Top 10 Things to Do in London in 2021
There are so many great things to see and do in London that you could spend weeks there without getting bored. But what if you’re only visiting for the weekend, or even for a day trip? How can you fit everything in?
You probably won’t be able to see and do everything you want to on a short city break to London, so let’s look at some of the most popular, must-see attractions for your trip to London.
1. Ride the London Eye
If you’re visiting London for the first time, then what better way to see it all than from the top of a giant wheel? You’ll enjoy spectacular views across the city from inside your pod, discovering new areas of London as you move around the Eye.
You can book your London Eye ticket online to save up to 20%, with a standard ticket costing £31 if you buy it on the day. Or splash out for a private pod instead, or even a hosted champagne experience.
2. Visit Buckingham Palace
The Royal Family is one of the big draws of London, especially for international tourists. Whether you want to tour parts of the palace or witness the iconic Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace is a must during your trip. Even just wandering through Green Park and St James’s Park and seeing the palace from the outside is a treat.
And you can tour Buckingham Palace Gardens, with an adult ticket costing £16.50.
3. Take a cruise on the River Thames
Another great way to take in more of London is by booking a river cruise along the Thames. There is a wide range of cruises available, whether you want to speed down the Thames in a speedboat or enjoy a more leisurely pace complete with afternoon tea. You can take a tour with an audio guide providing history and information, or a hop-on hop-off tour that takes you to some of London’s most popular attractions along the river.
4. Be fascinated by the British Museum
There are lots of great museums to visit across the English capital, one of the best known of which is the British Museum. This museum is filled with interesting displays of history, art, and culture. Notable exhibits include the Rosetta Stone and a taxidermy “mermaid” that belonged to Queen Victoria’s grandson.
Like most museums in London, it’s free to enter the majority of the British Museum. You can pay just £7 (or £6 concessions) for an audio guide that lets you delve deeper into the history.
5. Admire art at the Tate Modern
Free to enter galleries are plentiful in London too, including the Tate Modern. This striking building sits on the south bank of the River Thames in the borough of Southwark, housing a variety of modern art exhibitions, including temporary and special exhibits that may require a paid ticket. It’s a must-visit for art fans! And there’s the partnering Tate Britain too, located in Westminster, with more historic British art as well as modern pieces.
6. Explore Kew Gardens
London certainly isn’t short of attractive parks, but perhaps the best way to enjoy nature and a wide variety of plant species is at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Explore the beautiful and colourful surroundings and even learn about the science behind the plants housed there. And there’s an interactive children’s garden to keep the little ones entertained.
A standard adult ticket to Kew Gardens costs just £15, and £5 for children.
7. Take a tour of Westminster Abbey
There is some incredible architecture to admire around Central London. One great example of this is the gothic church, Westminster Abbey, which has hosted lots of royal weddings throughout the centuries. The church originally dates back more than a thousand years, although the gothic style you see today was mostly constructed in the 13th century.
You can tour the Abbey to see the amazing constructions and artwork contained inside it, with tickets costing £18 for adults.
8. Browse or buy at Harrods
London is a dream city for shopaholics, and one of the most famous places you should visit is Harrods department store. This massive store practically has it all, from clothes, cosmetics, and jewellery to food, toys, and furniture. It’s a luxurious place, so don’t expect to find any bargains there, but it’s the perfect place for window shopping even if buying something is out of your price range.
9. Explore the Tower of London
Another historical marvel that you must see on your visit to London is the Tower of London. Tickets are a little less than £30 for adults and £15 for kids (depending on when you visit), but there is so much to see for that price. Explore this magnificent castle and former prison to learn all about its history, including real stories of its prisoners, and even see the Crown Jewels and the famous Tower of London ravens.
10. Go to the top of The Shard
The Shard, located next to London Bridge, is worth a visit just to say that you’ve been to the top of the tallest building in the UK (and the 7th tallest in all of Europe). This modern building towers more than 1,000-feet high above the city, offering amazing 360° views of London from the 72nd-floor viewing platform. A full-price standard ticket costs £32, with savings available when you book online. And if you’ve got the budget for it, you can treat yourself to a meal or a drink at one of The Shard’s various bars and restaurants, or even stay the night at the Shangri’La hotel.
If you’re seeing the sights on a budget, then you can find combined tickets that let you save money when seeing multiple London attractions.
Whatever you plan to see and do during your trip to London, you can get around easily with a convenient taxi service from Airport Transfers UK. We provide affordable and reliable airport taxis as well as in-destination taxi services across London. Get a free online quote for your London taxi to save up to 30% when you book your trips with us in advance.