Top attractions in London

Read our guide to London's top attractions to get tickets to, from Buckingham Palace to the London Tower, Wembley Stadium to Kew Gardens, and more.

England’s capital city beckons travellers with its vast array of awe-inspiring attractions. London’s countless architectural wonders, cultural institutions, and rich history make the city a popular destination.

Whether you are building an itinerary for a one-day trip to London Town or are fortunate enough to embark on a longer excursion, there’s plenty to do. We have curated a list of London’s top attractions to make for lasting travel memories. Stroll through the city’s many pristine parks, visit an art museum, watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and more.

Book London attractions and experiences tickets on London Theatre.

12. Up at The O2

Reach new heights with a climb at the O2 Arena, which takes visitors 52 metres above ground level during a 90-minute guided walk to the top of one of London’s most popular entertainment venues. The panoramic views from the roof are worth its steep sections, taking in areas such as Greenwich and Canary Wharf, as well as The Olympic Park. You can choose from daytime, sunset, and twilight climbs, giving you maximum flexibility during your trip to London.

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11. London’s pubs

What could be more British than a pint in one of the capital’s historic pubs? Luckily, the West End is home to a number of watering holes, where you can enjoy a classic meal such as fish and chips or pie and mash, or sip on a refreshing lager. The Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden, which dates back to the 17th century, is a great starting point for your pub crawl — the writer Charles Dickens was even known to enjoy a tipple there. You could then move on to the cheerily named Mr Fogg’s Tavern or The White Hart, which is supposedly London’s oldest established public house.

Read more about the best pubs in the West End on LondonTheatre.co.uk

10. Madame Tussauds

For over 200 years, Madame Tussauds’s life-like wax figures have attracted millions of visitors. More than 150 of them can be found at the museum, from Royal Family members and global celebrities, to famous British characters like James Bond, and more. While peeping at prominent figures, visitors can learn all about the months-long process of measuring, moulding, and detailing the wax figures.

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9. Kew Gardens

Take a break from central London with a trip to Kew Gardens. Founded in 1840 and located in southwest London, the botanic garden is a World Heritage Site and for good reason — it is home to 50,000 living plants. Highlights include the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse, which protects rare and threatened plants, and Xstrata Treetop Walkway, which offers a bird’s eye view of the forest below. With four cafes and restaurants, you could spend an entire day walking through the beautiful gardens and getting lost in nature.

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8. Hampton Court Palace

The opulent Hampton Court Palace, built by Cardinal Thomas Wosley in 1699, was one of King Henry VIII’s most favoured residences. Located in Surrey, England, just outside the glare of London, the palace is an architectural masterpiece with 1,390 rooms. The Baroque-style palace witnessed several pivotal moments in English history, including Henry VIII’s reign and the Tudor court. Visitors can explore the estate’s vast Tudor kitchens, Great Hall, State Apartments, and manicured gardens.

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7. Tower Bridge on the River Thames

The Tower Bridge is one of London’s most famous landmarks. The 13-metre-tall bridge has two sections called bascules, which rise for vessels below approximately 800 times each year.

Visitors can learn about the history of the architectural feat and see panoramic views of the city with the Tower Bridge Exhibition. The tour invites visitors to walk along the high-level walkways, which feature glass floors, and explore the steam engines in the Victorian Engine Rooms, which once powered the bridge lifts.

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6. Cutty Sark

Ahoy! Embark on a voyage as you step onto the historic Cutty Sark, a renowned tea clipper from the 1800s. During its time, the ship was the fastest of its kind and sailed from China to Great Britain, transporting tea and other goods.

The Cutty Sark, which sailed for 52 years, is the world’s only surviving extreme clipper. Visitors can learn about the ship’s construction, explore its eleven miles of rigging, stand on the main deck to view its towering masts up close, and marvel at the original hull fabric.

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5. The London Eye

At 135 metres tall, the London Eye is one of the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheels. The Ferris wheel was built in 1999 to celebrate the new millennium and attracts 3.5 million visitors each year, making it one of the top attractions in the city. Take in 360-degree views of Central London and the River Thames from 25 miles in each direction. The Ferris wheel features 32 capsules to represent London’s 32 boroughs, including a royal capsule decorated in the style of Westminster Abbey.

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4. Wembley Stadium

Visit the home of English football at Wembley Stadium — the largest sports venue in the UK and the second-largest stadium in Europe. Visible from miles away thanks to its signature arch that sits above the stadium, the football ground hosts some of the world’s most exciting sporting events, as well as domestic football events such as the FA Cup Final. It even hosted the 1985 fundraising concert Live Aid, the story of which is about to be brought to life on stage in Just For One Day at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2025.

Book a Wembley Stadium Tour on LondonTheatre.co.uk

3. The London Dungeon

Are you interested in learning about London’s dark history? Venture beneath the arches of the London Bridge and explore the multi-sensory London Dungeon Experience, with eerie sights, sounds, and smells. Immersive actors guide visitors through the experience, reenacting the city’s infamous events, like the Great Fire of London and the Plague. The theatrical attraction includes thrilling rides and stories of the notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper and the vengeful barber Sweeny Todd, among others. After exploring the city’s seedy past, enjoy a cocktail at the Victorian Tavern.

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2. Buckingham Palace

Official royal residence of King Charles III, Buckingham Palace should be at the top of any visitor’s trip to London — whether you’re a monarchist or not! The time-honoured tradition of the Changing of the Guard, also known as the Guard Mounting, marks the shift change of soldiers and is a quintessential London experience. The 45-minute ceremony happens between Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Wellington Barracks. Typically, the Regimental Band of Corps of Drums provides musical support for the ceremony. Onlookers can enjoy the ceremony free of charge. (The days of the Changing of the Guard vary from season to season, so be sure to check the schedule ahead of time.)

1. West End show

No trip to London is complete without experiencing a live performance in London’s West End, a global epicentre of theatre. There is something for everyone in the West End to enjoy, from classic tragedies to contemporary musicals. Check out the world’s longest-running show, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, a mainstay in the West End since 1952. Or, take the family to see the award-winning spectacles The Lion King or Wicked.

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Visit our complete West End theatre guide for more tips on shows to see, how to plan your trip, and advice for navigating the West End.

Photos courtesy of events, Canva, and Flickr