If you only have a weekend in London, you’re in for a hard time as there are way too many interesting things to see and do to fit within a couple of days. However, there are a few attractions and activities that should be at the top of your list. These are the things that will allow you to feel the heart of this great city and fall in love with it.
5 Must-Do Things for a Weekend in London
1. Visiting the Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the city’s symbols and a place that played an essential role in the history of Britain. The atmosphere of the place is impossible to describe as it’s full of reverence and despair. If you want to get a glimpse of Britain through the ages, there is no better choice than the Tower. If you are lucky with your timing, you might even witness one of the special events often hosted in the fortress. Some of them recreate historic events and allow you to travel back in time and learn many interesting facts that are rarely included in history textbooks.
While you are at it, be sure to take a peek at the Tower Bridge, which is even more of a London symbol than the fortress itself. There’s an active exhibition that will allow you to learn more about the history of this incredible site.
2. Exploring London pubs
Visiting at least a couple of pubs is mandatory during a weekend in London. The city has an abundance of them and each with a unique ‘personality’ that makes it stand out. Consider going on a Camden pub crawl. This London neighborhood is renowned for providing lots of entertainment and housing some of the most interesting pubs and bars in the city.
As there are so many great pubs in London, a ‘crawl’ is the best way to enjoy them. Limit yourself to 1-2 drinks in each if you want to have enough strength to continue exploring London the next day.
3. Exploring HMS Belfast
If you are even a little interested in the military history of Great Britain, especially pertaining to the World War II, a visit to HMS Belfast is a must. It’s the same for everyone interested in military ships.
HMS Belfast took part in the WWII and you’ll be able to see it in all its glory to get some idea of what exactly the soldiers had to work with when they were fighting to save the life as we know it today.
4. Visit the Houses of Parliament
Another must-see attraction for your weekend in London is the Houses of Parliament. This is where the core government of Britain is located today. You can take a tour of the place or a tour with an afternoon tea to enjoy an authentically ‘British’ pastime.
If you are in a hurry, at least take a few pictures from the outside.
5. Tour Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace might not be as much of an icon as Buckingham Palace, but this Royal Residence is much more tourist-friendly. There are tours running here every day and many exhibits dedicated to various royal figures, ranging from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana. The Palace also offers many activities, including some family-oriented and a volunteering program.
To compare, tours in Buckingham Palace are only available for a limited time a few months in the year. They are also rather restricted and due to the time limits, scoring a ticket might not be easy. Kensington, however, is open every day with the last tour admission at 17:00. The cost of tickets is £19.5 for an adult (16+) and £9.7 for a child under 16.