London Attractions: 49 Best Things To Do In London (UK)

Looking for the best things to do in London? I consider the UK as my second home, I live here for more than a decade now. Let me share with you various points of interest and London attractions mainly located in zone 1 to 3 in Central London.

London – The beating heart of Great Britain. The vibrant capital that has been the centre of British history, royalties and culture. Considered one of the main cities in the world and you can’t run out of places to visit and things to do in London.

Read More: Best UK Travel Itinerary for 2 Weeks

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Whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, with kids or with your friends there are always some fun things to do in London.

Get your London Pass Including Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour and Entry to Over 80 Destinations here from Viator.

List of suggested places to visit (some are free) and the best things to do in London:

1. Lord’s Cricket Ground

Address: St John’s Wood Rd, London NW8 8QN  (Show on Map)
Entrance fee: Depending on the Cricket game or Ground tours

Lord’s Cricket ground is the home of Cricket. This British sport is loved by many all over the world. The majority of the fans come from the Commonwealth nations.

With much history, the Lord’s Cricket ground has been the mecca of cricket for more than 200 years since 1814. The Lord’s Cricket ground offers refreshments and various ground and historical tours.

Read More: 7 Money-Saving Travel Tips Exploring Around London (UK)

2. Sherlock Holmes Museum

Address: 221b Baker St, Marylebone, London NW1 6XE (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £15 | Child – £10
Suggested tours: Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour | Sherlock Holmes Filming Locations tour

Who wouldn’t want to see the home of the famous British detective based on the novels of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle! This is one of the coolest London attractions. 221b Baker Street is the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

A must-visit for any Sherlock and Dr Watson fan. You can relive their detective works during Victorian times.

3. Madame Tussaud’s

Address: Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, London NW1 5LR (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Book your tickets here. It’s cheaper when you book your tickets online.
Suggested Tours: Madame Tussaud’s London Priority Entry with Star Wars Exhibition | Magical London Pass for Merlin Attractions in London

One of the fun things to do in London with friends and family is to visit the world-famous wax museum of Madame Tussaud. Inside the museum, you can have a great time taking some great selfies with different celebrities and even the Royal family!

4. ZSL London Zoo

Address: ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Book your tickets here and skip the line.
Adult – £24.30 | Child (3-15y/o) – £18.00 | Under 3 – free | Discounted Concessions available.

A little oasis in the city, a home for various animals like lions, giraffes and even penguins.  ZSL Zoo is located in Regent’s Park, one of the city’s main parks.

This definitely should be on your list of things to do in London with kids and the whole family! You can get a group and other ticket discounts if you book online. You can also stay overnight in the zoo at the Gir Lion Lodge! It’s definitely a quirky thing to do in London.

5. Regent’s Park

Address: Regent’s Park, Chester Rd, London NW1 4NR (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

One of the 8 Royal Parks in London, Regent’s Park is named after the Prince Regent (who became King George IV). The park has been an oasis for Londoners and visitors and one of the free things to do in London.

Inside the park, you can find Primrose Hill, ZSL London Zoo, Sports facilities, Queen Mary’s Gardens, a lake and other beautiful statues and memorials.

6. Camden Lock Market

Address: Camden Lock Pl, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

If you are looking for free things to do in London, a visit to the Camden Lock or Camden Market will be a great place to shop around.

A bustling market in North Central London where you can buy vintage clothing, bags, shoes, trinkets, British food and other great memorabilia. See this great resource about the best spot around London for food lovers.

Read More: Best Hotels in London on a Budget Near the Main Attractions

7. Telecom Tower

Address: 60 Cleveland St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 4JZ (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Private Functions only

Also known as the British Telecom Tower it opened in 1965. It is one of the tallest buildings in London and in the UK. Comprising 36 floors and a penthouse revolving restaurant.

Sadly the restaurant is now closed to the public and only caters to private functions.

8. London Canal Museum

Address: 12-13 New Wharf Rd, London N1 9RT (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £5 | Child – £2.50 | Free with the London Pass Including HOHO bus tour

London Canal Museum exhibits the history of narrowboats and the importance of canals in British culture and the industrial revolution.  It’s a great place to visit in London with kids of all ages!

Canals around the UK played a very important role in the industrial revolution. It was used to transport vital goods and resources up and down the whole country during the Victorian times. Nowadays, canals are used for leisure and tourism around Britain.

9. Charles Dickens Museum

Address: 48 Doughty St, London WC1N 2LX (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £9.50 | Child – £4.50
Suggested Tours: Charles Dickens Museum | Private Charles Dickens London Tour | Historic London Pub Tour

Home of the famous classic novel writer Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens is the author of the famous novels Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, David Copperfield, A tale of the two cities and many more British literary classics.

In this museum, you can see where Charles Dickens curated all his novels and drew inspirations from his London life.

Read More: British Inventions and Inventors That Changed The World Forever

10. Platform 9 ¾ St Pancras

Address: King’s Cross Station, London N1 9AP (Show on map)
Suggested Tours: Harry Potter Platform 9 ¾ | Harry Potter London Walking Tour | Muggle’s Guide to Harry Potter Walking Tour in London

Probably the most popular train platform in London made famous by the Harry Potter films. The platform is en route to Hogwarts via Hogwarts Express.  Tourists in the city flock toward the platform to take their snaps as if they are also heading to Hogwarts.

This is a great place in London to visit with kids.  They also have a shop where you can buy all the Harry Potter movie memorabilia.

11. Museum of London

Address: 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

The Museum of London showcases all the historical exhibits of the city. If you want to get to know more about the city this is the place to go. You can appreciate all the events that shape the capital of Britain.

The museum is one of the free activities in London perfect for kids and families.

12. British Museum

Address: Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free
Suggested Tours: British Museum Highlights Tour in London including the Rosetta Stone | British Museum Highlights Tour in London including the Rosetta Stone | The British Museum Tour – The Ideas That Made Our World

The British Museum opened its doors to the public in 1753 to share the wonderful knowledge and artefacts with the curious individuals of London. Entry to the museum is one of the free attractions in London. This would be a great day out in London with family and kids.

13. Pollock’s Toy Museum

Address: 1 Scala Street, London, W1T 2HL (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult £7.00 | Child £4.00 | Senior & Student £6.00

Pollock’s Museum houses various Victorian toys since the 1850s.  If you are fond of antiques and toys collection this is the place to go.  The Pollock’s Museum has a wide variety of displays that can amuse you.

This is one of the quirky London attractions that you shouldn’t miss.

14. Marble Arch

Address: Near Cumberland Gate, Northeast corner of Hyde Park, London, W1H 7DX (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free
Suggested Tours: Big Bus HOHO London Tour | The Original London Sightseeing Tour: Hop-on Hop-off | Private Tour: Black Taxi Tour of London

One of the famous landmarks in London used to be the state entrance of Buckingham Palace. The intricate white marble gate was designed by John Nash in 1827.

Due to the renovation of Buckingham Palace, they have had to move the Marble Arch to give way to the bigger space needed for the Palace expansion.

It is now located near the famous shopping district of Oxford Circus and Park Lane, the luxury hotel strip in London.

15. Portobello Market

Address: Portobello Rd, London W11 1AN (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free
Suggested Tours: Independent London Markets Tour with Private Driver

Portobello Market is located in one of the most affluent areas in London, Notting Hill district. Portobello Market is one of the trendiest places to visit in London.

If you love to experience the London market scene, Portobello road is the perfect place to start. Known as one of the largest antique markets in the world and one of the filming locations of the classic romantic film, Nottinghill.

Portobello Road is named after a town in Panama “Porto Bello” which was captured by the British from the Spaniards during the war in 1739.

16. Hyde Park

Address: Hyde Park, London (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free
Suggested Tours: London Royal Parks Bike Tours

Hyde Park is one of the eight Royal Parks in London. Located at the heart of the city and serves as the oasis where Londoners and other visitors can enjoy greenery in the city.

They have a lot of small activities and events for kids and families. Definitely one of the cool things to do and visit in London.

17. Kensington Gardens

Address: Kensington Gardens, London (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free
Suggested Tours: London Royal Parks Bike Tours

Kensington Gardens is located next to Hyde Park.  Kensington Palace is located in this area, where some of the Royals have lived since the 17^th century.

It is free to enter the gardens and some part of the palace is also open to the public.

Read More: The Best Luxury Hotels in London That Will Make You Feel Like Royalty

18. Royal Albert Hall

Address: Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP (Show on map)

The Royal Albert Hall is one of the Royal grand theatres in London since 1870 founded by Prince Albert. Where most of the greatest orchestras, artists and various performances take place.

19. Harrods

Address: 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free
Suggested Tours: Independent Shopping Tour of London with Private Driver

Located in the Tiara triangle of London, the luxury shopping district of the city. Harrods was founded by Charles Henry Harrod in 1849 and was then passed on to various private firms.

In 1985, the Al Fayeds took over the company and after the tragic event of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed in 1997, they made a memorial for the couple inside the luxury shopping mall.

Harrods also has a strict dress code for its shoppers. Always dress up smart and appropriately, no cyclist or gym clothing allowed. It is now owned by the Qatari Royal Family.

20. Wellington Arch

Address: Apsley Way, London W1J 7JZ (Show on map)
Entrance fee: English Heritage Member – Free | Adult – £5.40 | Child – £3.20

Wellington Arch is one of the famous landmarks in London. Originally intended as the main entrance of Buckingham Palace in 1827 but it was then moved in the 1880s to its current location facing Constitution Hill.

21. Science Museum

Address: Exhibition Rd, Kensington, London SW7 2DD (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

The Science Museum in London is a perfect place to visit in the city with your kids and family. It exhibits various educational displays and collections that is open to the public in 1857.

22. Victoria & Albert Museum

Address: Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free
Suggested Tours: The Victoria & Albert Museum: The World Greatest Collection of Arts and Crafts | Private Tour: Royal Victoria and Albert Museum

Victoria & Albert Museum houses a massive collection of various treasures of art and design.

The history of the museum started in 1852 when it was a Museum of Manufactures and then in 1899 Queen Victoria rehabilitated and developed the museum as what it is known today.

23. Natural History Museum

Address: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free
Suggested Tours: Natural History Museum London Private Guided Tour | Dinosaur Discovery: The Natural History Museum Family Tour

If you love anything about nature, science, fossils and everything in between the Natural History Museum is the perfect place to visit London with kids, teens, family and friends.

This is my favourite museum in London!  They have an amazing collection of dinosaurs’ fossils and bones. It will take you a good whole day to visit the whole museum.

24. Westminster Cathedral

Address: 42 Francis St, Westminster, London SW1P 1QW (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

The Westminster Abbey is the mother church and largest Catholic church in England and Wales. The Cathedral is under the diocese of Westminster and is also named as Metropolitan Cathedral of the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

25. Royal Mews

Address: Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0QH (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £11.00 | Over 60- £6.00 | Under 17 – £6.40 | Student- £10
Suggested Tours: Royal Mews with Changing the Guard and Afternoon Tea

The Royal Mews is the British Royal Monarchy’s Stable. They exhibit the royal collection of historical carriages and coaches that have been used by the British Royal family for centuries.

The Mews is also responsible for all the travel arrangements of the British Monarch and the Royal family.

26. Buckingham Palace

Address: Westminster, London SW1A 1AA (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £24 | Over 60 – £22 | Under 17 – £13.50 | Student – £22.00
Suggested Tours: Buckingham Palace Tour Including Changing of the Guard Ceremony | Buckingham Palace Tour Including Changing of the Guard Ceremony and Afternoon Tea | Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket with Royal London Walking Tour

Queen Elizabeth II‘s official residence in London. Buckingham Palace is the centre of most British royalties celebrations like Royal weddings.

Buckingham Palace is only open to the public for a few weeks every Summer and selected weeks in Spring and Winter seasons. This is when they will open the State rooms for tours around the Palace. It is one of the most visited palaces in the UK.

Read More: Best Day Tours and Places to Visit Near London (UK)

27. Westminster Abbey

Address: 20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £20.00 | Child- £9.00 | Senior & Students – £17.00
Suggested Tours: Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket Including Audio Guide | Tour to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament in London

If you are looking for cultural things to do in London, Westminster Abbey is the best place to begin your journey in discovering thousands of years of the great history of the British Monarchy.

The Westminster Abbey is the place of all Royal coronations since 1066, Royal weddings, other Royal engagements and the final resting place of the British Monarchs.

28. Houses of Parliament

Address: Westminster, London SW1A 0AA (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult- £25.50 (Advanced) / £28 (On the Day)| Child – £11 (Advanced) / £12 (On the Day)
Suggested Tours: Tour to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament in London | Half-Day London Tour: Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament

The beating heart of Britain’s government.  This is where all the Lords and Members of the Parliament meet to create various laws in the UK.

The Houses of Parliament comprises two houses: The House of the Lords where all the Lords of the UK meet to partake in the UK lawmaking decisions. The second house is the House of Commons where the Members of the Parliament (the elected representatives of the UK) meet to discuss and decide various UK laws and issues.

The house of Parliament is also the home of the UK’s iconic landmark, the Clock Tower or the Elizabeth Tower where Big Ben is.

29. The London Eye

Address: Lambeth, London SE1 7PB (Show on map)
Entrance fee: £27 (On the Day) | £24 (Online Price)
Suggested Tours: London Eye: Champagne Experience | London Eye Skip-the-Line Ticket

The London Eye is one of the top sights in London that is visited by millions of visitors yearly.

The London Eye has been an iconic landmark of London since 2000 and has won loads of awards for tourism, architectural and engineering innovation.

30. Household Cavalry

Address: Whitehall, Westminster, London SW1A 2AX (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free
Suggested Tours: Household Cavalry

Home of the Household Cavalry of the British Monarchy. You can also visit the Household Cavalry Museum inside the Horse Guards. You can find various historical memorabilia of the British Cavalry.

One of the cultural London attractions that you shouldn’t miss especially during the Trooping of Colours when the Horse Guard’s clock strikes at 11.

31. Eros

Address: Piccadilly Circus, London W1J 9HS (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

The statue of Eros in the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain has become an iconic landmark in London. Located at the colourful spot in the busy crossing in Piccadilly Circus in London.

32. National Gallery

Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

Another great museum to visit in London is the National Gallery. If you’re into European arts, an excellent curation of paintings across Europe can mostly be found here.

The best thing here is it’s free to visit this museum so everyone can enjoy and appreciate the amazing historical art collection.

33. Nelson’s Column

Address:  5 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5NJ (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

An iconic landmark in London located at Trafalgar Square to commemorate Admiral Horacio Nelson was built in the 1840s.

Lord Admiral Nelson is one of the greatest British heroes in Royal Naval history during the conquest period of the British empire.

Lord Nelson managed to win so many naval battles for the British empire and eventually died in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Read More: Visiting the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for a Weekend Break (UK)

34. Convent Garden Market

Address: 41, The Market Building, London WC2E 8RF (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

The home of fresh produce and flowers in London. The Convent Garden started trading in 1670 providing fresh fruits and vegetables to the capital’s growing population.

Over the centuries of passionate market sellers providing excellent services and adapting to London’s growing demand, they move and expand the Convent Garden to its new location in Nine Elms Lane.

35. London Transport Museum

Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 7BB (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adults £17.50 | Child – Free

London Transport Museum shares the story of the city’s transportation history for the last 200 years. The home of the various historical mode of transportation of the British culture.  This is a great day out and things to do in London with kids.

36. Cleopatra’s Needle

Address: Embankment, London WC2N 6PB (Show on map)

Entrance fee: Free

Cleopatra’s Needle was made for the Pharaoh Thotmes III in 1460BC.  It was transported to the UK from Alexandria, The Royal City of Cleopatra, hence the Needle was named after Cleopatra.

In 1878, The Cleopatra’s Needle arrived on the British shores and was erected in London to commemorate the triumph in battles of the British forces in the Battle of the Nile and the Battle of Alexandria.

37. Imperial War Museum

Address: Clive Steps, King Charles St, Westminster, London SW1A 2AQ (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Donations

If you wish to learn and appreciate the historic stories of the British troops and veterans during the World wars, the Imperial War Museum is the perfect place to visit.

The Imperial War Museum has a great collection of snippets and exhibitions to share to depict life during the war. A great place to visit in London with your families and friends!

Read more: Best British War Museums and Memorials to Visit in the UK

38. Modern Tate Museum

Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

A contemporary museum in London that exhibits various modern art and design. If you are a big music and art lover, a trip to the Modern Tate Museum is a must when you visit London.

39. St. Paul’s Cathedral

Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £18 | Child – £7 | Book your tickets online for 10% discount

St. Paul’s Cathedral has been the witness to London’s transition and progression into a major city nowadays.

Founded in 604 AD, with the intention to bring back Catholicism to Britain after the Romans left as it was believed that Britain returned to paganism once again.

The cathedral is filled with a great piece of history and treasure that is definitely worth visiting.  If you are looking for cultural things to do in London, St. Paul’s Cathedral should be on your list.

40. London Bridge

Address: London SE1 9DD (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

Probably the most famous bridge in London, due to the famous nursery rhyme that every primary school student can sing!

The modern London Bridge that we have today was built during the 70s. However, the history of the London bridge began a few centuries backdated in Roman times when London was called “Londinium”.

London Bridge has been an integral part of the London development as it connects the two banks of the River Thames.

The bridge has been re-developed and re-designed countless times over the centuries and the historic part of the bridge is now dotted in London and in the southern counties of Britain.

41. Tower Bridge

Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £9.80 | Child – £4.20 | Under 5- Free | Book online to avail ticket discounts

The most iconic bridge in London and probably in the whole of Britain. Conceptualised in the late 1870s and was built in the early 1900s. It was the most sophisticated bascule bridge at the time.

The Tower Bridge was created to keep London’s busy lifestyle keep moving without interrupting the maritime traffic that is coming in and out of London.

42. Tower of London

Address: St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £22.70 | Child – £10.75

One of the medieval castles in the heart of London where the Royal crown jewels reside.

The Tower of London’s history began around 1066 as part of the Norman conquest of England.  The castle has been developed, built and passed on throughout the succession of the British monarchy.

The Tower of London has witnessed a great deal of the city’s history like the tragic story of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII’s second wife was detained and executed here. As well as the Great Fire of London in 1666.

43. The Shard

Address: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £30.95 | Child – £ 24.95 | 30% discount for Advanced tickets

Get a bird’s eye view of London on the tallest viewing deck in the city.  “The View from The Shard” is a must-visit to witness the different perspectives of seeing the magnificent beauty of the capital.

The Shard is considered the tallest building in Western Europe! It’s a must-visit place in London. It is the home of all things luxury and finer things in life! The Shard houses a luxury hotel, restaurants and bars as well as the country’s top offices.

44. HMS Belfast

Address: The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2JH (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £15.30 | Child – £7.65

Experience the life on board the HMS Belfast, Britain’s warship from the famous D Day landing during World War II and the Korean War. This is a great place to visit for all the history enthusiasts as well as with family and friends.

45. Wimbledon

Address: Church Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 5AE (Show on map)

Museum Entrance fee: Adult – £13 | Child – £8

Home of the British Lawn Tennis. Wimbledon Championship is the most awaited highlight every summer here in the UK.

Of course, with the good strawberries and cream and a glass of Pimm’s.

If you wish to watch the Wimbledon Championship, you have to apply for the Wimbledon traditional Ballot system for the UK from September (the year before the game) and for Overseas visitors.

46. Abbey Road Zebra Crossing

Address: 2 Abbey Rd, London NW8 0AH (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Free

Probably the most iconic zebra crossing in London is made famous by the Beatle’s cover album.

Relive the Beatles’ vibes and cross the road too! Just watch out for the traffic and other tourists who are also queuing for the perfect Beatles crossing re-enactment.

47. Greenwich Royal Observatory

Address: Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £15 | Child £6.50

Home of the Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT). In Greenwich Royal Observatory lies the 0 GMT where all the time zones of the world are based from. The place where East meets West!

Every evening, you can also see the green Meridian laser pointing North.

Located at the Greenwich Royal Observatory is the Greenwich Meridian line is also the basis of Latitude around the globe and is considered the Prime or Zero Meridian of the world.

48. Cutty Sark

Address: King William Walk, London SE10 9HT (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £13.50 | Child – £7

Constructed in 1869 in Scotland, Cutty Sark was the golden merchant ship in her prime days.

Transporting various goods like tea, wool and other materials from all over the world to Britain. This is one of the highlights of cultural things to do in London if you are after a great maritime history of British trades around the world.

49. Harry Potter Studios

Address: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR (Show on map)
Entrance fee: Adult – £41 | Child – £33

If you are a Potterhead fan, this will be the best place to visit in London. Well, next to the Platform 9 ¾ in King’s Cross in Central London. The Harry Potter Studios are the filming location of the Harry Potter film series.

You have to pre-book your tickets in advance because they are selling as quick as the Golden Snitch!

If you are looking for a travel itinerary read more of Best UK Travel Itinerary for 2 Weeks

No matter what you intend to do during your visit to London, there will be always something for everyone in the capital. You can also check these 4- day London itinerary to help you plan the perfect day in the capital.

I hope that this list of best things to do in London helped you in deciding what to do in the city with kids, families and friends as a day out or a long weekend holiday!
Have you been to any of these London attractions?
Share your London experience in the comment box below.