Things to do Near the London Eye

By Dom Bewley
Published: December 11, 2024
Things to do Near the London Eye

Londinium, or London to her friends, is a human city found on the planet England. Built back in the 1980s, the fledgling township has grown in the past few decades, from a small gathering of families to nearly 8 million people. That's a lot of people! It's also the only city on the planet with an eye. The London Eye!

This giant Ferris wheel towers above much of London's skyline, letting you look down on the riff-raff like the ants they are. Pop off the train at Waterloo, and the Eye will be there, staring at you. Staring right into your soul. But what things are there to do near the London Eye? Let's talk about it:

  • The London Eye
  • Hop on Hop off bus
  • Westminster Abbey
  • London Dungeon
  • Southbank
  • SEA LIFE London

The Eyes have it!

Things to do Near the London Eye

Somewhat stating the obvious here, but yes, the London Eye is one of the things to do near the London Eye. Technically, it counts, and it's one of the London attractions you won't want to miss!

Rising over 130 metres above the River Thames, this modern London marvel has dazzled visitors with its slow rotations for years. You'll have a tonne of time to take all the pics your camera desires, and you could even talk to other passengers. If you want?

While we'd recommend going in a group so you won't be talking to strangers, solo travelers will get just as much out of this unique view of the English capital from on high.

Bussin'

Things to do Near the London Eye

If you're only in town for a short while and want to get all your bucket list bits done in a day, why not take a hop on hop off bus tour of London icons? And, even though the bus goes far away from the London Eye, it still counts, because it will pick you up right near it.

So, what sights, sounds, and wonders can you expect to pass on your adventure? Well, you've got all the big ones - the London Eye (obviously), Big Ben, Westminster, and Buckingham Palace are just some of the many iconic London landmarks you'll see on your travels.

But while some mobile tours are passive, this bus tour lets you get off and explore whichever destination you want for as long as you want. Then, when you're all tuckered out, simply catch the next bus and carry on! Sublime fun for those short on time.

Westward Wonders

Things to do Near the London Eye

If the big bus isn't your style, you can simply walk to many London landmarks. One such landmark is Westminster Abbey, one of the world's most famous churches. It's also - probably - one of the oldest, as parts of it still stand after a literal millennia.

It's been set dressing for coronations, weddings, and funerals featuring some of the country's most famous faces. History buffs and culture vultures will be in their element!

Check out Poet's Corner to vibe with the likes of Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. Then head on over to the Coronation Chair and smell the royal splendour in the air. There's plenty more to see and do there too, but we won't spoil all the surprises.

Spooky Sightings

Things to do Near the London Eye

If you like your entertainment of the ghoulish and garish variety, then you owe yourself a trip to London Dungeon. This grizzly place recounts real-life grosseries, as well as many vile and violent myths and legends set in and around the city.

Witness the horrors of the plague and Great Fire up close, see Sweeny Todd lopping off this and that, and follow the blood trails to catch Jack the Ripper in the act! Bloody good fun, if we don't say so ourselves.

New exhibits and experiences are introduced fairly regularly, so it's worth looking online to see what new ghastly spectacle awaits you. Rides, escape rooms, and actors all join in on the fun, so why wait? Plus, it's a short walk from the London Eye, which is why it comfortably makes it onto our list!

Down by the Bank

Things to do Near the London Eye

If you spent any time around the London Eye and didn't check out the Southbank, then shame on you. Really. Shame on you. The Southbank is a place where creativity thrives, so if you have even a small interest in the arts, it better make it onto your itinerary - somewhere near the top.

The streets themselves are often lined with musicians, performers, and stalls selling all manner of arts, crafts, and curiosities. It's all very dynamic and very artistic. You've also got the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre, and the BFI, which host all manner of events and shows for myriad artistic interests. 

Films, plays, live music, and dance are all on daily, so check online to see what's popping, or just go down there and brave it!

SEA LIFE London

Things to do Near the London Eye

If adventures on dry land don't quite - ahem - float your boat, then why not take a trip beneath the waves at SEA LIFE London?

This huge fishbowl features tonnes of exotic and colourful underwater species to look at, including fish, bigger fish, and other things that are like fish but also not? You know, like sharks. You'll see some sharks and then some.

Explore glass tunnels surrounded by water, fish, and the aforementioned sharks. Learn about the hard work conservationists put into saving marine life and keeping their habitats clean and safe from bad human practices. And finally, visit the gift shop so you can take a big, fluffy fish on your travels. Maybe take your new fluffy friend on the London Eye, as SEA LIFE London is just a stone's throw from the all-seeing wonder.

So, now you know about all the best things to do near the London Eye! Yay! Now we've got what you're doing sorted, let's talk about how to do it. Some of the above London attractions, and many more, are available on the London Pass! So why not pick one up, save some money, and see all of London's best bits in one fell swoop? Easy peasy.

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Cambridge Henry VIII
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Amazing Historical Facts About Henry VIII

Way back when, on the 28th June 1491, one of England's most famous monarchs was born. King Henry VIII. Known for his six wives, desperation for a male heir, and desire to separate from the Catholic church, jolly old Henry continues to fascinate us even today. That's why we've put together some of our best historical facts about this rotund royal, so you can think about him all over again. It's exactly what he would want. So, here are our favourite facts about Henry VIII! 1. He was not expected to rule Henry was the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. His elder brother, Arthur, was heir to the throne until he died from sweating sickness at 15. Yes, that's a thing. And yes, they were sorely lacking antiperspirant back in ye olden times. Then, when Henry was just 17 his father passed away. Once atop the throne, Henry VIII continued living a leisurely life for a monarch - preferring to sleep in. In fact, he only really got up to hunt, hawk, dance, gamble and play cards over his official duties.  2. He was a published author Before separating from the Catholic Church, Henry VIII wrote a 30,000-word response to Martin Luther's protestant Ninety-five Theses, praising the church in Rome. He was the first English king to publish a book and the Pope declared Henry VIII "Defender of the Faith". A declaration he would rescind years later when Henry VIII created the Church of England and separated from the Catholic Church, so he could get divorced. Classic Henry. 3. Paranoia and illness Henry was obsessed with sickness and death, specifically the sweating sickness and the plague. Which is fair enough, because living in a time before medicine, proper hygiene and the discovery of bacteria and viruses would have been terrifying. That, and by the age of 30 he'd already caught smallpox and malaria. Any time there was an outbreak, he would minimize his risk of infection by leaving London and limiting the number of ambassadors he saw. Even when Anne Boleyn caught the sweating sickness in 1528, Henry stayed far away until she got better. A true gentleman. 4. Weight issues Yes, some of the more well-known facts about Henry VIII are due to his enviable size. Despite being a tall, handsome and athletic young king (yes, really), older age was not kind to Henry VIII. When he died in 1547 after ruling for 30 years, he weighed nearly 400 pounds and had a 54-inch waist. This was partly due to some pretty severe jousting accidents and ulcers on his legs stopping him from his previous activities and partly because he loved a feast. 5. A merciless king In his later years, Henry grew more paranoid and ill-tempered. Crowds of prisoners were sent to the Tower of London at his orders. He sent more men and women to their deaths than any other English monarch. It's estimated 57,000 - 72,000 people were executed during his 37-year reign. 6. Multi-talented Not only could Henry speak Latin, French, Ancient Greek and Spanish, but he also played the lute and organ, sang, played tennis and jousted. Who knew that a life of luxury gave people time to do so much cool stuff?  7. Serial womaniser Henry VIII's womanising reputation has lasted throughout history thanks to his six infamous wives and mistresses. In spite of this reputation, we only know of three specific mistresses, one of which was Anne Boleyn's sister Mary. Not cool, King Henry. You should have kept playing tennis instead of playing the field. 8. Wife after wife There's a common belief that Henry married and discarded his six wives in quick succession, but that's not exactly true. He married his brother's widow Catherine of Aragon when he came to the throne at 17, and they remained married for nearly 24 years. That is - until he had their marriage annulled to marry Anne Boleyn. His shortest marriage was to Anne of Cleves, which lasted six months- she is buried in Westminster Abbey. 9. Belgium rule He is the only English monarch to have ruled Belgium. After capturing the significant town of Tournai in 1513, Henry eventually handed the territory to France in 1518. Truly a generous king. 10. Henry VIII's legacy In spite of his obsession with producing a male heir, Henry VIII had four children. Three were from his marriages. The other, who was named Henry Fitzroy (which means son of the king) was from his mistress Elizabeth Blount. His three "official" children went on to be kings and queens, with his youngest, Elizabeth I, becoming an iconic monarch in her own right. And those are our favourite facts about Henry VIII! Know any more tasty tidbits about the Tudor's best rapscallion? Let us know in the comments below. 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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The Best Pub Crawls in London

These are the best London pub crawls and bar crawls London has to offer, whether you’re on a historical hunt or looking for something louder. The pub scene is bustling with excitement and creativity, giving rise to some innovative ideas and pub crawl themes that will make your night unforgettable. Visiting your local pub is a rite of passage for many Brits. And that’s certainly the case for Londoners. But once in a while, when the weather is fine (or not fine), you’re feeling in the mood (or really not in the mood), you’ve got money in your pocket (or barely any money in your pocket) and you’re in good company (or completely alone), you want to go out for a pub crawl. We reckon this is particularly true for day-trippers and other holidaymakers, just in London for a bit. Because why see one pub on your visit to London when you could see 30? So here’s our guide to some of the most popular pub crawls in London and ideas to inspire your adventure. Featured in this guide: Monopoly Pub Crawl The Historical Crawl London Literary Pub Crawl The Shoreditch Pub Crawl And more... Monopoly pub crawl Named after the beloved board game, the goal of the Monopoly Pub Crawl is to make it to 26 different pubs located close to 26 different London tube stations. It’s so popular that it’s garnered its own website and internet following, with a monopoly board detailing every single location from the Lord Nelson on Old Kent Road through to the Spread Eagle on Oxford Street. Remember kids: drinking, unlike Monopoly, is not a game. But both the game and the crawl can take up an entire day. And ruin the next one. Pubs on the crawl include: Ye Grapes in Mayfair, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, and 24 other pubs that may or may not have Ye in their name Attractions along the way: Trafalgar Square, Eros Statue, King’s Cross Station, London Transport Museum The Historical pub crawl Hailed by The Telegraph as a crawl taking in ‘London’s most fascinating historical nuggets,' this route starts off in Blackfriars and takes you through to Holborn. It’s a much more manageable trek with just six spots on the list, but each one is steeped in British history from the Grade II listed Blackfriar with its stained glass details, through to the rich timber wood of the Cittie of Yorke, tucked away in a cellar. If you’re on the lookout for more historic watering holes, check out our guide to the Oldest Pubs in London. Pubs on the crawl include: Cittie of Yorke in Holborn, Blackfriar in Blackfriars Attractions along the way: London Transport Museum The Circle Line pub crawl No surprises here: this pub crawl is a relatively straightforward one that follows the Circle Line around the heart of London. It one-ups the Monopoly Pub Crawl, both literally and metaphorically, as you’ll have to hit 27 bars to fully complete the crawl. Starting and ending in Embankment (with a suggested celebratory tipple in Leicester Square, because you’ll probably need a drink after you’ve completed it), it follows the Circle Line – which, funnily enough, doesn’t resemble a circle, but a beer bottle. They suggest you do it in 12 hours, having half pints in each pub. Pubs on the crawl include: The crawl website gives you multiple options for each station, so take your pick. Or choose a pub local to a station to suit your tastes. Attractions along the way: Tower Bridge, King’s Cross Station, Barbican Theatre, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben Wimbledon Eight pub crawl Along with the tennis whites and Wombles, Wimbledon’s also home to a pretty amazing pub crawl route. The crawl was popularised by actor Oliver Reed, who allegedly took Steve McQueen on a night out to his favourite Wimbledon pubs.  After a 15 minute pint in each, they started the crawl again, though now the common route goes around the board just once. It starts in the Hand in Hand and finishes at the Swan (a replacement for the now-closed Finch’s).  Pubs on the crawl include: The Fox and Grapes, The Fire Stables  Attractions along the way: Wimbledon Tennis Stadium 💰 >> See how you can save up to 50% with a London attraction pass! Shoreditch pub crawl  Shoreditch: home of the hipsters, craft beer hangouts and street art. The neighbourhood has plenty of bars which put a twist on the usual melon man and there's a dedicated Shoreditch Pub Crawl company that'll take you to the quirkiest spots in the area. The kind of places that give Shoreditch its reputation for being...very Shoreditch.  It starts off at Sink Pong Bar, a bar filled with ping pong tables. Better bring your A-Game and gym shorts: this is one for shots and dancing and playing around, rather than quiet pubbing.  Attractions along the way: Brick Lane, Old Spitalfield Market  Because sometimes it’s good to have some culture with your crawl. This special guided crawl lasts 3 hours, involves about a mile of walking. You don’t stop in every pub...so you can still take in all the info. This pub crawl takes you to the favourite boozy haunts of London’s writers and creatives, from Shakespeare to Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf.  You’ll be accompanied by actors playing some of the deceased literary figures and reading famous extracts from their works. It’s a lot of fun and you might find you have something in common with one of the country’s most popular writers...you both like drinking.  Pubs on the crawl include: Shhh...it’s a secret  Attractions along the way: Pollock's Toy Museum The Sam Smiths pub crawl  Okay, so this is officially more of a challenge than a crawl. It’d be impossible to do all of these on one crawl. So please don’t try. Samuel Smith’s Brewery is located in Yorkshire, but they’ve got a number of very popular (and cheap) pubs across London, mainly in the very centre.  These guys came up with the Sam Smiths Challenge, where they looked to visit every Sam Smiths pub across the capital. But you can make your own route between these charming, welcoming, and affordable pubs using their map of London Sam Smiths pubs, located on their website.  Pubs on the crawl include: every Sam Smiths pub in London  London pub crawl themes and ideas Pub crawl themes can add an extra layer of fun to the experience. Some themes could include a costume theme, like dressing up as characters from British history or a favorite movie, or a foodie pub crawl where each stop includes a small bite to mix perfectly your pint experience.  Looking for more unique pub crawl ideas? Why not create your own crawl based on your interests? Perhaps a crawl that only stops at pubs with live music, or one that explores London's haunted pub scene? Join the Historic Pub Tour of London with The London Pass® Discover London’s legendary pub culture on this guided tour of four historic ale houses in the heart of the city. Follow in the footsteps of great stalwarts of London’s pubs from centuries gone by: Cromwell, Dickens, Conan Doyle, and more! Planning your London trip? With The London 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% on loads of London attractions, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️
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We were lucky enough to get a tour from the Creative Director of Frameless, Ryan ‘Woody’ Atwood. Read on to find out what it really takes to turn globally recognised masterpieces into a fully immersive art experience in the heart of London.
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