What is London Famous For? 31 Top London Things
So what is London famous for? I’ve got you covered!
There are many things that this city in the UK is known for, including some things that you might already know about! From red double-decker buses to the towering Big Ben and the royal Buckingham Palace, it’s a city known around the world.
I’ve visited London twice and have planned multiple itineraries to the city for myself and others. After traveling around with some of my friends who live in London and touring my students around, I’ve learned a lot about the city and have experienced basically everything that London is known for!
✅ Buckingham Palace – Home to United Kingdom’s sovereigns, most recently Queen Elizabeth II.
✅ Big Ben – A large clock tower that marks the center of the city.
✅ Fish and Chips – One of the most popular foods served around London, found on nearly every corner.
Tourist Attractions London is Known For
1. Big Ben
There are a few things that almost everyone knows London for, and Big Ben is one of them. This huge clock tower looks over the city and is well known for being a symbol of the city!
It was built back in 1843 and originally was called the Clock Tower, but since has been renamed the Elizabeth Tower and has held the nickname of Big Ben for years.
Taking a tour of Big Ben will allow you to climb to the top of the tower (334 steps!) and enjoy the views of the city from above.
2. Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is another of London’s most iconic symbols that can be found right in the center of the city. The beautiful, detailed bridge crosses over the River Thames and is pretty busy with cars and walking tourists all day long.
You can head up into the walkway that connects the North and South Towers and walk 42 meters above the river. I definitely recommend you climb the Tower to see the view!
The walkway has a glass floor, so you can see all of the cars driving below. You can see incredible sights of the city, including all sorts of monumental buildings like the Shard, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London, from above.
There’s also an engine room below, where you can learn about the engines that once powered the lifts, which are still in operation today.
3. The London Eye
While you’re wandering around Downtown London, it’s unlikely that you’ll miss seeing the London Eye. This huge ferris wheel sits right on the banks of the River Thames and is actually known as the world’s largest observation wheel.
From the top of the London Eye, you can see everything from Westminster Abbey to Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
It’s definitely one of the top tourist attractions that London is known for, and it’s really busy all the time. While I’ve ridden it a few times, it’s not something I recommend you wait in line for! If you’re more interested in learning about the history of the city, I’d skip this and see the views from Tower Bridge instead!
4. Borough Market
If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat, then the Borough Market is your best bet for finding delicious local food. It’s one of my favorite places in the entire city (slight foodie here!).
Borough Market has been in the same location for over 250 years! There are over 100 stalls with vendors selling everything from fish and chips to tasty pastries and everything in between. A few of the most popular places are Kappacasein, Wright Brothers, and Nana Fanny’s.
I’d recommend trying one of the popular places, and then also walking around and seeing what else you can find! There are always new vendors popping up and different foods to try.
5. Wembley Stadium
As the largest football stadium in the United Kingdom and the second largest in all of Europe, there’s a reason why so many people love Wembley Stadium.
The England National Football Team is the home team at Wembley Stadium, and you can catch a game of theirs during football season, which runs from August to May.
There are 90,000 seats in the stadium, so as you can imagine, this place is huge! Aside from just the seats, there are 34 bars, 8 restaurants, and 688 other places to get food and drink during your visit. So it’s safe to say that you won’t leave hungry or bored.
6. Baker Street
There are quite a few streets that are popular and famous in London, but one of the main ones is Baker Street. Known for being the home to Sherlock Holmes, you’ll find lots to do here.
Baker Street was the home to Sherlock Holmes, whose address was 221B Baker Street. Today, you can visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum, see his statue, and also visit the Baker Street Tube Station, which was where the very first underground railway opened up.
This street is pretty busy with lots of tourists. You can either visit it on your own and explore the sites, or book a guided walking tour where the guide will show you all of the top places to see.
7. The West End
If you’ve ever heard of or visited Times Square in New York City, then you might be familiar with the West End in West London. This is where you’ll find all of the city’s best theaters.
There are around 40 venues in London’s West End where you can watch a theater production. Seeing a show on the West End is absolutely a London experience you need to have!
A few of the most popular are the London Palladium, the Dominion Theater, and the Palace Theater, which is home to the famous Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play.
There have been tons of other Broadway shows at these theaters and the others throughout the years including Les Miserables, Wicked, Mamma Mia!, and Phantom of the Opera.
8. Piccadilly Circus
Part of The West End is Piccadilly Circus, which is another of the most popular places for tourists in London.
It’s a pedestrian traffic circle with the well-known statue of Eros, the Greek God of Love. Lots of tours depart from the statue, and tourists come to take pictures with it.
While you’re at Piccadilly Circus, you’ll also see the massive billboards that are also similar to those in Times Square, but these are surrounded by massive historical buildings, rather than shopping malls.
Red double decker buses cruise around the circle, and there’s a stop for the London Underground right near the circle, so you can easily visit and then head to your next stop.
9. Natural History Museum
If you love museums, then your time in London shouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Natural History Museum. This huge museum has tons of exhibits to discover and learn about our natural world.
From life-sized dinosaurs to marine reptile fossils, minerals and gemstones from underground, and an earthquake simulator, you can find things to do in London for hours. And this is just barely scratching the surface of what there is to do at the museum.
10. Tate Modern
Another great museum to visit during your time in London is Tate Modern. This art gallery has free admission and you can see all sorts of paintings, sculptures, and installations from artists around the world.
There are even installations from Pablo Picasso, including his ‘Bust of a Woman’ painting.
There are endless pieces of artwork to see at Tate Modern, and you could spend all day wandering through the installations and sculptures!
11. Hyde Park
Just down the road from the iconic Buckingham Palace, there are 8 different royal parks where many people enjoy spending time in the London sunshine. Hyde Park is one of the most popular and has a huge green space to enjoy.
Hyde Park is the largest Royal Park in London and has tons of walking trails to wander around and enjoy escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Rose Garden is another really beautiful spot, where a huge number of roses are planted each year and bloom, bringing lots of color to the park.
You can also see the Diana Memorial Fountain, which was opened in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, or take a Pedalo boat out onto The Serpentine.
12. Chelsea Flower Show
Held at the Royal Horticultural Society, the Chelsea Flower Show is a massive flower show in London that happens each May for 5 days.
It’s a big deal for London, and even the British Royal Family make an appearance! It has been held for over a century, so it has become well-loved by locals and tourists alike.
During the show, you can wander around and see beautiful garden sculptures, floral arrangements, and more. Lots of people take home ideas for their own gardens, and others come to live vicariously through the Flower Show.
Iconic Things That London is Famous For
13. Double Decker Buses
If you’ve ever visited London or even seen it in a movie, then you’ll know that red double-decker buses are one of the most well-known and iconic features of the city. You’ll even spot a triple-decker bus in Harry Potter when Harry takes the Knight Bus to Diagon Alley.
These buses are used for public transportation, and you can get on one by just getting a bus ticket! But there are also buses that are used just for tours, so you can take a ride on one during a tour as well.
While I don’t make a habit of riding the Hop-On busses, the one in London is a really neat double-decker bus experience!
14. Red Phone Booths
Another iconic thing that London is famous for is the red phone booths, which are still found around the city, although most of them don’t work, now that we’re in the age of cell phones.
I’d still recommend stopping and snapping a picture in one!
The doors usually open and you can pick up the phone to pretend like you’re calling someone.
15. The Tube (The London Underground)
The Tube, otherwise known as the Underground, is one of London’s main methods of public transportation. There are entrances to the Tube all over the city, and you’ll find tons of locals underground running around trying to catch their next ride.
There are 9 different zones that the London Underground covers, with Central London being Zone 1.
If you’re looking for an affordable and efficient way to get around, the Tube is likely your best bet! It’s pretty easy to navigate, and it is super efficient!
16. London Bridge
Many people get London Bridge and Tower Bridge mixed up and think that Tower Bridge is the iconic London Bridge that we sing about in the kid’s song. But the London Bridge is actually a smaller, less decorative bridge just down the river.
London Bridge is the oldest crossing of the River Thames, with the very first one being built way back in the early 1100s. The bridge that stands today was finished in 1972 right on the foundations of the original bridge.
Although this definitely isn’t the prettiest of the two bridges, we all know the song ‘London Bridge is falling Down,’ so it’s totally worth a stop.
17. Changing of the Guard
Another iconic part of visiting London is to see the Changing of the Guard. This ceremony takes place four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
The Changing of the Guard is a ceremony where the King’s Guards march out, change positions, and allow the new guards to come in for their shift. It’s about a 45-minute long process, and is really unique to watch, especially if you’re able to snag a spot and get up close!
But it’s something that almost every tourist in the city wants to see, so prepare yourself for lots of crowds.
18. The Royal Parks
I talked a bit above about Hyde Park, and how it’s one of London’s 8 Royal Parks. These are parks that are scattered around London which create a nice green space for the public to enjoy without having to leave the city.
The most popular is Hyde Park, since it’s so close to Buckingham Palace, but a lot of tourists also visit Kensington Gardens and St. James Park.
All of them have walking paths, flower gardens, playgrounds, and tons of green space to enjoy. They’re a great place to snag a quiet, reflective moment away from the craziness that is London!
19. Wimbledon
One of the most popular sports in the United Kingdom is tennis, so tennis fans love creating a massive event during The Championships, or Wimbledon.
This is the world’s oldest tennis tournament and has been held in the Wimbledon neighborhood of London since 1877.
Today, thousands of people attend the championship event, which takes place in June and July over a 2 week period.
Buildings and Monuments that Make London Famous
20. Buckingham Palace
One of the top things London is famous for is Buckingham Palace, which is where the monarch of the United Kingdom lives. It was the home to Queen Elizabeth II and many of the Kings and Queens before her.
The current king, King Charles III, doesn’t currently live at the palace. Today, it’s the administrative headquarters of the British Monarch.
You can stop by the royal home and see how magical it looks from the outside, but you honestly can’t get very close. A few times a week, you can also watch the Changing of the Guard outside of Buckingham Palace.
21. The Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster)
Sitting right on the banks of the River Thames, the Houses of Parliament is a beautiful building that is considered one of London’s most famous buildings. The facade is really detailed and looks as though it came straight out of the gothic era.
Otherwise known as the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben actually sits right on the northern side of the building. As the name suggests, this is the home to the United Kingdom’s Parliament including both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Basically, this is where all of the big decisions for creating and passing laws for the UK are made!
22. The Shard
When you’re walking down the streets of London, there’s no way that you can miss seeing The Shard. It’s a massive, shiny, pointy building that sits just between London Bridge and Tower Bridge on the River Thames.
It’s the tallest skyscraper in the United Kingdom, and is home to 72 floors of offices, shops, restaurants, boutiques, apartments, a hotel, and the best part, the open-air viewing platform.
Sitting on the very top floor, you can look out into the city of London and have 360-degree views for 40 miles. It’s really the best view in the city!
23. Tower of London
This beautiful historic castle on the River Thames is a must-see and has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s become a home for the Crown Jewels and over 3 million people visit every year!
Back in the day, the tower acted as a guard for the Royal Family and also any possessions that they had. Today, you can wander through parts of the castle and even see the Crown Jewels, which have been stored here since the 1660s.
The jewels are still used regularly, and they’re under armed guard, which is a really unique thing to see.
24. Westminster Abbey
Another of London’s famous places is Westminster Abbey, a part of the Palace of Westminster and another world heritage site in London. This huge, gothic church sits right across from the Houses of Parliament and is the place where 40 different English and British monarchs have been crowned.
Many royal weddings have been held here and it’s also a burial site for multiple monarchs.
The building is just beautiful, inside and out, and you can actually attend a Worship service at Westminster Abbey if that’s something that interests you. For a tour, you’ll need a ticket, but the services are free to the public.
25. The Gherkin
This huge, recognizable skyscraper is a famous part of London’s skyline, and is home to some of the city’s offices.
Unlike most of the other buildings in London that were built way back in the 16th century, the Gherkin was recently built in 2004. That’s pretty new if you’re comparing it to the rest of the city!
Aside from the offices that are located on floors 3 through 34 of the building, there’s also a lounge and restaurant on the 37th through 40th floors. But it’s only open to those who work in the building.
What is London Famous For? Food!
26. Fish and Chips
One of the classic foods that you can’t miss during a trip to London is fish and chips. You’ll probably see a stand selling it on every corner, so it’s really not hard to miss out on.
It’s said that over 380 million portions of fish and chips are eaten each year in the United Kingdom. That’s a lot of fish and chips! I personally make it a point to eat it as many times as I can whenever I’m there!
27. Bangers and Mash
Another food that you’ll find on menus all over London is bangers and mash. This is basically just sausages laid over top of mashed potatoes and covered in onion gravy.
It’s the ultimate comfort food, and is perfect for London’s winter months, which are often pretty cold and rainy.
It’s a traditional British food and originated right here in the United Kingdom. Aside from just in London, you’ll also find it all around Ireland!
28. Yorkshire Pudding
While you might think of creamy, chocolate pudding when you hear this word, Yorkshire Pudding is actually sort of like a type of pastry. It’s a baked pudding that is usually served as a side dish or at the start of a meal.
Yorkshire pudding is made of a thick batter of eggs, flour, and milk or water and then baked. Many people say that it tastes savory and it’s pretty popular around the UK!
29. Full English Breakfast
If you’re a big breakfast fan, then you can’t miss out on having a full English breakfast. This meal will keep you full for quite some time, because when they say ‘full,’ they mean full.
A traditional full English breakfast usually consists of bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, baked beans, black pudding, grilled tomatoes, and mushrooms.
Sometimes it differs, depending on where you’re at, but it’s something that you shouldn’t miss during your visit!
30. Afternoon Tea
If you’re like me and are always after a fun experience while eating, then having afternoon tea while you’re in London will be right up your alley. It’s kind of like having a tea party when you were little, but this time, you get to enjoy the actual good stuff.
This concept was introduced back in the 1840s and was created to help keep people from getting too hungry before their late dinners.
Afternoon tea is served all over the UK and usually consists of small sandwiches, scones and pastries, and of course, tea. It’s usually served on a tiered platter, and is a lot of fun to experience.
31. Sticky Toffee Pudding
This classic dessert is one of my favorite parts of visiting London. It’s a sweet, spongy pudding that’s made of a sponge cake, chopped dates, and then covered in a sticky toffee sauce and served with vanilla ice cream.
It’s the perfect way to end the day of traveling, and after having it once, I bet you’ll have it multiple times throughout your trip.
FAQ: What is London Famous For?
What Makes London So Special?
London is a city where history meets modernity, known for its iconic landmarks like the towering Big Ben, the historic and intriguing Tower of London, and the impressive London Eye. It has world-renowned museums such as the British Museum, captivating West End theater shows, and amazing local markets.
What is London Most Known For?
London is most famous for being a city filled with iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. But many associate the city with pictures of red double-decker buses and the Tube.
What Type of Food is London Known For?
London is known for quite a few foods, but the most popular are fish and chips, the full English breakfast, and my favorite, Yorkshire Pudding.
Wrapping Up: What is London Famous For?
London is famous for many things, from Buckingham Palace and the Monarchy, to a tasty plate of fish and chips, or even the red double-decker buses that cruise the streets.
There are great reasons why it’s the most visited city in the United Kingdom and why many people visit and then go back for another trip. And another.
During the many times that I’ve visited, I’ve been able to experience many of these things that make London famous and see what this beautiful city is all about.
