6 Top Things to Do in London — Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the British Museum, and More

London rewards you in every season, and it never runs out of new angles. Several of its world-renowned museums are completely free to enter, medieval architecture stands directly beside glass towers, and the Thames running through the centre ties every chapter of the city's story together. Whether it's your first visit or your tenth, London still has corners that stop you cold.

#1

📍 Westminster, central London, on the Thames

Big Ben

London's most recognised landmark worldwide — a 96-metre clock tower that forms part of the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the British Parliament with a history stretching back more than 900 years. The bell's chime on the hour is one of the most familiar sounds on earth. Interior tours of the clock tower require booking well in advance, but watching from Westminster Bridge at dusk is every bit as spectacular.

Best time Sunset, roughly 6–8 pm, when golden light plays across the Gothic stonework at its best.

How to get there Westminster Underground station (Circle, District, and Jubilee lines) — less than a 5-minute walk from the exit.

Travel tips

• The best photographs come from Westminster Bridge itself or from the South Bank directly opposite at sunset.
• Clock tower tours are open to UK residents only; international visitors can access the lower sections of the Palace, which require advance booking.
• Rush hour (8–9 am and 5–6 pm) makes the area around the tower very crowded — arriving early around 7–8 am gives you a much calmer experience.

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#2

📍 Spanning the Thames between Southwark and Tower Hamlets

Tower Bridge

Completed in 1894, Tower Bridge pairs Gothic towers with hydraulic Victorian engineering to create what many consider the most beautiful suspension bridge in the world. It still carries both vehicles and pedestrians, and it lifts roughly 800–1,000 times a year to let large vessels through. Inside the towers, a museum traces the bridge's history, and a glass walkway 42 metres up lets you watch traffic passing beneath your feet.

Best time Early morning 8–10 am before the crowds arrive, or after dark when the bridge is lit up.

How to get there Tower Hill Underground (Circle, District) or London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern) — about a 10-minute walk from either.

Travel tips

• Check the official Bridge Lift Times schedule on the website before you go so you don't miss the 5–10 minute lift.
• Museum entry inside the towers costs around £11–14, including the glass walkway — buying online is cheaper than paying at the door.
• The best camera angle is from Potters Fields Park on the South Bank, or from London Bridge just to the west.

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#3

📍 Westminster, central London, at the end of The Mall

Buckingham Palace

The official residence of the British monarch, built in the 18th century with more than 775 rooms. The Palace opens to visitors during summer (late July through September) when the Royal Family is in Scotland. The Changing of the Guard ceremony outside the gates is something every visitor should see at least once. St. James's Park directly opposite is beautiful and a fine place to rest between sights.

Best time Morning, 9:30–11:30 am, to catch the Changing of the Guard before the crowds build.

How to get there St. James's Park Underground (Circle, District) or Victoria (Circle, District, Victoria lines) — 10–15 minutes on foot.

Travel tips

• The Changing of the Guard runs roughly 11:00–11:45 am but does not happen every day — always check the schedule at royal.uk before making the trip.
• If you want to go inside, buy State Rooms tickets in advance: they are cheaper online, numbers are limited each day, and they cost around £30–35.
• Walking from the Palace along The Mall through St. James's Park to Trafalgar Square takes about 20 minutes and is one of London's most scenic routes.

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#4

📍 Bloomsbury, central London

British Museum

One of the greatest museums on earth — open since 1753 and home to more than 8 million objects spanning 2 million years of human history. The highlights you should not miss: the Rosetta Stone, the key that unlocked Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics; the Egyptian Mummies gallery with dozens of genuine mummies; and the Elgin Marbles, ancient Greek sculptures from the Parthenon. Best of all, general admission is free every day.

Best time Open daily 10:00 am–5:00 pm (Fridays until 8:30 pm). Earliest slot — 10–11 am — has the fewest people.

How to get there Holborn Underground (Central, Piccadilly) or Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern) — about a 10-minute walk.

Travel tips

• The museum is enormous. If your time is limited, decide which galleries you want before you arrive — pick up a floor plan at the entrance or download the British Museum app in advance.
• General admission is free, but Special Exhibitions charge separately, typically £20–25 — book online ahead of time.
• Fridays the museum stays open until 8:30 pm. Between 4:00 and 5:00 pm visitor numbers drop noticeably — ideal if you want a quieter look around.

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#5

📍 South Bank, on the Thames, Lambeth side

London Eye

A 135-metre observation wheel built to mark the millennium in 2000, and still one of London's defining landmarks. Each glass capsule holds 25 people and takes 30 minutes to complete one full rotation. On a clear day the views stretch up to 40 kilometres — Big Ben, Wembley Arena, and the hills beyond the city are all visible. It works as well for adults as it does for kids.

Best time Dusk, 6–9 pm, when the city lights come on and the sky turns colour — or first thing at 10 am for the clearest air.

How to get there Waterloo Underground (Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, Waterloo & City lines) — follow the South Bank walkway for about 10 minutes.

Travel tips

• Standard tickets run around £32–35 per adult. Buying online in advance gets you a 10–15% discount and lets you skip the queue. Fast Track costs more but means immediate boarding.
• The Champagne Experience includes a glass of champagne during your rotation — worth considering for a special occasion.
• On heavily overcast or rainy days the views may not justify the ticket price. Check the forecast before you go and consider rescheduling if the sky looks poor.

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#6

📍 City of London, on the Thames, next to Tower Bridge

Tower of London

A medieval fortress and palace with more than 1,000 years of history, founded by William the Conqueror in 1066. Over the centuries it has served as a royal residence, a prison for high-profile captives, the Royal Mint, and a royal menagerie. Today it holds the Crown Jewels — the actual regalia of the British monarchy, set with thousands of precious stones including the Koh-i-Noor diamond on the Crown. Tours led by the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) are dense with history and genuinely entertaining.

Best time Open daily 9:00 am–5:30 pm (from 10:00 am on Sundays and Mondays). Before 11 am is consistently the least crowded.

How to get there Tower Hill Underground (Circle, District) — the Tower is visible the moment you leave the station, about 3 minutes on foot.

Travel tips

• Book tickets online in advance — around £30–33 per adult. Buying at the door costs £3–5 more and means a longer wait.
• The Crown Jewels have the longest queue in the Tower. Arrive before 10:00 am when it opens, or come in the late afternoon, to avoid the worst of it.
• The ravens living inside the Tower are a serious institution. Legend holds that if all the ravens ever leave, the kingdom will fall — by law, at least 6 must be kept here at all times.

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