See Big Ben and ParliamentMust-See SightsThe clock tower and the Houses of Parliament are best seen from across Westminster Bridge. The interior of Parliament can be visited on tours (book ahead). Big Ben's chimes are worth catching if you're nearby on the hour.0 Add to listSee Big Ben and ParliamentMust-See SightsThe clock tower and the Houses of Parliament are best seen from across Westminster Bridge. The interior of Parliament can be visited on tours (book ahead). Big Ben's chimes are worth catching if you're nearby on the hour.0 Add to list
Walk across Tower BridgeMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessLondon's most recognisable bridge. The walkways and glass floor are ticketed; the bridge itself is free to cross. Check the opening schedule if you want to see the bascules raised — it happens several times a week.0 Add to listWalk across Tower BridgeMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessLondon's most recognisable bridge. The walkways and glass floor are ticketed; the bridge itself is free to cross. Check the opening schedule if you want to see the bascules raised — it happens several times a week.0 Add to list
Visit the Tower of LondonMust-See SightsPaidOne of London's best heritage sites — the Crown Jewels, the medieval fortress and the Beefeaters are all worth the entry price. Busy in summer; go early or book a weekday. Allow at least two hours.0 Add to listVisit the Tower of LondonMust-See SightsPaidOne of London's best heritage sites — the Crown Jewels, the medieval fortress and the Beefeaters are all worth the entry price. Busy in summer; go early or book a weekday. Allow at least two hours.0 Add to list
See Buckingham PalaceMust-See SightsWith KidsCheck AccessThe Changing of the Guard happens most mornings (check the schedule — it varies by season and weather). The palace exterior and the surrounding park are free. Interior tours run in summer only and need advance booking.0 Add to listSee Buckingham PalaceMust-See SightsWith KidsCheck AccessThe Changing of the Guard happens most mornings (check the schedule — it varies by season and weather). The palace exterior and the surrounding park are free. Interior tours run in summer only and need advance booking.0 Add to list
Ride the London EyeMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidA slow 30-minute rotation giving a 40km view over London on a clear day. Good with kids. Ticketed and popular — book online to avoid the queue. Best on a clear morning.0 Add to listRide the London EyeMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidA slow 30-minute rotation giving a 40km view over London on a clear day. Good with kids. Ticketed and popular — book online to avoid the queue. Best on a clear morning.0 Add to list
Visit the British MuseumMust-See SightsOne of the world's great free museums — the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, the Egyptian mummies. Allow at least three hours and expect crowds. No ticket needed, though some special exhibitions are ticketed.0 Add to listVisit the British MuseumMust-See SightsOne of the world's great free museums — the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, the Egyptian mummies. Allow at least three hours and expect crowds. No ticket needed, though some special exhibitions are ticketed.0 Add to list
Visit Westminster AbbeyMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessActive working abbey with centuries of royal history. Entry is ticketed and on the pricier side, but the interior is dense with history. Closed to visitors on Sundays for services.0 Add to listVisit Westminster AbbeyMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessActive working abbey with centuries of royal history. Entry is ticketed and on the pricier side, but the interior is dense with history. Closed to visitors on Sundays for services.0 Add to list
See St Paul's CathedralMust-See SightsPaidWren's cathedral is impressive from the outside; the interior and the Whispering Gallery climb are ticketed. The view from the Golden Gallery at the top is one of London's best. Allow a couple of hours.0 Add to listSee St Paul's CathedralMust-See SightsPaidWren's cathedral is impressive from the outside; the interior and the Whispering Gallery climb are ticketed. The view from the Golden Gallery at the top is one of London's best. Allow a couple of hours.0 Add to list
Stroll through Hyde ParkMust-See SightsWith KidsLondon's most-used central park — good for a walk, a picnic or a break between sights. Flat, well-maintained and easy with kids. The Serpentine is in the middle if you want to rent a rowing boat.0 Add to listStroll through Hyde ParkMust-See SightsWith KidsLondon's most-used central park — good for a walk, a picnic or a break between sights. Flat, well-maintained and easy with kids. The Serpentine is in the middle if you want to rent a rowing boat.0 Add to list
Record Your Own 'Mind the Gap' AnnouncementFun Side QuestsRecord your own version of the classic Tube announcement on any platform. The best version is on the Embankment or Waterloo branch of the Bakerloo line. Silly, costs nothing.0 Add to listRecord Your Own 'Mind the Gap' AnnouncementFun Side QuestsRecord your own version of the classic Tube announcement on any platform. The best version is on the Embankment or Waterloo branch of the Bakerloo line. Silly, costs nothing.0 Add to list
Hunt a Blue PlaqueFun Side QuestsLondon's blue plaques mark houses where famous people lived — there are hundreds across the city. Find one for someone you've never heard of and look them up. Good in Kensington, Bloomsbury or Islington.0 Add to listHunt a Blue PlaqueFun Side QuestsLondon's blue plaques mark houses where famous people lived — there are hundreds across the city. Find one for someone you've never heard of and look them up. Good in Kensington, Bloomsbury or Islington.0 Add to list
Order a Proper CuppaLocal FoodLocal RitualsOrder a tea in a traditional London caff — not a chain — and state your preference clearly. Milk first or last is a genuine local debate. Strong, hot and cheap.0 Add to listOrder a Proper CuppaLocal FoodLocal RitualsOrder a tea in a traditional London caff — not a chain — and state your preference clearly. Milk first or last is a genuine local debate. Strong, hot and cheap.0 Add to list
Take a Photo With a Red Phone BoxFun Side QuestsThe red phone boxes are still around in tourist areas. Find the most photogenic one and take the most unashamedly touristy photo you can manage.0 Add to listTake a Photo With a Red Phone BoxFun Side QuestsThe red phone boxes are still around in tourist areas. Find the most photogenic one and take the most unashamedly touristy photo you can manage.0 Add to list
Order a Mystery Dish at Borough MarketLocal FoodBorough Market near London Bridge is one of the city's best food markets. Open Thursday to Saturday. Order from a stall serving something you don't recognise. Busy at lunch — go mid-morning.0 Add to listOrder a Mystery Dish at Borough MarketLocal FoodBorough Market near London Bridge is one of the city's best food markets. Open Thursday to Saturday. Order from a stall serving something you don't recognise. Busy at lunch — go mid-morning.0 Add to list
Find a Quiet London MewsFun Side QuestsSpringKynance Mews in South Kensington is a short cobbled alley covered in wisteria and ivy-draped front doors. Peak bloom is usually May–June. Easy to walk from South Kensington station.0 Add to listFind a Quiet London MewsFun Side QuestsSpringKynance Mews in South Kensington is a short cobbled alley covered in wisteria and ivy-draped front doors. Peak bloom is usually May–June. Easy to walk from South Kensington station.0 Add to list
Join a London pub quizFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsMost London pubs run a quiz night once a week, usually Tuesday or Wednesday. Find one on a side street, pick a team name and at least attempt the music round. Best with a group of four or more.0 Add to listJoin a London pub quizFun Side QuestsLocal RitualsMost London pubs run a quiz night once a week, usually Tuesday or Wednesday. Find one on a side street, pick a team name and at least attempt the music round. Best with a group of four or more.0 Add to list
Duck Into the Wellcome Collection When It RainsFun Side QuestsThe Wellcome Collection near Euston is a free museum about the history of medicine and the human body. Small, genuinely strange, and a good call when it's raining. The permanent collection has some memorable objects.0 Add to listDuck Into the Wellcome Collection When It RainsFun Side QuestsThe Wellcome Collection near Euston is a free museum about the history of medicine and the human body. Small, genuinely strange, and a good call when it's raining. The permanent collection has some memorable objects.0 Add to list
Practice the British art of queuingFun Side QuestsJoin any queue — a bus stop, a bakery, a museum entrance — and practise perfect British spacing and polite silence. Tut quietly if someone jumps ahead. It costs nothing and you'll fit right in.0 Add to listPractice the British art of queuingFun Side QuestsJoin any queue — a bus stop, a bakery, a museum entrance — and practise perfect British spacing and polite silence. Tut quietly if someone jumps ahead. It costs nothing and you'll fit right in.0 Add to list
Find the St James's PelicansFun Side QuestsWith KidsSt James's Park has a small resident colony of pelicans. Walk along the lake toward Duck Island and look for them near the bridge. They're surprisingly large and occasionally pose for photos.0 Add to listFind the St James's PelicansFun Side QuestsWith KidsSt James's Park has a small resident colony of pelicans. Walk along the lake toward Duck Island and look for them near the bridge. They're surprisingly large and occasionally pose for photos.0 Add to list
Run Up to Parliament Hill at DawnActiveLocal RitualsHampstead Heath has a good network of woodland paths up to Parliament Hill, where you get one of the best free views over the London skyline. About 6km from central London — take the tube to Gospel Oak or Hampstead Heath overground.0 Add to listRun Up to Parliament Hill at DawnActiveLocal RitualsHampstead Heath has a good network of woodland paths up to Parliament Hill, where you get one of the best free views over the London skyline. About 6km from central London — take the tube to Gospel Oak or Hampstead Heath overground.0 Add to list
Jog Past the Painted Narrowboats on Regent's CanalActiveLocal RitualsThe Regent's Canal towpath runs flat from Victoria Park west toward King's Cross and Islington. Painted narrowboats, floating cafes and minimal traffic. Best early morning before cyclists take over. Around 8km end to end.0 Add to listJog Past the Painted Narrowboats on Regent's CanalActiveLocal RitualsThe Regent's Canal towpath runs flat from Victoria Park west toward King's Cross and Islington. Painted narrowboats, floating cafes and minimal traffic. Best early morning before cyclists take over. Around 8km end to end.0 Add to list
Let the Kids Loose at Coram's FieldsFun Side QuestsWith KidsA seven-acre playground in Bloomsbury where adults are only allowed in if accompanied by a child. Zip wire, sandpits, a long slide and resident animals including goats and sheep. Free entry.0 Add to listLet the Kids Loose at Coram's FieldsFun Side QuestsWith KidsA seven-acre playground in Bloomsbury where adults are only allowed in if accompanied by a child. Zip wire, sandpits, a long slide and resident animals including goats and sheep. Free entry.0 Add to list
Splash at the Parliament Hill paddling poolActiveLocal RitualsWith KidsCheck Access · SummerA free outdoor paddling pool and playground next to the Parliament Hill athletics track on Hampstead Heath. Open in summer; popular with local families. There's a cafe nearby for hot drinks after.0 Add to listSplash at the Parliament Hill paddling poolActiveLocal RitualsWith KidsCheck Access · SummerA free outdoor paddling pool and playground next to the Parliament Hill athletics track on Hampstead Heath. Open in summer; popular with local families. There's a cafe nearby for hot drinks after.0 Add to list
Dip your feet in the Diana fountainFun Side QuestsWith KidsCheck Access · SummerThe Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park is designed for paddling — shallow, flowing granite channel and a grassy bank. Kids wade through it; adults dangle feet in. Usually open May–September. Check before going in winter.0 Add to listDip your feet in the Diana fountainFun Side QuestsWith KidsCheck Access · SummerThe Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park is designed for paddling — shallow, flowing granite channel and a grassy bank. Kids wade through it; adults dangle feet in. Usually open May–September. Check before going in winter.0 Add to list
