51 Things to do in London

I don't have any interest in reading through 10 much less 50 or 51, but which is it? 50? or 51?

Thanks Mike. I enjoyed scrolling through this, but thought markets were overemphasized at the expense of not including Bletchley Park and Kew Gardens.

Why do you care Nigel?

I like numbers and numbers mean things. For example, today is the 15th. 51 is 15 backwards.

Thanks, Mike- great list and lots of fun to scroll through! I added a couple to next year's itinerary.

With the exception of the making of Harry Potter and Pride have seen them all.

Been visiting London since 1972.

Last visit included Wimbeldon Womens Final, The Line Art Walk, seeing Mark Rylance in Jerusalem, Shoreditch street art and an outside London a trip with Nigel and Carol to Lord Nuffield’s home near Henley on the Thames.

For me London is about seeing friends, its neighborhoods, its parks, its history, the dichotomy of its architecture, street markets, the Thames Path, the Regents Canal, churches and cathedrals, free museums and pub grub.

Heading over again in 2023.

New list to visit:
Biscuit Museum
Horniman Museum
Wellcome Collection
Maltby Market
Olympic Park
Nunhead Cemetery
Severndroog Castle
Croydon Murals
The Cockpit Theatre
Evensong at St Brides

Its an endless list…

Thanks Mike for the link. We’re headed to London in April for 11 nights. I’m already thinking it won’t be enough time, lol. We were last there in, I’m embarrassed to write, in 1986. I’m trying not to do too much research till after the holidays cause I have so many projects to do around my home, BUT it is impossible. I just ordered the updated London and Paris books though Rick’s sale. I guess I can at least wait till it arrives.

Thanks, Mike. We'll be in London in late February, and are always on the lookout for ideas. I did scan the list, and was surprised at how many we had already seen.

Is the historical operating theatre museum still around? I saw it on my first trip to London back in 1996, and thought it was fascinating. I missed it the next time around, 3 years later and haven't been back since, but I'm thinking of heading to England in 2024 and thought it would be fun to see again.

I’ve done the vast majority of these (heads up, it’s taken me a while…..) but was struck about the ordering process in a pub info, which took me back to my experience in a bar in Alaska. So ingrained is British pub etiquette in me that I approached the busy bar and tried to catch somebody serving’s eye and was studiously ignored. After about ten minutes, the penny dropped and I went and plonked myself down at a table and was immediately visited by a waitress who took my order. Seemed entirely wrong, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it!

ianandjulie, there are many pubs/bars in the US where you can head right up to the bar and order. In fact, I would say that is the norm rather than the exception. That said, in more touristed areas, I think they prefer that you be seated first.

Seemed entirely wrong, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it!

My trip to England in September was my 3rd to the UK and it was the first time I felt comfortable ordering from the bar AND not leaving a tip. Perhaps because I practiced it a lot this trip by sampling more than my fair share of beer.

On 2nd thought, after driving on the left on your narrow, curvy rural roads, I drank the share I deserved.