Explore the Top Things to Do in London: An Insider’s Guide

London is a city which is absolutely filled to the brim with things to do. From world-famous landmarks and attractions to those little hidden gems that pass unnoticed by most tourists, the city has endless possibilities.

So, whether you’re in London to see the sights, indulge in a little retail therapy or have a night out to remember, we’re here to give you some ideas. In this article, we’ll run through our top things to do in London from an insider’s point of view, so you can hit the town and experience everything that makes the city so iconic.

An insider’s tips on what not to miss in London

There’s so much to see, do and experience in London, that it can be tricky knowing where to head first. Here are our picks for what you should add to your itinerary during your time in London.

Hidden gems

There are lots of famous and well-known spots around London, but there are also plenty of places that have managed to keep themselves low-key but are absolutely worth a visit. Here are some of our favourite hidden gems to explore during your time in London:

• Leadenhall Market: A wonderful Victorian market with unique architecture, which is home to boutique stores and cafes. It also featured in the first Harry Potter film as Diagon Alley!
• God’s Own Junkyard: A warehouse filled with quirky sculptures, art and signs which is as eccentric as it is unique.
• Little Venice: An area along Regent’s Canal that is quiet, quaint and charming.
• St Dunstan in the East: The remains of a church destroyed in the Blitz, which is now an atmospheric garden.
• Neal’s Yard: A hidden courtyard in Covent Garden, which is home to shops, cafes and holistic health treatments.
• Epping Forest: An escape from the craziness of central London, Epping Forest offers hikes and trails in one of the city’s largest open spaces.

Some of the world’s best museums and galleries

London is home to an absolutely huge collection of museums, with many of them recognised as among the best in the world. If you have a thirst for knowledge, history and culture, then you’re absolutely spoiled for choice. Where you should head first depends on your interests, but you should definitely add these to your list so you don’t miss out while you’re in the city:

• The British Museum, home to 8 million items from around the world.
• Tate Modern, a collection of modern art set within the disused power station.
• The Natural History Museum, known for its enormous collection of fossils, minerals, taxidermy and more.
• Victoria and Albert Museum, a celebration of everything art and design.
• The National Gallery, where you’ll find art from some of the most famous artists throughout history.
• The Science Museum, filled with interactive exhibits that will entertain curious minds.
• The National Portrait Gallery, which is dedicated to British art history.
• The Saatchi Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Chelsea.
• The Museum of London, which explores the city’s rich history.

This is just a small sample of the museums in London. You could probably spend an entire week here and still not get around them all – so choose wisely!

Eating and drinking like a local

Tourists, particularly international tourists, will be keen to try some quintessential British grub, like fish and chips, bangers and mash and a roast dinner. But what about the locals, the bread and butter of London (pardon the pun) – where do they like to eat?

There are plenty of popular chain restaurants around the city, and if you stand in any spot somewhere like Leicester Square you’ll likely see a dozen or more restaurants within eyeline. But, if you take a step back from the busy tourist spots, you can find some amazing places to eat some proper tasty grub.

For a slap-up brekkie, there are several The Breakfast Club restaurants around London that are hearty and filling, or Regency Cafe in Pimlico has loads of old-school charm.

For some traditional fish and chips, Poppies in Spitalfields and Golden Union in Soho offer some of the highest quality in the whole city.

To try some authentic international flavours, Borough Market is brimming with choice, so much so that you’ll struggle to eat everything on offer even after visiting a hundred times. 

If you like things a little more traditional, there are some great places to enjoy a roast dinner. The Ledbury in Notting Hill and The Eagle in Farringdon are two pubs that do roasts famous among the locals.

And that’s just the start of it. There are also plenty of places to get great pub grub, curries, sweet treats, cocktails, afternoon tea and more. The possibilities really are endless in London – you don’t need to look far to find great food.

Shopping hotspots

Places like Oxford Street and Regent Street are popular with tourists, but they’re not always the best if you’re not a fan of crowds. Similarly, Harrods is always chock full of people, but it’s always worth a visit to check out how the other half live (and browse the legendary food hall, of course).

Instead, why not head to one of London’s famous markets? Spitalfields Market, Camden Market and the East End Markets are great places to find a bargain. If you’re after your favourite high-street retailers, Westfield London in White City is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. It also has plenty of luxury retailers if you’re feeling a little fancy.

Iconic landmarks

This one might be obvious, but it would be weird if it wasn’t included. London has so many iconic landmarks that seeing them all might not be possible, but there are some big ones you can see in quick succession.

Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, The London Eye and Westminster Bridge are all within a few minutes’ walk from each other right on the River Thames. And just a ten-minute walk from those is Buckingham Palace. All world-famous landmarks that just have to be seen during your time in London.

Then, of course, you can head a little further afield and see other incredible landmarks such as The Tower of London, The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and more. London is absolutely packed with recognisable landmarks. Many of them are busy throughout the day, so if you’d like to give yourself the best chance of grabbing a photo without thousands of strangers in the background, make sure you get there nice and early.

Glorious green spaces

London might be a bustling city, but it still has plenty of open spaces that give you plenty of opportunities to escape from the greys and surround yourself with greens. They give you a chance to relax, get some fresh air, exercise and more – and many of them host events throughout the year, too.

Some of our favourite parks in and around London include:

• Hyde Park
• Regent’s Park
• St James’s Park
• Hampstead Heath
• Kew Gardens
• Greenwich Park
• Clapham Common
• Victoria Park
• Battersea Park
• Richmond Park

Incredible nightlife

London has legendary nightlife, from buzzing nightclubs to underground speakeasies.

The first place to head is Soho, the heart of the city’s nightlife with a range of bars, pubs and clubs. For something trendy and artistic, Shoreditch always has a lively atmosphere when the sun goes down. If you’re into rock, Camden is synonymous with alternative culture, or for something a little more luxurious, put on your finest outfit and head to Mayfair.

London’s West End is also famous the world over for hosting musicals, plays and shows of all kinds in its many theatres. Tickets can be pricey, but if you’re not precious about what you go to see you can regularly grab a bargain. Or, Leicester Square is the home of the London movie premiere, and the perfect place to watch a film while sitting in a seat previously occupied by stars of the silver screen.

Experience London like a local

London has so much to offer and the only true way to experience it is by becoming a local yourself. We offer a selection of fully serviced flats across London that make it easier than ever to call this iconic city home. Browse our flats in London now to find your perfect home in the capital.