London holds a special place in my heart. There’s just something remarkable about this vibrant city and its many uniquely British attractions! Although London seems always to have something new and exciting to offer, there are particular activities I find myself doing over and over again.
Needless to say, there are a million things to do in London, these are merely my favourites!
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1. Traverse the city by bus
If you want to quickly get a feel of the ins and outs of the city, then travelling by bus is an absolute must. While dedicated sightseeing busses are running, a trip with a normal bus is perfectly feasible — and goes a little easier on your wallet too.
The buses in London are double-deckers, meaning they have two storeys. If possible, try and get a seat on the top storey for a better viewing experience! The sights can be truly magnificent. When visiting through Christmas, make sure you take a bus down Regent Street to gaze your eyes upon its beautiful Christmas lights display.
2. Explore cute shops at Covent Garden
Probably one of the cosiest places in London, Covent Garden is a hub for small appealing shops waiting to be investigated! I always come here when I’m in a shopping mood, and if the budget allows, treat myself to something special. There are all kinds of shops here, and most goods make for an excellent souvenir.
I urge you to visit Whittard of Chelsea, which is the most adorable little tea shop. From fancy fruit teas to classic Earl Greys, there’s always something unique to bring home! If you’re not that much into tea like me, don’t worry. There are chic fashion shops all over, and, if your stomach is feeling a bit grumpy, plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area.
Oh, and for the tech-savvy, the Apple Store at Covent Garden is worth a stop too!
3. Go for a stroll through St James’s Park
Don’t count out Mother Nature just yet! London is home to a long list of absolutely stunning parks, one of which is St James’s Park. Arguably one of the best things to do in London, St James’s Park is worth visiting all year round.
Moreover, St James’s Park is in the middle of many other London attractions, Buckingham Palace being the first that comes to mind. If you continue further, you can even venture into Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens — I love going for a little “park crawl” now and then.
Also, did I mention the squirrels? They’re all over, and always a charming little surprise as you stroll along! All in all, St James’s Park and the neighbouring area get a glowing recommendation from my side. The beauty of the scenery never ceases to amaze me.
4. Slow down at your local Waterstones
Decompress at the UK’s leading bookseller in one of their numerous locations throughout London. Inside, you’ll find a comfortable atmosphere with the occasional noise of a coffeemaker in the background — that’s right. Most Waterstones typically have an in-house cafe serving coffee, tea, and a selection of pastries.
Books, hot beverages, and snacks, what’s not to like? Certainly one of many things to do in London.
In all seriousness, when you’re done enjoying your coffee or tea, you should go explore among the many isles of books. Who knows, you might find something of interest! Among others, Waterstones can be found in Gower Street, Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square, Victoria, and Greenwich.
Do keep in mind that Waterstones aren’t the only bookshops in London. There are plenty of small, local businesses all over the city, most of which are worth a visit — or several.
5. Visit the Royal Observatory in Greenwich
In all honesty, I could probably write about Greenwich all day long. The area is thoroughly gorgeous and a tad greener than the rest of London in general, thus making outdoor expeditions to Greenwich Park an absolute must.
In the middle of the park rests the famous Royal Observatory, which invented the concept of the Greenwich Mean Time. But enough about the boring stuff — the views from the observatory are stunning, overlooking the rest of Greenwich, O2, and Canary Wharf. Stand at the right angle, and you can even see most of central London!
Getting to or from Greenwich, I suggest you either take a boat trip on the River Thames or ride in style with the DLR via Canary Wharf. Both options are excellent opportunities to get some more sightseeing done!
6. Embark on a boat trip on the River Thames
What better way to experience the city than from the River Thames? You get to sit down, unwind, and watch as the city passes by. It’s truly a world of difference when compared to the Tube and other similar means of transportation. If you need a delicate, yet exciting trip, I suggest you embark on one of these cruises.
As a bonus, you get to see several famous London attractions on the way: Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, London Eye, The Shard, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Tower of London just to mention a few! Furthermore, a boat trip on the river gives you a better idea of direction, and trust me, you’ll be able to navigate the city more comfortably afterwards.
Summary
So there you have it, the best things to do in London! As mentioned in the beginning, there are so many other things to do in London, yet you must draw the line somewhere. Your preferences may look different from mine — in which case I’d love to hear your favourite things to do!
Thank you for reading, and until next time.
