Best things to do in London

'Must see' in London

There is so much more waiting for you to see in central London, of which we provide a few highlights, some famous, while others hidden gems. The big hitters of the capital hardly need an introduction but a trip downtown can accommodate a neat walk to encapsulate all the pictures you may have seen on social media. 

Let's start with this short guide on what to do in London: 

1. The Tower of London, mystery and scheming within its fabric. 
2. Houses of Parliament, where the decisions are made and Big Ben rings. 
3. London Eye, the 360-degree vista. 
4. Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s most famous home. 
5. Westminster Abbey: Royal coronations, weddings, etc. 
6. St Paul’s Cathedral, a Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. 

Aside from these, a few more quirky surprises can be found if you look in the right places. 

• How big does a police station need to be? Whatever your answer to that question, you’re unlikely to have guessed the measurements of the one at Trafalgar Square, built to keep an eye on protests that commonly took place there. It’s no longer in use but can still provide for an unusual photograph opportunity. 
• In this guide to things to do in London you will find a reference to the original Monopoly, The Strand. The old front is still visible and you can organize a tour inside to see the deep tunnel that was used to protect key artifacts during World War bombings. 
• In Covent Garden two of the Hidden Ears by Tim Fishlock can be found on Floral Street, but the illustrator says there are several others. 
• In a similar fashion, Soho is home to The Seven Noses by Rick Buckley. See who can sniff them out first! 
• We mentioned Big Ben earlier – remember that’s the bell, not the tower – and you can get a small memento from the Church Bell Foundry in Whitechapel. It is also where the iconic American Liberty Bell was made and by visiting the store you’ll be stepping into the UK’s oldest manufacturing company still in existence. That’s history for you.
• Another of the plans within this guide on what to do in London, is to visit the address 221b Baker Street. The home of the fictional character Sherlock Holmes can be visited and the museum next door gives you an insight into the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective, and the chance to buy some unique souvenirs to take back home. 

You may have been to London before. If that’s the case, and you feel like heading further afield, then why not take a trip out to the beautiful and historical towns of Bath, Cambridge and Oxford. You can also write on your list of things to do in London: the spectacular Windsor Castle or the mystical Stonehenge; or explore the Cotswolds and soak up its rural beauty.

Walking around Kensington

If you missed a chance to enjoy breakfast in-house, pop into Fait Maison on Stratford Road for a delightful boost from as early as 07:00. 

Appetizing pastries greet you at the window and if more sustenance is required then their French toast and sausage plate goes down a treat. Once satisfied, continue north until you reach Kensington High Street (shopping heaven to many a visitor) and then turn east past some well-known brand names until you arrive at the corner entrance to the famous Hyde Park. 

There is so much to see and do within this wonderful green lung of the city, weather dependent of course, but Kensington Palace is what takes our immediate focus. This is where Queen Victoria began her life and you can wander through various rooms and exhibitions to find out more about the history of the current official residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The pristinely decorative gardens are also worth a visit. 

Among the things to do in London, we also start walking through Hyde Park to the east, passing through Round Pond and to the nearby Serpentine Gallery. The two collections there – one just north of the park’s river – won’t take up much of your time but are always worth stopping at to see what works are on display in the regularly updated exhibitions. 

You’ll also notice the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain located between the galleries, as is the Colicci Café. Note that if you decide to have a look at the Albert Memorial on the south side, you can take a brief step out of the park to admire the renowned Royal Albert Hall during the day. More about that venue later. 

Continue further east within the park before exiting to the south at the playground and onto Park Close in a southerly direction. Take in the contrasting array of buildings that line the street, including some top-end designer names, and follow as it turns west onto Brompton Road for our next destination, the world famous Harrods of London. 

This iconic department store may not suit every budget but there is no reason to let that prevent you from having a look around. You are surrounded by luxury at every turn and the history of the store, which dates back to the middle of the 19th century can be felt as you traverse the impressive displays. 

Once the browsing urge has subsided, maintain your easterly trajectory along Brompton Road for a few more minutes, and feel free to allow the refreshment urge take hold as you pass by several fine cafés and bistros tempting you in. As the gentle bend in the road completes you will catch sight of the high towers that mark the Victoria and Albert Museum. One of the things we recommend doing in London is, without a doubt, you venture inside. 

With an impressive permanent collection complemented by various temporary ones, this is home to the largest exhibition of applied and decorative arts and design, dating back to 1852. In addition, entry is free. 

Around the corner from the V&A Museum two other outstanding attractions are found: the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Again free, the multitude of exhibits looking at animals (spanning back millions of years) the oceans, human evolution and space, make the Natural History Museum a joy to behold. 

And if beyond our skies is where your curiosity lies, then that is delved into deeper at the Science Museum, along with key insights into the worlds of technology and medicine, through countless interactive displays.

Eating in London

As you may expect from one of the world’s great cities, London has every type of dining option available. You’ll no doubt be kept well fed at your event but there will likely be opportunities for you to enjoy local eateries throughout the day. The difficulty you’ll have is not so much if you’ll find a suitable café, brasserie, market or restaurant, but more deciding which of the many establishments you will finally plump for. In this guide of things to do in London, we will recommend the best restaurants in the city. 

A perfect breakfast 

Caffe Concerto on Kensington High Street rarely disappoints and effortlessly blends quality wares with friendly service. The perfect place to start the day.

Best spot for lunch 

The Dairy is a popular venue for those in the know and the only risk it presents is that you’ll want to stay longer. The décor will catch your eye first, and the atmosphere will absorb you, but it is the value-for-money set menu that makes this a great choice for lunch. 

Best dinner restaurants 

Bubala on Commercial Street offers up a wondrous vegetarian menu of Israeli origin and as well as delighting the palate will not hit the pocket too hard either. The setting is informal and minimalistic but the owners manage to ensure a vibrant feel to accompany numerous small dishes including the obligatory flatbread with humus, halloumi and imaginatively prepared vegetables. An ideal place to wind down. 

The likes of Gazelle, Gloria and Alphabet are all wonderful options where we have enjoyed a special meal, however, we also point you in the direction of St Leonard’s as one of Shoreditch’s numerous eateries. The menu may be simple enough to make selection not too daunting a task, but each of the dishes will be difficult to overlook, as themes of fire and ice inspire the chefs’ creativity.

The truth is that there are things to do in London for all tastes and budgets. Talk to our hotel team who will be happy to give you personalized recommendations for your chosen experience.

London nightlife

Once again, London is able to cater for virtually all desires, whether it’s a quiet drink, some live music to gently sooth a frenzied mind, or a cocktail and a dance to really shake off. Allow us to scratch the surface with a few ideas… 

A classy night out is assured in the Kensington district with a number of welcoming bars and stylish clubs. On Sloane Square you can try out the rather trendy Tonteria, while the more glamorous Eclipse will get your heart beating till the hotel pillow calls you back to rest. For something a little lighter, head to the 606 Club for a delicious cocktail with sweet jazz providing the soundtrack to your evening. 

For the utmost in live music, a night at the aforementioned Royal Albert Hall is something to plan ahead of your trip. Whether its orchestral movements, classic rock ballads, jazz compilations, or even the more occasional Cirque du Soleil, there are few auditoriums that can match the grandeur of this historic venue.

Do you feel like doing a different activity?

There are fun golf-inspired simulations at Plonk or the Junkyard Golf Club; escape room equivalents at the appropriately-named Escape Land; or numerous gaming bars both for table board games and their modern digital versions. 

Among the things to do in London, you'll also be able to join the crowd of people these days who have swapped bars and clubs for boutique cafes and bistros. Feya is a lovely alternative place, as is Covent Garden's elegant Mariage Frères.

The living culture oozes from every street corner and there are hidden surprises just waiting to enrich the stories that you return home with. Our team at the nhow London Hotel awaits your call if you need more personalized recommendations. Our main goal will always be to ensure that your stay is as pleasant as it is productive.