Things to Do in London

London sits on ~1,000 years of continuous history. Medieval churches share corners with glass towers while tech workers grab pints in pubs that have served beer since before America existed. You'll ride Tube trains through stations built in the 1860s, emerge next to Roman walls, then eat lunch in markets that have traded for seven centuries. The city operates in layers. You can spend morning hours with Turner paintings, afternoon wandering Borough Market sampling everything, and evening watching Shakespeare where he staged his plays. London feels familiar and foreign simultaneously. Red buses and black cabs create instant recognition, but turn any corner and you'll find hidden garden squares or 900-year-old churches wedged between modern offices. The weather gets bad press—unfairly. Those gray skies make cozy pubs and warm museums feel more inviting.

London's food scene evolved far beyond stodgy reputation. You'll still find excellent traditional fare in historic pubs and pie shops if that interests you, but the real excitement comes from diversity—some of the best Indian food outside India lines Brick Lane. Chinatown serves authentic dim sum. Middle Eastern specialties cluster around Edgware Road. Borough Market and food halls like Leadenhall offer excellent casual dining. The gastropub movement means you can eat remarkably well in traditional pub settings, and London excels at afternoon tea from budget department store versions to elaborate hotel experiences.

London works year-round. Summer brings longer daylight perfect for park picnics and outdoor theatre, while winter makes museums, pubs, and Christmas markets feel especially welcoming—spring and autumn offer the best balance of decent weather and manageable crowds. May and September work particularly well for walking. London weather remains famously unpredictable. Pack layers regardless of season and remember that rain gives you excuse to duck into another fascinating museum or cozy pub.