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

9.2/10Great190 Reviews
London|2.72km from city centre
We stayed at Shangri-la for two nights.I can’t praise enough the staff and the hotel itself. Upon arrival, we were upgraded to an amazing city-view room. Our room was facing St Paul’s Cathedral and other famous landmarks. The views were absolutely breathtaking. I decided to use the pool and sauna. It was brilliant! Again stunning views as the pool is located on the 52nd floor. Breakfast was delicious with a great selection of cold and hot food, fruits and pastries. The facilities at the hotel are great but what makes everything perfect is the people and staff. A big thank you to duty manager Tylor and the reception staff, especially Jasmine and Andzelika, the pool attendant. You made our stay memorable.❤️
From£566
9.5/10Amazing384 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£283
9/10Great95 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
9.2/10Great62 Reviews
London|3.34km from city centre
I had a wonderful stay at The Lalit London. The hotel was exceptionally clean, and the staff were friendly and attentive, making me feel very welcome. My room was beautiful, comfortable, and well-appointed, providing a perfect retreat after a day of exploring. The location is fantastic—close to many great restaurants, bars, and major London attractions, including the iconic Tower Bridge. The breakfast was excellent, with a delicious selection served in a stunning restaurant setting. Overall, I had a fantastic experience and will definitely choose to stay here again on my next visit to London.
From£183
8.9/10Very Good114 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£178

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Business travel

8.3/10Very Good801 Reviews
Bloomsbury London|1.72km from city centre
The room and overall facilities felt quite dated. My window unfortunately overlooked a refuse collection point, and I was often disturbed by the noise and beeping of garbage trucks early in the mornings. Cleanliness was only average. The main redeeming factor is definitely the location, which is fantastic for tourists. It's just a 3-minute walk to Russell Square tube station. There's also a convenience store and a vibrant street with plenty of dining options, including a Nando's, right nearby.
From£150
8.3/10Very Good193 Reviews
London|6.34km from city centre
A weekend stop off with parking available on site for a fee or cheaper locally with limited space available. Use of river crossing directly outside free staying at the hotel. 20 min walk to train station or bus stops outside in use once water works complete. But a 5 min walk and buses run frequently. Only use the hotel as a base to sleep so did not try any facilities.
From£262
8.3/10Very Good119 Reviews
London|0.76km from city centre
My wife and I had a stay at Mimis recently, and overall, we enjoyed it and would stay there again. However, I suggest doing some research beforehand, as the rooms are quite tiny. Even though we were aware of this before arriving, we were still a bit surprised by just how small they were. Despite this, it didn't negatively impact our experience or spoil our stay. The room and bathroom was nicely decorated. I only have a few minor observations rather than complaints. Upon check-in, we requested a late check-out, but the person at the reception seemed a bit abrupt, as he did with an older couple in front of us who had questions about their room location in the annex and that they hoped to stay in the main building. The pillows provided were not very supportive, as they deflated to almost nothing. If we had stayed for more than one night and asked for extra pillows, they would have been accommodating. Regarding breakfast, we inquired about the options available and were informed that they offered coffee and pastries. Unfortunately, they couldn't provide hot food, which was a bit disappointing. It would have been nice to have the choice of continental-style breakfast with cold meats and other items; we would have been willing to pay for it as we only wanted somthing light. Despite these very small things, they did not affect our overall enjoyment of the stay. We still had a pleasant time, and we are looking forward to returning to Mimis in the future. Location is great!
From£93
8.6/10Very Good56 Reviews
London|3.75km from city centre
located in a good location for exploring the city of London, Whitechapel and Shoreditch. Rooms are small and basic but clean,
From£96
7.6/10Good96 Reviews
London|5.71km from city centre
Visited this hotel the day before my birthday as a treat from my daughter. Room was nice and the beds were very comfy.  Found the staff very unfriendly especially the young lady on the food counter. Very blunt and no please or thank you when we ordered food. Also a few males walking around who were reception team and a manger, we smiled and said hello without any response, we were booked for 5 days and we would have left and gone elsewhere but it was non refundable.
From£85

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Family friendly

8.9/10Very Good286 Reviews
Waterloo and Southwark London|1.01km from city centre
The hotel's location is fantastic, right by Westminster Bridge. Directly across the street is the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, which I imagine has even better window views. Our 7th-floor room offered glimpses of the train station and The Shard. However, the 2nd-floor rooms did have a bit of an odd smell. The hotel gets quite busy, so expect queues for breakfast and the elevators. It's wise to avoid peak dining times. The breakfast itself was good!
From£161
9.3/10Great49 Reviews
Marylebone London|2.94km from city centre
I have stayed in many hotels in London, and the service and facilities of this hotel are really good compared to others. The room is big, the bed is big, and the mattress is relatively supportive. The mattresses of other hotels in London were too soft, which caused back pain the next day.
From£363
9.2/10Great123 Reviews
Marylebone London|2.32km from city centre
Old hotel, good location, convenient for shopping nearby. The room facilities are a little old, but the exterior is OK. There is a Cantonese restaurant nearby, the taste is good, recommended.
From£356
9.5/10Amazing92 Reviews
London|4.29km from city centre
It is worthy of being a five-star hotel. The decoration of the hotel is very unique. Just across the road from the hotel is Kensington Park, where you can enjoy the green space, enjoy the lovely swans and pigeons, and breathe fresh air. It is really free. The hotel service is very good and the staff is very friendly. It doesn't matter if your English is not very good, translation software can solve it. When I ordered room service, there was a very lovely lady who was very enthusiastic and she was really nice! I left a very good impression at this hotel! The grandfather or brother standing guard at the door will always open the door or provide help in time. We booked a double bed room, but the mattress was put together by two single people, which did not affect our sleep. My roommate didn't feel anything when he woke up at night. The room was very quiet, and everything was very good!
From£375
9.2/10Great113 Reviews
Mayfair London|1.74km from city centre
The two room I booked for 9 nights (23/10-1/11) stated that its size is 29 square meters, but the one i got was 23 tops and i need extra seating area for my friends there because i stayed before in the hotel and the room had a couch !!! Referring that issue to reception member (Vishua) she said that the room category i booked comes with that size and no more rooms from that category with larger size available unless I upgrade for £120 per night per room to be paid. After few days, another reception member (Tom) confirmed for me that at least one bigger room will be allocated for me by Thursday. On that day afternoon, I came to the reception and the same reception member (Vishua) repeated the same reply from day one saying there was no message from her colleague (Tom) in the system and sent a written message for me if i want an upgrade with £120 per night. I wrote a review in Google and they replied that we allocated a room for you but since my luggage was unpacked we assumed that you are happy with your room. Well I am not happy because you are contradicting yourselves and it was not a miscommunication rather trying to get extra charges on your guests. Bottom line i did not get the space i paid for nor a solution to the issue. To be fair, Special thanks to Fatima the house keeping member she was so dedicated and a happiness in this horrible situation.
From£466

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Breakfast

9/10Great73 Reviews
Sutton|0.19km from city centre
This hotel was a great stop on our road trip. Parking was convenient, the room was spacious, and both breakfast and dinner offered a generous spread.
From£54
8.8/10Very Good206 Reviews
London|0.63km from city centre
Staff at The Waldorf are incredibly attentive to any / all needs. I asked for a later checkout and plates for food early in the morning after a night out and they accommodated that for us. The hotel is placed in a prime location, just a stones throw from Covent Garden and about 28-30 minutes walk from Regent Street. The hotel is only accessible by key card after hours; to ensure guest safety. Amenities in the room included an iron and board, kettle, drinking glasses and coffee / tea cups. The shower had fixed shampoo, conditioner and soap dispensers. The mini bar was fairly priced for central London, but hadn't been cleaned (hence the slightly lower score on cleanliness). The air conditioning dried my throat out throughout the night, but turns off automatically if the window is open, so had to deal with that / just had water next to the bed throughout the night. The downstairs bar had a great atmosphere and boasts a large menu. Great for a late nightcap. Overall the experience was great. Our Queen room cost £179.00 for the night (excluding breakfast). I was offered two forms of upgrades. A larger Queen Room with breakfast included was only an extra £40.00, and a Kings Suite with access to the executive lounge and breakfast was £80.00 extra.
From£246
8.9/10Very Good429 Reviews
London|3km from city centre
Amazing stay in Hilton London Tower Bridge. Excellent location near Tower Bridge/ The Shard, well- taken care of a very polite, pleasant ,very considerate and professional  service from Ivy at the reception who upgraded our booking with complimentary breakfast/drinks after realising we are celebrating an occasion. Will definitely recommend and book again.
From£155
8.8/10Very Good166 Reviews
London|1.96km from city centre
The transportation is very convenient, and the surrounding environment is quiet. There are also many restaurants nearby. An added surprise is that the room has a bathtub. I will recommend this accommodation.
From£135
8.7/10Very Good170 Reviews
London|4.84km from city centre
Honestly, the service was excellent, and the English breakfast was a proper hearty one. But you know, London is always pricey. The pool was also nice; I felt the water could be even clearer with proper chemical treatment.
From£163

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