Discovering London for the very first time? Or maybe this is your 10th adventure to the city? However many times you’ve visited the UK capital, it’s always important to plan your trip thoroughly.
Here we look at the essential things to know when planning what to do in London. We’ll cover any visa requirements for travelling to the UK, what to see in the city and some free activities to enjoy with the kids.
As well as booking those all-important flights (and that swift airport transfer directly into Central London), you’ll also need to consider any visa requirements before you fly.
Entry requirements for London and the rest of the UK differ depending on your nationality and passport – with most people now needing an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to enter. You usually need an ETA if you’re travelling from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries.
You can apply for an ETA in advance on the UK government website for £16 and it allows entry into the UK for up to six months. Some nationalities (including those from China or India) will require a visa instead, so it’s worth checking out which category you fall into well in advance to ensure your visit goes smoothly and there are no last-minute issues.
With your entry requirements sorted, it’s time to move onto the fun part – deciding on your London activities. Thoughtfully planning what you might want to do on each day of your trip is key to enhancing your overall experience and making sure you get the most out of your time.
Here are just a few ideas for things to do on a London city trip:
Look at a London map and you’ll find this historic square mile (once its main financial district) at the very centre. It’s one of the most packed areas of the city when it comes to sightseeing and a great place to focus on if you’ve got very limited time to explore.
Getting around the City of London can be easily done on foot, allowing you to soak up key sights as you stroll between attractions. And, speaking of attractions, you’ll have plenty to choose between – from St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Museum of London to the Sky Garden and Spitalfields Market.
There are some quirky laws to be aware of that apply just to the City of London too, including things like not beating rugs before 8am and not carrying planks in the streets.
Three days (or a long weekend) is the perfect amount of time to tick off London’s top sights without feeling too rushed – especially if you plan ahead and make a rough itinerary for each day that reflects your unique personal interests.
On day one, you might want to explore some of the city’s royal heritage with trips to Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, stopping off to view the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben on route. If you can, head to Buckingham Palace on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday at 11am for the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. Try and be in place by 10.30am at the latest to secure a good spot.
It’s then just a 15-minute walk to Westminster Abbey from the palace. You can go inside Westminster Abbey, but remember it’s a working church. Tickets are £31 for standard adult tickets, and you can buy them in advance or on the day. Opening hours are from around 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Day two could be dedicated to touring the Tower of London or Tower Bridge followed by a visit to the Sky Garden or the Shard to soak up amazing river or skyline views.
You’ll need to buy tickets in advance for the Tower of London to guarantee entry at a specific time. Top highlights include the Crown Jewels – a spectacular collection of regalia, including crowns, sceptres, and orbs still used today – the White Tower and the Medieval Palace. The Yeoman Warders (also called Beefeaters) lead tours around the complex.
At Tower Bridge you can walk across the high-level walkways, and enjoy panoramic views across London. Talking of views, the Sky Garden offers 360° views of the city’s skyline. There’s an open air terrace, if you’ve got the stomach for it, as well as three restaurants and two bars. Entry is free, but you only get an hour. It makes sense to book tickets before you go to guarantee entry.
The views from the Shard are equally as impressive. The lift speeds up to level 68 in no time, and there’s a viewing deck on level 69. But it’s the open air deck on level 72 which offers the best experience.
Finally, you can’t visit London without checking out at least one of its incredible museums. Spend the last morning of your trip perusing the exhibits at the Natural History Museum or the Imperial War Museum.
The afternoon could then take you to Oxford Street for some retail therapy and last-minute souvenir shopping.
Discover more about what to do in London in three, four and five days, as well as how to get around on your three-day tour of the capital.
Planning to visit London with kids in tow? The city is jam-packed with family-friendly activities – and many of them are ideal for those on a budget.
Having a few ideas for things to do will make your family escape much more enjoyable, especially if you need to factor in opening times or book tickets in advance for certain attractions.
As one of the biggest and busiest cities in Europe, exploring London with smaller children may seem overwhelming at first. Luckily, there’s lots to do to keep every single member of your family entertained.
Most London museums have fantastic interactive learning areas for kids. You’ll also find plenty of West End theatre shows that are family-friendly (including the Lion King and Matilda), plus attractions like Madam Tussauds and the London Zoo that are a hit with both teens and little ones.
One top tip is to try and group your activities by location to minimise how much time you have to spend with the kids on London’s busy public transport system.
Another way you can make sure your upcoming trip to London goes as smoothly as possible is to consider a hassle-free airport transfer when you arrive and depart.
Our premium Heathrow Express rail service is ideal for those arriving into Heathrow Airport, putting you in the heart of Central London in under 15 minutes. Book your tickets in advance for peace of mind and the best possible price.
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