London is one of my favourite cities and a place that I was lucky to call home for four years. According to the city of London, pre-covid the city was visited by over 20 million tourists per year, making it one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. London is a city with a vast history, reaching back over 2,000 years. It has also been a city of huge cultural significance that has left a lasting impact on many other places in the world (whether positive or negative). The United Kingdom is well known for its Kings and Queens but also renowned worldwide for this unique cultural history which has produced a wide range of musicians, artists and academics.
What I love about London is that with so many well-preserved buildings, the history truly feels alive. The city is a great mix of old and new and provides tourists a countless amount of things to explore. There is no possible way I could fit every historical thing to do in one article (there are literally hundreds if not thousands of them) but below I’ve outlined 10 of my favourite historical things to do in London, England, especially if it’s your first time visiting.
1. Visit the home of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
I’ll start with the attraction that is at the top of most people’s bucket list… a visit to Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is one of the most famous palaces in the world and is the Queen’s official working residence in London. The history of Buckingham Palace dates back to the 17th century (when the original building was called Buckingham House). In 1762, King George III purchased the property for his wife, Queen Charlotte, and several additions were made over the years to turn it into the palace we know today. It officially became the London residence of the monarch in 1837, and every year welcomes thousands of tourists (if not more) hoping to see a glimpse of royal life.
The outside of Buckingham Palace can be visited at any time of the year. From its location at the end of the Mall, you can see the towering gates, the facade of the palace and the iconic balcony that was added by Queen Victoria in the 1840s. If the weather is right you might also be able to catch the Changing of the Guard that takes place daily. Also, from July to October every year, the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace are open to the public. If you’re there during these month and interested in royal history, it’s a fascinating insight into some of the most recognizable state rooms in the world. Also, if you happen to be in London during a special celebration, such as Trooping the Colour or a royal wedding, you may just be able to catch a glimpse of the royal family on the balcony.
2. Explore Princess Diana’s beloved Kensington Palace.
For those with an interest in royal history, another must-visit location is the remarkable Kensington Palace. Kensington Palace was initially the country retreat for King William III and Queen Mary II in the 17th century and was also where Queen Victoria grew up in the early 19th century. Today, Kensington Palace is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and remains very much a working palace. However, it is with Princess Diana that Kensington Palace is most famously associated with, as the place where she lived from shortly after her marriage to Prince Charles, up until her death in 1997. Many will remember the scenes of tributes and mournings outside of the gates of Kensington Palace after her death, and until this day, her memory is still very much kept alive here.
Inside Kensington Palace, visitors can explore the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments, which date back to the time of William and Mary. You can also visit the rooms where Queen Victoria was born and raised and see a number of artifacts associated with one of England’s most famous queens. The outside grounds surrounding Kensington Palace are also stunning and do not require a ticket to be visited. A highlight is definitely the Sunken Garden (also known as the White Garden), which was a favourite of the late Princess Diana and now contains her memorial statue, unveiled by Prince William and Prince Harry in 2021.
3. See Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster.
One of London’s most iconic landmarks is Big Ben, the 316 foot clock tower that is located at the west end of the Palace of Westminster, home of the UK Parliament. The name “Big Ben” actually only refers to the bell at the top of the tower (the tower is actually called the Elizabeth Tower), but the name “Big Ben” is commonly used to refer to the structure as a whole. It’s believed that a clock tower has been on site since the 1290s, but the current tower was constructed in the 1850s. It has since become an important symbol of London and a popular tourist attraction.
At the moment, Big Ben is undergoing significant restoration works, which means it’s not possible for the public to visit. However, you can visit the Palace of Westminster and explore the historic role the building as played as the centre of political life for over 1,000 years. The original Palace of Westminster was built in the 11th century and for hundreds of years acted as a royal residence. The current building is Victorian and was designed by architect Sir Charles Barry in the mid-19th century. Today, a tour of the Palace of Westminster will take you through the House of Commons, the House of Lords and Westminster Hall. I would recommend booking your tickets online in advance as they do have limited capacity.
4. Enjoy a meal in a historic pub.
If there’s one thing Britain is known for, it’s a good traditional pub, and you’ll find plenty of them in London. One of the oldest in the city (and one of my favourites) is The George Inn, located on the south side of the Thames in Southwark. The George Inn has a history that dates back to the 16th century, with the current building being constructed in 1677 after the original was destroyed in a fire. The pub was historically a coaching inn, where travellers would have rested with their horses while travelling in and out of London. It’s rumoured that Shakespeare potentially visited The George Inn and the pub was also mentioned in Charles Dickens’ 19th century novel, Little Dorrit. It’s low-beam ceilings, crooked floors and excellent food make it the perfect place to stop for a meal.
There are also a number of other historical pubs in the city that are well worth visiting. A few other favourites of mine include the The Lamb and Flag which dates back to the 18th century (and another former drinking spot of Charles Dickens), The Dove (located on the banks of the river in Hammersmith, and is where King Charles II used to meet his mistress), as well as Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (located on Fleet Street and whose origins as a pub dates back to the 1530s). If you’re out in the east end of the city I also highly recommend The Mayflower. This quaint pub is located in the same place that the famous ship, the Mayflower, set sail from in 1620 bringing the Pilgrim Fathers to America. The pub actually dates back even further to the year 1550 and today serves a range of excellent food and drink. Also, on Sunday evenings, the pub traditionally only serves by candlelight, making for a real historical experience.
5. See the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.
The Tower of London is one of the city’s most historic and infamous buildings. Originally built by William the Conqueror as a fortress in the 1070s, for a number of years the castle was used as a royal residence. However the Tower of London is probably best known as one of the country’s most notorious prisons, where enemies of royal rulers were sent throughout much of the country’s history. The most notable prisoners to be kept at the tower were Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two of the six wives of Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn was also executed on Tower Green in 1536 and is buried in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula within the tower walls.
The Tower of London is a fascinating place to visit because it covers so many years of England’s history and so many famous figures have been through the gates. In addition to exploring the courtyards and buildings, visitors can also see the Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels consist of over 100 objects from the Royal Collection, including the Imperial State Crown, which is worn by monarchs as they leave their Coronation. Also make sure to keep an eye out for the Yeoman Warders (also commonly known as Beefeaters) who are the ceremonial guards of the tower that keep all of the treasures safe!
6. Go shopping on Portobello Road.
Portobello Road mainly runs through the Notting Hill neighbourhood and is one of London’s most popular marketplaces. For much of its history, Portobello Road was a winding, country lane, but in the Victorian period, the area was built up residentially. As a result, there was an influx of people, shops and businesses and the Portobello Road Market opened. Initially, the market sold mainly food, but in after the 1940s and 1950s, it began to specialize more in antiques.
Today, Portobello Road is still a bustling marketplace and home to a diverse community. The focus is still on antiques and vintage shops, but there are also a number of other stores, bars, cafes and restaurants to explore. Saturday is the main day for the Portobello Road Market, as that is when the majority of places are open. Another cool place to visit nearby is the Acklam Village Market, which on Saturdays has live music, a bar and a great offering of international street food. Also just off Portobello is also the famous “Blue Door” which was featured in the 1999 film Notting Hill starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.
7. Discover London’s rock ‘n’ roll music history.
One of my favourite things about London is the music scene. It’s a city with a rich music history that has produced some of the world’s most famous rock ‘n’ roll artists. One of the most popular music sites to visit in London is Abbey Road, where The Beatles recorded their famous album of the same name. The photograph on the front of the album of John, Paul, George and Ringo crossing the street was taken just outside of the studio. Today the crossing is always busy with visitors recreating the iconic scene.
Another one of my favourite music history sites in London is Garden Lodge, the former home of legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Located in a beautiful Kensington neighbourhood, today the house is still inhabited by his long-time friend Mary Austin, who he left the it to upon his death. While it is a private residence, you are able to walk by the outside gates and get a glimpse of the place Freddie called home.
For punk fans, I also highly recommend hanging out in Camden Town. The Camden Market is one of London’s most famous markets, with hundreds of stalls and a number of shops, bars and cafés. Camden is also famous for its association with music and counter-culture and particularly the role in played in the London punk scene. It’s filled with notable music venues, which include the Roundhouse, played by musicians such as Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and The Ramones, the Electric Ballroom, where bands like Paul McCartney and Wings as well as Led Zepplin rehearsed, and KOKO, a popular punk venue played by bands such as The Sex Pistols. Camden was also home to legendary British singer Amy Winehouse and is where she lived and hung out as a young musician.
8. Have a glass of wine in Gordon’s, London’s oldest wine bar.
In addition to the may great pubs, London also has a number of historic wine bars for those looking to have a drink in a historical location. Gordon’s Wine Bar is thought to be London’s oldest wine bar, with a history that dates back to 1890, although the building dates back earlier to the 1790s. In addition, the house onsite prior to the 1790s was also historically significant, as it was occupied by the famous English diarist Samuel Pepys. In 1890, Gordon’s Wine Bar was opened by Angus Stafford Gordon, who was a remaining Free Vintner in London (an individual who was able to sell wine anywhere without applying for a license) and the business has been passed down through his family ever since.
Today, Gordon’s Wine Bar remains a popular place to sip on a glass of wine. It’s central location in the Embankment area means that it’s a great place to finish off a day of historical sightseeing. The inside of Gordon’s Wine Bar has a very historic feel, as you can either sit in the original rooms or the old cave-like cellar. They’ve also recently added an outdoor section, but just note that they do not take reservations, so tables are first-come, first-serve. Overall my favourite aspect of the bar is that it is a family run business and carries many wines from family-run vineyards. It’s the perfect mix of interesting history, friendly people and excellent food and drink!
9. Visit one of the many free museums.
One of the great things about the United Kingdom is that many of the country’s museums are free to enter and London has a number of great museums worth visiting. One of my favourites is the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance. The British Museum, which houses artifacts that cover over 2 million years of human history, is also a popular tourist destination.
In London there’s probably a museum that caters to any specific interest you have, but I would recommend a few others for the history lovers. The National Gallery is another one of my favourites and displays some of the country’s most significant paintings. The Imperial War Museum is also extremely informative and well put together, and provides an insight into the historical conflicts Britain has been involved in. I would also recommend the Museum of London Docklands, which takes a look at the history of London as a port city and also explores the important topic of London’s link to the Atlantic slave trade.
10. Take a day trip out to Hampton Court Palace.
If you’re looking to get out of the city for the afternoon, Hampton Court Palace is the perfect place to visit. The palace can be reached in about 30 minutes from central London and is most famously known as the royal residence of King Henry VIII. Hampton Court Palace was built by the king’s almoner Cardinal Wolsey in 1514, but Henry ended up liking the palace so much that he took it for himself. Showcasing all of the grandeur of the Tudor period, Hampton Court Palace became a symbol of Henry’s power and extravagance. After Henry’s time, the palace was used as a royal residence up until 1737 when it changed to grace-and-favour residences. Other notable monarchs who inhabited Hampton Court Palace include Queen Elizabeth I, William III and Mary II, Queen Anne as well as King George I and King George II.
Today, visitors can explore a few of the rooms existing from the time of Henry VIII. These include the Great Hall, the Royal Chapel and Henry VIII’s Kitchens. You can also explore the Georgian section of the palace as well as William and Mary’s apartments. Hampton Court Palace also has beautiful gardens that are well worth a walk around on a nice day. The palace also often has special events that take place so it’s worth checking out the website before you visit.