30 Fun & Unique Things to Do in London for First Timers

Thinking about visiting London but feeling overwhelmed with everything there is to do? You’re not alone!

London is one of those cities that’s so packed with both iconic landmarks and hidden gems, it can be hard to know where to even start when planning a trip.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit London twice, most recently in August 2024 with my best friend. We spent 4 magical, action-packed days trying to squeeze in as much as we could. And trust me, there’s a lot to fit in!

One of the biggest things I learned on that trip was the importance of tackling activities by neighborhood. London is massive (did you know there’s 32 boroughs?!). You don’t want to waste time crisscrossing the city each day while trying to see and do it all.

So, I’ve put together my list of the top things to do in London and grouped it generally by area, so you can understand which activities are close by each other! This list will cover neighborhoods like Westminster, South Bank, central London, the City of London, and Kensington, as well as some things to do outside the city center!

And you absolutely do not have to do everything on this list, but it’s a great place to start to get some ideas. So whether you’re a first-timer or returning for another adventure, I hope this list helps you choose some incredible activities for your trip!

Getting Around London

Before we jump into the list of all the fun things to do, let’s talk about how to get around London! As mentioned, London is a huge city, so it’s not as simple as walking everywhere on this list. When compared to Paris, London feels a lot more spread out and has more distinct areas that require transportation between them.

So, this guide is broken down by major neighborhood, including Westminster, South Bank/The City of London, Central London, Hyde Park/Kensington, and a few spots outside the city!

To get a feel for where these areas are located within London, take a look at the map below from VisitLondon.com!

P.S. Wondering which neighborhood you should base yourself in? Check out my guide on Where to Stay in London for a full breakdown!

When it comes to getting around, most first-time visitors might be intimidated by using public transportation in a new country, but I promise it’s not as complicated as it seems! In London, this means taking the Tube and the city buses.

The London Underground, better known as the Tube, is usually the fastest way to get around the city, especially if you’re going further distances. It’s super efficient and well-connected, and most of the major tourist areas have a Tube station nearby!

You can pay with an Oyster Card or just tap your contactless credit card (or cell phone) at the turnstiles – easy peasy.

In addition to the Tube, London’s iconic red double-decker buses are a must at least once during your trip. Not only are they fun, but they’re also a cheap way to see the city! Some routes, like the #11, pass by tons of famous landmarks.

Just keep in mind that buses can be a little slower than the Tube, especially during rush hour.

And even with public transportation, you’ll definitely be walking a lot in London! Some areas, like Westminster and South Bank, are super walkable and packed with sights close together.

A good rule of thumb is to check walking distances before you automatically hop on the Tube — sometimes it’s actually quicker to walk! Especially when you account for the time it takes to get down into the Tube station and to the train itself.

When it comes to navigating between landmarks and neighborhoods, I highly recommend using Google Maps during your trip! You’ll be able to plug in where you’re going and Google Maps will tell you exactly which way is the fastest, including walking, the Tube, the bus, or a combination!

And if you’re in a pinch, you can always take an Uber or an iconic black cab, but they are definitely more expensive!

➡️ You can read more about getting around London and other helpful tips in my Beginner’s Guide to Traveling to London for the First Time!

Things to Do in Westminster

Westminster is one of the most iconic areas of London and is probably what you picture when you think of the capital of England! (I.e. Big Ben, Elizabeth Tower, Buckingham Palace, etc!)

The great news? Most of Westminster’s famous landmarks are super close together, making it one of the most walkable areas to explore. You can spend half a day (or more) walking around Westminster and seeing the top sights.

Below are some of those iconic sights, with my recommendation on how to see them efficiently!

📋 A few of these experiences need to be booked well before you leave home (and flights, travel insurance, and accommodation even earlier). My Passport to Confidence guide is a $7 month-by-month planning roadmap that tells you exactly what to do when. Plan your London trip stress-free!

See Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower

You can’t visit London without seeing Big Ben! Technically, Big Ben is the name of the massive bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, but everyone just calls the whole clock tower Big Ben.

The area around Big Ben is the heart of London’s tourist district. To get here, you can take the Tube to Westminster station, and it will dump you out right at the foot of Big Ben!

There’s a beautiful green space (Parliament Square Garden) in between Big Ben and Westminster Church that is great for photos. For the best views, however, I recommend walking across Westminster Bridge. You’ll get an amazing angle of the tower plus the Houses of Parliament stretching along the river.

You can save this walk for the end of the morning when you’re ready to ride the London Eye, which is nearby.

Explore Westminster Abbey

Right next to Big Ben is the famous Westminster Abbey! You can visit it from the outside, but to really experience it, I highly recommend getting tickets in advance to visit inside the grounds.

When we visited, we only saw it from the outside because the line to buy tickets was insane! So we skipped it, which I regret!

To avoid this mistake, I highly recommend booking a guided tour of Westminster that includes pre-booked tickets for the Abbey, plus a tour of the other sites.

This is a great way to experience all the iconic landmarks of Westminster like the Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and even Downing Street while learning about the history, political drama, royal scandals, and more!

See Buckingham Palace and Watch the Changing of the Guard

Watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of those super “British” experiences that’s definitely fun but also insanely crowded!

We accidentally visited on a Friday 5 minutes before the ceremony started and were shocked by how many people were there! So if you’re not a fan of large crowds, I don’t recommend visiting Buckingham Palace while the ceremony is going on.

Luckily, it only happens a few times a week at specific times (normally Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:00am) so it’s easy to miss! You can check the latest dates and times here on Changing-Guarding.com.

Note: Watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony is 100% free! No tickets or advanced reservations required.

Besides the ceremony, you’ll definitely want to spend some time observing the outside of the Palace, but there isn’t a ton to do here besides that.

If you want to go inside the Palace, you’ll have to plan ahead! The State Rooms open to visitors each summer, but during the rest of the year, you can only visit on select days through small guided tours.

Check the latest regarding entry to Buckingham Palace on the Royal Collection Trust website!

Ride the London Eye

Last up in the Westminster area is taking a ride on the London Eye! While technically located on the South Bank, it’s right across Westminster Bridge from Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. So I recommend tackling this when you’re done with the Westminster area!

The London Eye is a giant observation wheel that sits right on the River Thames and is one of the most popular attractions in the city. The Eye has 32 glass capsules (one for each of London’s boroughs) and slowly rotates to give you sweeping 360° views over the whole city.

Each full ride takes about 30 minutes, and on a clear day, you can see landmarks like Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and even Windsor Castle way off in the distance. Even though it’s touristy, the views are gorgeous!

The cost of tickets for the London Eye typically range from $35-$55 depending on the time of year and time of day. For example, tickets during the middle of summer in the middle of the day will be the highest.

To avoid lines, I highly recommend booking your ticket in advance and selecting the “Fast Track” option. This will allow you to skip the main line when you arrive! (Lines for the standard tickets can easily be over an hour long during busy times).

Book your London Eye Fast-Track tickets here to skip the lines when you arrive! 🎡

Things to Do in the City of London and South Bank

The South Bank and the City of London are two areas that are packed with more famous sights, riverside views, and some of the best hidden gems in the city. The South Bank stretches along the River Thames and is known for its walkable promenade, famous attractions, and lively atmosphere.

On the other side of the river, the City of London — often just called “the City” — is the historic heart of London, filled with centuries-old buildings tucked between modern skyscrapers.

This part of London is perfect for a full day of sightseeing, eating, and exploring. You’ll find a little bit of everything here, from world-famous landmarks like the Tower of London and Tower Bridge to food markets, rooftop gardens, historic pubs, and even a few spots that Harry Potter fans will recognize.

I’ve combined these two areas since they are right across the river from each other, connected by the famous Tower Bridge! For this reason, they are easy to tackle in the same day.

Cruise the Thames River

Taking a cruise along the River Thames is the perfect bridge activity (pun intended) between the City of Westminster and the City of London.

We booked this river cruise which took us from Westminster Pier to the pier next to the Tower of London. The cruise was such a fun way to get a different perspective of the city.

Plus, it included live commentary that was full of fun facts (and some pretty cheesy jokes) about both historic and modern day London. It’s also a great way to give your feet a break before a busy day of sightseeing!

During the 30-minute cruise, you’ll pass by iconic sights like the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and more before ending up with spectacular views of the Tower of London from the water!

Check availability and pricing of this Thames River Cruise here! ⛴️

Visit the Tower of London

In my opinion, the Tower of London is one of the most fascinating places to visit in London. Located on the banks of the Thames right next to Tower Bridge, you can choose to walk around the outside for free or purchase a ticket to tour the grounds and interior buildings, which I highly recommend!

Built nearly 1,000 years ago by William the Conqueror, the Tower has been a royal palace, a fortress, a prison, and even a treasury. Today, it’s best known for housing the Crown Jewels, which are even more dazzling in person!!

My favorite part (weirdly enough) was seeing the exhibition about the methods of torture used at the Tower of London, complete with replicas of the instruments.

You’ll also see the famous Beefeaters (guards of the Tower), the ravens that “protect the Tower,” and hear plenty of stories about royal intrigue, executions, and ghostly legends!

Like the other popular London attractions, it’s definitely worth booking your ticket in advance, especially during the busy months, as the morning slots often sell out! And if you want to be the first inside, you can book an early access tour below!

Walk Across Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of the most beautiful (and most misnamed) bridges in the world. Often mistaken for the London Bridge, the Tower Bridge sits across the Thames and is known for its Neo-Gothic style and iconic blue trusses.

Walking across it is completely free, and it gives you incredible views down the Thames in both directions!

However, if you want to make it extra memorable, you can also buy a ticket to go inside and walk across the glass walkway between the towers. You’ll get to look straight down onto the bridge and the river below. Probably not great if you have a fear of heights!

This ticket also includes a visit to the Victorian Engine Rooms that once powered Tower Bridge!

Grab Drinks at the Sky Garden

If you’re looking for amazing skyline views without the steep ticket price of the Shard, check out the Sky Garden instead. It’s a huge indoor garden at the top of the “Walkie-Talkie” skyscraper, and best of all — visiting is free!

You just need to reserve your entry time slot online ahead of time (and they do book up, especially weekends). Inside, there’s a cafe and bar where you can grab coffee, cocktails, or small bites while you soak in panoramic views over London.

It’s a really fun, relaxed spot to catch your breath between sightseeing!

Eat at Borough Market

Foodies, this one’s for you! Across the river from the City of London along the South Bank, you’ll find Borough Market, one of the oldest and most famous food markets in London.

The market is packed with vendors selling everything from fresh-baked bread and gourmet cheeses to Indian street food, fresh oysters, and French pastries. The smells alone will have you drooling!!

It’s a great place to grab a casual lunch, stock up on picnic supplies, or just wander around and snack on whatever catches your eye.

We actually visited twice during our 4 days in London because we loved it that much! Just make sure to check which day you’re visiting – the market was closed when we went to visit on a Monday.

It’s located right near London Bridge Station, making it a perfect pit stop after exploring Tower Bridge. We decided to walk from the Tower of London to the market, which took less than 20 minutes!

Take a Harry Potter Walking Tour

If you’re a Harry Potter fan like me, you already know that London is a perfect place to take a Harry Potter walking tour! While the majority of filming took place at Leavesden Studios outside of London (which I will get to later), there are still plenty of places to see in central London!

Besides the famous Platform 9 and 3/4 at King’s Cross station, most of the film locations are centered in the City of London, like the entrance to the Ministry of Magic and the real-life Diagon Alley.

By booking a Harry Potter walking tour like this one, you’ll get to see these spots and more with a local guide who knows all the fun details you’d normally miss!

This tour starts near the Sky Garden and ends at Borough Market, so it’s the perfect addition to your itinerary!

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and Tate Modern

Just down the South Bank from Borough Market, you’ll find two other unique things to check out in London! First up, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, a faithful reconstruction of the original Elizabethan playhouse where many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed.

You can tour the theater during the day, but I’d highly recommend seeing a show here instead! You can check out the Globe Theatre website for a list of what’s on during your visit. Ticket prices vary, but they do offer cheap standing-room tickets as well!

Nearby, the Tate Modern is one of London’s top modern art museums. Even if you’re not usually into modern art, it’s worth popping inside, as the building itself is a converted power station and really striking.

Plus, like many other London museums, entry is free! More museum recs to come in the next few neighborhoods!

Visit Leadenhall Market

Last but not least in the City of London area is Leadenhall Market! This market has a completely different vibe than Borough Market and feels like stepping back in time.

It’s a beautiful covered Victorian market filled with boutique shops, pubs, and restaurants. The colorful ironwork and glass ceiling make it one of the most photogenic spots in London. You might visit Leadenhall as part of your Harry Potter tour, as several of the films had scenes here.

It’s a bit smaller than Borough Market but perfect for a quick wander, especially if you’re already near the Tower of London or Sky Garden!

Things to Do in Central London

If you’re looking for classic London vibes — bustling squares, historic theaters, cute cafes, and endless shops — Central London is the place to be. This area includes neighborhoods like Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square, and the West End, and it’s one of the liveliest parts of the city both day and night.

You’ll find everything from world-class shopping and trendy restaurants to famous theaters where you can catch a musical or a Shakespeare play.

It’s also one of the best areas to just wander and see where the day takes you, with hidden alleyways, street performers, and beautiful old architecture around every corner.

Most of the major sights here are within easy walking distance of each other, so it’s the perfect area to explore on foot after visiting another area in the morning!

Shop at Covent Garden

One of my favorite places we visited during our time in London was Covent Garden! It’s a gorgeous open-air piazza surrounded by boutique shops, cozy cafes, and colorful street performers.

The Apple Market inside the historic Covent Garden building is perfect for picking up handmade jewelry, art, and unique souvenirs. Plus, there are tons of shops around the piazza, from big names like Chanel and Mulberry to quirky little stalls you can’t find anywhere else.

We spent a good chunk of time just wandering, people-watching, and grabbing a gelato here! There’s also a cute little outdoor cafe that overlooks the main piazza where we wanted to sit with an Aperol Spritz, but the wait was too long. It kinda feels like Italy here!

While in the area, make sure to check out the colorful Neal’s Yard neighborhood as well!

Eat at Dishoom

If you only have time for one sit-down meal in this area, make it Dishoom. This popular Bombay-style cafe pays homage to the Irani cafes of Mumbai and has become one of the most iconic (and delicious) spots to eat in London.

Seriously, if you ask someone for food recommendations in London, I guarantee they say Dishoom! There are several locations around town.

We had lunch at the Dishoom Covent Garden and it was so good that we came back for breakfast on our last day in London. The butter chicken and garlic naan were incredible, but their breakfast rolls are simply to die for.

Dishoom is super popular, so I highly recommend making a reservation if you can. If you can’t, try going at an off-peak time like mid-morning or late afternoon to avoid the longest waits! We got very lucky and didn’t have to wait for a table for 2 around 11am.

Explore Soho Nightlife

Soho is one of London’s entertainment and nightlife district, and it’s absolutely buzzing once the sun goes down. It’s packed with bars, pubs, clubs, and late-night restaurants. There’s something for every vibe, whether you want a quiet speakeasy-style cocktail bar or a wild night out.

We loved Cahoot’s Underground in Soho’s Kingly Court, an underground, speakeasy-style bar that is located in an old Underground station! The decor, workers, and drinks really lean into the train theme. We had a blast here!

During the day, Soho is a bit calmer and great for boutique shopping, coffee shops, and wandering through narrow streets with fun murals and hidden gems.

See Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is one of London’s most famous public spaces, though there isn’t a ton to actually do here! The square is anchored by Nelson’s Column, surrounded by fountains, and usually buzzing with street performers, tourists, and locals alike, so it’s a great place to people watch.

The National Gallery, which houses an incredible collection of European art (and is free to visit!), sits right on the edge of the square. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s a beautiful building to admire from the outside.

Trafalgar Square also tends to be a hub for public events and celebrations in London, which you may stumble upon during your visit.

It’s a quick stop to combine with Covent Garden Soho, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly Circus since they’re all close together.

Wander Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus

Just a few minutes’ walk from Trafalgar Square, you’ll find Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus — two of the busiest and most iconic spots in Central London.

Leicester Square is a pedestrian area known for its big movie premieres and small park with statues of famous film characters. Personally, we stopped by here just so I could see the Harry Potter statue, but it’s worth a walk through even if you don’t like movies!

Just a few minutes walk away, Piccadilly Circus is often called London’s version of Times Square, with huge LED screens and neon lights. It’s pretty touristy, but it’s worth seeing at least once just to take it all in. Plus, it’s a central point that’s close to Regent Street (great for shopping) and Soho.

Both of these spots are especially fun to walk through at night when everything’s lit up!

See a Play or Musical in the West End

You can’t come to London without seeing a show in the West End! London’s theater scene is world-famous, very similar to Broadway in New York City.

There are always tons of options showing in London, from long-running classics like Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera to new hits. You can either book tickets in advance if there’s a specific show you want to see, or check out the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for last-minute discounted tickets.

Most theaters are within walking distance of Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and Soho, making it easy to plan dinner and a show in the same night.

Visit the British Museum

The British Museum is one of those places you could spend hours (or days!) exploring and not see it all. Plus, it’s completely free to enter!

It’s home to over 8 million works, covering human history, art, and culture from all over the world.

Some of the biggest highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, and the ancient Egyptian mummies. Even if you’re not a huge museum person, the scale and variety here are seriously impressive.

Ge Lost in Gorgeous Bookshops

If you’re a fellow book lover, you’ll definitely want to carve out a little time to visit some of London’s gorgeous bookstores! Central London is packed with them, many tucked into charming little corners that you might otherwise miss.

A few favorites to check out include Daunt Books in Marylebone (a bit farther but worth it for the wood-paneled galleries), Foyles on Charing Cross Road (huge and iconic), and Hatchards on Piccadilly (the oldest bookshop in London).

I also highly recommend checking out this list of 9 Gorgeous Bookshops to Visit in London from my friend Julia! Whether you want to buy a souvenir book or just admire the cozy atmosphere, these shops are absolutely worth a wander.

Enjoy a Sunday Roast

One thing I learned about right before our trip to London from a friend was the tradition of Sunday Roast!

A Sunday Roast is a typical British dinner (served on Sundays, duh) that typically includes roasted meat (beef, chicken, or pork), crispy roast potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and lots of rich gravy. YUM!

We had our Sunday Roast at Mr. Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Garden and absolutely loved it. The cozy, vintage vibes of the pub made it feel like a little step back in time, and the food was so hearty and delicious.

You’ll find Sunday Roasts all over London, especially in traditional pubs. If you’re not near Covent Garden, just check the menus at nearby pubs on Sunday afternoons — almost all of them will have a roast option!

Things to Do in Hyde Park and Kensington

If you’re looking for a slightly more relaxed day in London, Hyde Park and Kensington are perfect places to slow down and soak up a different side of the city.

This part of London feels more residential and peaceful compared to the buzz of Central London, but there’s still plenty to see and do!

We chose to stay on the edge of Mayfair near Hyde Park at the Doubletree London during our stay, which we loved!

You can spend the morning cycling through sprawling royal parks, visit museums that are some of the best (and free!) in the world, enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, and stroll through beautiful historic neighborhoods.

Hyde Park and Kensington are also close enough to Central London that you can easily dedicate a full morning to exploring here and still have time for other activities in the late afternoon/evening.

Ride Bikes Through Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of London’s biggest and most beautiful parks, and the best way to explore it is by bike! You’ll find Santander Cycles (London’s bike share program) available right outside the park, and it’s super easy to rent one using the app.

Cycling through Hyde Park is such a fun way to cover more ground and see famous spots like the Serpentine Lake, Speaker’s Corner, and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain (more on that in a sec!).

There are tons of wide, flat paths, so it’s a relaxing ride even if you’re not super confident on a bike! Plus, the ones we rented were electric so we could cover more ground.

We actually took them all the way down through Hyde Park and Green Park to Buckingham Palace!

Visit the Princess Diana Memorial and Kensington Palace

At the far western side of Hyde Park, you’ll find Kensington Gardens and the Princess Diana Memorial, which is a beautiful and moving tribute to Princess Diana’s life and legacy.

The Memorial Gardens are located right outside Kensington Palace and are planted with flowers that were favorites of Diana’s. If you want to visit the inside of Kensington Palace, you can buy a ticket for a self-guided tour. The palace often has exhibits about royal history and Diana herself.

Even if you skip going inside (we did), it’s worth taking a quiet moment to explore the gardens. It feels much more intimate and personal than some of London’s bigger tourist attractions.

Have a Classic Afternoon Tea

One of the most iconic things to do in London is to treat yourself to traditional afternoon tea. If you’ve never done one before, it usually involves a multi-tiered tray packed with finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, pastries, and plenty of tea — or even champagne if you’re feeling fancy!

And there’s no better area for afternoon tea than Kensington. This part of London is filled with charming hotels and cafes offering the full traditional experience.

You can go super fancy at The Kensington Hotel or The Milestone Hotel, or find smaller, cozier tea rooms around South Kensington.

We actually had our afternoon tea at The Shard over on the South Bank, but I wouldn’t recommend it. While the views were incredible overlooking London and the River Thames, it was so overpriced and the food was mediocre.

Visit the Natural History Museum

If you love science, the Natural History Museum in South Kensington is a must-visit.

The building itself is stunning – it looks more like a cathedral than a museum, with a massive arched entryway and beautiful stonework.

Inside, you’ll find everything from dinosaur skeletons and giant whales to fascinating exhibits about volcanoes, minerals, and the natural world. It’s incredibly kid-friendly but also genuinely interesting for adults, too.

Best of all? Like many major museums in London, entry is free! Just be prepared for some crowds if you visit on a weekend or during school holidays.

Things to Do Outside Central London

If you have more than 2 days in London, there are some incredible experiences outside the city center that are absolutely worth making time for!

Whether you want to dive deeper into the world of Harry Potter, experience the excitement of a Premier League football match, or take a classic day trip to a historic town, these adventures are easy to add to your London itinerary with just a little extra planning!

Most of these spots are accessible by train or a guided tour, so you don’t necessarily need to rent a car unless you’re venturing even further out into the countryside.

Take a Day Trip Outside London

One of the best things about London is how easy it is to hop on a train and explore another incredible destination for the day! There are so many amazing day trip options depending on what you’re interested in.

Some of the most popular day trips include:

• Windsor: Visit Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s official residences (half day)
• Stonehenge & Bath: See the famous standing stones and then explore the ancient Roman baths
• Oxford: See the historic university city that inspired Harry Potter and tons of British literature
• Cotswolds: Wander through fairytale towns in the British countryside

I personally recommend a day trip if you have at least 4 days in London or more, since you really need 2-3 to do all the main sights in the city.

Note: A lot of tours actually combine some these locations into one epic (and long) day trip from London! These combination tours typically last 10-11 hours, but it’s a great way to see a ton in one day without navigating yourself.

See a Football Match (Or Tour a Stadium)

If you’re a sports fan, seeing a Premier League football match in London is such a cool experience! Football (soccer for us Americans) is basically a religion in Europe, and the energy inside the stadiums looks absolutely electric!

Because of their size, most stadiums are located outside the city center (at varying distances). Some of the big clubs based in London include:

• Arsenal (Emirates Stadium)
• Chelsea (Stamford Bridge)
• Tottenham Hotspur (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
• West Ham United (London Stadium)

Matches can sell out fast, especially for big games, so it’s smart to grab tickets as early as possible.

If you can’t score tickets to a match, even just doing a stadium tour is a fun alternative. A lot of clubs offer behind-the-scenes tours of their stadiums on non-game days.

We didn’t get to catch a live match on our last trip, but it’s 100% on my list for next time!

Also on my list is visiting Richmond, a real town outside of London made famous by the hit AppleTV show Ted Lasso. You can visit the Crown & Anchor pub and the street Ted lives on in real life here!

Visit the Harry Potter Studios

For Harry Potter fans, visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is a total bucket list experience. The studios are located in Leavesden, about 20 miles northwest of London, and they’re where most of the filming for all eight Harry Potter movies actually took place!

On the tour, you can walk through the real Great Hall, see the actual sets used for Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, the Hogwarts Express, and so much more. The amount of detail here is insane, from costumes and props to behind-the-scenes exhibits showing how the magic was made.

As a die-hard Harry Potter fan, this was a must-do when I visited London for the first time with my family in 2012. And since then, the tour has gotten even more elaborate!

I highly, highly recommend booking your tickets way in advance because they do sell out, especially during weekends and holidays. If you can’t find any availability, make sure to check GetYourGuide as well!

You can also book a tour that includes roundtrip transportation from central London if you don’t want to worry about navigating the trains yourself!

Now please enjoy these photos of my sister and me at the Studio Tour circa 2012!

Walk Across Abbey Road

If you’re a Beatles fan (or honestly, just want a fun, classic London photo), walking across Abbey Road is another fun thing to do in London! This famous crosswalk, located in the St. John’s Wood neighborhood just a little outside of central London, became iconic thanks to the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album cover.

The zebra crossing is still there today, and fans from all over the world come to recreate the famous walk. There’s even a live webcam you can check out before you go to see how busy it is!

(Please remember it’s a real road, so you may need to dodge some traffic to get your shot).

Abbey Road Studios, where the Beatles recorded much of their music, is right nearby too, and you can see the famous studio wall covered in messages from fans. It’s a quick, fun little adventure if you have an extra morning or afternoon in London!

Final Thoughts

There’s no way to see absolutely everything in London in just one trip, but that’s part of what makes it such an exciting city to visit!

Every neighborhood has its own vibe, and there’s always something new waiting around the next corner, whether it’s a hidden bookstore, a cozy pub, or a beautiful riverside walk.

I hope this guide gave you plenty of ideas to help you plan an incredible trip, whether it’s your first time or your tenth.

Remember: you don’t have to do it all. Pick a few neighborhoods that sound fun to you, plan your days by area to save time, and leave a little space for spontaneous adventures!

Read More London Blog Posts Below ⬇️🇬🇧
Action-Packed 2 Day London Itinerary
Perfect 4 Day London Itinerary for First Timers
Epic 7 Day London and Paris Itinerary!
Traveling To London For The First Time: A Beginner’s Guide
Where To Stay In London For First Timers: Breakdown By Neighborhood
30 Fun & Unique Things to Do in London for First-Timers!

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