Experiences
Things to Do in London
Our considered guide to doing London well: the experiences, views and evenings worth your time.
In short: our top picks are Sky Garden, Tower of London and Tate Modern. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London gives you too much to choose from, and most lists just pile it higher. This is the opposite: a considered shortlist of the things genuinely worth doing, from skyline views and late galleries to the kind of evening you build a whole day around. The best of London, chosen with care.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Garden | The City | £££ |
| Tower of London | The City | £££ |
| Tate Modern | Bankside | ££ |
| The View from The Shard | London Bridge | £££ |
| The British Museum | Bloomsbury | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
Sky Garden
Why we pick itThree storeys of public garden above the City, with a free viewing deck; book a sunset slot.
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Tower of London
Why we pick itNearly a thousand years of history and the Crown Jewels; go at opening to beat the coaches.
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Tate Modern
Why we pick itA former power station turned the worlds best modern-art museum; free, and brilliant after dark.
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The View from The Shard
Why we pick itThe highest viewpoint in western Europe; go near dusk and watch the city light up.
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The British Museum
Why we pick itTwo million years of human history under one roof, free to all; pick a wing and go deep.
Before you book
Book anything popular well ahead, especially at weekends, and check seasonal opening times. Build a day or evening around one anchor and let the rest stay loose. And mix the marquee sights with the quieter, local pleasures; the second kind is usually what people remember.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Sky Garden is our editor's choice: Three storeys of public garden above the City, with a free viewing deck; book a sunset slot. Sky Garden, Tower of London and Tate Modern lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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