What are the best things to do in London? Beyond the iconic landmarks, this exciting city is packed with quirky attractions, hidden gems, and immersive experiences that go far beyond the usual tourist itinerary.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a family on holiday, or a regular day-tripper, London delivers weird, wonderful, and unforgettable activities at every turn. If you’re still mapping out your wider trip, our guide to the best things to do in the UK is the perfect place to start.
Historic & Cultural Attractions
London’s historic and cultural side is where the city really shows off its character. From Victorian cemeteries and Saxon church ruins to the eccentric home of an 18th-century architect, these spots blend centuries of history with genuine atmosphere.
Whether you love a peaceful garden steeped in stories of the Great Fire and the Blitz, or you’d rather wander through rooms crammed with Roman artefacts, there’s a slice of old London waiting for you.
Highgate Cemetery
Tucked away in North London (nearest tube: Archway), Highgate Cemetery is a hauntingly beautiful Victorian cemetery opened in 1839, one of the famous “Magnificent Seven.”
The West side is only accessible via the Highlights Tour (£18, around 70 minutes), where you’ll wander the Egyptian Avenue, Circle of Lebanon, and Terrace Catacombs.
Afterwards, cross to the East side to find Karl Marx, George Eliot, and Douglas Adams. Spooky? Absolutely. Worth it? Without question.
Nearest Tube: Archway
Highlights Tour: £18, around 70 minutes
St Dunstan in the East
Just a five-minute walk from Monument Station, St Dunstan in the East is one of London’s most peaceful hidden gems.
This Saxon church was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666, then bombed during the Blitz in 1941, and the ruins are now a serene public park. Squirrels scamper between the trees while locals settle in for lunch.
Top tip: skip the 12 to 2 pm rush if you want true tranquillity. For more peaceful pockets like this across the country, browse our roundup of places to visit in the UK.
Nearest Tube: Monument
Admission: Free
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Fabulously eccentric and absolutely not to be missed, Sir John Soane’s Museum sits on the north side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
Soane was an architect and obsessive collector who, upon his death in 1837, disinherited his son and left his house to the nation, with the stipulation that nothing be changed.
You’ll find paintings by Canaletto, Hogarth, and Turner mounted on movable screens, plus Roman and Egyptian artefacts in every nook. Pre-booking isn’t required, but space is tight.
Admission: Free
More information: Sir John Soane’s Museum website
Unique London Tours
If walking past landmarks isn’t enough for you, London’s tours dig deeper, literally. Some take you behind the scenes of the world’s oldest underground railway through Hidden London Tours run by the London Transport Museum.
Others lead you through atmospheric East End streets following the footsteps of one of history’s most notorious figures. These experiences turn the city into a story, with expert guides bringing centuries of British history vividly to life. Love a city break? Don’t miss our pick of the best UK cities to explore.
Jack the Ripper Tour
East London is forever linked with Jack the Ripper, the terrifying murderer who haunted Whitechapel’s dimly lit streets.
Today, countless tour companies retrace the Ripper victims’ final hours, and yes, the guides actually dress in Victorian attire, which is quirky enough to soften the macabre subject matter.
Tours typically run in the evenings and finish near Brick Lane (perfect for a curry afterwards). It’s chilling, fascinating, and absolutely worth doing once.
Abandoned Tube Station Tour
For ten years, I dreamed of taking an abandoned Tube station tour, and the Aldwych Tube Station tour delivered every bit of the magic.
Run as part of Hidden London Tours by the London Transport Museum, it takes you down to disused platforms lined with original wartime posters, with expert guides walking you through every era.
Heads up: tours only run in certain months and sell out fast, so book well in advance.
Quirky Museums & Immersive Experiences
London has fully embraced the immersive art revolution, and these quirky museums are where projection technology, optical illusions, and multi-sensory experiences collide.
From stepping inside your favourite painting at Frameless to questioning everything your eyes are telling you at the Twist Museum, these spots are perfect rainy-day activities for families, couples, and anyone who fancies seeing the world a little differently. Bring your camera, you’re going to want photos. For more inspiration further afield, take a look at our guide to exploring England.
Frameless
Frameless near Marble Arch is one of those experiences you genuinely have to see to believe.
This multi-sensory immersive art venue uses cutting-edge projection technology to bring famous paintings, think Van Gogh, Monet, Klimt, and Dalí, vividly to life across four galleries.
With 360-degree projections and an atmospheric soundtrack, it really does feel like you’re stepping inside the artwork. Book in advance, especially for evening slots, as it’s a popular date-night choice.
Nearest Tube: Marble Arch
Twist Museum
Hidden right beneath Oxford Street (closest tube: Oxford Circus), the Twist Museum is London’s home of illusions.
The name’s an acronym, The Way I See Things, and that’s exactly what you’ll do as you wander interactive, kaleidoscopic zones blending science and art.
Expect to spend 1 to 2 hours laughing as your perception gets gloriously scrambled. Brilliant rainy-day activity for the whole family.
Useful to know:
- Free lockers for coats and bags
- Buggy parking available
- Wheelchair accessible (with some inclined sections)
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
Street Art & Hidden Gems
If you fancy a side of London that locals love but tourists often miss, the city’s street art and hidden gems will absolutely deliver. For more off-the-beaten-path inspiration across the country, check out our UK travel hub for ideas to pair with your London trip.
From the longest legal graffiti wall in the country to a floating bookshop bobbing on the Regent’s Canal, these spots celebrate London’s creative, anything-goes spirit. The artwork changes daily, the atmosphere is always buzzing, and you’ll find pockets of creativity tucked away in the most unexpected corners.
Leake Street Arches
Just around the corner from Waterloo Station, Leake Street Arches is London’s longest legal graffiti wall, a 300m tunnel where street artists practice their craft daily.
The artwork changes constantly, so even if you’ve been before, you’ll see something new. Fancy joining in? Graffiti workshops cost around £50 and are family-friendly.
Once you’re done admiring the murals, head to nearby Lower Marsh Street for independent coffee shops, restaurants, and food stalls.
Nearest Tube: Waterloo
Admission: Free
Word on the Water
Word on the Water is a floating bookshop, yes, an actual bookbarge, moored on the Regent’s Canal near King’s Cross, just past The Lighterman gastro pub.
It’s open daily from midday to 7 pm (closed only on Christmas Day) and packs an eclectic collection of novels, political titles, and children’s books.
There’s even a wood-burning stove inside, making it deliciously cosy. In summer, expect live music and poetry sessions, pure London magic.
Nearest Tube: King’s Cross
Opening times: Daily, 12pm to 7pm
Iconic Views & Landmarks
You can’t visit London without ticking off a few iconic views and landmarks, but the trick is finding ones that aren’t completely overrun.
From walking on glass between the towers of Tower Bridge to discovering a canalside neighbourhood that genuinely feels Italian, these spots offer the wow-factor with a side of charm. Both are wonderfully walkable, family-friendly, and easy to combine with other quirky London adventures nearby.
Tower Bridge Glass Walkway
Did you know you can actually walk across the top of Tower Bridge? Between the two towers runs a glass walkway where you can peer straight down at the traffic and the Thames; keep your eyes peeled for an iconic London bus.
There’s even a mirrored ceiling for selfies. Tickets are £16 and include the Engine Rooms below, but they sell out fast, so book in advance.
Stick around to watch the bridge lifted for ships.
Admission: £16 (includes Engine Rooms)
Little Venice
A short walk from the back of Paddington Station drops you into Little Venice, the meeting point of the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals, and a world away from central London chaos.
Stroll past colourful narrowboats, stop at a canalside café, or take a boat trip up to Camden Market. Want to get on the water yourself? Hire a Go Boat.
Independent theatres, puppet shows, and outdoor entertainment keep the area lively year-round.
Nearest Tube: Paddington / Warwick Avenue
Fun & Unusual Activities
If you’re after the kind of activity you’ll be telling friends about for years, London genuinely delivers.
From a Swedish supergroup performing as digital ABBAtars to afternoon tea served on an iconic Routemaster bus winding past Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, these are the experiences that turn an ordinary trip into an unforgettable one. They’re fun, slightly bonkers, and deeply, gloriously British in their own unique ways.
ABBA Voyage
If you haven’t heard about ABBA Voyage yet, where have you been?
The legendary Swedish Eurovision winners have created their own ABBAtars (3D avatars of their younger selves) who perform classic hits like Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, and Waterloo at a purpose-built arena in Stratford.
The ABBAtars look astonishingly real, and the light show is something else. My pro tip: book dance floor tickets, there’s no way you’ll stay in your seat.
Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford
Afternoon Tea Bus
Afternoon tea is quintessentially British, but Brigit’s Bakery has given it a glorious twist by serving it on an original Routemaster double-decker bus.
Departing from Victoria Coach Station, the 90-minute tour glides past iconic landmarks including:
- Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
- Westminster Abbey
- Downing Street
- Marble Arch
- The Royal Albert Hall
You’ll tuck into delicious sandwiches, scones, and cakes (with optional prosecco). Book ahead, this one’s deservedly popular.
Quirky Places to Stay in London
Why settle for a standard hotel when London offers genuinely unique places to stay?
The Sunborn London Yacht Hotel in Victoria Dock is a docked super yacht turned 4-star hotel; the lower-deck rooms have my favourite views.
Prefer something leafier? The Treehouse Hotel London brings nature into central London with plant-filled rooms and a “nest” bar.
Or check into the Mad Hatter Hotel, a former Victorian hat factory turned boutique stay full of character.
Map of Things to Do in London
To help you plan your route, all the attractions in this guide can be plotted on a map covering everywhere from central London to areas further afield like Greenwich, Stratford, and North London.
London’s transport connections, tube, Overground, and buses, make most spots easily accessible, but central London is also wonderfully walkable.
I’d recommend downloading CityMapper to navigate efficiently and check for any tube disruptions before setting off.
If You’re Planning a Trip to London
London can be a tricky city to plan for, but a little prep goes a long way. The transport connections (tube, Overground, trains, and buses) are easy to navigate once you’re set up.
A few essentials worth sorting before you arrive:
- Sort an eSIM via Simsolo for hassle-free data
- Download CityMapper for the fastest routes
- Consider an airport transfer service like SIXT to skip post-flight stress
- Get travel insurance (SafetyWing offers flexible pay-as-you-go cover)
- Book popular attractions in advance
FAQs:
How much does the Highgate Cemetery tour cost?
The Highlights Tour of Highgate Cemetery’s West side costs £18 and lasts around 70 minutes. This guided tour takes you through the Egyptian Avenue, Circle of Lebanon, and Terrace Catacombs. After the tour, you can visit the East side independently to see the graves of Karl Marx, George Eliot, and Douglas Adams.
Is St Dunstan in the East free to visit?
Yes, St Dunstan in the East is completely free to visit. This Saxon church ruin, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666 and later bombed during the Blitz, is now a serene public park. It’s located just five minutes from Monument Station. For the best experience, avoid visiting between 12pm and 2pm when it gets busy with lunch crowds.
Do I need to book Sir John Soane’s Museum in advance?
No, pre-booking isn’t required for Sir John Soane’s Museum, though space is tight inside. This eccentric museum on Lincoln’s Inn Fields houses paintings by Canaletto, Hogarth, and Turner, along with Roman and Egyptian artefacts. Best of all, admission is completely free.
Where do Jack the Ripper tours finish?
Jack the Ripper tours typically finish near Brick Lane in East London, which is perfect if you fancy a curry afterwards. The tours run in the evenings and guides dress in Victorian attire as they retrace the victims’ final hours through Whitechapel’s historic streets.
How far in advance should I book the Aldwych Tube Station tour?
You should book well in advance as these Hidden London Tours only run certain months and sell out fast. The tour takes you down to disused platforms lined with original wartime posters, with expert guides explaining the station’s history through different eras.
What’s the best time to visit Frameless?
Book evening slots in advance as Frameless near Marble Arch is a popular date-night choice. This immersive art venue uses 360-degree projections and atmospheric soundtracks to bring famous paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Klimt, and Dalí to life across four galleries.
How long should I spend at the Twist Museum?
Plan to spend 1 to 2 hours at the Twist Museum beneath Oxford Street. The museum offers interactive, kaleidoscopic zones blending science and art, and includes free lockers for coats and bags, buggy parking, and wheelchair accessibility with some inclined sections.
Can you join in the street art at Leake Street Arches?
Yes, you can participate in graffiti workshops at Leake Street Arches near Waterloo Station for around £50. These family-friendly workshops let you create your own street art on London’s longest legal graffiti wall, a 300-metre tunnel where the artwork changes constantly.
What’s included in the Tower Bridge Glass Walkway ticket?
The £16 ticket includes both the glass walkway between the towers and the Engine Rooms below. You can peer straight down at the traffic and Thames through the glass floor and take selfies in the mirrored ceiling. Book in advance as tickets sell out fast, and stick around to watch the bridge lift for ships.
What landmarks does the Afternoon Tea Bus pass?
The 90-minute tour departing from Victoria Coach Station passes Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Marble Arch, and the Royal Albert Hall. You’ll enjoy sandwiches, scones, and cakes with optional prosecco on an original Routemaster double-decker bus.
