Tyler and I were in London April 27 through May 5. (We flew on the 26th.) We had the most amazing time! It truly was a trip of a lifetime. I have wanted to go to London since I was in high school, so it was incredible to finally get somewhere I have been dreaming about seeing for years! Today, I am going to be sharing my list of the top things to do in London that I hope will help you plan a trip over there, especially if it is your first time in London!
There is obviously much more to do in London than this list, but these are the favorite things we saw/did/ate while there (in no order).
1. Bus Tour: Our first day in London we did a Hop On/ Hop Off Bus tour through Big Bus London . I could not recommend this enough! It gave us a tour of the city, which was so important as it helped us really grasp a layout of the city. (We never got lost while we were there!) This was also very fun because it let us see all of the main tourist attractions in London, and gave us the opportunity to walk around anywhere we wanted to explore more. They have headphones on the buses so you can listen to an audio guide which tells you what you are looking at, as well as the history behind it. (Some of the buses have live commentary, but none of the ones we got on had it.) I would also recommend the company we booked through. There are quite a few hop on/hop off bus tours in London, and it was honestly overwhelming to choose one. We chose this one even though it was a little more expensive because they have more buses going through the city, so your wait time while waiting to "hop on" is much shorter. (Someone from another bus was complaining about waiting almost 20 minutes for her bus to come around to the stop she was waiting at. Yikes!)
2. Tower of London Tour: Tyler and I decided we wanted to do the Tower of London Tour after we rode past it on our bus tour. We were immediately intrigued about the history behind it! Make sure you go at a time when there is a Beefeater (Yeoman Warder) tour you can walk with. (It costs to get into the Tower, but a guided tour is free with admission.) I learned that in order to be a Beefeater they have to serve in the military for for a minimum of 22 years! Ours was incredibly entertaining and knowledgeable. The guided tour itself takes about an hour and then you have time to explore the rest of the grounds. The Crown Jewels are also stored here, and they are beautiful! (We had to wait in probably a 15 minute line to get in and see them.) The Tower is also right next to the Tower Bridge! Where to eat? Stop for a coffee and grab-and-go sandwich at Pret a Manger outside of the Tower.
3. Explore Westminster: Exploring the Westminster area is a must on any London itinerary. It is here that you will find Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, etc. All are very cool to see. (The first time I saw Big Ben in person I was in awe!) Tyler and I did the London Eye while we were there, and we loved it! We paid for the fast pass so we were in our "pod" within 10 minutes (so worth the extra money). It gives you amazing views of the city, but if you are trying to find ways to save money while in London I would not go on it. You can also see a view of the city for free at the Sky Garden. We didn't go there but the reviews online seem like it's really cool!
4. Santander Cycles: London has hire-a-cycle bikes all around the city that you can rent for two pounds a day. You can check them out for 30 minutes at a time. There are stations all over the city so it is easy to get to a new one to check your bike in before the time expires. After you check in at one station, you can check out another bike for 30 minutes and keep riding to the next attraction. Tyler and I rented bikes for a day of exploring Notting Hill and Hyde Park. It was one of our favorite days! (Also one of the cheapest days as we only paid the two pounds for the bike.) Where to eat? Try Itsu for sushi in Notting Hill.
5. South Kensington Museums: Three museums can be found in the South Kensington area. Tyler and I stayed in South Kensington, so we explored this area quite a bit. The museums here are the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Science Museum. All are free, but they do ask for a donation when you walk in. Our favorite was the dinosaur exhibit at the Natural History Museum. Where to eat? There are so many good places around South Kensington! My favorite was the Kensington Creperie. We also both really liked pizza from Pizza Sole Luna (they had great lunch specials) and gourmet waffles from Wafflemeister.
6. Changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace: Seeing the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace is most likely on everyone's list for things to do in London. You will want to get to the Palace around one hour prior to it starting in order to have a front row seat. (We showed up about 45 minutes prior to it starting and got one of the last open places in front of the gates.)
7. Fish and Chips at a British Pub: One thing you must eat while in London is fish and chips! You can find it at pretty much every pub (and each one will claim to have "the best"). Tyler ordered fish and chips at least four times while we were there haha! His favorite spot was Bunch of Grapes.
8. See a Broadway Show: While we were in London, we went to see Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre. This show is currently touring the United States, but it was one of the only Broadway shows in London that I hadn't seen yet. It was such a fun show! Going to this show was one of our favorite parts of our trip. It was cool to see what the theater looked like in a different country and it was fun to get dressed up for a dinner + show date night. Aladdin starts there later in May, and if I were going this summer that would definitely be on my list. It would also be really cool to go to a concert over in London. Where to eat? We had burgers, fries, and milk shakes at Byron - Proper Hamburgers.
9. Shopping at Harrods: Harrods is one of the most famous department stores in the world. It is in Knightsbridge, which was very close our flat in South Kensington. The store itself is huge as it has seven stories. There are over 20 restaurants inside and there is a food hall inside with chocolate, fresh produce, meats, etc. It is very cool to see in person. Most everything you will find in the store is pricey, but Tyler and I both had fun walking around looking at the different sections. We spent quite a bit of time in the home goods section, as well as the books and toys! I would recommend stopping here because in the food hall is where I bought some delicious macarons!
10. Thames River Cruise: A free river cruise was included with our hop on/hop off bus tour ticket, and Tyler and I both loved it! It was very cool to see London from the Thames River. We had a Double Decker Boat with live English commentary explaining everything we saw. Our guide was hilarious, and always cracking jokes. The cruise itself was probably only 30 minutes as it took us from the Tower Bridge to the London Eye, but we still saw quite a bit. The bus tour covered most of London, but there were some things we could see from the water that our bus did not drive us past. I don't know that I would have paid for a cruise ticket, but if you do a bus tour and it includes a river cruise... take it!
I hope this list helps you make your London itinerary. Our trip was amazing, and I could honestly go on and on with tips! If you have any specific questions feel free to email me. I think I am going to do one more post dedicated to our London trip, specifically a review of the Warner Bros Harry Potter tour in London! I will also be uploading a travel diary to my YouTube channel, so make sure you are subscribed :).
Linking up with More Pieces of Me, B Loved Boston, and Pink Sole.
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61 thoughts
Wow Darcy you two packed in a lot of fun and exciting activities while you were there... I like the idea of the hop on and off bus and a bike ride... great way to really see the city xox ♡
ReplyDeletewow seems like you guys had a great time and did so much. Love the pictures.
ReplyDeletexo
PinkSole
I absolutely love London. It is by far my favorite city! I did the river cruise the last time I was there and it was so worth it! I can't believe I hadn't done it before. Sadly, I still haven't done the Eye though. Next time! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
ReplyDeleteYou guys packed it all in! We also did the hop on and off bus tour and the fast pass for a lot of the attractions - I wish we had been able to watch a show, but we'll be back! xo, biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteAwesome trip! I would love to see the changing of the guards...loved this post.
ReplyDeletecharity
lifeafterbaseball.net
London is #1 on Steven and I's list for our tentative Eurotrip! I LOVED reading this post and will bookmark it for when it's time for our trip:)
ReplyDeletewww.rosyoutlookblog.com
I really like how you’ve styled this outfit!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.viviennenwestwood.co.uk
Such a cute outfit as usual gorgeous!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.louisvuittonubagshop.com
Brian and I spent a week in France a few years ago, we're going to Italy this summer and London is on my list next!! I am actually half English, so it would be great! I am going to pin this for the future :) What a wonderful time! We were only in Paris for a week and we'll be in Italy for 12 days... it is amazing how in just a short week you can see and do so much! Those macarons look relish!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
curlycraftymom.com
Ahhh seeing all your pics is bringing back all my memories from when I studied there abroad! You guys did so much and looks like you had a blast! SO jealous of this trip! Happy you are sharing everything with us though!!!
ReplyDeleteXox Dana Ivy // www.iadorewhatilove.com
Very nice and complete post ! Makes me wanna go back to my beloved city even if I know it of by heart, especially for the bike rides :) x
ReplyDeletewww.thagoldenlady.com
You guys had a blast! I am so saving this, when I plan my trip. Very helpful!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
What a fun trip! I absolutely love London and cannot wait to go again.
ReplyDeleteYou guys did so much! I appreciate this post, as I want to go to London someday, too. Definitely pinning for the future. I didn't know Beefeaters had to serve for THAT long! How cool!
ReplyDelete--Roxanne
Glass of Glam
I'd want to do ALL the things that are associated with the Royals. I'm so obsessed with them.
ReplyDeleteGreat info! It looks like a total blast!
ReplyDeleteAmy Ann
Straight A Style
Looks like such a fun trip! I love to go to London, there's so much to do! Harrods is the best place ever!!
ReplyDeleteXoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I'm definitely saving this for later - great travel guide and tips, lady! London is one of my top places to visit, so I love seeing this!
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my bucket list forever! Thanks for the great tips, and the pics are so cute!
ReplyDeleteShauna
www.lipglossandlace.net
What a great post! Definitely saving this for future use if we ever go! Glad you all had a blast :)
ReplyDeleteBeen waiting for this post!! Cutest London tourists EVER!! I'm showing this to my husband as a hint!! Lol. Plus he loves fish and chips!!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing your photos and reading all the recommendations you made. Sounds like a fantastic trip!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a really good time!
ReplyDeletexx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
It looks like you guys had a great time! I've always wanted to go to London so when my time finally comes I'll be sure to check back to your list! Loved seeing everything y'all did! -xx Leah || Chasing Texas
ReplyDeleteI am dying to visit London! And I want to do all the things you wrote about! For now I will just have to live through you haha
ReplyDeleteEvelina @ Fortunate House
It looks like y'all had the best time during your anniversary trip! I love doing hop on and hop off bus tours in cities that I haven't been to before because I feel like it gives you a good overview of the city and lets you get a feel for the city too! Touring the Tower of London sounds like something I would love too!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had such an amazing time!! I want to go to London so bad!! All this sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Looks like you had so much fun!!
ReplyDeletewww.moorehisstyle.com
xx
This makes me seriously want to hop across the pond. London has been on my list of places to go for years now and my fiance was born there and still has plenty of friends and family there. We are hoping to go to London next year and I can't wait to do all the touristy things, the Beatles tour would be on my list of things to do for sure!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE doing hop/hop off rides in cities-such a great way to get an overview of the city! :) London is seriously amazing. I've been twice and would go again and again! We saw Wicked while we were there, and it was an unforgettable experience.
ReplyDeleteOMGGGG the Harrods macarons are incredible! My coworker brought some back and there is nothing that compares to them since then. What a fabulous trip! London is absolutely on my bucket list.
ReplyDeletefun post! I love london! harrods is the best!
ReplyDeletekelseybang.com
Looks like you had a lot of fun. Can't wait to visit there one day!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thebeautybeau.com/
Never been to London. Your photos capture it all so well - I feel like I'm traveling through your experiences! What an amazing trip!
ReplyDeleteKaren | GlamKaren.com
I love London. I have a trip there very soon for work and will check out the recommendation for fish and chips. Great list of things to do, see and eat.
ReplyDeletegreat guide.. looks like you guys had a great time
ReplyDeleteHi Darcy... what an exciting time you had! The pictures you took are most excellent and I find myself now wanting to take a trip to London! It's so cool that you got to tour the Thames River. Thanks so much for sharing your fabulous adventure.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
KaSonndra
http://livewellbefabulous.com
thank you for this!! pinning for future use :)
ReplyDeleteelle
Southern Elle Style
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos!
ReplyDeleteYou make me want to go there right now! These all sound like such fun things to do, I'm envious:)!
ReplyDeleteEmily
Darling, Dearest
Such a great roundup! I've always wanted to visit London so I'm definitey living vicariously through this post.
ReplyDeletewww.livelaughlinda.com
Love this post! I want to go to London so bad! My grandmother actually just got back from there and she had a blast! Matthew Perry (from Friends) has a play on Broadway in London that he's starring in right now and she went over there to see that with my cousin and his wife who is Matthew's sister. She said that it was fantastic! I'm so jealous of her! She's living a more exciting life than I am right now! Haha.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh!! That is incredible -- I be the show was amazing!
DeleteI'm a huuuuge fan of LDN, too- one of my fave cities in the world! Looks like you guys had an absolute blast!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
This is making my wanderlust itch to get to London asap even stronger! I love that you hit up everything I'd like to, and I am a huge fan of the hop on hop off bus tours. Great way to see a new city while getting off to explore on foot at your leisure <3
ReplyDeleteGreen Fashionista
I visited London a few years ago and absolutely fell in love with the city! I would love to go back!! Visiting Harrod's was pure heaven!!!! Love your pics! Looks like you guys had an amazing time!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day love!
Xo, Erica
Casually Styled
I am absolutely bookmarking this post for when I end up going TO London because this looks absolutely amazing. I love your tips and I've wanted to go to London for the LONGEST time! xx Adaleta Avdic
ReplyDeleteWhat am amazing trip - and great tips! London is on the top of my list.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Daily Style Finds
So glad you two had such a wonderful time!!! Sounds like you hit up all the must-see attractions and experiences. The bike ride idea is brilliant! We did them in Chicago over the weekend and it's such a fun way to see the city and get around faster!
ReplyDeletexo Mary-Katherine | Gold-Hatted Lover
This looks so fun! Bike riding is really a great idea. I also like being able to walk everywhere so I can enjoy the burgers, shakes and fries!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had an amazing trip! I've been to London a couple of times but it has been a long time. Did see a Broadway show and the Changing of the Guard. Glad you had fun. Cute pics!
ReplyDeleteTraci
waltzmetoheaven.com
One of my dreams is to go to London. Thanks for the great tips!!
ReplyDeleteSarah
http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com
I want to go to London so bad!! I need to Pin this post for when I do make it over to Europe! It looks like you had such an amazing time!
ReplyDeletexo,
Taylor | www.styleiseverythingblog.com
Love the pictures!! It seems like you had a great time in London! I always do a hop on/hop off tour when I travel, it is such a great way to see the city!
ReplyDeleteCharlene The Frugal Fashionista
What a fun trip! Love all your suggestions. Can you believe I've never ventured overseas.
ReplyDeleteShelly||The Queen in Between
You did a lot of great things in London! It's been years since I was there last, but we did the hop-on-hop off bus tour too as we were only there a couple days and it was a great way to see everything :)
ReplyDeleteAway From The Blue Blog
Awesome! Looks like you had a blast! Love London and the UK!
ReplyDeleteSportsanista
Wow! You guys got to see so much while you were there! I really want to visit some day!
ReplyDeleteXx,
Amanda || www.fortheloveofglitter.com
LOVE your list! London is at the top of my "I want to go to there!" list!
ReplyDeleteI've been dreaming of doing a London blogger meet up lately and this post is so motivating. You guys got some great snap shots. Side note: I LOVE your black Ray-Bans!
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