the most epic guide to London with 16 things to do
Ready to explore London? Check out this epic guide with 16 must-see attractions and activities, from historic landmarks to trendy neighbourhoods and delicious food. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, this guide has everything you need to make the most of your trip to London.
Brimming with history, covered by art, and sprinkled with green spaces— welcome to London, the capital of the United Kingdom and one of the most expensive cities in Europe. London is a buzzing metropolitan with no shortage of things to see, places to eat, and events happening. It really is an exciting place to be!
I’ve combined years of visiting and living in the wonderful city of London to create an epic travel guide to England’s most visited city.
london quick facts
Language | English Currency | Great British Pound Sterling Population | 8.9 million
how to get to London ↴
via airport
London is best accessed by plane and is serviced by five airports. The main airports for travelers are London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, and Luton. Luton is technically outside of London city, but this is where heaps of budget flights come in and out of. There is also easy access to the city center via train from Luton Airport, so I always recommend visitors check out flights from here.
via chunnel
From mainland Europe, the Chunnel tunnel takes a Eurostar train straight to London St. Pancras. It takes less than three hours for the train to get from Paris to London, which makes it super time efficient. If you happen to be in Europe and can make your way to Paris to hop on the chunnel, it’s an excellent option. It’s also a ideal way to get from London, England, to mainland Europe for a roadtrip across the mainland continent, which has become increasingly popular for #vanlife-ers.
getting around London ↴
London is a big city and with all big cities has traffic, so getting between neighborhoods can take a bit of time. My good friend and fellow American in London, Sandy, put it best: “always allow for 45-minutes to get anywhere, just in case”.
the tube/underground
Arguably, the best way to get around London is via the Underground, more commonly known as “the Tube”. You can even get from London’s main airport, Heathrow {LHR}, to the city center. Make sure to buy an Oyster card and top it up before you head out on your city explorations.
bus
Buses in London are a great alternative to the tube, because you get to see the city as you drive around. Buses also accept your Oyster card, so it only takes a contactless card tap to get anywhere. Make sure you read the front of the bus, as this form of transport is a bit tricky {some buses aren’t always running, sometimes buses on the timetabl are replaced, etc.}.
taxis + uber rides
London is famous for its traditional black cabs, which run all over the city on a meter system. They are usually the most expensive way of getting around London, but they can sometimes be the quickest {other times they are the slowest thanks to big city traffic}. When I’ve hopped in a car in London, I’ve opted to use the Uber app. It saves me money and makes payment easy. Black cab taxis do accept most major credit cards.
London neighbourhoods + boroughs ↴
London is made up of different neighbourhoods and boroughs, each with their own vibrant personalities. Honestly, even after years of living here and, now, being based here, I still get majorly confused with the many areas of the city. To make it a bit easier for you, I’ve listed some of the most popular areas of London below:
Camden
Welcome to Camden— home to buskers, vintage shopping, markets, tattoo parlours, and dive bars {as dive-y as London can get}. Amy Winehouse was a local to this part of London, and it’s kind of the punk-rock/alternative hub of the city.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is the place for theater lovers to head. It’s also one of the most visited areas of London. This area of London centers around a pedestrian-friendly piazza filled with places to eat, drink, and shop. I’ve spent many chilly afternoons at Chez Antoinette {their tea and cake selection adds to any quintessentially British day}.
Kensington + Chelsea
This borough of London is where you’ll find the most luxurious shopping, poshest restaurants and bars, and the most upscale housing. Walking around Kensington and Chelsea is like pulling back the curtain to see how the “other half” live. My ex lived in South Kensington for a summer and it was probably the most ridiculous experience ever staying in flat in such a 1% kind of neighbourhood.
Shoreditch
My favourite part of London might just be trendy East London. Shoreditch’s creative energy, fantastic cafés, and eclectic shopping make for an electric atmosphere. There is always something happening in this neck of the woods.
Soho
Do you like beautiful jazz bars and peeping wild street fashion? Are you looking for London’s primary LGBTQIA+ scene? Make your way to Soho! You’ll find Carnaby here with all kinds of shopping.
Westminster
Westminster is the tourist hub of London due to its high concentration of city landmarks: Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey. If you’re super politically-inclined, you can even visit the Strangers’ Gallery at the House of Commons and watch Parliament in action.
where to stay in London ↴
Like just about anywhere you travel, the more central you stay, the higher the price you pay. Being central does mean, however, that you can walk around a good chunk of the city’s landmarks and sights. You can also
Notting Hill and Shoreditch both have heaps of AirBnB options. If you prefer hotels, here are a few of my favourites that I’ve personally stayed in:
Corner Hotel | London’s greenest boutique hotel
Treehouse London | a beautiful repurposed accommodation inspired by adventure, cozy spaces, and nostalgia
Artist Residence | great for a romantic getaway {trust me on this one}
We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
when to visit London ↴
No matter when you choose to visit London, two things remain true: you’ll never be bored and you can expect rain! So, bring an umbrella and you’ll be unstoppable.
London events + festivals
If you are hoping to be in London for a special event or a festival, you have 51 major city events to plan around. Some of the coolest and largest events in the city are:
Notting Hill Carnival
Guy Fawkes {Bonfire Night}
Poppy Day
Lord Mayor’s Show
Christmas festivities
London Coffee Festival
Chelsea Flower Show
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Proms at Royal Albert Hall
summer
June - September
Summer in London can be hit or miss. It’s either a sunny, blue sky paradise or overcast and dreary. If it’s a good summer, London’s rooftop bars are filled with people sipping on world-class cocktails and nights can be spent at open-air cinemas or watching park theater productions. Are you a tennis enthusiast? Wimbledon Tennis Championships are held in London during the summer, giving you even more reason to visit.
autumn
October - November
London is different in the autumn. Vague? Maybe. Perhaps it’s the crisp air he city is gorgeous in the fall. London’s parks are truly at their best when all the colors change and the air is crisp. Grab a sweater, sip some mulled wine, and enjoy the relative calm that comes when the crazy summer tourism season ends.
winter
December - February
I thoroughly believe that winter in London is exceptionally magical. However, the weather tends to put people off. You know that Midwestern saying us Americans throw around all too casually? “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing”…? Well, rings all too true for London. If you decide to visit in winter, you’re going to really want a quality jacket, gloves, and a warm hat— it’s essential for London explorations. There are ice skating rinks, Christmas markets, light displays, and high street shopping.
spring
February - May
Picnics in the park, flowers blooming in the public gardens, and boat tours along the River Thames— what could be more romantic?
where to eat + grab coffee in London ↴
For my most thorough review of the best places to eat and drink in London, you might want to check out this post. However, here’s a quick rundown of some of my top picks:
breakfast, brunch, + coffee
Serata Hall
The Attendant
Palm Vaults
Farm Girl
Shoreditch Grind
Paper + Cup
Daisy Green
OAT
lunch + dinner
The Little Yellow Door
cocktails + beer
Churchill Arms
what to see + do in London ↴
This list is by no means exhaustive. How could it possibly include all the best things to see and do when London is constantly changing. There are always new events popping up, restaurants opening, and art exhibitions running. The truth is, you could spend a lifetime in London and not see or do everything. I have made this list with my top recommendations for first-time visitors or newbies to the city.
visit the many museums + art galleries
I’d always rather be outside than be in a museum but, as rainy as Lonon gets, it’s a great way to duck out of the bad weather. As a bonus, many of London’s most highly-rated museums are free to the public!
Victoria + Albert
Natural History Museum
National Gallery
Tate Modern
Tate Britain
check out street art
London is chalked full of art. The murals and graffiti that cover the walls of alleys throughout the Camden, Shoreditch, and Brick Lane areas of the city are especially worth a gander. Some pieces are long-term, staple fixtures for the communities that house them, while others rotate so you’ll want to see them while they last. And, if you’re a fan of colour, you can’t miss Neal’s Yard!
go stargazing at the Royal Observatory
Sometimes it’s hard to see the stars from under the city lights, but the Royal Observatory in Greenwich make it a bit easier. Their mission as an institution is to expand the public’s knowledge and interest in space exploration. Tickets start at £16 per adult entry and go up if you want access to the planetarium.
head to the London Transport Museum
It’s no secret that London has a pretty famous public transportation system— the “Tube” and red double-decker buses ring any bells? The London Transport Museum costs £18.50 per adult entry and allows you to learn all about the history of London transport. You’ll be able to walk through the “depot” and hop on all the different forms of transportation. From horse drawn carriages to modern moving vehicles, you’ll be able to learn about it all.
hit the markets
Food, vintage finds, and antique bargains— no matter what you are looking for, there is a market in London that’s got it! Brick Lane, Borough, and Camden markets are among my favourites for food and shopping, but all those listed below are worth a wander.
Covent Garden Market
Greenwich Market
Maltby Street Market
Old Spitalfields Market
Portobello Road Market
Borough Market
Brick Lane Market
Brixton Village + Market Row
Broadway Market
Camden Market
grab flowers at Columbia Road Flower Market
This market deserves its own spot on your “London Bucket List”, simply because it is truly a one of a kind experience. The crowds of people {pre-COVID} are corralled past flower vendors shouting their bargain prices. Rows of buckets filled with floral stems line the street. Live music can often be heard in the summertime to accompany your market browsing.
visit Postman’s Park
Postman's Park is a public garden near St. Paul’s Cathedral in central London. It was once the home of the General Post Office headquarters. This large green space is particularly famous thanks to the movie Closer, which had many scenes filmed here. There’s also a Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice in the park, with tiles that commemorate “the bravery of ordinary people”.
see the colourful houses in Notting Hill + Chelsea
London is filled with street art, murals, and graffiti that make it a truly vibrant, artsy city. However, it’s the colourful homes that I sometimes forget to appreciate. Notting Hill might be the most notorious for its brightly painted homes, but Chelsea is lined with pastel-painted facades.
grab a pint at the Churchill Arms
Another London haunt riddled with nostalgia for me is the Churchill Arms. Despite the exterior changing its decor seasonally, it looks remarkable all year round. You can always expect foliage, flowers, and flags flying. Inside, you’ll find Thai food and your typical British beer on tap.
picnic in one of London’s many parks
Probably only a fun activity in the late spring/summer/early autumn, as it’s obviously weather dependent, but it is a low-cost way to spend an afternoon. There are plenty of green spaces in the city to check out, but some of my favourites for picnicking are:
Primrose Hill
Regent’s Park
Richmond Park
Greenwich Park
Hyde Park
Hampstead Heath
indulge in high tea
You wouldn’t go to Paris without having a croissant. You surely wouldn’t head to Italy without having pizza and/or espresso. So, it goes without saying that you wouldn’t leave London without indulging in an afternoon high tea, right? My favourite spots for high tea in London include:
catch views from Sky Garden
Visiting Sky Garden is a great way to see 360-degree views of the city without having to pay the high price of cocktails at a rooftop bar. You’ll have to book your visit online, in advance {even during non-pandemic times}, and bring confirmation of your booking with you. Arrive in time to go through the security screening {guards will check handbags, etc.}, and then you’ll be directed to a lift that will take you to the top. There’s a café to accompany the garden and it’s skyline scenery, so grab a coffee or a cocktail and enjoy.
check out Leighton House
Leighton House is an art gallery in Kensington and Chelsea with interiors that will “wow” you. For only £9 {free for Art Fund members}, you get to take a gander at the late homeowner’s art collections.
unleash your inner Potterhead at House of Minalima
This design studio in the heart of Soho showcases graphic design elements and artwork for the Harry Potter films, as well at the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Potterheads who are unable to make the trip to Watford to see have a tour of the studio should definitely make a pit stop at House of Minalima to get their wizardry fix.
peep God’s Own Junkyard
A warehouse filled with neon signage? The photo opportunity practically writes itself. God’s Own Junkyard has a fascinating history. The late owner of the place started creating neon signs for strip clubs and brothels before his talent was noticed by Hollywood big-wigs like Christopher Nolan and Stanley Kubrick. You can stick to peeping the thousands of signs that fill the place or, if you’re in the market, you might want to purchase one of the signs. Either way, this place should be near the top of your list if you’re looking for a funky London joint.
Please note: DSLR cameras are not allowed, but mobile phone photography for personal and social media use is allowed.
visit the ghost stations of the London Underground
“Ghost stations” refer to London tube stations that are no longer for public use. There are plenty for brave travelers to visit, as at least 50 of London’s 270 stations are non-operational. You have to be brave to visit though, as many of these abandoned stations are said to be haunted.
day trips from London ↴
Harry Potter Studios Tour
Potterheads visiting London have to make the pilgrimage to Harry Potter Studios in Watford {outside of London}. There are a number of ways to get there from London, including utilization of the train and bus systems! The self-led tour takes a minimum of three hours, but I’d say that’s moving quite quickly. You can opt for a digital audio guide that gives you trivia and behind-the-scenes details about the making of the Harry Potter film franchise.
Windsor Castle
A short train journey from London is Windsor, home to Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s royal residences. Originally built in the 11th century, the castle grounds encompass 13 acres of land and have survived both World Wars. The interiors are a peek into the sophisticated home life of the Sovereign. Tickets to tour the inside of the castle cost £23.50 and you can book them online here.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is considered a wonder of the world to many with its history spanning an estimated 4,500 years. Though currently closed due to COVID, Stonehenge is regarded as an engineering marvel. It would have taken hundreds of people using the simplest of technologies to create the landmark. It’s something that you simply must see once!
Brighton
Want to go to the seaside? There’s a day trip for that! Take the train to Brighton for fish and chips on the beach {beware of the seagulls though}. Brighton is home to awesome shopping, including vintage clothing, boutique finds, and antiques your grandmother would swoon over. The city’s famous pier has plenty of carnival-esque fun for the whole family.
Bath
Bath is an ancient Roman city you’ve undoubtedly heard all about. And, on the off-chance you haven’t, I’m sure you’ve seen it on your Instagram feed. It’s a photography favourite and an architectural gem known for its high costs and the thermal baths left from Roman times.
map ↴
Find everything you need for the ultimate London travel guide on the map below.
