Things to do in the City of London

It's perhaps apt that the Tower of London, once a prison, fort, castle, and occasional execution spot, can be found in the City of London. Little did William the Conqueror know when he commissioned it back in 1066 that this castle would so imperfectly encapsulate its modern surroundings. Anyway, enough about our broken financial system! What about the Tower itself?

Well, visitors will find a wealth of history and culture within its storied walls. Explore every nook and cranny, learning about the people and events that took place there. See the fabled Crown Jewels up close. Chat with the Beefeater guards, whose sole job is to guard said jewels - and give tours, if they're feeling friendly. And there are the resident ravens, too, who love to just raven about being ravens.

Go and see London's most visited paid attraction and see what all the fuss is about!

Next up, you know it, you love it, it's St Paul's Cathedral. Named after St Paul, one of Jesus' best mates, it has a storied history of its own! Designed by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire in 1666, its baroque dome is one of the most recognisable landmarks in London's skyline. Inside, you'll find a feast for the eyes around every curved corner. Carvings, mosaics, and other lovely art things all speak to the building's grandeur. 

Head up to the Golden Gallery to see it all from above, or head down to the crypts to tip your hat to famous faces like Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. And, if you're the god-fearing sort, you can even attend one of the many services put on there throughout the day. If not, maybe some pictures will suffice.

From old to new now, thanks to the city's wondrous Sky Garden, perched atop the hilariously-coined 'Walkie Talkie' building. If you like green spaces and great views, nowhere in London has it beat.

The garden itself is a well-pruned, serene escape from London's concrete jungle. They're flanked by wall-to-ceiling windows and observation decks, giving you great views of the British metropolis without getting lost within its winding streets.

Easily one of the most Grammable spots in the city, post the right picture at the right time and watch your online points skyrocket! Because that's how social media works. Plus, it's free, which is always a bonus.

If standard golf isn't crazy enough for you, then why not make things crazier by swinging a few clubs at Swingers Crazy Golf? It's crazy -  crazier than you'd ever believe.

Each course is full of fun nostalgic fancy, with themes you'll understand immediately. The theme is fun. Every time. If you've ever been to a seaside town and seen the poorly realised characters and scenarios from famous films and TV shows, you'll feel right at home.

But don't worry; it's not all swinging and hitting balls. There's also a menu full of tasty street food, a bar stocked with enough booze to sink a ship, and maybe some other things you'll just have to discover for yourself.

And the whole thing is indoors, so if the weather's looking a little rough, duck out of the worst of it and have fun while you do.

If you struggle to make fun for yourself and prefer to have a carefully curated experience to overcome your lack of imagination, you're in luck! Because some of the best things to do in the City of London are immersive experiences!

First up, we've got F1 Arcade, a high-octane virtual experience that puts "drivers" in the seat of some of Earth's fastest vehicles. Great for F1 fans and thrill-seekers alike, you can team up with up to 12 drivers, or go head-to-head with a couple of friends to see who can beat the track first. And, with a myriad of dining and drinking options for after your race, you can make an evening of it!

For a more mellow, alcohol-focused experience, look no further than Moonshine Saloon. This immersive Wild West-themed cocktail bar is basically the London equivalent of Westworld, minus the robots, violence, and ladies of the night. So, expect actors acting their hearts out, making your own drinks, and likely being dragged into shenanigans you're too sober to commit to.

Of course, with so much to see in the area, you could always take control and decide your own fate. So why not plot a route, take to the streets, and see all the other wonderful sights and sounds the City of London has to offer?

There's Fleet Street, the heart of London's journalism for centuries. Leadenhall Market, which was transformed into Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies. Even Muggles can go, so you're safe.

Then there's the Monument to the Great Fire, the brutalist brilliance of the Barbican, the Old Bailey, and the Gherkin, a building shaped somewhat like a gherkin. London is weird.

There are too many weird and wonderful places to dive into here, so put your walking boots on, don your walking hat, and make the streets your own.