Top 8 Things to Do in London

To fully immerse yourself in the vibrant life of London, it’s advisable to devise a well-thought-out itinerary for your visit. Such a plan can ensure optimal use of your time, keeping you on track with your sightseeing goals. Ideally, this itinerary should be shared with your London airport transfer driver to facilitate seamless navigation throughout the city.

However, we recognize that drafting an itinerary can be overwhelming, given the multitude of attractions London has to offer. Therefore, this article aims to simplify your task by highlighting some of the top things to do in London.

Hampton Court Palace

Located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Hampton Court Palace is one of the best-known palaces in the world. It was originally built for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey before being gifted to Henry VIII in 1529. This palace is also where Elizabeth I learned of the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

Hampton Court Palace is said to be haunted by several ghosts, including two of Henry VIII’s six wives, Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard. Other ghosts haunting the palace are said to include Sybil Penn (the ‘Grey Lady’), who was a wetnurse to Edward VI.

London Markets

When it comes to shopping, there’s no place to be like London. Not only are London’s High Streets well known for their many international brands, there are also several local markets you can visit if you’re looking for a more uniquely London experience.

Some of the markets you can ask your airport transfer London to take you to include:

• Camden Market: Home to over 100 stalls, this market offers an urban feel and shoppers can find everything from food to clothes and jewelry.
• Borough Market: If you’re a foodie, this is where you need to be. This market serves up some of the best produce in the city, and also boasts several outstanding eateries.
• Old Spitalfields Market: Dating back to 1876, this Victorian Market Hall is popular among both shoppers and architecture enthusiasts. You can find everything from antiques to art and more here.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is located on a site that has been associated with Christianity since the 7th century. From the burial of Edward the Confessor in 1066 to that of George II in 1760, the abbey is the burial place of most British monarchs. It is also known for its Poet’s Corner in the abbey’s transepts, which feature the burial places of and memorials to famous writers, including:

• Shakespeare
• Dickens
• Chaucer
• Thomas Hardy
• Rudyard Kipling
• Laurence Olivier
• Jane Austen
• The Brontë sisters

London Eye

One of the world’s largest observation wheels, the London Eye was built in 2000 and rises 443 feet above the River Thames. The glass capsules offer stunning views of the city, and your ride on the London Eye will last about 30 minutes.

That said, it’s essential to remember that this is one of the most popular attractions in London, and lines for tickets can be long. In fact, you can spend longer standing in line than riding the Eye. If you want to avoid the rush, consider reserving your tickets in advance or buying a skip-the-line ticket.

Kew Gardens

If you’re someone who loves nature, London’s Kew Gardens are a can’t miss. These gardens, which were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, are some of the most visited gardens in the world. They boast over 50,000 living plants.

These gardens are extremely family-friendly and boast indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a zipline, and more activities for little ones. The gardens themselves have a variety of themed structures and garden areas on display, including:

• The Pagoda
• The Japanese Gardens
• The Treetop Walkway
• The Palm House
• The Rhododendron Dell

Richmond Park

Richmond Park is located right outside London and is one of the eight Royal Parks. This park is a stunning natural wonderland and boasts woodlands, lakes, winding paths, horse stables and trails, bike paths, picnic spots, and more.

The park is also home to King Henry’s Mound, a hilltop that offer stunning views of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Isabella Plantation, a 40-acre Victorian woodland that is home to so many colorful flowers that you’ll feel like you’re walking through a fairytale.

Natural History Museum

London’s Natural History Museum was founded in 1754. This sprawling museum displays a vast range of specimens that cover all the natural sciences.

The Natural History Museum is home to over 80 million individual items. Some of the museum’s highlights include:

• the collection of preserved specimens collected by Charles Darwin
• the first specimen of Archaeopteryx ever discovered
• a complete dodo skeleton
• the most intact Stegosaurus fossil skeleton ever discovered
• two Neanderthal skulls

Churchill War Rooms

If you’re looking to take in a truly unique aspect of London’s history, the Churchill War Rooms are where you should go. Located in King Charles Street, these rooms are the location from which legendary UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill directed military campaigns throughout World War II.

Highlights of this attraction include:

• The cubicle where Churchill slept
• The improvised radio station from which he broadcast his wartime speeches
• Clementine Churchill’s knitting wool marking the front lines on a map of Europe