A view of the Thames including Tower Bridge and The Shard

Things to do in London during the day

By Ian Packham

There are so many potential things to do in London during the day that it can actually be quite difficult to know where to start. What’s hot, and what’s not? What’s worth your time – and money – and what isn’t?

If you’re feeling dazed by the sheer array of days out in London you can fill with exciting attractions, you’ll want to take note of our suggestions for the perfect day in and around the River Thames.

Top tips for enjoying London during the day

Image of Face, Head, Person, Selfie, Photography, Adult, Male, Man, Electronics, Mobile Phone, Phone, Female, Woman, Housing,

Before we delve into the delights of all the things to do in London during the day, here are a few top tips that will help you make the most of your time in the capital.

  • Have a lie in

If you’re anything like us, the temptation after arriving into a new city is to wake up as early as possible to squeeze in as many attractions as you can. But for all London’s hustle and bustle, many popular attractions don’t open their doors until 10AM. Arrive any earlier than this, and you’ll not only be left hanging around outside, but you’ll also end up traveling during the morning rush hour.

Lasting from 7:30 – 9AM, it's not many people’s idea of a fun way to start the day. Public transportation is often uncomfortably crowded as people head to work, and you’ll be paying more for the privilege. Instead, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and kick off your day the right way.

  • Maps aren’t just for atlases

It can seem like you only have to walk a few steps before stumbling upon a noteworthy feature on the London skyline. Whilst many attractions are within walking distance of one another, many are much further apart. Don’t forget that London is one of Europe’s biggest cities. It’s therefore a good idea to have a vague understanding of where attractions are located. Dividing them between west, central and east London will suffice.

  • Bring a reusable water bottle

Concerns about single-use plastics are resulting in free water fountains popping up all over London. Many cafés will also refill a bottle for free, so save your cash for what really matters by bringing a reusable water bottle with you. They can also be a godsend when using the Tube in the summer.

The best things to do in London during the day

If you’re thinking about what to do with your time in London, you’re in for a treat! Although you can tackle the capital in any way you fancy, we’ve come up with what we think might be the very best day the capital has to offer.

Spend the morning in east London

Image of Grass, Nature, Outdoors, Park, Person,

Start your exploration of the capital with your head in the clouds at the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower, standing at the southern end of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Relive the iconic moments from the 2012 Summer Olympics at the park’s famed venues, before rising to the top of the twisting structure – Britain’s largest artwork. Designed by sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor, not only are the views extraordinary, but it offers a very different tube experience, boasting the world’s longest slide at 178m long.

The various attractions of Greenwich, including the Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum, lie to the south. Head roughly westward instead, through Jack the Ripper’s Whitechapel, and you’ll soon arrive at the Tower of London, which has guarded the banks of the Thames since 1066.

Palace, armory and prison in turn, the Tower can easily fill the rest of your morning. Take a tour led by one of the team of beefeaters to learn the stories behind highlights including Traitor’s Gate, the Crown Jewels and the building’s all-important ravens.

Enjoy lunchtime at St Paul’s

Image of Adult, Female, Person, Woman,

Step aboard a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus from outside the Tower of London for the short but culturally-rich journey to St Paul’s Cathedral. Along the way you’ll pass by the Monument to the Great Fire of London, standing just meters from its ignition point in a baker’s shop on Pudding Lane, as well as Mansion House – the impressive residence of the Lord Mayor of London.

A symbol of London for centuries, the views towards the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral are considered so important they are protected by law. Built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire destroyed Old St Paul’s, it was – maybe ironically – paid for by a tax on coal.

From the crypt containing the mortal remains of Admiral Nelson, victor of the Battle of Trafalgar, to the Whispering Gallery, St Paul’s is one of London’s most ornate religious spaces. The location for a multitude of events of international importance, it has hosted the funeral of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer and even a speech by Martin Luther King Jr on route to collecting his Nobel Peace Prize from the committee in Oslo, Norway.

Marrying new with old is the pedestrian Millennium Bridge, crossing the Thames from outside the cathedral steps. A landmark in its own right, it leads to Shakespeare’s Globe and the galleries of the Tate Modern.

Devote the afternoon to tea and cake

Image of Brunch, Food, Cup,

Whilst it’s no longer entirely true that the capital grinds to a halt at around 3PM for tea, it is true that a traditional afternoon tea remains an excellent way to celebrate the city’s culinary history.

The Piccadilly area has some of the best choices, with the capital’s grand hotels like The Ritz welcoming those keen to sample the best snack you’ll probably ever have. Consisting of sandwiches and cakes, it was invented by Anna, Duchess of Bedford. A lady in waiting to Queen Victoria, she simply couldn’t endure the middle hours between lunch and dinner.

If jumping’s still possible after such a feast, jumping onto the Victoria or Piccadilly Line of the Underground from Green Park will have muggles at King’s Cross Station before they can mutter expelliarmus. As any Harry Potter fan will know, the Hogwarts’ Express departs from the station’s Platform 9 3⁄4, where you can get your photograph snapped beside a disappearing luggage trolley.

Similarly magical are the 1080 jets together making up the pavement fountains of nearby Granary Square. Dancing in time and displaying a range of colors, they make for a great place to relax during the summer months. At this time of year they take on the air of an urban beach and glow even brighter as dusk settles over another day in London.

Save on the top things to do in London

If you’re keen to follow our pick of the best things to do in London during the day there’s just one thing to do first, and that’s grab the London Explorer Pass. Doing away with the need for paper tickets, you’ll save at many of the city’s main attractions without having to do away with flexibility.

For a sneak peak of all you can experience be sure to check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook, where you can also share your vacation snaps. Don’t forget to smile!

Continue reading

Hammersmith Bridge over the River Thames.
Blog

Things to do in Hammersmith London

With picturesque riverside pubs, several top-class theatres and concert venues and some of west London’s finest parks, there are plenty of things to do in Hammersmith year-round. Out and about in Hammersmith In spite of weighing in at around 33 acres and having its own Tube station, Hammersmith's Ravenscourt Park remains one of west London’s best-kept secrets. Here, bright green parakeets dart between ancient lime and chestnut trees, their playful squawks a familiar sound to residents, while kids splash and play in the huge paddling pool and sandpit by the railway arches, open during the summer months. There’s a tranquil walled garden tucked away by the Paddenswick Road entrance, as well as a duck pond, playgrounds and a small garden center with a coffee shop. The park is just a hop and a skip from the Thames Path, with wonderful riverside walks that stretch all the way from Greenwich in south-east London to the bucolic rolling hills of the Cotswolds. A gentle meander along this leafy West London stretch is particularly rewarding, with Kew Gardens, Richmond Park and Hampton Court Palace among the highlights easily reached by bicycle. Boat services also connect Kew to Hampton Court. Hammersmith’s Furnivall Gardens is a fine riverside spot for people (and boat) watching. Get there early on balmy summer evenings to claim your spot on the grass and watch the local rowing clubs being put through their paces in the shadow of the mighty Hammersmith Bridge. This regal vision in moss-green and gold is one of the world’s oldest mechanical suspension bridges, and connects Hammersmith to the sprawling London Wetland Centre reserve, just across the Thames in neighboring Barnes. Prints and pints No visit to Hammersmith’s riverfront would be complete without popping into one of its quaint old pubs to sample an ale or two from nearby Fuller’s Brewery. Just off Furnivall Gardens, The Dove offers a splendid sun terrace during summer and roaring log fires in the colder months. This 18th-century stalwart also lays claim to what was once the tiniest bar room in the world (as immortalised in the Guinness Book of Records, no less!), as well as links to hard-drinking literary heavyweights including Ernest Hemingway, Graham Greene and Dylan Thomas. Other notable former neighbors include William Morris, textile designer and leading light of the Arts and Crafts Movement. You’ll find a pub named in his honor on King Street, Hammersmith’s main shopping thoroughfare, though teetotaller Morris may have raised an eyebrow at the association. Instead, make for Kelmscott House, the handsome riverside Georgian townhouse where Morris lived for nearly 20 years. Although now a private home, the basement and coach house serve as headquarters of the William Morris Society, which opens to the public on Thursday and Saturday afternoons. A visit to the restored home of Morris’s friend and fellow Arts and Crafts pioneer Emery Walker, just a few doors along the riverfront, is also worthwhile for its bold prints, colorful pottery and exhibition room. A little further west, Hogarth’s House is a little countryside oasis in Chiswick, just yards from the major road that connects west London to Heathrow Airport. Take a wander around the beautiful Mulberry Garden before stepping inside to see some of William Hogarth’s works, as well as exhibitions from other artists. Entry is free. Take in a show Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo has played host to rock, pop and jazz royalty in its near-100-year history, from Prince to Queen, The Beatles to Bowie, Kanye to Kylie. It’s also the place to get a few belly laughs with shows from international comedy stars. But don’t be fooled by the household names: this landmark Art Deco venue is no soulless stadium, with a relatively intimate theater atmosphere and a maximum capacity of only around 5,000. Just round the corner, the Lyric Theatre hosts touring musicals, Christmas pantomimes and fabulous kids’ shows, as well as productions from up-and-coming theatrical groups. For ultra-local theater, check out the Chiswick Playhouse, an intimate 90-seat venue above The Tabard pub by Turnham Green Tube station. As well as dramas and musicals, the Playhouse frequently hosts low-key shows by big-name comedians as they polish their latest jokes for TV and stadium audiences. Riverside Studios is a smart, contemporary space that showcases the best of independent film-making alongside the latest blockbusters. The venue boasts two cinemas as well as an exhibition space and studios for theatrical productions. Grab a drink before the movie in the Cinema Bar or enjoy a pre-theatre dinner in Sam’s Riverside, with views of the river and Hammersmith Bridge. Good neighbors For such a compact urban neighborhood, Hammersmith really punches above its weight when it comes to things to do. Direct links to Heathrow Airport and central London mean it’s also ideal for reaching many of London’s other top attractions, while its closest neighbors are also no slouches. Head up to Shepherd’s Bush for world-class shopping, dining and entertainment at the UK’s largest shopping centre. Westfield London boasts nearly 300 stores, around 100 restaurants and an impressive 20-screen cinema. Shepherd’s Bush also has a bustling street market and yet another renowned music venue in the 02 Empire. Regal Kensington is home to the ultra-modern Design Museum, as well as Kensington Palace and Gardens, former home of Diana, Princess of Wales and now the official royal residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family. From here, you can enter Hyde Park for strolls to the Serpentine lake and gallery, the Diana Memorial Fountain, Royal Albert Hall and smart shops and restaurants in Notting Hill. Save on things to do in Hammersmith Save on admission to London attractions and explore Hammersmith and beyond with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
People enjoy the dun in St James's Park London
Blog

London in June

June in London is known by its nine million residents for its blend of sunny skies, annual events and warm evenings outdoors. If you’re looking to get a sense of the British capital at its most animated, June is the month to visit. Not only do summer temperatures creep into every aspect of a visit to London during the month, but the city gets all dressed up in its finery for events of international significance – from the Wimbledon tennis championships to Trooping the Colour. Come with us, as we explore the very best of London in June. Soak up the June sun With the bright summer sun warming the streets of London from east to west and south to north, June is perhaps the perfect time to explore some of the city’s hidden green spaces. And that’s exactly what it’s possible to do during London’s Open Garden Squares Weekend at the start of the month. This very special weekend sees usually private spaces opening their gates to the public. Those taking part change from year to year, but have previously included City of London rooftops, a historic garden beside Shakespeare’s Globe accessed via London’s narrowest street and even the rarely-seen lawns of the Prime Minister’s office at 10 Downing Street. Situated among the ancient trees of a Royal Park, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre does nights at the theater like nowhere else in the capital. Its alfresco nature ensures every performance is unique, whilst the company’s artistes are top talents who regularly end up touring shows first-opened just a few hundred meters from the lion habitat of ZSL London Zoo. Pomp and pageantry The massed ranks of the British army put on one of their best performances of the year at Trooping the Colour. Marking the official birthday of the reigning monarch, this June event has taken place since 1908, after King Edward VII got tired of celebrating his natural birthday in the November chill. Dressed in their famous red frock coats and bearskin hats, over 1000 soldiers troop the color – their regimental flag – to the tune of around 400 musicians. It all takes place under the watchful eye of the monarch on Horse Guards Parade. But The Mall provides the best vantage point for the public to watch, since it has the added benefit of lining the route taken by various members of the royal family to and from Buckingham Palace by horse-drawn carriages. If sport is more your métier, head to London towards the end of June for the Wimbledon Championships. Probably the world’s most prestigious sporting trophy, tickets for the show courts are fiercely fought over. However, it’s still possible to take in the atmosphere and look out for the greatest players of the generation with a ground pass. The start of festival season Meanwhile, the London Festival of Architecture spans the entire length of June. The world’s biggest festival of its kind aims to reveal the stories behind some of the city’s best-known structures. Syon Park’s classic car show aims to fulfil a similar role for all things petrol-powered, whilst June is also the start of Pride month. Many of London’s nightspots in Soho and the West End put on special events to get the LGBT+ community in the spirit of the rainbow flag. The spectacle of the Royal Ascot five-day horse race meeting should be the only excuse you need to step aboard a Hop-on Hop-off open-topped bus in nearby Windsor. As well as admiring Europe’s longest-occupied castle, you can take in sights including Eton College and Holy Trinity Church. Observe the longest day of the year Summer nights in London develop an atmosphere all of their own, and this is only ever heightened in the case on June 22, the date of the summer solstice. Various one-off events take place on the longest day of the year, from sunrise yoga sessions to solstice parties at the capital’s top bars and clubs. It’s best to check local press closer to the time for details. It’s in June that London’s rooftop bars also come into their own, with many providing drinkers with spectacular panoramas across the skyline by both day and by night. Admire the historic landmarks which line the banks of the Thames with a city cruise river pass. Between them, the likes of the Tower of London, Houses of Parliament and London Bridge boast over a thousand years of heritage no visitor should miss. The Sunday nearest the solstice is usually the date set for Father’s Day. Those keen to celebrate everything their dad has done for them with a restaurant meal should book early. Restaurant tables get filled quickly with families looking to enjoy dedicated menus put in place just for the day. Experience London’s wildlife havens For a totally different way to see the capital, head west to the pools and ponds which form the London Wetland Centre. Created out of unwanted Victorian reservoirs in the year 2000, this magical space is now visited by some 180 different species of bird, as well as otters and innumerable species of insect. June in London is a good time to plan a visit to attractions with outdoor elements such as Chiswick House and Kitchen Garden too. Finished in 1729, the house is a celebrated example of neo-Palladian architecture. The surrounding grounds are one of the earliest examples of the English landscape style to be still in existence. Alternatively, head back to banks of the Thames and challenge yourself to find your way through the maze at Hampton Court Palace. Its yew tree hedging has been foxing residents and guests since it was first planted in the 1690s. Ways to save on attraction admission The sky is pretty much the limit when it comes to things to do in London in June. The generally fine weather means few of London’s attractions are off limits, although this can soon have a detrimental effect on your wallet. You can save on London attraction admission with Go City. How does it work? Simply purchase a package and start to save! Go to the visitor attractions you had always wanted to explore without losing the flexibility that’s an important part of any vacation!
Ian Packham
David Bowie at Madame Tussauds London. Image credit: Merlin.
Blog

Ultimate Guide to Madame Tussauds London

Madame Tussauds wax museum has been wowing (and startling) London tourists for nearly two centuries now, its collection of lifelike wax models of historic figures, stars of stage and screen, rock legends and other celebrity icons proving an irresistible draw for millions of visitors every year. Here’s where you can get up close to the Royal Family, come face-to-face with Jack the Ripper, and experience impossible festival line-ups that team Bob Marley with Beyoncé and David Bowie with Dua Lipa. Read on for our ultimate guide to Madame Tussauds London, including when to visit, how to get tickets, and the waxwork highlights you simply mustn’t miss! Madame Tussauds London: The Lowdown It’s nearly 250 years since the teenage Madame Marie Tussaud, then a trainee wax sculptor in Paris, created her first waxwork, an effigy of writer and philosopher Voltaire. Tussaud’s journey to fame and fortune was long and arduous, taking in imprisonment during the French Revolution, a spell in swinging London in the early 1800s, and a 33-year-long tour of Britain with which she finally made her name. In 1835, she finally settled in a permanent exhibition space on Baker Street, a stone’s throw from the larger Marylebone premises opened by her grandson in 1883, where the iconic wax figures have been displayed ever since. Marie Tussaud died in 1850 at the grand old age of 88, leaving behind a wax legacy that included a sculpture of herself. The immortal figure of Madame Tussaud can still be seen today, welcoming guests through the museum’s entrance on Marylebone Road. She’s joined by some 150 fellow models, a rotating circus of the great and good (and not so great and good) that moves with the times, capturing the zeitgeist and national mood. Zones like the Chamber of Horrors, with its roster of ghosts, ghouls and bad guys of yore, pay tribute to Tussaud’s original vision, while the Marvel Universe, Awards Party, Impossible Festival and Star Wars zones keep pace with the latest trends and fashions. There are several epic immersive areas, and you can even cast your own hand in wax and take it home as a fun (if slightly macabre) souvenir of your visit! Madame Tussauds London Highlights The Royal Palace. Practice your best curtsy as you come face-to-face with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and snap a selfie with Wills and Kate. You’ll also encounter royal guests such as Dame Judi Dench, Mo Farah CBE, and former US president Barack Obama. Awards Party. Hit the red carpet and pap Angelina Jolie, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Harry Styles and others. Impossible Festival. Impossible by name, impossible by nature, the line-up at this dream festival boasts Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Amy Winehouse and Taylor Swift. Marvel Universe 4D. Join your favorite Marvel superheroes – Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, the Black Panther and more – on a cinematic adventure that includes real-world water, wind and seat-quaking effects! Chamber of Horrors. Not for the faint of heart, this immersive zone reveals London’s dark underbelly, and features relics rescued from genuine crime scenes. Meet notorious gangsters the Krays and other London monsters like John Christie, Dennis Nilsen and, of course, Jack the Ripper himself. Spirit of London. Take a black cab ride through the city’s turbulent past, from the plague to the Great Fire of London,and Carnaby Street in the swinging 1960s. Star Wars. Space cadets, rejoice! Here’s where to spot Chewbacca helming the controls of the legendary Millennium Falcon, encounter C-3PO and R2-D2 on the shifting sands of Tatooine, and watch Luke and Darth battle it out on the Death Star. Meanwhile, in the swamps and forests of his native Dagobah, Yoda you must meet. Madame Tussauds London: When to Visit Madame Tussauds London's opening hours vary throughout the year. It’s generally open from 9AM or 10AM until 3PM or 4PM, with longer hours (usually 9AM–5PM) during school holidays. Check the official Madame Tussauds London website for opening hours on the days you want to visit.  Generally speaking, the first and last tours of the day (after around 2PM) are less prone to overcrowding, but avoid weekends and school holidays if you can, when the crowds of tourists inside can occasionally make getting close to your favorite wax icons… challenging. Book in advance to lock in your 15-minute time slot; turning up on the day and buying a ticket then and there is possible, but unadvisable. This, after all, is one of London’s most popular attractions, so doing it this way will likely require you to while away several hours in nearby Regent’s Park as you await your slot. Madame Tussauds London: Tickets One of the best ways to visit Madame Tussauds London is with an All-Inclusive attraction pass from Go City. Just select the number of consecutive days you plan to sightsee (up to 10), and fill your boots with as many bucket-list London experiences – including tours, activities, attractions and more – as you can in that time. The pass offers savings of up to 50% against regular entry prices, with the value increasing the more things you see and do. The All-Inclusive pass comes packed with dozens of essential London attractions, including Madame Tussauds, plus the London Eye, Tower of London, the View from The Shard, London Zoo, the London Bridge Experience and many more. You can also book direct via the Madame Tussauds London website, where options include multi-attraction tickets, fast track passes and a champagne bar experience. Fun Facts About Madame Tussauds London Waxworks at Madame Tussauds take around six months to create, from concept to completion. They are groomed and touched up throughout their lifetime and, when retired, have their heads and extremities removed and placed in storage. Those archives must be a sight to behold! Figures are made 2% larger than the human (or movie character) they represent, to account for melting during the modeling process. The museum’s oldest waxwork is of Louis XV’s last mistress Madame du Barry, sculpted by Marie Tussaud’s teacher Philippe Curtius in 1765. Closest Transport Links to Madame Tussauds London Madame Tussauds is a two-minute walk from Baker Street station on the London Underground; access to multiple Tube lines including the Bakerloo, Circle, Jubilee and Metropolitan make this by far the easiest way to get here. Marylebone train station is a 10-minute walk and several bus routes also service the area. All images shown depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds. Save on London Tours, Activities and Attractions Save on admission to 100+ London attractions with an Explorer or All-Inclusive pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

    Thick check Icon