Here’s the ultimate list of things to do in London to help you navigate this city and the rest of the United Kingdom!

Three years ago, I went to London three times in one summer. Thankfully, I documented my travels and I thought I would share all my tips and tricks for getting around London. I put together this London Travel Guide to share the best things to do and places to see!

Things to Do in London

Shepherd’s Bush Market

My flat for BYU was right on the outskirts of the Shepherd’s Bush Market. There’s everything you could possibly imagine at the market! They had adorable purses for only 7 euros, but I never had a chance to go back and get one.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

This is an awesome place to go! I don’t think I fully appreciated it until I saw Sherlock, but I loved it! If you’re a fan, you’ll love this place. The Beatles Museum and Rock n’ Roll shop are on the same strip as well.

British Museum

I went to the British Museum with my study abroad class. At first, I was underwhelmed, but I enjoyed it. If you’re a history buff, don’t forget to come here!

Big Ben

There wasn’t a better moment than when I saw Big Ben for the first time! It’s my favorite place to take pictures in London. There’s iconic phone booths lining the entire road for the perfect photo op.

The Eye

The Eye is pretty close by to Big Ben. I didn’t have a chance to go inside because it’s 21 euros. It’s a really iconic place to go and I hope on my next trip that I’ll be able to go up. That’s my one regret from going to London.

Burough Market

This is one of my favorite things to do in London!This is a place under a bridge that sells groceries and delicious fresh food. I bought a tomato basil focaccia and a chocolate cheesecake on my trip there. There’s a ton of places to get samples too. I tried lots of yummy things such as spinach ricotta ravioli with pesto, balsamic vinegar, basil olive oil, and lime gelato which was delicious!

National Gallery

This museum has my mom’s favorite painting, the water lillies by Monet. There’s a bunch of gorgeous art pieces there and was by far my favorite museum in London.

Phantom of the Opera

If I can suggest anything in this London Travel Guide, go to a play if you get a chance! I saw Phantom of the Opera and it was amazing. The seating wasn’t my favorite so make sure to look at available seating before purchasing your ticket or else you may have a pole in your view like I did.

Hampton Court

This is the castle where King Henry VIII lived. They handed each of us a scratch and sniff map which is both delicious and disgusting. We went through the castle fairly quickly and then spent the rest of the afternoon lounging in the gardens. It’s a gorgeous estate and would be an awesome place to do a day trip and pack a picnic.

Tower Bridge

This is one of my favorite spots to take pictures and one of the best things to do in London. It’s a gorgeous spot and it’s fun to walk across.

King’s Cross Station

I loved going here! You can find Platform 9 ¾ from Harry Potter. I’m a total Harry Potter junkie so this is definitely a must on this London Travel Guide. It’s such a cute spot for a photo-op.

Double Decker Bus

If you get the chance, hop on to a double decker bus and get a tour of the city. You can hop on and off as many times as you want with a pass. I got on at King’s Cross Station and then went around town there. I got a little car sick since mine was SO hot, but depending on the time of year, I’m sure it isn’t too bad.

Harry Potter Movie Set

When I went to London, I had the opportunity to go on the set of where Warner Brothers filmed Harry Potter. My inner nerd was freaking out… but I was kind of underwhelmed. I live near Harry Potter World in Florida which feels like I’m immersed in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. However, on the set, it’s put together more like a museum than an actual place. I think if I hadn’t already been to Harry Potter World, I would like it, but I still don’t think the experience was worth 50 pounds plus the 30 pounds it took to get there outside of London.

Stone Henge

Stone Henge is an incredible place! It’s not in London itself but it’s definitely worth the trip if you have a chance. I have no clue how those people built this landmark but it’s amazing! Definitely in the tops things to do in London (even though it is technically outside 🙂 )

Food to Eat

Pub Food

If you go to London, you can’t go without getting fish and chips! They have fries with malt vinegar which sounds disgusting, but sometimes I crave it since coming home. Pubs have the best food in all of London!

Supermarket

I found that it is cheaper to get fresh fruit and pastries at the supermarket for breakfast and sometimes lunch. They have a ton of options. Just be aware that bags usually cost extra.

Pastries

London is pretty comparable to Paris for how delicious their pastries are. Definitely take advantage of these amazing bites while you can.

Kinder Surprise

This is my favorite candy I ate on the entire trip. It brought out the child in me. It’s in the shape of an egg with milk chocolate on the outside and white chocolate on the inside. When you crack it open, there’s a toy inside. They’re either really cute or super weird. It’s just a fun thing to experience while in Europe. Every country has different toys so when you travel, make sure to get some wherever you go!

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

If you get to try any of the restaurants on this list of things to do in London, go here! It’s the oldest pub in all of London. It was built in 1667 and people came here to get food including Charles Dickens and Mark Twain. Plus, the food is to die for! I ate food just before I went but I got some chips and a delicious chocolate mousse with orange blossom ice cream.

Places to Stay

Thankfully, BYU has flats that are available for rent. Each one had a place to wash and dry our clothes before moving on to Ireland. The washing machines are super tiny there and are actually a washer and dryer in one. They don’t dry really well so I recommend hanging clothes up to dry if at all possible. I found that renting flats can be much cheaper than finding hotel rooms. 

Travel Tips

Eurail Pass

I came to London from Paris so we took the train that goes underwater. It was terrifying but really cool at the same time. I heard it is more expensive than when I went but I’m fairly certain that you can get discounted tickets for students and/or a group. Make sure to double check before scheduling your trip if you want to hit up Paris too.

Blow Dryer vs. Converter

There’s a tiny sticker on converters that say not to plug a blow dryer into it. I didn’t see it and my converter blew only a few days into my trip. So I am warning you before you make the same mistake haha.

Apple Products

iPhones are dual voltage so they don’t need a converter. If you are only bringing your phone and no other electronics, I would recommend not buying a converter. They are super heavy and hard to lug around.

Oyster Card

The London Tube is the cleanest train I’ve been on the entire time I was in Europe. It was my main form of transportation to get around the city and I would recommend to get an Oyster Card if you’re in the city for an extended period of time.

Those are all the things to do in London. Let me know if there’s any other must-see places you go to on your trip there and I’ll be sure to add it to my list. If you liked this travel guide, here’s one from when I went to Paris! Also, if you don’t know what to pack before heading out, refer to my ultimate packing list for ideas. 

XOXO Kayla