10 interesting ideas of things to do in London

It’s easy to find blog posts and mini-guides on the internet that tell you what to see in London and what not. How about an approach to the topic from a different angle? Slightly less touristy?

In my opinion, it is not the places that make the trip special (although they help). The most important are people and their habits. What are Londoners doing? What do I think you have to do in London to feel like you are living in this city? Here is my check list of things to do. 

Play the UK lottery 

In London and the UK in general, Londoners have the luxury to enjoy many online casinos and lotteries. So, they can comfortably play the UK lottery from their homes. Regarding the lotteries, I can say that Lottoland UK is one of the best platforms to play them online as this is its main area of business and it offers online betting on the results of more than 30 lottery draws.

Millennium bridge

Walk on the Millennium Bridge, i.e. the suspension bridge connecting Bankside with the City of London (known, among others, from Harry Potter). It is best to go from Bankside (from the Tate museum) towards St Paul’s Cathedral, or St. Paul. The view is beautiful! Although probably someone will stop on the footbridge every now and then to take a photo of themselves, it’s worth it!

Picnic in Hyde park

Are you visiting London in spring? Not sure what to do in London in summer or fall? Grab a blanket, head to the store for healthy snacks, and have a picnic in Hyde Park (just like in the movies)!

Tea time

While in London, be sure to try English tea (it can be without milk). Have it preferably with cookies or biscuits. For breakfast, I recommend English Breakfast Tea (it is a strong, black tea). You can buy (and try too) some good teas in London at Whittard. I have a whole set of them in various flavors and they are delicious! They will be perfect as a souvenir from London or as a gift idea for a loved one.

Red bus

Do you know what bothers me when I travel by tube (which is after all the most convenient means of transport in London)? That I feel like a mole jumping out of underground corridors and that it is harder for me to catch my spatial orientation in the field. So how do you visit London? Take a ride on the red bus at least once! The cost per trip is £ 1.5; you enter through the front door and exit through the back door. If you have an Oyster card, you need to hold it against the card reader when entering the bus.

Telephone booth

Take a picture with a red phone booth. Make sure to find one near some famous place so that the “background” of the photo would be interesting. I recommend telephone booths around the British Parliament and Broad Court. The background will be like a postcard!

Note – I have not seen a single Londoner taking pictures of themselves with red telephone boxes, but it is such a recognizable symbol of London that it had to be on this list.

London underground

I think that if you plan to visit London, this part cannot be missed. Take a ride through the London Underground. Or, as the English say – the tube. Not the subway, not the metro, just the tube. How about a ride in the famous English taxi?

Museums in London

Be sure to visit one of London’s museums. You know what I love the most about museums in London? That they are free, and that everyone, regardless of age and wealth, can afford to experience art. It is just great!

At the Natural History Museum, don’t miss the famous dinosaur from the movie Night at the Museum. If you are visiting London in winter – I recommend you go ice skating (but don’t consider the skating rink by the museum, as it is permanently closed).

In each museum there are donate boxes where you can put money in – for those who want and can repay the museum.

Eat fish & chips

It may sound cliche, but when in London you have to try Fish & Chips. This traditional English dish is served on virtually every corner. If you’re looking for some real London spots, I recommend Poppie’s Fish & Chips in the SoHo area. They serve delicious fish and there is a real English atmosphere inside. I got there by accident, but I will definitely come back one day!

Drink a beer in an English pub

After a busy day of sightseeing, nothing tastes as good as a beer in one of the English bars. Even though I personally am not a big fan of this drink (I prefer Italian wine), being in London, the country of “pub culture”, you can’t help but try one of their breweries. The most recommended (but also quite expensive) place is the Churchil Arms. Much nicer on the outside than on the inside.

You don’t like beer? Why not try champagne on the observation deck at The Shark or the Champagne Experience on the London Eye? That sounds very fancy!