The Best London Attractions & Activities

Recommended places to visit and things to do in London

Includes attractions in:  Central London  East London  North London  North West London  South East London  South West London  West London

Pre-book London Attractions, Tours & Experiences, including Bus Tours & Boat Cruises


 

British Museum

London WC1

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • history
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  • social history

The British Museum in London houses a vast collection spanning two million years of history, including the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures and Egyptian mummies. Free to enter, it’s one of the world’s greatest centres of culture and learning.

Westminster Abbey

London SW1

  • place of worship
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • politics
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  • religion
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  • royalty

Westminster Abbey is London’s iconic Gothic church, famed for royal coronations, weddings and burials. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it holds centuries of British history, with monuments to monarchs, poets and statesmen.

St Paul's Cathedral

London EC4

  • place of worship
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion

St Paul’s Cathedral is an iconic London landmark with a majestic dome, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Visitors can explore its ornate interior, climb to the Whispering Gallery and enjoy sweeping city views from the Golden Gallery.

Tate Modern

London SE1

  • art gallery
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • film
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  • photography

Tate Modern in London is a world-class contemporary art museum housed in a former power station. Its vast Turbine Hall and diverse exhibitions showcase global modern art, offering striking river views from its viewing terrace.

The London Eye

London SE1

  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • shop

The London Eye is a giant riverside observation wheel offering breathtaking views across the capital. Its glass capsules provide a smooth 30-minute ride, showcasing landmarks like Big Ben, St Paul’s, and the Thames from above.

  • art gallery
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • art

The National Gallery in London houses one of the world’s greatest collections of European paintings, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Masterpieces by artists like Van Gogh, Rembrandt and da Vinci are displayed free in Trafalgar Square.

The Tower of London

London EC3

  • fortress
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • military history
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  • jewellery
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  • politics
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  • royalty

The Tower of London is a historic fortress on the Thames, famed for its role as a royal palace, prison and treasury. Visitors can see the Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders and centuries of history within its ancient walls.

  • art gallery
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  • historic house
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • fashion
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  • furniture
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  • jewellery
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  • photography
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  • royalty

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, with over 2.8 million objects. Its collections span fashion, jewellery, sculpture, ceramics and more, housed in a stunning Victorian building.

Buckingham Palace

London SW1

  • historic house
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  • limited opening
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • royalty

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the monarch, known for its grand façade, lavish State Rooms and the Changing of the Guard ceremony. It remains a central symbol of the British monarchy and national events.

    Covent Garden Central Market, in London, began as a 17th-century fruit and vegetable market. Today, its restored halls bustle with boutique shops, cafés, and street performers, preserving the lively spirit of its historic trading past.

    • landmark
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • open year round
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    • architecture
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    • history
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    • politics

    The Houses of Parliament, with the iconic Big Ben clock tower, sit on the Thames as symbols of British democracy. Visitors can admire the Gothic Revival architecture, take guided tours and see debates in the historic chambers.

    Hyde Park

    London W2

    • park
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    • family-friendly
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    • free admission
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    • open year round

    Hyde Park, one of London’s Royal Parks, spans 350 acres of open space, lakes and gardens. A historic site for public gatherings and recreation, it offers boating on the Serpentine, cycling, walking paths and cultural events amid natural beauty.

    Imperial War Museum

    London SE1

    • museum
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    • family-friendly
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • free admission
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    • open year round
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    • café
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    • shop
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    • history
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    • military history
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    • social history

    The Imperial War Museum explores conflict from WWI to today through powerful exhibits, personal stories, and military artefacts. Highlights include the Holocaust Galleries, Spitfire and Lancaster displays, and thought-provoking temporary exhibits.

    • museum
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    • family-friendly
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • open year round
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    • café
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    • shop
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    • history
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    • industrial heritage
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    • social history
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    • transport
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    • trains
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    • buses

    The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden explores the history of the city’s transport, from iconic red buses to Tube trains. Interactive exhibits, vintage vehicles, and design displays showcase how transport shaped London’s growth and identity.

    Madame Tussauds

    London NW1

    • museum
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    • something different!
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    • family-friendly
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • open year round
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    • pre-booking advised
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    • café
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    • film
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    • history
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    • politics
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    • royalty
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    • sport
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    • TV

    Madame Tussauds London is a world-famous wax museum featuring lifelike figures of celebrities, royalty, and historical icons. With themed zones, interactive sets, and ever-changing displays, it offers an immersive mix of culture and entertainment.

    • museum
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    • family-friendly
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • free admission
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    • open year round
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    • World Heritage Site
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    • café
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    • shop
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    • history
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    • maritime heritage

    The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich explores Britain’s seafaring heritage through ships, maps, artefacts and art. Highlights include Nelson’s uniform and maritime treasures, all set within a grand UNESCO World Heritage site. Entry is free.

    • museum
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    • family-friendly
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • free admission
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    • open year round
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    • café
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    • guided tours
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    • virtual tours
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    • shop
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    • architecture
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    • geology
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    • nature

    The Natural History Museum in London is famed for its vast collection, from dinosaur skeletons to rare gems. Housed in a stunning Romanesque building, it offers interactive exhibits and world-leading science displays, perfect for all ages.

    Piccadilly Circus

    London W1

    • landmark
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    • free admission
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    • open year round

    Piccadilly Circus, in London’s West End, is a lively landmark known for its bright lights and the statue of Eros. Since its creation in 1819, it’s been a vibrant meeting point and symbol of the city’s energy and nightlife.

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    • all-weather attraction
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    • open year round
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    • restaurant
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    • art

    The Royal Academy of Arts, in London’s Burlington House, champions visual art through exhibitions, education, and its prestigious Summer Exhibition. Founded in 1768, it remains a leading institution run by artists for artists.

    Science Museum

    London SW7

    • museum
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    • family-friendly
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • free admission
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    • open year round
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    • café
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    • virtual tours
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    • shop
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    • history
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    • industrial heritage
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    • social history
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    • medicine
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    • science
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    • technology
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    • transport

    The Science Museum in London explores innovation through interactive galleries, historic inventions, and cutting-edge technology. Highlights include space travel, medicine, and engineering exhibits, making it a hub of discovery for all ages.

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