Top things to do in London

Read our guide to London's top attractions to get tickets to, from Buckingham Palace to the London Dungeons, Tower Bridge, Chelsea Stadium, and more.

Olivia Rook
Written byOlivia Rook

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.

1. West End show
2. Madame Tussauds
3. Hampton Court Palace
4. London's pubs
5. Tower Bridge on the River Thames
6. Cutty Sark
7. The London Eye
8. The London Dungeon
9. Buckingham Palace
10. Chelsea Football Stadium
11. St Paul's Cathedral

1. West End show

London theatre
Must see
Family activity
Iconic activity

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. You can even explore a unique concert experience with ABBA Voyage, which sees avatars of the original ABBA members take the stage in a mesmerising feat of technology.

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West End show
All shows in London
Hamilton

Hamilton

Victoria Palace Theatre
The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera

His Majesty’s Theatre
Wicked

Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre
ABBA Voyage

ABBA Voyage

ABBA Arena
The Lion King

The Lion King

Lyceum Theatre
Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia!

Novello Theatre
MJ The Musical

MJ The Musical

Prince Edward Theatre

The Mousetrap

St. Martin's Theatre
The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada

Dominion Theatre
SIX the Musical

SIX the Musical

Vaudeville Theatre
Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Piccadilly Theatre
The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

London Coliseum
The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon

Prince of Wales Theatre
The Weir

The Weir

Harold Pinter Theatre

2. Madame Tussauds

Iconic attraction
Must see
Family activity
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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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Madame Tussauds

3. Hampton Court Palace

Outdoor activity
Historic activity
Iconic attraction
Royal family

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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Hampton Court Palace
History in London
Les Misérables

Les Misérables

Sondheim Theatre
Hamilton

Hamilton

Victoria Palace Theatre
SIX the Musical

SIX the Musical

Vaudeville Theatre
Richard II

Richard II

Bridge Theatre

4. London's pubs

Food and drink
London hotspots

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.

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London's pubs

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09:00

The Breakfast Club

Head to one of The Breakfast Club’s central London branches for a slap-up English cafe classic.

10:30

Buckingham Palace

Is there anything more British than the changing of the guards? Arrive early for a good spot to watch this historic event, which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10.45am.

5. Tower Bridge on the River Thames

Outdoor activity
Family activity
Must see

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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Tower Bridge on the River Thames

6. Cutty Sark

Outdoor activity
Historic attraction
Must see

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.

Cutty Sark

7. The London Eye

Iconic activity
Must see
Popular attraction

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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The London Eye

8. The London Dungeon

Iconic activity
Family attraction
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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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The London Dungeon

9. Buckingham Palace

Royal attraction
Must see
Outdoor activity
Family activity

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.)

Visitors can now step inside Buckingham Palace's 19 magnificent State Rooms, which provide the setting for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining by members of the Royal Family. They can also experience a new exhibition celebrating the Edwardian age in The King’s Gallery, which houses one of the largest and most important art collections in the world.

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Buckingham Palace

10. Chelsea Football Stadium

Must see
Football
Historic

England is the home of the Premier League, so where better to visit on your trip than Chelsea Football Stadium? Head to one of the capital's biggest clubs for a 60-minute journey through the club's dressing rooms, press room, player's tunnel, pitch side, and more.

And if you've still got energy, you could visit the home of English football at Wembley Stadium — the largest sports venue in the UK and the second-largest stadium in Europe. This special sporting venue 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.

Book a Chelsea Stadium Tour on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

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Chelsea Football Stadium

11. St Paul's Cathedral

Historic
Iconic
Must see

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a must-see for any visitor in London. Set back from the River Thames, it is an English Baroque-style cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. From columns and stone carvings on the cathedral's exterior, to mosaics and sculptures inside, St. Paul's is a feat of architecture.

St. Paul’s Cathedral has served as the site for state funerals and royal weddings, with Prince Charles marrying Princess Diana there in 1981. The beautiful cathedral also appears in several films, including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. For panoramic views of London, you can climb to the top of the 111-meter dome, while below ground you can explore the crypts and catacombs.

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St Paul's Cathedral