cathedral & Westminster Walking Tour. Entry is included in the London Pass too.

7. Walk over the Thames – on the classic Tower Bridge

Here we have another two icons – Tower Bridge and the Thames River. (See the feature photo above.) The river is not terribly pleasant for swimming but you have to walk over it at least once – and of course that should be on Tower Bridge!

This can be a completely free thing to do – just walk across! i do recommend doing that during the day as well as at night if you have time. (Lights reflected on water and all that pretty stuff.)

Alternatively you can pay for the Tower Bridge Experience to get into the high-level glass floor walkways, the North and South Towers, and the Victorian Engine Rooms. Its all pretty cool. Another option is this Tower Bridge & Engine Room & Scenic Thames Cruise combo – perfect to get your time on the river as well.

Note – entry is included in the London Pass – 100+ London things to do including Tower of London, London Eye, Westminster Abbey etc!

8. Cruise on the Thames

Its something to see the river but even better to get on it for a bit. I think its best to combine it with something else or use it for a means of slow interesting transport to another site. Consider one of these options:

And for a blast – literally – this High-Speed Thames River Speedboat might be more your thing!

Note a cruise options is included in the London Pass too.

9. See the jewels at the Tower of London

Another massive icon of London! You can literally spend just about all day here – although do combine it with a walk or tour over Tower Bridge of course.

This castle is famous for many many reasons including the magnificent Crown Jewels collection, the Yeoman Warders and ravens, and of course the prisoners – people like Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, Walter Raleigh, Robert Devereux, and Princess Elizabeth!

You have many many tour options and basic entry is included in the London Pass, but these two are recommended:

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The Tower of London is an icon of London

10. Visit the PM at 10 Downing St and the Churchill War Rooms

10 Downing Street is the Prime Minister’s residence! The nearby Churchill War Rooms are effectively an underground bunker which was Britain’s WWII command. The War Rooms were created in 1939 to protect the War Cabinet because 10 Downing Street was not bomb-proof. When you visit you see it much as it was during the war – really interesting to see.

They are both close to Westminster underground station. You can take one of the many tour options, but these are highly rated:

You can visit independently but you must book ahead to get a ticket!

11. Take tea at Kensington Palace and Gardens

This palace is where Queen Victoria was born and the official residence of current royals William and Kate – and you can visit it. You can even have that most British of British things – high tea in the garden! Entry is included in the London Pass or you can go for one of these fun tea options:

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The Natural History Museum in London!

12. Be amazed at the iconic London Museums

The three top museums you want to see are the:

  • British Museum – it is the largest in the world with a permanent collection of eight million pieces! It was also the world’s first public national museum. The museum covers documents the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. (Near Tottenham Court Road Station.)
  • Natural History Museum – it has 80 million items – some being collected by Charles Darwin himself. The museum is particularly famous for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons! (Near South Kensington Station.)
  • Science Museum – all things science from steam engines to space and the Apollo 10 Command Module Charlie Brown, which orbited the Moon 31 times in 1969. My favorite part is the flight area – highly recommended! (Near South Kensington Station.)

The great thing about these museums is that they are all free to everyone! Its a serious bargain!! However if you want to learn from someone that knows it all (just about) then these are the best options to consider:

There are plenty of other museums you could consider too, depending on your interests, like the London Transport Museum, Bank of England Museum, and the Imperial War Museum.

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Inside the flight section of the Science Museum in London

13. Browse the famous Art Galleries

Along with the museums are the art galleries to visit. The top three to see are the:

  • National Gallery – over 2,300 Western European paintings ranging from the 13th to the early 20th centuries. (Near Charring Cross Station.)
  • Victoria and Albert Museum – collections of ceramics, fashion, furniture, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photography, sculpture, and Asian art. (Near South Kensington Station.)
  • Tate Modern – international modern and contemporary art from 1900 onward. (Near Blackfriars or Southwark underground stations.)

Once again these three museums / art galleries are all free for everyone to see. But you can take a tour to learn more. These are good options:

  • The Saatchi Gallery – contemporary art exhibitions – free for some, tickets for some exhibitions
  • Somerset House – visit the Courtauld Gallery for Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces including Van Gogh, Manet, and Monet – free for some, tickets for some exhibitions. (BTW -this is my favorite one.)
  • The National Portrait Gallery – world’s largest collection of portraits – free entry
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Inside the National Gallery in London

14. See the biggest plant collection ever at Kew Gardens – The Royal Botanic Gardens

Kew Gardens are famous for having more than 50,000 different plants in its living collection and over 7 million preserved specimens! That sounds unreal – but it is real! Kew Gardens also has over 750,000 botanical volumes and illustrations in its library. It is a huge (132-hectares or 326 acres) place and you can spend a whole day there easily!

Entry is included in the London Pass otherwise you can buy a Kew Gardens Admission Ticket.

15. Get birds eye views on the London Eye

Its the big wheel of London – a slow ride giving great views of the city. Not a ride for a thrill seeker, but nice to do once. I do recommend trying to time it for sunset so you get to see the city in some daylight and then sunset light as well.

Entry is included in the London Pass otherwise you can buy an entry ticket here or a skip the line fast track ticket here.

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Get great views from the London Eye – especially at sunset!

16. Listen up at Hyde Park & Speakers Corner

The parks in London add a nice green touch to the city and the most famous is probably Hyde Park complete with its Speaker’s Corner (close to Marble Arch underground station). An Act of Parliament in 1872 gave anybody the right to use this area for public speaking on any subject they like. It soon became a place for peaceful demonstrations and individual diatribes, and has been used by famous people like Karl Marx and George Orwell, as well as any old Jo Bloggs!

Appreciating these green space is something you should do in London – and its nice to take a break from the people and traffic etc. For the central city parks and other more unusual green spaces in London read this post that tells you where they are and how to get to them!

17. Go to a show in the West End

When in London, one goes to a show! Well you don’t have to but…

Tickets aren’t cheap but you can get cheaper tickets online with sites like the Leicester Square Box Office, or London Theater Direct or London Theater Tickets if you book ahead. Even for the top shows you can often get a better priced seat!

You can also visit the TKTS Booth in Leicester Square for discounted, same-day, and advance tickets. Good luck!!

Fun fact – The longest running show in London, and in the world, is the Mousetrap which has been showing continuously since November 25, 1952. It is a play rather than a musical.

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The Mousetrap at the St Martin’s Theater in the West End of London

18. Jump on a Double Decker bus or Hop on Hop Off Bus

You have to jump on a classic London double-decker bus somewhere while you are in the city. Don’t worry about where to – anything will do. Its fun to sit and watch London go by. Don’t do this at rush hour though or you might just sit in traffic a while! Buses are included in your underground travelcards so its no extra cost. Its also good to try and use buses and not just the underground as it makes you more aware of how everything is connected in the city.

Another option is to go on a Hop on Hop off Bus of course. Again be careful about your timing – good when traffic is low but not when it is busy busy!

A 2 day Big Bus pass is included in the London Pass.

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Hop on hop off Big Bus in Piccadilly Circus in London
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Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square

19. Walk from Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square

These are two more iconic places in London – Piccadilly Circus with its big billboards and buzz and Trafalgar Square with Nelsons Column outside the National Gallery.

These two places are only about 5-10 minutes walk from each other and its a great route to get your red photos!

Red Photos?

There is a traditional red phone booth and a red Royal Mail post box on the way – just if you want those particular photos!

The National Gallery is found at Trafalgar Square so combine this with a visit.

20. Get royal at Hampton Court Palace

It has been here since the early 1500s and was a home to Henry VIII! It is a fantastic piece of architecture, and place of history and stories! Don’t miss the hammerbeam roof of the Great Hall, or the Abraham Tapestries . And personally I loved the huge chimneypiece in the Queens Guards Chamber (below). It is definitely worth getting a guide if you can (and this is coming from a non-historian / museum lover!). Entry is included in the London Pass, but there are quite a few options when buying tickets:

Note – an excellent way to get to Hampton Court (apart from the underground) is on this Westminster to Hampton Court River Thames Cruise! Cruise one way to enjoy the Thames and learn as you go, then take the tube back to the city center, or stay near Hampton Court and Kew Gardens for a night or two.

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My girls in the massive fireplace in the Queens Guards Chamber in Hampton Court Palace

20 unusual and fun things to do in London

Some of these things are better known than others but they are generally not on top of the list of things to do – or simply not known about. There should be some fun and surprising things here that you can add to your London itinerary!

1. Visit Diagon Alley

Go to the Leadenhall Market which is a pretty stunning Victorian market in its own right. But its also Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films! Don’t forget to look up and see the ceilings while you look for HP! Note for the market itself it is best to visit on a weekday – everything will be open! The market is near Monument Underground Station.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you can also go on the Warner Brothers Harry Potter studio tour and experiences

There is also this 5/5 stars walking tour around London sights – Harry Potter’s most comprehensive and exclusive tour in London.

Note that a Harry Potter Walking tour is included in the London Pass but not the studio tour and experience.

2. Wander the haunts of Jack the Ripper

You may not immediately think of this as a thing to do in London but he is a famous character from this famous city.

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The Sherlock Holmes Museum in London

Fortunately Jack is not longer plaguing the women of the city but you can learn all about him and his victims on one of these tours:

3. And then the haunts of Sherlock Holmes!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle started writing about this famous detective at the time that Jack the Ripper was active! You can go on a Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour and see many sites that feature in the books and films.

And for adult fans, you can also visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum. You find it near the Baker Street Tube.

Note – if you are a Beatles fan there is a Beatles shop next door to the museum!

4. Learn about the “Great Stink” of 1855

Head out to the Crossness Pumping Station, a purpose built Victorian sewage works! Not only can you learn about how the Great Stink was dealt with, but the building is pretty fabulous too! . The closest station is Abbey Wood – on the Elizabeth Line or Southeastern network from Charing Cross, Waterloo and London Bridge!

5. Fall in love with Notting Hill

Notting Hill is an area full of picturesque, pastel-colored Victorian townhouses, sprinkled with flowers and leafy trees, and made famous by the film “Love Actually!” If you want to see something other than the city center and all the highlights this is a great option for a browse around, and of course to get a shot of the Love Actually house – where Mark uses placards to declare his love for Juliet!

And if you go on a Saturday you can browse along the Portobello Rd Market enjoying its antiques alongside food, fashion, books and more!

6. Meet Harry S at Madame Tussauds

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Get a photo with Harry S at Madam Tussauds in London

It may not be unknown but not everyone goes to Madame Tussauds in London. But for me, if you are ever going to go to one, then this is the one as it is the original Madame Tussauds. It opened up nearly 200 years in 1835 by Madame Tussaud herself and her sons!

So go along and snap a pic or two of yourself and anyone famous that takes your fancy – Harry maybe? You can buy a ticket on its own or there are a couple of popular combo tickets you might consider:

7. Walk the Egyptian Avenue in Highgate Cemetery

I love a good cemetery – and London has one! Highgate Cemetery is a beautiful Victorian cemetery and is the final home of people like George Elliot, George Michael, and Karl Marx! You can visit on your own and stroll around to see the fine tombs and get the gothic feel, but you can also book a highlights tour of the cemetery. Its absolutely worth it as you will get to see the Egyptian Avenue, the Circle of Lebanon and the Terrace Catacombs which you can only see on a tour.

Notes: There is an entry fee to the cemetery. And you can go on a Highgate Walking Tour with a Guide to learn more about the area before embarking on a tour of the cemetery!

8. Explore the graffiti scene

Under Waterloo Station are the Leake Street Arches. This is a 300-metre-long legal “graffiti tunnel.” You will find eight old railway arches, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and even a board game cafe – all surrounded by plenty of graffiti of course!

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Head off to Hogwarts at Platform 9 3/4

9. Find the curiosities around Paddington Station

Not only does Paddington Bear come from Paddington Station, but of course Platform 9¾ is where you catch the Hogwarts Train!

So the first things you have to do are find the statue of “a bear called Paddington, and then try your luck at getting to the Hogwarts train!

But then there is one more thing to find – The Paddington Real Time clock. This clock was created Dutch artist Maarten Baas who creates 12-hour films of performances that are projected inside public clocks!

Inside the clock you see a working man in a suit who is painting and removing the hands of the clock. The actor’s suit is the style of a 19th century three piece suit. This is in reference to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the renowned civil engineer and chief engineer of the Great Western Railway, whose trains run from Paddington Station. Every minute the man wipes off the clock hands and paints the time. Funky!

You can find the clock just outside Paddington station at 50 Eastbourne Terrace.

10. See how wedding cakes were invented!

There are so many reasons to visit St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street. First it is one of Christopher Wrens amazing works. Second it has an interesting history dating back 1500 years and there are displays int he basement to learn more about its history. Third it is nicknamed the “Journalists’ Church” and is “renowned for our outstanding music and unique ministry to all who work in the media.”

And finally its steeple was the inspiration for the tiered wedding cake!

Apparently in the 1700s a local baker wanted to create a spectacular cake for his own wedding, and so the tiered wedding cake was born!

The church is free to enter – a donation wouuld be gratefully received, but you can also learn about Fleet Street and the church on this Fleet Street Uncovered: Walking Tour with a Guide.

11. Eat at the Markets

Apart from the Portobello Rd Market in Notting Hill – known for its antiques, there are a couple of other markets you might enjoy. Borough Market is known for its food – you can buy all sorts of high quality and delectable yummies there. Old Spitalfields Market is another one, with a lively feel and good quality products and tasty food. Covent Garden is known more for its entertainment and architecture and can be fun to browse!

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Tour the secret Underground Stations in London

12. Explore the underground stations – below ground!

You’re going to go on the “tube” or underground at some point – its so easy and convenient.

But did you know that you can take a tour to explore behind the scenes of the underground! There are so many options but the most popular are the:

13. Relax in an Artist’s Garden

The Artist’s Garden is a space on the roof of Temple Station which has a changing display of installations by women artists. This is part of the Victoria Embankment which was a large reclamation of land beside the Thames built between 1865–1870 to resolve the ‘Great Stink.’
It was a feat of Victorian engineering that turned the muddy foreshores of the Thames into public spaces, with roads and walkways overhead, and tunnels for trains, water and waste beneath. The Artist’s Garden also has a nice view over the river.

14. Ride a Canal Boat

London’s canals are part of its charm, and walking along part of the Regents Canal is highly recommended. But to experience a little of the canal life you can take a canal boat between Camden and Little Venice, including through a lock, on this Canal Boat Ride on Camden Lock.

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Canal boats on Regents Canal in London

15. Eat at the Shard

The Shard is the tallest building in the UK and has Western Europe’s tallest viewing platform. You can buy a View from The Shard ticket (or entry is included in the London Pass) to go up to the 72nd floor for 360-degree panoramic views of the city and beyond – and if you feel like you can handle it – go outside on the viewing platform!

But what you can do, if you just want the views, is to have a meal in the Shard at one of the many restaurants. There are lots of high quality restaurants and the cost of a meal will be a bit more than a ticket, but you get a meal as well as the view!!

16. Hop on a bus for High Tea

So you really have to go, at least once, on a red double decker bus in London – its is part of the experience. But if you want to double the experience, and add in another very English ‘thing to do’ then how about having High Tea on a double decker bus?

The bus on this Great British Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is customised to let you be served a lovely English afternoon tea as you travel around the famous sights in London – complete with cakes, scones, sandwiches, pastries and of course tea (and bubbles)!

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In the maze at Hampton Court Palace in London

17. Be aMazed at Hampton Court Palace

If you plan to go to Hampton Court Palace, allow for some extra time to get lost in the oldest hedge maze in the UK!

The grounds have a fantastic and fun maze covering 1/3 acre. It was built / planted around 1700 by William III! It usually takes about 20 minutes to reach the centre – depending how many dead ends you get stuck in!

18. Stand in the east and the west and see GMT

At the Royal Observatory in Greenwich you can stand with one leg in the eastern hemisphere and one in the western hemisphere!

Basically you can see and stand on the Prime Meridian line (longitude 0°) which is what defines Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

While you are there you will also see the historic Shepherd Gate Clock, which first displayed GMT to the public!

You can buy an entry pass here or entry is included in the London Pass. A nice way to get there is on a Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise!

19. Take a hot tub cruise on the river

Seriously cuckoo – but why not? Its definitely a different way to see the Thames and all it has to offer. Try this Hot Tub Boat Tour in London – adult drinks available, and your guide will let you in on the secrets of Canary Wharf and London’s Docklands!

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Hot tub boat tour on the Thames – credit Skuna

20. Ride the mail rail at the Postal Museum

The Postal Museum is a fun place for anyone especially for the rather unique train ride you can take on the 100 year old mail train under the streets in London. Note for tall people – it is small! It was designed for letters and parcels – not people! there are interesting edxhibits too and you can see the first postage stamp “The Penny Black.”

You can buy a Postal Museum Entry Ticket and Underground Rail Ride or entry is included in the London Pass.

Take a day trip from London

You may not think to do it, but you can see some of the most famous places and sights in wider England on a day trip or two from London – without the hassle of moving accommodation and finding transport etc. Stonehenge, Oxford and Bath are what I would rate as the top three from my experience. But these are some great options:

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New College Lane in Oxford – see it on a day trip from London

An Itinerary for 3 – 7 days in London

This itinerary will save you masses of time – it covers all the key sights and groups activities according to locations. Just adjust to what interests you but the basis of any itinerary is here. No worries!

Day 1 – Start at: Westminster Station

Either take a London tour eg London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Guided Tour
or
Follow this self guided plan to see: Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, the Churchill War Rooms, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace, and the London Eye.

The route:

1. See Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey.
2. Walk to 10 Downing Street (10 mins) and the Churchill War Rooms (9 mins)
2. Walk or take a 24 or 26 bus to Westminster Cathedral (20 mins walk) and explore inside.
3. Walk to Buckingham Palace (15mins). Watch the Changing of the Guard if the timing is right (be there by 10.30 for the change at 11am).
4. You are now near Hyde Park, the Royal Albert Hall, and Kensington Palace. Walk through the park to see the Royal Albert Hall and on to Kensington Palace to visit.
5. Walk to Queensway Station (8 mins) or Paddington Station (25 mins) and explore the things to do there (see above). Take the bus 148 from Queensway over Westminster Bridge. Then walk to the London Eye for a sunset ride – make sure you book ahead. Or take the Tube from Paddington Station to Waterloo Station, then walk to the London Eye from there.
6. London Eye for a sunset ride

Day 2 – Start at: Tower Hill Station

See: the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern or Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Covent Garden, West End.

The route:

1. Go straight to the Tower of London – arrive early for entry and book ahead. (2 mins) If you don’t have a London Pass book a tour eg VIP Tower of London & Tower Bridge Early-Access Tour
2. Walk across Tower Bridge. (Visit the towers etc in the Tower Bridge Experience if that appeals.)
3. Walk to Borough Market for lunch. (14 mins)
4. Walk to the Tate Modern (13 mins) or Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (8 mins) – whichever appeals – or go to both.
5. Head to Covent Garden for food and then see a show in the West End (walk and tube 25-30 mins)

Day 3 – Start at: South Kensington Station

See: the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum or Victoria and Albert Museum, Greenwich or one of the fun things to do!

The route:

1. Walk to the Natural History Museum and visit (3 mins).
2. Visit the Science Museum or Victoria and Albert Museum – depending on what interests you. (All three museums are next to each other.)
3. Pick a fun thing from the 20 unusual and fun things to do in London above for the rest of the day – eg Madame Tussauds, Sherlock Holmes Tour, Jack the Ripper Tour, Notting Hill……….
or
Visit Greenwich – get there on a Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

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Piccadilly Circus and statue of Eros in London

Day 4 – Start at: Piccadilly Circus Station

See: the Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, St Paul’s Cathedral and a river cruise on the Thames.

The route:

1.Look around Piccadilly Circus then walk to Trafalgar Square (8 mins) – take photos with the post and telephone boxes!
2. Visit the National Gallery after walking around Trafalgar Square.
3. Get the tube from Trafalgar Square to Tottenham Court Road and walk to the British Museum (7 mins) to explore the museum.
4. Get the tube from Holborn Station to St Pauls Station and visit St Paul’s Cathedral.
5. Take a river cruise on the Thames if you are not going to go to Greenwich or Hampton Court Palace, or see another show in the West End

Day 5 – Start at: Westminster

See Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens.

1. Take the Westminster to Hampton Court River Thames Cruise (or take the tube and train).
2. Visit Hampton Court Palace
3. Spend the rest of the afternoon at Kew Gardens.

Day 6 – Day Trip

Head off on a day trip to see some sights outside London. These are my top three choices

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London

Stonehenge Morning Half-Day Tour from London Including Admission

Stonehenge & Bath Day Tour from London including Admission

Sherlock-Homes-of-London-England
Sherlock Homes of London

Day 7 – Choices

1. Choose a couple of things from the Unusual and fun things to do in London list above and enjoy! Eg Great British Afternoon Tea Bus Tour, or Hot Tub Boat Tour in London, or a Canal Boat Ride on Camden Lock
2. Take in another show at the West End or go for a view from The Shard or dinner in the Shard.

Also check out some of the green spaces in London you might not have seen.

Where to Stay in London

If you are a first time visitor, its good to stay on or near the Piccadilly line. It is easy to get from Heathrow, and a lot of the sights or starting points for your day are on this line. Great options are hotels near the West End / Covent Garden (higher end prices) or South Kensington (high – mid range) stations or near Earls Court (mid range to budget options).

An alternative is to stay near Westminster (higher end prices on the Jubilee, District and Circle lines) – near many of the top landmarks.

Of course you can stay in the outer zones – it just takes longer to get to the city and may cost a little more in transport – but not by that much.

Hotels are not cheap – a rough guide to prices is budget: £90–£140, mid-range: £150–£300, and high end: £400+. These are very highly rated options at each level.

Luxury

The Ritz London or Raffles London at The OWO

High end

Sofitel London St James or Grand Residences by Marriott – Mayfair-London

Mid range

Egerton House or Hazlitt’s 

Budget

The Blackbird or The Barkston

Backpacker

Wombat’s City Hostel London or Onefam Waterloo or YHA London Central

Frequently asked Questions about traveling to London

Q: When is the best time to visit London?
A: Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) have mild weather, fewer crowds, and long daylight hours. Summer (July–August) is busiest and most expensive. Late April has always worked well for me too, but I may have been lucky with the weather!

Q: Is London expensive to visit?
A: Yes—London is one of Europe’s most expensive cities. A rough guide for a daily budget is: – Budget: £70–£120, Mid-range: £150–£250, and Luxury: £300+

Q: Do I need a visa or ETA for London?
A: Yes. This is the official site.

Q: How many days do you need in London?
A: You can see the highlights in 3 days, but to be more relaxed and see more of the top sights and be able to really enjoy the museums 4–5 days is better. To get to some of the sights further out int he city like Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace, and/or to go on day trip then allow 6-7 days. See my mini itineraries below for more information.

Q: Is London safe for tourists?
A: In general, yes but you can be subject to pickpocketing in crowded areas and phone theft – never have your phone on a table when eating!

Q: Can you drink tap water in London?
A: Yes – it is perfectly safe.

Travel Tips for London

Getting around London

Public transport is the best way to get around London using the underground (tube) and buses, and sometimes trains. You can buy an Oyster Card for local transport which you top up and use as you go, but it is easiest to simply tap on and off with your bankcard. You will be charged a maximum daily fee or for the rides you take – whichever is cheapest. It costs the same as using an Oyster.

How to get from Heathrow to central London

The fastest way to get from Heathrow into central London is on the Heathrow Express which takes 15 min to Paddington Station (at around £26), but the cheapest is to take the underground on the Piccadilly Line which will take 50–60 minutes (at around £6). The other option is to take the underground on the Elizabeth Line which takes around 30 mins (at around £15) but is double the price of the Piccadilly line. I don’t think the Heathrow Express is worth it unless you are wanting to go to Paddington Station specifically.

Book major attractions early

Book any major attractions like the Tower of London or the London Eye early, and if you can, get skip the queue or timed tickets – or go on a tour that includes the sights so it is done for you!

Group sights by area

It will save you time and energy if you plan ahead and group things you want to see by the area! See my itineraries earlier in the post!

Don’t get stuck on the underground

Getting around on the tube is great, but don’t fall in the trap of only using the tube. Check on google maps the walking distance, and see if there is a bus going where you want to go. By only using the underground it all seems disjointed and you don’t get to understand how London works overground or how close many sights are to each other – whereas often attractions are in close walking distance or its easy to go on a bus and see what’s in-between.

Local etiquette in London

When in England……

  • Say “please” and “thank you”
  • Be prepared to queue in an orderly fashion – don’t try and jump a queue
  • Stand on the right on escalators – always!!!!! Walk up or down on the left. It works well.

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