Best Things To Do in London, England
At the beginning of summer I spent a lovely long weekend in London, England. My third trip to the UK and a special return to one of my favorite cities! It was so much fun and each visit makes me love it more.
London has a bit of everything for travelers - so many historic sites, beautiful parks and neighborhoods, art and museums, great shopping, and divine restaurants. It has all the convenience and benefits of a big city but with so much history and charm. Plus its own unique British culture.
I’ve traveled with family, and once for work, but this trip was extra special. Not only was it the first time I got to experience it with my husband on his very first visit, but also with some of my closest friends who share a deep connection to the city!
Even in just a few days or as one leg of a longer Euro-trip, you can see a lot of what the city has to offer. You may just be like me and decide you love it enough to keep going back.
Here are a few of the best things to do in London, England!
Cheerio, London!
London is only a 7 hour flight from New York City, not much longer than flying west to Los Angeles. Distance aside, it’s an easy destination for Americans to travel to in my opinion, especially for first time European tourists, since there is no language barrier.
Where to Stay
When planning a trip to London, one of the first decisions to make is what neighborhood and to stay in. Here are a few of my favorites from my prior trips:
Mayfair - Spent a weekend at the beautiful, The Beaumont
Marylebone - Found a cute AirBnb in a great neighborhood
Notting Hill - Stayed four nights at a flat on Portobello road
Though there are plenty of great Airbnb’s and flats to rent for longer stays, there are also many amazing hotels to choose from. Here are some:
Splurge
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What To Do
Hard to imagine you could ever be bored in London! Here is a list of the must-see attractions and activities about town.
Visit the royal family at Buckingham Palace - witness the Changing Of The Guard daily around 11am
Obsessed with Queen Liz and The Crown? Take an exclusive tour
Stroll the beautiful gardens
See the gorgeous architecture through Westminister from the Palace to the Abbey and of course Big Ben
Take a river cruise from Westminister to Tower Bridge
Feast on delicious food at Bourough Market
Shopping at Harrod’s London in Knightsbridge
For Harry Potter fans, take a photo at Platform 9 & 3/4’s in Kings Cross Station
Take a nice jog around Regent’s Park
Tour Kensington Palace, more of the royal families quarters
Explore the beautiful St. Pancras Station in London
Vintage shopping on Portobello Road, Notting Hill
Where to Eat & Drink
Restaurants: There are so many great meals to enjoy around the city, and the food is one of the many reasons I love to visit. Here are some spots that should be on your list:
Gymkhana - Two Michelin Star Indian food with an upscale atmosphere
Circolo Popolare - twirl fork fulls of mafaldine by endless walls of wine
St. JOHN - sample Great Britain’s local delicacies, right off the bone
Chiltern Firehouse - Take in the scene and the delicious cocktails
The Pig and Butcher - for a typical Sunday Roast
Dishoom Shoreditch - London’s favorite Indian food on their beautiful veranda
Trullo - Simple but solid Italian, and a fave of Charli XCX
Bars: England has an incredible bar scene, and pub culture. The Brits love to drink outside whenever the weather allows for it. The crowds of bar goers will spread into the sidewalk with drinks in hand and you can expect extra crowds when there’s a football game on.
The Churchill Arms - most famous for its gorgeous floral exterior!
The Sun in Splendor - convenient spot in Notting Hill
Claridge’s (I spent hours here at the beautiful Champagne bar)
Connaught Bar - legendary!
Chiltern Firehouse
Afternoon tea: This is one of the most well known cultural traditions in England, and it’s only right to participate when you’re visiting London! Here are a few great options:
Sketch London (the most popular)
Ritz Carlton (for a high tea experience!)
Claridge’s (clearly an all around amazing place to visit for hotel/tea/drinks)
For architecture lovers and history buffs, you’ll really enjoy exploring. I always walk miles around central London on the first day and stare at the history around me. Some buildings were built centuries ago - Something you can’t find in most cities within the U.S. From the most well known structures like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Tower of London, to more modern sites like the Shard and the London Eye.
I’ve got all the main spots so reach out if you’re looking for help putting together an itinerary in London.
Looking for some day trips to explore beyond London?
Take a cozy winter holiday to the countryside to the Cotswolds
Day trip to Stonehenge to see one of the One of the original 7 Wonders of the World
Head to the beach - Brighton, Rye, or Cornwall
I hope you enjoyed learning more London. Thanks for reading!
Xx Gab
Complete Guide to exploring the neighborhoods around London, England. Sharing the best restaurants, tourist spots, shopping districts and hidden gems from Notting Hill to Marleybone!