Curator’s statement
London, the city where even Big Ben can’t resist showing up fashionably late for its own chimes! From the Queen’s Guard, who could give poker-faced lessons to the comedy clubs that rival Shakespearean dramas, London’s quirky charm is unbeatable. It’s the only place where you can enjoy both high tea and a low-key pub night with equal enthusiasm. If you can’t spot a double-decker bus, just follow the scent of fish and chips to where they drive on the left side of the road and the right side of history.
The Fora Difference
Book with Taylor to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in London
Unlock perks by contacting Taylor to book your trip.
Things to do in London
Brigit's Bakery double-decker tea bus tour is like an English tea party on wheels, complete with scones, pastries and London sights that come to you, making it the tastiest traffic jam you'll ever experience!
Take a ride on the London Eye, an iconic giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames, offers breathtaking panoramic views of London's skyline, giving you a bird's-eye perspective of the city's landmarks and a memorable experience that's truly an eye-opener. You won’t believe your eyes!
The Sky Garden is like being in a futuristic biosphere, but with better Wi-Fi and a view of the Shard, where you can sip your cocktail among the clouds and pretend you're plotting world domination like a supervillain with impeccable taste! It’s free to visit, but a reservation for timed entry is a must!
Strolling along the Thames is like wandering through a highlight reel of London’s greatest hits – You’ll see the Shard reaching for the skies, the Tower Bridge not falling, the Tower of London pretending to be a time-travel machine and Big Ben chiming in like the city’s sassy storyteller, as the river tries to keep everyone on course.
Exploring Covent Garden is like entering a circus run by posh clowns, where you can catch street performers juggling teacups and boutique shops selling monocles for your pet corgi, all before you dive into a West End show that's so dazzling it makes you question whether the actors have a secret hotline to the King for drama coaching!
Embarking on a food tour through Borough Market is like getting an all-access pass to the city's edible amusement park, where you can nibble on cheeses fancier than James Bond's suits, devour gourmet street food that moonlights as Michelin-star cuisine, and have a produce-tasting contest with veggies that double as abstract art installations, all while realizing that your taste buds have just booked a first-class flight around the world without leaving London!
Notting Hill, the place where romantic comedies go to find their leading lady, is your ticket to a whimsical journey through candy-colored houses that seem straight out of a pop-up storybook, especially when you stroll down Portobello Road, where antique stalls let you haggle over treasures older than your grandma's favorite stories, all in a delightful blend of bohemian vibes and British charm that practically whispers, "Grab your camera and let's make some rom-com-worthy memories!"
Paying a visit to Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace is like getting a backstage pass to a royal reality show where Buckingham Palace is the glitzy red-carpet event and Kensington Palace is the cozy, behind-the-scenes episode where you discover that even royals have charming gardens and maybe a few skeletons in their historical closets, providing a regal but relatable peek into the world of British monarchy!
London's museums are like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, but instead of candy, they're filled with the sweet delights of human history and art – from the British Museum's Rosetta Stone that could spark an ancient emoji battle to the Tate Modern's contemporary masterpieces that might leave you scratching your head, all housed in buildings so grand you'd think the architecture itself was an exhibit. Whether you’re befriending dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, admiring posh dresses at the Victoria and Albert Museum or wondering if robots dream at the Science Museum, London’s museums offer an infinite adventure for culture-hungry explorers.
London's parks are like a collection of mini-holiday destinations within the city – Hyde Park is your go-to for leisurely strolls or launching a swan-powered boat expedition at Serpentine Lake, while Regent's Park is the royal garden party you didn’t know you were invited to, complete with stunning gardens and an animal guest list at the London Zoo. Whether you're a picnic guru, a marathon hopeful or just a professional daydreamer, London's green spaces are the city's breathing spaces, where you can relax, recharge and occasionally get photobombed by some very enthusiastic pigeons!
Day trips
A day trip from London to the Cotswolds is like stepping into a real-life fairy tale with charming cottages, adorable sheep and a quest for the perfect cream tea – just watch out for the occasional rogue knight on a quest for scones!
A day trip to Oxford from London is your chance to unlock the secrets of the universe while punting on the River Thames, all in the company of scholars so clever that even their coffee cups have PhDs!
A day trip to Bath from London is like diving headfirst into a giant cup of tea, where you can paddle in Roman baths, swoon over Georgian architecture and laugh at the occasional tourist trying to reenact a Jane Austen novel.
A day trip from London to Stonehenge lets you visit the world's most famous pile of rocks, where you can contemplate life's mysteries while trying not to accidentally summon any ancient druids!
Places to eat & drink in London
Maggie Jones' is the ultimate "speakeasy" for foodies, where you don't need a secret handshake, just a hearty appetite, to discover the hidden charms of British cuisine served in a cozy and rustic setting that feels like a delicious, well-kept secret that you can't wait to share with your fellow food adventurers.
Ave Mario is the Italian restaurant where even the angels overhead can't resist leaning down for a taste of their heavenly pasta, surrounded by modern elegance that somehow feels as comfortable as your favorite pair of sweatpants, all beneath a ceiling that's a work of art – basically, it's the kind of place where you'll take one look at the bar and declare it the most beautiful in all of London, and no one will argue!
Sketch afternoon tea is the kind of experience that would make Alice from Wonderland blush, where you dine amid a whimsical wonderland of pink velvet and art that's as tasty as it is Instagram-worthy, with pastries and sandwiches so artistically delicious you'll question if you're in an art gallery or a tearoom – but no worries, because either way, you'll want to savor every bite! Be sure to check out the toilets.
Dishoom is like a teleportation machine to the vibrant streets of Bombay, where the decor is an invitation to a Bollywood movie set, and every mouthful of their Indian cuisine is a ticket for a taste-bud trip to spice heaven. Whether you're craving breakfast or dinner, Dishoom promises a delightful culinary journey, ensuring you'll leave with a belly full of flavorful memories and an inexplicable urge to break into a Bollywood dance number!
Shakespeare's Head Pub is a historical haven where even your pint glass has a Shakespearean soliloquy to share and you're surrounded by the cozy embrace of a traditional British pub. It's the spot where ale enthusiasts can clink glasses with literary lovers and you can almost hear the echoes of "To beer or not to beer" in the air, making it the perfect place to lift a glass in the Bard's timeless spirit!
Mr. Fogg's Tavern is your one-way ticket to a time-traveling escapade right into the heart of Victorian London, where the decor is as vintage as a top hat and the British fare is heartier than a Dickens novel. And just when you think you've hit peak nostalgia, the Cockney singalong begins, bringing the lively spirit of old London back to life and making you half-expect Sherlock Holmes to drop in for a pint and a jolly tune!
Rules, London’s oldest restaurant, is like that one friend who insists on wearing top hats and waistcoats to every casual get-together, only this friend has been doing it since 1798 and serves you classic British dishes like they’re still in fashion.
The Ginger Pig is the place where vegetarians dare not tread, as it's a meat-lover's paradise where every cut and bite tells a carnivorous story. Known for its premium-quality meats, it's like a pilgrimage to the heart of British farming excellence, where you can practically taste the rolling green pastures in every mouthwatering bite.
Biscuiteers is like the place cookies run away to when they want a glamorous makeover – they come back as beautiful hand-iced masterpieces that are almost too fancy to dunk in your tea. It’s the go-to place for cookie lovers who want their sweet treats to double as beautiful decorations for the poshest tea party in town.
Let's talk about customizing this itinerary for you. Or, about other destinations.
Travel Advisor
Taylor Phillips
Get in touch with Taylor
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can normally expect a response from Taylor within a business day or so. You’ll also be subscribed to our travel newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Jill Albino’s guide, Family-Friendly Trip to London and Paris.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to London.