Days Out in London for Residents and Visitors

There is so much to see and do in London, the world truly is your Oyster card.

The city has something for everyone. Whether you're visiting for the day, showing friends and family around, or looking for a new way to spend a weekend, here are some suggestions for memorable days out in London.

Places to Eat in London

London’s food options are some of the most diverse in the world, from Michelin-starred eateries to world cuisine and good old fashioned English meals.

You can book a table at Core by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill with Three Michelin stars, enjoy a meal at famous places such as The Ivy in Covent Garden, or explore the restaurants of Chinatown. There are plenty of affordable options too. The Chandos on St Martin's Lane is a popular choice for pre-theatre food and drinks, while Borough Market offers everything from artisan cheese and pastries to international street food.

For something a little bit different, try the Sarastro Restaurant, whose dramatic opera-house-inspired interiors make it a memorable place to dine before a show. Jazz lovers can combine dinner with live music at Ronnie Scott's, while SUSHISAMBA located on the 38th and 29th floor of the Salesforce Tower (formerly called the Heron Tower) combines Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian influences with panoramic views across the City.

Websites like OpenTable can help you find a restaurant that suits your taste.

Art Galleries in London Worth Visiting

If you like art, the National Gallery and Tate Modern feature a good range of free art collections, alongside ticketed one off exhibitions. 

The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset house has one of the UK's finest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including works by Manet, Van Gogh and Renoir.

The Serpentine North and South galleries are small but worth a visit. Featuring ambitious contemporary artists, they host a range of exhibitions throughout the year that are worth considering.

Beyond the major institutions, London's independent galleries showcase everything from emerging artists to established contemporary names, particularly in areas such as Fitzrovia, Mayfair and Shoreditch.

London's Best Museums

The British Museum hosts artefacts from around the world, and the Natural History Museum focuses on a range of natural history exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to geology, all within one of London's most impressive Victorian buildings.

The Victoria and Albert Museum, known by most people as the V&A, is a must for anyone interested in art, fashion, design, jewellery.

The Science Museum has something to offer adults and children alike, with interactive exhibits covering technology, engineering, space exploration that help bring these subjects to life.

The Design Museum also features free and ticketed exhibitions, exploring everything from product and industrial design to fashion, architecture and innovation.

A South Bank Walking Route

A walk along the South Bank is one of the best ways to experience central London. Along the route you'll find riverside cafés, pubs, street performers, cultural attractions and some of the best views in the capital.

Starting at Westminster Bridge and heading east towards Tower Bridge, you'll pass many of the capital's most recognisable landmarks, including:

• Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
• The London Eye
• Southbank Centre
• National Theatre
• Oxo Tower
• Tate Modern
• Shakespeare's Globe
• Millennium Bridge
• Borough Market
• HMS Belfast
• Tower Bridge
• Tower of London

River Cruises on the Thames

A journey on the Thames offers a completely different perspective on the city. The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service runs the length of the capital, connecting destinations from Putney and Battersea in the west to Greenwich and Woolwich in the east. Along the way you'll pass some of London's most famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.

Unique Tours in London

HiddenCity puzzle adventures offer a different way to explore London. Part treasure hunt, part immersive theatre experience, participants follow clues sent to their phones, solving puzzles and discovering hidden streets, historic locations and lesser-known corners of the capital along the way.

There are a range of theatre backstage tours open to the public, including National Theatre backstage tours, Royal Opera House velvet, costume and workshop tours, Shakespeare's Globe guided tours, and Theatre Royal Drury Lane backstage tours.

There are also various tours of forgotten parts of London, such as tours of disused Underground stations run by the London Transport Museum, the Brunel Underwater Tunnel Tour, or street art tours of Shoreditch.

London's historic cemeteries are also fascinating places to explore. Highgate Cemetery, Kensal Green Cemetery and Brompton Cemetery all offer a unique insight into the city's history.

Hidden Gems for Seasoned Londoners

No matter how long you have lived in London it’s surprising how often you find new places you haven’t seen before.

Mudlarking on the Thames offers a fascinating way to connect with London's past. Accompanied by a licensed guide, you can explore sections of the Thames foreshore at low tide, searching for fragments of pottery, clay pipes, Georgian glass and, occasionally, Roman artefacts.

Sir John Soane's Museum is a treasure trove often overlooked by tourists that is well worth a visit. This eccentric architect's home is filled floor-to-ceiling with ancient artefacts, paintings, architectural models and curiosities. It is arguably one of the most atmospheric museums in the city.

Eel Pie Island is a private island on the Thames in Twickenham. It only opens to visitors a few times each year. Known for its music history, it once hosted performances by bands including The Rolling Stones and The Who.

Wilton's Music Hall is the world's oldest surviving grand music hall. The building is still open to the public as a small theatre that puts on regular events. The beautifully weathered interiors and original wooden bar feel a world away from modern London.

Visit London Today

One of the best things about London is that you never truly finish exploring it. From world-famous museums and galleries to hidden corners that many lifelong Londoners have never visited, there's always something new to discover.

If you'd like to live closer to some of the capital's best attractions, explore Berkeley's developments across London.