Best Things to do in London
Mary Poppins.
Peter Pan.
Sherlock Holmes.
Queen…and the Queen.
Growing up, I had a lot of preconceived notions about London. And I was fascinated. I don’t know if it was the accent, the style, or my youthful misconception that every British person was royalty.
But I was hooked.
Photo Credit By Rosana Vaughan (@rm_rosanamariel)
I don’t know how it took me so long to finally visit.
Albeit just a short 5 days for work, my first trip (at 42 years old) was even better than I’d imagined, and I soaked up every minute. Work soon began taking me to London every other month, and with each trip, I fell more in love with the city and dove deeper into Great Britain’s storied past.
London is delightfully quaint despite being massively populated, and one reason for this is that it’s broken up into boroughs that each have a distinct vibe. Take Chelsea and Soho, for example. Chelsea is very posh, with high-end shopping, dining, and living. Soho is a grittier, bohemian theater district with entertainment, pubs, and clubs.
Venture to Westminster, and suddenly you’re in the Queen’s stomping grounds, with sprawling parks that go for miles and quintessential London landmarks like Westminster Abbey. No matter where you go in London, you’re bound to discover something new every time.
Completely taken with London, my wife and I even tried to transfer to live here full time. (We’re still working on it.) Afternoon tea, leisurely strolls through the park, delicious cuisine, and the very friendly and impeccably-mannered English – what’s not to love? Of course, it helps that my best friend and goddaughter live here too!
The city itself is straightforward to navigate. The Tube is a fantastic way to get around and simple to understand. The iconic black cabs are plentiful but tend to be expensive. Rideshares are also easy to find and usually quite fast. Most of London can be walked, especially if you utilize the Tube to navigate strategic stops.
Here are some of my top things to do while in London, in no particular order.
1. Westminster Abbey
A gorgeous gothic-style abbey in Westminster, central London, Westminster has been the coronation site for all English monarchs dating back to 1066 and William the Conqueror. The abbey has also held over a dozen royal weddings, including those of King Henry I, Queen Elizabeth, and Prince William. Over 3,300 people of British prominence are buried here, including 16 monarchs and 8 Prime Ministers.
Westminster Abbey is a beautiful monument steeped in rich British tradition and decoration. Wandering through the abbey allows you to step back in time among the burial shrines and effigies of rulers past.
Photo Credit By Rosana Vaughan (@rm_rosanamariel)
2. Elizabeth Tower/Big Ben
Since early childhood, I’ve associated Big Ben with Peter Pan. I can still see the scene of Peter and the children flying through London, landing on the hands of the massive face of Big Ben’s clock, then soaring off to Neverland.
Big Ben has been a London icon since 1859, watching over the city like an elder statesman. Though visitors frequently use ‘Big Ben’ to reference the entire clocktower, it’s actually the nickname given to the largest of the tower’s five bells. The building itself is named Elizabeth Tower, changed from its simpler title ‘the Clock Tower’ in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. A four-year renovation began in 2017 but has faced delays because of the global pandemic. As of May 2022, the tower has been almost completely revealed (roughly 10% of the bottom is still covered by scaffolding), and visitors can once again admire the meticulously designed structure.
3. Greenwich
Escape the bustle of London for a day with a trip to the city of Greenwich. Situated just south of greater London, Greenwich is a beautifully preserved area of significant historical value. Known for its maritime history, Greenwich is the site of the former royal palace and birthplace of many of the Tudor dynasty, including Henry VIII and his daughters (and future queens) Mary and Elizabeth.
The Queen’s House is the former royal home and is revered as one of the most important buildings in British architectural history. Take a walk through the residence, grounds, and breezeways, and you’ll understand why.
One don’t-miss detail: The Tulip Stairs are a mesmerizing spiral staircase and Britain’s first geometric self-supporting staircase. The gorgeous wrought iron details and cobalt color palette are worth the price of admission.
The Royal Naval College is the centerpiece of Maritime Greenwich, a World Heritage Site. Throughout the manicured lawns, you’ll see statues of monarchs and captains past, former headmasters, and current students walking to their next class or enjoying the crisp British air. The classically designed buildings blend ancient and modern and have played host to dozens of movie and TV productions.
Photo Credit By Rosana Vaughan (@rm_rosanamariel)
4. The Vaults
I’m a huge fan of street art, but even if you aren’t a graffiti aficionado, The Vaults is worth a visit. This tunnel is a rotating canvas for some of the world’s greatest artists (including the ever-elusive Banksy) to showcase their work, even if only for 24 hours.
The tunnel has no rules regarding who can paint here or when. So an artist may create a work of genius, only for it to be painted over the next day. Seems crazy, but that’s the beauty of street art, and it makes for a (literally) one-of-a-kind experience. With plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants in the tunnel and nearby, you can spend the evening exploring and imbibing your favorite gin.
5. Tower Bridge
The 130-year-old Tower Bridge is one of Britain’s most recognizable attractions. Just south of the Tower of London, the bridge spans the River Thames and offers spectacular views of central London. The bridge is Gothic in style but an undeniably British icon. Check out the exhibition in the towers, cross the raised walkway, and visit both day and night if you can.
6. The Museums
London is home to some of the world’s best museums, and most offer free admission. The renowned British Museum houses over 13 million artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone. The National History (70 million artifacts), Victoria and Albert (2.27 million artifacts), and Tate Modern Museums should also be on your list of must-sees. The National History and Victoria and Albert Museums are adjacent, so you could feasibly visit both in one day.
British Museum
Natural History Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
Tate Modern
Honorable Mentions
Tower of London
Churchill War Rooms
Canary Wharf