London Bucket List
You cannot begin to understand London in one visit. Or five. Two thousand years of history stacked upon history upon history. The best museums are free. The theater scene rivals Broadway. And the food? Well, London has quietly developed one of the best food scenes in all of Europe and no one has even bothered to notice.
Why London belongs on your bucket list
What you will find surprising about London is the British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&A, Natural History Museum—all of these world-class museums are free. Free! That's right; you do not have to pay a single penny to see some of the most important artifacts of human history. What you will find even more surprising about London is how it's really not one city but many villages stuck together. Bloomsbury is like something out of Downton Abbey. Shoreditch like something out of a warehouse rave party. And the pubs? Well, find a pub that's been around since 1700 and have a proper pint of beer under ceilings that haven't changed since Dickens was sipping ale within them. That's right; London alone is worth the trip.
When to go
May to September. This is when London decides to behave and nice weather. Pub gardens are open, outdoor festivals are happening all over town, and June has up to 16 hours of daylight. That's cheating! Wimbledon happens in late June. Notting Hill Carnival happens in August. London is electric. The spring is lovely for strolls through the many parks. Hyde Park and Kew Gardens are just insane with flowers. Winter? Cold and grey and miserable. But Christmas markets and theater and the brooding atmosphere of London make it seem like the setting of a Victorian romance. You'll be just fine.
Must-visit places in London
British Museum
Eight million objects. Two million years of history. Free admission. Let that sink in. The Rosetta Stone is right there, just sitting in a room you can walk into off the street. The Parthenon Marbles. Egyptian mummies. But then there's the Enlightenment Gallery or the Japanese galleries – that's where it gets really good. And don't even get me started on the Great Court with the glass roof – that's worth the trip alone. Three hours minimum. Probably more.
Tower of London
A thousand years of power, paranoia, and beheadings – all contained within one fortress. The Crown Jewels are absurd. There's a moving walkway past them so you can't just stop and stare – annoying. So go back around for a second time. The Yeoman Warder tours are entertaining – the guys give talks like they were there when the executions and backstabbing went down. Morning tickets. Get morning tickets. Afternoons are a zoo.
Buckingham Palace
Changing of the Guard is at 11 a.m. – daily in summer, every other day otherwise. Stand by the Victoria Memorial for a better view than fighting for a spot at the gates. If you're here in summer, the State Rooms open up and you can actually walk through where the monarchy gets its work done. After that, cut through St. James's Park. One of the nicest walks in the whole city – most people don't even know it's there.
Borough Market
Don't eat breakfast before arriving here. Seriously. This market has been going on since the 13th century, and it smells amazing. Melted raclette from Kappacasein, doughnuts from Bread Ahead, chorizo from Brindisa. All non-negotiables. Weekdays are relaxed. Saturdays are heaving, but the buzz makes it all worthwhile. If you're only going to do one foodie thing in London, do this.
The Shard
Tallest building in Western Europe. Panoramic views for 40 miles on a clear day. Visit the viewing platform on floors 68-72, I suppose. Unless you want the real experience. In which case, head to Aqua Shard on floor 31 or Oblix on floor 32. Get yourself a drink. Same views. Free admission. Don't believe the hype about the Shard. Believe the reality. Watch the sunset, and the city transforms from gold to a sea of tiny twinkling lights. That, my friend, is the experience.
St. Paul's Cathedral
Survived the Blitz. Still standing. Christopher Wren's masterpiece is the spiritual heart of London, and it deserves that title every time you gaze up at it. 528 steps to the Golden Gallery, and the view is genuinely as good as the Shard, without the price tag. Whispering Gallery is genuinely spine-tingling. Put your lips on the wall, whisper, and someone 34 meters away will hear it perfectly. Catch it during Evensong. Free. Most days. Choral music in the dome? One of the great free things to do in London.
Shoreditch & Brick Lane
Brick Lane curry houses get all the hype, and they're good, but honestly, the Ethiopian and Vietnamese banh mi shops around the corner are just as good. The whole area is a street art gallery, with new pieces appearing every week. You'll see different street art every time you visit. On Sundays, the Upmarket and Backyard Market feature independent vendors selling goods you actually want to buy. East London is its own thing. Always was. Always is.
Camden Market
Camden is loud, it's weird, and it's unapologetic about it. Markets merge with live music venues, which merge with tattoo shops, and they're all along the Regent's Canal. The food vendors at Camden Lock Market offer everything. All. Of. Them. You can find dozens of cuisines in one place. Stables Market, which is dedicated to vintage clothing, is some of the best in London. Don't go to Camden with a shopping list. Go there for the crazy. Then, if you need to calm down, take a stroll down the canal towards King's Cross. Day and night.
Notting Hill & Portobello Road
Pastel houses? Movie set, right? And they literally were. Portobello Road Market, which is on Saturdays, is almost a mile long. Antiques at the southern end, food vendors in the middle, and vintage clothing at the northern end. Walk the whole thing. Then, though, leave the main road and explore the side streets. The colorful houses and window boxes? Yeah, those are the real Notting Hill, the parts you might find if you wander off the beaten path.
Westminster Abbey
Every English monarch since 1066. Was crowned here. In this building. Poets' Corner is where you'll find Shakespeare, Austen, Dickens, and other writers—basically, the writers' hall of fame. The fan vaulted ceiling of the Lady Chapel is possibly the most beautiful piece of Gothic architecture you'll ever see in person. It's not free to get in (not that this is true of most of London's churches), but it's well worth paying for. Even better, try to catch a service here. It's free, and that's the best way to see this church in use.
Sky Garden
Free: A tropical garden in the sky, 35 floors up, and it doesn't cost anything. Just book online. Tower Bridge, the Shard, St. Paul's dome – all laid out below you. Grab the early morning slot if you want peace and quiet, grab the sunset slot if you want atmosphere. The bar and restaurant up there will charge you London prices (which are steep), but the free areas offer the same view for free. Save your cash.
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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