Top Attractions in London - London Travels

1. The British Museum

Housing over two million years of human history, this is the spot if you want to see the actual mummy—not just a movie one. From the Egyptian Gallery to the Greek marbles, the exhibits are jaw-dropping and totally free. Perfect for anyone who wants to time-travel without leaving Central London.

📍 Great Russell St, Bloomsbury
💷 Free admission
🕘 10:00–17:00 (Fri until 20:30)
👥 Appeals to: History buffs, families, students, solo travelers
📝 Insider Tip: Go early to see the Rosetta Stone before the crowds pile in.

2. Tower of London

This fortress-turned-prison-turned-palace is one of London’s oldest landmarks, and yes—you’ll see the Crown Jewels up close. The Yeoman Warders (aka Beefeaters) have stories that’ll make your hair stand on end. Kids will love the ravens, adults will love the royal gossip.

📍 Tower Hill
💷 £33.60 adults / £16.80 children
🕘 09:00–17:30 (closes earlier in winter)
👥 Appeals to: First-timers, families, history lovers
📝 Insider Tip: Join one of the free Beefeater tours—they’re hilarious and surprisingly dark.

3. Sky Garden

A tropical garden on the 35th floor with floor-to-ceiling views of the London skyline? Yes, please. It’s free, green, and absolutely made for a cheeky selfie. Bonus: there’s a bar up there if you fancy a drink with your view.

📍 20 Fenchurch Street (aka the Walkie Talkie building)
💷 Free (booking required in advance)
🕘 10:00–18:00 (Mon–Fri), 11:00–21:00 (weekends)
👥 Appeals to: Couples, solo travelers, Instagrammers
📝 Insider Tip: Book a weekday morning slot for quieter views and better light.

4. Natural History Museum

This place is basically Hogwarts for science lovers. From the giant blue whale skeleton in the entrance hall to interactive zones on volcanoes and dinosaurs, it’s an easy win for adults and kids alike. Best of all, it’s free and inside one of London’s prettiest buildings.

📍 Cromwell Rd, South Kensington
💷 Free (some exhibits charge extra)
🕘 10:00–17:50 (last entry 17:30)
👥 Appeals to: Families, students, science lovers
📝 Insider Tip: Don’t miss the earthquake simulator—it’s oddly fun and a bit terrifying.

5. Camden Market

With food from every corner of the world, indie fashion, and oddball art, Camden Market’s got serious personality. It’s loud, busy, a bit chaotic—and that’s exactly the point. Come hungry and leave with a full belly and probably something weird in your tote bag.

📍 Camden High Street
💷 Free to browse, bring cash for bites and souvenirs
🕘 10:00–18:00 daily
👥 Appeals to: Young travelers, couples, vintage lovers, foodies
📝 Insider Tip: Don’t miss the backstreets—look for Cyberdog if you’re into rave gear and robots.

6. St Paul’s Cathedral

Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece isn’t just pretty on the outside—the inside will stop you in your tracks. The dome climb is steep but oh-so-worth it for panoramic views. And yes, if you whisper on one side of the gallery, someone on the opposite side will hear you.

📍 St. Paul’s Churchyard, EC4
💷 £25 adults / £10 children (cheaper online)
🕘 08:30–16:00 (Mon–Sat, closed Sundays for sightseeing)
👥 Appeals to: History lovers, architecture fans, couples
📝 Insider Tip: Climb to the Whispering Gallery for killer acoustics (and views).

7. Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

London’s biggest park is more than just grass and trees. You’ve got the Serpentine lake, the Diana Memorial Fountain, Kensington Palace, and even horse riding tracks. It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon or a romantic stroll with an ice cream in hand.

📍 Central London (nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner or Lancaster Gate)
💷 Free
🕘 Open daily from 05:00–00:00
👥 Appeals to: Everyone, really—especially couples and families
📝 Insider Tip: Rent a paddle boat on the Serpentine on a sunny day.

8. West End Theatre District

From Phantom to Hamilton, the West End delivers showstoppers every night of the week. Even if you’re not a theatre nerd, the atmosphere is electric. Make a night of it with pre-theatre dinner and a post-show drink in Soho.

📍 Leicester Square / Covent Garden area
💷 £15–£150 depending on the show
🕘 Evening shows usually start at 19:30, matinees on weekends
👥 Appeals to: Couples, solo travelers, theatre fans
📝 Insider Tip: Try the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for same-day ticket deals.

9. The Shard – View from the Top

The tallest building in the UK offers a sweeping view of London that’ll make you fall in love with the skyline. It’s a bit posh, sure, but the glass lifts and 72nd-floor views are pure wow. Go at sunset for the most jaw-dropping experience.

📍 32 London Bridge St, SE1
💷 £28.50 adults / £22.95 children
🕘 10:00–22:00 (last entry 1hr before close)
👥 Appeals to: Couples, luxury lovers, first-time visitors
📝 Insider Tip: Try the champagne bar at the top—pricey but unforgettable.

10. Borough Market

This foodie heaven near London Bridge has been around for over 1,000 years (yes, really). From gourmet cheeses and truffle oil to piping hot paella and Turkish wraps, it’s basically edible sightseeing. Bring cash, a big appetite, and stretchy trousers.

📍 8 Southwark Street, SE1
💷 Free to enter, food stalls priced individually
🕘 10:00–17:00 (closed Sundays)
👥 Appeals to: Foodies, culture lovers, anyone with taste buds
📝 Insider Tip: Go midweek mid-morning—less queuing, more sampling.

11. Hampstead Heath & Kenwood House

This wild slice of countryside in the city is where Londoners escape when they’ve had enough of buses and buzz. Expect woodlands, open meadows, bathing ponds (yes, really), and swans that act like they own the place. Kenwood House at the northern end is full of art and free to explore—plus it feels like stepping into a Jane Austen novel. If you think that Kenwood House looks somewhat familiar, you might be a movie buff! Some scenes of “Notting Hill” with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant have been filmed in the gardens surrounding the house.

📍 North London (nearest tube: Hampstead or Gospel Oak)
💷 Free
🕘 Heath open 24/7; Kenwood House open 10:00–17:00 (closed Mon)
👥 Appeals to: Nature lovers, couples, walkers, locals-in-the-know
📝 Insider Tip: Climb up Parliament Hill at sunset for a stunning (and crowd-free) view of the skyline.

12. God’s Own Junkyard

A neon wonderland tucked inside an old warehouse, this place is part art gallery, part psychedelic fever dream. Expect glowing vintage signs, movie props, and a visual overload in the best way possible. It’s niche, unexpected, and absolutely unforgettable.

📍 Walthamstow, E17
💷 Free
🕘 Fri–Sun: 11:00–21:00 (weekends only)
👥 Appeals to: Instagram lovers, creatives, couples
📝 Insider Tip: Grab a drink at their café-bar and stay for the vibe—especially on Friday nights.

13. Little Venice

A quiet canal lined with pretty houseboats, charming cafés, and weeping willows—it’s hard to believe this place is just around the corner from Paddington Station. You can take a gentle stroll or hop on a canal boat toward Camden. It’s London’s laid-back, boaty side, and it’s pure magic in spring.

📍 Maida Vale, NW8
💷 Free (canal boat tours extra)
🕘 Always open (tours run from 10:00–17:00)
👥 Appeals to: Couples, walkers, chilled-out solo travelers
📝 Insider Tip: Walk the Regent’s Canal path to Camden Market—it’s peaceful and full of photo ops.

14. Leighton House Museum

Once the home of Victorian artist Frederic Leighton, this lesser-known museum is a masterpiece in itself. Think mosaic tiles, domed ceilings, and golden rooms full of Pre-Raphaelite art. It’s peaceful, richly beautiful, and ideal if you’re after culture without the crowds.

📍 Holland Park, Kensington
💷 £11 adults / under-18s free
🕘 Wed–Mon: 10:00–17:30
👥 Appeals to: Art lovers, hidden gem hunters, architecture nerds
📝 Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Arab Hall—it’s jaw-dropping and feels like you’ve stepped into Morocco.

15. Sir John Soane’s Museum

This oddball museum is crammed floor-to-ceiling with art, antiques, and architectural fragments collected by Sir John Soane. It’s like a cabinet of curiosities exploded inside a Georgian townhouse. One minute you’re looking at Roman sculptures, the next—a mummified sarcophagus.

📍 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn
💷 Free (advance booking advised)
🕘 Wed–Sun: 10:00–17:00
👥 Appeals to: History lovers, solo wanderers, architecture fans
📝 Insider Tip: Go on a Tuesday evening for candlelit tours—properly atmospheric.

16. Daunt Books (Marylebone)

This Edwardian travel bookshop is like something out of a Wes Anderson film. With oak galleries and stained glass windows, it’s easily the most photogenic bookshop in London. Even if you’re not into reading, the vibe is worth soaking in.

📍 83 Marylebone High St, W1
💷 Free to enter (good luck leaving without a book)
🕘 Mon–Sat: 09:00–19:30, Sun: 11:00–18:00
👥 Appeals to: Book lovers, solo travelers, anyone who loves a good browse
📝 Insider Tip: Their travel section is arranged by country—not genre—which is oddly satisfying.

17. Eel Pie Island

A private island with a hippie history and a rock ‘n roll past? Yes, really. Eel Pie Island was once a music hotspot in the ’60s and now hosts artist studios and wild sculptures. It’s only accessible a couple of times a year, so it’s like being let in on a local secret.

📍 Twickenham (access via footbridge only)
💷 Free (open to public only on select open days)
🕘 Check local listings—usually open twice a year
👥 Appeals to: Curious wanderers, offbeat travelers, music history fans
📝 Insider Tip: Time your visit with the open studios—they’re brilliant and bizarre.

18. The Seven Noses of Soho

This bizarre street art trail involves hunting down sculpted noses stuck onto random Soho buildings. Artist Rick Buckley installed them as a cheeky protest, and now they’ve become a weird urban legend. It’s a great excuse to explore Soho’s backstreets with a purpose.

📍 Scattered around Soho
💷 Free
🕘 Any time—just bring your eyes and curiosity
👥 Appeals to: Urban explorers, quirky adventurers, scavenger hunters
📝 Insider Tip: Legend says if you find all seven noses, you’ll gain infinite wealth (no promises though).

19. Wilton’s Music Hall

Tucked away in East London, Wilton’s is the oldest surviving music hall in the world. The exposed brick and faded paint make it feel deliciously timeworn, and the shows range from cabaret to classical. It’s romantic, bohemian, and beautifully offbeat.

📍 Grace’s Alley, E1
💷 Varies by show – some tickets as low as £10
🕘 Evening shows most nights, check listings
👥 Appeals to: Couples, theatre fans, culture seekers
📝 Insider Tip: Grab a drink in the historic bar before curtain up—it feels like stepping back in time.

London Travels

Top London Attractions