Why I love London

“Like most Londoners, I revel in all our familiar landmarks – Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the murky Thames, the London Eye. I still thank the former government that made some of the greatest museums and art galleries in the world free to one and all. The choice of restaurants, bars and clubs is legion, and what’s not to love about a city with more lush parkland than any other world capital? But the one thing that sets my...” Read More

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Steve Fallon
Writer

Top experiences in London

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Recent articles

Wimbledon: how to get tickets for tennis's greatest tournament

The world's greatest tennis tournament may be known for elite athletes, celebrity spectators and strawberries and cream, but for many Wimbledon is also about queuing, tents and takeaways. It's one of the few sporting events that holds premium tickets to be sold on the day of play, and a little knowledge and patience can land you a courtside seat for some of the tournament's biggest matches.

Wimbledon, as seen from Court 12. Image by Carine06 / CC BY-SA 2.0
Matt Phillips
Lonely Planet Writer

Four hundred years on: celebrating Shakespeare in 2016

2016 marks 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare, English literature’s greatest name. It’s not just his writing that has endured for centuries. You can explore a string of fascinating exhibitions, artefacts and performances celebrating his life and art in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and beyond.

The Shakespeare Memorial in Stratford-upon-Avon features Hamlet and Shakespeare himself © givi585 / Shutterstock
Joe Minihane
Lonely Planet Writer

London's top 10 action-packed adventures

London’s sights, culture and nightlife are world famous. But the city has an adventurous side too, with ice climbing in Covent Garden, bungee jumping by the O2, kayaking down the Thames and cycling the world’s fastest track among the thrills on offer. So sit up and strap in for our round-up of the capital’s 10 best action-packed activities.

The Orbit offers views across London – and a serious descent. Image courtesy of ArcelorMittal Orbit
Heather Carswell
Lonely Planet Writer
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Travel guides

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London adventures

$75.63 Sightseeing tours

London Pass Including Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Discover the joy of sightseeing with the London Pass, and enjoy free entry to 60 of its world-class sites like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. Save time as you skip the queues with fast-track entry at countless attractions, and take advantage of special offers at quality London restaurants and shops.Even better, why not upgrade and include transport with your London Pass? Choose from a 1-, 2-, 3- , 6-or 10-day sightseeing pass with transport included and see the highlights of England’s cosmopolitan capital with ease.With the London Pass, save both time and money as you skip admission lines with fast-track entrance and enjoy free entry to more than 60 top London attractions. There is no need to use cash – simply show your London Pass for fast and easy entry to London’s most popular sites. Choose from a 1-, 2-, 3-,6- or 10-day pass, plus enjoy discounts on your shopping and dining. Keen to explore the city in the most hassle-free way? Upgrade your London Pass to include a zones 1-6 London Travelcard. Competitively priced, the upgrade option covers all journeys made on the London Underground, London Overground, buses and Dockland Light Railway for the validity of your pass.London Pass includes: A 120-page London guidebook Public transport in travel zones 1-6 for the validity of your pass (if Travelcard upgrade option selected) Free entry to 60 attractions (see Itinerary) Discounts and benefits at selected London restaurants, theaters and shops Fast-track entrance to many top London-area attractions, like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London

$117.49 Sightseeing tours

Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle Day Trip from London

Visit Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and medieval Warwick Castle on this action-packed, full-day trip from London. From the comfort of a first-class, luxury coach, make your way out of the capital to three of England’s most-visited places. Enjoy a walking tour of Oxford, home to one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Pass through the idyllic Cotswolds, a region officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the charming birthplace of William Shakespeare. Then, travel back to the Middle Ages with a trip to magnificent Warwick Castle.Start your day with a pickup from your centrally located London hotel, or meet your professional guide at the prearranged meeting point in Victoria Coach Station to begin your tour. Hop aboard your first-class, luxury coach and relax as you travel northwest, away from the hustle and bustle of England’s capital.Your first stop of the tour is Oxford. Known as the ‘City of Dreaming Spires,’ Oxford is home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world. On arrival, step out of your coach and enjoy a walking tour of the city center with your guide.Plug into your state-of-the-art headset and listen to your guide talking clearly as you pass by the elegant, timeworn buildings and courtyard that have inspired generation of scholars, including Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea, Hugh Grant and Kate Beckinsale. See the Bodleian Library and Christ Church College, where Harry Potter scenes were filmed and where Albert Einstein studied.Next, enjoy a brief stop for refreshments (own expense) before hopping back inside your coach and traveling through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, an area steeped in gentle English beauty, history and heritage. Look out the window to admire the thatched-roof cottages and charming inns. On arrival in Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the famous playwright William Shakespeare, visit Shakespeare's Tudor-era home, with its typical parlor, bedrooms, kitchen and buttery. After, enjoy some free time for lunch (own expense) at one of the many charming eateries.Then it's a short journey to medieval Warwick Castle, whose magnificent towers and ramparts remain mostly intact. Travel back through 1,000 years of history as you cross the footbridge to a bygone world of banquets, battles and ceremony. Climb the winding staircase to the Princess Tower, or, if you're feeling brave, visit the spine-chilling dungeons where prisoners were tortured. You might wish to take a stroll through the castle's lovingly tended gardens, where archery, falconry and jousting take place in the summer months.Your day trip then concludes back at Victoria Coach Station in the evening.
$148.64 Guided tours

Private Tour: London Walking Tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Explore London's wealth of history in style on a private walking tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, with an expert to guide you. Accompanied by your own private guide who specializes in art history, you'll enjoy personalized attention on your special private tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The Tower of London is Europe's best preserved medieval fortress, and one of London's oldest buildings. It was established by William the Conqueror in 1067, and over the centuries many members of royalty and the aristocracy have lost their lives here.Accompanied by your private guide, you'll visit the Jewel House containing the Crown Jewels, the White Tower and Chapel of St. John, one of the purest expressions of Norman architecture. You'll gain incredible insights into the Tower's architecture and history on this private walking tour, with ceremony and tradition provided by the Yeomen Warden who parade daily at 11am in the Inner Ward. Just down river from the Tower is Tower Bridge, a famous London landmark built between 1886 and 1894. The view from the towers provides a wonderful panorama of London, all the way down river to Greenwich and Canary Wharf. This in-depth private walking tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge is hosted by an expert guide specializing in art history. Please list any special interests you have (art, architecture, history, culture) at the time of booking to alert your guide, so they can prepare for your private tour.
$687.40 Small group tours

5-Day Devon and Cornwall Small-Group Tour from London

Leave bustling London behind for five wonderful days in the countryside of southwest England! On this small-group tour from London to the counties of Devon and Cornwall, your guide will tell you interesting historical facts and stories about the area and show you beautiful towns, famous sights and breathtaking landscapes you’ll never forget. Discover the beauty of these two regions – some of England's best – and visit popular attractions like Stonehenge. You’ll see the South Devon coast, Dartmoor, Exeter and, of course, the idyllic county of Cornwall. In a group of less than 16 people, you are sure to enjoy a personalized and valuable experience with your guide.
$1303.23 Small group tours

5-Day Best of England Small-Group Tour: Oxford, the Cotswolds and Bath

See the highlights of the ‘Heart of England’ on a 5-day tour from London. Traveling with an expert guide, visit famous landmarks that are dotted about England’s scenic counties. Explore the university city of Oxford and visit Stratford-upon-Avon, where William Shakespeare once lived. Embrace the charms of the Cotswolds before discovering Bath and the UNESCO-listed stone circle of Avebury Ring. This must-do trip includes four nights of 3-star hotel accommodation, with two nights in the Cotswolds and two nights in Bath. Numbers are limited to 15, ensuring a small-group experience
$349.78 Small group tours

2-Day Rail Trip to Paris from London

With France situated only a few miles across the English channel, a little over 2.5 hours away on the Eurostar, you won't want to miss this opportunity to spend a night in the City of Lights.
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