London, England & vicinity

Travel Dates: May 2026

What to do in London

Skyscrapers – London has several skyscrapers that can be visited for free, although some require advance reservations. The ones we visited are all located within walking distance of each other.

• Horizon 22 – We booked our tickets about two weeks in advance (tickets are released every Monday for the following 14 days). Based on our experience, reservations are strongly encouraged, as they appeared to prioritize ticket holders over walk-in visitors. We were admitted approximately 15 minutes before our scheduled entry time and spent around 45 minutes enjoying the views. As one of the highest public viewing platforms in London, Horizon 22 offers spectacular panoramic views across the city.

• Sky Garden – I wasn’t able to secure tickets for my preferred date, even though I tried booking about three weeks in advance. Fortunately, we were still able to use the walk-in queue and only waited around 10 minutes when we arrived at noon on a Sunday. By the time we left at 12:44PM, however, the walk-in line had grown significantly longer. Compared to the other viewing platforms we visited, the views from Sky Garden weren’t quite as impressive. That said, it does offer a partially outdoor viewing area with an awning and views overlooking the Thames. The atmosphere is busy and crowded, with food and drinks available for purchase and a lot of seating.

• The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate – We also booked our tickets in advance since they are released every other Monday for dates two weeks out. Unlike the other observation decks, walk-ins are not permitted. When we arrived, they allowed us to enter more than an hour before our scheduled time, which was a pleasant surprise. The views were fairly similar to those from Horizon 22, but since the building is lower, the experience wasn’t quite as impressive. The viewing area is also smaller, so only spent about 20 minutes there.

TLDR: Out of the three skyscrapers, Horizon 22 was definitely our favorite with the best panoramic views. The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate offers a very similar view to Horizon 22, but since the building is lower and the viewing area is smaller, the views aren’t quite as impressive. That said, it was much less crowded and almost felt like a “private” viewing experience. Sky Garden had the nicest river views thanks to its partially outdoor terrace overlooking the Thames, but it was by far the most crowded. It feels more like a place to kill time since they sell food and drinks. FYI all three locations had bathrooms available.

For tickets, Sky Garden releases tickets about three weeks in advance if you want a guaranteed spot, although walk-ins are possible; just prepare for a wait. Horizon 22 and The Lookout release their tickets around two weeks prior on Mondays. Horizon 22 may allow walk-ins, but The Lookout does not allow walk-ins.

The National Gallery – The art museum is a must-visit if you want to see iconic works by artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Monet, and many others.

Like many museums in England, admission is free, although advance online booking for a timed entry slot is recommended. We arrived about an hour before our scheduled time and were still allowed to enter without any issues, as tickets did not appear to be checked at the door. Small bags were also not inspected during our visit.

British Museum – The free museum is best known for its vast collection of historical artifacts from around the world. One of its most famous highlights is the Rosetta Stone, which played a key role in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. The museum also has an extensive Egyptian collection, including mummies. While we booked timed tickets in advance, they weren’t checked at the entrance during our visit, only a security bag check was required. That said, during peak tourist seasons, timed entry may be more strictly enforced.

Westminster Abbey – If you’re interested in English history, Westminster Abbey is a fascinating place to visit. Seeing the tombs of famous monarchs, like Queen Elizabeth I and King Henry V, makes you realize how much history is packed into one place. We bought our tickets in-person and it came with a self-guided audio tour narrated by Jeremy Irons, which was a pretty cool surprise.

What to do outside of London

Stonehenge tour – We booked this tour specifically for the opportunity to enter the Inner Circle at Stonehenge, which is only accessible before opening or after closing hours. We chose the morning tour, which required meeting at 5:30AM in front of the Millennium Hotel in London. If you’re taking public transportation to the meeting point, be mindful that some routes may not be running yet or are running less frequently; you may need to book a taxi instead.

After check-in, it was about a two-hour bus ride to Stonehenge, with a quick rest stop along the way. The highlight of the tour was spending an hour inside the Inner Circle, where we could walk among the stones and see them up close.

Afterward, we visited Lacock and had a little over an hour to explore. You can either have breakfast here (which must be pre-ordered through the tour guide and costs £11) or spend the time wandering around the village. Fans of Harry Potter may recognize several filming locations, including the house used as the home of Lily and James Potter. There is also a small park just to the left of The Red Lion, where breakfast is served. The park has several picnic tables and benches, as well as a free public restroom, making it a convenient spot to relax.

Our final stop was Bath, where we had about two hours of free time. If you book with Viator, you have the option to pay more to include admission to the Roman Baths, but we chose to explore the city instead. Bath has several filming locations that Bridgerton fans may recognize, such as Madame Delacroix’s modiste shop from seasons 1 and 2. We then headed back to London and arrived around 5PM.

Overall, I think this tour is worth it if your main goal is visiting the Stonehenge Inner Circle and you need transportation from London. Otherwise, I would recommend visiting Stonehenge and Bath by yourself so you don’t feel rushed.

Seven Sisters tour – We met our guide at London Bridge Station at 8:50AM and took the train to Brighton, where we were picked up by the tour’s minibus. (If needed, there are free restrooms at both London Bridge and Brighton train stations.)

The day included several stops before reaching the Seven Sisters. We made brief visits to Devil’s Dyke, Middle Farm for lunch (food not included, but a voucher for a hot drink was provided), the Long Man of Wilmington, and a lighthouse. While these stops were pleasant, I was mostly looking forward to seeing the cliffs.

Our first stop at the Seven Sisters was Birling Gap, where we had roughly 45 minutes to an hour. From the visitor center, you can either climb the hill on the left for panoramic views or head down to the beach to get up close to the cliffs. There is also a free restroom to the right of the visitor center.

The final stop was Seaford Head, home to the iconic postcard view of the Seven Sisters. It takes about 12 minutes to walk from the parking lot to an initial viewpoint, and we were only given 30 minutes total. Once you factor in the uphill walk back, there wasn’t much time left to explore. If you’re visiting, follow the path to the right—we initially went left and wasted time. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to walk down to the beach to get close to the cliffs.

Afterward, we were dropped off back at Brighton Station and given flexible return tickets, allowing us to take any Thameslink train back to London Bridge.

A few notes: the tour provides free bottled water, and sneakers or hiking shoes are a must since there is quite a bit of walking, especially at Seaford Head.

Overall, the Seven Sisters are absolutely stunning and well worth visiting. My only complaint is that the tour didn’t allow enough time at Seaford Head, which offers the most famous views of the cliffs. I would have happily skipped some of the earlier stops in exchange for more time there.

White Cliffs of Dover tour – Our day tour began with a 7:30AM meeting in front of Rudds Bar in London. After leaving the city, we made a quick rest stop before continuing toward Dover.

When we arrived at White Cliffs of Dover, we had two hours of free time to explore. Make sure to check the trail map near the visitor center first, as it highlights two scenic viewpoints and shows the route down to the beach if you’re interested. I recommend taking the red trail from the visitor center. This path stays closer to the coastline and offers scenic views. It took about 20 minutes to walk from the visitor center to the first major open viewpoint of the white chalk cliffs. Don’t miss the second viewpoint along the blue path afterwards as it offers the best view of the White Cliffs of Dover and was the highlight of the hike. From there, it took a little over 10 minutes to descend to the beach. The route down to the beach is steep, narrow, and rocky, although there are railings along much of the descent. Just before reaching the beach, you’ll pass through a short dark tunnel and then climb down a metal ladder to access the shoreline.

A few important notes: wear sturdy shoes like sneakers or hiking boots and bring plenty of water. There is virtually no shade along the trails, and much of the walk is fully exposed to the sun and it can get windy.

The final stop of the tour was Canterbury, where we had about three hours of free time to explore the city. If you’re looking for food, Old Weavers House has good chicken and mushroom pie. If you’re looking for costless activities, take a stroll in the picturesque Westgate Gardens or stop by The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, which serves as a museum, library, and art gallery all in one building. It’s also a convenient place to find a free restroom. Before leaving Canterbury, be sure to check out the statue of Geoffrey Chaucer near Old Weavers House. There’s an interesting local connection hidden in the monument: actor Orlando Bloom, who grew up in Canterbury, contributed funds toward the statue. As a result, his name and his face, depicted as a young squire, can be found at the base of the monument.

Personally, I preferred the Seven Sisters cliffs because the landscape felt more expansive. That said, the White Cliffs of Dover offers a different experience since you walk along the top of the cliffs and enjoy the coastal views from above. Canterbury was pleasant, but I found three hours to be more time than necessary. If you’re visiting as part of this tour, I’d recommend looking up a few attractions, shops, or restaurants ahead of time so you can make the most of your free time there.

Jurassic Coast tour – The tour started at the designated pickup point in London at 7:45AM. We then drove for three hours, including a rest stop along the way. They provided complimentary bottled water which was a plus.

The first stop was Lulworth Cove, where we had one hour to explore. For the best view of the cove, take the path marked “Coastal Path” from the left of the beach. It’s less than a 10-minute uphill walk to reach the viewpoint overlooking the cove and coastline. There is also a free public restroom near the visitor center here. And an important tip is to eat lunch here as the next stop has very limited choices.

Our second stop was Durdle Door, where we had an hour and a half of free time. Reaching the famous limestone arch requires a roughly 15-minute walk down a steep, rocky hillside. The path can be challenging, so proper footwear like sneakers or hiking boots is strongly recommended. At the arch, you can take the staircase on the left to head down to the beach or go to the right for views of striking white cliffs. There is also a free restroom near the parking lot here.

Before returning to London, we had an extra 30-minute stop at Bournemouth Beach. Thirty minutes isn’t enough time to do much so we walked along the pier and used the free restroom near the beachfront. We arrived back in London at 6:40PM.

Overall, I would describe this experience as transportation rather than a traditional guided tour. The tour primarily serves to transport you between destinations, with free time to explore each location independently. That said, the Jurassic Coast is absolutely spectacular and well worth visiting. If you don’t have access to a car and would like to see these sites from London, this tour is a practical and convenient option. In fact, it was the only day tour I could find that visits the Jurassic Coast from London, likely because of the considerable travel distance involved.

Where to eat in London

Seashell of Lisson Grove – A great spot if you want a variety for fish and chips beyond the standard options. I ordered the panko-breaded cod, which was large, crispy, and delicious. We made a reservation ahead of time, but it didn’t seem necessary.

Dishoom – Stop by this popular Indian chain for amazing food, despite it being on the pricier side. It is almost always busy, so without a reservation, expect a wait—we waited about 10 minutes to get a table during lunchtime. If you’re not good with spice, definitely ask your server for guidance on what to order. I’d recommend the ruby chicken (it’s similar to a tikka masala), though it does have some heat.

Mother’s Mash – If you’re looking to try a traditional English pie, this is a good place to visit. I ordered the minced beef pie with champ mash and farmer’s gravy, and it was tasty. One tip: consider asking for the gravy on the side, as it can be quite rich and may overpower the flavors of the pie and mash if poured over everything at once. The restaurant accepts reservations, although we visited in the afternoon without one and had no trouble getting a table.

Arôme Bakery – We tried a mix of savory and sweet pastries, and the veggie quiche (not pictured) ended up being our favorite. Among the desserts, the strawberry tart was enjoyable, although the cream was a bit sweeter than I would have preferred. The egg tart was good but not particularly memorable, while the honey toast was on the lighter side. If you’re planning to dine in, be prepared for a wait, as seating can be in high demand.

Sky Beirut – Come here for a casual meal with good prices. I had the chicken shawarma platter which was nice. You can make a reservation online but it wasn’t necessary.

L’Angolo Bianco – This is a very small and cozy Italian restaurant, so it’s probably best to make a reservation, especially if your group is larger than two people. We tried the mushroom pasta, which was good, while the bolognese was on the saltier side. Each pasta also comes with a side salad, which was a nice addition.

One of the most memorable parts of the meal happened at the end of the night. We were the last seating, and the owner was baking a cake while closing up. She kindly offered us a small warm slice to try, and it was absolutely delicious.

Junsei – The Japanese restaurant focuses on yakitori and small plates. We ordered a variety of skewers and dishes, including chicken thigh, chicken breast, filet, tofu, courgette, okra, mushrooms, and fried cod with peppers. The chicken thigh was juicy and highly recommended and the okra was also nicely done. Reservations require a credit card to secure a booking, so we didn’t make one. But we were still able to get a table without much issue.

It’s All Greek to Me – This is a casual Greek chain with good-value meals. The chicken shawarma was a generous portion and was quite tasty.

Nep Nep Vietnamese Restaurant – A great option for Vietnamese cuisine, particularly if you’re craving a comforting bowl of beef pho. While we had a reservation, it is not mandatory, though it is highly encouraged.

Monkey & Me Thai – At this Thai spot, I ordered the tofu pad thai. Although the portion size was good, it wasn’t anything too memorable. If you do come, I recommend making a reservation as it was packed on a weeknight.

Where to stay in London

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square – We selected this hotel due to the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program, which provided us with early check-in, late checkout, a room upgrade, a welcome amenity of a bottle of wine and few bar snacks, complimentary breakfast of one hot entrée from the menu plus access to the cold buffet, and an additional £85 credit for food and drinks.

Perks aside, the hotel does welcome all guests with a drink and warm towel at check-in and the location is decent as it’s walking distance to Oxford Street, the main shopping area.

That said, without the Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits, the hotel would be quite expensive and may not be worthwhile. One minor downside is that the room doors throughout the property tend to close quite loudly, so hallway noise was occasionally noticeable.

Miscellaneous tips when traveling to England

Navigating London Heathrow Airport – If you arrive at London Heathrow Terminal 3 and need a rideshare pickup, head to parking garage Level 3. Follow the airport signs from the terminal to the lifts that connect to the car park. Once inside the garage, you’ll need to switch to a different lift to reach the third floor where rideshare pickups are located.

One important tip: book your ride a little earlier than you think you need to. Traffic around Heathrow can be intense, and wait times can easily be more than 30 minutes. I found that the Bolt app was cheaper than Uber, and the drivers tend to be closer to the airport. That said, I also experienced several driver cancellations before finally getting picked up.

When departing the UK from Terminal 5, I was surprised to find there’s no passport control after security. Instead, there was a quick check at British Airways’ passport check desk in order to receive my boarding pass before heading to the baggage drop desk.

Another thing to know about Terminal 5 is if your gate is in the B or C gates area, you’ll need to take the tram. The confusing part is that the tram only runs in one direction. If you need to return to the A gates area, do not take the tram because you will end up in the arrivals hall and have to go through security again. Instead, follow the walking passageway signs next to the tram.

Getting around London – While Bolt and Uber are convenient ways to get around London, rideshare costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, the city’s public transportation system is easy to use and usually much cheaper.

For both the Underground (the Tube) and buses, you can simply tap your credit card or phone payment when entering. On buses, you only need to tap once when boarding. For the Underground, however, you must tap both when entering and exiting the station. If you forget to tap out, you may be charged the maximum fare since Tube pricing is based on travel distance.

I found Google Maps surprisingly accurate for navigating the Underground in terms of which platform to use. Stations also make things easy by displaying maps and train line diagrams right before or directly on the platform.

One thing travelers should be aware of is transportation options become much more limited early in the morning, especially before 6am. Not all Tube lines or bus routes operate 24/7, so double-check schedules if you have an early flight or need to go somewhere.

And one small but important note for Americans—if you see signs for a “subway” in England, it means an underground pedestrian walkway.

UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) – If you’re traveling to the UK for a vacation, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which costs £20. You must complete the application online and receive approval before entering the country.

In our case, approval was almost instant, although the website notes it can take up to 3 business days. The ETA is valid for two years from the date of approval (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first), so you may want to apply a week before your trip.