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London is a city bursting with events with a diverse history dating even back to Roman times (like the National Gallery), with parks transforming into social clubs, eateries providing outdoor seating, and dusty concrete squares erupting with fountains.
It is home to innovative art exhibitions, iconic activities in London, landmarks, hidden gems, world-renowned theaters, and lush green spaces. Additionally, the city is home to iconic places and must-see restaurants, apart from other hidden gems and cool places like the National Gallery.
This list of activities in London to do or London bucket list is a great place to begin exploring the city, and we are here to help you:
The best things to do in London
1. Spend a Sunday at Columbia Road Flower Market.
If you’re looking for a place to buy flowers in east London, Columbia Road Flower Market is the place to go! It’s one of the oldest and most popular flower markets in London, and it’s full of all kinds of flowers and bedding plants. You can even find a banana tree! It’s open until 3 p.m. in all kinds of weather, but if you want to get the best deals, head in early. There are lots of cute cafes, shops, antique dealers, and galleries on the side of the market.
2. Go flower-spotting around Kew Gardens.
The botanic garden covers over 3,000 acres and is home to some of the world’s rarest plants. Kew Gardens is full of Victorian glasshouses, Chinese pagodas, and treetop walkways. It’s a great place to visit any time of year. Plus, there’s an immersive summer installation and an outdoor movie and theater program. And don’t miss the Temperate House, where you can see the newly restored Encephalartos woodii.
3. Swim in Hampstead Heath Ponds
Open-water swimming is available at Hampstead Heath in the men’s, women’s, and mixed ponds under the supervision of a lifeguard. The Mixed Pond is a members-only facility and is not subject to lifeguard supervision during the winter months. Swimmers aged eight and over are welcome.
4. Be a ‘groundling’ at Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe Theatre is based on William Shakespeare’s circular theater, which was destroyed by fire and is situated a few hundred yards away from its original location. It provides an opportunity to experience the plays of Shakespeare as his Elizabethan audiences did, with standing places available for as low as £5, allowing groundlings to get up close and personal with the show.
5. Walk the canals of Little Venice.
Little Venice is a picturesque and captivating area of London, renowned for its picturesque waterways and quaint boat cruises. Visitors can explore the Rembrandt Gardens area, sample seafood from The Summerhouse, and admire the plants at the charming nursery in Clifton. The Puppy Theatre Barge is a small, water-borne theater that provides quality puppetry performances.
6. Admire the view from Primrose Hill.
Primrose Hill, situated on the northern boundary of Regent’s Park, is a picturesque grassy hill surrounded by fashionable boutiques. It is an ideal spot for people-watching and admiring the views of London’s skyline. Don’t miss the spectacular sunset as it illuminates the city if you want to get the best city views. Use your camera’s panoramic mode to spot the iconic landmark.
7. Spot wildlife at Walthamstow Wetlands
Opened in 2017, Europe’s largest municipal wetland nature reserve is home to 54 species of birds, making it a tranquil oasis for bird-watchers. Kingfishers can be spotted, as well as peregrine and wildfowl, but birders and anglers must have a permit for birding and fishing.
8. Smell the roses in Regent’s Park.
Regent’s Park, a Grade I-listed Royal Park, is home to London Zoo, Regent’s Park Boating Lake, and Regent’s Park Rose Gardens. Regent’s Park has one of the biggest collections of roses in the UK, with about 12,000 of over 85 species. The roses are fragrant all year, but the best time to visit is in early June.
Open-Air Theatre Regent’s Park offers magical outdoor theater from April to September. It is free and non-ticketed.
9. See free art at Tate Modern.
Tate Modern is a riverside icon on the South Bank of London, dedicated to contemporary and modern art. It is the younger, trendier sibling of Pimlico’s Tate Britain.
Inspired and challenged by the architecture, Tate Modern is built on what was once the Bankside Power Station, and its 2016 Switch House extension adds gallery space and 360-degree views over the London skyline.
Inside, you will find works by Warhol (1962), Matisse (1962), and Bourgeois (1962), all in the free permanent collection.The Tate Boat runs along the Thames between the two galleries every 30 minutes during the gallery opening hours. You can get in and out of the Tate Modern by using an Oyster or a contactless card, just like you would with the tube or bus.
10. Go on a dinosaur safari in Crystal Palace Park.
The Crystal Palace was a large glass exhibition hall in the south-east of London that burned down in 1930. Yes, you heard it right. This park is full of Victorian dinosaur sculptures that are anatomically wrong. Hire a pedalo, and you’ll be able to see the creatures that live on the lake’s edge from a whole new perspective. You might even be able to take a water-borne dinosaur selfie and get a few likes on your Instagram. There’s a maze in the park, and you can also visit the former Crystal Palace’s aquarium.
11. Discover the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park.
Holland Park is one of the most beautiful green spaces in London. It is home to sports pitches, play areas, wooded areas, an eco center, and the ruins of Holland House, which was destroyed in the Second World War.
The park is home to a hidden gem: the Kyoto Garden, a traditional Japanese garden. It was created as part of London’s Japan Festival in 1992. The garden is well-maintained and has water features as well as traditional Japanese plants and trees. Don’t miss the best time of year to visit the garden, as it is at its most beautiful in the autumn.
12. See a world-class exhibition at the V&A.
The world’s leading museum for decorative art and design, it’s a cathedral to culture. Popular ticketed exhibitions sell out quickly, but the permanent exhibitions are captivating and open to the public (you can book a ticket and a time slot through the museum’s new and socially remote system). The V&A’s flagship exhibition is a must-see. But there’s more to see than that.
The museum’s world-famous “porcelain courtyard,” designed by Amanda Levete and featuring 11,000 hand-made tiles, is a sight to behold. When the sun hits the ceramics, they sparkle and make London look like 1960s Rome.
13. Eat your way around Borough Market.
The oldest food market in London dates back to the 13th century, and it’s your one-stop shop for all things artisanal. It used to be a British market, but now you can find traders from all over the world, as well as street food sellers.
What do you get there? –
1. French confit duck sandwiches
2. Ethiopian stews
3. Scotch eggs, elevated (of course).
The market used to be packed with people, but now it’s COVID-safe (although facemasks are still required). You’ll want to get there early (get a cup of coffee at Monmouth), but you can also pick up a bottle of water from a nearby riverside picnic.
14. Buy fancy fabric at Liberty
Liberty is a quirky department store based near Oxford Circus, founded in 1875. Built in the 1920s with the timbers from two ancient warships, the store is a mock-up of the famous Marlborough Street. Liberty trades on its past, but it also brings fashion into its timber-paneled rooms, where you can find silks, Liberty-printed cottons, and one-off designer collaborations.
Liberty’s Christmas Shop is open for most of the year, and it’s a magical, glittery, gift-wrapped Christmas grotto. It’s the perfect place to find weird and wonderful Christmas decorations for your tree, like Brussels sprout baubles, etc.
15. Order a full English breakfast at E. Pellicci.
Since 1900, this workers’ café has been serving carbs and protein in eggs, meat, and pan-fried forms to the people of east London. Traces of past eras, such as art deco interiors and Formica tables, have earned the restaurant E Pellicci grade II-listed status. But what diners love most of all is that the fried foods, grills, and Italian plates are all still served by the same family. As strange as it may seem, you’ll want to follow your fry-ups with a slice of bread and butter pudding—a customer favorite.
16. Sip Martinis in the comfort of Dukes Bar.
If you’re looking for a strong and tasty cocktail in a beautiful setting, then this hotel bar is for you. It’s Stanley Tucci’s favorite and was Ian Fleming’s favorite when he was writing the Bond books. The cocktails are some of the most expensive in London, but the bar snacks are delicious. On your way out, stroll along the cobbled streets of St. James’s Square (the drinks are really strong). Don’t miss the Martinis, which are made from a trolley wheeled out to you.
17. Lose yourself in the Dulwich Picture Gallery.
The UK’s first purpose-built public art gallery is an absolute south London jewel.
Sir John Soane, one of this country’s greatest architects, has designed this south London gallery in such a way that his genius is matched only by its extraordinary collection of Old Master paintings.
Not only do we have four Rembrandts and Canalettos, but we also have works by Gainsborough, Van Dyck, and many more.If that’s not enough, it’s in Dulwich Village, with great family workshops, interesting temporary shows, and a pleasant café.
Don’t miss Rembrandt’s ‘Girl at a Window’, pinched several times.
18. London Eye
Also known as the Ferris wheel, it is the world’s largest cantilever observation wheel, giving you the best city views. Spanning 135 meters, it was designed and built in partnership with Marks Barfield architects and opened in 2000. The London Eye has won more than 85 awards for tourism in the UK and abroad, as well as for architectural excellence and engineering excellence.
It’s also known for the Queen’s Gallery, the Royal Mews, the Royal Residences, and the Royal Family. Although Buckingham Palace is the seat of government for the Royal Family, it is very much a home for the family.
20. “Breathe in Neon Light at God’s Own Junkyard”
Walthamstow’s God’s Own Junkyard is home to a vast collection of neon artwork. Its late owner, Chris Bracey, collected the lights for almost 40 years, crafting and restoring them as he went along.
Now on display at the junkyard, some of the lights are seedy, advertising 1960s strip clubs or peep shows in Soho, while others are warmly nostalgic. Inside the glowing grotto, the Rolling Cones Café serves hot drinks or something stronger to match the electrified atmosphere.
Few Notables-
- Tower Bridge: It is made of concrete and steel and was opened to the public in 1973. Unlike other bridges in London, the Tower Bridge has never collapsed. It still stands as it was constructed in 1894 and is widely recognized as London’s defining landmark.
- Big Ben: Big Ben is arguably the world’s most iconic clock. Its iconic shape is unmistakable, and it’s one of the most popular Instagrammed places in the world. Since the bells first rang their now-famous tune across Westminster, six different monarchs and 41 different prime ministers have risen and fallen.
- Red phone box: The red phone box has long been associated with British culture. In 2006, it was voted one of the UK’s top 10 design icons.
- Portobello Road Market: The world’s biggest antique market is situated on a leafy shopping street in the heart of London’s inner city, Portobello Road. It’s home to a variety of stalls selling everything from antiques to bric-a-brac.
Conclusion
The UK is one of the most innovative and diverse countries in the world. It has stunning landscapes, a rich culture, happening events, and a rich history dating even back to Roman times.The airfare to the UK varies depending on the city you are visiting and whether you are traveling in Economy Class or Premium Class. Plan your next holiday to London with Qatar Airways. Explore the culture and heritage of this epicenter and complete your list of activities in London.
