101 things to do before you leave london

This is an archived page.

Find the best of London with our ultimate list of things to do in the capital

Welcome to the definitive guide to getting the most out of London: our list of the 101 best things to do in the capital, which has been put together by Time Out’s troop of expert writers and editors (along with suggestions from well-known London bloggers). Our roll call represents the very best this city has to offer – from top museums and cultural days out to great shops and markets and restaurants, with a few unique tours of London along the way. See the full list or choose a category below to get started...


We want this to be the definitive list, so tell us: what have we missed? What's your favourite thing to do in the capital? We'll constantly be updating this feature so your ideas could very well make it on to the list.

Have your say: on Facebook | on Twitter using #ultimatelondon | in the comments below

Roll over the grid below to explore our list of 101 things to do in London, and click on the images to read more.

British Museum British Library Bruce Castle Museum Charles Dickens Museum Dennis Severs' House Locate London's secret galleries Do both Tates in a day Do the Museum Road challenge Enjoy world-class opera Grant Museum of Zoology Handel House Museum Horniman Museum Hunterian Museum Imperial War Museum London Transport Museum Museum of London Old Operating Theatre Museum Pollock's Toy Museum Saatchi Gallery Tour London’s public sculpture masterpieces Tower of London Spend a night at the museum! Wellcome Collection Make a royal entrance at Buckingham Palace Lose yourself in boho Camden Define yourself at Dr Johnson's House Explore Greenwich Get your kids into art at the National Gallery Float along Regent’s Canal Take an off-beat tour of the capital Spy on the government at the Houses of Parliament Brave the rapids at Lee Valley White Water Centre Bask in the splendour of Leighton House Museum Immerse yourself in the London Aquarium Go for a spin on the London Eye Find a perch at the London Wetland Centre Poke your beak into London Zoo Scale Sir Christopher Wren’s Monument Peek backstage at the National Theatre Navigate the Thames Take an open-top bus tour Ride in the ‘driver’s seat’ on the DLR Enter space at the Royal Observatory Salute the changing of the guard See the city from Parliament Hill Get thee to Shakespeare's Globe Spend a day on the South Bank Dash round a famous sports ground See the river from Tower Bridge Call in on Britain’s first red telephone box Throw clay at the Wheelhouse Pottery Chime in with the Whitechapel Bell Foundry Roam the city with the London Cycle Hire Scheme Rest your bones at Bunhill Fields Go for a constitutional in Chelsea Physic Garden Meet the animals at one of London’s city farms Off-road it on Hampstead Heath Explore London on foot Stumble across a hidden park Commune with Karl Marx in Highgate Cemetery Explore Hyde Park Stroll around Kensington Gardens Vegetate at Kew Gardens Track down royal deer in Richmond Park Breakfast in style Chow down in Chinatown Demolish a Turkish meal in Dalston Dine in an 'underground restaurant'... Drink in a speakeasy Enjoy a coffee from one of the capital’s top baristas Join the throng at Gordon’s Wine Bar Land a traditional fish supper Learn to mix a proper cocktail Nurse a pint in one of the world’s best pubs Sample cockney cuisine in Petticoat Lane Market Scoff a midnight bagel on Brick Lane Take afternoon tea in style Wine and dine in a high-design setting Venture west for an authentic Indian Bag a bargain: car-boot sales and sample sales Browse London's best record shops Disappear into Davenports Magic Shop Find fresh-off-the-boat fish at Billingsgate Market Graze in London’s finest food markets Pamper yourself at a London spa Seek out unique vintage couture Smell the posies at Columbia Road Flower Market Spark up a fine cigar at Davidoff of London Splash out at a world-famous department store Wander along Portobello Market Watch a West End musical Try some off-West End theatre See a superstar DJ at the Ministry of Sound Discover the best cabaret Get into classic and arthouse cinema Go to 'The Gong Show' at The Comedy Store Have a proper East End night out Jive at the Rivoli Ballroom Join in the fun at Royal Vauxhall Tavern Listen to choral evensong in a cathedral Lose yourself in live music at a famous gig venue

Take our Facebook challenge

Take the test on Facebook now

See the contributors' lists

  • As well as mobilising the collective power of the Time Out editorial team we also asked some of London's best known bloggers and writers to suggest their favourite things to do London

Read the full lists

Secret London

  • Secret London

    Avoid the crowds and step off the beaten track to discover the hidden delights of the capital. We...

  • Secret tips on the Time Out blog

    Find the best hidden places in the capital as Londoners share their secret spots with the Time Ou...

Find more secret things to do in London

Share your thoughts
  4. * mandatory fields

Comments & ratings

Rated as: 0/5 (0 ratings)

  • LET'S GET MAKING ARE OFFERING A SERIES OF MOUSE TAXIDERMY CLASSES FROM THIER STUDIO IN WEST HARROW. COME ALONG AND CREATE YOUR TAXIDERMY WITH 2 TEACHERS GUIDING EVERY CLASS. ALL MATERIALS AND TOOLS ARE PROVIDED AND YOU CAN TAKE YOUR FINISHED MOUSE HOME AT THE END. CLASSES ARE ON: WEDNESDAYS 6PM-10PM SATURDAYS 12PM-4PM SUNDAYS 11AM- 3PM CLASSES ARE £37.50 PER PERSON OR LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE- LET'S GET MAKING FOR A DISCOUNT. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE LET'S GET MAKING

    Lets Get Making Wed Jan 23
    Report

  • Great ideas about what to do in london. Thanks for sharing :)

    things to do in london Wed Jul 6 2011
    Report

  • Join the London Cultureseekers Group, it's a great way to explore London, whilst making new friends! www.cultureseekers.org

    Robert Thu Feb 24 2011
    Report

  • Try a Graffiti Lesson in Waterloo run by artist Andy Seize. From £55 per adult / £35 children. www.graffitilessons.co.uk

    Graffiti Lessons Sat Jan 22 2011
    Report

  • ermm there arnt really anything for kids on here so that kind of badd

    girlie Wed Oct 27 2010
    Report

  • Brick Lane market

    Dan Wed May 5 2010
    Report

  • Visit the Gay Hussar, amazing and timeless Hungarian restaurant on Greek Street in Soho.

    funkofthemonk Mon Mar 22 2010
    Report

  • cool im only der 4 the weekend as im a t a concert and BTW its footbal,l not soccer....

    A person Sun Oct 4 2009
    Report

  • this is awesome , i'm in london for 3 weeks and this list will be as completed as possible ... picadilly last night.. footie wednesday GO ENGLAND !!!! i can't wait ... thanks a bunch

    michaela Mon Sep 7 2009
    Report

  • Yes, 62 Buy Japanese food in Brent Oriental City, 399 Edgware Rd, NW9 (020 8200 0009). Colindale tube. It's been closed for ages. Flats are going to be built on the site. (The owners charged too much rent and so Oriental City said, "see ya!" and now the recession hit and the site is dead as a....site with no building going on)

    Jon B Mon Jun 29 2009
    Report
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  • Hotwise
  • Cool brands
  • Star