London attractions

Opened in the ’80s by prominent art collector Charles Saatchi, this grand gallery in the Duke of York’s Headquarters in Chelsea expanded from the founder’s private collection to showcase works by up-and-coming international artists. With free entry to most of its collections, the museum aims to make its contemporary artwork accessible to a wide audience, and it’s become a must-visit for modern art fans in London.

Though this theater was built in the 1970s, the site where it stands has centuries of performance history: In the 18th century, it was a song-filled tavern known as the Mogul Saloon. Today, the Gillian Lynne Theatre (formerly called the New London) is known for hit plays and musicals like War Horse and School of Rock, as well as having been the home of Andrew Llyod Webber’s Cats for over 20 years.

An interconnected network of man-made caves created over centuries, the Chislehurst Caves are among the most unusual tourist destinations in the Greater London area. Carved by hand and once used as flint and chalk mines, this labyrinth of tunnels stretches 22 miles (35 kilometers) and provides an offbeat peek into English history.

Dating back to the early 20th century, the Victoria Palace Theatre is a staple of London’s theater scene. Over the years it’s played host to a variety of hit shows, ranging from Billy Elliot The Musical to Grease. Until at least 2025, the theater is home to the award-winning musical Hamilton.

Set in the formerly industrial neighborhood of Bermondsey, Maltby Street Market is a little off the typical tourist trail, and offers a more relaxed alternative to Borough Market. This lesser-known gem is popular with locals and features around 30 food and drink vendors. Expect everything from dumplings and tacos to vegan baked goods and cheese toasties, plus creative global street food fusions. It’s a worthwhile detour for food lovers keen to taste their way around London.

One of 35 London bridges that straddle the River Thames, Waterloo Bridge is sandwiched between Blackfriars Bridge and the iconic Westminster Bridge. It’s nicknamed the “Ladies Bridge,” as it was built mostly by women during World War II, and serves as the gateway to the bustling London Waterloo station and South Bank, a cultural hub right on the river.

Whitechapel Gallery, located in London’s vibrant East End, is a cornerstone of contemporary art in Tower Hamlets. Over the years, it has exhibited works by legends such as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock while also championing emerging local talent. Beyond its galleries, the space draws visitors with dynamic film screenings, thought-provoking events, and a well-curated bookshop.

Russell Square is a leafy park towered over by centuries-old plane trees in the heart of Bloomsbury, one of London’s most celebrated academic districts. It's the ideal place to escape the bustle of central London and is flanked by the grandiose Kimpton Fitzroy, a 5-star Victorian Gothic hotel built on the site of Emmeline Pankhurst's former home.

Best known as the home of the Wimbledon Championships—arguably, one of the world’s most famous tennis tournaments—the All England Lawn Tennis Club attracts tennis fans from around the world, as well as royalty and celebrities. Whether coming to watch a tennis match or for a tour, the venue is home to a museum that tells the story of The Championships, as well as a shop and café.

Located in the East London district of Poplar, Billingsgate Market is famous for being the UK’s largest inland fish market, selling more than 27,000 tons (25,000 tonnes) of fish each year. While it primarily serves trade, the market is open to the public—expect wet floors, loud banter, and fast-paced selling. With nearly 100 stalls, 30 shops, and two cafés, it’s a vital wholesale hub for London’s fishmongers and restaurateurs.

An iconic London street known for its world-class tailoring, Savile Row is the capital's premier spot for sartorial elegance. The shop windows of this affluent Mayfair Road are filled with exquisite suits, coats, robes, jackets, and shoes; many of the businesses on the street have been in operation since the early 1800s.

King’s Road started life as a private road for King Charles II, which set the tone for the historic nature of this famous London street. Credited as being the epicenter of the Swinging Sixties cultural movement, today the area’s fashion legacy continues with more than 160 luxury brand stores and boutiques.

The crumbling ruins of the City of London’s original Roman wall, which was built around AD 200, can still be found in the modern financial district—if you know where to look. The best-preserved and easiest section of the wall to visit is at Tower Hill, just north of the Tower of London. It’s a popular stop for history buffs looking to photograph the remains or imagine the city’s Roman past.

Although it’s now housed in a converted church in London’s Docklands, Brick Lane Music Hall takes its name from its original premises in the heart of the old East End. The community venue’s song-and-supper events are noted for their inclusive atmosphere, whether showcasing Victorian-style music hall shows, Cockney classics, or highlights from modern musicals.

While long-haul passengers usually touch down at Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport, London Luton is a popular choice for budget travelers because it houses low-cost carriers such as Wizz Air, EasyJet, and Ryanair. With roughly 14.6 million annual passengers, LTN is London’s fourth-largest international airport, and runs regular flights to the UK and the rest of Europe, serving destinations such as Edinburgh, Barcelona, Budapest, Amsterdam, and Dublin.

On the banks of the River Thames in London’s leafy Richmond, Ham House is a grand mansion with interiors that have been left largely unchanged for the last 400 years. Known for its impressive collection of artwork, furniture, and textiles, the house is a unique example of a meticulously well-preserved 17th-century Stuart mansion. It’s also said to be one of Britain’s most haunted houses.

Located on the southern bank of the River Thames, and within view of the iconic Tower Bridge and Norman Foster’s City Hall building, the Scoop is a sunken amphitheater with a roughly 1,000-person capacity. During the summer, it hosts a range of film screenings, concerts, live sports events, theatrical performances, and more, as part of the London Bridge City festival.

One of London’s most popular seasonal events, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has delighted the capital’s residents and visitors since 2007. The biggest festival of its kind in the city, Winter Wonderland comprises a huge range of attractions, including an open-air ice rink, a soaring ferris wheel, ice bars, carnival games, Christmas markets, Santa meet-and-greets, and more.

Located in Essex on the edge of the North Sea, Harwich International Port is about 85 miles (137 kilometers) northeast of London. Opened in 1883, Harwich International is a main port of call for Stena Line ferry services to the Netherlands and is used for commercial shipping. It's also one of the East Coast’s five major Haven Ports.

Largely regarded as the world's oldest dedicated sports museum, the MCC Museum is a must for cricket fans. Located at Lord's Cricket Ground, which is known as the “Home of Cricket” and is owned by the legendary Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), it can be accessed by fans on tours or by attending matches. The collection spans cricket equipment, memorabilia, and photographs. It's worth a peek just to see its most prized artifact: the Ashes urn.

Home to the Queens Park Rangers—one of London’s popular homegrown football teams—MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium (formerly Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium) is a sports highlight in Shepherd’s Bush, West London. It’s also a historical landmark: The stadium was built in 1904 and has hosted the team on and off since 1917. In season (typically August–May), games are held here once or twice a week.

Though this music-themed restaurant chain is in cities across the globe, the London Mayfair branch is where it all began back in 1971. Along with a menu of American staples including giant burgers, loaded nachos, and sauce-smothered baby-back ribs, it houses an exhibition space full of rock memorabilia and hosts regular live music performances. It also proudly displays the franchise’s first-ever donated item, a red guitar from Eric Clapton.

Lightroom is one of London’s most modern and boundary-pushing art destinations. Located in Coal Drops Yard near King’s Cross Station, the exhibition space specializes in multimedia, artist-led exhibitions. Thanks to its larger-than-life scale and immersive audio and video capabilities, Lightroom invites visitors to step right inside the art, and has partnered with luminaries including David Hockney and Tom Hanks.

Set in the history-rich Royal Victoria Dock, ExCel London is an events space that hosts some of the capital’s most exciting cultural happenings. Its ever-changing roster features industry expos, conventions, and temporary exhibitions covering everything from Friends and Formula 1 to fintech.

Perched on the edge of the historic City of London, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has served as a pub and chophouse since 1538. The current iteration of this famous Fleet Street watering hole dates back to the 17th century, and its history is palpable in the cozy, low-ceilinged bars decorated with wooden panels and barrels.

A curiously named peninsula that extends into the Thames, the Isle of Dogs is one of East London’s most distinctive areas. Originating as marshland that was later carved out into the Docklands—the heart of British maritime might for centuries—today the former industrial area presents a contrast between the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf and peaceful residential streets.

An 18th-century Palladian villa surrounded by 66 acres (26 hectares) of riverside parkland, Marble Hill House is the epitome of elegance. You can spend hours exploring the woodlands and gardens around the pristine white mansion, while the house’s Georgian-style interior transports you back to the 1700s with its lavishly decorated rooms.