London holds a very special place in my heart. Not because of the cool accents, but because my first solo trip was to London. It is one of the most popular cities in the world. What I love about London is that regardless of where you come from or what you do, anyone can fit in.
London has too much to do and see and I will try to incorporate in this article “the top 15 things you should do”. You can use this list if you are visiting London for the first time or you may also adjust it.
Without any further ado, here are the top 15 things that you must do in London.
1. Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge or Peter Pan Bridge as some will call it is a recognizable bridge in London. Some will call it the “London Bridge”, which is a mistake because it is another bridge across the same river.
I recommend you try to do it during the day and the night because the vibe and atmosphere are utterly different. You can walk for free on the bridge. There are some cruise tour available. Even though I haven’t paid for the tour, I did try to capture some nice pictures on the bridge.
Here is a tour that you can book with Westminster Abbey included in the Cruise.
2. Saint Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in London and is the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London. It is on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London and is a Grade I listed building.
London’s most beautiful and historically significant landmark and the highest point of the city. The gallery of various renowned artworks has two great bells known as Great Tom and Great Paul. Ascending to the whispering gallery, stone gallery and golden gallery leaves you stunned and awestruck.
If you want to have a memorable experience, I will suggest an audio-guided tour.
Book your entry ticket to Saint Paul Cathedral here.
3. London Eye
A trip to London is not complete without seeing the London Eye. The London Eye, or the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. It is Europe’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom.
You can share the spacious pods with some other visitors or you can privatize it with someone special.
Book online: The London Eye ticket
4. Westminster
Westminster is considered to be the political area of London.
Big Ben is the name of the iconic clock tower, it chimes every hour. When I was in London, it was still being renovated, so I haven’t found it very pretty with all the cranes.
You can also find Westminster Abbey here, which is open to the public most days. Whilst visiting these landmarks, be sure to rest your feet in Parliament Square which features statues of important political individuals including Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.
Book online: Entrance ticket Westminster Abbey
5. Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is a square filled with bright lights and commercials on a screen. It is known as the commercial hub of London. It is in the West part of London and you can access easily the biggest theaters, for instance the Criterion Theater.
Admire the Piccadilly statue of Eros, a beautiful winged archer poised with his bow, located in Piccadilly Circus. Erected at the end of the 19th century to commemorate Lord Shaftesbury’s philanthropic work, the original name of the monument is Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. Gilbert explained his choice of Anteros, saying the god represented ‘reflective and mature love, as opposed to Eros or Cupid, the frivolous tyrant.
6. Oxford Street
Oxford Street is the most popular shopping street in London. There are approximately 300 stores and it lights up over the Christmas period. If you’re visiting London during the holiday season, don’t miss Oxford Street. It will glitter up your Christmas with all the decorations.
7. Warner Bros Studio
For all Potterheads, you cannot go to London without going to the Warner Bros Studio. This site is different from the one in Orlando. It is mostly a behind the scenes tour of the movie.
“Pottophiles” will love seeing the exquisite details that went into the film making. I actually haven’t had a chance to do this studio tour, but if you are a Harry Potter fan at all, the way that visitors rate it immediately makes it a can’t miss on a trip to London.
Book online: From London to Warner Bros Studio with transfer included.
8. Notting Hill
Notting Hill in west London is one of the capital’s most desirable and Instagrammable areas.
The popular market in Notting Hill is Portobello market. The main day at Portobello Market is Saturday, although traders set up some market stalls from Monday to Friday. The main market on Saturday is a big day for antiques and bargain hunters, but you can also buy fresh fruit and vegetables, second-hand goods and vintage clothing.
If you are a fan of the movie Notting Hill by Roger Mitchell featuring Julia Robert. Book your tour to visit some of the famous locations of the movie. You can also visit the famous bookshop whilst in Notting Hill.
Book online: Walking tour in Notting Hill
9. Camden
Camden is located in the North of London. It is well-known for its vibrant community. You’ll find small shops and market stalls at Camden Lock Market selling everything from vintage fashion, handmade jewellery, souvenirs and beautiful homewares sourced from around the globe.
Camden Market is diverse, featuring street food from international cuisines.
The usual Camden Lock Market opening time is 10am to 6pm. Business hours can vary between shops, stalls, bars and cafes; so check with the individual venue in advance.
10. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is the most famous park in London. It is guarded by squirrels, swans and pigeons.
Hyde Park encompasses 350 acres of green space including 400 trees and a large lake. Start your trail of the park’s landmarks with the Diana Memorial Fountain, a tranquil monument built to honour the late Princess of Wales.
Other highlights include Speakers’ Corner, an historic site of public protest, speeches and debates once used by Karl Marx, George Orwell and Vladimir Lenin.
11. Buckingham Palace
A trip to London is incomplete without catching a glimpse of Buckingham Palace. The palace has been home to the British Royal Family since 1837.
Some of the palace is open to visitors so you can see a little piece of the royal lifestyle. From outside, watch the world-famous Changing of the Guard. I will advise you to be respectful towards the King’s Guard.
12. Electric Avenue
Electric Avenue is a street in Brixton, south of London, famous for being the first street in the market to be illuminated by electricity. 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. Today, Electric Avenue hosts Brixton Market, a diversified and eclectic food market.
13. Chinatown
Take a trip into the Far East by walking north from Leicester Square into Chinatown, the bustling hub of London’s East Asian community. Whether you’re looking for authentic Chinese shopping or a bite to eat, Chinatown will reward you with goods and flavours you can’t find elsewhere.
14. Bond Street
Bond Street in the West End of London links Piccadilly in the south to Oxford Street in the north. Since the 18th century the street has housed many prestigious and upmarket fashion retailers.
Bond Street is revered throughout the world for its wealth of elegant stores, exclusive brands, designer fashion, luxury goods, fine jewels, art and antiques. Set in the heart of historic Mayfair, in London’s popular West End, Bond Street has become a haven for gracious living.
15. Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a world-class shopping and dining destination attracting food-lovers.
Whether it’s breakfast or brunch, pre-theatre dining or burgers alfresco, Covent Garden is a foodie’s paradise, filled with a diverse array of gastronomic options to suit all tastebuds, from morning to night.
Click here to read my article about a Foodie’s Guide to London.
