When it comes to planning a London trip, you’re confronted with almost too many choices on what to do. The city’s packed with culture and loaded with history across its many diverse neighborhoods. There are always so many amazing things going on, from exploring the outdoors to taking in its most famous sights, it would be impossible to run out of interesting things to do here. If you’re looking to visit for the first time or just wanting to change up your routine, take a look at this list of 9 ideas to help you out.
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1. Find the perfect tour
Especially if it’s your first time visiting London, starting things off with a tour can be a great way to jump in. Thanks to its gorgeous architecture, eventful history, and wonderful array of contributions to every aspect of arts and entertainment, you’re absolutely in swimming in choices. You can check out the main royal sites, immerse yourself in Harry Potter, learn about the city’s infamous medical history, or dive into the world of sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll. This list doesn’t begin to scratch the surface, so you’re all but guaranteed to find something completely suited to your interests.
Our London tour guide. Credit: @JoesDaily
2. Sip in style at Milestone Hotel Stables Bar
On my last trip to London, I had the amazing opportunity to room in the incredible Milestone Hotel. From the high-end decor to the magnificent service and amenities, it’s been one of my favorite places to stay. Whether or not you’re able to swing a booking at this fine establishment, I couldn’t recommend a trip to their Stables Bar more. The setup is that of a vintage-inspired speakeasy, right down to the bartenders’ uniforms. While the ambience would be enough reason to visit on its own, the cocktails are just as spectacular. The menu covers everything from their own take on classics like an Old Fashioned to creative originals like The Conservatory: a gorgeous concoction of Gin, Cynar, Lillet Blanc, Fresh Rosemary, and Fresh Thyme. Whether you go with the former, the latter, or something more simple (like my personal favorite, smoked whiskey) it’s going to be fantastic.
3. Stroll through Kew Gardens
Just a short trip west of London lies UNESCO site Kew Gardens, the world’s most substantial compilation of living plants. The extensive, 300-acre property features greenhouses, art galleries, water features, lined walkways, and formal gardens. You can choose to spend just a few hours there or make an entire day of it; you’re never going to run out of beautiful places to rest your eyes. As for getting there, I would highly recommend taking advantage of the city’s great public transit. Depending on where you’re leaving from, there’s a good chance it’s going to get you there more quickly and easily than a car.
4. Bike the park or glide through the water
If you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors but prefer not to leave London, there are still plenty of options available to you. How does a bicycle ride through Battersea Park with a picnic lunch sound to you? Or, perhaps, a lovely afternoon boat ride on The Serpentine in Hyde Park? Of course, you can always choose to stick to a group with one of the many bicycle tours and cruises over the Thames the city has to offer. So long as the sun is shining, you’re bound to have a memorable day.
5. Movies on the Thames
Speaking of water, how does a movie on the Thames sound? From Tuesday to Saturday, during the summer months, you can enjoy a sunset cruise followed by a movie under the stars on the top deck of your ship. Film choices range from romantic classics like Casablanca to fun sci-fi like Back to the Future. With a embarkation time of 9pm, this interesting twist on a normal activity could easily make either the perfect end to a perfect day or an exciting start to an exciting night.
6. Visit the countryside
Let’s be honest, sometimes you really do need a vacation from your vacation. If you find yourself needing a bit of a break from the hustle and bustle of London, consider taking a visit to the countryside. Even if you’re not looking to travel far (but maybe a little further than Kew Gardens) there are tons of options for places to visit. For those in a romantically nostalgic kind of mood, a scenic day trip to the Lake District is probably exactly what you’re looking for. And if it’s a quick bit of ancient history you’re after, a visit to the the famous Stone Henge will only take about half of your day.
7. See a show at Shakespeare’s Globe
When it comes to seeing one of Shakespeare’s plays the way it was intended, you’re just not going to get any closer than at Shakespeare’s Globe—speaking to perspective, anyway. Located quite close to where the original used to stand, the recreation is host to classes, lectures, tours and, of course, its namesake’s productions. Shows are running nearly all the time and tickets are pretty reasonable (score!). Just make sure to book in advance as this is unsurprisingly an experience that regularly sells out.
8. Take time for tea
If you’ve never participated in a traditional afternoon tea before, you’re totally missing out. You get to have a little break in your day, enjoy some sweets and snacks, and you’re left completely perked up thanks to the perfect amount of caffeine. Finding a place to take your tea in London is far from a difficult thing to do. In fact, many of the tours listed above have a version that will include it in some way, shape, or form. The important thing is that you include it at least once or twice on your trip. If you’re looking for a suggestion on where to go, try Anna’s Afternoon Tea at Grosvenor House Hotel. At $63 per person it might seem a little pricey for drinks and snacks but, trust me, it will be well worth it.
9. Follow the road
And, now, probably one of the most important things a person can do on any trip: following wherever the road takes you. Or some version of that, anyway. When you’re doing your planning, make sure to leave yourself some time to go out and explore. The touristy stuff is always fun to see and mark off of the bucket list. However, I’m of the opinion that you’ve never truly visited a place unless you experience it the way the locals do, even if it’s just for a little while. Start with a stroll around the hotel, or walk to your set destinations when you can. See a shop you like? Pop in or mark it down for later. If you’re still at a loss for where to go or what to do, consider getting a bird’s-eye view and picking an area to explore via The Shard. As long as you’ve got the right pair of walking shoes on, it’s going to make the overall trip just that much more fulfilling.
Joe Miragliotta
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