If you’re visiting London for the first time (like me!), I have 10 must do things in London right here! It’s a culmination of places that were recommended to me by friends who live or have lived in London and those that loved visiting.
We were there in London (it was my first time) for 4 nights and 5 days. We stayed at the Standard hotel located conveniently across Kings Cross and St. Pancras stations and absolutely loved our experience there!
Several of these places below have links from my previous posts, but you can also click here to open a new tab of all my Europe posts! Make sure you follow me on Instagram and TikTok as well for additional content.
1. Harry Potter 9 3/4 Platform and Shop
As an avid Harry Potter fan, I had to put this right at the top. The Harry Potter 9 3/4 Platform was a dream of mine to visit, and it didn’t disappoint! Since we were staying across Kings Cross station, it was a quick hop and a step to 9 3/4. My husband isn’t that much of a Harry Potter fan, yet he still enjoyed it and ‘understood why it was so exciting’ for me, haha! Not only is the platform there, but the shop is also beautifully curated and such a fun addition to the experience. Click here for a more comprehensive post I wrote a couple of weeks ago!
2. Harrods Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a must when visiting London, and while there are so many different, wonderful afternoon tea options, I opted for Harrods. I wrote a longer post that you can read here! The cost is £65 per person and, in my opinion, absolutely worth it. The entire experience, the ambiance, service, and of course, the actual tea and food are what you’re paying for. The sandwiches, pastries, and scones were delightful! I could have eaten a ton more, haha!
3. Shopping at Harrods and Fortnum & Mason
Even if you’re not into shopping, exploring Harrods and Fortnum and Mason is an experience you shouldn’t miss. They’re classic London department stores, and you can get all your souvenir shopping done there. Nobody has ever complained about Harrods or Fortnum & Mason tea and biscuits as a souvenir!
4. Borough Market
The Borough Market in London was such a pleasant surprise for us! Here’s a more extensive post on the Borough Market, which includes location, restaurants, and hours. If you’re not familiar with my content already, I’m a huge foodie, so the Borough Market had to get added to the 10 Must Do Things in London! Think Grand Central Market and Pike Place Market, but I believe bigger (and better, IMO). A huge variety of stalls, small businesses, and mostly just delicious FOOD! Whether you’re there to buy frozen pot pies for later, fresh seafood or want to eat your way through it, you can do all of that.
5. Tower Bridge
I admit, as a first-time Europe visitor, I thought the London Bridge was the Tower Bridge and ended up on the London Bridge confused. Please tell me I’m not the only one. While we didn’t pay to go through the entirety of Tower Bridge, it’s a stunning sight to be seen and not to be missed!
6. Churchill War Rooms
The Churchill War Rooms is insanely cool, especially if you’re a history nut like my husband. I’m actually not, and still had a blast. The Churchill war rooms are as-is and mostly untouched. You go through these cold corridors of a secret location where Churchill and his staff lived during the Second World War. You really just have to go to appreciate it, but I would actually go back again. The area is beautiful, too, and loved walking through the park to get there!
7. Big Ben
I actually didn’t go in or up Big Ben, but it was fun to see it in person! What a grand building that is. If we had more time, I most certainly would have gotten closer, but we didn’t. Being able to see it in a close distance alone was a wonderful feeling, though!
8. Sky Garden
The Sky Garden should definitely be on your must do things in London list! You get a stunning view of the city, and the Sky Garden itself is stunning. The line to go up the Sky Garden was quite long, but luckily we had quicker access due to the fact that we had reservations at the restaurant, Darwin Brasserie. We got there an hour prior to the reservation to explore the Sky Garden and the views it has to offer. There’s so much greenery inside the Sky Garden (hence the ‘garden’, I suppose!), and even a bar! You can out to the deck to enjoy the view and feel very lucky we caught the sunset. Highly recommend the restaurant, also!
9. Buckingham Palace
You can’t possibly go to London without stopping by Buckingham Palace, correct? That’s why it landed a spot on the 10 must do things in London list! We have a corgi, so we’re even more connected to the royal family (the Queen, to be specific), haha! We didn’t hang out for the changing of the guards but still loved stopping by. It’s regal, royal, and splendid, just like the late Queen!
10. London Eye
This is a little bit of a bonus, as I actually never went on it and barely saw it from a distance. However, so many friends had recommended it, and I couldn’t leave it out for you! This might sound strange, but I’ve been on so many ferris wheels in my life that it’s not too appealing, especially with the limited time I had in London. However, if we had been there longer, I probably would have gone! Apparently, it’s fun, and the views are incredible. Although, I’d argue that the Sky Garden is probably better! (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
What do you think of this 10 Must Do Things in London list? Anything I miss, or any recommendations for when I go next? Let me know in the comments!
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