12 Best Things to Do in London

Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the UK royal family since 1837. Whether you believe in fairy tales or not, visiting one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world is a magical experience. The palace is open to the public for 10 weeks each summer and on certain days in winter and spring, so you’ll need to book tickets well in advance.

On the guided tour, you can explore the dazzling State Rooms, furnished with magnificent art, furniture and old-world treasures. Highlights include the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, the Ballroom and a walk through the lush Palace Garden. Alternately, you can buy garden-only tickets or watch the famous changing of the guards for free.

The Gothic-style Houses of Parliament is the seat of the British Parliament, and its iconic clock tower, known as Big Ben, has been a global timekeeper for over a century. The sound of the chimes is almost as famous as the clock tower and has been replicated throughout the world. They are enduring icons of London.

Starting from Westminster station, you can explore the statues in Parliament Square, before crossing over Westminster Bridge to get a classic photo with the Parliament in the background. Carry on over the bridge to the South Bank for another stunning cityscape across the river.

Natural History Museum is a fun, interactive experience all about the evolution of the natural world, from the time of the Tyrannosaurus Rex up to the present day. With a combination of genuine dinosaur skeletons and interactive displays, the museum captures the miracle of life on this planet. It’s hard to walk away from here without a new-found respect for the world we live in.

The museum has loads of cool experiences suitable for all the family, most notably an earthquake simulator. In the geology section, there’s a genuine chunk of moon rock. The building itself is more like a grand cathedral than a museum. Best of all, it’s free.

The pedestrian-friendly Covent Garden in the West End is a great public square for soaking up the vibrancy of London. Street performers entertain the crowds and restaurants spill out into the square, making Covent Garden one of the prettiest spots to be. Head into Covent Garden Market to find a variety of antiques, art and crafts and fresh produce.

The restaurants in Covent Garden are a mix of famous franchises, expensive fine diners and tourist traps knocking out microwave meals. You’ll be spoilt for choice. Still, enjoying a leisurely drink while watching the street performers in Convent Garden is lovely. For the best vantage spot, get yourself a coveted table on the terrace of the Punch & Judy pub.

Oxford Street is England’s finest shopping street. You’ll find flagship stores from many of Britain’s best brands, along with fancy department stores like Selfridges. It’s also a good spot to pick up cheap and tacky souvenirs from street stalls.

If you want to experience the full scope of this retail heaven, take the Tube to Tottenham Court Road station and shop all the way down to Marble Arch, at the opposite end of Oxford Street. Use Oxford Circus station as your reference point, halfway down the street. For young fashion, don’t miss a short detour to the famed Carnaby Street. Around the festive season, Oxford Street is especially pretty, with thousands of twinkling Christmas lights and imaginative window displays.

You should visit the amazing Borough Market food market around meal times to sample the range of artisanal treats. Sausages, roasted and cured meats, shellfish, freshly baked bread and every type of English cheese you might name (and plenty of European ones too) are all here. The Borough Market is easy to find next to London Bridge station.

Considering this is a market, prices are a little on the high side. If you’re cheeky enough, you could fill up on free samples alone… but we don’t recommend it.

The London Underground is probably the most famous way to get around the city, but taking a river bus along the River Thames is by far the most scenic. The air is cleaner, too. Known as Thames Clippers, the public river buses run on several routes along the Thames. They lack the commentary found on tourist boats, but the tickets are cheaper, and it just feels more authentic.

If you’re looking for the best sights lining the riverbanks, we recommend you board at Westminster and cruise down to Tower Bridge. If you have an Oyster travel card (you should definitely get one), you can use it for discount journeys.

Tower Bridge spans the River Thames and links the Tower of London to City Hall. It is a bascule bridge, which means that its centre sections can swing upwards to allow taller river traffic to pass through. The bridge is open to road and pedestrian traffic. It also features a museum where you can learn how the bridge operates and tour its Victorian engine rooms.

Don’t leave without taking a stroll along its high-level walkways, located more than 40 metres above the water. The view from up here is one of the finest anywhere in the capital, and it’s easily among the best things to do in London.

Spitalfields Market is renowned for its cutting-edge fashion boutiques, vintage traders and generally cool atmosphere. It’s open every day, but on weekends you’ll find the best selection of handcrafted items from some of London’s finest independent designers. We’ve seen everything from women’s trench coats covered in Manga designs to African-inspired hats. It’s walking distance from Liverpool Street station in London’s East End.

As well as incredible shopping, you can buy some fresh food from the wet market or grab a bite from a variety of franchise restaurants. If you want to show off your cool new clothes, take a short walk to Brick Lane and trendy Shoreditch.

Chinatown Gate is the grand entrance to London’s famed Chinatown area, and the gate is a landmark in itself. The gate is adorned with the vibrant red and gold associated with Chinese culture, with exquisitely drawn Chinese characters decorating the archway.

Once you’ve taken your selfies at the gate and passed into the town itself, you’ll find a street lined with Chinese restaurants, grocery stores and souvenir shops. If you’re lucky enough to be around in January/February, check your calendar for the exact dates of Chinese New Year. There’s an annual parade, and the dragon dance is a sight to see.

Over 1,000 ft (305 metres) tall, entirely glass fronted, and shaped like a momentous icicle, you can’t fail to notice The Shard from any borough of London. If you're not fortunate enough to lodge at the Shangri-La, which occupies the 34th to 52nd floors, consider starting your London evening with dinner and drinks there. It's a memorable experience that lets you soak in the city's stunning skyline, marking the perfect beginning to your London night.

Among the exquisite collection of swanky restaurants and cocktail lounges, the contemporary British cuisine served at Aqua Shard is our pick for dinner. For a nightcap with a view, head up to the Gong bar on the 52nd floor.

London’s West End is a byword for live theatre, and musicals, in particular. From enduring classics like Les Misérables to the latest blockbusters, and plenty of fringe theatre written by up-and-coming artists, this is one of the world’s finest spots for performance art.

The cost of premium seats for many of London’s most in-demand plays is often over £100, but you can find cheap, last-minute tickets online if you’re flexible with your dates and times. Choosing a weekday matinee performance is a savvy way to grab the best seats in the house.