10+ Bucket List Things To Do in London (2024)

Who does not want to visit London? We all have dreamt of travelling to this fantastic city. The city has had so much hype and popularity that it has automatically been added to our traveller’s bucket lists. In this post, you will find the Top 10+ Bucket List Things to do in London.

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About London

Known for the clock tower Big Ben and the London Eye, London is the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom (U.K.). Located on the River Thames, the city is the global capital for finance, art, entertainment, culture and politics.

The city has four World Heritage Sites:

• Tower of London,
• Kew Gardens,
• A combination of the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Saint Margaret’s Church, and
• Greenwich.

The best time to visit London is spring, summer and autumn. They are usually between May and October as the weather is pleasant and dry.

If you visit London during the winter (between December and February), especially during Christmas, do not forget to see some Christmas markets.

London has plenty of things to do and see. You need at least a week to cover and explore everything it can offer. If you have five days in London, here is the perfect 5-day itinerary for London.

Places to stay in London

The best place to stay in London is in the city or close to the River Thames as commuting in the town and surrounding areas becomes more accessible. I recommend staying near Piccadilly, Covent Garden, or Kensington. You can consider some of the below options:

• Mayflower Hotel (3 Star) in the City Centre.
• IBIS London Earls Court (3 Star) in the City Centre.
• The Waldorf Hilton (4 Star) in the City Centre.
• Hilton London Paddington (4 Star) in the City Centre.
• 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton (5 Star) in South Kensington.
• Intercontinental London – the O2, an IHG Hotel (5 Star) in the City Centre.

How to Get to London?

By Air

London has six major international airports and many smaller airports. The main airport is Heathrow Airport, located in the London Borough of Hillingdon. It is the gateway for all the airlines, especially for non-European visitors. There are four terminals and two runways. British Airways, Air India, and Qatar Airways are some airlines operating from London.

Bucket List Things to do in London

London has a fantastic network of tubes and buses that you can use to visit the attractions. I walked and used public transport to explore all of these attractions. Another fun way to explore London is to hire a self-driven boat, Goboat.

Ride the London Eye

Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye is one of the most popular attractions in London. Being Europe’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel, the London Eye has 32 capsules. London Eye is open every day between 10 AM and 8:30 PM. The standard admission ticket starts at 30.50 Pounds.

!! Ensure to book the ticket online for cheaper prices.

Picture with a Red Phone Booth

Showcasing the traditional British kiosk, the red phone booth started in 1926. Used as a British cultural icon worldwide, this red telephone box was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Take a picture with this iconic structure.

Selfie with Big Ben

One of the most photographed clock towers in the world is the Big Ben. Completed in 1859, Big Ben was designed by Augustus Pugin. It is 96 metres tall and has shields representing four nations of the U.K.:

• Rose for England,
• Thistle for Scotland,
• Shamrock for Ireland and
• Leek for Wales.

Only UK residents are allowed to go inside Big Ben. There are more than 300 steps to climb once inside to reach the top. When I visited Big Ben, it was closed for renovation.

Ride in a Double Decker Bus

Also called the AEC Routemaster, the Double Decker Bus is another star attraction in London. Introduced in 1847, the double-decked buses are buses that have two storeys. These buses are designed by London Transport and built by Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles. The bus fare costs between 1.75 and 5.25 pounds.

You can see the 1959 Double Decker Bus in the London Bus Museum.

See Changing of Guards at Buckingham Palace

The Changing of Guards at Buckingham Palace is a formal process where new guards replace the guards protecting Buckingham Palace. It takes place at 10:45 AM and lasts for 45 minutes.

Ensure you reach early to get a good spot to see the ceremony.

From August to May, the ceremony happens every second day on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and during June and July, the ceremony happens every day. Note that this ceremony also happens at two other places – Saint James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks.

Live the fantasy by taking a Harry Potter tour and visiting Kings Cross Station

One of the best things to do in London is to take the Harry Potter walking tour. This is perfect for people who love the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Starting from the Kings Cross Station, this tour shows all the movie locations around London. The walking tour is usually 2 to 3 hours and is superb.

Walk on the London Bridge

Opened in 1973, London Bridge is the oldest road crossing bridge between the City of London and Southwark. Initially built as a box grinder bridge, it was replaced as a stone-arched bridge in the 19th century.

Who hasn’t heard London Bridge falling down nursery rhyme when they were growing up? But did you know that as per one of the hypotheses by Alice Bertha Gomme and Iona and Peter Opie, the phrase London bridge was falling was based on the idea that the bridge would collapse if a human watchman were not sacrificed and buried in its foundation so the watchman can look after the bridge?

Ride in a Tube

Metro in London is known as the Tube. The metro lines run underground and were the world’s first underground railway system. Starting in the 19th century, some of these metros ran deep. Taking a ride in a tube underground is an experience in itself.

If you are claustrophobic, you may have to consider taking the underground metro.

Take Shakespeare Globe’s Tour

Situated on the bank of the River Thames, the Shakespeare Globe is a Globe theatre where William Shakespeare wrote his plays. The original theatre was built in 1599, and the current theatre is a reconstruction of the original theatre as a fire destroyed the original one.

In Shakespeare Globe’s Tour, you can listen to the stories and walk through the exhibition spaces in the Globe Theatre. It is a guided tour to see the 400 years of history. The tour is for 2 hours, where 50 minutes is the guided tour, and the price of the tour is 25 Pounds for adults and 18 Pounds for children (under 16 years).

Visit the Imperial War Museum

Founded in 1917, the Imperial War Museum (IWM) is a national museum providing the history and artefacts about modern war and wartime experience. There are five branches across England, of which three are in London.

The museum is open every day between 10 AM and 6 PM. Even though general admission is free, there are additional charges for visiting special exhibitions and displays. The closest tube station is Lambeth North on the Bakerloo Line.

Enjoy the view from The Shard

With a height of 309 metres, the Shard is a 72-storey skyscraper with offices, restaurants and cafes. It is the tallest building in the UK and Western Europe. Resembling a shard of glass, the building was completed in 2012 and was designed by Renzo Piano.

The view is open between 10 AM and 10 PM during the winter and between 10 AM and 8 PM during the summer. The entrance ticket is 32 Pounds per person and 25 Pounds per person for a group. And the guided tour costs 49 Pounds per person.

Visit The Clink Prison Museum

The Clink Prison Museum dates back to 1144 and is England’s oldest and most notorious prison. The museum hosts artefacts, experiences, and history. Located in Southwark, the museum provides guided tour options.

The museum is open every day between 10 AM and 6 PM. There is an entrance fee of 4.50 Pounds per person for a self-guided tour and an entrance fee of 8 Pounds per person for a guided tour.

Other Things To Do in London

Call it the bucket list or the synonym of a bucket list, but London has a lot more things to do than the ones mentioned here. You can see more tourist attractions such as the Tower of London, The British Museum, and the National History Museum and explore neighbourhoods such as Covent Garden.

Best One-Day Trips from London

London has many places around it that are perfect for one-day trips. For example, you can visit Bath, Stonehenge, and Oxford as a one-day trip from London.

Bath

Founded in the 7th century, Bath is a world heritage site. The city is famous for its Roman baths, which are named after them. There are plenty of things to do in this beautiful city.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a UNESCO world heritage site, a prehistoric monument consisting of standing stones. Archeologists believe that this structure was constructed between 3000 BC and 2000 BC. The attraction is open to the public every day between 9:30 AM and 5 PM. There is an entry fee starting from 19.50 Pounds.

Cornwall

While Cornwall isn’t a mere day trip from London, it presents a splendid extension to your visit to the capital. Situated approximately 4 to 5 hours away, Cornwall beckons with its rugged coastline, quaint villages, and storied past.

Is London Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

London was very safe to travel to. I was alone, walked around the city, and faced no issues. However, my friends who visited the city have mentioned pickpocketing and petty thefts. So be cautious and know your surroundings, especially at night.

London offers attractions suitable for families, not solely geared toward solo travelers. Numerous activities cater to children’s interests and enjoyment, so there are many things you can do in London with kids. Families can explore a variety of options and experiences while visiting London, which provides ample opportunities for enjoyable family outings and adventures.

Closing Notes

I enjoyed visiting London as I had a fabulous time exploring and walking around the city. I loved the freshness and crisp air. Try walking around the River Thames and some beautiful graffiti lanes to enjoy the rawness of the city.

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