Top things to do in London, England for a long weekend

From royal palaces and world-famous museums to bustling markets and traditional dining experiences, London is the perfect destination for an unforgettable long weekend. Getting there has never been easier, with direct flights connecting Ottawa to London, England, so you can enjoy a long-weekend holiday.  

Whether you’re dreaming of watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, exploring centuries of history at the Tower of London, or discovering hidden gems in charming neighbourhoods, this vibrant city offers something for every type of traveller.  

Ready to experience iconic sights, incredible food, and unforgettable British culture? The city is calling - here are the top things to do in London, England.  

Where to stay in London

London is a massive city, with many different areas to explore and places to stay depending on whether you want a quiet neighbourhood or to be within walking distance of top sights. No matter your preference, consider which London Underground (Tube) line is closest to your accommodations.  

The Piccadilly Line runs directly from Heathrow Airport into the city centre, including stops at hubs like Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. It connects to many other lines too for easy transfers.  

To use the Tube with ease, pre-load Apple Pay or Google Pay onto your smartphone and tap through the station gates. Tap the same contactless debit or credit card at the reader when exiting, and the system calculates your fare automatically without having to spend time buying tickets for a specific route.  

The best things to do in London 

These top London attractions highlight the city’s mix of history, culture, food and neighbourhood experiences. 

The City of Westminster 

London’s cultural and political epicentre, the City of Westminster borough, is home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and sights.  

The Westminster Tube station is across the street from Big Ben, the notable clock tower. Admire the Palace of Westminster, the parliament buildings, and the view of the London Eye across the River Thames.  

Stroll past Westminster Abbey, through St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. The Changing of the Guard ceremony usually takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11:00 a.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m., lasting roughly 45 minutes. Get there early if you want a good viewing spot, or plan your visit accordingly if you want to avoid the crowds. You can book visits or tours to these landmarks and buildings, and others nearby such as the Churchill War Rooms or The Royal Mews.  

Covent Garden  

A cultural hub in London, Covent Garden is a great area to admire architecture, go shopping, grab a bite to eat and catch a show.  

The Covent Garden shopping mall has many permanent shops, with market stalls lined throughout the centre. You can shop for children’s toys, leather goods, skin care, perfume, candles, clothing, and more. An open-air market piazza is next to the mall where you will often find street performers in front of the church.  

Walk to Neal’s Yard to take photos of the colourful courtyard and possibly grab a bite to eat at an independent café or on a quaint patio. Visit the Seven Dials Market to discover a variety of cuisines in the chic multi-level food court.  

Nearby Cecil Court is worth a stroll to feel like you’ve stepped into a scene of Harry Potter and check out the many bookshops along this historic street. Take photos by the row of red phone booths on Broad Court and find the ballerina statue.  

The district is also home to many historic theatre venues, including The Royal Opera House and the Lyceum Theatre. Shaftesbury Avenue is the most famous street in the theatre district, home to the Apollo Theatre, Gielgud Theatre, Lyric Theatre, Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Theatre, and others. Book an early dinner reservation before going to your show of choice. 

There are some museums close by, including the iconic British Museum and the London Transport Museum. No time to wander exhibits? Pop into the gift shop for souvenir hunting.  

National museums

Many of the city’s famous museums are free to visit! It’s convenient even for a quick visit whether you’re budgeting your trip, want to explore multiple spots, or don’t have much time to stay.  

Explore two million years of global history at The British Museum. The seemingly endless exhibitions showcase artifacts and history from the Roman Empire, Greece, Egypt, China and other countries. Admire the wall of books in the Reading Room and don’t miss seeing notable historical objects like the Rosetta Stone.  

The National Gallery is also free to visit; an art museum filled with acclaimed masterpieces from artists such as Da Vinci, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt. The Natural History Museum’s galleries take you deep into areas of the planet, great for those interested in science, dinosaur lovers and a favourite for kids.  

The Science Museum is great for interactive learning; Tate Modern showcases modern and contemporary art; The Royal Air Force Museum has aircraft displays; The Victoria & Albert family of museums are dedicated to the power of creativity; and all of these are also free, among others across the city.  

Portobello Road Market  

One of the world’s historic and most famous street markets is the Portobello Road Market, packed with antiques, clothing and food stalls, as well as several shops along the street. Search for treasures through the tons of unique finds and vintage gems. Stalls are open daily during the summer months, and with reduced hours open most days in the winter. There is a full street market on Saturdays, their busiest day of the week, including a farmers’ market. 

Hundreds of traders sell an endless variety of things, old and new. The market stretches a mile along Portobello Road and turns onto Golborne Road on Fridays and Saturdays. Get there early, around 9 a.m., to beat the large weekend crowds. If you’re taking the Tube, the closest stops are Ladbroke Grove Station and Notting Hill Gate Station. 

Fans of the 1999 film Notting Hill can visit The Notting Hill Gift Shop, the film’s exterior location for the bookstore, which now sells souvenirs, as well as (a replica of) the iconic blue door on Westbourne Park Road. The actual Notting Hill Bookshop is a popular stop with a line of visitors outside waiting to browse, so stop by early or on a weekday. Enjoy the architecture and colourful townhouses as you wander the market. 

Traditional Sunday roast  

After a day of exploring, cozy up with a hearty meal and take your time enjoying a slow dinner. The ultimate British comfort-food experience is a traditional Sunday roast dinner.  

Many pub-style restaurants have a menu of roast options each Sunday: beef, pork, lamb and vegetarian mushroom or cauliflower options, served with vegetables, potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding. Bring a group of friends to try a sharing plate featuring multiple cuts of meat. Customarily, this meal is eaten relatively early in the day (think 5:00 p.m. dinner), so some restaurants list it as Sunday Lunch. 

The Devonshire, Blacklock (multiple locations), Lore of the Land, The Hardwood Arms, The Cadogan Arms, Hawksmoor, The Golden Tooth and Marksman are some of the London restaurants best known for their delicious Sunday feasts. Make a reservation as soon as possible; the best spots for Sunday roast book up quickly.  

Tower of London and Tower Bridge  

Two iconic landmarks sit in central London along the River Thames: the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.  

An imposing castle with almost one thousand years’ history full of blood, secrets, coronations, betrayals, and ghosts, the Tower of London has been a palace, fortress, and prison. With so many areas to explore, history to learn and things to see, including the Crown Jewels, you’ll want to allocate at least three hours for your visit. Look up and spot the guardians of the Tower, the famous ravens. Explore on your own or discover more facts and history with an audio guide. The ticket also includes access to the Yeoman Warder Guided Tour, where the guide known as a “Beefeater” leads you on a 45-minute walking tour of the Tower, starting at the Bell Tower. History and architecture lovers will also want to walk north of the Tower of London to see a surviving section of the London Wall. 

Tower Bridge serves as a quintessential London photo op, and you can also walk across it for free or book a ticket to explore inside. Check out the engine rooms which once powered the bridge lifts and admire the panoramic views from the high-level walkways, enjoying the thrill of the glass floors. Your ticket includes access to both the North and South towers, where you’ll learn about the men who designed, built and maintain the bridge. If you plan to visit both the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, you can buy a combination ticket. For an unobstructed view of the bridge, head to Maggie Blake’s Cause for a hidden photo spot. 

Leadenhall Market is a nearby shopping centre and historic building, worth a visit for the architecture and photo opportunities alone.  The Borough Market is a lively destination filled with busy food stalls and is a great place to sample street food and artisanal cheeses, just south of the River Thames.  

London is calling  

It’s never been simpler to reach London, England, since Air Canada offers direct flights from the Ottawa International Airport to London Heathrow Airport. Air Transat also operates non-stop service from Ottawa to London Gatwick Airport.  

To learn more and start planning your dream vacation, visit the CAA Travel hub for trip planning, booking, and expert support, or book an appointment with a CAA Travel Agent.