Top 12 Things to Do in London, England
One of the world’s major financial and cultural capitals, London is the largest metropolitan area in Western Europe. Famed for its innumerable iconic landmarks—Buckingham Palace, Abbey Road, Big Ben, the London Eye, the Globe Theatre—it’s an essential stop during any visit to the UK.
London’s incredible depth of history, culture, and accessibility can’t be experienced in a day—but if you have limited time to spend in London, here are a handful of expert-vetted attractions, things to see, and places to eat. We go beyond the most heavily touristed spots to help you discover historical and cultural gems, and tell you how to get the most out of popular destinations like the Tower of London and the British Museum. These 12 recommendations are the perfect pre- or post-trip activities to bookend a WT journey in England or Great Britain. You’ll connect via London for many of our adventures, like those to the Cotswolds, the Scottish Highlands, or Cornwall, and England’s efficient rail system means London is easy to get to from wherever you are. Here are the best things to do for an unforgettable London visit.
1. Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum
The world’s largest museum of applied arts, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is a must-visit destination—its vast collections of fashion and global art make it one of the world’s most famous cultural institutions. London has no shortage of museums and art galleries, but there’s a reason the V&A continues to stun: its exhibits of ancient ceramics, Italian Renaissance sculpture, and jewelry are some of the world’s most comprehensive—you could never be bored here. And like all national museums in London, the V&A has free admission.
WT Insider Tip: We recommend focusing on one specific area, like a certain type of art or a rotating exhibition, to avoid overwhelm.
2. Walk the Thames Path
A walk along the River Thames, which winds through London, gives you a lovely, scenic way to view the city. You’ll see plenty to check off your list on the Thames Path, which follows the river’s south bank, from the London Eye to Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern, and the Tower Bridge. Other highlights include art galleries like the Bankside Gallery and the OXO tower with its shopping and dining.
WT Insider Tip: Borough Market is located just off the Thames Path and makes for a colorful detour for a quick snack (like a coffee or pasty). But the throngs of tourists here make it less suitable for an authentic dining experience.
3. Explore Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
London is practically overflowing with public green spaces. But if you have to choose one, consider Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, adjacent green spaces in Westminster. Get away from the city’s bustle with this active break, giving you a chance to stroll among the park’s trees, ponds, and flowers. See Speakers’ Corner where revolutionaries like Karl Marx and George Orwell orated, or visit Kensington Palace, the official royal residence of Prince William and Princess Kate.
WT Insider Tip: Walking routes in the park that we recommend include the 7-mile Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk or the Spring Walk through Kensington Gardens.
4. Indulge in afternoon tea
One of the most quintessentially British traditions, afternoon tea bridges the gap between lunch and (a fashionably late) dinner with tea and snacks of finger sandwiches and pastries like scones with clotted cream. While drinking tea has been common for millennia in China, it was popularized in England in the 1600s. And it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that Anna, Duchess of Bedford, turned “afternoon tea” into a social ritual. Make an event of it with afternoon tea at one of London’s many hotels or tearooms. Sketch, one of London’s swankiest restaurants, has a world-famous (and highly Instagrammable) tea in their Gallery, and you’ll find other excellent teas at the Ritz and Claridge’s.
WT Insider Tip: For a quieter, off-the-beaten-path afternoon tea experience, head to smaller teashops like the English Rose Cafe, Candela Tea Room, or the Muffin Man Tea Shop.
5. Dive into history at the Tower of London
London’s already-rich history dates all the way to the 11th century at the Tower of London, built by William the Conqueror. Over its almost 1,000-year history the tower has been a royal residence, a secure fortress, and the execution spot of nobility and enemies of the state. But today, the tower is a World Heritage Site known for housing and displaying the Crown Jewels, the collection of over 23,000 gemstones still used as royal regalia. Highlighting its legacy as a fortress, the tower is guarded by the Yeoman Warders—dressed as they did during the Tudor period, the “Beefeaters” are both security guards and tour guides.
WT Insider Tip: Arrive 15 minutes before the tower opens to be one of the first in, and head directly to the Crown Jewels before the crowds hit. Or, for greater historical depth, try one of the less-visited towers like the Beauchamp Tower.
6. Visit an authentic pub
One of our favorite pubs, the Churchill Arms, highlights what’s so special about London’s authentic pubs: not only does it date to 1750, but it’s also brimming with character, crammed with Churchill memorabilia and serving a menu of authentic Thai food. The Blackfriar is another historic pub (though this one’s young at 150 years old) with a menu of seasonal pies, and the Drapers Arms is a quieter, more elegant pub experience in Islington. Ye Old Mitre dates to 1547 and is hidden down a charming alley. If pubs aren’t your scene, head to the Racketeer for a sampling of world-class mixology.
WT Insider Tip: Leave downtown London and go to the Spaniards Inn on Hampstead Heath—a cozy pub with a fireplace and nice outdoor space.
7. Discover Westminster beyond Big Ben
Visiting Big Ben can be less than enjoyable with the crowds that swarm Westminster, especially in the summertime. But the neighborhood is ripe with history that we don’t recommend overlooking—if you know where to look. See the Changing of the Guard daily at 11:00 am at the less-crowded Horse Guards Parade rather than Buckingham Palace, stroll St. James’s Park, or discover the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries inside Westminster Abbey, the Gothic Protestant church where royal coronations take place.
WT Insider Tip: For the best views (and photos) of Big Ben, walk across the Westminster Bridge to the south bank of the Thames.
8. Shop a hidden market
Look beyond Borough Market, which can get quite crowded with tourists, to one of London’s many other markets that offer a glimpse of local life and a great way to interact with entrepreneurs and taste regional specialties. Maltby Street Market is tucked under the railway in Bermondsey, South London—open only on weekends, the atmospheric street food market has a more locals-only bent. Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is open every day and is world-renowned for its antique and vintage vendors, and Camden Passage is a charming pedestrian-only street in Islington with flea market vendors on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
9. Watch a show on the West End
Theater is huge in London—you can hardly walk two blocks without seeing ads for the latest shows, some cast with the world’s most famous names. Don’t miss the chance to see a West End show while you’re here for a classic London cultural experience. A world-renowned theater district, the West End holds over 40 historic theaters playing huge hits and indie shows alike. Visit one of the most well-known theaters like the National Theater, or book last-minute tickets for the best deals.
WT Insider Tip: When booking West End shows in advance, visit venue websites directly for the lowest fees. When booking last minute, visit Official London Theatre’s website or ticket booth in Leicester Square for the best value.
10. See the British Museum’s historic treasures
It’s hardly off the beaten path, but the British Museum is a must-visit spot for good reason. The largest museum in the world by number of works, it holds some of human history’s most important artifacts, from a two-million-year-old chopping tool to present-day treasures. It’s an essential stop for history buffs, housing global artifacts like Ancient Egypt’s Ramesses II statue and the Rosetta Stone, and Ancient Greece’s Parthenon fragments and classical sculptures.
WT Insider Tip: To avoid getting overwhelmed, choose two or three galleries that most align with your interests, whether that’s Egypt, Japan, or even clocks and watches. We recommend hopping onto at least one of the museum’s free 30-minute eye-opener tours.
11. Take a day trip from London
Spend a day outside the city with one of the countless destinations easily accessible from London. Richmond Park and Epping Forest are both reachable by bus or tube and provide miles of hiking trails and plenty of flora and fauna, giving you “wilderness” experiences without traveling more than an hour outside London. Or discover Oxford and its prestigious university, or head down to Brighton for a relaxed, seaside town.
12. Feast on global flavors
Besides British classics like savory pies, Scotch eggs, and full English breakfasts, you’ll find a range of foods that make London a longstanding culinary capital. Look beyond fish ‘n’ chips to find some of the world’s best Indian food. The Brick Lane neighborhood is known for its time-honored Bangladeshi and Indian curry houses like City Spice and Aladin. Mayfair is also known for India spots like Gymkhana and Bombay Bustle. Dishoom and the Tamil Prince are other notable Indian food favorites.
Pair your time in London with one of our small-group trips in the UK. The capital city provides cultural context that’ll deepen your experience of the entire region, and our active adventures let you experience the diversity of the region’s landscapes—from the turquoise seas of Cornwall to the rolling emerald hills of the Yorkshire Dales and the dramatic coasts of the Channel Islands.
April 28, 2026
