Experiencing These Top 10 Things to Do in London Will Maximise Your Trip
When you’re visiting London, it’s hard to resist the must-see sights, immersive cultural experiences, and world-class shopping. Of course, a visit to the top night clubs here and there wouldn’t hurt either.
What we’re saying is, there are plenty of options in town, so you won’t run out of things to add to your itinerary.
I know it can get overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. That’s why I gathered the best things to do in London to get you started on your travel list!
1. Tower of London
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Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/
Address: London EC3N 4AB
Contact Details: +443333206000
Operating Hours:
- Sun, Mon: 10:00am – 5:30pm
- Tues–Sat: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Admission Costs:
- Members: Free
- Adults: £35.80
- Child age 5–15: £17.90
The Tower of London is an iconic landmark that marks London’s historical landscape. Built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror, you’ll experience the structure’s 1,000-year history.
Here, you can also see the most famous jewel collection, including over 100 objects and 23,000 gemstones that will leave you feeling overwhelmed by their beauty.
Among these objects is the Imperial State Crown, worn by the monarch on special occasions.
Make sure to visit the White Tower, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the armed forces, you’d meet the Yeomen Warders, too, at the Tower of London, so make sure to experience them in all their glory clad in uniform.
| Pro tip: Try to arrive early to avoid long queues, especially for sought-after experiences like seeing the Crown Jewels, so you can maximize your visit. |
2. The British Museum
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Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/
Address: Great Russell St
Contact details: +442073238000
Operating Hours:
- Sat–Thurs: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Fri: 10:00am – 8:30pm
Admission Costs:
- Free admission*
*Donations accepted
The British Museum is one of the most popular institutions in London. On each floor of the museum, you’d notice how their collection spans a wide range of periods in art history and archaeology.
They feature art from world history like Egyptian, African, and Greek art. From ancient to modern artworks, their collection also includes works by Kollwitz, Picasso, and Warhol, too.
All the collections of the museum engage the eyes, so brace yourself for visual saturation.
In the Greek style building, your family can enjoy museum activities like Museum Missions, where you can explore the galleries as you engage in educational material with the whole family.
| Pro tip: The museum can overwhelm you with its floor space, so it’s best to wear comfortable shoes to help you cover all the areas without getting cranky from tired feet. |
3. London Eye
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Website: https://www.londoneye.com/
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd
Contact Details: +442079678021
Operating Hours:
- Daily: 10:00am – 8:30pm
Admission Costs:
- Standard ticket: £29
- River Cruise Boat Tour: £15.50
- Fast Track Ticket: £44
One of the best viewpoints in London is the London Eye. In a rapidly moving society, seeing the cityscape from above would give you a fresh perspective on the world.
You’d see beautiful landmarks in the 360-view of the city, which is a bucket list activity where you can have a photo op against the cityscape. It’s perfect for families and friends alike.
What’s great is that you can have afternoon tea at the London Eye, too, for only £75, so invite your loved ones over for an afternoon of sightseeing and a dainty cup of warmth!
| Pro tip: Whether you’re bringing a DSLR camera or a phone camera, invest in a wide angle lens (phones have clip-ons!), so you can capture most of the 360-view of the city. |
4. West End Theatre
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Website: https://www.westendtheatre.com/
Address: Old Compton St
London is rich with cultural events like theatre productions from the city’s West End. They have various theatres in the area such as Prince Edward Theatre, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and His Majesty’s Theatre.
West End presents diverse productions ranging from Les Miserables and Beetlejuice to Cabaret and Hercules. This is surely a great avenue to start off your family’s cultural engagement in the city.
It’s a must-see experience that is perfect for a cultural night in London regardless of where you’ve come from. The shows feature global and world-class talent like their actors and singers, so you’re sure to be struck with awe by their performances.
| Pro tip: It’s okay to dress smart casual for West End productions. However, it’s important to be decently dressed to show respect to the performers. |
5. National Gallery
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Website: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
Address: Trafalgar Square
Contact Details: +442077472885
Operating Hours:
- Sat–Thurs: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Fri: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Free admission*
*Donations accepted
There are plenty of art galleries and museums in the city where you can learn and discover both ancient and new works of art. The National Gallery, specifically, will transport you into a world of cultural immersion.
The museum is free for everyone, which makes it an accessible pitstop for any itinerary. However, you’d want to consider offering a donation to help them maintain the institution in its pristine condition.
Their collection includes the greats like Vermeer, Titian, Cezanne, and Rubens. The result is a collection that provides a good opportunity to educate kids and adults alike about the history of art.
The museum has various activities for the whole family, like hands-on experiences for young ones. They have the SEND programme, too, which is a set of learning sessions designed for students with special education needs and disabilities.
| Pro tip: Maximize your trip by checking out their audio guides. They have self-guided audio tours that you can buy on their website. Just bring your mobile device and headphones. It’s available in various languages like English, Deutsch, and Italiano among others. |
6. Southbank Centre
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Website: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/
Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road
Contact Details: +44 20 3879 9555
Operating Hours:
- 10:00am – 11:00pm
Some of the must-experience events in the city can be found at theSouthbank Centre. They hold a variety of cultural events like art exhibitions, performances, gigs, and workshops.
One featured event is the London Literature Festival that highlights written and spoken word catered to local and visiting wordsmiths. They have various types of events for different interests, so be sure to check those out, since there’s bound to be one for you.
Southbank Centre has several venues like the Queen Elizabeth Hall, designed in brutalist architecture, the Purcell Room for jazz performances, and the Hayward Gallery for contemporary art pieces.
| Pro tips: Do your research on what experience you’d want to immerse yourself in, and maximize your time at the centre. You wouldn’t want to miss a second of these events. Shows can sell out fast, so check their events calendar beforehand to get first dibs on tickets. |
7. Hyde Park
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Website: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/
Address: London, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +443000612000
Operating Hours:
- 5:00am – 12:00am
Admission Costs:
- Free admission
You can only try to grasp the majesty of the parks and gardens in London, one of which is Hyde Park. Upon visiting, you’d be engulfed in the park’s lush greenery and scenic beauty, so be sure to bring a good camera!
They host major events like Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, the London Marathon, Taste of London, and Trooping the Colour. Keep their events in mind, so you can plan your trip accordingly.
The park holds events like nature-inspired art workshops, too, so check out their calendar on their website to see how you can adjust your itinerary according to the events you’d like to attend.
| Pro tips: Time your visit in the morning to get the flattering morning glow for photos. It’s also more peaceful to walk around the park in the morning. Bring a DIY viewfinder to help you compose your sketches at the park. |
8. Kew Gardens
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Website: https://www.kew.org/
Address: Richmond, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +442083325655
Operating Hours:
- Daily: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Adult: Starts at £11
- Child ages 4–15: £5
- Child under 4: Free admission
Kew Gardens is one of the top attractions in London, having been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through the paths of the garden, you’d want to take as many photos as you can to capture timeless memories.
The heritage site maintains a diverse plant collection within their beautiful botanical gardens. Seeing over 50,000 living plants would keep you coming back for more doses of nature.
Don’t miss out on The Princess of Wales Conservatory, a glass nook with climate-controlled zones lush with diverse ecosystems.
| Pro tip: There’s a lot to explore at Kew Gardens, so make sure to allocate enough time for every section. |
9. Hampstead Heath
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Website: https://www.hampsteadheath.net/
Address: London, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +442073323322
Operating Hours:
- Daily: Open 24 hours
Admission Costs:
- Free admission
Hampstead Heath’s woodland and meadows landscape will surely captivate your senses, and visiting it would allow you to experience wildlife all year round.
One of their features is Parliament Hill where you can take kids to fly kites like they did back in the old days. They also have swimming ponds for anyone brave enough to dip in.
If you find yourself looking for refreshments amid your travel, Hampstead Heath is complete with cafes, pubs, and restaurants, so you won’t be left feeling parched.
| Pro tip: If you’re on a budget, the prices at the cafes, pubs, and restaurants at Hampstead Heath might be deemed a bit steep for some visitors. Stop by a bakery before or after heading to the park. |
10. Camden Market
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Website: https://camdenmarket.com/
Address: Camden Lock Place
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Sun: 10:00am – 7:00pm
If you’re looking to cross out a bucket list experience, be sure to visit the Camden Market. They have diverse music, fashion, and food for everyone to enjoy, so bring a hefty appetite for flavors and culture.
Their food stalls have various surprising offerings like lamb köfte burger, cheese pairings, and candied jalapeno doughnuts, which are perfect for foodies.
One of their highlights is Dingwalls which is a structure that is reserved for iconic live music experiences. Music buffs would have fun visiting this feature.
For family-friendly fun, they have Babylon Park, too. It has mini rollercoasters, bumper cars, air hockey, and arcade games, among others, so there’s fun for everyone.
If you’re with friends, you could have fun at their late night darts bar called 180 Darts Club. They not only have classic darts but also fun group games, too!
| Pro tip: Make sure to bring cash in case some stalls don’t accept cards or cashless modes of payment. |