London Travel Tips
Below are a few must-see London attractions and fun things to do, along with tips and interesting facts.
For example, I would buy my tickets online for the tourist attractions to save time and sometimes money. Additionally, I would hire a tour guide who can take you to the front of some of the lines, plus you will learn unique facts.
London Attractions
Borough Market
Borough Market has stood at the same location for over 1,000 years, making it one of the oldest markets in the world.
While I walked the aisles listening to the buzz of chatter, I spotted tables displayed with brightly colored fresh fruit and vegetables. As I continued, I caught whiffs of coffee brewing, then a hint of curry, then sausage and burgers sizzling on the grill. I love food, so this was the place for me.
Vendors sell almost everything you need for meal preparation, or you can buy freshly- made food to eat there or take home. Moreover, you can find selections from appetizers to desserts including seafood, game, meat, artisan food, pastries, confectionery, beer, wine, liquor, and more.
In addition to filling your pantry, you can deck out your home and tabletop with ceramics, textiles, art, and flowers.
Give yourself time to shop and sample their traditional and international selections. Furthermore, you should arrive hungry to get the most out of the Borough Market experience.
The George Inn
Established in Southwark in 1542, The George was a resting stop for travelers and their horses. Famous patrons like Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare frequented the inn, and Dickens mentioned The George in his book “Little Dorrit.” Today, it’s still a fun place to stop in for a pint and some pub food. Furthermore, if the weather cooperates, you can sit outside.
The Rose Playhouse
Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, The Jew of Malta, and Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part I. were among The Rose Theatre’s regular performances. Though built in 1587, the local competition put The Rose out of business by 1603.
In 1989, archeologists uncovered the fourteen-sided theatre and the inner and outer foundations. The theatre’s floor sloped down to a drain that removed standing water, and its pitch improved the audience’s view. During the dig, they discovered jewelry, coins, tokens, and money box pieces.
The red lights seen today indicate The Rose’s size, its pit, and the locations of its two stages.
Chewing Gum Art
When you cross the Millennium Bridge, look down at the colorful chewing gum art wedged in the grooves. “The Chewing-Gum-Man,” Ben Wilson, stooped or reclined on the bridge and created scenes and abstracts from discarded gum. As you traverse the bridge, know that you are treading on art.
London Eye or Coca-Cola London Eye
From the London Eye Ferris Wheel, you have 360-degree views of London. Most people share a capsule, and depending on the promotion, prices start at 19.50 euros. Also, you can hire a module that can hold three to 25 people for 550 euros and host a private party.
Emirates Stadium
Experience an Arsenal football match at Emirates Stadium. The crowd hangs on every kick and ball that the players head. You can learn and sing the group chants. Moreover, fans have cheered some of these songs for almost a hundred years.
Arriving and departing the stadium using the tube with thousands of Arsenal fans is part of the experience.
Westminster Abbey
Of course, Westminster Abbey is one of the top London points of interest. For centuries, the abbey has hosted coronations, royal weddings, and funerals, or ceremonies that commemorate the famous.
The first Coronation at Westminster Abbey took place in 1066. Most noteworthy, the Coronation Chair that dates back to 1296 is still used in the monarch crowning ceremony.
In 1382, Westminster Abbey’s first royal wedding took place, and the last royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton was celebrated in 2011.
Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, and Queen Elizabeth I are among the 3,300 buried or commemorated at the Abbey.
Buckingham Palace
Her Majesty The Queen lives at Buckingham Palace that has 775 rooms. Notably, when the Royal Standard Flag flies, The Queen is home. The palace is open to the public between April and September, and it’s one of the top London attractions.
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Churchill War Rooms
While Hitler encased himself in concrete, Churchill learned that his underground bunker or the Churchill War Rooms that was ten feet below the ground offered little protection from a bombing raid. Nevertheless, Churchill and his team lived and plotted their war strategy in this shelter.
The Churchill War rooms provide a look into bunker life where Churchill had a private room with a direct line to President Roosevelt, and where gas masks were part of the office decor. If you like Churchill, don’t miss this London attraction. Plus, check out the photo of Churchill that hangs in the museum. A photographer shot it right after he abruptly removed Churchill’s cigar. Today, the photograph is renowned.
The Tower of London
You could spend a day learning how royalty lived and died in the Tower of London. Before visiting, download the interactive smartphone apps to enhance the experience, or take a tour with one of the Yeomen Warders.
To sum up, these are some of my favorite London travel tips including my top London attractions. In brief, I hope that this list helps you plan your itinerary.
What are your favorite boroughs or London travel tips? Do you have some off the beaten path?
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Great list! I’ve never heard of the George Inn, will have to check it out 🙂
Thanks for checking it out, we had a great time at The George and you should stop in
I’ve been to London 3 times but only visited 3 out of the 10 attractions you listed here. London has so many things to offer and I can’t wait to check out the others that you suggest 🙂
Thanks for reading my post. Like you, I feel that there is so much to see.
I’ve only been to London once and desperate to go back and do all these things. The Geroge looks so cool!!
The George was great. I too feel that we missed a lot. Thanks for reading my post.
Great list! Love the chewing gum art. That would be so cool to see. My husband and I went to an Arsenal match (he’s a fan) and the best part was hearing all the fans around us cursing at the players – saying the loudest, dirtiest things!
I have to admit that the chewing gum art surprised me, can you imagine stooping on the bridge an painting with people walking by. I didn’t hear the filthy language at the Arsenal game, but I noticed that security guards stood at the bottom of the fan chanting section. It was an experience.
What a neat post! I lived in the UK for 2 years and loved London. That chewing gum art is really neat. I never saw that. What an example of artistic expression!
Can you imagine painting discarded gum? Now he is famous for his artistic expression.
London is really a great city! I have been there twice and I still didn’t do everything I wanted to! There is always ew things to do and see, to be honest I haven’t noticed the Chewing Gum Art!! I should pay more attention next time I go there!
Thank you for your comment. The chewing gum art was pointed out to us, otherwise we wouldn’t have seen it either.
I’ve never been to London and would love to visit all these places you mentioned. I’ve always wanted to visit the royal places there.
Thank you for your comment, and I hope that you are able to visit London too.
Some really useful tips! I lived in London for one of my MBA courses, and (except London Eye and The Tower of London) haven´t done any of these…need to come back! London has so many sites that you, probably, can´t succesfully combine touristic things with any other activity, like studying.Shared on Facebook #theweeklypostcard
We didn’t see enough either and plan to return. I appreciate your comment and thanks for sharing! #theweeklypostcard
Your post reminded me how beautiful London is. I haven’t been in the London Eye last time we were there, but I’d love to return and take a ride.
Thank you for your comment, London is beautiful!
Some great ideas here – thank you! We visited the Churchill War Rooms on our last visit to London. They were amazing!
We enjoyed the Churchill War Rooms too, it’s amazing the sacrifices Churchill and the staff made living underground.
The Churchill War Rooms is one of the best things I’ve discovered in London – it’s so well done!! I also really enjoyed the Tower of London with the Beefeater tour. (I was also impressed with how well the lines moved to see the crown jewels!) I really loved the fan-vaulted chapel at Westminster. It was definitely my favorite and I was sad that I couldn’t take pictures to remember how lovely it was… It literally took my breath away! #TheWeeklyPostcard
I cannot believe I have been to only 3 places on this list. London is about 1 hour by train from me, and I look forward to visiting the Borough Market next 🙂
#theweeklypostcard
These are some great ideas for London I would not have thought of. I think the chewing gum art is fabulous. Sign me up Borough market! And the Churchill War Rooms sounds fascinating. On my one visit to London, I saw the Tower, the Palace and Westminster. When I go back, I’ll be adding the rest of these to my itinerary!
Great list! I don’t think I could limit my favorite things in London to 10! I love the Tate Modern, St. Paul’s, and the Shard. Plus all the street art. Just walking around is lovely too. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
I love London! It’s a fabulous city with such a great atmosphere. Some of the things you mention here escaped me on our first visit. I’d love to go back and experience everything I missed. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Oh I’ve never heard of the Rose Theater but it sounds interesting and definitely worth checking out next time!! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
One of my favorites from your list was touring the Tower of London, a great experience, especially with kids. Though from their perspective the London Eye was a contender, they asked to do it multiple times. The view is realy worth it. I would add the Tate, and on my list is the Globe, which sadly was under renovation when I visited, so I was only able to walk around the outside. The Burough Market looks colorful, you put it on my list for next time.
Thanks for the list, and thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Emese-Rika, Thank you for your comment. I too liked the Tower of London and I will add the Tate to my list for my next visit. #TheWeeklyPostcard
London is such a great city! I hope I get to visit again soon – would love to experience the Arsenal football match at Emirates Stadium. Or any other British teams and games. Football is a big deal here in Spain – would love to live it in the UK! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Anna, thanks for commenting on my post. Watching Arsenal play at Emirates Stadium was quite an experience. I especially loved the chanting and drama!