NOTE: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read full disclosure here.
London is by far one of my favorite cities to visit in the world! It is vibrant, full of culture, and is the home to so much history. If you are planning a trip to this amazing destination in the future, be sure to checkout my list of recommendations to include in your own travel itinerary:
# 1 Enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Orangery
Why not start off your trip with afternoon tea at this hidden gem within Kensington Gardens. They have a wonderful menu selection, but be sure to book your reservation at least 24 hours in advance. You must have a minimum of 2 guests. The Orangery is open Tuesday – Saturday 12pm – 4pm (last table booking from 3pm)
#2 Visit Kensington Palace
After you enjoy a cup of afternoon tea, tour the lovely gardens of Kensington Palace, or explore hundreds of years of Royal history. (Fun fact: Queen Victoria grew up here!)
#3 Sip Champagne & Ride the London Eye
YES, it is worth it to ride the London Eye! I recommend purchasing a ticket ahead of time to avoid the long queues. As you ride the London Eye, you will also have a spectacular view of “Big Ben”, which is the nickname for the largest bell at the Palace of Westminster.
#4 Shop at Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus feels like the “Times Square“ of London. Get dropped off near the Eros statue and people-watch for a few minutes to take it all in. Piccadilly Circus is also a great location for anyone hoping to visit Chinatown, shopping on Oxford Street, Soho, Leicester Square or Trafalgar Square. Buckingham Palace, is within walking distance as well.
#5 See Tower Bridge
Often confused with “London Bridge”, the proper name for this iconic landmark is “Tower Bridge”. A great way to see this beautiful bridge is by taking a trip to the top and walking along the glass floor, which allows you to see the cars and crowds below. You could also take a river tour, which is also a fun way to see this famous bridge.
#6 Take a Trip to the Prime Meridian
Stand on both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres of the earth at the Royal Observatory. Located here is the historic Prime Meridian of the World and the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). This is about thirty minutes away from the center of London.
#7 Buy Some of the Best Tea in London
If you’re looking for an amazing gift to bring back home, be sure to visit Mariage Frères or Postcard Tea for some of the best tea in London.
#8 Take a Day Trip to Cotswold & Oxford
Take a day trip to the green hill’s south of England and visit Cotswolds. Located just a quick 1 hour and 45 minute train ride outside of London, the Cotswolds is a charming part of England that will make you want to listen to your Downton Abbey soundtrack, have a cuppa, and journey back in time. You can also visit Oxford, which is one of the five counties in Cotswold.
#9 Take a Day Trip to Stonehenge
Stonehenge is located around 90 miles west from Central London. Stonehenge is not easy to get to, so I recommend booking a tour to travel there, pack a few light snacks, and leave as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
#10 Changing of the Guards
Changing the Guard begins on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11:00 am sharp. Tip: If you want to catch a great unobstructed view of the start of this ceremony, the secret is to go to Wellington Barracks first before the guards change at Buckingham Palace. This will give you a great personal view of the soldiers as they hand over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace to the New Guard. The overall ceremony lasts for about 45 minutes.
#11 Wander around the British Museum
This amazing museum was actually the first national public museum in the world, and is older than the United States! It contains must see artifacts such as the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marbles, and the largest collection of Mesopotamian art in the world, outside Iraq.
#12 Borough Market
This is the oldest market in London! If you’re looking for fresh baked bread, fresh produce, wonderful cheese selections, or an amazing tray of fish and chips, Borough Market is the perfect place for you to visit. Since this market is so famous, it is full of eager tourist and first time visitors. Therefore, I absolutely recommend visiting Borough Market early during the week and never on the weekend for the best shopping and eating experience.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to London! What are some of your favorite things to do in London? Let me know in the comments below.
1 Comment