Experiences
The London Bucket List: Experiences You Must Not Miss
Eight essential London experiences, from the Crown Jewels at the Tower to a West End show at the Lyceum Theatre.
In short: our top picks are Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Borough Market. 8 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Some London experiences earn their reputation and some just get repeated in every guidebook without much thought behind it. The eight below fall into the first category, the Crown Jewels at the Tower, a Saturday morning at Portobello Road, the view from 244 metres up at the Shard. A few of these cost nothing beyond your time, like watching the Changing the Guard or wandering Borough Market before the lunch crowd arrives. Others, like a West End show, are worth booking weeks ahead. Treat this as a checklist to work through over a longer visit rather than a single weekend.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tower of London | The City | £££ |
| Buckingham Palace | Westminster | |
| Borough Market | Borough | ££ |
| The British Museum | Bloomsbury | ££ |
| Sky Garden | The City | £££ |
| Portobello Road Market | Notting Hill | ££ |
| The View from The Shard | London Bridge | £££ |
| Lyceum Theatre | Covent Garden |
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Editor’s choice
Tower of London
Why we pick itThe Crown Jewels alone justify the entry price, and the Yeoman Warder tours, included with your ticket, are some of the best free storytelling in London. Book online in advance since it is one of the most visited sites in the country.
See the Crown Jewels up close
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Buckingham Palace
Why we pick itThe ceremony happens on selected days at 11am and lasts about forty five minutes, and it costs nothing to watch if you check the schedule and arrive early for a spot near the railings.
Watch the Changing the Guard
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Borough Market
Why we pick itGo hungry and graze rather than committing to one stall, since the range runs from a toasted cheese sandwich to fresh oysters and everything in between. Weekday mornings are calmer than the weekend crush.
Graze London's oldest food market
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The British Museum
Why we pick itThe Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures draw the crowds, but the Enlightenment Gallery is often quiet and worth the detour. Entry is free, though special exhibitions charge separately.
Walk through world history for free
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Sky Garden
Why we pick itEntry is free but requires booking a timed slot up to three weeks ahead, and the view over the Thames and the City skyline is one of the best in London for the price of nothing. Go around sunset if you can time it.
Free panoramic view over the City
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Portobello Road Market
Why we pick itSaturday is the main trading day, when the full stretch of stalls opens for antiques, vintage clothes and fresh produce. Arrive by mid morning before the crowds fill the street.
London's largest antiques market
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The View from The Shard
Why we pick itThe 68th to 72nd floor viewing platform gives an unobstructed 360 degree view that reaches up to 40 miles on a clear day. Book a sunset slot if you want the skyline lit up as the light changes.
London's highest viewing gallery
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Lyceum Theatre
Why we pick itThe show has run continuously since 1999 and the puppetry in the opening number, animals moving down the aisles, still gets an audible reaction from first time audiences. Book ahead for weekend evenings since it regularly sells out.
West End home of Disney's The Lion King
Before you book
Book the Tower of London, the View from The Shard and Lyceum Theatre tickets in advance since all three regularly sell out, while Borough Market, Portobello Road and the Changing the Guard ceremony cost nothing to watch and reward an early start before the crowds arrive. Check the Changing the Guard schedule on the Household Division website since it no longer runs daily.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Tower of London is our editor's choice: The Crown Jewels alone justify the entry price, and the Yeoman Warder tours, included with your ticket, are some of the best free storytelling in London. Book online in advance since it is one of the most visited sites in the country. Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Borough Market lead the guide, with 8 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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