London Bucket List
London is too immense to take in during one stay. Or five. Numerous centuries of history heaped over history followed by more history. Marvelous exhibition halls don’t cost a thing. Its drama is comparable to Broadway. And with respect to food? London has inconspicuously formed one of Europe’s ideal food settings and nobody has tried to notice.
Why London belongs on your bucket list
London is full of surprises and you will be astonished to know that entry to its world-class museums like the British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&A, Natural History Museum is absolutely free. Yes, free! You read it correctly, not a single penny is required to witness some of the most extraordinary relics of humankind. What’s even more astonishing is that London is not just one city, but a cluster of many villages combined together. Bloomsbury resembles the set of Downtown Abbey. Shoreditch resembles the set of a warehouse rave party. And the pubs? Hunt for a pub from 1700 and enjoy a pint of beer in a room whose ceiling has remained the same since the times of Dickens. So, London by itself is enough reason to visit!
When to go
The best time to visit London, in my opinion, is early September; the weather's still nice and all the American tourists have gone home. However, here's the full rundown: May to September. This is when London is on its best behavior and the weather is pleasant. Pub gardens are open and outdoor festivals are taking place all over town. June has up to 16 hours of sunlight. Wimbledon takes place late June. Notting Hill Carnival is in August. London is abuzz. Spring is beautiful with flowers in bloom everywhere. Parks like Hyde Park and Kew Gardens are particularly stunning. Winter? Yes, winter is cold and miserable and grey. But the Christmas markets, theater, and the gothic nature of London makes it feel like a Dickens novel, if that's your thing. You'll survive.
Must-visit places in London
British Museum
There are eight million objects to see, covering two million years of human history. And entry is free! Just wander in. No security checks. It’s all pretty impressive. But you don’t really go for those big-hitters. You go for the overlooked gems. Queen Elizabeth’s clock – a perfect example. A simple clock given to the Queen, no big deal right? But then it becomes fascinating. 400 years old and it still keeps perfect time. How? Or the Marine Reptiles room. Never busy. Room to think.
Tower of London
One thousand years of power, paranoia, and beheadings – all contained within one fortress. The Crown Jewels are insane. There is a moving walkway past them so you can't just stop and stare – maddening. So go back around for a second time. The Yeoman Warder tours are fun – the blokes give talks as if they were there when the executions and backstabbing went down. Morning tickets. Get morning tickets. Afternoons are a zoo.
Buckingham Palace
The Changing of the Guard takes place at 11 a.m. It happens every day during the summer but only every other day during the rest of the year. You can get a great view by the Victoria Memorial rather than cramming around the gates. While you're here in summer, the State Rooms are open and you can wander through the very rooms where the monarchy conducts its business. Afterwards, walk through St. James's Park. It’s one of the loveliest strolls in the entire city – and most people don’t even realize it’s an option.
Borough Market
Make sure you come here on an empty stomach. Trust us. It’s been trading since the 1200s and it smells delicious. Raclette from Kappacasein, doughnuts from Bread Ahead, chorizo from Brindisa. All absolute musts. Wields its own kind of magic on a weekday in the sunshine. Saturday is crazy busy, but that’s part of the fun. If you only eat out in London once in your life, make it here.
The Shard
It is claimed to be the tallest building in Western Europe. They say you can see for 40 miles on a good day. All I know is that if you want to pay the price of admission and go up to the viewing platform on floors 68-72, you're a sucker. Instead, go to Aqua Shard on floor 31 or its neighbor Oblix on floor 32. Buy a drink. Same view. No entrance fee. Do not buy the hype on the Shard. Buy the view. Best at sunset, when the golden hues turn the cityscape into a glittering sea of tiny lights.
St. Paul's Cathedral
Not destroyed by the Blitz. Unbelievable. Christopher Wren’s Sistine Chapel is probably the most atmospheric space in London, and certainly the most peaceful. The view from the Golden Gallery is out of this world. And no, it's not exactly the height of the Shard. The Whispering Gallery on the ground floor is equally amazing. Wanna be blown away? Put your lips to the wall and whisper, someone standing 34 meters away will hear you clearly. Then you hear those cash registers ringing during Evensong, the choral music raises the hairs on your arms. Free. Most days.
Shoreditch & Brick Lane
While Brick Lane curry houses are famous, the truth is that the Ethiopian and Vietnamese banh mi shops next door are just as good. The entire street is a street art gallery, with new art going up each week. Upmarket and Backyard Market feature independent vendors hawking wares you'll actually want to buy on a Sunday. East London is a vibe. It's different. It's always been different.
Camden Market
Camden is a vibrant and eccentric part of London that embraces its uniqueness. The fusion of markets, music, and alternative culture creates an energetic atmosphere that is a feast for the senses. The diversity of food available at the markets is astounding, catering to all tastes and preferences. Stables Market is a treasure trove for those seeking unique vintage clothing. The best way to experience Camden is with an open mind and a sense of adventure, just let the madness wash over you. If you need a break, a peaceful walk along the canal is just a few steps away. It's a place that never sleeps.
Notting Hill & Portobello Road
Sure, the pastel houses look right out of a movie set, and that’s because they literally were. But the photo ops are totally with it. If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram recently you’ll know that pastels are having a ~moment~ in the travel world, and Notting Hill is home to some of the originals. The movement was started by the resident mews cats, so I hear.
Westminster Abbey
Every single English monarch since 1066 has been crowned here. This means that, without a doubt. Westminster Abbey is where England has been christened. There's enough royal history squished into this church to fill a small museum with leftover tales for a select few Mattress capacity. The Lady Chapel is home to the tomb of Edward the Confessor. Basically, the first English king ever to get credit for being a nice guy. Edwards tomb and its magnificent Purbeck marble canopy are supposed to be a pilgrimage site. It is believed by some that if you pray to the late King Edwards intercession, he will cure you of all your illnesses. His ghost presumably has better things to do.
Sky Garden
For no cost at all, you can visit a lush rooftop garden 35 stories high in the center of London. Included in the panoramic vista are such iconic structures as Tower Bridge, the Shard, and St. Paul's Cathedral, and best of all, you'll be looking down at all of them. The early morning slot is the quietest time, while the rooftop offers one of the most atmospheric sunsets in London. The bar and restaurant will charge you top dollar for everything, but just the view doesn't cost a penny.
London insider tips
- Oyster Card: Oyster Card or contactless payment for the Tube and buses. Daily limits are set on spending so you'll never go over budget. Just tap and go.
- Free museums: British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&A Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum. All free. The donation boxes are there but no one's checking. Take advantage of this offer – it's literally insane.
- Theatre: TKTS booth in Leicester Square for same-day West End tickets with up to 50% off. Go there in the morning for the best selection. National Theatre has day seats too. No excuses for not seeing a show.
- Sunday Roast: Find a good pub. Order the roast. That's it. That's the whole tip. Book ahead though – popular pubs are booked by noon. The Harwood Arms in Fulham and The Marksman in Hackney are excellent pubs.
- Walking: The Tube map lies to you about how far apart things are. Covent Garden to South Bank? Fifteen minutes walking. You'll see more in 15 minutes walking than you will on any Tube ride. Walking is good.
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