Ahhh... That London trip that you have always been dreaming about is finally here! There are plenty of things to do and food to eat in London and you might feel overwhelmed when planning your itinerary in this amazing city. Don’t worry, we have a list of places to visit in London, especially if you planned to travel in September.
1. Visit Buckingham Palace and Watch the Changing of the Guard
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First thing first — Buckingham Palace is a must for anyone’s first time in London. Channel your inner Duchess and visit Britain’s most iconic building where you can witness the Changing of the Guard. The event starts at 11.30 am every day, rain or shine! The colourful and FREE display of precision marching and music also takes place at St. James's Palace, after which you can follow the band along The Mall as they march between sites.
2. Enjoy a picnic at Hyde Park
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Hyde Park is possibly the most famous park in London, and it is one of the largest. It also carries a long history, having hosted a number of demonstrations and protests including protests by the Suffragettes. The park’s famous Speaker’s Corner is still occupied by debates, protests, and performance artists every week. The park is home to several memorial features, as well as two bodies of water, the most famous being the Serpentine. Here you can go paddle-boating, see a number of swans, and take in a breath of fresh air in the centre of the city. A must-visit if you have young children and be sure to pack a picnic basket!
3. Go on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Situated in Watford, which is slightly away from Central London, this very studio is where the Harry Potter series was filmed for more than a decade. What better way to really indulge in your favourite series than to walk around for three hours in Hogwarts Grand Hall, Privet Drive and finish at a spectacular 1:24 scale of the school grounds? The studio tour is definite to go for Potterheads! When visiting the studio, taking pictures for personal mementoes is more than allowed! I mean really, I would definitely want to take a picture in the Hogwarts Express although I still have not received my letter. Did we also say that you would be able to try the famous salty Butterbeer? Butterbeer is being sold at the Backlot Café, where most of the outdoor scenes are placed like Privet Drive. Tickets must be purchased prior to your visit as they are not being sold at the studio itself. Ticket prices differ between individual, family and group packages. For tickets, check out their website.
4. Shop until you drop at Oxford Street
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Most high-street brands like Mango and Zara are amongst the most visited stores along the street. Don’t forget to check out John Lewis, Debenhams, and Marks & Spencer if you are shopping for home and living items. Selfridges is a place that has all your luxury labels under one roof. For a more affordable choice, Primark is your favourite. Most stores are open from 10 am to 9 pm except on Sundays when the stores close at 6 pm.
5. Fun family time at the National History Museum
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Visiting the Natural History Museum is not only exciting for us adults but can be super thrilling for kids too as the museum believes in hands-on experience. So not only will you be entertained with insightful knowledge, but you will also be able to experience it too! I mean come on, how many of us have the luxury to say “oh yeah, I met (and touched) Dippy the dinosaur!”. Now imagine your kid saying that to his/her friends! How cool of a parent can you get? (The answer is super cool, btw).
6. Enjoy one of London’s street markets
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Shoreditch isn’t just a hipster haven, it’s also home to one of the largest Muslim communities in London and three iconic boulevard bazaars. Nestled in the West of this eclectic neighbourhood is Old Spitalfields market, a treasure trove of art and knick-knacks. Discover fashion finds and crafts or tinker around the designer Trader stalls whose collections are as chic as they are functional.
7. Stroll around Westminster
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Westminster is considered the political hub of London and is home to the Houses of Parliament and the world-famous Big Ben. Big Ben is the name of the bell housed within the iconic clock tower, and it still chimes every hour! You can also find Westminster Abbey here, which is open to the public most days. While visiting these landmarks, be sure to rest your feet in Parliament Square which features statues of important political individuals including Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.
8. See London from above at The Shard
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Since it opened in 2012, The Shard has taken its place as one of the most recognizable and most-visited landmarks in London. Standing 1,016 feet tall and encompassing some 95 stories, this remarkable structure – so-named for its resemblance to a shard of glass – dominates the skyline yet, thanks to its pleasing design, doesn't seem at all out of place when seen next to neighbours such as Tower Bridge.
In addition to its office space on the lower levels, The Shard is home to a stunning Shangri-La Hotel and three superb restaurants, all boasting some of the most incredible views over London. For those not staying here, the upper-most levels consist of a choice of viewing platforms: indoor and outdoor. So, enjoy a meal and take in the stunning views of London!
9. Enjoy classic British food — fish and chips!
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Eddie's Fish Bar is a restaurant conveniently located near King's Cross station. Don't expect a super fancy restaurant - it's a simple establishment, but this eatery uses only halal ingredients, meaning you can eat off their entire menu! In addition to fish and chips, they also serve kebabs, pies, and Arabic sides such as hummus and falafel. Prices are also affordable (with their fish and chips going for GBP7), so you won't have to splurge as much!
Halal status: Uses halal ingredients. Please note that alcoholic beverages are served here. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Opening Hours: 10am – 1am daily
Address: 327 Grays Inn Rd, Kings Cross, London WC1X 8PX, UK
10. Catch a football match or concert at the Wembley Stadium
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The largest stadium in the UK and not to be missed, you need to know that not only does it host UEFA matches but also NFL (American football anyone?) games as well. We highly recommend going to a match here because the atmosphere before and after any match is priceless! If you're looking for other attractions specifically for the shopaholics, then head over to the London Designer Outlet. There are brands like Nike, Adidas, Asics and others, with outlet prices of up to 50% off.
#HHWT Tip: The best time to shop is during the festive season so you can enjoy more sales! Also, Wembley hosts concerts, so you might want to check their website for upcoming events.
11. Stroll along Little Venice
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Just as the name suggests, this picturesque area is London’s take on the Italian city. This is where you can find gorgeous waterside cafes, quirky restaurants, canal boat rides and even some theatre venues! Escape from the hustle and bustle of London city and retreat at this laid-back place just minutes from the city centre. You will feel like you are actually in the countryside with the decorative houseboats, park and the canal! Here, you can hop on a gondola or have a leisurely stroll along the river, and even stay in a houseboat. How cool is that?!
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