Things to Do in London: My Personal Highlights

I have been to London many times, and every visit I discover something new, which is exactly why I keep going back. The city is enormous, but its most memorable experiences cluster in a handful of classic sights. If you are planning a first trip, these are the things to do in London that I would not skip, arranged so you can cover them without racing across town.

Watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the image most people picture when they think of London, and the changing of the guard is the moment it comes to life. The ceremony runs most mornings, with the guards marching to music through the gates. Arrive at least half an hour early to get a decent view of the front railings, because the crowd builds quickly. I planned my whole morning around it once and it was worth the patience. Check the schedule before you go, because the timing shifts by season and by day, and the whole thing relocates to the nearby parade ground when the weather turns wet. After the ceremony, wander through the surrounding royal parks, which are lovely in their own right and an easy way to walk off the crowd and catch your breath.

Spend hours inside the British Museum

The British Museum is one of the great free museums of the world, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The building itself, with its soaring glass-roofed Great Court, is a spectacle before you even see an artefact. Inside you can move from ancient Egypt to classical Greece to galleries drawn from every corner of the globe. I always give myself at least half a day, because the collection rewards a slow pace. Do not try to see everything in one go. Pick a handful of rooms that genuinely interest you and let the rest wait for another visit. The famous highlights get crowded quickly, so head to them early and save the quieter galleries for the afternoon when the big tour groups have thinned out.

Explore the Tower of London and walk the river

Few spots carry as much history as the Tower of London, the riverside fortress that has guarded the city for nearly a thousand years. I spent the best part of a morning inside the walls, seeing the Crown Jewels and walking the battlements with a Beefeater guide whose stories brought the place alive. The famous ravens and the ancient stonework give you a tangible sense of the centuries of intrigue that unfolded there. Afterward, I strolled along the river on Tower Bridge, which gives you a view of the whole scene from the water. The walk along the South Bank from here toward the city is one of my favourite ways to see London, with the skyline changing around every bend and plenty of places to stop for a drink.

Take in a show in the West End

London’s theatre district, the West End, is one of the most exciting in the world, and seeing a show there is a genuine highlight. Theatreland clusters around the streets near Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden, with a mix of long-running musicals, straight plays and brand-new productions. I love the ritual of a cheap last-minute ticket and a pre-show dinner in the area. Book ahead for the biggest shows, but if you are flexible, the same-day ticket booths let you see something excellent for a fraction of the usual price. Even if you are not a theatre regular, pick any show and you will find the production value impressive, with sets and sound that rival anything anywhere.

Hunt for food and antiques at the markets

Finally, no trip to London feels complete to me without the markets. Borough Market is my first stop for food, with cheese, oysters, pastries and cooked stalls from every cuisine you can imagine, and it is at its best midweek when it is less frantic. On weekends I wander to the antiques and art stalls of Portobello Road, or to Camden Market for its wildly varied fashion and street food under the railway arches. Each market has its own personality, so choose what appeals to your taste. Barely anything in London beats an afternoon spent tasting your way through one of these popular spaces, and they make a relaxed change of pace from the monuments.

My advice for a first visit

The secret to enjoying London is not to overschedule. Pick two or three of the big sights each day, leave room to wander, and let the city surprise you. Between the palace, the museum, the Tower, the theatre and the markets, you will find enough to fill a week with ease. Start with the classic view of the palace, then let the rest unfold at its own pace. London has a habit of giving back as much as you put in, so go curious and you will leave wanting more.