The British Museum

The British Museum, the world’s oldest and first public national museum, was created in 1753 and opened its doors in 1759, making it older than the United States. Inside, you’ll find art, literature, and other artefacts that depict the story of humanity’s evolution. It has held the title of most popular tourist destination in the UK for nearly a decade, with over six million visits annually.

2. Madame Tussauds

Located on Baker Street in London, Madame Tussauds Museum, founded in 1835 by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the country.

Boasting over 300 magnificent wax figures, Madame Tussauds is a must-see sight in London, where one can meet and take pictures with all their favourite celebs in one location. It’s arguably the only site on the planet where you can meet the Queen, talk with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and shake hands with Barack Obama all on the same day.

3. London Eye

The London Eye has done for London what the Eiffel Tower did for Paris; given it a symbol and allowed visitors to ascend above it and look down on it. The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is a London observation wheel located on the Thames River’s South Bank. It was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel when it opened to the public in 2000. With over 3 million people each year, it is Europe’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel and the UK’s most popular paid tourist attraction.

The wheel features 32 passenger capsules and each capsule can house up to 25 individuals. A full revolution takes around 30 minutes.

4. Tower Bridge

Built between 1886 and 1894, the Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge. Close to the Tower of London, the bridge spans the River Thames.

The bridge spans 800 feet and is made up of two 213-foot bridge towers connected at the top by two horizontal walkways and a central pair of bascules that may open to allow ships to pass. The bridge deck is open to both vehicles and pedestrians, while the Tower Bridge Exhibition includes the bridge’s twin towers, high-level walkways, and Victorian engine rooms. Using films, images, and interactive exhibits, the exhibition explains why and how Tower Bridge was built. The walkways also feature a glass-floored part with views of the city, the Tower of London, and the Pool of London.

Tower Bridge is often confused with London Bridge, which is located about 0.5 miles upstream, leading to a common urban legend about an American who bought the wrong bridge.

5. Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Chinatown and Oxford Street

Piccadilly Circus, home to the iconic Piccadilly advertising screens and the statue of Eros, is one of London’s most popular tourist locations.

The vibrant streets of Soho, in London’s West End, provide a diverse range of dining, nightlife, and retail opportunities. Old Compton Street in Soho is the heart of London’s LGBTQ community.

London’s Chinatown on Gerrard Street is located near Soho and was home to the Huguenot and Maltese immigrants in the 1950s. Explore the area for buildings and streets adorned with dragons, lanterns, stone lions, contemporary art sculptures, and Chinese gates. Keep a lookout for street signs with both English and Chinese written on them.

Oxford Street, which runs from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch through Oxford Circus, is a key thoroughfare in the City of Westminster in London’s West End. With nearly half a million daily visits and approximately 300 shops as of 2012, it is Europe’s busiest retail boulevard.

6. Movie Locations

Because of its enormous skyline, fascinating streets, and regal palaces, London has appeared in numerous blockbuster films.

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Tower Bridge can be seen in all their splendour in the 2019 Spider-Man: Far From Home. Hendon Police College appears in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Trafalgar Square has appeared in several films and television shows, including Captain America: The First Avenger.

Wembley Stadium is the setting for an automobile pursuit in Fast & Furious 6. The Da Vinci Code features The National Gallery, King’s College Library, Horse Guard’s Parade, Westminster Abbey, and Temple Church.

In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the Hogwarts Express departs from King’s Cross station. Visit the filming platforms four and five, and snap a photo pulling a trolley through to a fantastic world at the wall labelled Platform 9¾.

Robert Downey Jr. takes a tour of the city as Sherlock Holmes. Brompton Cemetery, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Reform Club are among the many Victorian London locales featured. The Emmy Award-winning crime drama Sherlock is set in present-day London. A trip to Baker Street should be the first stop on any Sherlock Holmes pilgrimage. Before visiting The Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street, take the Marylebone exit from the Bakerloo tube station to see the nine-foot bronze statue of the mythical detective.

7. London Waterways

The city’s canals, from the Thames to the Regent’s Canal, are charming and ideal for exploring.

Many of the city’s biggest tourist sites, such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and the Tower of London, are set against the backdrop of the River Thames, which flows through central London.

From dog walkers to those looking for a high-end romantic lunch, Regent’s Canal, which extends from Little Venice in the west to Docklands in the east, is particularly popular.

Little Venice is a peaceful canal district in London with waterside cafes and restaurants. Enjoy a quiet boat excursion to ZSL London Zoo or Camden and wander around picturesque streets. Little Venice, with its lovely canals and rivers, is just north of Paddington station.

The Grand Union Canal used to be a bustling industrial waterway that connected London and the Midlands. Hanwell’s flight of seven locks, which connects the River Brent to the rest of the canal system, is now a lovely site for a country walk – right in the heart of London.

8. Parks & Gardens

Hyde Park is downtown London’s largest Royal Park. It first opened to the public in 1637 and rapidly became known for its May Day parades.

Kew Gardens, London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the world’s most diversified collection of living plants as well as an internationally renowned scientific research centre. Discover stunning glasshouses with its exotic rainforest, the Princess of Wales Conservatory with its 10 climatic zones, and the Waterlily House with its incredible, enormous lily pads.

Explore Richmond Park, a wildlife haven of 2,500 acres. This Site of Special Scientific Interest is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including a herd of 650 deer, and is located near downtown London.

9. Music Festivals & Concerts

Most Londoners are only a tube journey away from several world-class music festivals, with headliners ranging from underground electronic DJs to major worldwide rap singers.

Don’t worry if you want to experience London’s fantastic music scene but are on a tight budget. Throughout the city, numerous outstanding venues host free concerts, recitals, and organized shows. The Southbank Centre, St. James’s Piccadilly, The Royal Academy of Music, and Covent Garden Market, to name a few, all host free midday concerts for classical music fans.

Abbey Road in St John’s Wood is a road in North-West London that is home to one of the most famous recording studios in the world, as well as the famous Beatles zebra crossing.

10. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is known around the globe as The Queen’s residence. The majestic State Rooms are open to guests for ten weeks each summer (22 July – 2 October 2022), as well as on select dates in the winter and spring. At Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard is a colourful exhibition of British pomp commonly known as ‘Guard Mounting.’

If you’re visiting London with kids, here is a list of top free things to do with young kids in London. 

If you’re a student and around Baker street, don’t forget to check out the top 10 student lunch deals near the Marylebone campus.

How many of these attractions have you visited and what was your experience?

What mainstream attractions and hidden gems do you think should make this list?

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