Things to do
Things to do in London: 12 ideas, many of them free
London is expensive, but many of its best experiences cost nothing. These are the twelve things we would do, from the British Museum and Tate Modern to the markets of Borough and Columbia Road.
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It is Sunday morning on Columbia Road in east London, and the street is full of flowers, buckets and traders calling out lower prices as closing time nears. Someone heads home with an entire olive tree under one arm.
London is so big that it is easy to spend your days queuing and on the Tube. We have chosen twelve experiences grouped into a few areas, so you can walk between them. Many museums are free, which is reason enough to plan around them.
Short answer: what should you do in London?
See the British Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern, all free. Walk the South Bank, eat at Borough Market and catch a West End show. Spend a Sunday at Columbia Road or on Hampstead Heath, and take a river boat to Greenwich.
Best free thing: the British Museum
Best for art: Tate Modern
Best food: Borough Market
Best evening: the West End
Best view: Primrose Hill
1. The British Museum
The Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and Egyptian mummies, all under one roof and free. Choose a few rooms in advance, because the museum is too big for a day.
The catch: the best-known galleries get crowded from midday.
2. The National Gallery and Trafalgar Square
The National Gallery has Van Gogh, Turner and Leonardo, also free. Step out onto the portico afterwards for the view over Trafalgar Square towards Big Ben.
3. The South Bank from Westminster to Tower Bridge
The south bank of the Thames is the best walk in London: past the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe. Cross the Millennium Bridge towards St Paul's.
4. Tate Modern
The old power station is one of the most visited modern art museums in the world. The Turbine Hall hosts huge installations, and the top floors have good views over the river.
5. Borough Market
London's best-known food market sits by London Bridge. Arrive before the lunch rush and graze your way through the stalls rather than sitting down.
6. A night in the West End
Theatreland around Leicester Square and Covent Garden has musicals and plays every night. Same-day tickets are often cheaper at the booths on Leicester Square.
7. The Tower of London
The Crown Jewels and a thousand years of royal history. It costs money, but a tour with one of the Yeomen Warders is worth it.
8. Hyde Park and Kensington
Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and the museums of South Kensington are close together. The Natural History Museum and the V&A are free and perfect for rainy days.
9. Columbia Road and Shoreditch
The flower market on Columbia Road runs on Sundays only. Carry on to Shoreditch and Brick Lane for street art, vintage shops and bagels.
10. A boat to Greenwich
River boats run from the centre to Greenwich, where you can stand on the prime meridian at the Royal Observatory and look back at the city from the park.
11. Primrose Hill and Camden
The view from Primrose Hill is one of the finest in London and free. Walk down to Camden Market and back along Regent's Canal.
12. Kew Gardens
The botanic gardens at Kew are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with glass palm houses and a treetop walkway. A calm day far from the crowds of the centre.
Corinthia London
The roof terrace at Corinthia London.
Where to stay in London
Stay near the South Bank or in the West End and you can walk to most of the list. Our guide to where to stay in London covers every area.
Corinthia London: a classic by the Thames
Corinthia fills a white Victorian building between Trafalgar Square and the Thames, so Westminster and the South Bank are on foot. The spa has an indoor pool, welcome after a rainy museum day. A classic luxury choice for a first visit.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Corinthia London
Shangri-La The Shard
The pool at Shangri-La The Shard.
Shangri-La The Shard: the city below you
Shangri-La sits high in The Shard, and its pool looks out over the whole of London. Borough Market and London Bridge station are at the foot of the tower. Choose it if you want the hotel to be part of the trip, not just a place to sleep.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Shangri-La The Shard
Good to know before you go
Tap in with your card: contactless bank cards work directly on the Tube and buses.
The big museums are free: some special exhibitions charge.
Book popular shows: the biggest musicals sell out well ahead.
Expect weather: pack an umbrella in any season.
London: frequently asked questions
What should you see in London?
The British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern, the South Bank, the Tower of London and a West End show cover the essentials.
What is free in London?
The big national museums, the parks, the view from Primrose Hill and the South Bank walk cost nothing.
How many days do you need in London?
Four days gives time for the main museums, a couple of markets and a show.
How do you get around London?
The Tube and buses are fastest, and you can pay with a contactless bank card at the gate.