London sightseeing

It might have been knocked from its heady heights as the world’s tallest ferris wheel – you’ll have to head to Las Vegas for that – but the London Eye remains an iconic part of the London skyline. Snap-happy tourists arrive here in their droves, so be prepared to queue for one of the spacious 25-person pods. Once you’re airborne, take in those far-reaching views of the Thames and beyond. On a clear day, you might even see if the Queen’s opened the curtains at Buck House. 

There’s an impressive 250 years (and counting) of history in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, but they’re also paving the way for the future with not one, but two national bases for research into botanical studies. While you’re strolling through the Victorian Palm House or seeking out the luscious flora (including the giant, stinking Titan Arum in the Princess of Wales Conservatory), scientists are working away in offices and laboratories behind the scenes. 

You’ll spot it from a mile off. Actually, you can see it from the suburbs, piercing the sky above London Bridge with its splintered peak. And sure it’s a sight to behold afar but the views from the viewing platform are stunning, showcasing London in all its idiosyncratic glory. If you’ve got a pretty penny in your pocket then try the restaurants, bars and hotel, too – expensive, but again, stunning.

There are more than eight million artifacts within the British Museum’s walls, and every single one of them has a story to tell. You could easily spend hours here losing yourself in thousands of years of culture and history from the world over. Its big hitter is the Egyptian mummy, which pulls in gawping kids and adults alike. If you’d rather dodge the crowds, head to the newly re-opened Sir Joseph Hutong Gallery: a treasure trove of objects from China and South Asia. 

If the city (or more likely, the tube) has left you craving some fresh air, hit up Hyde Park. It’s one of London’s largest Royal Parks, so you’ll always find a patch of green to lay down a picnic blanket, yoga mat or your boyfriend’s jumper. Whether you’re looking for a lush lunch spot or enough space to throw a frisbee, you’ll find it here. And if the sun decides to make a rare appearance, the Joy of Life fountain is good for a splash around. 

This industrial power station turned powerhouse of contemporary art is awe-inspiring before you’ve even stepped foot inside. And its new partner-in-crime, the adjoining Blavatnik Building, provides plenty of people watching opportunities if you tire of the art. Not that you will – with the Turbine Hall’s rotating installations providing ample entertainment from giant slides and porcelain sunflower seeds to triple-seated swings. Yes, you might occasionally question the art but you’ll have fun doing it. 

As long as you leave plenty of ticket-collecting time, your trip to the Tower of London should be a blast. It starts with a 50-minute tour led by a Beefeater where you’ll learn about the 900-year history of this imposing fortress (in short: torture, prisoners, weapons and exotic animals). Feast your eyes on the crown jewels and prisoner graffiti – you’ll even meet the raven keeper. If you want to get eyeballs-deep in London’s bloody history, then put the Tower of London on your bucket list. 

Built in 1599 and destroyed by fire in 1613, the original Globe Theatre was at the heart of London’s seedy entertainment district. Eventually the theatre scene moved to the West End, but in 1997, thanks to campaigning by actor Sam Wanamaker, the Globe was reconstructed as cose to its original site as possible in a manner befitting Shakespeare's time. The theatre productions here are among the best in London. Each season (spring to early autumn) includes several Shakespeare classics, performed by a company of established and upcoming actors, while works of other writers are also programmed.

It’s the ticking heart of the capital – so why does everybody get its name wrong? The Big Ben we know and love is the nickname of the Great Bell inside Westminster’s clocktower, while the structure’s original name was the Clock Tower before it became the Elizabeth Tower in 2012. Names aside, it’s worth a visit to marvel at its elegant exterior before heading over to the nearby Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.  

With its striking blue colour and symmetrical towers, Tower Bridge is definitely one of London’s prettier bridges (just try not to walk into a selfie stick as you cross). Excitingly (for anyone remotely interested in Victorian engineering), its two halves lift up to let large boats pass underneath. Since 2014 – the bridge’s 120th year – there’s been an 11-metre glass floor in place of the upper walkway, so those with the stomach for it can gaze 42 metres down, or even people-watch while practicing your downward dog at a yoga session. 

No doubt, you love London for its rich and exciting past as much as its ever-shifting architecture and evolving cultural offerings. But if it’s history you’re after, you can’t get much more ‘frozen in time’ than the truly astonishing Dennis Severs’ House. Inside, you’ll find ten rooms which have been decked out to recreate snapshots of life in Spitalfields between 1724 and 1914. Candles flicker and smells linger – almost as if the Huguenots silk-weavers never left. 

For a comprehensive take on London and plenty of nerdy facts to take home to your mates, stop off at the Museum of London. The history of the capital, from prehistoric times to the present day, is told here through reconstructed interiors and street scenes, alongside displays of original artefacts found during the museum’s archaeological digs. 

Do you long for a time before smartphones and devices? Then Sir John Soane’s is the place for you (and trust us, you’ll get a severe telling off if you break the no-phones rule). It’s stuffed to the rafters with art, furniture and the odd death mask collected by Sir John Soane when he wasn’t designing buildings. Basically, it’s a beautiful tribute to an obsessive hoarder and a cluttered window into the past. 

One of London’s most visually appealing markets, Columbia Road overflows with bucketfuls of beautiful flowers every Sunday. From 8am-3pm, market traders line the narrow street selling flowers, houseplants, herbs, bulbs and shrubs. You'll need to elbow your way through if you want to bag some blooms, but the old school market is worth visiting just to people watch. Alternatively, if you head an hour before closing, you'll stand a better chance of getting through and taking home some cut-price flowers.

Walking down Graces Alley towards Wilton's Music Hall is a bit like stepping into another world – or rather back in time to the mid-19th century, when John Wilton opened his concert hall behind the Mahogany Bar pub. Thanks in part to the Methodist Church and John Betjeman, this lovely old building has survived the intervening century and a half more or less intact. Stop in here for a drink at the bar, or catch one of the live events they regularly have here, from gigs to theatre to variety acts.

This curly-wurly red scaffolding tower lords it over the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from its position alongside the Olympic Stadium. Designed by artist Anish Kapoor and structural engineer Cecil Balmond, ArcelorMittal Orbit stands 114.5m (376ft) tall, from the top of which you can see The Shard, St Paul’s and the Wembley arches. There are two distorting Kapoor mirrors up top, as well as digital telescopes. To get down, you can either take the 455 steps, abseil or slide. There's a lift too, but for the best experience deffo choose the slide.

Built as a memorial to Queen Victoria's husband in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall's splendid exterior is matched by the regal red-and-gold interior that's crowned by a domed stained-glass skylight. Occasional classical concerts take place throughout the year, while other key events include pop and comedy gigs, and circus extravaganzas from the likes of Cirque du Soleil.

Lurking under The City of London’s Guildhall Art Gallery is a slither of London’s Roman past. Down in the basement, you'll find the scant remains of London’s 6,000-seater Roman amphitheatre, built around AD70; Tron-like figures and crowd sound effects help your imagination recreate the gory scenes of yesteryear. It packs a lot of history into a small space, which means you’ve got more of the day left to explore London’s other sights.  

It might be at the pricier end of London’s tourist attractions but you should definitely set aside some time for this bombshell of a cathedral. Don’t forget to venture down to the Crypt to see the tombs of Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and its creator, Christopher Wren. If you can tear yourself away from the geometric staircases and gorgeous vaulted ceiling. Up in the Whispering Gallery, the acoustics allow you to hear conversations from right across the other side of the walkway –even when you talk softly. Perfect for nosy nellies!

The dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park are the stuff of legend. Not in that they don't exist – they very much do, even if historically inaccurate – but in that they are unmissable. Just five of the beasts remain from the Victorian theme park and, having been restored in 2003, are Grade I listed. Hungting for these prehistoric creatures makes for a thoroughly fun day out for both children and adults. Plus, in the park there's also a farm, museum, skate park, boating lake and cafe.