London, the capital of England is an exciting city providing a wide selection of fun activities for everyone. From museums and parks to restaurants, London has something for anyone. England’s capital city has many beautiful buildings and is steeped in history and traditions, but there are still many fun things to do in London.
Below is our List of Fun Things to Do in London
1. Visit the Natural History Museum
One of the fun things you can do for a London day out is to visit the Natural History Museum. It attracts more than 4 million visitors annually.
This museum in South Kensington on Cromwell Road is amusing and offers an interactive experience about evolution. Its collection comprises approximately 80 million products that cover botany, Zoology, entomology, palaeontology, and mineralogy.
It is most famous for its dinosaurs exhibit and beautiful architecture that looks more like a cathedral. The most interesting thing is that most of its fun stuff is free to view.
2. Visit ZSL London Zoo (open 10 am to 4 pm)
Visit the world’s oldest Zoo. Dating back to 1828, the Zoo is run by the zoological society of London as a conservation charity whose objective focuses on animal preservation and protection.
The ZLS London Zoo commits itself to creating an eye-opening exhibition that gives its visitors a glimpse of nature’s most incredible animals.
The Zoo is located in Regents Park, a 200-year-old park in London, and it is an ideal place where you take your family to enjoy the fun activities in London.
During your visit to this place, take your kids into the Gorilla Kingdom, located indoors, and walk through a rainforest life exhibit. Here you will see the statue of ‘Guy the Gorilla’ who arrived in this Zoo as a baby in 1947.
A visit to the Zoo is among one of the best fun things to do in London during the day.
3. Visit The Serpentine Lake (opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm)
The Serpentine Lake will surprise you with great adventure if you go for a day out in London as a family.
The lake is located in Hyde Park and offers visitors pedal boats and rowing boats for hire. However, you can also take a dip at the Serpent Swimming Club and there is a small padding pool for your little ones to enjoy.
4. Visit Tower Bridge
When in London, take a bus tour from Westminster to Tower Bridge which stretches across the river Thames.
This bridge act as a link between the City Hall to the Tower of London. The bridge is bascule, which means it swings upwards in the centre to allow tall river traffic to pass through.
It is good to note that the bridge is open to both pedestrian and road traffic. Thus, you can stroll and enjoy the cool breeze in its high-level walkways 40 meters above the water.
5. Visit the Chinatown Gate
The Chinatown Gate is a symbolic grand entrance to the famous London Chinatown. The gate is designed using the Chinese architectural design that entails vibrant red, and gold colours associated with Chinese culture.
You will experience exquisitely drawn Chinese characters decorating the archway. Here you can enjoy a street lined with Chinese restaurants, souvenir shops and supermarkets.
If you are in town around January and February, check your Calendar for the exact dates of the Chinese New Year and enjoy the festival of the dragon dance.
6. Visit Buckingham Palace
Visiting Buckingham Palace is one of the best fun things to do in London. The palace has been the official residence of the UK royal family since 1837.
Visiting a functional royal palace will give you a magical experience. The palace is open to the general public for ten weeks every summer and several days in winter and spring. Just book your ticket in advance.
On a guided tour of the palace, you will encounter and explore the dazzling staterooms furnished with beautiful furniture and old-world artefacts and treasures. You will also experience the lush palace garden or watch the famous changing of the guards ceremony.
During your tour of this capital city, Buckingham Palace should sit top of your list of fun things to do in central London.
7. Visit the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
Don’t leave London without visiting this stunning Gothic landmark, which is the seat of the British Parliament.
You can also view the iconic clock tower commonly known as Big Ben which has been keeping time for the residents of London for over a century. The clock has been replicated worldwide and stands out as an enduring icon in London.
8. Flower Spotting around Kew Gardens
Another exciting place you can visit while in London is the Royal Botanic Gardens, known as Kew Gardens.
This garden complex is 300 acres with more than 30,000 different species of plants. You can explore and learn about rare plant species in this beautiful green space while relaxing in the tranquil atmosphere.
You can also explore the treetop walk away, Palm House, Chinese Pagoda, and Kew Palace and have an experience like no other.
9. Swim in the Hampstead Heath Ponds
Hampstead Heath is one of the top tourist attractions, which equally delights the residents of London and its tourists.
One of the fun activities you can do here is to swim in either of the three ponds that are open year-round. After you are done swimming, consider wandering on foot on Hampstead Heath which features gentle hills and ancient woodlands providing spectacular views.
10. Explore the Canals at Little Venice
Visiting little Venice for a day out in London can be a good idea. This area has beautiful waterways and canals and has many charming things to do whenever you visit the place.
You can take a boat trip, walk along the canals or watch live performances on the Puppet Theatre Barge.
Little Venice has plenty of places to eat and drink. There is a wide range of restaurants and pubs serving amazing meals and drinks at affordable prices. With these pubs and restaurants, there is no limitation on the fun things to do in London at night.
11. View the Scenic Skyline from Primrose Hill
Primrose hill is among one of the free fun places to visit while in London. Once on top of this hill, you can enjoy a view of London’s skyline 63 meters above the ground from six different viewpoints.
12. Visit the West End
Covent Garden is one of the fun places to soak up the vibrancy of London. In the evenings, the square is full of busy street performers entertaining crowds and a pool of restaurants ready to serve you your favourite meal.
If you are looking for a variety of art, fresh produce, and crafts, this is the place to visit more in the morning.
However, no matter what time of day you visit, the West End should be included on any list of fun things to do in London.
Summary
Whether you are planning a trip to London with friends, family or simply on your own, the above list will hopefully help you locate fun places to visit in London.
For good reasons, London is one of the most famous tourist destinations globally. It is home to many attractions, museums, and cultural exhibits.
There is always something for everyone and many fun things to do in London Central.