Adorably quaint with its self-titled Eau de Nil coloured faade (a shade which is similar to duck egg blue), Fortnum and Mason is a must visit for any sweet tooth. It's awe-inspiring, magical yet somber and reflective, a place for prayer whether you're religious or not. 3. London is a city best seen on foot, especially so if you want to discover the city at a more local level and see many of the sights often obscured from view when taking public transport. But for many people around the world, Kings Cross is known best for something else: the station that Harry Potter uses to journey to Hogwarts. Either way, you can expect erudition, wit and clich-busting details and a price tag to match. Grab your raw ingredients from bakers, organic farmers, charcuterie specialists and cheesemakers, or buy something cooked: maybe souvlaki, Mexican fried chicken, or Filipino spare ribs. Turquoise, floral, or topped with goji berries theres tipple to suit everyone. Its the perfect place to go if you love all things flower-related and its easy to pick up a bouquet or two of flowers (or even an orchid) for a very reasonable price. Make time to be pampered in the treatment rooms at Neals Yard Remedies, the ethical beauty and skincare brand thats been soothing guests for over 30 years. There are over 1,000 types to choose between here, also available iced if the sun is shining in the capital. If only to snap that iconic photo! Go mudlarking along the Thames Foreshore and youll likely find old coins, vintage buckles, and all sorts of other things. Secrets of London Walking Tour: If you prefer your history to be more hands-on and to have a guide with you, then this walking tour explores plenty of aspects of the city. It doesnt matter what your religious beliefs are, evensong at an English cathedral a choral tradition fine-tuned by successive generations of composers and choir masters since 1549 is one of the most ravishing experiences these islands can muster. There are a range of different dorms on offer here, including female-only options. Visiting the home of the mother of all parliaments, your only real problem is working out what you can miss. There, its possible to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life in the shade of a centuries-old tree, or wander around Temple Church, an ecclesiastical building constructed by the Knights Templar and founded as early as the 12th-century. Things to do in London Top Things to Do in London Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more. Things to Do in London Enter dates Filters Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Events Classes & Workshops Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Types of Attractions Nightlife Sights & Landmarks Spas & Wellness Fun & Games Classes & Workshops No trip to London would be complete without at least a quick glimpse of the world-famous Elizabeth Tower! The biggest and best-known is the Serpentine lake at Hyde Park, but . Be a zookeeper for a day. Located in the Walkie Talkie building, its the perfect place to enjoy a coffee while admiring breathtaking views over the city skyline. Royalty-spotting and museum trips are top to-do's in Londonfrom iconic landmarks like Kensington Palace and Tower Bridge to the world-renowned British Museum. Is This Underrated Town Portugal's Prettiest? Some of the palace is open to visitors so you can see a little piece of the royal lifestyle. Pretty in pastel pink, its well worth a venture into Belgravia for the quaint cupcakes and speciality coffees (though bear in mind that due to its incredible popularity, cakes and coffee here are certainly on the pricier side of things)! Its the ultimate attraction: a dazzling collection of film sets and props that includes the original Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Diagon Alley and the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Book a table at the top-floor bar in the Helix restaurant set beneath a soaring glass ceiling and get ready to sip your cocktails amid the high-flyers of Londons financial hub. A graveyard is always a somber place, but Highgate is also a celebratory one. Finally, after a long day and night exploring one of the best cities in the world, visit Polo Bar at Liverpool Street for 24/7 greasy spoon dining. Luxury Things to do in London | The Clermont The Heath features grassy fields, wooded areas, and a number of large ponds. If your date is an animal lover, activities don't get wilder than spending a day as a keeper at London Zoo. The company can trace its origins back to 1698, and once specialised in coffee. 422. Lets explore the best things to do in London: Hyde Park is possibly the most famous park in London, and it is one of the largest. . . The only surviving residence of famous American Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States can be found on Craven Street. London is a vibrant city thats a must-see on any European adventure. The O2 Arena was originally constructed in celebration of the millennium, under the name of the Millennium Dome. And yes, the Elgin Marbles should probably be sent back to Athens. Included in the collections, youll find iconic dinosaurs (as well as rare species), and all kinds of crystals, rocks, as well as plenty of exhibitions on earth science. If youre looking for a more intimate experience, Southwark Cathedral on the South Bank will do nicely it too has a strong choral tradition. Special occasion? Pin it now, read it again later: Sherlock Holmes across London, check here, this Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames, this Royal Walking Tour and Afternoon Tea. Try something new and immerse yourself in a different side of the capital with these epic experiences and unique days out, from iconic London experiences to fun activities with family and friends. For a little more history on this picture-perfect courtyard, check out this quick guide to Neals Yard. I wont ruin the surprise of how pretty this tavern is, youll have to head there for yourself! Best seen after the sun has set and the lights of Piccadilly Circus illuminate the nights sky, this area of the city makes for the perfect introduction to tourist hotspots like Leicester Square. Its that famous. Westminster Bridge | Best Things to Do in London 4. A short stroll to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) will shift focus to cultural history. The BFI is situated on the ever-popular Southbank and is the perfect spot to relax after a stroll along the waterfront taking in the culture and atmosphere of this vibrant part of the city. Its a great spot for meat eaters and large groups looking for an affordable way to dine on exceptional Punjabi food. Or visit the Blues Kitchen for a blues night accompanied by sticky ribs and other American staples. Check out this list of cruises you can book online. For a slice of genuine Asian cuisine, try the HK Diner for delicious roast duck, good service, and big portions. Afterwards, check out the rest of the neighborhood. Fancy doing a self-guided tour for yourself? The adults-only all nighter program includes trivia, music, a movie screening, breakfast buffet and craft beer and wine. Running through the center of the ever-fashionable Notting Hill neighborhood in West London, Portobello Road is know for everything from sixties models, photographers, artists and rockstars to rows of antiques stalls, hip pubs and Hugh Grant, but what were talking about is Portobello Market when the street is closed off Friday to Sunday and packed with people from far and wide. In fact, the square has been a London hotspot since 1670 and an entertainment center since the 19th century. At Christmas, Harrods puts together a number of luxury Christmas hampers filled with goodies to make the festivities even more special. London is a sprawling collection of diverse neighborhoods forever shifting, evolving, and springing surprises where you least expect . For those interested in WWII history, the Churchill War Rooms probably need no introduction. Best luxury things to do in London in December Swing into action with Cirque du Soleil LUZIA. Just down the road from Borough Market, at 77 Borough High Street, lies The George: Londons only surviving galleried coaching inn. Today, its interactive displays and informative exhibitions make learning fun for all ages, and easily making the science museum one of the best free things to do in London! Book online: Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket. In the past couple of years, coffee culture has well and truly arrived in London. Along the way, youll spot Big Ben and the Tower of London, sail underneath Tower Bridge, and take part in a storyline in which youre aiding the police with an emergency. After all, offering one of the most unique views of London, theres no better way to see the River Thames or the unique London skyline than from above! Youll recognize parts of it if youve seen Francis Ford Coppolas Dracula, and you'll find the final resting place of writers like George Eliot and Douglas Adams, science pioneers like Michael Faraday and pop culture icons like George Michael (although his grave isn't named as such; his Panayiotou family plot is in the West Cemetery next to Lucien Freud). Experience the exclusive things that London has to offer. The palace has been home to the British Royal Family since 1837. You can also find Westminster Abbey here, which is open to the public most days. Tip: head earlier on the day to capture the best photos without the crowds and hang around until the late afternoon to profit from the best prices! The garden in the center of the square is perfect for cooling off in during the summer or resting your feet after a long day of exploring London. from . Western Europe's tallest building at 309.6 metres, or 1,016 feet, high, The Shard houses London's first Shangri-la hotel, private apartments, offices and three high-end restaurantsAqua Shard, Hutong and Oblix. Come for the Map Room, which looks exactly as it did when the members of the War Cabinet abandoned it at the end of the war, and the Transatlantic Telephone Room, where Churchill had secret conversations with U.S. officials. Come, take a tour from one of the Beefeaters (offered every half hour), and gawp at the sparkling and the frightening alike. Located along Exhibition Row, the Science Museum is free to visit (like all the major museums in the area, and indeed across London) and was founded in 1857. Located at Lincolns Inn Fields, one of the quirkiest London museums is that of Sir John Soane, an architect who lived in the UK capital during the 19th-century. It spawned the #1 song by Eddy Grant and has been the center of some parts of London history, including the Brixton race riots in 1981. The little-known gem of the Sir John Soane Museum is loved by almost everyone who visits and is probably my favourite museum in The World. Throughout the summer, the boating lakes at many of London's parks open to the public. London Luxury Trip: 9 Extravagant Things to Do in the City A fan of all things France related, she runs solosophie.com when shes not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. 12 reviews Taking Bookings Aquavit is a seriously swanky and utterly delicious name on the international dining circuit. They also serve bubble tea, an Asian trend that has recently swept across the city! Of all the top London museums which are free to visit, the Natural History Museum in South Kensington may well be my favourite. Today, London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with a rich history and some of the most outstanding culture on the planet. If you want to also visit the Cathedral, then I highly recommend purchasing your ticket in advance and buying a fast-track entrance ticket. Though the historical faade can be admired for free, tourists will have to pay a fee to enter. Instead, theres great attention to detail and the rooms are clean, comfortable, and friendly. What about the abundantpubs? But did you know that its possible to visit the London Meridien timeline? Do a bit of research online before you go and cherry-pick your way through its masterpieces. For more details on following Sherlock Holmes across London, check here. The area is now the most popular nightlife spot although there are still some sex shops dotted here and there, giving Soho a delightfully risqu vibe. Enjoy a butterbeer (though Im told theyre not to everyones taste! Forget the perfect lawns of London's Royal Parks, Hampstead Heath, the vast and, in places wonderfully overgrown, tract of countryside just north of the rock n roll neighborhood of Camden Town is the wild heart of the city and an undisputed highlight, so much so it's said to have inspired CS Lewiss Narnia. The start of your luxury stay in London must be with a personal airport pickup with a beauty of a car while the driver shows you some of the best sights in town in the most comfortable and opulent car the service has. In London, every building and street has history. Special occasion? The parks famous Speakers Corner is still occupied by debates, protests, and performance artists every week. The only suggestion I would make it that this list be available in a "print" form. The area also features a number of trendy bars as well as regular marketplaces, attracting a young and fashionable crowd. And Shakespeare's Globe, although a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatrewhere many of William Shakespeare's plays were first staged and which burned down in 1613 during a performance of 'Henry VIII'is no exception. Team your visit to the Eye with a trip to the adjacent London Aquarium to see aquatic creatures from around the world, including jellyfish, seahorses and crocodiles. Spend the night at the museum. This is the list of the most expensive and luxurious things to do in London for the rich enthusiast who want to do stuff like no others. There is always something happening even after dark, from one-off events to club nights. Learn how your comment data is processed. Use code CC20 for 20 per cent off sightseeing cruises and Thamesjet journeys, valid until the end of 2023. The Air Line is a cable car link offering an exciting and unique view of the city. Prepare yourself: entry to the Tower of London is far from free. Between the inspiration for Hogwarts and the street which was used to film the Leakey Cauldron, there will surely be an attraction you enjoy seeing! So the Claremont Executive chauffeur Services Limited is the agency to call and for more than 175 an hour you can cruise around town with the Rolls Royce Phantom, a rare combination of style and opulence. Its open all week, but Saturday is the main event, and in any normal year its heaving by 11.30am. They tend to focus on one of the acknowledged greats of late 19th and 20th-century art, and because of the Tates considerable heft, are usually peppered with masterpieces. Enough said. Sure, it cost a fortune to host. When the music ends, and you fall out buzzing into the street, finish up with a bite at the legendary 24-hour Bar Italia across the road. Come early on a weekday for a less crowded experience, pick one gallery and stick to it (or go for a guided Highlights tour), and plan to hit one of the days free 30-minute taster talks. Our travel recommendations are based on our personal experiences and research, written by locals and travel experts with deep familiarity with the destination.