PSA: All Covid-19 necessities in London have been scrapped as of March 2022 — that means it’s enterprise as regular, no pre-departure exams, quarantine or arrival types! 🥳 Listed here are the most effective issues to do in London, plus journey suggestions on the finish.
Picture credit score: @bendavisual by way of Unsplash
Buckingham Palace, Borough Market, the British Museum — that’s all I may match into my first London itinerary. It was adequate, on condition that it was simply two days earlier than hitting different cities like Bristol, Bathtub, and Brighton.
4 years later, I acquired the possibility to revisit London. This time for a month! It allowed me to decelerate and actually get to know town higher.
A month later and I nonetheless really feel like I’ve solely scratched the floor. There are numerous weekend markets, musicals operating on a regular basis, free museums… after my second go to, I can affirm that London is without doubt one of the most vigorous cities I’ve ever been to.
If it’s your first time in London — listed below are a few of my favorite suggestions:
1) Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Regardless of being about an hour out of London, metropolis — the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London needed to be primary on the listing. (particularly for the Potterhead who can recite a number of scenes from reminiscence — a.ok.a me)
The typical go to lasts 3.5hrs, however I spent double the period of time there. There’s a lot to soak up — precise film units, authentic costumes and props, and behind-the-scenes footage!
From the long-lasting Nice Corridor the place Harry and gang acquired sorted into their homes to Diagon Alley the place they picked up faculty provides, the tour is unquestionably definitely worth the cash in the event you’re a fan.
*Professional-tip: E book your tickets means prematurely — entry is by way of time slots and we’d advocate selecting the earliest for ample time to discover!
Value: From £49.95 (~S$91)
Opening hours: 9:30AM – 8PM (Weekdays), 8:30AM – 10PM (Weekends)
Find out how to get there: Take the West Coast Essential Line to Watford Junction station, then a 15min shuttle bus (incl. in ticket)
Learn additionally: Harry Potter London Itinerary: The Quintessential Information To 4 Days in London for All Potterheads
2) Thrift Buying at Brick Lane
Brick Lane is an edgy, youthful neighbourhood in East London. We visited on a Saturday and have been greeted by streets lined with murals and graffiti; buskers beatboxing and meals carts doling out scorching meals.
In addition to the primary avenue, there are a number of markets to take a look at — you can simply spend a full day right here and nonetheless not cowl every part.
There are lots of classic and thrift retailers in Brick Lane — and the costs vary fairly a bit too! Some retailers offered secondhand sweaters for £10, and a few supplied extra distinctive items for £150. The Brick Lane Classic Market is one such place that’s a bit of extra upmarket, however nonetheless actually enjoyable to discover!
Meals-wise, there’s lots to be enthusiastic about. Just like the well-known Beigel Bake salt beef beigel (£5.50) that’s been round 1974! For extra choices, head to Upmarket (above Brick Lane Classic Market) and the Previous Spitalfields Market.
Opening hours: Completely different markets have completely different opening hours, however most open from 10AM – 5PM
Find out how to get there: Take the District, Hammersmith or Metropolis line to Aldgate East station, stroll 11min
3) Catch a Musical at West Finish
Picture credit score: Depraved
When in London, you’ve acquired to look at a musical. London’s West Finish is residence to dozens of award-winning musicals, with reveals enjoying each evening.
Fashionable musicals embrace Depraved, The E book of Mormon, Mamma Mia! and The Phantom of the Opera. I managed to catch three musicals throughout our month-long keep in London — and The E book of Mormon is my favorite! It’s satirical, witty, and simply insanely entertaining.
*Professional-tip: Afternoon and weekday reveals are usually cheaper!
4) Panoramic Views from Sky Backyard
Picture credit score: @hellolightbulb by way of Unsplash
A number of mates beneficial a visit to the Sky Backyard for the most effective views of London. This 38-storey constructing is residence to London’s highest public backyard, and the doorway is free!
View from the Sky Backyard. Picture credit score: @thechrisbatch by way of Instagram
Tickets are launched each Monday and get snatched up actually rapidly, so e-book as early as attainable (three weeks prematurely!).
Entrance price: Free
Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM (Mon – Fri), 11AM – 9PM (Sat – Solar)
Find out how to get there: Take the District or Circle Line to Monument station, stroll 3min
5) Camden Market and Primrose Hill
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Camden Market is a bustling space of over 1,000 shops promoting every part from avenue meals to classic vogue.
The out of doors part sees primarily avenue meals stalls providing extra than simply British favourites. I had a troublesome time deciding what to have for lunch — selections embrace Hawaiian poke bowls, contemporary Italian pasta, and American hotdogs.
Picture credit score: @iermartinez by way of Unsplash
Indoors is the place the retailers are at! Native artisans are promoting handmade leather-based items and jewellery, mates are rummaging via thrift retailers; there’s even stay music at a number of bars.
*Professional-tip: Camden Market will get actually crowded throughout mealtimes. Order takeaway and stroll 9min to Primrose Hill in Regent’s Park to take pleasure in your meals! It’s top-of-the-line viewpoints in London, with unobstructed views of town skyline.
Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM
Find out how to get there: Take the Northern line to Camden City, stroll 5min
6) Museum-Hopping
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Among the best issues to do in London is to go to a museum. And in the event you want one more reason: Entrance is FREE for many museums. You simply gotta pre-book a slot on-line!
The British Museum was first on my listing because it was featured in Night time on the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. The fashionable inside structure was an attraction in itself, and the primary reveals embrace the Egyptian sculpture gallery and Roman empire show.
Step into the Pure Historical past Museum and be greeted by a 25.2m-long blue whale skeleton!
One other museum value testing is the Pure Historical past Museum. The main target right here is on the pure world and evolution — all the way in which again to the time of dinosaurs.
7) Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park
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Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the royal household and is one among London’s most recognised landmarks. This palace complicated has been round 1703 and now has nearly 800 rooms.
Among the best (free!) issues to do right here is watching the altering of guards outdoors Buckingham Palace. It occurs at 10:45AM each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday — I’d counsel coming early to order a great place because it will get crowded.
Entrance price: £30 (~S$55)
Opening hours: 9:30AM – 7:30PM, Final entry at 5:15PM (Jul – Aug), 9:30AM – 6:30PM, Final entry at 4:15PM (Sep – Oct)
Find out how to get there: Take the Circle or District line to Victoria or St. Jame’s Park station then stroll 11min
8) Notting Hill and Portobello Market
If the identify Notting Hill sounds acquainted, you might need gotten the reference from the well-known 1999 romantic comedy, starring Enormous Grant and Julia Roberts!
This upscale neighbourhood in West London homes iconic filming places together with the colorful homes alongside Lancaster Street, The Notting Hill Bookshop, and the Blue Door.
*Professional-tip: The perfect day to go to is Saturday — when all the road stalls are open. The market isn’t open on Sundays.
Notting Hill can also be residence to Portobello Market, one among liveliest markets in London. It stretches alongside Portobello Street, and also you’ll discover stalls promoting every part from antiques to secondhand clothes to books.
On the finish, there’s a avenue meals part excellent for a lunch break. Worldwide delicacies is aplenty — Korean fried rooster, Spanish paella and North African dishes are just some choices!
Don’t ignore the everlasting shops once you go to; there are a number of gems value testing. Like the numerous charity retailers (Oxfam, Fara and British Purple Cross), espresso homes and different small companies.
Portobello Market
Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM (Mon – Wed), 9AM – 1PM (Thu), 9AM – 7PM (Fri), 9AM – 7PM (Sat), Closed on Solar
Find out how to get there: Take the Circle line to Ladbroke Grove, stroll 5min
9) Store at Oxford Avenue
Whether or not it’s your first or fifth time visiting, top-of-the-line issues to do in London is to stroll down Oxford Avenue. It’s Europe’s busiest purchasing avenue, with round 300 retailers — Primark, Zara, Marks & Spencer amongst them.
Even in the event you’re not trying to purchase something, the realm is a unbelievable place to soak within the vigorous metropolis environment, with buskets and performers, and the long-lasting purple buses that periodically drive by!
Opening hours: Most retailers shut by 9PM
Find out how to get there: Take the Victoria line to Oxford Circus Underground Station. Oxford Avenue is positioned proper on the exit
10) Seize a Chew at Borough Market
Borough Market is London’s most well-known market. It’s been round since 1756 and is cut up into three areas — Three Crown Sq., Inexperienced Market, and Borough Market Kitchen.
The primary two are the place you’ll discover contemporary produce, whereas Borough Market Kitchen is the road meals space.
*Professional-tip: Borough Market is positioned inside strolling distance of the River Thames! Seize a chew and stroll alongside the river, and cross the well-known Millennium Bridge that results in St Paul’s Cathedral.
Opening hours: 10AM – 5PM (Mon – Fri), 8AM – 5PM (Sat), 10AM – 3PM (Solar)
Find out how to get there: Take the Jubilee or Northern line to London Underground station, Borough Market is positioned proper beside it
11) Dine Out at Chinatown
Picture credit score: @brunus by way of Unsplash
One of the in style issues to do in London is visiting Chinatown, positioned proper subsequent to West Finish! The long-lasting purple lanterns and grand gate are clear indicators you’ve arrived on this vigorous neighbourhood.
There’s a number of Chinese language eating places, however you’ll discover different Asian cuisines too! Some beneficial eateries embrace Golden Dragon (dim sum), Dumplings’ Legend and BaoziInn Romilly Avenue.
Opening hours: Usually 12PM – 12AM
Find out how to get there: Take the Piccadilly or Northern Line to Leicester Sq. station, stroll 3min
12) Catch Avenue Performances at Covent Backyard
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Hanging out at Covent Backyard is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do in London. It’s a scorching spot for eating and purchasing (principally upscale manufacturers like TAG Heuer and Ray-Ban), with occasional avenue performers as properly.
Right here you’ll discover the well-loved Flat Iron steak home — a must-try when visiting London for the primary time!
Opening hours: 24 hours, however retailers are normally open from 10AM – 8PM
Find out how to get there: Take the Piccadilly line to Covent Backyard station, stroll 2min
13) Soho
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Situated on the coronary heart of West Finish, Soho is London’s nightlife and leisure district! It’s additionally a scorching spot for town’s LGBT neighborhood with a number of homosexual bars within the space.
Picture credit score: @pooorliza by way of Unsplash
Try Carnaby Avenue — positioned behind Oxford Avenue — for Instagrammable streets, plus an infinite quantity of purchasing and eating choices.
Opening hours: 24 hours
Find out how to get there: Take the Bakerloo, Central or Victoria line to Oxford Circus, stroll 1min
14) Greenwich
Situated additional South throughout the River Thames is the charming, cultural neighbourhood of Greenwich. This space is thought for its naval and navy previous, with landmarks just like the Nationwide Maritime Museum and the Queen’s Home — each free entry!
Proper beside the prepare station is Greenwich Market. It’s not massive, however there are some attention-grabbing meals choices out there.
*Professional-tip: There aren’t any seats at Greenwich Market. Purchase avenue meals and stroll over to the Thames Foreshore for views of the river!
Among the best issues to do in Greenwich is hanging out at Greenwich Park, London’s oldest Royal Park. Climb to the highest of the hill the place The Royal Observatory sits for the most effective views of town.
Enjoyable truth: The Prime Meridian Line is positioned there too. It’s the precise spot that divides the jap and western hemispheres — that means longitude zero!
After chilling at Greenwich Park, head all the way down to Previous Royal Naval Faculty! The ultimate battle scene from Thor: The Darkish World was filmed right here! You’ll be strolling on the identical grounds because the God of Thunder 🤩.
Opening hours: 24 hours
Find out how to get there: Take the Jubilee line to North Greenwich station
15) Tower Bridge
If there’s a blockbuster movie that includes London, you possibly can guess that Tower Bridge will probably be in it. Opened in 1894, Tower Bridge has been a key landmark in London’s cityscape.
For a price, guests can cross the long-lasting glass walkway between the 2 towers and revel in views of the River Thames in addition to view the engine rooms that have been used to boost the bridge.
Entrance price: £11.40 (~S$18.40)
Opening hours: 9:30AM – 6PM, Final entry 5PM
Find out how to get there: Take the District or Circle line to Tower Hill station, stroll 7min
Pre-trip Necessities and Suggestions for Your Subsequent Journey to London
Entry necessities: As of 18 Mar 2022, guests to the UK not want to finish a passenger locator kind or take any pre-departure or on-arrival Covid-19 exams.
Connectivity: Vodafone UK SIM card prices £30 for 25GB of knowledge, which will be discovered at Heathrow Airport.
Transport inside London: The simplest option to get round London is by way of prepare or bus. There are a number of completely different prepare companies, and the primary one is the London Underground (or the Tube, as locals name it).
London is split up into 9 journey zones and most points of interest are positioned in Central London (Zone 1). There are peak fares (Mon – Fri) from 6:30AM – 9:30AM and 4PM – 7PM.
You may both buy an Oyster Card (£5) or use a contactless fee card (like Apple Pay!). A single-tube journey in Zone 1 prices £2.40 (S$4.38) whereas a bus journey is £1.55.
The place to remain in London: We’d advocate staying in Zone 1, the place many of the major points of interest are positioned! Among the best locations to remain in London for first-time guests is Covent Backyard, because it’s inside strolling distance to West Finish and Oxford Avenue
Suggestions for planning your subsequent journey to London:
1) You may just about go cashless (we did, for a full month) — most avenue meals stalls additionally settle for card!
2) E book tickets early prematurely. Slots for the Warner Bros Studio Tour, The Shard, and museum tickets run out rapidly — I attempted reserving tickets for The Shard two weeks prematurely and there have been none left.
3) Transport (even public) can add up in a short time — save on transport prices by planning your London itinerary to cowl points of interest inside strolling distance of one another on the identical day. Strolling can also be a good way to see town — right here’s a Google Maps hyperlink with all of the points of interest pinned!
What are your favorite issues to do in London? Share with us within the feedback!
