Big Ben. Tower Bridge. Buckingham Palace.
You’re likely familiar with London’s iconic sites even if you’ve never visited.
Everyone has their own ideation of London in their mind’s eye. Some travelers conjure up visions of the Victorian Era while others envision manicured grounds on regal estates that are literally fit for a queen or king.
But what about the real London?
The everyday London. The metropolis that Londoners love and the city that’s always front-and-center on the world’s stage.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or know the Heathrow Wetherspoons like the back of your hand, plan your next trip using our London City Guide in 2024.
Location, Battersea Power Station, London.
What To Do In London, England (Besides The Obvious)
After you’ve taken the obligatory photo in a red telephone box and ridden the equally amusing double-decker buses around the sites, it’s time to experience a more modern side of London.
Battersea Power Station is the newest spot for shopping and dining. Accessible via the Battersea Power Station Tube line, this repurposed Victorian power station features dozens of chic shops, cafes, and restaurants next door to the splendid, serene views from Battersea Park.
Speaking of shopping, Coal Drops Yard has you covered near Kings Cross Station. Its art space, Lightroom, also features the David Hockney: Bigger & Closer immersive digital experience that showcases a journey through 60 years of the artist’s work.
Image credits, Unsplash, Fadia Peerun. Location, Brixton Market, London.
What to do in London at night
After sightseeing, spend time immersed in London’s contemporary culture. @sohoplace is the newest theatre in the West End while The Beams recently opened in East London for weekend clubbing. Of course, you can still get your classic culture fix via Museum Lates, late-night operating hours on select days at sites like the British Museum and Tate Modern.
Need to get your late-night London grub on?
- Arcade Food Hall brings global street eats to your mouth, serving up everything from burgers and fried chicken to Thai, Indonesian, and Nepali dishes.
- Taste Film elevates traditional dinner and a movie by hosting screenings in various venues, paired with film-specific foods.
- And where better to end the night than with a pint of the black stuff at the new Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard microbrewery?
Image credits, Unsplash, Jean Philippe Delberghe. Location, London.
Cool Things to do in London in 2024
Not sure when the best time to visit London is? Plan your itinerary around one of these awesome events.
- March: Get spooked during a Twilight Tour of the Tower of London this month.
- April: Run the TCS London Marathon to get a new view of London as you pass by the capital’s famous landmarks between Greenwich and St. James Park.
- May: The Coronation of King Charles III will be a historic weekend that you won’t want to miss.
- June: The National Portrait Gallery reopens in St. Martin’s Place for the first time since the pandemic, inviting you to explore thousands of illustrated works from the 16th-century through today.
- July: Toddlers and teens alike will embrace the opening of the Young V&A, an imaginative and interactive play space in Bethnal Green.
- August: This month is full of festivals, though the Notting Hill Carnival ranks as Europe’s largest street festival.
- September: Open House Festival is your ticket to peeking inside of London’s best buildings, many which are normally off-limits to the public.
- October: In a month full of Halloween haunts, find the lighter side of London during the Illuminated River tour, a boat journey down the Thames beneath nine LED-lit bridges.
- November: Lovers of the stage should flock to the free Re:Imagining Musicals exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington.
- December: Potterheads with a little Floo Powder to see Howarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter as winter brings a festive flair to this Wizarding World attraction.
Image credits, Unsplash, Brett Jordan. Location, Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
And don’t forget, getting to all of these awesome attractions is effortless when you take the Heathrow Express from the airport right into the heart of London.
Header image credits, Unsplash, Liz Poor. Location, Notting Hill, London.