London has more free world-class museums than any city on earth, a royal and political centre you can walk in an afternoon, a river lined with landmarks and some of the best restaurants and bars in Europe. This guide has four self-guided walking routes, the places worth your time with links to book, the best free things to do, and where to eat, drink and stay at every budget, with each venue's website and Instagram so you can see it first.
London map: sights, restaurants, bars and walks
Turn the layers on and off, or pick a walk to draw its route with numbered stops. Tap any pin for links.
Four London walking routes
Central London is flat and very walkable, and the Tube or a bus links the start of each walk. Pick up an Oyster card or tap in with a contactless card or phone. Distances are approximate and the times include short stops; add more if you go inside the sights.
Westminster to the South Bank
About 2.9 km · 1.5 hours walking, half a day with visits
From Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery down Whitehall past Horse Guards and Downing Street to Westminster Abbey and Parliament, then over Westminster Bridge to the London Eye and the Southbank Centre.
- Trafalgar Square
- Horse Guards Parade
- Downing Street (gates)
- Westminster Abbey
- Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
- Westminster Bridge
- London Eye
- Southbank Centre
The City: St Paul's to Tower Bridge
About 2.8 km · 1.5 hours walking, a full day with visits
From St Paul's Cathedral through the Square Mile past the Royal Exchange to the Victorian arcades of Leadenhall Market and the Sky Garden, finishing at the Tower of London and across Tower Bridge.
- St Paul's Cathedral
- Royal Exchange and Bank junction
- Leadenhall Market
- Horizon 22
- Sky Garden
- Tower of London
- Tower Bridge
Soho and Covent Garden
About 3.3 km · 1-1.5 hours walking, an afternoon with shopping
From the lights of Piccadilly Circus through Carnaby Street and Soho's backstreets to Soho Square and Old Compton Street, then through Chinatown and Leicester Square to the Covent Garden piazza and Seven Dials.
- Piccadilly Circus
- Carnaby Street
- Soho Square
- Old Compton Street
- Chinatown (Gerrard Street)
- Leicester Square
- Covent Garden
- Seven Dials
Hampstead village and the Heath
About 3.8 km · 2 hours walking, half a day with stops
From Hampstead's hilltop village past Burgh House and the poet's home at Keats House onto the Heath, up to the skyline view from Parliament Hill and across to Kenwood House.
- Hampstead village (Heath Street)
- Burgh House
- Keats House
- Parliament Hill
- Kenwood House
Places to visit in London
The 23 sights we would plan a first trip around, with the official site for opening times and tickets.
British Museum
One of the world's great museums of human history, with the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies and the Sutton Hoo treasure under the glass-roofed Great Court.
Tip: Book a free timed ticket, go straight to Room 4 for the Rosetta Stone before the crowds, and stay late on a Friday when it opens into the evening.
Time needed: 2-3 hours
National Gallery
The national collection of Western European painting from the 13th to the early 20th century, with works by Van Eyck, Leonardo, Turner, Constable and Van Gogh's Sunflowers.
Tip: Entry is free; pick up a floor plan and focus on a handful of rooms. It stays open late on Fridays.
Time needed: 2 hours
Tower of London
A fortress, royal palace and prison founded by William the Conqueror, home to the Crown Jewels, the Yeoman Warders and the ravens.
Tip: Arrive at opening and see the Crown Jewels first, then join a Yeoman Warder tour for the best stories.
Time needed: 3 hours
Tower Bridge
The Victorian bascule bridge that became London's symbol, with high-level walkways, a glass floor over the Thames and the original steam engine rooms.
Tip: Check the bridge lift times online and watch from the walkway glass floor as the road opens beneath you.
Time needed: 1-1.5 hours
Westminster Abbey
The Gothic church where English and British monarchs have been crowned since 1066, filled with royal tombs, Poets' Corner and the Coronation Chair.
Tip: Book online and visit the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries in the triforium for views down the nave. It is closed to sightseers on Sundays.
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
The Palace of Westminster, the Gothic Revival seat of the Commons and Lords on the Thames, with the Elizabeth Tower that houses the Big Ben bell.
Tip: Watch a debate from the public galleries, or book a guided tour on a Saturday or during recess. Get the classic photo from Westminster Bridge.
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Buckingham Palace
The King's official London residence, whose State Rooms open to visitors for a few weeks each summer, with the Changing of the King's Guard on the forecourt.
Tip: Outside the summer opening, see the Changing the Guard and the King's Gallery next door; stand by the Victoria Memorial for a good view.
Time needed: 1-2.5 hours
St Paul's Cathedral
Christopher Wren's domed masterpiece, rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, with the Whispering Gallery and the Golden Gallery high above the City.
Tip: Climb the 528 steps to the Golden Gallery for a panorama of the City and the Thames.
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Tate Modern
The national gallery of modern and contemporary art in the former Bankside Power Station, with the vast Turbine Hall and works by Picasso, Rothko and Warhol.
Tip: Take the lift to the viewing level of the Blavatnik Building for a free view over St Paul's and the river.
Time needed: 2 hours
Shakespeare's Globe
A faithful reconstruction of Shakespeare's open-air playhouse beside the Thames, with summer performances, guided tours and the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
Tip: Stand in the yard as a groundling for the most atmospheric view of a play, or take the daytime tour if there is no show.
Time needed: 1 hour for a tour
Borough Market
London's best-known food market, trading beneath Victorian railway arches near London Bridge, with British produce, cheese, bakeries and street food.
Tip: Go mid-morning on a weekday to avoid the Saturday crush, and graze from stall to stall rather than sitting down.
Time needed: 1-1.5 hours
Sky Garden
A landscaped public garden and viewing terrace at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street, the 'Walkie-Talkie' tower, with views across the Thames to the Shard.
Tip: Entry is free but book a slot online when tickets open; or reserve a table at one of its bars or restaurants instead.
Time needed: 1 hour
Horizon 22
A free viewing gallery on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, the highest free public viewpoint in Europe, with floor-to-ceiling windows over the Thames, the Tower and the Shard.
Tip: Book a free timed slot online; tickets go fast for weekends and sunset times. Go on a clear morning for the longest views, then walk on to Leadenhall Market and the Sky Garden.
Time needed: 45 minutes
The View from The Shard
The highest viewing platform in western Europe, on levels 68 to 72 of Renzo Piano's glass tower, with views of up to 40 miles on a clear day.
Tip: Book a sunset slot, and check the weather forecast; you can usually rebook if visibility is poor.
Time needed: 1 hour
London Eye
The giant observation wheel on the South Bank, where each glass capsule takes about 30 minutes to make one slow rotation above the Thames.
Tip: Book a timed ticket online to skip the longest queues and go late afternoon for the light over Westminster.
Time needed: 1 hour
Natural History Museum
A cathedral-like Victorian building with a blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall, dinosaur galleries and the earthquake simulator.
Tip: Book a free entry ticket at weekends and in school holidays, and use the quieter Exhibition Road entrance.
Time needed: 2-3 hours
V&A South Kensington
The world's leading museum of art and design, with fashion, jewellery, sculpture, Raphael cartoons and the Cast Courts.
Tip: Have tea in the original Morris, Gamble and Poynter refreshment rooms, and visit late on a Friday.
Time needed: 2 hours
Science Museum
Hands-on galleries of science and engineering, from Stephenson's Rocket and the Apollo 10 command module to Wonderlab for children.
Tip: Book a free admission ticket in advance and go early on weekends to beat school groups and families.
Time needed: 2 hours
Hyde Park
The largest of central London's Royal Parks, with the Serpentine lake, the Diana Memorial Fountain and Speakers' Corner, merging into Kensington Gardens.
Tip: Hire a pedalo or rowing boat on the Serpentine in summer, then walk west to Kensington Palace and the Italian Gardens.
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Churchill War Rooms
The underground bunker where Churchill and his War Cabinet ran the Second World War, preserved as it was left in 1945 alongside the Churchill Museum.
Tip: Book ahead, as the corridors are narrow and time slots sell out, and allow time for the excellent museum section.
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Covent Garden
The arcaded piazza and 19th-century market building at the centre of the West End, with shops, cafes, street performers and the London Transport Museum.
Tip: Watch the street entertainers in front of St Paul's Church, then wander up to Seven Dials and Neal's Yard.
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Royal Observatory Greenwich
The home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian, on a hill in Greenwich Park with views over the Thames to Canary Wharf.
Tip: Take a riverboat from Westminster or the Tower to Greenwich and combine it with the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum.
Time needed: Half a day with Greenwich
Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Victorian glasshouses, a treetop walkway and plants from every corner of the globe.
Tip: Head first to the Palm House and the Temperate House, then up the Treetop Walkway; allow at least half a day.
Time needed: Half a day
Free things to do in London
Most of London’s great national museums and galleries are free every day, and so are the Royal Parks, the markets and Changing the Guard. Some need a free timed ticket booked online, and special exhibitions charge.
British Museum
BloomsburyFree: Always free for the permanent collection, daily 10am-5pm and until 8.30pm on Fridays. A free timed ticket is recommended for priority entry; walk-ups depend on capacity. Special exhibitions are charged.
World history from the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon sculptures under one glass roof.
Tip: Use the quieter Montague Place entrance at the back and book a free slot for weekends.
National Gallery
Trafalgar SquareFree: Always free for general admission, daily 10am-6pm and until 9pm on Fridays. Booking a free ticket gives fast-track entry but walk-up entry is available. Some exhibitions are charged.
Masterpieces from Van Eyck and Leonardo to Turner and Van Gogh.
Tip: Friday evenings are calmer and the building looks wonderful after dark.
National Portrait Gallery
Trafalgar SquareFree: Always free, open daily from 10.30am. Advance free booking is recommended to guarantee entry. Some exhibitions are charged.
Faces of British history from the Tudors to today, in a building refreshed by a major redevelopment.
Tip: Pair it with the National Gallery next door; the entrances are a minute apart.
Tate Modern
BanksideFree: Always free for the collection displays, Sunday to Thursday 10am-6pm and Friday to Saturday 10am-9pm. No booking needed for free areas; major exhibitions are charged.
Modern and contemporary art in a former power station, with the vast Turbine Hall.
Tip: Ride up to the Blavatnik Building viewing level for a free view across the river.
V&A South Kensington
South KensingtonFree: Always free, daily 10am-5.45pm and until 10pm on Fridays (some galleries close earlier). No booking needed; some exhibitions are charged.
Five thousand years of art and design, from couture to the Cast Courts.
Tip: Stop in the original Victorian refreshment rooms and the garden courtyard.
Natural History Museum
South KensingtonFree: Always free, daily 10am-5.50pm (last entry 5.30pm). Booking a free entry ticket is the way to guarantee entry at busy weekends and school holidays; otherwise you may queue.
The blue whale in Hintze Hall, dinosaurs and a building that is a sight in itself.
Tip: Book a free ticket and enter via Exhibition Road for shorter queues.
Science Museum
South KensingtonFree: Always free, daily 10am-6pm. Book a free general admission ticket online in advance. Wonderlab, IMAX and some exhibitions are charged.
Hands-on galleries and icons of engineering from Stephenson's Rocket to Apollo 10.
Tip: Go early on weekends; afternoons fill with families.
Sky Garden
City of LondonFree: Free on weekdays 10am-6pm and weekends 11am-9pm with a free timed ticket, released up to three weeks ahead; tickets allow one hour. Walk-ins only if there is space, and none on weekdays after 5pm. Check closure dates.
A glass-domed garden and terrace near the top of the 'Walkie-Talkie' with views over the Thames and the Shard.
Tip: Free slots go fast; set a reminder for the release date, or book a table at its bar or restaurant instead.
Horizon 22
City of LondonFree: Always free with a free timed ticket booked online. Open weekdays 10:00-18:00, Saturday 10:00-17:00 and Sunday 10:00-16:00.
Europe's highest free viewing gallery, 58 floors up in 22 Bishopsgate, with 300-degree views across London.
Tip: If the Sky Garden is booked out, Horizon 22 is higher and often easier to get into. Book your slot as soon as you know your dates.
Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace
St James'sFree: Always free, no ticket needed. The King's Guard changes on the palace forecourt at 11am, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; the schedule changes, so check the Household Division calendar the day before.
The New Guard relieves the Old Guard with a band and full ceremonial dress.
Tip: Arrive by about 10.15am and stand by the palace railings or the Victoria Memorial steps.
Hyde Park and the Royal Parks
Hyde ParkFree: Always free. Hyde Park's pedestrian gates are open from 5am to midnight; no booking needed.
The Serpentine, Speakers' Corner and miles of paths, linked to Kensington Gardens, Green Park and St James's Park.
Tip: Walk from Buckingham Palace through Green Park into Hyde Park for a green route across the West End.
Borough Market
SouthwarkFree: Always free to enter. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm; closed Mondays. Hours vary at Christmas and bank holidays.
One of the world's best-known food markets, under Victorian railway arches by London Bridge.
Tip: Browse and soak up the atmosphere for free; weekday mornings are calmest.
Leadenhall Market
City of LondonFree: Always free; the public areas of the covered market are open 24 hours a day, every day. Shop, bar and restaurant hours vary.
A painted Victorian iron-and-glass arcade in the heart of the City, used as a filming location for the Harry Potter films.
Tip: Visit on a weekday lunchtime for the buzz, or early evening for photos without crowds.
Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill
HampsteadFree: Always free, open public land with no booking needed. Free summer concerts are held at the Parliament Hill bandstand.
Wild heathland, ponds and woods, with one of London's best skyline views from the 98-metre Parliament Hill.
Tip: Come for sunset on Parliament Hill, then walk across the Heath to Kenwood House.
Houses of Parliament public galleries
WestminsterFree: Free for everyone, UK residents and overseas visitors alike, to watch debates from the public galleries when the Houses are sitting; no ticket needed for general debates, just queue at Cromwell Green. Tickets for Prime Minister's Questions (Wednesdays at noon) are free but only for UK residents, via their MP. UK residents can also ask their MP for a free tour.
See the Commons or Lords in session in the Gothic Revival palace.
Tip: Expect airport-style security and a queue; check the sitting times on the Parliament website.
Sir John Soane's Museum
HolbornFree: Always free, open Wednesday to Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday, but open on bank holidays). No need to pre-book; you may have to queue. Free tours of the Private Apartments run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The architect's own house, crammed with antiquities, paintings and an Egyptian sarcophagus.
Tip: Join the free Private Apartments tour; it is first come, first served on the day.
Free times checked on the official sites on 6 November 2026. They change, so check the link before you go.
Where to stay in London
For a first visit, stay in Covent Garden, the West End or the South Bank: the walks above all start within a short Tube ride. South Kensington suits museum trips and families; Soho is the place for nights out.
Covent Garden and the West End
London's theatreland, built around the old fruit-and-flower market piazza, with street performers, the Royal Opera House and dozens of West End theatres within a few streets.
Best for: First-timers, theatre breaks and walking to most central sights
Mayfair and St James's
Georgian squares and quiet streets between Piccadilly, Park Lane and Oxford Street, home to grand hotels, art galleries, Savile Row tailors and many of the city's best restaurants.
Best for: Luxury hotels, fine dining, shopping on Bond Street and easy access to Green Park and Hyde Park
Soho
A dense grid of narrow streets packed with restaurants, cocktail bars, independent shops and the heart of London's LGBTQ+ scene around Old Compton Street.
Best for: Food and nightlife, the gay scene and a lively, central base
South Kensington and Knightsbridge
An elegant, leafy district of white stucco terraces around the Natural History Museum, the V&A and the Science Museum, running up to Harrods and Hyde Park.
Best for: Museums, families, luxury shopping and a calmer residential feel
South Bank and Bankside
The south side of the Thames from the London Eye past Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe to Borough Market and the Shard, linked by a riverside walk.
Best for: River views, culture, food markets and walking access to Westminster and the City
Bloomsbury and King's Cross
Garden squares and Georgian terraces around the British Museum, rolling north to the regenerated King's Cross with its canalside restaurants and Eurostar terminal at St Pancras.
Best for: Good-value hotels, the British Museum, quieter evenings and fast rail links to Europe and the north
Hotels for every budget. Each button opens our live search with that hotel at the top, so you can change the dates and nights.
Luxury hotels
London’s grand five-star hotels, from Park Lane palaces to modern design icons.
The Langham, London
A grand Victorian hotel opposite the BBC at the top of Regent Street, home to the Artesian bar and the Palm Court for afternoon tea.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
An Edwardian landmark with a private entrance onto Hyde Park, Harrods a short walk away and an excellent spa.
Corinthia London
A sweeping Victorian building between Trafalgar Square and the Thames with large rooms, a four-floor spa and Westminster on foot.
Rosewood London
An Edwardian former headquarters with a grand cobbled courtyard, residential-feel rooms and the wood-panelled Scarfes Bar.
ME London
A sleek, design-led hotel with a dramatic marble atrium, on the Strand between Covent Garden and the river, with Radio Rooftop on top.
St James' Court, A Taj Hotel
A grand Victorian hotel set around a fountain courtyard, a short walk from Buckingham Palace and St James's Park.
Boutique and mid-range hotels
Four-star and boutique hotels, several with rooftop bars, close to the sights.
H10 London Waterloo
A modern four-star a short walk from the South Bank and the London Eye, with a rooftop bar and some rooms with skyline views.
nhow London
A colourful, art-filled hotel just off City Road, well placed for Shoreditch nightlife and the City.
Holiday Inn London Camden Lock
A reliable four-star overlooking the Regent's Canal at Camden Lock, a few minutes from Camden Market and the Tube.
DoubleTree by Hilton London Tower of London
A contemporary hotel by the Tower of London with a rooftop bar looking straight at Tower Bridge and the Shard.
Treehouse London
A playful boutique hotel with nature-themed rooms and a rooftop bar high above Oxford Circus.
Dean Street Townhouse
Soho House's cosy Georgian townhouse hotel with a buzzing dining room, steps from Old Compton Street and the heart of the gay scene.
Good-value hotels
Smart, compact rooms in central spots, for when the room is just a base.
hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden
Compact, smartly designed rooms with app-controlled lighting in an unbeatable theatreland location.
citizenM London Bankside
A stylish, tech-savvy hotel with XL beds and a lively lounge, a short walk from Tate Modern and Borough Market.
Point A Hotel London Kings Cross St Pancras
Small, well-designed rooms on Gray's Inn Road, handy for Eurostar at St Pancras and the British Museum.
Z Hotel Soho
Clever compact rooms in the middle of Soho, a minute from Old Compton Street's bars, with a café-bar.
The Hoxton, Holborn
A buzzy, design-led hotel with a busy lobby scene, walkable to Covent Garden, the British Museum and the City.
Search every hotel in London
Live prices for hundreds of London hotels. Pick your dates and nights, or call us to add trains or theatre tickets.
Best restaurants in London
From three-Michelin-star tasting menus to Bombay cafés and handmade pasta. Book the famous places weeks ahead; the casual favourites mostly take walk-ins, so expect a queue at peak times.
Core by Clare Smyth
Modern British tasting menuNotting Hill (Kensington Park Road)
Clare Smyth's three-Michelin-starred restaurant, celebrating British farms and coastlines in polished but relaxed dishes such as her famous potato and roe.
The Ledbury
Modern European tasting menuNotting Hill (Ledbury Road)
Brett Graham's neighbourhood restaurant turned three-Michelin-starred destination, known for game, seasonal produce and warm service.
Ikoyi
West African-inspired tasting menuStrand (180 Strand)
A bold, two-Michelin-starred restaurant that builds menus around West African spices and seasonings paired with top British produce.
Gymkhana
IndianMayfair (Albemarle Street)
A clubby, colonial-era-styled dining room with two Michelin stars, famous for its kebabs, wild muntjac biryani and buttery chicken.
Brat
Basque-inspired wood-fired grillShoreditch (Redchurch Street)
Tomos Parry's Michelin-starred first-floor dining room, where whole turbot and seasonal plates are cooked over open fire.
Rules
Classic BritishCovent Garden (Maiden Lane)
London's oldest restaurant, open since 1798, serving game, pies and puddings in red-velvet rooms lined with paintings and cartoons.
The Wolseley
Grand cafeSt James's (Piccadilly)
A soaring former car showroom next to the Ritz, run as a European grand cafe and best for a long breakfast or afternoon tea.
J Sheekey
SeafoodCovent Garden (St Martin's Court)
A theatreland fish restaurant dating back to 1896, with wood-panelled rooms, an oyster bar and a much-loved fish pie.
St. JOHN
British, nose-to-tailSmithfield (St John Street)
Fergus Henderson's whitewashed former smokehouse that made nose-to-tail cooking famous; the roast bone marrow and parsley salad is a London classic.
Dishoom Covent Garden
Bombay cafeCovent Garden (Upper St Martin's Lane)
The first of the hugely popular all-day cafes inspired by the Irani cafes of Bombay, best for black daal, bacon naan rolls and chai.
Padella Borough
Fresh pastaBorough Market (Southwark Street)
A no-frills counter and dining room by Borough Market serving hand-rolled pasta, including a cult pici cacio e pepe; join the virtual queue.
Kiln
Thai grillSoho (Brewer Street)
A narrow counter in Soho where Thai-style clay pots and grills are cooked in front of you with British produce and plenty of heat.
Mercato Mayfair
Food hallMayfair (North Audley Street)
A food hall inside St Mark's, a Grade I-listed church, with street-food stalls, a craft brewery, crypt bars and a rooftop terrace. Good for groups who all want something different.
Best bars in London
Grand hotel bars that rank among the best in the world, Soho cocktail dens and rooftops with views over the city.
American Bar at The Savoy
Classic hotel cocktail barStrand (The Savoy)
One of London's oldest cocktail bars, an art deco room with a pianist where the Hanky Panky was invented.
Connaught Bar
Classic hotel cocktail barMayfair (The Connaught)
A sleek, silver-leafed bar famous for martinis mixed at a trolley by your table.
Artesian
Cocktail barMarylebone (The Langham)
The Langham's glamorous lounge bar, a multiple winner of the World's Best Bar title, with inventive, beautifully presented drinks.
Dukes Bar
Classic martini barSt James's (Dukes London)
A small, clubby hotel bar where martinis are made at a trolley beside you, and where Ian Fleming is said to have drunk.
Bar Swift Soho
Cocktail barSoho (Old Compton Street)
A two-level bar with a bright, standing-room aperitivo bar upstairs and a dim whisky and cocktail den below.
Tayēr + Elementary
Cocktail barOld Street
Alex Kratena and Monica Berg's award-winning bar, a casual front room for quick serves and a back room for more creative cocktails.
Radio Rooftop
Rooftop barStrand (ME London)
A rooftop terrace on top of ME London with wide views over the Thames, from the London Eye to St Paul's.
Madison
Rooftop bar and restaurantCity of London (One New Change)
A rooftop bar and terrace on the One New Change shopping centre, almost eye to eye with the dome of St Paul's Cathedral.
Seabird
Rooftop bar and restaurantSouthwark (The Hoxton)
A seafood and oyster bar on the 14th floor of The Hoxton Southwark, with a terrace looking across to St Paul's and the City.
Aqua Shard
Sky-high bar and restaurantLondon Bridge (The Shard)
A bar and restaurant on level 31 of the Shard with floor-to-ceiling windows over the Thames and the City.
Gay bars in London
Royal Vauxhall Tavern
LGBTQ+ pub and cabaret venueVauxhall (Kennington Lane)
A listed Victorian pub that has been a gay venue since the Second World War, famous for drag, cabaret and its long-running weekend parties.
Eagle London
LGBTQ+ bar and clubVauxhall (Kennington Lane)
A down-to-earth bar and club near Vauxhall Cross best known for its long-running Sunday night party.
Ku Bar
LGBTQ+ barSoho (Lisle Street)
One of London's biggest gay bars, spread over several floors on the edge of Chinatown, with a sociable crowd and late opening.
Comptons
LGBTQ+ pubSoho (Old Compton Street)
A long-running gay pub on the corner of Old Compton Street, with a busy horseshoe bar downstairs and live entertainment.
She Soho
Lesbian and queer women's barSoho (Old Compton Street)
A basement bar for women and the wider queer community, with DJs, karaoke and events, run by the Ku Bar group.
Admiral Duncan
LGBTQ+ pubSoho (Old Compton Street)
A small, friendly Old Compton Street pub with cabaret and karaoke, and a cornerstone of Soho's gay history.
All venues checked as trading on 6 November 2026. Opening hours change, so check Instagram before you go.
London FAQ
When is the best time to visit London?
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) usually bring the most settled weather and long, light evenings. July and August are the busiest months, while November to February are cooler and greyer but quieter, with Christmas lights, markets and ice rinks in December. Rain is possible at any time of year, so pack a light waterproof.
How many days do you need in London?
Three or four days covers the essentials: Westminster and the South Bank, the City and the Tower, a couple of the big museums and an evening in the West End. With five days or more you can add Greenwich, Kew, Hampstead or a day trip to Windsor, Oxford or Cambridge.
How do I get from Heathrow or Gatwick to central London?
From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line runs to Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and the City, the Heathrow Express is the fastest non-stop link to Paddington, and the Piccadilly line runs direct to the West End. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express runs to Victoria and Thameslink trains run through London Bridge, Blackfriars and St Pancras. A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest option with luggage.
What is the easiest way to get around London?
Tap a contactless bank card or phone on the yellow readers on the Tube, buses, the Elizabeth line, DLR and most rail services in London; daily and weekly caps apply automatically. Central London is also very walkable, and riverboats along the Thames are a scenic way to reach Greenwich or the Tower.
What are the best free things to do in London?
Most of London's national museums and galleries are free, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern, the V&A, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum; booking a free timed ticket is recommended at the busiest ones. You can also watch Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, book a free slot at Horizon 22, Europe's highest free viewing gallery, or the Sky Garden, stroll the Royal Parks and the South Bank, browse Borough Market and take in the skyline from Parliament Hill.
Where is the best area to stay in London?
Covent Garden and the West End put you within walking distance of theatres and most sights, while Mayfair and St James's offer the grandest hotels and quieter streets. South Kensington suits museum lovers and families, the South Bank gives river views, and Soho is the place to be for food and nightlife.
Where should I stay in London on a budget?
Look at King's Cross, Bloomsbury, Bankside and the edge of the City, where well-run compact hotels such as hub by Premier Inn, citizenM, Point A and Z Hotels offer good value with excellent transport links. Staying close to a Tube station matters more than being right in the centre, and prices are usually lower on Sunday nights and outside school holidays.
Is London gay friendly and when is Pride in London?
Yes. London is one of the world's most welcoming cities for LGBTQ+ travellers, with Soho's Old Compton Street and Vauxhall at the heart of the scene. Pride in London is usually held on a Saturday in late June or early July, with a parade through the West End and celebrations around Soho and Trafalgar Square; book hotels early for that weekend.
