Things to do in London in the Morning

Insta addicts will be in clover during the golden hour just after sunrise when London’s landmarks appear in an almost painterly light. Grab your camera and head out for some of the best sunrise views in town. The vista from Primrose Hill is especially magical, as the London skyline glows pink and a finely tuned ear may even detect the sounds of the… jungle? That’s thanks to nearby London Zoo, where many of the furry, finned and flippered residents will be waking up for breakfast right about now.

A couple miles west along the Regent’s Canal is Little Venice, where colorful barges and cute bridges provide further fodder for your socials, especially in the early morning when there are only dog walkers around, and swans that glide gracefully across the otherwise still lagoon.

A walk along the Thames is also particularly special at sun-up, with fewer crowds meaning more chances to nab that perfect ‘alone in London’ selfie. Try the two-mile stretch along the South Bank from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, taking in superb front-row views of St Paul’s, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Cutty Sark along the way. You can find out more about that walk and other great London strolls here.

Most major London attractions start opening around 9AM–10AM, which also happens to be the best time to visit the more popular landmarks if you want to beat the lines. So, grab yourself a coffee and croissant, and hotfoot it the likes of the London Eye, the Shard, Madame Tussauds and the Tower of London, all of which start to get much busier from late morning into the early afternoon.

One of the most quintessentially British things you can do in London in the morning is to catch the pomp and pageantry of the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, which takes place most days at 11AM. It’s very popular though, so we recommend joining a guided tour with an expert who’ll ensure you’re in the best spot to snap the Royal Guards and Household Cavalry as they march their way grandly along the Mall.

Culture vulture? London is home to some of the planet’s finest museums, among them the National Gallery, the Tate, the V&A and the mighty British Museum. Better still: they’re all free to enter, so you’ll still have plenty of spare cash for that second morning cuppa.

There are nearly 100 top London attractions, tours and activities included with The London Pass. Hit the buttons below to find out how you could save up to 50% on admission to Madame Tussauds, the View from The Shard, Westminster Abbey, London Zoo and many more.

If there’s a better place to start your morning in London than Borough Market we’ve yet to find it. This sensory saturnalia of sizzling bacon, freshly roasted coffee beans and market traders loudly advertising their wares, is a must-do. The legendary Market Porter alehouse opens from 6AM on weekdays: fortify yourself with a frothing half of London Pride at this Victorian stalwart before stocking up on farm-fresh fruit and veg, regional cheeses and fine wines in the market proper. A bustling, noisy affair set directly beneath the railway arches by London Bridge station, the market has operated here in one form or another for nearly 1,000 years. Retreat with your quarry to the peaceful, leafy grounds of neighboring Southwark Cathedral, one of London’s oldest Gothic buildings, entry to which is also included with The London Pass.

But it’s not all about the Borough. London has dozens more excellent morning markets to explore. For trinkets and bric-a-brac, Portobello Road Market is pretty hard to beat, although its popularity means you may have to claw your way through a fair amount of overpriced tat (and people) before finding your treasure. It’s all part of the fun though. Don’t miss the swoonsome candy-colored houses at the Notting Hill end, pure manna for photography enthusiasts.

Equally Insta-friendly, Columbia Road Flower Market bursts into vibrant blooming color every Sunday morning, with a kaleidoscope of plants and bouquets that starts from as little as £1. You’ll find it tucked away between Shoreditch and Bethnal Green in the East End and, should you tire of smelling the roses, there are also plenty of cute little delis and bakeries, hip galleries and cool boutiques to explore. In other words: perfectly chilled Sunday morning vibes.

Wake up with a refreshing morning dip (sometimes really really refreshing) in one of London’s beloved lidos. These al fresco swimming pools can be found at several locations across the city and can be a fun way to spend your morning in London. You’ll find the local natives using them come rain, hail or shine. Boldly stripping to their smalls, these all-weather warriors even take the plunge in the depths of winter, braving water temperatures at which even a hungry polar bear might balk. 

Novices may prefer to make use of the lidos when London’s at its warmest and the waters provide welcome respite from the city’s sizzling summer heat. Cool off with the hip crowd at Brockwell Park’s art-deco gem in south London, or hit up the Olympic-sized lido in London Fields, over on the other side of town. For something a little more bucolic, try the summer pond at Hampstead Heath and its year-round sibling on the heath’s Highgate side. And there’s a reason the Serpentine Lido is one of London’s most popular, set as it is in the leafy surroundings of Hyde Park, right next to a cozy café. So come on in, the water’s lovely!

Find more fun things to do in London in the morning, and save big with The London Pass. Click here for more info and to bag yours!