There are so many wonderful things to see and do and attractions to visit in London. If you’ve never been before, how do you know where to start, what things to put on your itinerary and what attractions can be missed? These top 6 things to do in London for first time visitors will get you on the right path to experiencing a magical London and have the best possible time.
The Houses of Parliament and The London Eye
Perhaps the best way to tick a few things off your London bucket list at once is to head atop the London Eye where you’ll also be able to get a great view of the Houses of Parliament and of course its clock tower, Big Ben. If viewing Parliament from a distance isn’t your thing and you want to get more up close and personal, then you can take a guided tour on Saturdays and most weekdays when parliament is in recess. You can view debates from the public galleries as well.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
If you’re a Potterhead you simply cannot miss the magic of a behind the scenes tour of the Harry Potter films at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. You’ll get to experience all the glory of the movie sets, costumes, including those famous school uniforms complete with black capes and of course many of the props used in all the Harry Potter films. You’ll also be able to go inside some of the movie’s most iconic locations, including the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office and Hagrid’s hut.
Madame Tussauds London
Of course a trip to London wouldn’t be complete without first taking some photos inside Madame Tussauds London. You’ll be up close with some of the world’s most famous and iconic faces, from Shakespeare to Lady Gaga. You’ll be able to view some of the most influential figures from history, show business, sport, politics and of course British royalty.
The View from The Shard
The London Eye isn’t the only spot in London to get a superb view of your surroundings. If you like flying high, then a trip up The Shard is an absolute must on your first visit to London. You’ll be able to see the city’s iconic skyline with views stretching up to almost 65km. You’ll get an amazing view of the Coca-Cola London Eye, Wembley Stadium and St Paul’s Cathedral from The Shard’s observation deck. The Shard is Western Europe’s tallest building, standing at 244m tall.
The British Museum
Don’t forget to take a trip to the British Museum the first time you visit. It’s jam-packed full of treasures like the Rosetta Stone, the Mummy of Katebet and the Lewis Chessmen. You can join a free tour which focuses on specific parts of the museum’s magnificent collection or you can simply take in the highlights through the Great Court. Don’t forget to take in the views of its beautiful glass and steel roof designed by Norman Foster.