10 best things you must do

London has 101 different things to do, but which are the ten best? We’ve drawn up a list of the 10 best tourist sights and attractions that we think you’ll most enjoy.

#1 – Changing of the Guard

No trip to London would be complete without seeing the ‘Changing of the Guard’ at Buckingham Palace. It starts at 11.30AM in the summer and every other day in the winter. There are actually two detachments of the Guard that get changed – one at Buckingham Palace and another at St. James’s Palace, a short walk down The Mall. If you arrive early then you can take up a position by the front gates.

#2 – Whispering Gallery

A trip to St. Paul’s is a must, and so is a visit to the ‘Whispering Gallery’. The huge dome rises 259 steps above the mosaic floor and, due to a bizarre acoustic effect, everything said on one side can be equally understood on the other – 107-feet away! Try and arrive early, or your whisper will get drowned out by all the other tourists. Opening times: 8.30 AM to 4 PM (Mon–Sat). Cost: Adults £14.50; Children £5.50 (6–18); Family ticket £34.50.

#3 – See a play at the Globe

Get a taste of Elizabethean London at the Globe Theatre – a replica of William Shakespeare’s 17th-century playhouse. We suggest that you forgo the seats in the stalls and take your place as a ‘groundling’, just like the public did in Shakespeare’s day.

#4 – Boat trip to Westminster

After spending a day taking in the sights at Greenwich, treat yourself to a boat trip down the Thames. It will take you past the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, sweeping under Tower Bridge and past St. Paul’s and the London Eye, before dropping you off under the shadow of Big Ben.

#5 – Buy something at Harrods

If you buy just one present in London, make sure it’s from Harrods – the world’s most famous department store. If you want something cheap then check out their sweet section… the luxurious pick-n-mix is like nothing you have ever seen! Opening times: 10 AM to 9 PM (Mon–Sat), 11.30 AM to 6 PM (Sun).

#6 – See a concert at The O2

The O2 is a world-class concert venue. The seats cling to the sides of the dome, climbing so high that they give you vertigo! The incredible acoustics and unobstructed views make this one of London’s best nights out. You can find out what’s on by looking at our O2 events page.

#7 – Afternoon tea at The Ritz

The Ritz Hotel is one of London’s finest establishments, and a spot of afternoon tea in the Palm Court is a popular pasttime. But be warned – scrub up and bring your wallet, because it’s not cheap! But you’ll be treated to a fine selection of teas, sandwiches, scones and clotted cream.

#8 – Get an open-top sightseeing bus

An tour on an open-top bus is probably the first thing that any visitor to London should do. It will give you an overview of the city, and introduce you to things that you never even thought about. Most of the bus tours in the city operate in a hop-on, hop-off manner, so you can even use them to travel around the city without paying extra for the bus fare!

#9 – Lunch in Covent Garden

The piazza in Covent Garden is a great place to stop off and have lunch. The place that gave birth to ‘Punch and Judy’ in the 17th-century now throngs with free street entertainment and open-air cafes – musicians, acrobats and daredevil stuntmen will all entertain you for free. There’s also some great little boutique shops that are worth a visit.

#10 – Speakers’ Corner on a Sunday

Speakers’ Corner is the home of free speech. Anyone can get up and vent their spleen, and part of the fun is listening to the hecklers – the best speakers are the ones which have a ready wit to put down the shouts with jokes. Opening times: Speeches can take place at any time. The best time to go is Sunday morning/lunchtime.

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