We have wrapped up a whole year of living in England, and our time traveling around the U.K. England is an absolutely gorgeous country, and London is definitely a popular destination for good reason. When going to London it is really easy to get overwhelmed by everything there is to see and explore. The times we’ve made our way to London, we’ve definitely tried our best to see something different and new every time. I honestly think it would take a lifetime to see all of London, and since we don’t all have that time in the city of London, we are making the best of your time.
Here are some of my favorite things to see and explore in London. There is definitely so much to choose from in London, what’s helped me is taking some time to research and learn about specific areas and things I would like to see. What I have done here is separate it into different categories based on what you may be interested in. Whatever you choose to do, London is a magnificent city, and investing in the right amount of time to explore as much as you can is a must!
Skyline views of London
One of the most spectacular things to see in London is the skyline. It is quite breathtaking to see the different buildings on both sides of the River Thames. There are plenty of places that you can appreciate the views of London. There are many terrace bars and restaurants that are becoming quite popular that you can make reservations for, some can be pricey, but there are free options as well that you can take advantage of.
Royal Observatory Greenwich
The Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park provides beautiful views of London. The walk up to the Observatory takes about 10-15 minutes, and you get a lovely uphill walk in Greenwich Park. The Observatory has an entrance fee, however you can also just take in the skyline views from the top of the park as well.
Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is a gorgeous place to see views of London from above. Not only can you enjoy views of the city, but you can also get the treat of the Sky Garden inside the building. Inside the Sky Garden there are several restaurants and bars that you can also enjoy. I’ve gone to the Sky Garden on two occasions, one during the day just to see the views and garden, and on the other with dinner reservations at Darwin Brasserie. Both were definitely great memories and occasions. The entrance to the Sky Garden is free, however it does require some planning and booking your free entry in advance.
London Eye
Obviously the London Eye is quite popular and is a landmark of London. Riding up and down the London Eye is actually a really nice experience. The cost and the lines can be a deterrence to some, but the experience does provide 360 degree views of London. The ride itself is about 20-30 minutes (if memory serves me right), and you do share the ride with other people.
Emirates Airline
The Emirates Airline is a great little treat that you can use as a form of public transportation from 02 Greenwich towards Canning Town, or vise versa. You can buy tickets to use the Emirates Airline or use your Oyster Card like you would in the tube. The views are great and you can see plenty of the River Thames. The ride is short but you can take it all the way back around if you’d like to have a little longer of a ride.
Historical Landmarks in London
There are quite a lot of historical landmarks all throughout London. All of them have so much history to learn about and many have exhibits and interactive experiences that you can choose from. We have yet to visit all of them of course, but so far these have been some of my favorites.
Wellington Arch & The Household Cavalry
Wellington Arch is at the corner of Hyde Park. It’s a beautiful monument that provides beautiful views of Hyde Park. If you time it just right you can also view The Household Cavalry parade through the Arch. Wellington Arch is also part of English Heritage, so if you’re a member the entrance fee is free. This is definitely a must see if you’re in this area of London, and a beautiful walk from Buckingham Palace.
Tower Bridge
I have to say that Tower Bridge is one of my favorite landmarks in London. It’s not only gorgeous but it is surrounded by wonderful parks, restaurants, and other things to do on both sides of the River Thames. Next Goal: is to actually go up to the top of the Tower Bridge. Even if you don’t get to the top, taking in this beautiful landmark in London is absolutely worth it.
Jewel House in Westminster
Jewel House is in the Westminster area and is another English Heritage site. It doesn’t seem to be as popular as visiting the nearby Abbey or House of Parliament, but the views of Westminster are beautiful from inside the tower. The Jewel House has amazing history, and although it is quite small, I loved visiting this landmark.
St. Paul’s Cathedral & Millennium Bridge
St. Paul’s Cathedral is so glorious siting in Central London with its breathtaking architecture. St. Paul’s Cathedral is a must see if you’re in this area. Entry into the Cathedral is not free, however it is worth the cost to view the inside of the Cathedral and all of the history that lies within its walls. If you’re making your way to St. Paul’s Cathedral, walking towards it from Millennium Bridge is the best way.
Neighborhoods around Central London
One of my favorite things to do in London is to walk around and explore the many different neighborhoods of London. There are so many, and I have not seen them all yet, but they’re definitely on my bucket list. Markets are also very popular in London, providing local art work, souvenirs, and so much delicious food.
Greenwich Neighborhood & Greenwich Market
Greenwich Market is located in the area of Greenwich and has great food selection and lots of vendors selling different types of goods. Greenwich Market is primarily outdoors, so it’s great when the weather is nice out! Greenwich is home to the Royal Navy Observatory, the Queens House with free entry, and also great walks along the River Thames.
Spitafields Neighborhood & Brick Lane Market
The Spitafields Neighborhood is near Liverpool Street. This area is filled with antique shops, local cafes, and many quint streets. Brick Lane Market is another great market to wander around and it’s mostly indoors, so you can definitely enjoy it if the weather is a bit rainy.
Camden Neighborhood & Camden Market
Camden Neighborhood & Camden Market is a lot more vibrant area of London. There are so many vendors and market stalls that line the streets leading into Camden Market. Camden Market can actually get quite busy, but it’s really nice nonetheless to shop around local vendor stalls as well as grab a bite to eat or a cold drink on a hot day out.
Southwark Neighborhood, Borough Market & Hay’s Galleria
I have to say that Borough Market has been my favorite to eat at and try different cuisines. In the same area is Hay’s Galleria which is a great area to shop around a bit more fancier stores but also enjoy the history in this area. This is a great area if you are walking around and making your way to or from London Bridge.
Carnaby Neighborhood & Regent Street
If I have one recommendation if you happen to be in London during the month of December is to visit Carnaby Street and Regent Street. The Christmas light displays in this area are absolutely gorgeous! If you aren’t in London during the holiday season, this area is nice to walk around in. It leads into other areas such as Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. If you’re in the mood for some heavy retail therapy, this is the area you want to visit.
Parks around Central London
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is a huge park in the Greenwich area. It faces gorgeous views of London, it is home to the observatory and the Queen’s House. It’s a wonderful place to take a picnic if you’re in London and bask in the sun on a Summer day.
St. James’s Park – Views of Buckingham Place
St. James’s Park leads into Buckingham Palace. Definitely stroll through here if you are touring this area. Stop by and enjoy the different areas of the garden, grab an ice cream, and people watch. It’s a gorgeous park beautifully decorated, especially in the Spring.
Potters Fields Park – Views of London Bridge
Potters Fields Park has wonderful views of London Bridge and the River Thames. There are great places to take a seat and enjoy the views. It’s a great place to catch a breather if you’ve been walking around London all day, especially with this view!
Outside of London
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
If you are headed to a trip outside of London, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is definitely worth it for Harry Potter fans. We did not take it from London, we drove ourselves, and booked our tickets directly, however there are plenty of tours that can take you straight from London. I would definitely recommend booking your tickets as far in advance as possible, as it can be hard to buy tickets especially in the holiday seasons. The tour can definitely take more than 3 hours to do as there is so much amazing things to see! If you can’t make it to the Studio Tour, but still want your Hogwarts Express picture, head over the King’s Cross Station.
These are all only a few things that you can do in London. Like I said, there are so many other things to do, and that we have yet to explore. If you’re planning your trip to England, and wondering how much time you need to spend in London, I would recommend no less than two full days. London has made such a great impression on us, I can’t wait to keep exploring it and enjoying it during our time in England!
Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook
