The truth is, there are endless amounts of things to do in London. You could spend weeks hitting up museums and castles and pubs and still leave feeling like you’ve missed something.
But if you are planning an itinerary and only have a few days to see the quintessential London visitor spots, here are a few ideas of things to do in London that will get you started.
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1. Things to do in London: Take a Guided Orientation Tour
This is the travel agent in me coming out, but I always recommend a first day orientation tour of some type to my travelers. Figure out how to get on the London Underground and meet up with a great general tour that will not only show you some of the top spots you would want to see anyway but maybe a few things you would have otherwise missed.
2. Things to do in London: Visit the Tower of London
This is the number one thing that first time visitors to London should not miss. Yes, it is touristy. However, it is very cool! If you are into history at all it will blow your mind to walk the steps of the white tower and see the graffiti that famous prisoners carved into the walls. You can also see the Crown Jewels and where Anne Boleyn was executed. You can wander on your own or join a Yeoman Warder Tour (included with admission). While you are here you will also see the Tower Bridge without having to go out of your way.
3. Things to do in London: Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
“The Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace… represents a formal handover of responsibilities. The Old Guard (the soldiers currently on duty) form up in front of the palace and are relieved by the New Guard which arrives from Wellington Barracks. The New Guard is accompanied by a Band.”
Most first timers to London will want to witness the iconic changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. I will say, it is crowded and busy and can be difficult to get to a spot with a good view of the ceremony. If seeing the Changing of the Guard is a non-negotiable item on your itinerary, I would suggest booking a tour with a guide who will help you navigate the process.
But, even if you don’t get a clear view of the ceremony, it’s still worth it to see Buckingham Palace. The palace itself is open to visitors in the summer. The Royal Mews is also open to visitors most of the year. You can go to the Ritz for tea in the afternoon and easily head to Hyde Park from here.
4. Things to do in London: Visit Westminster Abbey
Over 3,300 people are buried in Westminster Abbey, including English monarchs, poets, writers, and ordinary citizens. Elizabeth I and Mary I are buried here, in the same tomb. When you walk through, the history of England is under your feet and all around you. The art, the architecture, the sweep of time and the reverential feeling of being in the burial place of so many historical figures is unforgettable.
5. Things to do in London: Visit the British Museum
Similar to other great museums, there is no way to see everything at the British Museum in one visit. I highly recommend signing up for what the museum calls an “Out of Hours Tour” that begins before the museum opens. From there you can go on to see the galleries you are most interested in. If you are planning out an daily itinerary I would pencil in the British Museum for 8:50 am until lunch, then break, then plan a second activity in the afternoon. The museum offers other docent led tours as well, and there are tour companies who will do a private tour of the BM if you would like someone knowledgeable to take you though.
6. Things to do in London: Leave London on a Day Trip
One of the best things about traveling to a big city are the day trips you can take from that city. London is one of the best day trip cities in the world. You can take a day trip from London to The Cotswolds, Stonehenge, Oxford and Cambridge, Brighton, Canterbury, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Dover, among other destinations. You can also head out of London to see other Royal Palaces. Windsor Castle and Hampton Court are less than an hour by train from King’s Cross station and Blenheim is less than 2 hours. Whatever your interests, there is probably a day trip for you.
7. Things to do in London: Pick an Art Museum to Visit
If art is your thing, or even if it isn’t, a morning or afternoon at an art museum is never a waste of time. You can choose from some of the very famous art museums in London or find a quirkier option to work into your itinerary.
The Tate Britain offers a large collection that is free to the public and includes some very famous artworks, including a large collection of J.M.W. Turner. The Tate Modern is also free to enter and has a great collection to wander in a very interesting building. Shakespeare’s Globe is a short walk from here.
If you are only visiting one museum while in London, the National Gallery should be on your short list. Home to incredible masterpieces, the gallery adjoins the National Portrait Gallery and is located very centrally in Trafalgar square, lending itself to a nice daily itinerary.
8. Things to do in London: Partake in an Afternoon Tea
This is a not to be missed ritual when visiting London for the first or 50th time. There are so many afternoon teas available that it’s impossible to create a comprehensive list. A good tip is to simply look at the websites of the fanciest hotels in London and see what they offer. All of the five star hotels offer tea service. The Ritz, Claridges, the Savoy, the Rosewood are just a few of the excellent afternoon teas on offer at London hotels. Fortnum and Mason is the classic London tea and Sketch is still going strong. Kensington Palace offers an afternoon tea in their Orangery.
9. Things to do in London: See Big Ben and Parliament
Don’t worry, if you’re wandering around Westminster at all you’ll see Big Ben. You can tour Big Ben and Parliament by signing up for tours on the UK Parliament website but it’s also fun to just wander around and take it in. The Florence Nightingale Museum and the Churchill War Rooms are nearby, as is the London Eye. You can easily plan a day with the Changing of the Guard, then lunch, then Big Ben, Parliament and a ride on the London Eye.
10. Things to do in London: See a show in the West End
For my family, who live in California and do not get to New York City often, seeing a big show in London’s West End was an incredible experience. There is always a lot on, from longtime classics to new shows. This is a nice way to end a night after an arty day. Combine an art Museum, some shopping, dinner and a show into one fun day.
The great thing about London is, you’ll end up doing some of the most London-y things without having to schedule them. Eating a pie and having a pint in a pub. Taking a ride in a black cab. Riding the tube. Riding in a double decker bus. These are some of the things we think of as classic London activities and they are woven in to the whole experience.
Quick Tips:
- Sign up for a Historic Royal Palaces membership, especially if you are taking a family to the Tower of London. The membership will save you money on admission and get you into five other HRP properties as well.
- Always check opening times for any museum or exhibition or palace you are going to visit before you add it to your itinerary. Museums are often closed for one to two days per week and it’s not fun to plan a whole day around a museum visit and then realize that the museum isn’t open that day.
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