Things To Do In London

For visitors and locals alike, explore the city with our selection of the greatest things to do and see in London. This is your comprehensive London checklist for 2022, with everything from free activities to must-try eateries.

We're seeing London for the first time this year. Our nation's capital has been through a lot, but the city's attractions have come back stronger than ever. There are so many fantastic things to do in London, from incredible art exhibitions and major sites to secret spots, both day and night. This London bucket list is a great place to start.

From underground gigs to something fresh at one of London's monuments, this checklist will help you find out what's still going on in London — including some actual real-life events. Grab your face mask and reintroduce yourself to your city. It's been much too long, London.

See V&A’s hosted world-class exhibition.

What exactly is it? The V&A is a world-class museum that champions the greatest of ornamental art and design. It is a cathedral to culture.

Why are you going? Ticketed shows with high visibility frequently sell out, Bristol Airport Transfer but the permanent exhibits are fascinating and free to explore (book a ticket and time slot through a new and socially distanced system).

Don't miss: Amanda Levite’s 11,000 handcrafted porcelain tiles formed the world's first all-porcelain courtyard. The gleaming ceramics transform London into 1960s Rome when they catch the light.

Borough Market is a great place to eat.

What exactly is it? The oldest food market in London, dating back to the thirteenth century, is a veritable feast of gourmet delights – your go-to for artisanal finds.

Why are you going? It used to be all about British produce, but today it's all about international traders and street food: try French confit-duck sandwiches, Ethiopian stews, and scotch eggs (elevated, of course).

Don't miss: The market, which was once known for its throngs, now has a Covid-safe capacity (facemasks remain compulsory). Arrive early for a riverbank picnic (grab coffee from Monmouth), then pick up supplies from Neal's Yard Dairy, Brindisa, and Bread Ahead.

At Tate Modern, you can see free art.

What exactly is it? On London's South Bank, a riverfront icon dedicated to modern and contemporary art. It's the younger, hipper sibling of the Tate Britain in Pimlico.

 

Why are you going? Even the architecture may inspire and challenge you. The Tate Modern occupies the site of the former Bankside Power Station. The gallery space and amazing 360-degree views of the London skyline were added to the Switch House addition in 2016. Step inside to see paintings by Warhol, Matisse, and Bourgeois, which are all free and part of the permanent collection.Don't miss: During gallery hours, the Tate Boat (decorated with Damien Hirst dots) runs up and down the Thames every 30 minutes between Tate Modern and Tate Britain. Simply use an Oyster or contactless card to enter and exit the tube or bus.

Liberty Fabrics is a great place to get elegant fabric.

What exactly is it? Liberty is a colorful retail store near Oxford Circus that is unapologetically unconventional and always original. It was founded in 1875, but the Mock-Tudor Marlborough Street iteration was erected in the 1920s using the timbers of two ancient warships.

Why are you going? Despite its antiquity, Liberty manages to cram fashion-forward innovation into its wood-paneled rooms. Silks, Liberty-print cottons, and one-of-a-kind designer collaborations are all available.

The Liberty Christmas Shop is a must-see. It's a fantastic, glitter-covered, gift-wrapped festive grotto open for a good portion of the year, great for picking out bizarre and wonderful decorations for your tree. Anyone for a Brussels sprout bauble?

The Columbia Road Flower Market is a great place to spend a Sunday.

What exactly is it? One of London's oldest and most popular flower marketplaces, brimming with all sorts of floral delights.

Why are you going? The Sunday flower market on Columbia Road in east London is a hipster paradise and one of the greatest venues in the city to buy flowers, bedding plants, cacti, and even a banana tree if you have the patio area and upper body power to carry it there.

The best blooms and deals are not to be missed. In all weather conditions, the market is open until 3 p.m., but the finest bargains must be found by arriving at 8 a.m. (or hold out to the end for a bargain on unsold stock).

Crunch some leaves in Kew Gardens.

What exactly is it? Stunning panoramas, rare plants, Victorian glasshouses, a Chinese pagoda, and a treetop walkway abound on the 3,00-acre open space. Nothing too opulent, you know.

Why are you going? Any time of year, this world-class botanic garden is enthralling. It's currently a crunchy, autumnal paradise; when the festive season arrives, keep an eye out for its annual lights trail Christmas at Kew.

Not to be missed: The recently renovated Temperate House is a horticulturist's dream, with encephalitis woodii, one of the world's rarest plants, which outlived the dinosaurs.