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

9.2/10Great179 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£623
9.4/10Amazing363 Reviews
London|3.18km from city centre
We are 100% satisfied with our 5 nights stay with Cheval, the best service apartments hotel in London overlooking tower of bridge and tower of london. WE FEEL LIKE HOME. The best location in London. 2 mins walk to Tower of London 5 mins walk to tower bridge. A pier infornt of the hotel which takes us toany attractions by uber boat. The restaurant downstair is fabulous and we celebrated our son's 17th birthday. They serve best pasta. We booked 2 bedrooms apartments and were assigned 7 G very spacious room with fabulous river view.The rooms are equipped with highest facilities great amenities [ top quality shower gel lotion slipper, bath ropes 3pin plug and super super comfortable bed and pillow. ] Their kitchen is very modern equipped with dish washer, fridge and all utensils. They have very big laundry room. We booked Cheval Grand Edinburgh as well for 2 nights stay. Worth the price.
From£284
9/10Great92 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
9.3/10Great59 Reviews
London|3.34km from city centre
Beautiful boutique 5 star hotel, the staff were very welcoming and attentive. Booked the Senior Classroom which was perfect for my niece and I staying at this fantastic find! When I opened the door to our hotel room my niece and I were so impressed with the room that we booked. It was my niece’s birthday and the lovely staff left a surprise chocolate birthday cake. The Senior Classroom was amazing, very elegant great bathroom/shower and super clean! The free mini bar (bottled soft drinks) and snacks was a nice touch & much welcomed. Close to Tower Bridge, 10 minutes walk to Borough Market. Not far and also close proximity to the railway/tube and an abundance of fabulous restaurants, cafes and bars. We will definitely highly recommend The Lalit and stay here again.
From£114
8.9/10Very Good116 Reviews
London|3.31km from city centre
This is by far one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at. The service from the staff was incredible, so thoughtful and kind. The room wasn’t ready for check in time unfortunately. The hotel is beautifully designed. I will definitely be back.
From£169

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Business travel

8.7/10Very Good228 Reviews
London|7.11km from city centre
Upon checking in, we noticed a maintenance issue with the bathroom glass, which is supposed to blur when activated by a button. However, due to what seemed like an electrical fault, the glass remained fully transparent. Maintenance turned off the power to force the glass to blur, but it never functioned properly afterward. We were informed that the repair could not be completed the same day and would be scheduled for the following day, with a note left at reception to address it. The next day, we informed reception about the issue, but unfortunately, it was never fixed. We went out in the morning and came back to find the glass wasn’t fixed. We asked reception again later in the day, but the issue remained unresolved. While it wasn’t a major inconvenience for us, since the feature was part of the room, we believe it should have been addressed promptly—especially given that the glass offers a stunning view of London.
From£112
8.2/10Very Good83 Reviews
London|6.86km from city centre
Good hotel but a bit out dated. Smelt of bleach and damp which wasn’t pleasant but it is okay if you’re not spending loads of time in the room. Area is quite rough but it is very accessible and everything you’ll need is nearby
From£88
8.3/10Very Good797 Reviews
Bloomsbury London|1.72km from city centre
It's really a nice hotel, the room is clean and quiet. And location is good.Christina at the front desk had a very good service attitude, which made me feel very friendly. I will visit again and recommend my friend to book this hotel.
From£140
8.5/10Very Good173 Reviews
London|6.34km from city centre
We recently stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Dockside and had a generally pleasant experience with a few areas for improvement. Location: The hotel is a bit removed from the city centre, which means you'll need to plan your travel carefully. We found ourselves relying mostly on the boat to Canary Wharf, which, while scenic, adds some time and coordination to each outing. Check-in Experience: The check-in process was a highlight. We were greeted warmly with the signature DoubleTree cookies – a small but lovely surprise. Even more thoughtful, the staff noted that we were celebrating a birthday and offered us two complimentary drinks at the bar. That personal touch really made us feel welcomed and appreciated. Room Comfort: The room was comfortable enough, but there were a couple of issues worth noting. The soundproofing wasn’t great – we could clearly hear the sea waves throughout the night, which might be relaxing for some, but was a bit disruptive for us. Additionally, the bathroom could have been cleaner. We found garbage left in the bin, which detracted from the overall sense of hygiene and attention to detail. Overall: This hotel has some lovely, thoughtful staff and a few standout gestures that enhanced our stay. However, its distance from central London and a few cleanliness and soundproofing issues might not make it ideal for every traveller. With a bit more attention to room maintenance, it could be a much stronger option.
From£84
8.8/10Very Good260 Reviews
Waterloo and Southwark London|1.01km from city centre
Excellent location just 10-15 minutes stroll from Waterloo station, with our Junior Suite offering fantastic views of the London metro (surprisingly quiet despite the proximity). The suite was well-equipped with a comfortable queen bed, though the sofa bed was a bit thin (my kid could sleep comfortably). The room featured all essential amenities: a spacious wardrobe, iron and ironing board, fully-equipped kitchenette with microwave and a good-sized mini fridge (bigger than the norm). The multiple electrical outlets throughout the room were particularly convenient. The bathroom was a highlight with a separate bathtub and shower, featuring luxurious ESPA toiletries with a wonderful gender-neutral citurs scent. The plumbing worked perfectly with no drainage issues, and the bathroom storage was ample. Security and comfort were well-considered with working lifts, effective air-conditioning/heating, and an in-room safe. The only minor, tiny issue was that housekeeping initially provided amenities for two guests instead of three, though this was eventually resolved. This hotel would definitely be our choice for future London visits.
From£141

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Family friendly

8.6/10Very Good382 Reviews
Waterloo and Southwark London|1.02km from city centre
We had a good time at Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge, from reception to room layout and super convenient location, we did enjoy our stay for 3 nights. One bonus at this hotel that we found out the room has a microwave and mini fridge, which is super useful if traveling with kids. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to stay at famous landmark like Big Ben, London Eye or Waterloo Station etc.
From£170
9.2/10Great52 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
9/10Great239 Reviews
London|4.4km from city centre
This hotel is freaking awesome. With an excellent location, next to the Embassy Street, fully equipped, Penhaligon's supplies, individually packaged, replaced every day, the service staff is also very enthusiastic, and cleans every day. You must stay at this hotel when you come to London, and I wont change the hotel to live in the future. The room is also very large!
From£220
7.8/10Good51 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£165
9.4/10Amazing40 Reviews
Marylebone London|2.94km from city centre
Facilities: The hotel facilities are very complete Hygiene: The hotel hygiene is very clean and tidy Environment: The hotel environment is quite good Service: The service attitude of the hotel staff is very good I came on a business trip and stayed for many days
From£428

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Breakfast

7.2/10169 Reviews
Hyde Park London|3.35km from city centre
Very good location, room little bit small but it was okay for us for one night. The bath room very small and when we flash it we have to wait more than 15 minutes to be able to flash it again . Breakfast standard but its good.
From£46
8.2/10Very Good117 Reviews
London|0.76km from city centre
Everything could have been perfect. Unfortunately we were often bitten at night, we thought by a spider but it turned out to be bedbugs. Other than that everything was good....
From£100
8.3/10Very Good56 Reviews
London|3.75km from city centre
Perfect location, right outside the metro. Easy checkin and checkout. Excellent breakfast with lots of options, and the restaurant menu is nice as well. Room is nice, but bathroom is small. Cleaningness wasnt the best, one of the days they didnt even take the trash out. But in general I would recommend and stay there again.
From£97
7.6/10Good105 Reviews
London|5.71km from city centre
Visited for business reasons - the hotel inside is absolutely immaculate, very comfortable and excellent rooms. Breakfast was delicious and a good spread. The location isn't excellent and from the outside it doesn't look that impressive but overall I can't fault it. Would definitely stay again!
From£94
7.5/10279 Reviews
Marylebone London|3.37km from city centre
The location is convenient, close to underground station. The communal areas were cozy. However, I did encounter an issue with cleanliness in the room. Despite this, the service was good overall and the staffs were helpful, making it a decent value for money.
From£13

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