Top 10 Things to do in London

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Afraid to not exploring the world-famous London? Check best 10 things to do in London that you musnt's missed. See how travellers around the world enjoy the magnificent city and book top London Attractions tickets with best price on Trip.com.

London Attractions No.1: Madame Tussauds

A family favourite no matter the season, Madame Tussauds is first thing to do on our list of the top 10 London attractions. Pop in and marvel at the lifelike wax figures of world-famous celebrities. Divided into 8 distinct zones representing music, the royals, Marvel, and more, Madame Tussauds is sure to have something for every visitor.

Star in a film with Kate Winslet, walk the red carpet with Adele, or stand your ground against The Incredible Hulk, and do it all while snapping fun photos along the way. Within the venue, a Marvel Universe 4D mini movie is available for children. Plus, you’ll also have the chance to learn about the history of wax figures and how they’re made at the Behind the Scenes exhibit. Tickets start at £30.50.

London Attractions No.2: Kew Gardens

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Kew Gardens in London is home to the largest collection of plants and fungi in the world. With millions of species, the gardens span across 121 hectares of land and includes royal residences, a treetop walkway, and much more.

Visit the Davies Alpine House which recreates the dry, windy conditions where plants grow at high elevations. The award-winning structure houses flora like lavender, thyme, and tulips. Next, see London from above at the newly-opened Great Pagoda, or learn more about how the conditions in which carnivorous plants grow have led them to be able to secure their own food sources.

You can easily spend the entire afternoon at the gardens. By booking your ticket to Kew Gardens in advance, you’ll save around £1.75.

London Attractions No.3: Warner Brothers Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter

It’s all aboard the Hogwarts Express at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Here, fans of Harry Potter will be enamoured with the sets and props that were used to bring the book series to life on the big screen. Check out technical drawings and models to learn more about how sets were designed and built, then take a closer peek at some of the series’ most iconic costumes.

The tour also includes special features that change every couple of months. If you visit before 15 September 2021, you’ll be able to check out A Celebration of Slytherin which features the house’s green and silver common room as well as costumes belonging to the Malfoy family. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this is definitely one of the top 10 attractions in London—you won’t find it anywhere else in the world so make sure you book in advance.

London Attractions No.4: London Dungeon

For a taste of the dark side of the city’s history, head to the London Dungeon for an enthralling 110 minute show with real actors and 360 degree sets. First, you’ll be taken back to year 1536 as you descend into the dungeon and your journey begins. Visitors will find themselves as part of the show as they venture through a torture chamber, the Whitechapel Labyrinth, and into the Newgate Prison. It’s all downhill once you reach the Newgate Gallows—here, you’ll experience true fear on a freefall drop ride. Book in advance for a better deal on tickets.

London Attractions No.5: London Eye

Situated in the centre of London opposite Big Ben is the London Eye, a giant big wheel that offers panoramic views of the city. By hopping into one of the wheel’s 32 glass capsules, you’ll catch glimpses of sights like Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Westminster Abbey. Within the capsules are touch screens that introduce and provide facts about each landmark.

Visited by millions of tourists each year, this famous big wheel is undoubtedly one of the top 10 attractions in London. By booking your tickets in advance, you’ll be able to both save on the ticket price and even skip the queues.

London Attractions No.6: SEA LIFE London Aquarium

London’s massive SEA LIFE aquarium is home to thousands of different types of sea life from around the world. Split into different themed zones, visitors to the aquarium have a chance to view Pacific sharks from above as they walk over them on a glass window, admire vividly coloured tropical fish in the UK’s largest living coral reef, and even go on a rainforest adventure in a climate controlled area with crocodiles and piranhas. The aquarium plays an active role in conservation and protecting the oceans.

London Attractions No.7: Shrek’s Adventure Park

Take a ride through fairytale world of Far Far Away with 10 live shows, a trip on a magical 4D flying bus, and interactions with all of your favourite Shrek characters. As the adventure begins, you’ll find out that Shrek’s gone missing! Visitors will have to track him down step by step as they pass through the settings of the Shrek Swamp, Poison Apple Pub, and more! If you end up finding Shrek, be sure to snap some pictures with him for your photo album.

After the adventure ends, head over to the DreamWorks Play Stations and find new friends from films like Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda. Next, the experience continues as you talk a walk down the rainbow “red” carpet to the Trolls World Tour which includes interactive music stations and plenty of chances for photos. To ensure availability when heading to this top 10 attraction in London, be sure to book your tickets online.

London Attractions No.8: Buckingham Palace Garden

With history dating back to year 1608, the Buckingham Palace Garden spans across 39 acres and is home to over 300 species of wild plants, a manmade lake, and 1,000 trees. The garden has played host to a number of royal events, including the Queen’s renowned garden parties.

This attraction is only open to the public throughout the months of July, August, and September, which just so happen to be the most suitable months for picnics with friends. Due to limited availability, tickets can sometimes be difficult to come by, so be sure to plan your visit ahead of time.

London Attractions No.9: Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace was once the home of Henry VIII, his wives, and children. Entering the palace, you’ll see the Great Hall which was the site of a number of festive celebrations and the kitchens that once had constantly burning logs and a staff of over 200. The palace is an extravagant display of the wealth and power once held by those in control and worth exploring in detail. For these reasons, it’s one of our top 10 attractions in London.

Outside the palace are the gardens, which feature a winding maze. Here, visitors can try their best to make it to the centre point which is marked with a plaque. The vastness of the entire complex makes you feel as if you’ve left the city and entered the countryside.

The palace has different opening hours based on the season, so be sure to check before visiting.

London Attractions No.10: Tower of London

This UNESCO World Heritage is one of our picks for the top 10 attractions in London because of how iconic it is. The Tower of London has been depicted on thousands of postcards and countless forms of media. While it’s no secret that the English Crown Jewels are housed in the tower, they’re well protected. In fact, imposing Yeomen Warders (also known as Beefeaters) stand outside the tower, and these days, they’re available to give guided tours and share stories from the times when the castle was used as a fortress and prison. During your visit, you’ll also learn about the ravens that guard the tour and even visit the underground torture chamber.

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Things to do in London & Popular Hotels

5 star

9.1/10156 Reviews
London|2.72km from city centre
The perfect hotel to enjoy the view of London as it is an attraction itself. You can enjoy the sunset and sunrise as you are chilling on bed with your beloved. The service is really amazing and efficient. The breakfast is really good and full of diverse foods. Sky pool and spa were closed but we have enjoyed it before and it was amazing. The only negative point to be fair is the gym which is not amazingly equipped in term of lifting equipment. I definitely recommend this hotel for every couple that want to have an unforgettable stay in London.
From€596
9.5/10Outstanding322 Reviews
London|3.18km from city centre
I am very satisfied with this accommodation. It has spacious windows with scenic views and excellent lighting. The kitchen is well-equipped, and there's a washer-dryer available. The room is modern and clean. The Tower of London and ferry terminal are right next door, and there's a bus stop nearby for visiting places like museums and other distant locations. Extremely pleased!
From€301
9.3/10Very Good86 Reviews
Kings Cross-Islington London|2.34km from city centre
Great room with views of St Pancras. Enjoyed jacuzzi tub. Location ideal for transport links and lots of food choices.
SOLD OUT
9.4/10Outstanding50 Reviews
London|3.34km from city centre
The Lalit hotel was perfectly located for my visit to the Bridge Theatre-just a 3 minute level walk away. There is a walkway leading on to Tower Bridge with many restaurants and bars right next to the hotel. It is a beautiful period building , a former grammar school, which has been thoughtfully renovated keeping both its old school features and incorporating some stunning Indian architectural details. The dining room is particularly stunning, as is the Indian hot breakfast option that I enjoyed there. I stayed in a cosy classroom double room.It is one of the smallest rooms but perfectly sufficient for my needs as a solo traveller. There were nice additional touches in the room such as a bathrobe, complimentary soft drinks and crisps and biscuits plus a nespresso coffee machine. There was also a Japanese style bidet toilet and lots of complimentary toiletries. All of these items contributed to a really luxury stay and a feeling of being pampered as a guest of the Lalit. The staff were polite, helpful and efficient. My bed and bedding were very comfortable and of a high quality with luxurious pillows offering a choice of firmness-a nice touch. Considering the hotels location, right near Tower Bridge in a busy area, the hotel was quiet and peaceful with no noise from outside and I slept really well. I would definitely recommend the Lalit hotel. It was luxurious while being good value and perfectly located. I look forward to returning!
From€170
8.6/10115 Reviews
London|3.31km from city centre
As we arrived staff greeted us, and were very helpful. Check in was easy. Room was very clean, very comfortable beds, coffee machine and everything we needed, including soft robes. Pool was nice a little cold but the hot tub was very warm so very much enjoyed. Again all areas were very clean and comfortable. Breakfast was OK, some bits were alittle cold, but the chef cooked me poached eggs to perfection, and was a good range of cereals, pastries. All in all a very good stay and hope to go back Thank you Montcalm East 🙂
From€187

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Business travel

8.7/10110 Reviews
London|0.17km from city centre
The location is extremely good, the surrounding subway stations, train stations, etc. are very convenient, there are many restaurants, the square, China Town, and the National Art Museum are very close, and there are many parks by the Thames River, all of which are good places for walking. Also within walking distance are Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. The exterior of the building is also very grand, the lobby, restaurants and other public facilities are great, it looks like a luxury hotel (and the price is indeed). But the room is a bit disappointing, it is too small, and it is very low, a bit depressing. It is said that it is a 1.5-1.8-meter bed, but it is actually only 1.5 meters. I asked the front desk that there is no 1.8-meter bed at all (or she didn't want to give us a room with a 1.8-meter bed). The facilities and furniture in the room are also simple, the windows are small, and the bathroom is very small. It feels like a domestic two-star level. Considering the high cost of land in central London, it is understandable, but still very disappointing.
From€167
8.9/10181 Reviews
Ealing|3.84km from city centre
A good hotel in a great location, right next to the Park royal staff. Internally it feels like the hotel has been recently decorated, the rooms are clean and well sized. The hotel has gated private parking which is really useful in London.
From€92
8.8/1093 Reviews
London|5.4km from city centre
We spent a good few days at this hotel. All the staffs are very friendly and helpful. Optional breakfast could be purchased a night before and have a good discount. I'd suggest people to visit.
From€142
9/10159 Reviews
Stratford London|9.08km from city centre
The rooms were modern, clean, and well-equipped with everything needed for a comfortable stay. The bed was particularly comfortable, ensuring a great night’s sleep. Staff were friendly, professional, and always happy to help with any requests. One of the highlights was the easy access to shops, restaurants, and transport links. Whether you’re in Stratford for business or leisure, this hotel is a great choice. Highly recommended!
From€143
8.4/10105 Reviews
London|2.51km from city centre
The Ned is an excellent hotel in central London. A big eating area in the same building as the hotel. Very nice spa and gym. Rooms a bit small but nice and quiet.
From€308

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Family friendly

8.7/10220 Reviews
Waterloo and Southwark London|1.01km from city centre
Well located near Westminster Bridge and the London Eye, easy walking to main tourist areas. Room was very clean, although sofa area a little dark. Full wall windows gave a wonderful view over Waterloo Station and South London towards The Shard. Breakfast Buffet was reasonable, filling, and a good variety of breakfast choices. Altogether a reasonably good hotel.
From€200
8.8/10311 Reviews
Waterloo and Southwark London|1.02km from city centre
The hotel was amazing! Spacious, modern, clean and bright! Located just a minute away from ALL the touristy things- London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster, Buckingham Palace and the Thames River. Would highly recommend and would suggest book directly with hotel.
From€201
9.1/1049 Reviews
Bromley|1.41km from city centre
We had a very comfortable stay in the Bromley Court Hotel. Very good value for money since it is in London - but the grounds and area are much more relaxed than inner London. Room was comfortable, had everything you needed like an iron/ironing board which some don't now. Also tea/coffee and biscuits for your arrival. Little touches like this made it comfortable/ practical. Also breakfast was good and the extensive gardens were ideal for drinks outside in the evening.
From€90
8.9/10212 Reviews
London|4.4km from city centre
Convenient location, about 5-7 min walk from High Street Kensington Tube Station. A good range of shops nearby such as TK Maxx, M&S, Whole Foods Market, cafés and restaurants (Italian, Chinese, Japanese, etc) We were on 10/F so had an amazing view.  Our room was spacious, bigger than most hotel rooms in London. It came with complimentary hot chocolate powder, cookies, tea bags, instant coffee and 2 bottles of still water. The bathroom was equipped with toiletries (shampoo, hair conditioner, bath gel and soap) and a heated towel rack which was particularly helpful for doing laundry, since we stayed for 7 nights.  Gym is free of charge and is right next to the hotel. Size is decent with 4 treadmills, dumbbells and a few other machines.  Staff were all very attentive and professional. My husband had a small cut and housekeeping brought us plasters and wound cleaning wipes in just a few min.  Overall, great value for money. Would have been even better if a coffee machine was provided. Will definitely come back again next time we visit London.
From€223
7.7/1052 Reviews
London|1.25km from city centre
Location is great and the nearest tube is Holborn station which is just 10 min walk. There's a well equipped gym with a heated pool and sauna. Room comes with good teabags and Nespresso. Bathroom is very small and hardly any space to open the door. From the pic, I have to stand outside the bathroom in order to take a pic. Bathroom width is only about the width of the toilet bowl.
From€208

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Breakfast

9/10205 Reviews
London|7.11km from city centre
I'd not personally booked an accessible hotel room before but with this I didn't feel judged or anything for my invisible disabilities when checking in. It was amazing being able to sit on a chair with the rain shower right above my head. The shower was a large walk in one. The room was a short walk from the lifts, a lot of others I have to walk a bit of a distance to my room so this was another plus. Clean, comfy room with all that was needed for our short stay including a mini fridge with water waiting for us when we arrived.. My friend and I really enjoyed the pool and saunarium where we used a jet stream to make the swim more of a challenge. It's something I'd love to use a lot since my arthritis makes working out difficult. The saunarium wasn't as dry as saunas I've been to so I could stay in longer, I could've even fallen asleep in there 😆 All staff we encountered were very friendly. Great location close to nice restaurants and the o2.
From€164
8.5/1078 Reviews
London|6.86km from city centre
convenient location with walking distance to Shepherd Bush’s Mash station and Big shopping mall Westfield. Impressive lobby deco and good reception service. However, it should be great if there is cleaner carpet and freezer facility in the room. The phone was not working to connect room service team and I had to visit the reception in person for service request .
From€104
8.4/10761 Reviews
Bloomsbury London|1.72km from city centre
I lost my my valuable backpack in the outside restaurant, but I didn't realize it and misunder stood it was lost in Holiday inn Bloomsbury London. Hotel manager Mr. Lopes helped me to get what happened through CCTV. Further, he consoled me when I was scared and depressed. I found my backpack finally, thank Mr.Lopes and all his staff on duty on 08Feb2025. Thank you very much, I will stay at this hotel in London next time.
From€178
8.3/10147 Reviews
London|6.34km from city centre
My family loved the location of the hotel. Easy check in and out. Our room has the city view, it was really lovely. There was a complimentary ferry rides drom the hotel to Canary Wharf which we really enjoyed. Restaurants are near and lots of options. The room looks really clean and smelled clean as well. When we checked out, we just took a ferry from the hotel to Westminster pier.
From€133
7.4/10165 Reviews
Hyde Park London|3.35km from city centre
Great location and price, breakfast is very simple though included so can’t complain.Recommend
From€52

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