Best Experiences in London
Introduction
My wife and I spent a month in London and therefore I can confidently recommend the activities, attractions, and sights below. I chose not to include quite a few things because I personally did not enjoy them or I do not think they will be worth your time. London has so many things to do that you will never be able to experience them all. This is a great guide to get you started with your London itinerary.
Minalima
If you are not a fan of Harry Potter then skip down to the next item. This is the graphic design studio behind Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts films. This place is great for Harry Potter and graphic design fans alike. They have many of the original props from the movies on display, amazing books you can buy, and all kinds of Harry Potter memorabilia to fuel your inner magic. It is like a mini Harry Potter museum, and you will absolutely love it. London has numerous Harry Potter attractions and I cannot help but put at least one in my London guide.
Book Your London Harry Potter Tour for Muggles HERE
Book Your Original Harry Potter Locations Tour HERE
Covent Garden
This is the beating soul of London's west side. It is full of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. If you fancy going on a shopping spree or just want to eat at a nice restaurant, then look no further than London’s Covent Garden. Chances are you will see some street performers conducting elaborate shows and vying for your money.
Neal’s Yard
Neal’s Yard is a vibrant, tiny, and picturesque alley located in Covent Garden. You can find quaint shops, cafe’s, and restaurants here. It is an iconic London attraction and a cute place to walk through and snap some photos.
Covent Garden Comedy Club
If you fancy yourself a night of laughing then look no further than the Covent Garden Comedy Club. The Comedy Club features comedians from London, the wider UK, and comedians from around the world. Tickets are affordable and they offer a free/discounted show if you go a certain number of times.
Iconic Landmarks
London Tower
London Tower is a historic tower situated on the banks of the river Thames. It was built way back in 1078 by William the Conqueror. The castle has served in many capacities over the years including as a prison, royal residence, treasury, armory, and many more capacities. It is one of the country's most iconic landmarks and worth visiting if you have the time.
Book Your Classic London Landmark Bicycle Tour HERE
London Bridge
Not an entirely pretty bridge, but a bridge nonetheless. It spans across the river Thames and connects London with Southwark. As you walk across the bridge you can see many iconic London landmarks dominating the skyline. It is also a good place to snap some photos of the iconic London Tower Bridge.
Book Your London Bridge Experience and Tombs Tour HERE
Book Your London Bridge Walking Tasting Tour w/ Secret Food Tours HERE
London Tower Bridge
This is also a bridge that spans the river Thames, but is much more unique and pretty when compared to that of the London Bridge. You can tour the inside of the Tower Bridge and get some stunning views of the city.
Book London Thames River High Speed Cruise HERE
Buckingham Palace
Aka, the King and Queen's Home. Honestly the outside is not all that impressive. I did not go inside so I cannot comment on that, but the outside is just meh. Still an iconic place to check off your list while you are walking around London. Make sure to time your visit around the changing of the guard. The changing of the guard takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:45 a.m..
Book Your Changing of the Guards Walking Tour HERE
London Eye
A good place to get 360 views of the city. Make sure to purchase your tickets well in advance or you will be waiting in line for eternity. The price you have to pay for the ticket is not worth the views in my opinion. The city of London is not known for being the most gorgeous city in the world, so just stick to seeing it from below. This is just my own personal opinion, do not let me dissuade you if it is your dream to go aboard the London Eye. It is a cool experience but there are better things to do if you are short on time, and there are better views of London at other places.
Book Your London Eye River Cruise HERE
Big Ben
Perhaps the most prominent symbol of England. Big Ben is an iconic bell tower that is recognized worldwide and is a UNESCO world heritage site. You will know when you are close to Big Ben, as you will see massive amounts of people littered on the sidewalk all taking photos. Be careful in this area as there are numerous scammers and pickpockets. Do not play the scammers games, or else you will lose your money.
Westminster Abbey
The Royal Church of England. The coronation site of numerous English kings as well as the burial site of countless English royals. It is also famous for being the marriage place for many of the royals. If you appreciate history then this place will blow your mind. The audio tour of the Abbey can take a couple hours so make sure to plan your day accordingly and take care to book your tickets well in advance.
Camden Town
My personal favorite area in all of London. This place is raw and edgy, so just be warned if you prefer refined experiences. You will see a lot of thrift stores, punk rockers, and general mayhem here. The Camden market is a must for foodies. I have more on the Camden Market in my London food guide HERE.
Little Venice
A great place to take a walk. My wife and I picked up some street food from the Camden Market and sat along the canals watching the boats traverse around the winding waterways. You can also hire a boat and get the unique experience of London on water!
Parks
Primrose Hill
The best view in all of London? Perhaps. Primrose Hill is located within Regent’s Park. If you are looking for some greenery and a great place to watch the sunset, then look no further than Primrose Hill.
The Hill Garden and Pergola
The secret garden of London. It is perhaps the most beautiful green space in all of London. This place is so often overshadowed by Hampstead Heath that even locals fail to realize it exists. Just make sure to visit during day time hours because it closes at sunset. Make sure to bring a good camera with you, as it is super picturesque.
Hampstead Heath
The green lung of London. Hampstead Heath is a literal forest in the heart of London. It has gardens, trails, and secret delights around every corner. It is a good place to retreat from the chaos of the city. You can literally spend hours in this park and not see everything. Take a picnic with you to heighten the experience.
Hyde Park
This is the largest of the Royal Parks in London and is the grounds of Kensington Palace. The park in times past served as the hunting grounds for the royals. Pink Floyd and many other prominent artists have also rocked out to vast crowds in this park. Today it is a beautiful park that makes for a lovely walk on a sunny day. Make sure to be on the lookout for the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, Statue of Ambition, and Round Pond.
Regent Park
Another one of the Royal Parks in London. I know I said that the Secret Garden is perhaps the most beautiful park in London, but Regent Park definitely gives it a run for its money. We went during peak autumn foliage and it was simply stunning. There are fountains, little ponds with expertly placed plant life, and vast green spaces for you to enjoy. You specifically need to go to Queen Mary’s Rose Garden. There are over 12,000 roses on display for you to see and walk amidst.
Museums
The British Museum
This is the best museum I have ever visited, and it is entirely free. Just make sure to get there relatively early or you will be waiting in a super long line. The British Museum has over 8 million artifacts making it the largest collection in the entire world. Some of the highlights of the museum for me were the mummies, the statues from the acropolis, and artifacts from the south pacific.
The National Gallery
This is an amazing art gallery and it is also completely free. They have around 3,000 works of art including works from Davinci, Monet, Rembrandt, and more. One of my factors for rating how good a city is, is the quality of its museums, and London has some of the best museums in the world and the vast majority are entirely free.
The National History Museum
This museum highlights specimens ranging from present day to the dawn of time. It has a collection of over 80 million items and even has specimens from Charles Darwin's personal collection. This was the hardest museum to get into and the line was massive, so make sure to arrive early or else you will be waiting in line for perhaps hours.
Broadway
London is known for amazing food and amazing Broadway performances. The theater district of London is called the West End and there are what seems like thousands of shows to choose from there. My wife and I saw Wicked and The Book of Mormon and loved both of them.
Pro Tip: Download the app Today Tix and you can find discounted Broadway Tickets. You can also use this app to enter the lottery system for great seats at a reduced price. Just make sure to enter the lottery the week before you want to watch the show.
Iconic Streets
Denmark Street
If you are a music lover then make sure to stroll down Denmark Street. Many of the UK’s most iconic music legends have deep ties with Denmark Street. Make sure to go into one of the many guitar shops and wonder at how many amazing artists have been inside that very building.
Book Your London Rock Music Tour HERE
Regent’s Street
A must when visiting during the Christmas season. The decorations spanning the street make a great photo backdrop. It is also home to many award winning restaurants and shops, so if you are ready to spend money then look no further than Regent’s Street.
FAQ’s:
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London is technically considered a forest.
6.5 million people take a London bus everyday.
More people live in London than in the entire country of Austria.
It takes 3+ years for a black cab driver to get their taxi license.
There are over 300 languages spoken in London.
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Go to a Comedy Club.
Go to a Broadway Show.
Go to a Pub.
Take a Night Time Walking Tour of London.
Spend the Night at the Natural History Museum Sleepover.
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Here are my Must See Things for 3 Days in London:
London Tower, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Camden Town, The Hill Garden and Pergola, The British Museum, The National Gallery, and a Broadway Show.
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The Best Time to go to London? I really loved visiting London in October. It is not too hot and it is not yet cold. The parks are hitting peak fall foliage and the days are still long. I went during the Christmas season and that was cool but it got dark early and it was brutally cold.
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A Good London tourist map HERE
