Places to go in London, page 2

43 places

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  Rules

  Established in 1798, Rules holds the title of London’s oldest restaurant, tucked away in the bustling heart of Covent Garden. The dining room charms with plush velvet banquettes, dark wood paneling, and walls lined with historic artwork, setting the stage for classic British fare centered on traditional wild game, savory pies, and rich puddings. Upstairs, guests can unwind with impeccably crafted cocktails in a secluded, old-world lounge.

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  Shakespeare's Globe

  Set on the south bank of the River Thames, Shakespeare's Globe is a faithful timber-framed reconstruction of the 1599 open-air playhouse where William Shakespeare premiered his most famous works. Visitors come to experience classic and modern plays staged in authentic Elizabethan fashion, either standing in the open yard as 'groundlings' or seated in tiered wooden galleries. Year-round guided tours also offer a rich look into Tudor staging, architecture, and dramatic history.

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  Sir John Soane's Museum

  Preserved exactly as it was upon the architect's death in 1837, this atmospheric townhouse museum is one of London's most eccentric treasures. Daylight filters through domed skylights onto labyrinthine rooms packed with thousands of classical antiquities, architectural casts, and paintings by Hogarth and Turner. Visitors come to marvel at its ingenious use of space and rare curiosities, including the 3,000-year-old alabaster sarcophagus of Pharaoh Seti I.

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  Sketch (The Gallery)

  Step into The Gallery at Sketch, London, an iconic dining destination celebrated for its vibrant, art-filled pink interiors designed by India Mahdavi, showcasing unique artwork by David Shrigley. Visitors come to experience an exquisite afternoon tea or sophisticated modern European cuisine within this immersive and visually stunning setting.

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  Sky Garden

  Perched at the top of the Walkie Talkie building, Sky Garden is a multi-story indoor botanical park offering sweeping 360-degree views across London. Visitors can stroll along terraced pathways lined with Mediterranean and subtropical plants, take in famous landmarks from the open-air deck, or relax at the rooftop bars and cafes. It provides one of the city's premier vantage points, seamlessly blending lush greenery with an expansive skyline vista.

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  St. John

  St. John in London is renowned for pioneering nose-to-tail dining, celebrating forgotten cuts of meat and traditional British ingredients. Diners seeking an authentic, unpretentious fine dining experience with a focus on provenance and robust flavors will find a memorable meal here.

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  St. Paul's Cathedral

  Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, St. Paul's Cathedral is an English Baroque masterpiece whose towering dome has shaped London's skyline for over three centuries. Visitors come to marvel at its vast, mosaic-lined interior, test the unique acoustics of the Whispering Gallery, and climb to the outer domes for sweeping views across the city.

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  Tate Modern

  Housed in a former power station on the banks of the River Thames, Tate Modern is the United Kingdom's flagship museum for international modern and contemporary art. Visitors come to experience monumental installations inside the cavernous Turbine Hall and explore galleries featuring masterworks by artists such as Picasso, Warhol, and Rothko. The upper viewing levels also provide sweeping panoramic vistas across the river toward St Paul's Cathedral.

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  The British Museum

  Housing millions of artifacts spanning over two million years of human history, the British Museum is one of the world's foremost chronicles of civilization. Visitors step beneath the iconic glass roof of the Great Court to examine legendary relics, including the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and the Parthenon Sculptures. It offers an expansive journey through global art, archaeology, and culture in the heart of London.

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  The Castle Climbing Centre

  Housed inside a Victorian water pumping station built to resemble a medieval fortress, this is one of London's largest indoor climbing hubs. Climbers of all skill levels can tackle extensive bouldering areas, top-rope walls, and lead routes spread across multiple levels. An on-site organic garden and café round out the experience, making it a distinctively welcoming landmark for active visitors.

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  The Clove Club

  The Clove Club offers a renowned modern British fine dining experience located within Shoreditch's historic Old Town Hall. Guests are drawn to its innovative tasting menus, which skillfully showcase seasonal British ingredients through sophisticated culinary techniques.

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  The National Gallery

  Overlooking Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery houses one of the world's greatest collections of Western European painting, spanning the 13th to early 20th centuries. Visitors can wander grand neoclassical halls to see iconic masterpieces up close, including works by Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, and Turner. With free general admission, it offers an inspiring and accessible journey through art history right in the heart of London.

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  The Regent's Park

  Spanning nearly 400 acres in central London, The Regent’s Park combines grand neoclassical landscaping with expansive recreational lawns and tree-lined pathways. Visitors come to admire the thousands of blooming varieties in Queen Mary’s Gardens, rent a rowboat on the central lake, or catch a live performance at the renowned Open Air Theatre.

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  The Shard

  The Shard is London's tallest building, renowned for its striking architectural design and offering unparalleled panoramic views of the city. Visitors ascend to its observation decks for a breathtaking 360-degree perspective of iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, and the River Thames. It's an ideal destination for experiencing the vastness and beauty of the capital from above.

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  The Wallace Collection

  Housed within an elegant 18th-century townhouse in Marylebone, The Wallace Collection showcases a world-class assortment of fine and decorative arts, historic arms and armour, and 18th-century French furniture. Visitors come to admire masterworks like Fragonard's The Swing and Frans Hals' The Laughing Cavalier displayed in opulent, remarkably preserved domestic galleries.

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  Tower of London

  Explore the Tower of London, a historic castle, infamous prison, and former royal palace steeped in nearly a millennium of British history. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for housing the magnificent Crown Jewels and for its legendary ravens and Yeoman Warders. Visit to delve into gripping tales of power and intrigue, and witness pivotal moments from the past.

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  Up at The O2

  Up at The O2 offers an outdoor guided climb across the distinctive fabric roof of London's premier entertainment arena. Secured by a harness, visitors ascend a suspended fabric walkway 52 meters in the air to reach an open-air viewing platform. At the summit, climbers are rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views stretching across Greenwich, Canary Wharf, and the River Thames.

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  Victoria and Albert Museum

  Renowned as the world's leading museum of art, design, and performance, the Victoria and Albert Museum houses an extraordinary collection spanning 5,000 years of human creativity. Visitors come to explore everything from historic couture and intricate jewelry to monumental plaster casts in the soaring Cast Courts. Its ornate Victorian architecture and ever-changing exhibitions make it an essential stop for anyone fascinated by material culture and craftsmanship.

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  Westminster Abbey

  Westminster Abbey has served as the coronation site for British monarchs since 1066 and stands as a masterwork of Gothic architecture. Visitors come to marvel at its soaring ribbed vaults and explore the final resting places of iconic historical figures, from Isaac Newton to the literary legends in Poets' Corner. It offers an evocative walk through over a millennium of British royal, political, and cultural history.