What to do in London? A Comprehensive Guide

Home to a wealth of history, culture, and entertainment, London is a city renowned for its unique attractions and exciting activities. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-term resident, there’s always something new to explore in this vibrant city. But how do you decide what to do in London? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as there are different things to fit individual interests and preferences.

To help make the decision easier, this comprehensive guide provides a range of popular activities, attractions, and events to suit various tastes. From family-friendly venues to exciting nightlife spots, you’ll find plenty of interesting and entertaining things to do in London while you’re in town. Let’s dive in!

Historic & Cultural Sights

For visitors looking to uncover the history and culture of London, there are numerous iconic landmarks to be explored. First-timers will want to make sure they check out the Tower of London, the Palace of Westminster, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of England Museum, Buckingham Palace and the National Gallery.

You can also learn about unique aspects of London’s past and present at several of the city’s entertaining museums. These range from the British Museum, which has a huge range of artefacts from all over the world, to the Tate Modern for modern art enthusiasts and even the British Library for lovers of literature. If you’re interested in discovering localised stories from within London itself then visit the Museum of London or take a guided walking tour.

Shopping & Markets

Shopping is one of London’s favourite pastimes and offers many different experiences within one city. Whether you’re looking for high-end designer labels or eclectic boutique finds, the choice is yours. Make sure to check out Oxford Street or Regent Street for the biggest selection of high street retailers or visit Bond Street or Sloane Street if you’re after a designer shopping experience.

Alternatively, why not take a trip to one of London’s many vibrant markets filled with characterful stalls selling unique goods such as vintage clothing, handmade crafts, interesting antiques and tasty foods. The best ones that won’t break the bank are Portobello market, Camden market and Borough Market. All offer great value for money with a range of locally produced goods available for purchase.

Sports Venues & Activities

As one of the most energetic cities in the world, London loves sports and offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to get involved. The city is home to some of the world’s most iconic sporting venues such as Lords Cricket Ground and Wembley Stadium as well as a number of smaller arenas.

However, if you don’t want to sit on the sidelines then head down to one of London’s many adventure sporting companies or hire centers where you can enjoy activities such as rock climbing, white water rafting, surfing and kayaking. Many locations also offer classes in these activities such as outdoor gym classes or wellbeing retreats to give visitors a true taste of active life in London. You may also want to check out local parks or recreation centres which usually offer fees starting from only as little as a few pounds an hour with some of these also having swimming pool access.

Nightlife & Live Events

The nightlife scene in London is legendary thanks to its exciting music venues and popular bars and clubs that are frequented by locals and tourists alike. For those who enjoy live music, make sure to check out Brixton Academy for its eclectic mix of rock, indie and pop concerts along with jazz at Ronnie Scott’s or even opera at The Royal Opera House.

For a more relaxed night out you could try one of London’s hidden bars (check out Time Out for ideas on where these might be) or attend a theatre performance at one of the capital’s famous West End shows such as The Lion King or Wicked. Other popular options include visiting art galleries, catwalk shows or seeing stand-up comedy acts – all common go-to’s amongst trendy locals.

Unique Experiences

Getting away from the beaten tourist path is sometimes also possible with certain attractions that are highly specific to London and cannot be found elsewhere in the world. These may include activities such as traversing up the O2 Arena building across the Thames on one of its thrilling aerial adventure walks or perhaps even visiting secret hidden gardens (such as Little Venice) that are only accessible if you know where to look!

Perhaps even feeling like royalty for day by visiting Kensington Palace, a grand palace that was once home to Princess Diana – a favourite amongst tourists looking for an experience with a difference. Other activities off the tourist radar include a historical tour of popular pubs in Soho (check out the Get Your Guide London Soho Music and Historic Pubs Experience for a unique evening excursion linking this with music) or checking out an ancient mummy at the British Museum.

Food & Drinks

London’s culinary scene is varied and far-reaching, with almost every type of cuisine from around the world represented somewhere in the city. Try some classic British dishes such as fish & chips or roast beef accompanied by pickled onions and gravy for a real taste of London life. Alternatively sample fusion dishes combining two types of cuisine into one delicious bite – such as Japanese/Indian nori rolls or Italian/Vietnamese arancini dumplings amongst many other options offered on menus nationwide.

You might also enjoy traditional Sunday roasts with all the trimmings, delicious burgers (check out Patty&Bun or MeatLiquor for some examples) or classic afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason or The Ritz. Whatever your taste or budget there is something special on offer in this foodie city – with many restaurants offering vegan options too!

Of course no trip to London would be complete without trying some traditional drinks offerings such as celebrated British beers available at countless pubs across town or perhaps even a whisky tasting tour! Or refreshing specialty gin cocktails from one of London’s many cocktail bars if that’s more your thing.

Takeaways

Whatever it is that draws you to this fantastic city – don’t hesitate! Whether it’s discovering heritage sites and iconic landmarks, shopping for unique products or ticking off items from your bucket list – this vibrant and sprawling metropolis has something for everyone!

From thrilling adventure activities to discovering hidden gems and from enjoying localised produce to more commercial activities such as with museum visits – London really has it all going on! Take your pick from this varied guide on what to do in London and have a first-hand experience of this vibrant city’s many offerings!

Finally make sure you check out Get Your Guide London Soho Music and Historic Pubs Experience for an activity especially tailored for those visiting London – it combines historical knowledge with evening fun and offers an exciting journey through Soho’s neighbourhoods as experienced from within it’s steeped in culture and history pubs. Sounds perfect for a unique London experience!