The Top 10 Things to Do in London
#10 -
Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
Like most of our trips, we took the hop on hop off bus on the first day of our trip. This allowed us to get the lay of the land and get experience with the city. They have a ton of routes that spread all over the city. We were able to see Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the Parliament building, the Tower of London, the London Eye, and so much more! You are able to get on and off as you please, so it also serves as free transportation to many of the major sites. Plus, you get to hear all of the history of the surrounding buildings, streets, and architecture that gives you a deeper appreciation of the city. There are many different packages available and the tour can be heard in many different languages, making it a great experience for everyone! We made it a point to stop along the route at Harrods luxury department store. Here, we took in all of the specialty stores with over 5,000 brands and delighted in their decadent desserts and chocolates in their famous bakery and food hall. It was a great chance to explore the grandeur of London while still allowing for flexibility in the itinerary.
Photo provided by Big Bus Tour London.
#9 -
Go to the Theatre in the West End
Short of NYC, we’ve never seen a place with so many broadway like shows! London’s West End puts up so many great shows, from current Broadway favorites to classical plays. Big european actors and actresses take part in the fun. While we were there, Orlando Bloom and Sir Ian McKellan were both starring in plays. While fitting in a show during a busy international trip might be difficult, we would recommend planning on seeing at least one show. We had an unplanned, rainy evening and our hotel was right next to Apollo Theater, home of Wicked, so we walked down and took in the show. It was as good as it was on Broadway, which suffice to say was amazing! The “West End” boundary is up to debate, but it’s certainly not a condensed area like NYC’s Broadway. Check out which shows are playing near your hotel!
#8 -
Tower Bridge
Crossing over the River Thames, this Victorian drawbridge offers panoramic views from its high level walkway and (Eek!) glass floor. It adjoins the Tower of London (also on our list) and suspends to the boroughs of Tower Hamlets. An iconic piece of the London skyline, this historical and architectural feat should not be missed! It’s been featured in many Hollywood Blockbuster movies, from Mary Poppins to James Bond’s Spectre, and most recently seen in the final act of Spider-Man: Far From Home. On one side of the bridge rests The Tower Bridge Exhibition. It displays films and photos to teach visitors how and why the bridge was built. It contains very interesting information on the 125+ year old bridge. All in all, the Tower Bridge’s experiences made for some great pictures, hilarious scary moments, and even more laughs on our trip.
#7 - Boroughs Market (And All Street Food Markets)
Yum, yum, and more yum! We loved the grab and go, delicatical bites, try all you can vibe from this food and drink market. While London has become iconic for its outdoor food markets, this one gets a thumbs up from us! It serves up everything from healthy fruits and veggies to gooey, and therefore delicious, grilled cheese. It is a fun and bustling place to visit to satisfy all of those cravings after those long touristy walks. It has withheld its reputation for over 1,000 years! And no wonder! It hosts food, foodies, and goodies from around the world! Whatever your taste bites may be up for, this is a come hungry destination just south of the London Bridge. It was a delightful “stumble-upon” market after a walk through the Tate Museum. Other notable markets include Camden Market, Maltby Street Market, Whitecross Street Market, and Leatherlane Market.
#6 -
Thames River Cruise
Gain a different perspective of the city from the water! See the London Eye, Parliament, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, amazing architecture, glorious churches, and Taft Museum along the waterway. As always in London, bring a jacket just in case it rains or gets a little chilly. There are many times, route options, holiday specials, and more to choose from, making it fit into any type of schedule. We were able to book last minute for a good price, but there are also many online options to book ahead. Relax and enjoy the live commentary that makes the likes of the great St. Paul’s Cathedral and towering Shard come alive!
#5 -
Buckingham Palace
Maybe a visit with the Queen is on your London itinerary? While you won’t get any face time with her majesty, you may be able to visit where she lives. Located in the city of Westminster, this attraction was only a short walk away from our hotel located in the City of Westminster and near the Victoria Underground train station. It has a rich history and is now used as administrative headquarters and listed as the official London residence of the british monarchy. Explore the decadent rooms and walk the grassy lawn to get a true idea of the wealth and glory of the palace. You can book tickets in advance to get a time slot to explore some of the 775 marvelous rooms, fine art, thrones and grand decor. The palace is only open to the public during specific months, so make sure to take a look while planning your trip. Of course you must witness the changing of guards, that can be seen for free at the front of the palace. Also fun to visit is the Royal Mews, attached to the palace and with its own admission price, that displays many of the royal carriages and horse stables.
#4 -
Hyde Park
Take time away from the city and relax in this centrally located oasis. This park is almost 500 years old, having been established by Henry VIII when he repurposed some land from Westminster Abbey into a hunting ground. Stroll through the gardens, enjoy the sculptures and fountains, and visit the Serpentine Lake. Here, you can grab lunch at Serpentine Bar and Kitchen or paddle boat through the water. Be sure to stop by Speaker’s Corner, located in the Northeast corner of the park. For more than a century, it has been a designated area for public speech and debate. The park has hosted some legendary concerts, featuring artists like Pink Floyd, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Queen. Queen’s performance drew the largest crowd for a Hyde Park concert, with 150,000-200,000 people attending. We were happy to see the locals riding bikes, going for a run, or taking in a day with the kids. All in all, Hyde Park is a nice retreat if you want to get back to nature and away from the city.
#3 -
Tower of London (Crown Jewels)
The Tower of London may be London’s most historic and iconic landmark. Founded in 1066, the tower has been used as many different things throughout its history. It’s been a royal residence, a jail, an armory, a treasury, the royal mint, and home of the crown jewels. Since the 1800s, the tower has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Nearly three million people walk the sacred ground within the castle every year. Your self-guided walking tour of the grounds will lead you to discover artifacts, historic locals, and even the superstitious ravens. When visiting, even if the line (queue, in London slang) appears lengthy, do take the time to gaze upon the sparkling collection of the Crown Jewels of England. We recommend arriving early to avoid a long wait to enter the grounds and taking advantage of the London Pass to get access to the site.
#2 -
Abbey Road
One of our favorite photos from our trip is the one of us reenacting the Beatles famous walk across Abbey Road. We will say though, it’s quite the hassle. We took a 20-25 minute Uber ride to get there. There’s not really too much touristy stuff in the area so you’re pretty much just riding over to take the picture and leave. There were probably 20 other people there trying to capture the same picture. The biggest problem was that the street is actually a somewhat busy street for car traffic! It seemed like every time a group would step into the crosswalk a car would turn the corner and they would have to wait. With all that being said, was it worth it? Yes! For us, and especially for our huge Beatle fan father, it was absolutely worth it and we have a photo that we will cherish forever. Bonus points for any group that features one member sans shoes.
#1 -
Take in the Architecture from the Highest of Views
London is home to some of the most famous architecture in the world. What makes it very unique is its mix of both historic and modern buildings. When touring the city, keep an eye out for the Gherkin, the Cheesegrater, the Walkie Talkie, the Onion, and many more. The nicknames are half of the fun haha. For the purposes of this blog entry, we’d like to focus on two that would allow you to see all of them at once.
First, we have the Shard, a modern skyscraper with infinite 360 degree views that offers a great look at this wonderful city. Standing tall as a vertical city, it boasts offices, sophisticated restaurants, spacious bars, retail stores, apartments, and even a 5-star hotel! We highly recommend a fast-paced lift to the top floors to take in the magic of the city. With views stretching to 40 miles, you will be able to take in the other wonderous architecture and famous landmarks also listed on our blog. Currently London’s tallest building, the glass paneled structure stands for a symbol of change as the historical city transitions into modern day.
Secondly, be sure to take a spin on one of the world’s largest ferris wheels, the London Eye! Three million people a year ride on it, making it the most popular paid attraction in the United Kingdom. The wheel’s unique sealed and air conditioned passenger capsules offer unparalleled views of the city. When you reach the peak of the wheel, be sure to plant a smooch on your loved one, as this is considered a good luck charm for the relationship.
Click here to learn about our top 10 things to do in another incredible city!