Things to do in London and around
From river cruises past Tower Bridge and whale-free boat trips on the Thames to buggy tours - no, guided walks - through Richmond Park and day trips to Oxford's colleges, London rewards visitors with excursions for every kind of trip.
Signature experiences
The excursions that define a first trip to London — a Thames river cruise to Greenwich, entry to the Tower of London, and a walk around Westminster Abbey.
Royal London
Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and other sites tied to the monarchy.
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Castles and countryside day trips
Day trips to Windsor, Oxford, the Cotswolds, Cambridge, Canterbury and other historic towns beyond London.
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Stonehenge and Bath
Day trips to Stonehenge, the Roman Baths and Salisbury, usually combined in a single itinerary.
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Harry Potter experiences
Warner Bros. Studio Tour visits, Platform 9¾ stops and other Harry Potter-themed outings around London.
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Thames cruises and boat trips
River cruises, speedboat rides and canal boat trips along the Thames and London's waterways.
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Museums and galleries
Guided visits to the British Museum, Tate Modern, the V&A and London's other major collections.
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Food and drink tours
Tastings, market tours and pub visits covering London's food, beer, gin and street food scene.
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Ghost and crime tours
Jack the Ripper walks, ghost tours and dungeon visits exploring London's darker, macabre history.
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Theatre and shows
West End musicals, comedy nights, cabaret and live music across London's theatres and venues.
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Afternoon tea experiences
Traditional afternoon tea, tea bus tours and tea cruises served across London's hotels and rivers.
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Attractions and tickets
Skip-the-line tickets for the London Eye, The Shard, Madame Tussauds and other headline attractions.
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Walking tours
Guided walks through London's neighbourhoods, from the City to Soho and the South Bank.
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Music and film location tours
Tours tracing Beatles landmarks, film and TV filming locations, and iconic London music history.
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Christmas and seasonal events
Festive markets, fireworks, Halloween tours and other events tied to Christmas, New Year and other seasons.
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Hop-on hop-off bus tours
Open-top sightseeing buses with hop-on hop-off stops at London's main landmarks.
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Bike and Segway tours
Cycling, Segway and e-bike tours covering central London and its riverside routes.
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History tours
Tours covering Churchill's wartime bunkers, the Blitz, Roman remains and other chapters of London's past.
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Nightlife and pub crawls
Pub crawls, cocktail bars and nightlife outings through London's evening and late-night scene.
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Football and sport tours
Stadium tours and match-day experiences at Wembley, Emirates, Stamford Bridge, Lord's and Twickenham.
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Workshops and classes
Hands-on classes in London, from pottery and perfume-making to cooking and craft workshops.
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Photoshoots
Guided photo sessions at London's landmarks with a local photographer capturing the visit.
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Helicopter and air tours
Helicopter flights, hot air balloon rides and seaplane trips over London and the surrounding countryside.
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Private and VIP tours
Private guides and black cab tours tailored to a small group's own pace and interests.
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Airport transfers
Private and shared transfers between Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or London City and central London.
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City tours
General guided tours covering London's main sights and neighbourhoods in a single outing.
8 guidesMore ways to experience the region
Specialist interests and practical planning - photo sessions, water sports, seasonal timing, and the comparisons every first-time visitor searches for.
Planning your trip
Guides on when to visit, how to build an itinerary and what to book ahead for a London trip.
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Comparisons and choices
Guides weighing similar London options against each other to help you pick the right one.
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London by season
Guides on what changes in London through the year, from weather to opening hours and crowds.
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Getting around London
Guides to the Tube, buses, Oyster cards and travelling between London's airports and the city.
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London with family
Guides on visiting London with children, from stroller-friendly routes to family-oriented sights.
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Accessible London
Guides on step-free access, accessible transport and visiting London's attractions with reduced mobility.
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London on a budget
Guides on free museums, cheaper transport passes and ways to cut costs on a London visit.
3 guidesBrowse by destination
Tours and activities organised by where you're headed — the best of each city and region.
Good to know about things to do in London
London's activities range from an afternoon at a museum to a full day out of town. River cruises combine views of the Tower Bridge and South Bank with a stop near Greenwich, while day trips to Windsor add a look at the castle's State Apartments and the changing of the guard. Walking and cycling tours cut through royal parks and historic lanes, and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour at Leavesden makes for a change of pace from central sightseeing. The Cotswolds around Oxford draw visitors to honey-stone villages along country lanes, and punting trips on the River Cam run from Cambridge through the warmer months.
Museum visits reach the free national collections at the British Museum and the V&A, and cultural stops include Blenheim Palace near Oxford and the cathedral city of Canterbury. Rounding out the list are West End theatre shows, afternoon tea, garden visits at Kew, cooking classes, and private tours to Stonehenge or Bath.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in London
What does a typical Stonehenge tour include?
A coach ride from central London, entry to the stone circle, and usually a stop in Salisbury or Bath — it's typically a full-day excursion.
When can I go whale watching?
Punting trips from Cambridge run best through the warmer months, when the River Cam is busiest with boats.
Are buggy tours suitable for families?
Most operators offer both driver and passenger seats, so families can join, though some routes are bumpier than others.
What is Hoyo Azul?
A cenote (natural freshwater pool) inside Scape Park, reached by amphibious vehicle and often combined with a zipline circuit.
Do I need to book tours in advance?
Popular excursions like Stonehenge and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour fill up in high season, so booking a few days ahead is worth it.
Changing of the Guard and palace tours on GetYourGuide
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GetYourGuide does not provide a product photo for this activity — the image shows the meeting point, photographed by us.
