25 Best Things to Do in London – Cafes and Getaways

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25 Best Things to Do in London

Last Modified: September 19, 2023

The Tower of London is actually a fortified castle that sits along the banks of the River Thames. It was used as a royal residence, armery, prison, royal mint, and even a zoo for exotic creatures. Now, it is one of London’s top attractions and home to the crown jewels. 

There is a lot to see here, so make good use of your audioguide, which will help you get around. Entry tickets cost £33.60 for adults and £16.80 for children over the age of five. 

Guided tours are also available for those who want to learn more about the tower’s fascinating history. These include a knowledgeable Beefeater guide and allow you to skip the long lines to see the Crown Jewels.

Unless you join a guided tour, plan on a line to get into the tower. The line for the crow jewels will be much longer. In order to avoid these long lines, head to the Tower of London right when it opens and visit the crown jewels exhibit first. Between the beefeater tours and the numerous exhibits, you can spend at least two hours exploring the tower.

Check ticket availability and times.

After stopping by Big Ben and the House of Parliament, walk over to Westminster Abbey. This important church is where the coronation of kings and queens is held. It also has special ties to some of history’s most influential people, including Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Dickens. 

Entrance is not free, but you can take a self-guided tour of Westminster Abbey with the help of an audio guide for £27. You can also access the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries for an additional fee. 

Unless you use a London Pass, you need to book your ticket in advance. Most of London’s attractions, including the free ones, require pre-selected slot times for entry to help lessen crowds. 

For history lovers, a guided tour will grant you more knowledge of the famous abbey. The Westminster Abbey Tour includes skip-the-line tickets, a guide, and optional access to the Houses of Parliament (I highly recommend you see them!).

One of the most important buildings in London is the royal residence which has been the home to a number of monarchs. The best way to visit Buckingham Palace is by walking down the Mall. The shaded avenue is beautiful and gives you the perfect view of the palace in the distance.

If you are able to visit at 11:00 am, you can watch the daily Changing of the Guard during the summer months. At other times of the year, the ceremony happens every other day. You can go to the palace website for an up-to-date schedule of dates.

This is one of the most crowded places in London, especially during the Changing of the Guard ceremony. For fewer crowds, try visiting early in the morning. 

The massive 775-room palace is available to visit for ten weeks during the summer. Portions of the palace such as the State Rooms are available to tour on your own.

Exclusive guided tours are also available in the spring and winter for £90 a ticket. Unlike the general admission tickets, you can explore the palace after hours. Due to limited number of slots, pre-book these tickets as soon as they become available.

Take a ride on the London Eye for the best views of London. The large wheel is 443 feet tall, allowing you to see the city from a completely unique perspective. At one point, it even held the record for being the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. 

In total, there are 32 pods that can hold up to 25 passengers. For a more romantic experience, you can pay for a private pod. A ride on the London Eye is very popular, so unless you purchase a Fast Track Ticket, you may have to wait a little while. A standard ticket costs £33 if purchased online. 

Another option is to sit on the opposite bank of the Thames and enjoy the Ferris wheel from a distance. The London Eye is especially beautiful at night when it is lit up. Visit Tattershall Castle, a former ferry-turned-pub docked on the opposite side of the river for a pint with a view. 

Check current ticket prices and availability.

London is known for its bust tours which take you around the city to some of its most famous attractions. You can quickly see the main sites in a short time, all from the top of an iconic double-decker bus.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours are unique because you can do just that, hop-on and hop-off. With these particular experiences, you don’t have to stay the whole time. London Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours allow you the flexibility to get off whenever you please while still learning from a guide along the way. 

With 36 different stops to choose from, you can get off at many important sights. These passes can be purchased for 24, 48, or 72 hours and include a free cruise on the Thames.

Another popular experience is the London By Night Open-Top Bus Tour. Some landmarks you will pass along the way are Big Ben, Harrods, the London Eye, and Trafalgar Square. You will also get a chance to experience the neon lights of Piccadilly Circus, all from the top of an open-roof bus.

London has several large parks located throughout the city. St Jame’s Park is a personal favorite because of the variety of birds that live there. You could spend hours watching them around the river banks and trees. The 23-hectare park sits between some of London’s most important buildings such as Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade.

Hyde Park is also another terrific public green space in the city center. It sits along the Serpentine River, where you can rent paddle boards and boats for a leisurely afternoon on the water. There are also regular free concerts and outdoor events that happen here throughout the year. Hyde Park is most known for its Spearker’s Corner where public rallies and debates are held.

If you’re looking for some live entertainment, Regent’s Park has an Open Air Theater that regularly hosts comedies, musicals, and plays. You can also find London’s oldest scientific zoo here. In addition to these animals, you can find over 100 species of wild birds and hedgehogs spread around the 166-hectare green space.

London is famous for its terrific markets that sell anything from food to gifts. One of the most popular is Borough Market. It has one of the most diverse assortment of food vendors in London. You can find stalls selling dishes from around the world, and all for relatively low prices.

Covent Garden Market is another popular place for foodies. They too have some tasty food stalls as well as a Saturday Farmer’s Market. You can also find several sit-down restaurants and boutique shops here. It is smaller than Borough Market, but a great place to come for a meal and free entertainment.

Another favorite is Leadenhall Market. It dates back to 1321 when it was used to sell meat and game. Since then, it has expanded to include anything from pubs, boutiques, and restaurants. The building itself is extremely iconic and highly photographed.

The covered market with its arched glass roof and brick is so beautiful that it has landed the building in movies such as Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.

For lovers of art, The National Gallery should be on your list of things to see in London. You can find a variety of paintings displayed here from the 13th century all the way to the 19th century. There are over 2,300 paintings throughout the different wings and seasonal exhibits that change every few months. 

The gallery houses works from the world’s greatest painters, including Monet, Van Gogh, and da Vinci. One of the highlights is Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. Not only are the collections impressive, but the large gallery rooms are exquisitely decorated. 

In order to beat the lines, book your free ticket online in advance. Group and private tours are also available upon advanced request. These tours are led by an expert guide with several themed options available.

Known for its neon lights and large displays, Piccadilly Circus is a lively part of the city close to the late-night spots. This vibrant area is located in the West End of London, and has remained a busy commercial hub for centuries.

The name “Piccadilly” comes from the frill collars that were a popular fashion trend in the 17th century. A tailor by the name of Robert Baker created these piccadills and lived in the area. His house was eventually nicknamed the Piccadilly House, and thus, Piccadilly Circus was born.

There is more to do here than just peering at the large screen displays in the main square. The area also has several theaters and is close to Regent Street, known for its shops. No matter what time of day you can find tourists and locals relaxing around the Eros fountain. Visit at night for the most magical experience.

Nothing is better than hanging out at a cozy London Pub, sipping on a pint, and indulging in traditional British comfort food. London’s most historic pubs have played host to some of Britain’s royals and the most influential literary figures of all time. 

Dozens of pubs scattered throughout the city have been around since the 1500s, and have remained unchanged. The cramped rooms, low ceilings, and hidden nooks add to their charm. 

Two of London’s most historic pubs are The Lamb & Flad and Ye Old Cheshire Cheese, but there are so many others. No matter what time of day, you will find locals crowded around the bar or sitting in a cozy booth.

Hey, I’m Ally! Welcome to Cafes and Getaways. I’ll be sharing details on my latest travel destinations, as well as tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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