London Bucket List: 50 Must-Have Experiences in London

Here is a list of the best things to see and do in London, 50 to be exact. Don’t expect to see them all on your first trip to London, we didn’t either. But you’ll be back. London is the type of city you can visit multiple times and never grow bored.At the end of this post, we do give recommendations of our favorite spots, to help you narrow down this mega list of sights. Or, skip ahead to our list now.

The London Bucket List

Big Ben

When you see Big Ben, it really feels like you are in London. For a first-timer here, it’s thrilling to get that first glimpse of Big Ben. And it never gets old. Day or night, we loved looking up at this famous British landmark.

Take a Beefeater Tour at the Tower of London

The Tower of London dates back to 1066. It was used as both a prison and a royal residence and now houses the crown jewels. For an educational, slightly gory look at British history, don’t miss the Beefeater tours held daily.

#10 Downing Street

#10 Downing Street is the headquarters of the government of the United Kingdom and the residence of the Prime Minister. You can only get a glimpse of the famous doorway from a distance, since the residence is protected behind sturdy fencing and armed guards.

Take a Walking Tour of London

There are numerous options for walking tours in London. SANDEMANs offers free walking tours that get rave reviews. Photographers can take the Hairy Goat Photography Tour and those over 18 can take a Liquid History Tour of London. There are also Jack the Ripper tours, street art tours, and foodie tours.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you might like one of these tours.

Take a Ride on the London Eye

This one is a bit pricey, but for 30 minutes you get unparalleled views of London, overlooking Parliament and Big Ben. On a clear day, you will be able to identify most of London’s most famous landmarks.

Houses of Parliament

Sure, it’s great to see Parliament and its iconic architecture from the outside. But did you know that you can tour the Houses of Parliament and even attend the debates at the House of Commons or House of Lords? For more information, click here.

Eat, Drink, and Shop at Covent Garden

Covent Garden is a district in the West End that is now a popular shopping and tourist site. Pop into the cafes, watch street performers, or simply roam the shops.

Take a Walk Across Millenium Bridge

Built in 2000, the Millenium Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Thames River. It has been featured in several movies, such as Harry Potter and Guardians of the Galaxy.

The British Museum

Dare I say that this is one of the world’s best museums? This museum contains a massive collection of historical artifacts amassed while Great Britain was a major world super power. Some of these artifacts date back thousands of years. See a portion of the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and hieroglyphics. It is amazing how much stuff the British gobbled up during their world rule.

The Underground

The Underground is London’s metro. It is clean, efficient, and easy to use. It’s the easiest and most convenient way to get around the city. Ride the Underground enough times and “Mind the Gap” may become your favorite British phrase.

The National Gallery

Located in Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is the most popular art gallery in London. It is here that you can see British art from the 13^th century to 1900.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Pauls’ Cathedral is another very famous landmark. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the present day cathedral was consecrated in 1697 after the Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed the old St. Paul’s Cathedral. The funerals of Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill were held here, as was the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

For another great viewpoint over London, climb to the top of the dome.

Take a Break in Kew Gardens

This is a giant botanical garden in southwest London. A half day here is a great way to take a break from city life. Tour the greenhouses and walk along the manicured property. This is a tranquil, pretty spot in London.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge, another London icon. It’s medieval style makes many people think that is very old (it was constructed in 1894) but it was designed to complement its neighbor, the Tower of London. If you are interested, you can climb one of the towers for another bird’s eye view of London.

Afternoon Tea

For a quintessential British experience, dine on scones and finger sandwiches at one of many hotels offering afternoon tea. For 10 of London’s best afternoon teas, click here.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the residence of Queen Elizabeth and a highly recognizable spot in London.

The Changing of the Guard

During the Changing of the Guard, which takes place at Buckingham Palace, one regiment takes over from another. It’s a lot of pomp and circumstance, but another one of those classic British experiences. The schedule depends on the time of year, with daily performances during the summer months. Check the official schedule here.

Stroll across the Westminster Bridge

The Westminster Bridge spans the Thames River. On one side is Westminster, with Parliament, Big Ben, and Whitehall. On the other side is the London Eye. This is iconic London.

Churchill War Rooms

This is absolutely a must-do while in London. During World War II, Winston Churchill and his staff hunkered down under the streets of London and “ran” the war. In these bunkers, they were relatively safe from Nazi air raids. In this museum, tour the bunkers, see where they lived and slept, and learn about the amazing Winston Churchill. You do not need to be a history buff to appreciate this museum.

Enjoy London’s Parks

London has several parks, all great places to take a break from city life. When walking between Buckingham Palace and Westminster, consider strolling through St. James Park. Hyde Park is much larger and it is popular for joggers. If you are traveling as a family, bring the kids and feed the birds at the Serpentine, the lake in Hyde Park.

Abbey Road

This is a must for Beatles fans. Stroll on famous Abbey Road and cross the street Beatles style.

Eat Fish & Chips

Fish & chips is classic British food. You can find it at any pub, but one of the best restaurants in London for fish & chips is The Golden Chippy.

Take a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Ok. So we don’t normally recommend bus tours, that is, unless you are in London. For first-timers to the city, this is a great way to see the main sites in just a matter of hours. You can choose to stay on the bus and get an overview of the city, or use it as transportation to get between sites.

This was one of our favorite London experiences…seeing Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Whitehall, Piccadilly Circus, and so much more, all in just two hours.

Borough Market

This is foodie paradise. Borough Market is a giant market with food from around the world, a reflection of modern day London.

The National Portrait Gallery

If you are an art aficionado, here’s another art museum for your list. This world famous museum houses portraits of famous British people. Like the National Gallery, it is located off of Trafalgar Square, although it is a separate museum.

Stand in the East and West Hemispheres

In Greenwich, visit the Royal Observatory and see the Prime Meridian. Here is your chance to stand over 0° longitude, placing one foot in the eastern hemisphere and one foot in the western hemisphere.

Up at the O2

The O2 is an entertainment district with an arena, music club, cinema, and restaurants. Up at the O2 is a 90 minute experience where you get to climb onto the O2 roof. The views over London from the top are spectacular.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey another of London’s most popular landmarks. This is where kings and queens are crowned, where famous people are buried, and where marriages take place. Hundreds of people are buried under the floor, including Charles Darwin, Chaucer, Mary Queen of Scots, and the past kings and queens of England. Prince William and Kate were married here in 2011. What other historical events will occur here during our lifetimes?

The View from the Shard

The Shard, the latest addition to London’s skyline, was constructed in 2012. Ascend to the top for another spectacular view of the city.

Tate Modern

Some would say that this is Modern Art at its finest. To us, some of the art here just seemed bizarre. But it did keep Tyler and Kara entertained and repetitively asking the question, “that’s art?” Go see for yourself.

Victoria and Albert Museum

This is another of London’s great museums. This is the world’s largest museum of decoration arts and design. Paintings, sculptures, medieval objects, jewelry, photographs, and costumes from around the world can be seen here.

Portobello Road Market

This is a world famous market and a great place to visit if you like to go shopping for antiques. Portobello Road Market is open on Saturdays.

The Cutty Sark

The Cutty Sark was the fastest ship of her time, the world’s sole surviving tea clipper ship. Tours are available daily.

Old Royal Naval College

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Greenwich. It once served as a naval hospital and later as a naval college. Now, this site is being used as a filming location for many famous movies such as The King’s Speech, Patriot Games, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Avengers, and The Dark Knight Rises.

Neal’s Yard

Neal’s Yard is a colorful alley in Covent Garden. It’s a lovely, hidden place and worth it just to take a photo. Go just around the corner to Neal’s Yard Dairy for some amazing artisan cheeses.

Monument to the Great Fire of London

This is a permanent reminder of the Great Fire of 1666 that destroyed the city of London. Christopher Wren constructed this spiral monument. Did you know that you can climb its 311 steps for another awesome view of the city?

Wimbledon

If you are in London during late June or early July, consider watching the oldest tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon.

Emirates Air Line

The Emirates Air Line cable car provides another form of transportation across the Thames River. This cable car connects the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Victoria Dock. People love it for the views and the convenience.

The Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

The Horse Guards is a large parade ground off of Whitehall. This space is used as part of the Changing of the Guards ceremony.

Enjoy the View from the Sky Garden

Belly up to the bar at Sky Garden for dinner, drinks, and anther unbeatable view of London.

Trafalgar Square

This is a public square in the Charing Cross neighborhood of London. This is another famous landmark, and home to Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery. Trafalgar Square is the center of New Year’s Eve celebrations in the city.

Get your photo of the red telephone phone box

With smartphones in everyone’s pocket, who needs a public telephone anymore? These iconic phone booths could become a thing of the past. Pretty soon, you may be more likely to find one of these inside the British museum than on a London street. But creative people are turning these phone booths into micro businesses, selling coffee, ice cream, and more.

Natural History Museum

With wildlife and geological exhibits, this is a museum that is fun for the whole family. This museum is huge, so allow enough time to see all of it. If you can, try to avoid days when school is in session, when the museum becomes crowded with school groups.

Madame Tussauds’s Wax Museum

This is another attraction that is great for the whole family. Snap your selfies with wax figures that look so real that it’s a bit freaky. The biggest complaint of people visiting Madame Tussauds: lines can be very long. Book your tickets in advance to skip the entrance queue and come during non-peak hours, first thing in the morning and later in the afternoon.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theater

The Globe Theater opened in 1599. For fourteen years, the theater thrived, presenting many of Shakespeare’s plays. In 1614, it burnt down. It was rebuilt again and used until 1642, when the Puritans of London shut it down. In 1644, the Globe Theater was demolished.

The building that stands today is a replica of the original Globe Theater. It sits just a few hundred feet from the original location. Now, you can tour the theater or watch a show.

Visit Ben Franklin’s House

For sixteen years, from 1757 and 1775, Ben Franklin lived in London. This house is the only surviving house that he called home. It is now a museum and can be visited while you are in London.

Go shopping at Harrod’s

Harrod’s is London’s premiere shopping store. Seven floors and 330 departments are filled with luxury items to purchase, from all around the world.

Platform 9 ¾

Harry Potter fans may want to visit Platform 9 ¾, located inside of Kings Cross Station.

Take a Stroll on The Mall

The Mall is the wide, tree-lined street leading up to Buckingham Palace. When a big event occurs in London, whether it’s a funeral or a marriage, people line the streets to watch the royal procession. This is the place to be, an iconic street in London, with Union Jack flags lining the road.

On most days, it’s just a quiet, pretty street. It is worth a leisurely stroll, especially if you will be visiting Buckingham Palace.

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is similar to Times Square in New York City. This meeting point, where several main roads come together, is a very busy spot in London. Enormous neon signs bath the area in colorful light and double decker red buses and cars continually stream by. Have a seat on the steps of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain and watch London in action.

So there you have it, 50 awesome things to do in London. Now, if you only have a few days, what are the most important things to see?

Our Top Ten in London

Here are our ten favorite things to do in London.

• Tower of London
• British Museum
• Churchill War Rooms
• Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Tower Bridge
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Covent Garden
• Buckingham Palace
• Westminster Abbey
• London Eye

Connect all of these with the Underground and you have a nice introduction to London. And don’t forget to Mind the Gap!

Do you want to learn how to put all these sites into an epic trip to London? Click here to view our 5 Day London Itinerary.

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