Repeat London visits - where do you keep returning to?

I ALWAYS go to Evensong at Westminster Abbey. I love history & ritual and it is very relaxing for me. I also have a pint of bitter in a pub and tea with scones somewhere.

Here's my recent trip report for Leicester, London and Delft - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/leicester-london-delft

At the end I wrote this:

Looking at these final days, it highlights a core thought I have on travel. I am not a fast traveler, I am not an absolute acolyte of slow travel, and I don't buy into trying to live like a local. I don't feel the need to occupy every moment with activity, I have no attachment to neighborhoods and no checklist to run through. For me, travel is the journey, but it is also the simple reality of just being there. To exist as a sort of observer. I am entirely content with the peace of walking around without an agenda, sitting on the balcony of my room, and watching daily life unfold. It is just the satisfaction of being present in a different space.

For me part of the draw of London is a certain comfortable familiarity. It's always there. At home the city is ever present in my work life and then I can return to it and still have new experiences.

After my accident the goal of going back was such a big part of my recovery. It was so far, so "foreign" and yet so familiar.

This time around I for the first time in my life I made restaurant reservations and dined at Rules, Hawksmoor, and Bread Street Kitchen. I went to Gerry Rafferty's pub. I found the John Smith statue. I finally went to Tate Britain & Greenwich. Every time I find my way to Borough Market walking past the Golden Hinde.

This year Leicester was new. Last year Prague was new. But still a return to London.

I've been to London four times, and we'll be heading there for my fifth time next year. One stop is always Westminster Abbey, as I love visiting there. I could stay there for hours just wandering around.

I also always have a meal at Cafe in the Crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields. The food is always very good, relatively inexpensive, and I love the atmosphere there. It's fun to eat while you're surrounded by tombstones and crypts. What more could you ask for? 😊

Another place I always head for St. Paul's Church aka the Actors' Church in Covent Garden. When I first went to London back in 1996, I got advice from Lynn Redgrave, who was doing a show at the theatre I worked at then. She gave me tons of tips on places to see, but one of the places she recommended I visit was the Actors' Church. She said her father's ashes are there, along with Dame Edith Evans, Dame Ellen Terry and Dudley Moore. It's a lovely and quiet church, designed by Inigo Jones, and with beautiful gardens outside. It's one of my favorite places to visit, and everytime I visit London, I always stop by.

I revisit favorite museums over and over, and there’s often a very interesting temporary exhibit to keep things fresh and different. That said, the British Museum is so massive that I’ve still not seen a lot of the regular collection, after countless visits.

I have favorite restaurants, too, and make sure to go to each one when time allows, but there’s also always a new (for me) place to discover.

Then there are classical music venues - old standbys and places we hadn’t been to before. Opera at Holland Park this past summer, complete with jet aircraft flying overhead in the middle of an aria, and Cadogan Hall this coming January.

Claudia, a regular poster on this Forum with an extensive knowledge of travel to London (and she’s added a post farther down) has summed up London as “Always Changing, Always the Same.” Exactly. The old standbys are comforting to return to, but there’s always something new and different. Regent’s Park has a new Queen Elizabeth II garden where previously, sort-of industrial greenhouses (now relocated) had been tucked away, and it’ll be interesting and delightful to see it develop.

Like you, I have been to London multiple times. Was "forced" to go there for a week every year or every other year for work for a while, also have been there on 3 or 4 personal trips.

I think nearly every time, whether alone, with my wife, or with newcomers joining me, I start out with a walk,. Starting at Big Ben, around Westminster, up Whitehall to Trafalgar square, past St Martins, into Covent Garden, along the Strand to St Pauls, across Millennium Bridge to Southwark, to Borough Market and even beyond. Of course there are pubs along the way, I am a beer guy, there is the Harp, the Lamb and Flag, Black Friars, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, and a half dozen more to consider, or a couple dozen more along the way to try.

I could return to the British Museum maybe a half dozen times more and still not see everything. There is at least one other museum that is new to me, or has been long enough since I visited that it seems new. There is always something new on the beer scene, pubs I haven't tried (though I have been in close to a hundred different ones), new micro-breweries to visit.

I also like getting into some of the non-central areas and exploring, find a new ethnic cuisine, head to a different market area.

Michele, That's a very interesting question. I am looking forward to reading other responses too.

All my life, including in childhood, I read a lot of books set in the UK and London, and I always wanted to visit. In my 20s, I had a few hours layover and I managed to get a HOHO bus and just see all the sights from outside...this made the itch worse than ever, but it was still a few decades before I could return. About 12 years ago, I had a bad back accident and all through rigorous physical therapy that took years, my husband dangled the carrot of travel to London....which I finally was able to plan for 2020...and we all know what happened then.

It was finally 2022 before I could visit London, and I am happy to say that it was the first of seven visits so far, the latest being 10 days this past September. London, which, quoting Claudia is "always changing, always the same" - has so many things to do, that I still feel like I am on a path of discovery but you are right, there are still some familiar activities, like the axial points of a rotating world.

Always love seeing my first sight of the Elizabeth tower and hear Big Ben, always like to visit the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park, love buying tea, eating fish-n-chips, cream teas in parks, theatre. My attention span is about two hours, so I revisit museums often to concentrate on particular galleries or special exhibitions. I also explore neighborhoods one at a time - Fulham, Chelsea and Rotherhithe were the latest ones. As I get more familiar with London, I have been venturing out more beyond Zone 1 and 2. I also have been enjoying day trips. A new joy we discovered on our last trip were the BBC Proms. I can see us returning for more of those.

My first visit to London was in 1973! I went a lot in the 80’s as my Aunt was a journalist posted there so I could stay at her flat.

I return to the British Museum often because as above there are still rooms I haven’t seen. I wont let the V&A defeat me but I always get lost in there, lol. Since it looks like you are from Seattle they have a massive Chihuly sculpture in the entrance. The National Gallery is a must as I love some particular pieces they have in there including Constable’s The Hay Wain.

I also see lots of snippets on FB reels and other venues pointing out neat stuff. On my ever evolving “to-do” list are the Mithraeum in the bottom of the Bloomberg building, All Hallows in the Tower, a handful of other churches that are open to visitors when they have someone to monitor activity thru the Church Watchers group.

https://www.fotcc.org.uk/watchers-days/

I have zero interest in pubs so no recommendations for them.

I do love the London Walks and they have taken me to some interesting neighborhoods. I have also done DIY walks from the blog A Lady in London.

What I love about returning is that it is familiar. To myself I am always saying wow…London (and Paris) feel familiar to me! I recognize things, I know my way and just hug to myself that the gal from Idaho is in her element in an international setting!

Enjoy your trip!

When I was five, in 1968, my family lived in London for a while and my mom took me to the British Museum. I fell in love with a Mesopotamian artifact called the Standard of Ur. Whenever I’ve been in London since and visited the British Museum, I always visit the Mesopotamian rooms and pay my respects to the Standard of Ur. I’ll be there again next month, and managed to get Bayeux Tapestry tix so will go to the BM, and of course, the Standard of Ur.

I have 2 trips planned and they will be my 9th and 10th I think. The National Gallery is a favourite and this time I will go for the Renoir exhibit. I have a few places I go to routinely such as Borough Market (on a quieter day), various favourite neighbourhoods and restaurants, often Westminster Abbey and usually a few, new to me, spots. Richmond has become an enjoyable spot for the day or longer. Last year, we went to see the newly refurbished Battersea Park.
I am going on a garden tour in May and fingers crossed that I get a ticket tomorrow morning for the Chelsea Garden show when members’ tickets become available. London and Paris are the two cities I never tire of visiting.

London repeats:

Number one - Victoria and Albert Museum. I’ve been known to return a second time on the same trip. The fashion exhibits are exquisite, the cafe is gorgeous and they have the best museum gift shop in London.

Liberty of London for the sensory experience of touching and examining bolts and bolts of beautiful fabric. And always buying a few meters as a souvenir.

The National Gallery has Van Gogh’s Sunflowers for me and usually has a special exhibit of interest.

Can’t leave London without seeing a West End show for cheap. I always return to the TKTS Official London Theatre Ticket Booth for discounted theater tickets (or use the TKTS app). I get a thrill knowing I paid £42 for a £70 seat.

And it sounds touristy, but I take as many rides on double decker buses as I can — sitting on the upper level at the front window, of course. : )

Theatre is a must. Ambling in the parks. Finding new spots to dine. Enjoying pub grub. Exploring different neighborhoods. Seeing friends.

I’ve been visiting London for decades. Never bored.

Last trip enjoyed the Parkland Trail, Walthamstow Wet Lands, Hunterian Museum, Blue Owl Cafe, and the Royal Naval College.

I went to Gerry Rafferty's pub.

I had to Google to see what you meant by this.

The AI overview reads as such:

Located on Marylebone Road directly opposite Baker Street station, this is the definitive "Baker Street" pub. In the mid-1970s, Rafferty was stuck in a grueling three-year legal battle following the split of his band, Stealers Wheel. He would regularly travel down to London to meet with lawyers, and his evening "light relief" was meeting up with musician friend Rab Noakes at The Globe to drink the night away. This exact routine and his feelings of urban isolation inspired his legendary 1978 hit, "Baker Street".

The Globe on Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/nDLsvvx9gCoa2KkV9

Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street on Youtube - https://youtu.be/Fo6aKnRnBxM?si=IIASqYK7MPJB-MgJ

Quite an appropriate visit I suppose. The bevvy was a great lubricant for his talent until... it wasn't.

I grew up hating Baker Street. It was one of those horrible middle-of-the-road things I despised as a child. I've always had a bit of an aversion to sax, probably because of the scars from hearing it on the radio constantly in my early years.

I can appreciate it a bit better now.

Coincidentally, Get It Right Next Time is something I've listened to quite a bit recently. Definitely my favourite Gerry Rafferty song.

Gerry Rafferty - Get It Right Next Time on Youtube - https://youtu.be/SXW-sL5gzHQ?si=9ghxMr6UhVGw8bvw

I know the Globe pub but I didn't know any of that about the links to the song!

A small note- someone above mentioned Battery Park- I think you may mean Battersea Park, as Battery Park is in lower Manhattan (might have been an autocorrect!).

The Renoir exhibition at the National Gallery was also mentioned- I went on Friday and it was wonderful. Highly recommended.

I really enjoy reading about people's favourite places to return to in London.

Also, had to add my favourite version of Baker Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8gKnuP8eNE

6 visits for me, and on all 6 I have visited the Tower of London mainly to spend time with the ravens. One trip I also returned in the evening for the Ceremony of the Keys.

The Portobello Road market has been returned to as many times, also the V&A as there's always a great special exhibit or two going on. The British Library for the Treasures (and their wonderful book shop). Westminster Abbey and the Churchill war rooms have had 2 visits. A visit to Liberty and their excellent sewing and craft dept always happens, too.

London is full of so much that I never have a problem building an itinerary that allows me time to re-visit old friends as well as find new things to enjoy.

Cat, thank you for catching my error. A bit preoccupied these days so I typed the wrong spot without thinking. I have corrected it. Again, thank you!

The parks, especially The Regent’s Park, St James’s Park. I love to sit on a bench or have a picnic on Primrose Hill and just soak in being in London looking at the iconic buildings.

We love going to any Gail’s for their porridge. And have developed another favorite at Sheila’s neat Hyde Park.

Nothing beats walking along the Thames, either! So many wonderful places to return to time and time again.

I don't mean to derail the thread, but I just watched a Gerry Rafferty BBC documentary, from round the time of his death in 2011.

https://youtu.be/kCF0uMYjGB4?si=5TKnHdc0NJldft8Q

There's contributions from Rab Noakes, mentioned above. Joe Egan (Stealer's Wheel) died in 2024 and features in this.

I knew about his work with Billy Connolly as The Humblebums, I knew those Gerry Rafferty album covers from the 70's, but I didn't realise John Byrne painted them. I remember enjoying the comedy.-drama series, Tutti-Frutti that John Byrne wrote for BBC Scotland in the 80's.

It sounds like Gerry had some real serious mental health issues and self-medicated with the drink from a young age. You'd wonder if he'd do better these days or not.

Such great responses, I love reading everyone's favorite repeats!! And some new ideas for me...I somehow hadn't been aware of Liberty's fabric selection - I walked by their store on my last visit, but it was the weekend before Christmas and I vaguely clocked it as a chaotic holiday department store experience that I did not want to enter :). It's now high on the list for my upcoming visit! And good reminder to try for Evensong at Westminster Abbey; I've toured the Abbey but had to miss Evensong on my last visit because I developed a respiratory infection the day before I planned to go so had to skip a few things (but did get a primer on how to navigate urgent care clinics in London!).

This entire trip was largely motivated by the fact that I've thinking about my next visit to V&A ever since my last visit, and is a place I imagine I'll return to whenever I can. National Gallery, Towner of London, Borough Market, walking along the Thames will also likely see repeat visits from me this time around, mixed in with some new-to-me things including Sir John Soane's Museum, Somerset House, several highly-reviewed vegan restaurants (which were definitely not this prolific on my first trip in 1996!) a trip up to Bletchley Park, and a couple London Walks.

As some other said, I'm enjoying the familiarity of London which has developed over my visits. Partly from a practical reason - I don't have to spend time researching & learning transit, etc. And partly because I think I intake things differently when not EVERYTHING around me is new...like I'm able to more easily observe and appreciate the more 'ordinary' aspects of a culture when I'm not so overwhelmed with the newness of it all.

The Fabric room in Liberty is amazing! Do try to go if you can. It was really fun for us to see all the beautiful bolts of fabric the day before we went to Queen Elizabeth II: Her life in Style exhibit. There was a display of two little dresses, one worn by Elizabeth and one by Margaret, that were from a Liberty pattern. Adorable.

I will suggest dressing lightly in there, however. Or in layers you can shed. The whole store was incredibly hot because of the crowds. We were there in September, moderate temps outside. It was a Saturday, so maybe weekdays and going in the winter won’t be as bad.

Enjoy your trip!

Mustlovedogs that's a great tip, I booked my ticket for thr Queen Elizabeth exhibit last week so will be fun to make the connection to the fabric room!

And Kootah, the Wallace Collection was on my list as a first visit this time, though I wasn't sure I'll have time. Perhaps I'll repriotitize a bit...it does look like a place I would really enjoy.

Revisiting and actually answering the OP’s question.

I return to London because I feel comfortable there. I’m never bored nor do I feel rushed. For me London is a simple pleasure.

I return to London because I fell in love with the city. I love history , visiting Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London draws me back for repeated visits.

I return to St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden, for its long association with the theater. I also take in at least one play while in Lindon.

I also love the bookstores Waterstone's and Foyles being favorite places to spend an afternoon.

"I intake things differently when not EVERYTHING around me is new"

I love what you said here. That is so true for me in London, in sort of an opposite way.

My first visits to London were when I was living and working in England. When I returned as a tourist, and on several of my return visits, I have gone back to my former flat and the building where I used to work. On one trip, I retraced my steps of a typical working day - took the tube from my flat to my office, picked up my usual sandwich from my usual place and took it to eat on the steps of Covent Garden, around the corner from where I worked, then took the tube back, this time to my hotel near my former flat.

I saw everything so differently, when I wasn't rushing around for work and a quick lunch break.

I have borrowed what you said in my trip report about my third visit to Budapest, where I have only ever been a tourist. On this, my third visit, I was able to see things differently because not everything around me was new.

I visit London every year (usually at the start of my vacation) and also lived in London for a year twenty-five years ago. I love that it is both familiar and that I never run out of things to do. My most recent visit was in September. Here are my repeats:

1) I go to the theatre most nights; this time I saw 5 shows on my week-long visit. Theatre is always a highlight of my visit and I spend lots of time reading about the new shows before making my choices.

2) I always take a couple of London Walks. If you like art, Rick Jones is an excellent guide. I took his Tate Modern tour on this trip and his Tate Britain tour last year. He does a great job of putting artworks into context with the events of the time. I also have really enjoyed the music-themed tours led by Adam; I have taken three of his tours (most recently Rock and Roll London, but also his Rolling Stones and Chelsea walks in prior years)
https://www.walks.com/guides/rick-jones/
https://www.walks.com/guides/adam/

3) I always check the special exhibits at the V&A and usually go to see one.

4) I used to seek out new restaurants but recently have mostly been going back to favorites. Most visits include a meal at Honey & Co, Dishoom, and Ottolenghi.

5) I always take a walk along the South Bank

6) While this is not a repeat, I really enjoyed the Queen Elizabeth II fashion exhibit at the King’s Gallery and would recommend it
https://www.rct.uk/collection/exhibitions/queen-elizabeth-ii-her-life-in-style

CWSocial, I loved your Budapest report! I've bookmarked it for future trip planning. And what a fun opportunity to revisit an old routine in London after many years...I always learn something about myself when experiencing familiar things with fresh eyes.

Laura, many great tips here. I'd been eyeing the Rick Jones tours; unfortunately the day doesn't work for his Tate Modern tour, and while I could potentially do the Monday Tate Britain tour, there's a temporary exhibit there (The 90's: Art and Fashion) which ends the weekend I'm there, so I've booked tickets for that and planned to do the full museum that day as well. And still, I have debated going back on Monday just so I could see his tour! :) The V&A is one of my favorite museums, so I'm excited to return there and actually treating myself to a private tour for my birthday - also an effort to learn new ways to approach the magnitude of their collection! I also booked tickets to the Queen Elizabeth exhibit after seeing it discussed somewhere else on this forum...excited for that too. Personal interest will influence, but I wonder if you have any theater performances you particularly enjoyed on your last visit? I think I will have at least 2 nights to go.

A couple shows that I would recommend because they are excellent and also feel very British are:
1) Operation Mincemeat. It is funny, touching, inventive, and based on a true story. Five people play scores of different characters. I really enjoyed this show last year.
2) Billy Elliot opens February 12th. I saw this show in London about 20 years ago and it remains one of my favorites. I hope to see the new production on my next trip.

There are also lots of great long-running shows (Hamilton, Hadestown, Matilda, Six,etc.). I often start with the list on theatremonkey, but also search to see what new shows are coming.
https://www.theatremonkey.com/shows/

Ha, those are the 2 shows I had tentatively penciled in to see! Thanks for the suggestions!

I've been to London 11 times. The first three were in the '80s and I haven't returned to any of those places since then.

However, during my eight visits in the 21st century, I have gone to a candlelight concert at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. Usually I'm quite jet lagged and tired from running around all day. But when I sit there, and I see the sun going down and the candles glowing, I feel as if I've truly arrived in London. I love to see the joy on the faces of the performers.

Highly recommended!

Ha, those are the 2 shows I had tentatively penciled in to see! Thanks for the suggestions!

Hope you enjoy them!

The Tower of London.
I've visited London 6 times, most recently this month, and this was the first time I did not go to Tower. It's always part of my itinerary and just didn't work out this time.
I intended to go again, but got busy with other sites.
I will be sure to get there on my next trip there.

The other place I always return to is a certain flat in Sydenham. My daughter's family lives there, including my 3 year old granddaughter (one of the lights of my life)

So a great BIG choice of jazz, classi…concerts/ musical/ theatre. Like the guards music parades AND the british Afternoon Tea!!

Rules for dinner! The oldest restaurant and used in Downton Abbey twice.