Finding things to do on a trip to London is not so difficult. Truthfully it can be done simply by setting out and exploring or asking around. And if you want to prepare a little bit more, there are innumerable lists and guides of things to do in town.
That, however, can be just the problem. When looking through dozens or in some cases hundreds of suggestions, everything can start to blend together and it can be hard to discern what’s really necessary, or even what’s more of a local activity as opposed to a tourist trap.
Here we’re focusing on a smaller range of activities, then, and highlighting just some of the can’t-miss, truly authentic London experiences.
Do a Food Tour
One of my favourite ways to truly see a city and new destination is to do a food tour. There are a lot of Food Tour London options availabel for you to explore. You may not think of London as having an ecclectic food soon but you might be pleasantly surprised!
Go Cycling
London has fully embraced the rental bicycle trend that’s sweeping much of the western world, and accordingly, there are Santander-sponsored bicycles around town that people can rent via mobile apps and ride for the day, or only for a few hours.
We should point out that London is a notoriously difficult city from a traffic perspective, so it’s necessary to follow rules and paths and ride cautiously.
That caveat aside though, cycling is a wonderful way to tour as much of London as you can in a matter of hours, and it’s a perfectly local activity to embrace at that.
See A Play
London’s West End is known all over the world for its incredible theatre productions, a,nd its historic venues. Among tourists there’s often a notion that tickets are expensive or difficult to procure, and in some cases this can be the case.
However, ways exist to score cheap tickets, or at least to get yourself a good chance to see a major show, and if the opportunity arises, you should pounce on it.
It’s a can’t-miss experience simply because no place on Earth does theatre quite like London, as well as because while tourists tend to enjoy the West End, they don’t flood it entirely.
Wander Oxford Circus
Sometimes compared to New York’s Times Square, Oxford Circus is a sort of perpetually crowded city centre of London. It’s technically a street in the West End, but at this point is more of an entire area, known for shopping and for a generally fast-paced and exciting atmosphere.
While Times Square is famous specifically for being a tourist attraction though, Oxford Street feels a little bit more natural. Whether or not you’re a shopping enthusiast, it’s a good place to wander about to get a better feel for the pulse of the city.
See A Football Match
There may not be anything quite as representative of London culture as football, viewed in pubs all over town but also seen live at several city stadiums. Many supporters wake up early to prepare for match days, often imbibing generously as part of the festive process.
Many others take to the wagering shops or internet, where there are always sites offering a variety of opportunities for betting on the day’s matches. But whether or not you partake in these pre-match festivities, seeing an actual match – live, at a London stadium – is an incredible experience.
Do The Museum Lates
London’s museum lates, while not quite a secret, are certainly better known by locals than tourists, and that makes them feel almost more intimate in a way.
Basically, they’re events during which certain museums and galleries stay open (or reopen) after hours, allowing for nighttime exploration with smaller crowds, and sometimes food and drink on hand.
It’s almost impossible to explain why, but something about wandering a great London museum at night is just special.
