BEST THINGS TO DO IN LONDON FOR FIRST TIMERS W/ MAP (2024) | 40+ Must-Dos, Hidden Gems & More!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN LONDON FOR FIRST TIMERS W/ MAP (2024) | 40+ Must-Dos, Hidden Gems & More!

there’s a lot more to do in London than
just stare at Big Ben and the London Eye
so in this video I’ll be sharing a
thorough Roundup of things to do in this
amazing City separated by neighborhood
for ease of Exploration with honest
opinions on which famous activities are
worth skipping in case you’re new here
hi I’m Christina from happyto
wanderer.com and this channel is all
about practical travel tips so be sure
to like And subscribe if that sounds
like your kind of thing because we have
a lot of to cover this video will
briefly introduce each activity But be
sure to consult the free written version
of this guide for more and stick around
until the end for a free map that plots
all these activities along with
recommendations for pubs and restaurants
now before we go into detail with London
attractions broken down by burrow I have
to say that the number one London must
do especially for those on a time crunch
is some kind of sightseeing tour of all
the major
landmarks there few cities in this world
as iconic as London with countless
buildings and attractions immortalized
over the years in TV shows and movies so
getting to see them all is really such a
treat my personal favorite way to see
London’s landmarks is on foot but
there’s also no shame in hopping on a
sightseeing bus tour to give your legs a
rest though I’d honestly recommend
booking a tour rather than a Hop On Hop
off ticket since London’s normal bus
system is better suited for that purpose
another great option is a boat tour on
the temps there’s a ton of different
options but I found the Uber boat to be
a really comfortable and more affordable
option compared to the special made boat
tours that said it’s still not the
cheapest so keep that in mind all right
with that out of the way now let’s move
on to things to do in the city of
Westminster this burrow is home to some
of the most iconic sites in London
starting of course with Elizabeth Tower
or as it’s better known Big Ben although
technically speaking Big Ben refers to a
bell inside of this famous tower these
days the name is synonymous with the
entire structure itself which is hands
down one of the most famous sites in
London a photo here is a must although
if you want to get up close and personal
you actually can book a tour to reach
the top do note that the tickets sell
out very quickly though so be sure to
check the official tickets page for
details on the next
drop UK residents can even book this
tour for free by writing to their MP
now of course this famous Clock Tower
doesn’t just stand on its own it’s
actually part of the Palace of
Westminster a UNESCO world heritage site
that is today home to the UK’s Houses of
Parliament again a photo of the gorgeous
Neo Gothic exterior is a must but if you
want to see the inside which I can
definitely recommend you can actually
book a tour which is another activity
that happens to be free for UK residents
by writing to their
MP another must SE in this area is
Westminster Abbey with its present
structure dating back almost 800 years
This Magnificent gothic church has
hosted countless Royal weddings
coronations and state funerals and is
the final resting place of many notable
figures so much that reading the
placards here is almost like reading a
history textbook admiring its iconic
facade from the outside is a must and I
enjoyed seeing the inside as well do be
aware though that while attending
Services is free the entry ticket for
sightseeing does not come cheap and it’s
usually very crowded as well so if you
have a short time in London I wouldn’t
necessarily prioritize
it it’s not the same of course but there
is also the impressive Westminster
cathedral which is a 10-minute walkway
that is completely free to enter and
also really cool to look at with a
unique Byzantine style made of 12.5
million bricks it is of course also the
largest Catholic Church in England so
worth checking out in its own right next
on our list is to see Buckingham Palace
originally built in 1703 this is of
course the official residence of the
British monarch which means before you
get your hopes up you’ll mostly just be
staring at the palace and it’s 775 rooms
from behind tall highly secure fencing
but it is still one of the most iconic
sites of the city so worth a quick
stop a popular activity here is of
course watching the changing of the
guards a centuries old tradition that
takes place outside Buckingham Palace
and other Royal residences in in the UK
this elaborate ritual of music and
marching signals the Handover of Duties
between the old and new guard and is one
of the most ceremonial Traditions you
can witness firsthand in London contrary
to popular belief though it doesn’t
actually happen every day so be sure to
check the official schedule and be aware
that it does get very very
busy now if you’re nosy and want to see
the inside of the palace I have some
good news this actually is possible
between July and the end of September
with some special tours in the offseason
as well when members of the public can
buy a ticket to explore the palace’s
state rooms visitors will often combine
this with a royal day out ticket which
also includes access to the King’s
Gallery which displays items from the
Royal
collection along with the Royal Muse
where you can get up close and personal
with royal carriages and coaches in the
palace’s working
Stables these attractions can be pricey
though so do know that the palace is
surrounding Ed by a number of free parks
as well that are lovely to wander
through like St James
park now with all those classic sites
out of the way the next thing to do is
simply wander and admire the many
important buildings of Westminster my
personal favorite is a walk along
Parliament street and whiteall where you
pass by very famous sites like this red
Phone Booth which is probably the most
famous photo op in London 10 Downing
Street visible only just through sealed
Gates which is of course home to the UK
prime minister
the Royal Horse guards who you can learn
more about in the nearby household
Cavalry Museum and a number of important
memorials and
statues around here you’ll also
encounter some attractions ideal for
history Buffs including the Churchill
War rooms an underground bunker that
served as a secret strategy Center for
Britain’s wartime efforts during World
War II and for those interested in
learning more about the iconic British
foot guards they have a small Museum of
their own that details their history and
traditions
now if you follow whiteall all the way
along you’ll reach the ever popular
Trafalger Square the centerpiece of
which is the imposing Nelson’s column
erected in 1843 to commemorate Admiral
Horatio Nelson’s victory at the Battle
of
Trafalger these days the square is a
lively public space that hosts several
performances and celebrations throughout
the year of course on and around the
square you’ll also find a number of
important buildings like the high
Commission of Canada and the national
gas Gallery this free museum is home to
a vast collection of over 2500 paintings
from famous artists like Da Vinci and
Veno with Works dating from the mid 13th
century to the 1900s a must-see for art
lovers close by there’s also the
National Portrait Gallery which as you
probably guess from the name is home to
numerous portraits of prominent figures
who have shaped British history and
culture a short walk from here you’ll
find one of London’s most famous and
most hated squares Lester Square
dismissed by many locals as the biggest
tourist trap in town granted the
restaurants here are tremendously
overpriced and there’s not a lot to do
in the Square itself but there are some
fun statues of British icons to admire a
cute Swiss glocken Spiel that puts on a
show a few times a day and two of my
London guilty pleasures M&M World and
The Lego Store sure M&M’s have
absolutely nothing to do with London and
it’s definitely an overpriced place to
get candy but there’s a lot of very cute
londony photo ops inside so I’d say it’s
worth a look the same goes for The Lego
Store where you’ll find many of the
city’s top landmarks in Lego
form now from here you’re short walk
away from another main tourist Hub coven
Garden this bustling district is
renowned for its eclectic mix of shops
restaurants pubs street performers and
cultural
attractions it is almost always always
crowded here but there’s a ton of things
to do including watching entertainers in
the Piaza a walk through Covent Garden
Market a visit to the colorful Neil’s
yard and one of my personal favorites
which is the London transport Museum a
dream for transport nerds like me filled
with tons of cool displays about the
evolution of London’s iconic public
transport
system there’s many food options around
here as well though you can definitely
expect to pay a premium if you’re having
trouble choosing a cuisine in particular
just around the corner is the seven
dials Market a food Hall with 20
independent vendors and tons of tasty
options from around the world including
the world’s very first cheese conveyor
belt restaurant which is indeed as
amazing as it
sounds another great option for Foodies
is to eat your way around Chinatown
London’s Chinatown has served as an
epicenter of London’s Chinese Community
since the 1950s and today this bustling
district is filled with tons of East
Asian restaurants bakeries and shops
with the aesthetic addition of colorful
lanterns and its photogenic entry gate
which was actually only completed in
2016 this is definitely a place to come
while hungry so be
prepared now speaking of being prepared
a common question visitors often ask is
how to pack for London since the weather
is always changing and there’s a million
different occasions to potentially dress
for
well this is a great time to talk about
this week’s sponsor Unbound Marino an
amazing Canadian company that
specializes in Marino wool products
which are of course ideal for a London
trip no matter the
season if you haven’t heard of it before
Marino wool is a miracle fabric that’s
naturally resistant to wrinkles and odor
but also Wicks moisture and regulates
temperature while remaining thin and
breathable making it ideal for
transitioning from long flights and
sweaty public
transport two windy walks and unexpected
stairs and
climbs I always travel with their
leggings which are great for
unexpectedly chilly
days plus because Marino wool is
antibacterial and resistant to mildew
mold and odor you can actually rewear
pieces for days even weeks without them
smelling this even applies to socks
after walking 30,000 steps a day which
is surprisingly easy to do in London
so check out the link in my description
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code to get 10% off your first order
thanks again to Unbound Marino for
sponsoring this week’s video and now
let’s get back to our list of London
musos now after visiting Chinatown you
can walk over to get your mandatory
photo at padil
Circus a famous Junction known for its
illuminated
Billboards somehow this place has become
known as London’s Time Square which I
feel like is a general comparison but
it’s nonetheless an okay spot for a
photo on route to some of London’s most
iconic shopping streets like Regent
Street and Picadilly which is home to
the flagship fortam and Mason department
store built in the 1920s with a very
beautiful interior so I recommend you
stop
inside plus across the street is a fun
Hidden Gem that most visitors Miss in
the arched entryway of the Royal Academy
of Arts you’ll find the wooden original
prototype of the iconic red foam boots
now seen all around the city City now I
know it’s wild that we’re still just
talking about things to do in the city
of Westminster but that just goes to
show how much there is to do in London
within this burrow you’ll also find many
famous neighborhoods to explore so I’ll
Briefly summarize them now first be sure
to explore Soho a buzzy Entertainment
District known for its vibrant nightlife
and shopping opportunities there’s of
course the iconic carnaby Street and
Liberty London department store but
you’ll also find a number of West End
theaters here as well along with some
really fun bars for a really unique
experience I can recommend heading to
Cahoots which is a 1940s themed bar set
in an abandoned train
station and while here you have to watch
a West End show the theater and culture
scene in London is truly one of the most
special perks of being in the city so
make sure you watch at least a show or
two during your stay if you’re on a
budget many shows actually run lotteries
and Rush tickets through today ticks
which is how I personally manage to get
front row Hamilton tickets for
only10 another neighborhood to visit
here is picturesque Maran known for its
beautiful Georgian architecture Boutique
shops and leafy
streets this neighborhood is full of
beautiful finds perfect if you’re hoping
to escape London’s main tourist
circuit some spots to check out include
da books which is a gorgeous Edwardian
bookstore with colorful shelves stacked
with books telling Tales from every
corner of the
globe as well as the Wallace collection
An Elegant Art Museum set in a fancy
townhouse and of course a visit to 221B
Baker Street is a must for Sherlock
Holmes fans though I’ve heard
questionable things about the quality of
the museum
here now next on the list is to explore
Mayfair one of London’s most exclusive
and affluent
neighborhoods this prestigious area is
renowned for its upscale boutiques art
galleries fine dining establishments and
elegant architecture needless to say
even breathing here feels expensive so
one of the best things to do is to just
stroll around and Window Shop a walk
through the beautiful Burlington arcade
is a must as well as a stop at the
Marcato mayair a beautiful Food Hall
housed in a former Church while the food
here is kind of overpriced and just okay
getting a drink in this setting is a
great way to
unwind speaking of places to unwind
another highlight in this City of
Westminster is Hyde Park one of the
largest and most famous parks in the
city stretching 350 Acres this park was
actually established by our favorite
controversial King Henry VII all the way
back in 1536 as his personal hunting
grounds today it’s a beautiful place for
a stroll with highlights including the
serpentine Lake various memorials and
cool monuments like the Duke of
Wellington Arch which is unbeknownst to
many actually Hollow on the inside for a
small fee you can actually climb up some
stairs to see little exhibits it
contains including an art gallery at the
top and also a very lovely
view from here you’re also a Stones
Throw from absy house aka the Duke of
Wellington’s house which is in my
opinion one of the most underrated
things to do in
London photos aren’t allowed inside but
trust me when I say the Interiors are
lavish and honestly even nicer than most
of the Interiors you visit at Kensington
Palace
speaking of hide Park is also connected
to the Kensington Gardens which are
absolutely gorgeous and home to a cool
Contemporary Art Gallery the serpentine
galleries that’s free and well worth
checking
out now before we move on to our next
burrow it’s worth noting that the city
of Westminster is also home to London’s
own Little Venice a Charming
neighborhood that’s so named for its
picturesque canals and
houseboats this is the perfect place for
a peaceful stroll if you need some time
away from the tourist
crowds if you continue to Paddington you
can even rent a self-drive boat for
yourself to cruise along the city’s
waterways through
goboat now it’s time to move on to
things to do in the gorgeous city of
London also just known as the city which
confusingly refers to the approximate
square mile in central London right over
here this historic center of the city is
packed with amazing sites like St Paul’s
Cathedral purged on the highest point in
the city of London St Paul’s is perhaps
as much of a symbol of London as Big Ben
the London Eye or sweaty rush hour
commutes on the tube with a height of
366 ft the Dome here is the second
highest of its kind in the world and yes
you can climb it for some truly amazing
views a 5-minute walk from St Paul’s is
one of my favorite little parks in
London the ever peaceful postman’s Park
it’s tiny but holds one of the most and
unique memorials that London has to
offer George Frederick Watts Memorial to
heroic self-sacrifice which is dedicated
to Ordinary People Who sacrific their
lives to save others their heroic Feats
immortalized on ceramic
tablets now for a free alternative to
the view at St Paul’s but even better
because you can also see St Paul’s you
can go to the rooftop Terrace at nearby
one new change which yes does partially
include a wanky rooftop restaurant and
bar but also includes a free section
that offers close-up views of St Paul’s
along with farther away views of
London’s other prominent Skyline
regulars another place for views close
to here is the monument to the Great
Fire of London built near the very spot
where the Great Fire of London of 1666
supposedly began this epic Monument
offers some of the best views in the
city and you even get a cute certificate
once you finish it
at less than 6 lb per person it’s a lot
cheaper than most paid viewpoints in
London and it’s close to another one of
my favorite quiet spots in the City St
Dunston in the East a ruined church that
has been transformed into a peaceful
public garden with Ivy clad arches and
ancient stone walls that make for
perfect
photos now the great Monument of London
might offer good value in terms of paid
views but on the cost front one view
does have it beat and that’s the very
beautiful and very free Sky
Garden located at top the iconic
walkie-talkie building at 20 Fen Church
Street this London Viewpoint opened in
2015 offering a unique public space with
lash Gardens observation decks and
restaurants be sure to book a ticket in
advance though or pay a little bit for
an early morning ticket which includes
coffee and a pastry so you can enter
before they open to the
public if you want to get higher up
another free view in the city is the
newly opened Horizon 22 which has
dethroned The Shard as London’s highest
view I haven’t had a chance to go yet
but do make sure you book tickets in
advance and let me know how it
is finally there’s also the gorgeous
free view from the garden at 120 a great
pick if you don’t manage to get tickets
to the other two I just mentioned
because they don’t require any
bookings opened in 2019 this elevated
Green Space offers panoramic vistas of
iconic landmarks such as The Shard the
girkin and Tower Bridge and what’s very
cool is you can even check the capacity
online now going from high to low let’s
talk about a very cool and free Hidden
Gem of the city known as The Myth Ram
concealed underground amidst a sea of
glassy
skyscrapers this Roman Temple can be
found beneath an office block a relic
from the centuries that London was under
Roman rule during which it was known as
londinium dating back to the 3rd Century
this mysterious Roman Temple is
dedicated to the God methas and was
uncovered in the 1950s during
excavations before being reconstructed
for visitors to Snoop around
today inside visitors will find an
exhibition space with some changing
displays as well as Roman relics and of
course a visit to the temple itself
which is a really cool immersive
experience they’ve put together I can
definitely recommend this as a unique do
in London speaking of Roman London
another thing you can do in the city is
Trace the remnants of the former city
wall which once stretch for 2 miles
across the ancient city granted these
days there’s not a lot left but if
you’re a history nerd it could be worth
checking out one attraction that used to
be built on these walls was the city of
London Museum which is currently being
moved to a new location and therefore
unexpected to reopen until
2026 still this museum is a really cool
place to trace the history of London
from prehistoric times to present day so
be sure to check that out when it
[Music]
reopens another beautiful place to see
in the city is Leen Hall Market one of
London’s oldest markets that is today
best known for its gorgeous Victorian
design made of rot iron and
glass on the topic of glass another fun
free spot to see in the city is the
barbin conservatory a lush botanical
garden with exotic plants and tranquil
ponds that feels Whirled away from the
bustling City just
outside again you need to reserve
tickets for this one but it is free so
definitely give it a
[Music]
look lastly it’s worth noting that the
city is home to some of the most
beautiful venues for a drink in London
if you want coffee there’s host Cafe
which is housed in a beautiful gothic
church if you want tea or Fizz there’s
the Royal exchange known for its elegant
Fortum and Mason in the
center and honestly there’s way too many
beautiful and historic pubs to count so
be sure to consult my map for
recommendations some of the nicest in my
opinion though are the old Bank of
England and the old chesher cheese a
cavernous historic Pub that has been
around since 1667 which is when it was
rebuilt made up of a confusing tangle of
rooms and
Floors now let’s head across the water
and cover things to do in the London
burough of
souk the first is a nice stroll along
the South Bank this is by far one of my
favorite walks to do in the city with
stunning views of London’s Skyline and
iconic landmarks along the
way I especially love the walk between
tower bridge and the London Eye which
takes about an hour along the way you do
encounter most of the top musos in s so
let’s go through them now starting with
the London
Eye standing at 135 M tall this giant
observation wheel offers panor IC views
of the city’s most iconic landmarks but
at a fairly costly price tag I’ll be
honest after so many visits to London I
still haven’t been up there and I think
there are many other great views in the
city that cost way
less but hey it’s iconic so worth seeing
at least from the
outside as you continue your walk along
the river you’ll pass a bunch of other
nice spots including the National
Theater which has a nice Terrace the
South Bank book Market under water loop
Bridge
and of course the Tate modern home to an
extensive collection of modern and
contemporary artwork from around the
world this massive museum is housed in a
converted power station and is free to
visit but my top tip is to not miss the
rooftop Terrace at level
10 now after you passed the famous
Millennium Bridge officially opened in
the year 2000 you’ll encounter
Shakespeare’s famous Globe
Theater while today’s iteration of the
globe dates back only to the ’90s the
care with which they’ve replicated the
original is absolutely
incredible of course enjoying a show
here is the best way to experience it
but you can also do a tour here to get a
good
look if you head slightly South from
here you’ll also find one of London’s
most famous food markets burrow Market
which is filled with food and produce
vendors with tons of enticing options
for a slightly inflated price tag the
market itself is beautiful and well
worth seeing but do try to avoid Peak
meal times because it is honestly not
very enjoyable when it’s
overcrowded right by the market there’s
also Southern cathedral which is free to
visit and has some unique features like
its great screen and ornate alterpiece
as well as a monument and window
dedicated to
Shakespeare now if you’re looking for
other Food Markets to explore there are
a few less touristy options in srik as
well including the makato
metropolitano and the malt be Street
Market which is filled with unique food
vendors on the
weekend heading back and along the river
you’ll encounter a few more classic
London attractions like the golden hinda
an interactive replica of the gallion
used by Francis Drake to circumnavigate
the world in the
1500s as well as the HMS Belfast a royal
Navy warship turned to
museum between the two is where you’ll
find London Bridge one of the city’s
oldest river Crossings and a Historic
Landmark dating back to Roman times
though the current structure here was
only built in the late ‘ 60s and early
’70s an older iteration from the 1830s
however can be found in Arizona of all
places which is another story for
another
time and finally you’ll soon reach the
bridge that everyone thinks is London
Bridge Tower Bridge which is fair enough
since it’s definitely the more
photogenic of the
two officially opened in 1894 this
iconic Bridge is a must SE on most
London itineraries but many visitors
don’t realize it’s actually possible to
climb up and walk on its iconic walkways
for Unique
views they even have a few sections with
a glass floor so you can test your
bravery and wave at the unknowing
onlookers
below for that reason I would not
recommend wearing a dress or skirt
here there’s of course other cool things
to do in s further south from the river
like the the free Imperial War Museum
which features extensive collections of
military artifacts vehicles and
exhibitions but for now let’s move just
over Tower Bridge across the river to
the burrow known as Tower
hamlets while much of this burrow is
residential there are a few Pockets that
are interesting for tourists including
one of the biggest attractions in the
city the Tower of
London this UNESCO world heritage site
is one of Britain’s most iconic
landmarks dating back to the 11th
century this historic Fortress has
served as a Royal Palace Prison and
treasury with highlights like the crown
jewels to Alat along with a bunch of
cool things to see including the White
Tower which is home to an impressive
Armory if you’re a history buff this is
definitely a London
musi one very unique and cool experience
here that I don’t hear people talk about
though is the ceremony of the keys a
secretive centuries old ceremony at the
Tower of London where they lock
everything up for the night a ritual
that you can actually watch for only 5
lb that said tickets can be hard to come
by so be sure to book on the first
working day of the month at noon for the
next month which is when tickets are
released and if you need a place for a
drink the Dickens Inn is a really
beautiful somewhat hidden option over at
St Katherine
docks now north of here you’ll find a
classic Sunday tradition in East London
the Columbia Road Flower
Market while realistically most hores
don’t have reason to buy fresh flowers
during their trip this is one of the
most beautiful markets in London with
Gorgeous stalls cred with fresh flowers
and plants at affordable
prices if you have longer to spend this
might be a nice Sunday morning activity
to consider though be sure to come early
to avoid the
crowds speaking of markets a more
sensical Choice might be a visit to the
vibrant spittle Fields Market which
dates back to the 17th century and today
offers a diverse array of stalls selling
fashion crafts and most importantly food
from around the
world this is a great though somewhat
pricey place for lunch and a nice
jumping point for visiting other areas
nearby like The Eclectic and Lively
shortage while once known as a hipster
Paradise it’s safe to say that shortage
is fairly mainstream these days though
it’s still a very fun neighborhood that
feels world away from the classic London
landmarks in Westminster with striking
street art fun markets unique
entertainment and many many cool
bars while it’s not necessarily A
sightseeing neighborhood with
attractions to take off your list it is
a very fun place to spend an evening so
be sure to come by if you’re looking to
experience another site of
London and if you’re into big city Vibes
another interesting place to visit is
the thriving Financial District of
canary Warf home to Sleek skyscrapers
bustling shopping malls and Waterfront
promenades while for a long time this
was considered mainly a business Zone
with not much to see they’ve put a lot
of work into making Canary Warf and
appealing destination with lots of
options for restaurants and
entertainment including barbecue and hot
tub boat rentals on the
canal there are some sightseeing
opportunities as well like at the
crossrail place Roof Garden
as well as the free museum of London
docklands which has some really
interesting displays about the history
of the docklands
area if you’re looking to explore a
little farther away from the tourist
center this could be a fun option though
I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way
to come here on a first
visit now let’s move on to things to do
in the London burough of
Camden the first and most obvious is to
visit Camden Market one of London’s most
iconic shopping
destinations dating back to the 1970s
the sprawling Market offers a diverse
range of stalls selling everything from
vintage clothing and handmade crafts to
International street food and robot Rave
clothes truth be told these days the
market is known for being fairly
touristy and overpriced but it’s still a
neat spot in the city to check out
especially given its proximity to one of
the nicest parks and Views in the city
regen Park and Primrose
Hill Region’s Park is one of London’s
most beloved green spaces with Lush
Gardens Scenic walking paths and of
course the famous London
Zoo the main highlight for me though is
Primrose Hill where you get a gorgeous
view of the skyline from afar and when
you visit early in the summer there’s
also Queen Mary’s Rose Garden the
largest Rose Garden in London which is a
colorful
Delight another cool spot to visit in
this burrow is the Sir John son Museum
which is a very unique and free
attraction left behind by Night
architect Sir John son who wanted his
house to become a free space for the
public to visit under the condition that
it remained untouched from the moment he
died so even today it’s filled with his
crazy collection of stuff as he left it
200 years
ago this is definitely one of the most
unique places to visit in
London and less than 10 minutes away
from here is one of my favorite recent
finds the very quirky novelty automation
which is home to several satirical
homemade arcade machines that you can
buy tokens to play hard to describe but
fantastically weird and great if you’re
looking for a more offbeat
activity speaking of offbeat a museum
just north of here is the London postal
Museum an admittedly very nerdy
attraction that is dedicated to you
guessed it the history of British postal
communication
I know that doesn’t sound super
thrilling but a special highlight of a
visit here is you get to hop on the mail
rail an immersive 15minute ride through
the original tunnels of the historic
mail rail network offering insights into
the city’s Victorian era Postal Service
and the transportation of mail beneath
the Streets of London I recognize that
this is a super nerdy London activity
but I honestly had a great
time and if you’re a different kind of
nerdy this neighborhood is also home to
a bunch of other museums including the
the Charles Dickens Museum the founding
Museum and of course the British museum
fill to the brim with amazing artifacts
from around the
world another part of Camden that’s all
the rage these days is King’s Cross of
course best known for its train station
where yes you can indeed get a Cheesy
photo op of you jumping into Platform 9
and3
quarters but there’s more to this
neighborhood now than just the train
station there is for instance the Kohl’s
drop yard a former industrial area that
has been transformed into a vibrant
retail and dining destination as well as
London’s prettiest floating Bookshop
word on the water which is mored along
the Region’s
Canal housed within a Charming 1920s
Dutch barge this quiry book shop offers
a cozy and Atmospheric setting to browse
books or as I luckily did get stranded
during a
thunderstorm finally if you’re looking
for a lighter day of exploration Venture
northwards towards leafy Hamstead a
Charming village-like Enclave nestled in
the northwest of London there are some
really beautiful spots to visit here
like the hill Garden in
pergola as well as Hamstead Heath and a
few nice house museums like the Berg
house and Kenwood
[Music]
house now let’s move west again to
tackle some things to do in the famously
well-to-do burrow of Kensington and
Chelsea
the first is a visit to the Victoria and
Albert Museum also known as the
VNA founded in 1852 the VNA is the
largest museum of Applied Arts
decorative arts and design in the entire
world with a permanent collection
containing over 2 million
objects inside you’ll find a stunning
collection of paintings sculptures
jewelry fashion pieces and more all
housed in a Gorge building with an
opulent Cafe that makes the perfect
place for a
break nearby are also several other
excellent free museums including the
science museum which is dedicated to the
history of scientific advancements with
over 15,000 objects on
display and the strikingly Beautiful
Natural History Museum which is
dedicated to the diversity of life on
Earth as well as the processes and forms
that shape our
planet now in this area is another
London icon the legendary Royal Albert
Hall the best way to experience this
venue is of course by booking tickets to
see a show but if the timing doesn’t
align they do also offer paid tours as
well which includes access to special
spaces not typically open to the public
including the separate entrance and
Lounge facilities used by the royal
family and once again speaking of the
royal family another place to visit in
this area is Kensington Palace best
known as the birthplace of Queen
Victoria and the current home of Prince
William and Kate though of course your
visit is restricted to only the public
areas like the king and queen State
Apartments they often have cool
exhibitions here which would make a
visit worthwhile but to be honest Palace
wise I think some of the others outside
of London like Hampton Court Palace
offer a much better
experience now a short walk away from
here is one of the most beautiful pubs
in London the Churchill arms known for
its facade which is decked in flowers
and warmer months and decked in
Christmas trees and lights for the
holidays while admiring the outside is
Fun the inside is actually really nice
and cozy plus there’s a great Thai
restaurant hidden in the
back definitely worth a look if you want
a more relaxing thing to do in London
before tackling another one of the
city’s most popular neighborhoods which
is nodding
Hill forever tourist central thanks to
Instagram and the ’90s romcom of the
very same name Charming nodding Hill is
a picturesque piece of London known for
its colorful houses leafy squares and
bustling markets including the PTO Bella
Road Market whose main day is
Saturday on the culture front there’s
also the museum of Brands which is a
really cool Museum if you’re an
advertising and marketing nerd like me
with a vast collection of over 12,000
items this unique Museum Chronicles the
story and evolution of consumer culture
through the lens of branding and
packaging dating all the way back to the
Victorian
era and if you’re into shopping and the
Finer Things another neighborhood to
explore in this burrow is nightsbridge
with its most iconic spot being herods
one of the most famous department stores
in the
world the Swanky department store is a
Haven for luxury shopping though there
are some architectural highlights as
well like the Egyptian escalator
next on our list is to explore
Chelsea just like nightsbridge this
neighborhood is known as one of the
wealthiest in the city with Gorgeous
streets to explore beautiful restaurants
and pubs to enjoy plus a handful of tour
friendly sites like the Sachi Gallery a
bright and Airy Gallery with rotating
art
exhibits as well as the Chelsea physic
Garden one of the oldest botanical
gardens in
Britain of course one of the best ways
to enjoy Chelsea is to just walk around
and explore for yourself there’s tons of
beautiful corners pretty much all
over and right across the river on the
beautiful Chelsea Bridge you’ll find the
newly reopened batter SE power station
one of London’s most recognizable
landmarks and a symbol of the city’s
industrial
Heritage these days it’s a shopping and
dining destination which has its own
special Viewpoint lift
109 now moving outside of Central London
one must do I recommend for those with
the time is to explore grenwich this is
probably one of my favorite buroughs in
London and you could easily spend a full
day
here highlights include the old Royal
Naval College and its beautiful painted
Hall the Royal Observatory home of
Greenwich meantime where you can walk on
the prime
meridian the national Maritime Museum
which is the largest museum of its kind
in the world full of ships boats and
educational
displays Cy Sark the world’s last
surviving tea
Clipper the Queen’s house which is a
beautiful Art
Gallery Greenwich Park with all its
beautiful paths and Views and Greenwich
Market a great but busy place to grab a
bite one of my favorite London pubs can
be found here as well the Trafalger
Tavern which while very busy and very
pricey has some beautiful interior decor
and even more amazing views
as a bonus while in grenwich you can
also hop on the ifs Cloud cable car
which seems like a fun ride but honestly
the areas on either side aren’t the most
exciting so I wouldn’t go out of my way
just to ride it now after this very long
video I feel like you’d be surprised to
hear that I’ve really only just
scratched the surface with what there is
to do in London for those with more time
I can highly recommend taking a day trip
further out with tons of amazing options
from beautiful gardens and epic palaces
to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour where
you can step into the Magical World of
Harry Potter to see iconic sets props
and
costumes on that note if you are a pop
culture nerd I should mention that a
really fun thing to do in London if you
have the time is to go to a TV show
taping there are tons of free
opportunities to be part of a studio
audience in London I’ve personally been
to The Graham Norton Show twice and
really enjoyed it though it can be quite
a timeconsuming activity that’s not
really close to the main site so only do
this if you have lots of
time now believe it or not I have many
more recommendations of things to do and
see in London so be sure to read the
full written guide for more along with a
map of all these places we discussed
thanks for watching I’ll see you next
week bye

Looking for an honest take on the best things to do in London? This comprehensive London guide gives you the full scoop on unique London activities you can’t miss on your next trip. Here is the full written guide with more details & must-dos: https://happytowander.com/things-to-do-in-london-england/

NOTE: many of the links below are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info on what this means, check out my website privacy policy and disclosure: https://happytowander.com/privacy/

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0:00 INTRODUCTION
1:47 THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER
16:14 THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY OF LONDON
22:25 THINGS TO DO IN SOUTHWARK
26:44 THINGS TO DO IN TOWER HAMLETS
30:22 THINGS TO DO IN CAMDEN
34:24 THINGS TO DO IN KENSINGTON & CHELSEA
39:03 OUTSIDE OF CENTRAL LONDON

HELPFUL LINKS FOR ATTRACTIONS & BOOKING {AFFILIATE LINKS BELOW}

London Pass (Can Save you $$$ If You Plan to Do Many Paid Attractions): https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/london-the-london-pass-with-access-to-85-attractions-t26207?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondonYT

Open top bus tour:
https://www.getyourguide.co.uk/london-l57/london-open-top-bus-tour-with-live-guide-t388814/?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondonYT

Westminster Abbey tickets: https://www.getyourguide.co.uk/westminster-abbey-l2710/london-westminster-abbey-entrance-ticket-t399163?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondonYT

Buckingham Palace Entry: https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/entrance-ticket-the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace-t53844/?ranking_uuid=8814bf44-c8c0-4745-a83b-fc0cae0ed097?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondonYT

London Transport Museum Tickets: https://www.getyourguide.com/london-transport-museum-l7679/london-transport-museum-day-pass-t300767?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondonYT

Apsley House: https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/london-apsley-house-t488086?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondonYT

St Paul’s Tickets: https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/skip-the-line-st-paul-s-cathedral-with-discounted-admission-t19600/?ranking_uuid=c1c6debc-1e56-4e4a-a726-d57718723c55/?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondonYT

Postal Museum and Mail Rail Tickets: https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/london-postal-museum-entry-ticket-and-underground-rail-ride-t434939?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondon

Tower of London Tickets: https://www.getyourguide.com/tower-of-london-l2708/london-tower-of-london-and-crown-jewels-exhibition-ticket-t21253?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondon

Tower Bridge Tickets: https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/tower-bridge-entry-ticket-t439425?partner_id=8J15F09&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-middle&cmp=ThingsToDoInLondon

OTHER LONDON ARTICLES:

➡️ Best historic & unique pubs in London: https://happytowander.com/historical-unique-pubs-in-london/
➡️ London 3 day itinerary: https://happytowander.com/3-day-london-itinerary/
➡️ Things to do in London at Christmas: https://happytowander.com/christmas-things-to-do-in-london/
➡️ Harry Potter London bucket list: https://happytowander.com/harry-potter-london-guide/

OTHER TRAVEL RESOURCES

➡️ My favourite travel credit card – Wise: {Referral Link} https://happytowander.com/Wise
➡️ My go-to eSIM {Affiliate Link} – Use the code CHRIST99027 for $3 off: https://happytowander.com/Airalo
➡️ Where I search hotels {Paid Link}: https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=1180711
➡️ Where I compare/book transport in Europe {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/omio
➡️ My go-to travel insurance {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/WorldNomads
➡️ Where I book activities/tours {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/GetYourGuide
➡️ Where I find rental cars {Paid Link}: https://happytowander.com/DiscoverCars