9 Places To Visit While In London

“The streets of London have their map, but our passions are uncharted. What are you going to meet if you turn this corner?”
Virginia Woolf

I love that quote by Mrs. Woolf. It perfectly reflects the excitement I feel whenever I visit London. It’s the combination of old and new. There are many historical and modern/trendy spots to explore. So it has something for everyone.

I’ve been to London about four times now. That doesn’t make me an expert, but I am still proud of this great list of places I’ve created. It’s a list of spots I always check out every time I visit. I typically like historical locations, that have a royal connection. Or are just aesthetically pleasing. If any or all of those things are up your alley, I have a great starter list of places to visit in London.

Before jumping in, check out my A Few Days In London blog post for additional ideas on things to do in London.

Check out some of the other posts from my England and Scotland adventure:

A Day Trip To Windsor, UK | A Weekend In Edinburgh | The Idyllic Village Of Grasmere | 9 Castles + Palaces To See | 8 Cute English Villages

9 places I love to visit while in London

Hyde Park: I never fail to find myself in Hyde Park when I’m in London. I love all the lovely walkways, gardens, and fountains. You can rent a paddle boat at Serpentine Lake or stroll through the rose garden if you’re looking for a pretty spot for photos.

Places of interest:

Hyde Park Boating
Italian Gardens
Kensington Palace
The Swan Pub
The Shed
Churchill Arms

Covent Garden: I love to go to this charming neighborhood for two reasons – To see the colorful Neil’s Yard for some shopping and to visit all the cute pubs. My favorite is The White Lion pub with all the flowers on the facade.

Places of Interest:

Neil’s Yard
The White Lion Pub
Diamond Jubilee Garden
The Nags Head Pub

The Royal Gardens at Kensington Palace: If you’re exploring Hyde Park, you’ll want to stop at the Royal Gardens near Kensington Palace, which has one of my other favorite spots – The Princess Diana Memorial Garden. Located in the Sunken Garden, as of 2021, you can now view the pretty statue they put up of the late Princess.

Notting Hill: This quirky residential area is fun to explore for a few reasons. For one, the colorful houses are great photo ops. And if you’re a foodie, there are great restaurants to check out. During my most recent visit, I stumbled upon this pretty chapel and had a nice moment inside.

Places of Interest:

The Churchill Arms: This cute pub is a popular spot for those looking for a photo op, and it’s easy to see why with the flower facade. So, of course, it’s a place that I love seeing while in London. I visited in September/October, so the flowers were not blooming. But in the spring, this place is dripping with flowers. Look up photos for some inspo, or check their website. Why can’t we have more pubs like this in the US?

The other reason I like this spot? It’s full of Winston Churchill memorabilia, and I’m a sucker for some good history.

St. James Park: This is another pretty place that I love to see in London. It’s next to Buckingham Palace, so if you’re doing the touristy thing, you should also plan to stroll through St. James. One cute spot you’ll want to check out is the Duck Island Cottage.

Places of Interest:

Buckingham Palace
St. James Palace
Duck Island Cottage
The Albert
Peggy Porschen Belgravia
Gymkhana
The Red Lion
Big Ben
Westminster Abbey

The London Tower: I love visiting The London Tower, even though it’s considered a touristy thing to do. There’s so much history, I can’t help it! I learn something new every time I go. Plus, there’s the pet crows, the great view of the beautiful Tower Bridge, and, of course, getting to see the Crown Jewels.

Westminster Abbey + Big Ben: I know, I know, another touristy thing on the list. But I feel like you haven’t explored London until you do the stroll by these two beautiful structures. There’s so much to do in the area, so you can’t miss them anyway.

City of Bath: This last spot is not in London, but I always add a stop to my itinerary to visit the beautiful city of Bath. It’s an easy trip from the bustling city into the English countryside. If you go by train or car, you can get to Bath in about an hour. The village is full of cafes, gallerias, and the historic Roman Baths, which are a must-stop if you’ve never been.

Places of Interest:

Roman Baths
Pulteney Bridge
Garden of Remembrance/Henrietta Park
Mrs Potts Chocolate House
The Abbey Deli
The Bath Bun
The Hideout

I hope this list is helpful as you plan your first (or next) trip to London. Sure, there are some obvious things on the list, but you also have some unique finds and points of interest in those areas that you should check out while bopping around London. And don’t forget to check out my other ‘Things To Do In London’ blog post for even more ideas.

Let’s go places,
Sarah

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