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One of the most popular capital cities in the world, London is bursting at the seams with museums, culture, tours, and historic attractions. There is always something new to see in London, but if you ever find yourself asking what to do, we have picked our top 30 fun things to help you out.
1. Have a drink in the most instagrammable pub
Decked out in so many colourful flowers, The Churchill Arms is famed for its wonderful floral display and Churchill memorabilia. After a day of exploring the vibrant neighbourhood of Notting Hill, home to the famous Portobello Road Market, pop by for a drink or some fragrant Thai food.
Nearest station is Notting Hill Gate
2. Discover Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece
Dominating the London skyline for 300 years, St Paul’s Cathedral is an impressive feat of engineering and architecture. It’s seen many historic events such as the Great Fire of London and the wedding of Princess Diana. Climb 528 steps to the Golden Gallery for incredible views of the city. You won’t regret it.
Nearest station is St Paul’s
3. Step into one of these iconic glass capsules
Soar 135 metres into the sky on the world-famous London Eye. Discover incredible 360-degree views of London and its impressive landmarks including Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and more.
Nearest stations are Westminster or Waterloo
4. Get your glitz on with a trip to the spectacular West End
London’s award-winning theatre scene is not to be missed. Enjoy classic and contemporary musicals, plays and show such as The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon, Hamilton and more.
5. Visit the UK’s equivalent to the Sistine Chapel
Showcasing 40,000 sq. ft. of mesmerising walls and ceilings, the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich features 200 mythological, historical and contemporary figures. It’s an iconic representation of English baroque art and guaranteed to leave you in complete awe.
Nearest station is Cutty Sark
6. Wander around one of London’s oldest food markets
Established in 1756, Borough Market is an absolute must for any self-proclaimed foodie. You’ll find the finest examples of British and international produce at the stalls, stands, shops and restaurants. There are so many flavours just waiting to be discovered! If you’d prefer a guided tour, this food tour may be ideal for you.
Nearest station is London Bridge
7. Watch one of the Bard’s famous plays at the historic Shakespeare’s Globe
Built to replace the original Globe Theatre from 1599, Shakespeare’s Globe, or the ‘wooden O’ as Shakespeare liked to call it, is a 360-degree open-air theatre with oak beams and a water-reed thatched roof. Located on the bank of the River Thames, experience a Shakespearean classic or learn more about the history of the Globe with a guided tour.
Nearest stations are Blackfriars, London Bridge, Cannon Street and Waterloo
8. Explore a beautiful Royal Palace
The birthplace of Queen Victoria and the official London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Kensington Palace is a lavish palace steeped in royal history. Venture inside to discover the King’s State Apartments, the Queen’s State Apartments, the Jewel Room and more. A wander around the pristine Palace Gardens and Sunken Garden is a must too!
Nearest station is Queensway
9. Mingle with A-listers on the red carpet
The original and best, Madame Tussauds first opened its doors in London in 1835. Venture inside to see all your favourite actors, musicians, sports stars, the royal family and super heroes in 14 exciting and interactive zones.
Nearest stations are Baker Street and Regent’s Park
10. Transport to a stunning Greek island
Sunny Skopelos awaits for a theatrical dining experience like no other. Enjoy a four-course Mediterranean meal at Nikos Taverna alongside an incredible live show at Mamma Mia! The Party. After dessert, the town square transforms into an epic ABBA disco where you can showcase your amazing dance moves.
Nearest station is North Greenwich
11. Explore the free museums in South Kensington
A cultural hub, London is packed with world-class museums and galleries which are mostly free! Come up close to the skeletons of a roaring T-Rex at the Natural History Museum, see a real piece of the moon at the Science Museum and discover 2.3 million objects related to art, design and textiles at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Nearest station is South Kensington
12. Rent a bike and cycle through the royal parks
The second most popular mode of transport after the tube, London’s streets are full of cyclists, especially in the summer. You can hire a Santander bike quite easily from any of the capital’s parks and enjoy roaming around this scenic city at your own pace.
13. Explore the vibrant and historic Brick Lane
One of the East End’s most famous spots, Brick Lane is bustling with vintage stores, antiques, food stalls and the famous curry mile. Enjoy a bagel from the 24/7 Brick Lane Beigel Bake, a divine hot chocolate from Dark Sugars and a fragrant curry from one of the many Indian restaurants.
Nearest stations are Liverpool Street, Aldgate East and Shoreditch High Street
14. See some of the most exotic plants at Kew Gardens
Home to over 50,000 living plants, Kew Gardens makes for a wonderful day trip in London. Explore the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site and discover rare and threatened plants in the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse, 320 metres of herbaceous borders, an indoor rainforest and more.
Nearest station is Kew Gardens
15. Go pitch-side at your favourite football club
The land of football, the UK has some of the world’s most impressive football stadiums and clubs. See where England’s football club play their international football at Wembley Stadium or walk through the Players’ Tunnel at Arsenal’s home ground, Emirates Stadium. Better yet, why not watch Fulham play a Premier League game?
16. Enjoy a picnic in Primrose Hill
One of the 6 protected viewpoints in London, Primrose Hill is a beautiful neighbourhood in North West London, just west of the bustling Camden Market. Walk your way to the top of the hill for some of the best views of London’s skyline 63 metres above sea level. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see most of the city’s iconic landmarks and attractions.
Nearest stations are Chalk Farm and St John’s Wood
17. Visit Buckingham Palace
Wander around the King’s royal residence and marvel at the 19 lavish State Rooms. Discover exquisite art collections, finest furniture, beautiful porcelain and more inside Buckingham Palace. To see the King’s incredible horse-drawn carriages, stop by at The Royal Mews.
Nearest station is St James’ Park
18. Cruise along the River Thames
Embark on a sightseeing cruise through the heart of London and see all the iconic landmarks and attractions. Choose to enjoy an idyllic Thames boat ride, high-speed adventure or lunch, dinner and afternoon tea cruises.
19. Come up close to the dazzling Crown Jewels
The diamond-encrusted masterpieces can be found inside the once formidable Tower of London. But beware, in order to see them, you’ll have to get past the Beefeaters first!
Nearest station is Tower Hill
20. Uncover gruesome stories about London’s past
Travel back in time to some of the most terrifying moments in history at the London Dungeon. See the capital’s plague-ridden streets, Guy Fawkes’ dramatic plot to blow up Parliament and more in your 90-minute immersive experience.
Nearest station is Waterloo
21. Stand on the world-famous Meridian Line
Separating the eastern and western hemispheres (0° 0′ 0″), the Meridian Line, or Prime Meridian, has been marked at Greenwich since 1884. You can stand on the Line at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park.
Nearest stations are Cutty Sark and Greenwich
22. Climb aboard the Cutty Sark
The last surviving tea clipper in the world, the Cutty Sark was one of the fastest clippers built in the 19th century. Hop onboard to discover its fascinating history full of romance, danger and plenty of adventure.
Nearest station is Cutty Sark
23. Become a detective for the day
Don your deerstalker and step into an immersive escape room for an experience like no other. Travel through the award-winning TV show sets, piece together the evidence and solve the crime to win the respect of Sherlock Holmes himself.
Nearest station is Shepherd’s Bush
24. Discover more about the world’s most famous nurse
Explore the life and legacy of ‘The Lady with the Lamp’, Florence Nightingale. See the very lamp she earned her nickname from, the medicine chest she used during the Crimean War and more at the Florence Nightingale Museum.
Nearest stations are Lambeth North, Waterloo and Westminster
25. See the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey
This large Gothic abbey is one of London’s most iconic buildings. Visit Westminster Abbey to see the traditional place of coronation and the burial site of 17 UK monarchs and 8 former Prime Ministers.
Nearest station is Westminster
26. Take a tour of the Houses of Parliament
Uncover the history and work of the UK Parliament with a guided tour of the House of Commons, House of Lords and Westminster Hall.
Nearest station is Westminster
27. Step into subterranean secret war rooms
Venture through the Churchill War Rooms to uncover a piece of British history. See historic images, artefacts and interviews with the men and women who worked in the underground bunker during World War II.
Nearest stations are Westminster and St James’ Park
28. Get sensational sights of the capital
For even more epic views of London, visit The Shard for the city’s highest view. Discover 360-degree views for up to 40 miles.
Nearest station is London Bridge
29. Explore the world-famous Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Built to host the 2012 London Olympics, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is home to the London Stadium, Olympic swimming pool, Olympic village and other sporting venues. Take a tour of the London Stadium, now home to Premier League football club West Ham United, and the venue for star-studded concerts. Or why not test your sense of gravity and slide down the ArcelorMittal Orbit?
Nearest stations are Stratford and Hackney Wick
30. Soak in sensational sights with an Open Top Bus tour
Explore the capital at your own pace with a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Admire the impressive historical landmarks as well as the top London attractions from the comfort of an open top bus. The best thing is that you can hop on and off as many times as you like and from any of the 60+ stops.
Don’t forget to share your adventures with us on Instagram @goldentoursuk!
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