London is the city that keeps on giving. After 4 years of living there, I still feel as though I left the place having only just scratched the surface. The endless sights, museums, activities and experiences make it a tourist’s paradise. No matter the weather, no matter your mood – London has something that will sweep you off your feet.

This endless array of possibilities can leave one a little dizzy though, so I’m here to steer you in the right direction. This list is comprised of the very best of classic London, from food to parks, museums to monuments, and everything in between – this is the ultimate London Bucket List!

Museums

The Natural History Museum – one of the most beautiful museums in the world. The architecture is stunning and it’s filled to the brim with plenty of interesting and exciting exhibits!
The Victoria and Albert Museum – another visually stunning museum, the V&A often hosts incredible fashion exhibitions!
The British Museum – this is the most popular museum amongst tourists. It’s known for housing the Rosetta Stone but you could spend all day here exploring the different exhibits
Tate Britain – the Tate houses some of the best artwork in the world, and her sister gallery, the Tate Modern, is where you can get your fix of modern art whilst in London
Sherlock Holmes Museum – Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts can’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the man on his very own Baker Street!
The National Gallery – the National Gallery is right by Trafalgar Square so you can hit two birds with one stone when visiting! This traditional art gallery is filled with some of the world’s most famous painters including Botticelli and Michelangelo!

Activities

Ride a red bus – whilst in London you have to take a ride on the iconic London buses. If you like, you can even use a regular bus route to take a tour of London. The number 23 passes Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Camden Town and ends in the beautiful Hampstead!
See a West End Show – your spoilt for choice in London when it comes to plays and musicals! Some of my favourites are Matilda, School of Rock and The Lion King!
See a Play at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre – Grab yourself £5 standing tickets to experience what it was like to see a Shakespeare play back in the day! Or plump for something a little more expensive and enjoy the luxury of a seat. The plays at the Globe are always incredibly well done and excellent value for money!
Go to Portobello Market – Portobello Market always has a great atmosphere at the weekend. Stroll around and grab some food, before checking out the rainbow houses of Notting Hill
Shop at Harrods – Harrods is the quintessential London department store – selling everything from designer handbags to loose leaf tea. The building itself is incredibly beautiful & definitely worth a visit!
Make a Call from a Red Telephone Box – or just take a photo with one! The red telephone boxes are another classic London find, so make sure to get a shot with one! You’ll find them all over the city but there are some great ones opposite Westminster Abbey if you’re struggling.
Ride in a Black Cab – Just like red buses, black cabs are a classic piece of London’s culture. They’re more expensive than other modes of transport but also much comfier! Taxi drivers in London are also extremely knowledgeable. In fact, they have to memorise the city’s 25,000 streets to prepare for their knowledge test!
Go shopping on Oxford Street – If you want to do a spot of shopping in London, Oxford Street is the place to go. It’s lined with every major retailer you can think of. It’s also very busy however, so beware if you’re prone to feeling a little overwhelmed!
Visit the Sky Garden – the Sky Garden is a free attraction in the centre of London. It’s a skyscraper filled with beautiful plants that gives you a great birds-eye view of the city. Spaces can fill up quickly, so make sure to book online beforehand!
Go to Columbia Road Flower Market – this flower market in Shoreditch is always heaving with people, so make sure to get there early if you want to avoid the crowds and get the best flowers! There’s also lots of cute independent shops and cafes nearby if you fancy a break!

Buildings & Monuments

Visit Buckingham Palace – this beautiful palace in Hyde Park is where the royal family reside. If you go at the right time, you can watch the changing of the guard. This is a ceremony where The Queen’s Guard hands over responsibility for protecting the Palace to the new guard. Make sure to check the schedule so you’re not left disappointed!
Walk across Tower Bridge – definitely the most iconic of the London bridges, this beautiful bridge is free to the cross for both pedestrians and vehicles. You can also take a paid tour, which takes you into the towers and teaches you the history of the bridge!
Visit the Tower of London – a must visit for history buffs, the Tower of London held important figures who’d fallen into disgrace including Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh. Today it’s also home of the crown jewels!
See Westminster Abbey – this gothic abbey is actually a world heritage site! It’s steeped in thousands of year of history. Since the coronation of William the Conquerer in 1066 all British monarchs been coronated here. There have also been 16 royal weddings here, most recently Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge
Take Photos with Big Ben – as one of London’s (dare I say the UK’s?) most famous landmarks, Big Ben gets serious love from Londoners and tourists alike. However, the clock tower is under renovation for the foreseeable future and is covered head-to-toe in scaffolding. So make sure to check whether construction is over before you visit!
Cross Abbey Road – make like the Beatles and get a photograph of you crossing the infamous Abbey Road. Make sure to get there early though – this area of London is actually super busy and trying to get a shot in between traffic and tourists is a recipe for disaster!
Go to St. Paul’s Cathedral – St. Paul’s has long been an iconic feature of the London skyline and its infamous dome continues to entice visitors. Whilst it’s architecture is truly awe-inspiring, the real treasure lies within, where you’ll find grand archways and ornate ceilings
Trafalgar Square – the fountains of Trafalgar Square are particularly lovely (albeit busy) on a sunny day. Snap a photo with the stately lion statues before heading next door to the National Portrait Gallery

Food

Eat fish and chips – there are local fish and chip shops (or chippies, as we call them) all over London but a particularly famous one is Poppies, which has locations if Soho, Camden and Spitalfields
Have afternoon tea – afternoon tea is a British tradition and London is the best place for it. Some of the most popular spots include Sketch, Fortnum & Mason, and the Ritz
Enjoy a Sunday Roast – No weekend in London would be complete without a Sunday Roast. There are over 3500 pubs in London – so plenty to choose from! If you can, try booking in advance as tables can fill up quickly. If you’re looking for a great vegan option, try The Flask in Hampstead. Their nut roast is divine!
Eat Street Food at Camden Market – Camden Market is one of London’s most iconic spots. Here you can watch as fresh pasta is spun around in giant cheese wheels, sample Europe’s first liquid nitro ice cream or visit a cafe dedicated purely to cereal!

Parks

Hampstead Heath – nestled in the north of London is the beautiful village of Hampstead. This quaint corner of the city is filled with upmarket shops, beautiful houses, and rolling hills. A ramble through the heath is the perfect thing to do on a lazy Sunday in London. This area of London is also extremely popular amongst celebrities – so be sure to keep your eye out!
Hyde Park – London’s most famous park doesn’t disappoint. Pack a picnic and go boating on the serpentine before stopping off at the peaceful Diana Memorial Fountain
Regent’s Park – though smaller than Hyde Park, Regent’s still manages to pack a punch