Things to do in the City of London

By Dom Bewley
Published: December 12, 2024
Things to do in the City of London

London's a funny old thang. Yes, it's a city, and England's capital. But London the city and the 'City of London' are actually two specific places. Crazy, right? Right?! Think of the City of London the English equivalent to Vatican City, except it's full of greedy financial companies trying to screw over the every man. And most people there are evil. So, not entirely different to Vatican City.

Anyway, you're not there to sell your soul to satan to make a few extra million quid; you're there to have fun! So, if you've wandered into Dante's Inferno and want to know about fun things to do in the City of London, we'll be your guide through each circle! Prepare to be amazed by such wonders as:

  • Tower of London
  • St Paul's Cathedral
  • Sky Garden
  • Swingers Crazy Golf
  • Immersive Experiences
  • Sightsee

Tower of London

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!

St Paul's Cathedral

Things to do in the City of London

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, it's 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.

Sky Garden

Things to do in the City of London

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.

Swingers Crazy Golf

Things to do in the City of London

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.

Immersive Experiences

Things to do in the City of London

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 Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience. With a name that rolls off the tongue like that, you know you're in for a wild ride! And ride you will, thanks to a show that encompasses AR/VR, actors, music, and special effects to throw you into an alien invasion. Good stuff, if your heart can keep up.

For a more mellow, alcohol-friendly 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.

Sightsee

Things to do in the City of London

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. And don't worry; she won't be there. Probably.

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.

And those are all the best things to do in the City of London! With so many London attractions to choose from, you could will away an entire day and still have more to do! And that's just the City of London! The rest of London is a treasure chest overflowing with brilliance. So why not grab a London Pass and see it all without breaking the bank?

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South London Attractions

South London is the catch-all term employed for much of the area ‘sarf’ of the River Thames, a mystical zone where West End cabbies fear to tread and where the cool kids hang out at trendy Peckham and Brixton cocktail bars. It’s also where you’ll find fab London landmarks like the Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs, Brockwell Lido, and the fascinating Horniman Museum with its famously overstuffed walrus mascot. Read on for our pick of the South London attractions you should go out of your way to see. Greenwich There are a great many attractions to tempt day trippers to ultra-hip Greenwich, the historic village that sits on a sharp bend of the Thames’s south bank. Chief among these are the Cutty Sark, Royal Museums and Royal Observatory, but there’s loads more to enjoy here. 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Oh, and while you're here, why not check out more of Britain's most famous figures throughout history? Or some fascinating facts about Henry's old home, Hampton Court Palace? And, if you want to see some of his old haunts up close, be sure to check out the very best London attractions the captial has to offer! Experience everything London has to offer with The London Pass® Planning your London trip? With The London Attraction Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️
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