The London Bucket List: 50 Things You Must Do Once

There’s a version of London everyone knows Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and then there’s the version that locals quietly keep to themselves. Both are magical, and together, they tell the full story of the city.

This is your ultimate London bucket list, built from real experiences, local favourites, and unforgettable views. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, these are 50 things to do in London at least once — the kind that stay with you.

1. Iconic Must-Dos

Some things are famous for a reason. These are the moments that give you that “I’m in London” feeling.

1. Stand beneath Big Ben as it chimes, then cross Westminster Bridge at sunset.

2. Walk the South Bank from London Eye to Tower Bridge and feel the city buzz around you.

3. Take the lift up to the Sky Garden (it’s free if you book ahead) and get a view that sweeps across the Thames.

4. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace — yes, it’s touristy, but seeing it once is a London rite of passage.

5. Stroll through St James’s Park early in the morning it’s surprisingly peaceful, with pelicans gliding across the lake.

6. Visit the Tower of London and stand where centuries of stories were written.

7. Ride the London Eye at twilight for that soft pink glow over the city.

8. Cross Tower Bridge on foot and watch the river traffic from the glass floor.

9. Hop on a Thames Clipper boat and glide past the city’s skyline like a local commuter.

10. End your day at Piccadilly Circus, letting the lights wrap around you.

2. Hidden Corners & Local Secrets

This is the London that doesn’t always make the headlines places locals love to show off to their visiting friends.

1. Wander through God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow — a neon wonderland.

2. Climb Primrose Hill for a view that feels more personal than any skyscraper.

3. Lose yourself in the quiet beauty of Postman’s Park, a memorial to ordinary heroes.

4. Explore Little Venice and follow the canal all the way to Camden.

5. Step inside Leighton House Museum a hidden gem of art and architecture in Kensington.

6. Discover St Dunstan in the East, a bombed-out church turned into a peaceful garden.

7. Visit Wilton’s Music Hall, the oldest surviving music hall in the world.

8. Stroll through Hampstead Village cobblestones, ivy, and old-world calm.

9. Climb the spiral staircase of Severndroog Castle for panoramic woodland views.

10. Wander the Daunt Books travel section in Marylebone it’s basically a pilgrimage for book lovers.

3. Views That Stay With You

London isn’t just about monuments it’s a city best experienced from above, below, and along the river.

1. Watch the skyline from Greenwich Park as the sun rises over Canary Wharf.

2. Step onto the One New Change rooftop terrace for a picture-perfect St Paul’s Cathedral view.

3. Cross Waterloo Bridge at night locals call it the best view in London for a reason.

4. Climb to the top of The Monument near London Bridge for a 360-degree panorama.

5. Catch golden hour from Alexandra Palace it’s breathtaking.

6. Watch the sun set over Parliament from Lambeth Bridge.

7. Climb Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath for one of the most iconic skyline views.

8. If you’re here in winter, visit Winter Lights at Canary Wharf for a glowing night walk.

9. Stand by the fountains at Trafalgar Square late at night it’s almost silent.

10. Get lost in the view from Barbican Conservatory, wrapped in plants and glass.

4. Flavours & Feels

You can’t do London properly without eating your way through it. And no, it’s not all fish and chips.

1. Try a proper Sunday roast in a cosy pub. Bonus points if it’s in Hampstead or Richmond.

2. Queue (it’s worth it) for Bread Ahead doughnuts at Borough Market.

3. Explore the stalls at Camden Market from bao buns to churros.

4. Sip a coffee at a tiny independent café in Shoreditch.

5. Have an afternoon tea experience whether at Fortnum & Mason or a small tearoom in Covent Garden.

6. Grab a late-night bagel at Beigel Bake on Brick Lane.

7. Wander through Maltby Street Market on a Saturday.

8. Order a cheeky pint at a traditional pub that hasn’t changed in decades.

9. Try a flaky pastry at Ole & Steen, then walk along Regent Street.

10. Visit Dishoom for a Bombay breakfast and feel London’s multicultural soul on a plate.

5. Moments & Experiences You’ll Remember

The city is alive with events, festivals, and unexpected joy. This is where the magic hides.

1. Celebrate New Year’s Eve along the Thames (or find a quiet bridge to watch the fireworks).

2. Join the crowd at Notting Hill Carnival in August.

3. Watch a play at Shakespeare’s Globe — standing, of course.

4. Catch a concert in Hyde Park during festival season.

5. Wander through Kew Gardens’ winter lights in December.

6. Join the crowd at Pride in London — pure joy in the streets.

7. Watch the Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race from the riverbanks.

8. Explore London’s Christmas markets in winter — Southbank, Leicester Square, Covent Garden.

9. Visit Diwali on Trafalgar Square one of the city’s most joyful cultural festivals.

10. Take a night walk along the Thames when the city quiets down the lights, the bridges, the river. Unforgettable.

Final Tip

This isn’t a checklist to tick off in one trip. It’s a love letter to the city a reminder that London is best experienced slowly, with curiosity. Pick a few things, savour them, and let the rest wait for next time.

And if you’re ever lost, remember: the best London moments usually happen when you wander off the plan.

Want More London Magic?

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You’ll never run out of reasons to fall in love with this city.