What to Do in London: Your Real Guide from People Who Actually Live Here
So you’re wondering what to do in London? Smart question, because this city’s massive and can feel overwhelming when you’re planning a visit. After driving around London for years – taking people to weddings, West End shows, corporate events, nights out – we’ve figured out what actually works and what’s just overhyped tourist stuff.
Let’s skip the generic advice and give you the real story about London in 2025.
Best Things to Do in London (The Honest Version)
Right, first things first. London’s got thousands of things to do, but not everything deserves your limited time. Here’s what actually matters based on what our clients rave about after their trips.
Museums in London (And They’re Mostly Free)
One of the best things about London? The top museums don’t charge admission. Seriously. Your council tax at work, finally doing something useful.
British Museum – Massive, famous, properly worth your time. Egyptian mummies, Rosetta Stone, Greek sculptures. You could spend a whole day here easily. Gets packed by midday, so arrive early if you can. Free admission, but book a time slot online.
Natural History Museum – That dinosaur skeleton in the entrance hall gets everyone, doesn’t matter your age. Victorian building that’s gorgeous on its own, plus everything from blue whales to gemstones. Also free, also needs booking ahead.
Victoria & Albert Museum – Design and decorative arts. Sounds dry, actually fascinating. Fashion, furniture, ceramics, jewelry going back centuries. Most people skip this one, their loss.
Tate Modern – South Bank, former power station turned contemporary art gallery. Love it or hate modern art (people seem to split down the middle), but it’s free and the building itself is worth seeing. Views from the top floor are brilliant.
Science Museum – Next to Natural History Museum. Space rockets, old steam engines, interactive exhibits that actually work. Kids love it, adults love it.
We’ve driven countless families to museum district in South Kensington. Plan at least 2-3 hours per museum if you want to see things properly, not just sprint through for photos.
Top Attractions in London Worth the Money
Not everything’s free, and some paid attractions are genuinely worth it.
Tower of London and the Crown Jewels
The Tower of London pulls massive crowds because it actually delivers. Nearly 1,000 years old, properly historical, those Crown Jewels are ridiculous. Book ahead or the queues are murder.
The Beefeater tours are brilliant – these guys live there, know everything, throw in jokes between the historical facts. Budget 2-3 hours minimum. Gets busy after 11am, so earlier’s better.
London Eye Views
Yeah, it’s touristy. It’s also genuinely good for getting a view of the city. Half-hour ride, see Big Ben, Westminster, St Paul’s, miles of London spread out. Book online ahead of time or you’ll stand in line forever.
Best time? Late afternoon when the light’s changing, or early evening when the city lights come on. We’ve driven clients here for special occasions countless times – proposals, birthdays, anniversaries. Still works every time.
Buckingham Palace Experience
Buckingham Palace opens to the public in summer (roughly July-September) for State Room tours. Outside those months, you’re watching Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11am. Get there properly early – like 10:15am early – or you’ll see nothing but other tourists’ backs.
The palace is one of those iconic London landmarks everyone pictures. We’ve done wedding car routes past Buckingham for photos more times than we can count. Never gets old, honestly.
Free Things to Do in London (Actually Good Ones)
Beyond museums, loads of brilliant stuff costs nothing.
Sky Garden – Free viewing deck at the top of the Walkie-Talkie building. You need to book ahead (tickets vanish fast), but admission’s free. Views across central London without paying London Eye prices.
All the Parks – Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Green Park, St James’s Park. Free walking, sitting on grass, watching people, feeding ducks. Richmond Park if you want proper countryside feel while still technically in London.
Changing of the Guard – Free ceremony, very British, very popular. Gets packed though.
South Bank Walk – Walk from Westminster along the Thames to Tower Bridge. Free, scenic, passes loads of landmarks. Street performers, book market under Waterloo Bridge, cultural hotspot vibes.
Borough Market Browsing – Wandering Borough Market costs nothing. Buying all the cheese and street food costs plenty, but window shopping’s free.
Day Trips from London
Done central London? These day trips work well and aren’t far.
Oxford – Hour on the train, university town, beautiful old buildings. Makes a good day trip from London if you want something different.
Cambridge – Similar deal, different uni vibe. Punting on the river’s popular.
Brighton – Seaside town, hour away, bit of fun. Beach, pier, different pace.
Windsor – Windsor Castle, royal town, easy trip. Castle tours, riverside walks, proper British heritage.
We’ve driven groups out to some of these for special events. Nice change from London streets, but you’ll need a full day.
Walking Tours and Guided Experiences
Sometimes the best way to see London is with someone who knows the stories behind things.
Thames River Tours – Seeing London from the water gives you a completely different perspective. Multiple companies run tours, ranging from basic river buses to fancy dinner cruises. One of the best ways to see Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament, all the riverside landmarks without walking your feet off.
Walking Food Tours – Borough Market tours, East London curry tours, Soho food walks. You’ll eat well and learn about different parts of London.
Jack the Ripper Tours – East London, nighttime, grim history. Surprisingly popular, not for kids obviously.
Harry Potter Film Location Tours – London’s full of spots from the films. Leadenhall Market for Diagon Alley, King’s Cross for Platform 9¾, various other places. Fans love these tours.
Royal London Tours – Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, royal history. If you’re into monarchy stuff, this covers it properly.
Things to Do in London This Weekend
What’s actually happening in London this weekend? Check the events calendars, because there’s always something on. October 2025’s particularly busy – London Film Festival, Frieze art fair, Halloween events, food festivals.
London Zoo does special weekend events. Markets like Portobello Road and Camden are best on weekends. West End matinee shows work well for Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Covent Garden and Central London Entertainment
Covent Garden’s one of those places in London everyone ends up visiting. Former market hall, now shops, restaurants, street performers. Gets busy, but has that London atmosphere.
Near Covent Garden you’ve got West End theatres, Leicester Square, Chinatown. Easy to spend a whole day just in this part of London without traveling far.
The area’s packed with places to eat, from cheap chain restaurants to posh options. Transportation in London’s excellent here – multiple Tube stations, buses everywhere.
Unique London Experiences (Not Standard Tourist Stuff)
Want something different? London offers loads beyond the standard tour guide recommendations.
East London Street Art – Shoreditch and Brick Lane area. Constantly changing murals, trendy cafes, completely different vibe from Westminster. Shows you modern London’s creative side.
Columbia Road Flower Market – Sunday mornings only. Gorgeous flowers, East London neighborhood, local atmosphere. One of those hidden gems that feels worth a visit.
Little Venice and Regent’s Canal – North London, canal walks, colorful boats. Romantic spot that tourists often miss. You can walk or take canal boats.
Greenwich – South of the Thames, maritime history, Prime Meridian, Royal Observatory. Worth a visit for something different from central London. Markets on weekends.
Highgate Cemetery – North London, Victorian cemetery, atmospheric, Karl Marx’s grave. Weird but fascinating tour through London history.
Westminster Abbey and Palace of Westminster
Westminster Abbey’s one of London’s must-see places if you’re into history. Royal weddings, coronations, centuries of British history. Not free (unlike most museums), but worth the entry fee. Gothic architecture’s stunning.
Right next door, Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) and Big Ben. You can tour inside if you book ahead. The building’s incredible – proper Gothic Revival style.
This whole Westminster area’s packed with iconic London landmarks. Walk from Westminster to South Bank across the bridge, you’ll see it all.
Cultural Experiences Around London
London’s cultural scene in 2025 is massive. Always something happening.
West End Theatre – London’s theatre district rivals anywhere in the world. Long-running shows like Lion King and Les Mis, plus new productions constantly. Book ahead for popular shows.
Shakespeare’s Globe – South Bank, recreation of Shakespeare’s original theatre. Open-air performances in summer, indoor space in winter. Even if you’re not into Shakespeare, the building’s worth seeing.
Royal Opera House – Covent Garden, world-class opera and ballet. Pricey, but best seats in the house are worth it if you’re into that stuff.
Live Music Venues – Everything from tiny pubs to massive arenas. Check what’s on during your visit.
Places to Eat and Food Markets
London’s food scene’s brilliant now. Every cuisine going, from Michelin-starred to street food.
Borough Market – Already mentioned, but worth repeating. One of London’s oldest food markets, everything from artisan cheese to international street food. Thursday-Saturday’s when it’s properly buzzing.
Camden Market – North London, alternative vibe, food from everywhere. Different feel from Borough Market – younger, edgier crowd.
Brick Lane – East London, famous for curry houses. Best curry in London argument always includes Brick Lane.
Covent Garden Area – Loads of restaurants, every price point. More touristy than East London spots, but convenient if you’re already there.
We’ve waited outside countless London restaurants while clients finish meals before heading to their next event. The food scene’s genuinely one of London’s best things now.
London Itinerary Ideas
If You’ve Got 2 Days: Day 1 – Westminster morning (Big Ben, Abbey), cross to South Bank, walk to Tower Bridge, Tower of London afternoon. Day 2 – Pick a museum morning, West End show or shopping afternoon, Covent Garden evening.
For First-Time Visitors: Hit the famous stuff first trip – Tower of London, London Eye, Westminster, British Museum, Buckingham Palace. Hidden gems can wait.
For Return Visitors: Now you can explore neighborhoods properly. Spend a day in Camden, another in East London, visit Richmond and Kew Gardens, take a day trip.
London Transportation Guide
Public transport in London works well once you understand it. London Underground (the Tube) covers most places tourists want to go. Get an Oyster card or just use contactless payment – works out cheaper than buying individual tickets.
Buses are good for shorter distances and seeing streets rather than tunnels. Night buses run when the Tube stops.
Walking works for surprising distances in central London – Westminster to Covent Garden, Covent Garden to Shoreditch, along the South Bank. Just mind the weather, because yeah, it rains a lot in London.
Black cabs know every street in London (they have to pass a test), but they’re pricey. Worth it when you’re in a hurry or traveling as a group.
For special occasions – weddings, proms, big nights out, corporate events – proper transport makes the difference. We’ve been doing luxury car hires across London for over 15 years. Rolling up to the Tower of London or a West End premiere in style just hits different than arriving sweaty from the Tube. Red carpet rollout, champagne onboard, professional chauffeur who knows the best routes – it’s what turns a good night into a properly memorable one.
Activities for Different Travel Styles
Family-Friendly London: Science Museum, Natural History Museum, London Zoo, Harry Potter Studio Tour (book way ahead), West End family shows, parks everywhere, Tower of London (kids love the history).
Romantic London: Thames river dinner cruise, afternoon tea at a fancy hotel, Kew Gardens, walk through Hyde Park, West End show, champagne at Sky Garden.
Budget London: All the free museums, free parks, Changing of the Guard, South Bank walking, market browsing, cheap eats in Brick Lane or Camden.
Nightlife London: Soho bars and clubs, Shoreditch scene, West End after dark, comedy clubs, late-night restaurants, riverboat parties.
Local Tips from People Who Actually Drive These Streets
After years navigating London traffic, here’s what we’ve learned:
Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October) for decent weather without peak summer crowds. London in 2025’s busy year-round though.
Worst Times: August gets packed with tourists. Christmas shopping season’s mental. Avoid rush hour (8-9:30am, 5-6:30pm) on the Tube if possible.
Where to Stay in London: Central London costs more but saves transport time. Areas like King’s Cross, Waterloo, or near South Kensington give good access to everything.
Booking Ahead: Popular attractions like Tower of London, London Eye, Harry Potter Studio Tour need advance tickets. West End shows for weekends sell out. Sky Garden books up fast.
Weather Reality: Pack layers and rain gear. Weather changes fast. Those sunny morning photos you see? Might be pouring by afternoon.
Hidden Gems and Local Spots
Once you’ve done the main tourist attractions, these spots show you different sides of London:
Little Venice – Canals, houseboats, peaceful walks near Paddington
Primrose Hill – North London park with views over the city
Columbia Road Flower Market – Sunday mornings, East London
Dennis Severs’ House – Spitalfields, time capsule of London life
God’s Own Junkyard – Neon wonderland in Walthamstow
Leake Street Arches – Legal graffiti tunnel near Waterloo
These places don’t show up on every guide to London, but locals rate them.
What’s Worth Skipping
Be honest – some things are overhyped:
Madame Tussauds – Expensive, crowded, waxworks look increasingly weird up close
M&M’s World – It’s a big shop selling M&Ms. That’s it.
Piccadilly Circus – Just an advertising screen and crowds. See it while walking past, don’t make it a destination.
London Dungeon – Fine if you’ve got kids who love that stuff, skip otherwise.
Your time’s limited when you visit London. Spend it on things that actually deliver.
Special Events and Seasonal Activities
London’s calendar’s packed with events throughout 2025:
Spring – Chelsea Flower Show, marathon, parks blooming
Summer – Open-air theatre, festivals, palace tours, longest days
Autumn – London Film Festival, Frieze, Halloween events, leaf colors
Winter – Christmas markets, lights, ice skating, pantomimes
Check what’s happening during your dates – might influence your itinerary.
One Last Piece of Advice
Look, we’ve lived in London for years, driven across every part of this city countless times, taken people to everything from royal weddings to pub crawls. Here’s what we tell everyone:
Do the famous stuff if it’s your first time – Tower of London, museums, London Eye, Westminster. They’re famous for good reason. But also just wander around. London’s brilliant when you stumble into random neighborhoods, find little side streets, discover pubs that aren’t in the tour guides.
The best experiences in London often aren’t planned. They’re the street performer in Covent Garden who’s actually talented, the market stall selling amazing food you’ve never heard of, the view from a random bridge at sunset.
And if you’re doing something properly special – getting married, celebrating a milestone, taking someone out for their birthday – arriving in style matters. We’ve seen it thousands of times over our 15 years running Limousine Hires UK London. That moment when someone steps out of a luxury car at their destination, red carpet rolled out, champagne toast before they even walk inside? That’s what makes a London experience unforgettable.
Whether you’re here for 2 days or 2 months, London’s got enough to keep you busy. It’s one of the best cities in the world for a reason. Sometimes overwhelming, usually expensive, often rainy, but always fascinating.
