Interesting things to do in London (as a tourist who wants to pretend she lives here…)
If you only have four days in London, you have to move fast. Here is a breakdown of the most interesting things to do in London during a short trip, focusing on cool vibes, great views, and skipping the massive tourist lines.
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The Unexpected Highlight: The Barbican Water Gardens & Conservatory
This contemporary living complex was built in the brutalist style in the 1970s. The original concept was to encourage a self-contained community where you live, work, and do everything in the same area. Honestly, it kind of feels like a massive student union with apartments attached!
The main building is open to the public and features restaurants, shops, a museum, and even a theater. The most stunning area is the waterfront, which has a very cool brutalist water fountain and unique water features. It’s not on everyone’s must-visit list which makes it one of the most interesting things to do in London. Check out their events.
Pro Tip for the Conservatory: You can visit the massive indoor conservatory on the 4th floor between June and September. Access is free, but you usually need a ticket. However, there are certain times you can visit without a ticket. When we went, it was between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. on a Sunday. It’s a great spot to grab a drink or a coffee and just look at the plants.
Favorite Neighborhoods
There are soo many places to visit in London. To keep it simple, this is what I’d recommend for a unique, first visit to the city.
Greenwich
Situated right by the water, Greenwich has a lovely, maritime-village vibe. I liked the market a lot.
And, a unique highlight is climbing up to the Greenwich Meridian Line from which all the time zones in the world are calculated!
Walk by the Cutty Sark; the ship used to transport tea back to England from Asia.
Also, have fish and chips at the Coach and Horses.
Notting Hill
I really enjoyed walking around Notting Hill. It has tons of tiny secondhand shops and a fun market that runs Friday through Sunday in the summer. Part of the fun is just walking in and out of the shops.
I suggest starting at the ‘top’ by Portobello Road Market and then making your way down and end at the Sun In Splendour for a spritz.
There are also quite a few bookshops, including the iconic one from the movie, Notting Hill. It’s a classic but also an interesting thing to do in London when paired with wandering around.
I liked the Books for Cooks and the Daunt Books.
Borough Market
Borough Market is the largest and oldest food markets in London! You can easily get lost wandering around. Be sure to try out all the samples.
From here you should also walk along the Thames to snap pictures of classic sites like….
Millennium Bridge (which was featured in the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince). Here is a pic I took while on the bridge:
And, London Bridge (which is highly disappointing because I thought Tower Bridge was London Bridge haha).
Tower Bridge was my favorite.
Also, walk by the Tower of London.
Covent Garden + St. James
I didn’t realize how much time I’d end up spending in Covent Garden. It’s got a lot of fun restaurants that I’ve recommended above, and is also near Chinatown and the West End (if you’re visiting the theater).
From here you can walk to Buckingham Palace, passing by Duck Island Cottage. You may get lucky and see the giant pelicans who walk around like they own the place.
If you are looking for the famous red telephone box with Big Ben in the background, expect a line during the afternoon. (I didn’t think it was worth waiting for when we had a million other things to do, so I snapped a pic with a random one).
Or, walk by Banksy’s ‘Man Blinded by Flag,’ an interesting thing to do in London.
Camden Town
Walking around Camden Lock Market was a lot of fun.
Although I arrived too early to get the full hustle and bustle of the actual market, the main street was already thriving. It’s worth a walk around. Try to come in the afternoon rather than morning.
What I really enjoyed was walking along the Regent’s Canal Towpath with quirky houseboats.
Walk along and then stop for lunch at The Constitution as its entrance is right on the path! The canal path is definitely one of the most interesting things to do in London.
Favorite Excursion: Kew Gardens
I really wanted to visit Kew Gardens, and we had such a lovely day. We started with breakfast at Kew Greenhouse Cafe before heading inside the garden. This was the most expensive activity I did as it cost around £25 online (book in advance online to avoid paying the donation fee). Since my time in London was short, I prioritized the essential spots to visit within 2 hours:
- The two historic Glasshouses. I recently red a book about the development (and drama of building the glasshouses (Palace of Palms by Kate Teltscher) and it sparked my visit. The iron staircases are just beautiful.
- The Lake Crossing
- The Treetop Walkway
- The Japanese Pavilion
The Best Views in the City
Hampstead Heath: The Parliament Hill Viewpoint has a sweeping view of the city skyline from a gorgeous park.
Greenwich Park: The Prime Meridian line area has an excellent view of London.
Primrose Hill: Primrose Hill Viewpoint has a fantastic view.
The Classic Touristy View: Walking along the Bankside walk gives you a perfect view of Tower Bridge in the background. There are some picture spots by the London Bridge City Pier.
Palace Views: Although I thought staring at Buckingham Palace was somewhat underwhelming, I liked the walk up to the fountain with all the flags.
Art and History for Short Itineraries
Tate Modern
There are a million things to do for art lovers in London, but with such a tight schedule, I suggest the Tate Modern. I picked a few specific exhibitions to walk around. The building itself is incredibly cool and perfectly located for a stroll between Borough Yards and the bridges along the River Thames.
British Museum
I wanted to see the ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian areas, so I focused on those within 2 hours. There may be nighttime events like salsa dancing if you check in advance to make this an interesting thing to do in London but also hit your touristy needs. (This would be something I’d do as a DC local too at the Smithsonian’s).
Historical Sites
With a short itinerary in London myself, I skipped out on going inside the palace, parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey. I walked by whenever there was a chance on my neighborhoods itineraries but I was more interested in seeing the every day vibe of the city. However, you may want to do a tour to make the most of your time to get all the highlights in. I suggest this tour of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace. This other tour takes you to a lot of sites around town to hit more than just the historical sites. If you’re not confident about navigating the city yourself, I’d suggest this.
Entertainment & Shopping
Catching a Show
Going to a show is a must when you’re in town. I went to see My Neighbor Totoro, though my other choice was the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe. West End performances like these definitely require booking well in advance, but if you’re lucky, there are sometimes same-day £5 standing tickets available!
Iconic Shops (That Don’t Require Shopping)
If you want to see classic, historic department store architecture, pop your head into Fortnum & Mason and the original Harrods. They are just fun to walk around even if you don’t buy anything. If you find the elevator in Harrods, go in because its really unique and old! Plus, the prepared food section in the basement is cool.
I did walk out of Fortnum & Mason with two macarons, though!
Unique Restaurants in London
The Coach and Horses
I really liked my meal at The Coach and Horses in Greenwich. It’s the perfect pub stop to fuel up before or after diving into the neighborhood. While you’re there, definitely check out Greenwich Market in general because the energy is so vibrant and fun. It easily makes for one of the most interesting things to do in London.
The Constitution
Eating a classic pub meal right by the water after a long walk is one of my favorite local-feeling experiences. The Constitution is the place to do it, offering waterfront views right along the canal. Grab a table outside, order a drink, and just watch the boats pass by. It’s an ideal spot to relax and pretend you actually live in the neighborhood. I got a vegan “Sunday Roast” which was so good!
Dishoom
No matter who I talked to, everyone recommended I go to the iconic Indian restaurant Dishoom. There are several locations spread around the city, and each one features its own unique history and theme. I came to the Covent Garden spot right after drinks at VyTA, and although there was a massive line to sit inside, my friend and I sat outside and were seated within minutes. The food was incredible and lived up to every bit of the hype.
Speedboat Bar
Chinatown has quite a few interesting-looking spots, but I opted to go to Speedboat Bar for something fast and vibrant. The energy inside is amazing, and they served up incredible vegan dishes alongside a super fun Thai lemonade. I also had Noodle & Beer saved in the same area for next time if you want another option. It’s definitely a fun, flavorful spot to add to your dining hit list.
The Jam
One of the most interesting things to do in London is visiting the Jam for an authentic Italian pasta in a cool set up. The tables are layered on top of each other and its so unique! Plus, the food is amazing; we splurged on an app, main, and even a dessert.
The Kew Greenhouse Cafe
The Kew Greenhouse Cafe was absolute perfection and so cute. My friend Tina and I came here to kick off our morning before exploring Kew Gardens for a few hours. We picked a few delicious items straight from the glass cases, including my personal favorite, a savory lentil butternut cake loaf. Plus, there’s a super friendly resident cat hanging around!
Pick & Cheese
This cheese conveyor belt restaurant is high on my personal list for my next trip back. Located inside Seven Dials Market, it features a literal conveyor belt delivering an endless stream of British cheeses right to your seat. You just grab whatever pairings catch your eye as they roll past your table. It’s such a fun, quirky concept for any fellow cheese lover exploring the city.
Cool Spots to Get a Drink
Gordon’s Wine Bar
Gordon’s Wine Bar was my absolute favorite drink spot of the entire trip. It’s located in an underground, cave-like cellar where you can actually feel the rumble of the trains moving right underneath you. It’s got an amazing candlelit atmosphere, complete with great cheese boards (including vegan options) and a fantastic wine list. It completely lives up to the hype and is one of the coolest spots to grab a glass.
VyTA Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
VyTA in Covent Garden is a fantastic place to sip a drink and watch the street performers outside St. Paul’s Church. Be sure to ask to sit on the second-floor balcony for the absolute best view of the square below. I came here to catch up with an old friend from college, and the atmosphere was so lively and fun. It’s a great, stylish spot to pause and people-watch during a busy day of sightseeing.
The Sun In Splendour
This picturesque pub was my final stop as I wandered down the streets of Notting Hill. Its bright, cheerful yellow building instantly brightens up the entire block before you even step inside. I ordered a refreshing spritz and just soaked in the cozy neighborhood vibes. It was the perfect, charming end to a full day of exploring western London.
Spots I want to visit next time
- The Blues Kitchen & Ronnie Scott’s: If you’re looking for great live music, these two spots were heavily recommended by a friend, even though I ran out of time to visit. Ronnie Scott’s is a legendary jazz venue, while The Blues Kitchen serves up classic soul food alongside incredible blues sets. Both sound like the ultimate way to spend an evening out in London like a local. I already have them pinned on my map for next time!
- Flight Club Victoria: If you want a night out with a bit of interactive fun, Flight Club Victoria looks like such a great time. It features a super quirky vibe complete with carnival-inspired carousel decor and social darts games.
- Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn: Another spot I didn’t have a chance to visit, Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn is a traditional ale pub from 1547!
- The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town: I wanted to go here just for the name! This speakeasy is hidden at the back of a bar. Bring your ID to be let in.
Where to Stay: Hampstead Heath
I was lucky enough to stay with friends in Hampstead Heath, and I would definitely recommend this area as an easy base for a London trip. We stayed very close to the Belsize Park Underground station, which is surrounded by nice little cafes, including an Ottolenghi deli and Gail’s Bakery.
If I were to come back and stay at a hotel next time, I’d look into something like this studio apartment around the Belsize station for something easy. You don’t need any views while in your apartment. You just need a bed and shower. I left my friends’ place at 8 AM each morning and only came back after 10pm during my 4 days.