Sunny in London

A behind the scenes guide to London's food, life and culture

London Bridge Christmas Market

What Christmas Market is the best for a person who loves London and Christmas? The London Bridge Christmas Market! If you haven’t been there yet, you must put this on your Christmas bucket list for a London trip.

If you’ve been reading the Sunny News on my blog, you know that I am super excited about Winter Wonderland every year in London because it combines theme parks and Christmas. As a girl who grew up in Florida who has a festive spirit, this is the dreamiest place to be during the holidays.

That was until Mr Sunny took me to ‘Christmas by the River’. This area is also known as London Bridge City. It’s billed as the ‘most scenic Christmas market under the stars.’ And once you go, you know.

General Information

Like nearly everything in London, it was closed in 2020. However, it’s up and running for 2021. It officially opened on 16th November and will remain operational (we hope!) until 2nd January 2022.

The daily hours are Sunday-Wednesday 11.00am-21.00pm and Thursday-Saturday 11.00am-22.00pm.

Additional holiday hours to note are:

  • Christmas Eve- 11.00am-17.00pm
  • Christmas Day- closed
  • New Year’s Eve- 11.00am-20.00pm
  • 2nd January- 11.00am-17.00pm

London Bridge Christmas Market- Where is the market?

It’s located on the south riverside of the Thames. However, if you’re from London, you would know this because you actually know which bridge is London Bridge. Most people who are not familiar with London mistakenly think that the iconic Tower Bridge is London Bridge.You also know where the overground and underground station is too. It’s a popular one for linking to overground trains, as well as trains to Gatwick airport.

While they are not too far from each other, there is a big difference between the two. The London Bridge Christmas Market is basically located between these two famous bridges.

If you’re arriving via one of the train stations, walk to Hay’s Galleria when you leave the station. The Christmas tree is always a beautiful place to grab a few pictures for your Instagram. Plus, the Hay’s on the River cocktail bar is not something you would want to miss due to its gorgeous holiday decor.

london-bridge-christmas-market-hays-galleria-tree
london-bridge-christmas-market-hays-galleria

Once you have a little sip of some spirits, exit the galleria toward the Thames. Most of the London Bridge Christmas Market stalls are to the east, which is in the direction of the unmissable Tower Bridge. We did find a few heading west toward the London Eye.

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london-bridge-christmas-market-food

London Bridge Christmas Market- What to Eat and Drink

As a foodies, this is where Mr Sunny and I put most of our attention. Of course Mr Sunny was sussing out the beer opportunities as soon as we arrived.

Perhaps the most obvious beer stop is The Horniman at Hays. This Nicholson’s pub is popular for the after work crowd. The tables outside give you views of the most iconic features of London’s skyline. However, this clearly is available year round. So, what’s specifically there for holidays?

There are several pop up bars in the London Bridge Christmas Market. We stopped in the Riverside Lodge. Since we visited the market late on a Thursday afternoon, it wasn’t busy at all. However, there was a small table for a DJ, so I imagine it gets pretty lively at night.

We did notice a few people sitting inside who were not having cocktails, mulled wine or beer and were simply sipping coffee or eating food they purchased from other stalls. This was despite the numerous signs outside the Riverside Lodge that indicated it was for their specific customers only. However, later I will attempt to provide reasoning for why these people took cover in this area.

london-bridge-christmas-market-riverside-lodge-bar

Mr Sunny and I walked the length of the London Bridge Christmas Market observing all of the food options presented at the stalls. The selection has a range of international cuisines including: Thai, Mexican, German, Chinese and Indian. You can also find fried chicken and burgers.

While many looked tempting, we opted for our traditional Christmas market street food favourite- sausage. Our Polish sausages were cut in half and lined with grated cheese (that’s ‘shredded’ for my American readers). We felt they were better and a little cheaper than what we had this year at Winter Wonderland. Except for one thing. Again, you’ll hear about the one big negative to our visit in a minute.

And of course, what London Christmas Market would be complete without the temptation of seasonal sweets!

You’ll find endless options. They include winter themed macarons, crepes packed with Nutella and the hottest item at the London Bridge Christmas Market- coloured pancakes.

london-bridge-christmas-market-food
london-bridge-christmas-market-food

Sadly, I wasn’t able to grab a shot of the pancakes but you can easily see them all over Instagram since they’re mega popular this year.

I did have a Biscoff macaron and it was literally melt in my mouth AHHHHH-may-zing!

London Bridge Christmas Market- What to Buy

If you’re hitting the markets actually to shop, rather than eat and drink like us, then you will also find the London Bridge Christmas Market a better option in comparison to the others around London.

Aside from the typical snow globes and Christmas ornaments, you can also find a stall for London Souvenir maker To Home From London. This company offers an eclectic selection of items including kitchenware, accessories, home decor, apparel and stationary. It doesn’t look like the typical tourist trappy stuff either.

London Bridge Christmas Market- What to Beware of

You’re probably thinking that I will suggest to watch your wallet because there are pickpockets at the London Bridge Christmas Market. London has always had a reputation for petty thieves running around town. However, this is far more serious…

You seriously need to beware of the seagulls and this location.

It wasn’t until I had my first ever Cornish pasty ripped violently from my hands when I was visiting St. Ives that I learned the power, aggression and determination these creatures carry.

Be sure to have a plan for where you are going to eat your treats under cover as soon as you purchase them, or you could be a victim like me. They are lurking around all the food stalls and they are really, really, really BIG!

Mr Sunny and I immediately took our polish sausages to a little alcove area and devoured them without being attacked. We actually didn’t see anyone have their food grabbed from them while we were there, but trust me- it’s very possible!

London Bridge Christmas Market: Final Thoughts

If you want all the benefits of a London atmosphere and fantastic photo opportunities with it as your backdrop, then the Christmas by the River market is a holiday activity you can’t miss. If you go, be sure to dress extra warm since it does get a bit chilly by the river. I would love to know what you think of it too.

For more London Christmas information, you can watch these videos:

What are your favourite London experiences that you recommend to people?

What You MUST Book in Advance for a London Trip

What’s the next step after booking flights and a hotel for a London trip? Sunny friends, there are several activities you should book in advance of your trip to London. Do you know what they are and how to do it?

If not, you must keep reading.

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London Trip Book in Advance: Popular Events

While exhibitions change regularly in London, the most popular ones sell out fast. Current hot tickets include:

  • Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience
  • Jurassic World- The Exhibition London
  • Stranger Things: The Experience- Unlock
  • Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
  • The Peter Rabbit Garden Adventure
  • Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest

I have found the easiest website to use for searching and buying tickets is Feverup.

A specific event that I loved was their Candlelight Concert series. I attended the Coldplay tribute and look forward to the upcoming Hans Zimmer and John Williams performances. You can read about my experience in this review. The last time I checked the December Hans Zimmer concerts were nearly sold out. So if that’s something you want to do- take my advice and book early!

fever-candlelight-concert-in-london-review-city-string-ensemble

London Trip Book in Advance: Christmas Activities

While weather can always be the biggest gamble during the holiday season, there are some activities for which you’ll need to role the dice. That’s because they are outdoors and sell out fast.

Specifically, I mean Winter Wonderland and Christmas at Kew. Tickets are released late summer and are quickly booked by smart Londoners and repeat visitors.

If you didn’t know that Winter Wonderland is now a ticket event since you haven’t attended after the pandemic, you want to watch this video to see how it’s changed. And after it is a summary of what you’ll need to know about the season of Christmas in London too.

London Trip Book in Advance: Theatre Tickets

Rivalling New York City, London has an impressive Theatre district. Rather than going to all the theatre websites individually, I have found TodayTix to be the most useful for finding the best deals. You’ll also want to use a seat finder review website too such as Seatplan.

I had the misfortune of spending a LOT of money on Harry Potter The Cursed Child tickets this year for two performances and having seats with an obstructed view. I bought them from the show’s official website and they were not indicated as obstructed.

In the TikTok video below, I indicate what a follower taught me about seat plan review websites and hope you watch it.

@sunny_in_london

Reply to @alexcookiecrumble Living in London – BIG MISTAKE! #londonlife #london #traveltips A Day in the Life in London @sunny_in_london @sunny_in_london

♬ Harry Potter – The Intermezzo Orchestra

London Trip Book in Advance: Day Trips

If you’re in town for enough days, you will want to consider day trips from London. The most popular ones include visiting Stonehenge, Bath, the Cotswolds, Windsor, Oxford and Cambridge.

These are some tips about visiting Stonehenge and Bath that most people don’t know.

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London Trip Book in Advance: Attractions

Chances are that you will want to visit London’s attractions at some point when you are here. There are several passes and tickets I recommend, having used them myself or for family and friends.

The London Pass is the most popular combination ticket available. The most popular attractions on the list of 80+ things to do in London included on the London Pass are:

  • The View from the Shard
  • Tower of London
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Windsor Castle (Free return train journey from London Paddington via Slough)
  • Kensington Palace and The Orangery
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • ZSL London Zoo
  • Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour & Exhibition
  • Churchill War Rooms
  • London Bridge Experience and London Tombs
  • Thames River Cruise
  • St Paul’s Cathedral

I have indicated in italics the attractions above in which you can skip the line if you have a London Pass. The London Pass is best if you plan to visit many attractions in one day that are in close proximity of each other.

An itinerary example for One Day on the London Pass is:

  • The Tower of London (£28)
  • Tower Bridge Exhibition (£10)
  • The Monument to the Great Fire of London (£5)
  • St Paul’s Cathedral (£20)

If you paid for each individual attraction, the total for one adult would b £75. However, a London Pass is £63.

So, I suggest you buy a London Pass in advance of your trip and include an Oyster Card with it if you are keen to see many attractions. Note that if you purchase more than one day, they have to be used consecutively and it starts as soon as you go to your first attraction.

Next is the London Eye combination ticket. It can give you access to:

  • The London Eye
  • Shrek’s Adventure
  • The London Dungeon
  • SEA Life London
  • Madame Tussaud’s

The first four attractions are all literally next to each other in Southbank, this ticket is worth having in advance because lines there are extremely long. I went to all four in one day and wrote a review of the experience. However, be advised these attractions are very touristy! Some people (especially Londoners) would classify them as overrated.

How to See 4 South Bank London Attractions in One Day

If you have plans to do anything Harry Potter related while you are in London, then realise that you are not a minority. Those books are big business here. I think I have been to every Harry Potter attraction in London and Oxford, including spending the night in a Harry Potter themed hotel!

London Trip Book in Advance: Harry Potter

With the opening of A Forbidden Forest at the Warner Bros Studio Harry Potter Studio Tour, an already popular London attraction became even more difficult to visit. If you’re planning on going there, it’s quite a distance from Central London, so I always suggest booking something through a tour company in advance.

For more on all things Harry Potter related, visit my Guide to Harry Potter.

London Trip Book in Advance- More Ideas

I can’t possibly cover every activity for every type of person. However, if you have less than 5 minutes, you can learn about several more in this YouTube video on the Sunny News weekly edition.

London Trip Book in Advance: Final Thoughts

If you’re planning on having a fantastic food experience while you are in London, then subscribe to the Sunny News email and be sure to follow me on TikTok. Mr Sunny and I regularly review restaurants and visit pubs so you’ll receive tons of recommendations through our daily videos.

Please leave any questions you have for your trip below. Also, if there are specific guides you would like me to publish for you, put those ideas in the comments too.

For related London Trip Planning blog posts and videos:

10 Foods You Must Eat in London

What to eat in London can almost be tougher to decide than what things to do. When I first moved here as a study abroad student, eating British cuisine wasn’t really preferred or popular.

The options for delicious food has certainly increased since then.

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Foods to Eat in London – The List

I can’t say that I would eat everything on the list. In fact, there is one thing my London born husband contributed that I will never eat. And, if you know Mr Sunny, of course it’s also a bit funny.

After you watch the video, there are two things for which I would love feedback. And- I hope to hear from both Londoners and visitors, especially Americans. They are:

Do you agree with where I say you should never eat in London? What are your thoughts about the British food I say you should never eat?

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. You can subscribe to the Sunny News email to receive information about what’s happening in London and what to do when you visit.

I also publish daily updates of where to eat in London and what’s happening here on my TikTok account, if you want really current ideas.

Christmas Differences between the UK and USA

‘Do they celebrate Christmas over there?’ My American grandmother asked me this question once during our weekly phone call.

I think what she meant was, ‘What do they do for Christmas in England?’ or rather, ‘What are the Christmas differences between the UK and USA?’

Most Americans have visions created by Charles Dickens dancing in their heads. They think Christmas celebrations in London involve Brits eating goose and hoping Jacob Marley doesn’t knock on their door.

So, just to keep things real, I asked my London born husband to explain what he thinks Americans do for Christmas. His response, “Watch silly television. Have pancakes and syrup and bacon that isn’t really bacon for breakfast. Eat dinner which is roast turkey with mashed potatoes and country gravy that’s thick like what you get at KFC and corn, like creamed corn.’

He also added, ‘Being American you probably don’t drink too much, like us English.’

Well then.

To learn more about what he means, you’ll want to watch this video on London pubs at Christmas.

Christmas Differences between the UK and USA

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Santa?

First, the Brits refer to Santa Claus as ‘Father Christmas.’ It’s a very tough thing for me to remember when I am in a conversation with my English mates. Next, they say ‘Happy Christmas’ instead of Merry Christmas.

Ok then, that’s sorted.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
On Your Mark!

I still can’t figure out when Christmas starts England. I’ve had staff members in London pubs approach me about booking a work Christmas party. They start planning for the celebrations as early as then! In October, it’s common for #Christmas to trend on Twitter in London.

Americans are notorious for excessive advertising and gluttony, but we still have an official line for the start of Christmas celebrations. Thank you, Thanksgiving.

In America, once the dinner dishes are cleared at the Thanksgiving table, it’s time to get your Christmas gear on.

That actually could mean battle gear for beating crowds at malls. Up until recently, Black Friday was only an American shopping phenomenon. It didn’t really exist in England. However, for some reason England had an onslaught of sales and super deals the day after ‘Thanksgiving’ back in 2014 which was the first year I lived here. I still can’t figure out why but now it’s become the norm.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Decorations

You’ve probably all seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Home Alone.

Most Americans decorate their houses entirely in lights and other festive ornaments. That’s not just a Hollywood portrayal.

In suburban areas of America, great rivalries take place during the holidays to see who can have the most glorious display of Christmas covering their house and yard. It can be quite a competitive atmosphere. And, then there’s some that take the decorating opportunity to raise money for charitable causes. Check out this YouTube video which features the ‘Best of Star Wars Music Christmas Lights Show’

In the suburbs of London, I rarely see houses decorated on a street. Usually 2-3 houses out of both street sides have some lights. The lights seem to be tossed haphazardly around a tree.

What are the Christmas differences between the UK and USA

However, if you travel just 20 miles outside of London, you can see Hogwarts in the Snow, which is the Warner Bros Studio Tour (AKA Harry Potter Tour) covered in Christmas decorations. It’s one of the things you would want to book ahead if you’re planning on being in London during Christmas. This video below should help give you an overview of the the most important things you need to know about London at Christmas.

There are tons of events that sell out fast. One that I highly recommend researching for any time of the year, but especially December holidays, is the Candlelight Concerts. You can read my review of their Coldplay tribute to learn more about what you experience.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Television

One of the toughest Christmas differences between the UK and USA for me is television. I just can’t seem to find Christmas specials on TV in London, except for an occasional channel offer. Movies24 runs old Hallmark Christmas movies. But, I need my claymation and old school Christmas shows on constant replay to really get in the spirit.

In America, the titles below (Christmas Classics for Kids, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Fred Claus) are each on a few times a week. I had to buy them in London because they are never on television during the holidays.

Christmas Differences Between the US and UK

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Christmas Crackers

I learned about Christmas crackers the first Christmas I spent in London. Its concept is similar to a Thanksgiving wishbone but much prettier.

A Christmas cracker is a cardboard tube which has a present inside it. The tube is wrapped in colourful, festive paper. There is a banger inside the cracker, two strips of chemically impregnated paper that react with friction so that when the cracker is pulled apart by two people, the cracker makes a bang. This causes a loud snapping noise. The person holding the larger end gets to keep the prize inside. Note- since these are ‘explosives’ you can’t put them in your suitcase. So, unless you buy them in the US, you can’t take Christmas Crackers home as souvenirs if you’re visiting from America.

These are some of my favourite themed Christmas Crackers:

Christmas- Differences Between the UK and USA:
The Pub

It is tradition to go to your ‘local’ in England on Christmas Day. The times I have been to our local pub on Christmas, it is absolutely packed. People bring their kids and dogs for a few hours to celebrate the holiday. It’s open from about 12-2pm.

What are the Christmas differences between the UK and USA

No, the kids and dogs aren’t drinking. Well, the dogs might get a few licks of beer here and there, but please don’t think the Brits are freely giving beer to their little ones. However, entire families are present and it’s joyous. The beer is also flowing pretty steady.

Christmas Differences Between the UK and USA

In this video, I show you the most iconic London Pubs to Visit at Christmas and fill you in on everything you need to know about festive drinking in London. (As if it’s any different from any other day!)

Christmas Differences Between the UK and USA

Christmas- Differences Between the UK and USA:
Boxing Day

I still don’t understand Boxing Day. Traditionally, December 26th was a day that servants received presents. Literally, they would receive boxes with presents inside from their employers.

What I do know is that since it’s a Bank Holiday, not much is open. Well, the pubs are open. Oh, and slowly there’s more and more shopping going on here on this ‘Bank Holiday.’

In America, the post-holiday sales kick off on this day.

Christmas- Similarities between the UK and USA:

Despite these differences, there are also some things that are in fact the same on both sides of the pond.
– There are major sales after Christmas. In London, they’re referred to as the ‘January sales’ and last a little bit longer than American retail sales.
– Stores play Christmas music throughout the season. In England, it seems Paul McCartney’s ‘Wonderful Christmas Time’ and George Michael’s ‘Last Christmas’ are rotated around every other song. I’ve never once heard Madonna’s ‘Santa Baby.’ I’m grateful for that.
– All those ‘happy holidays’ tend to drive some of us over the edge. Family arguments are at their peak in both the UK and USA over this stretch of time.
– Ugly sweaters/jumpers exist everywhere.
– We all like to open presents for Christmas.
– The red ‘Starbucks’ cup arrival is one of the most anticipated events of the holiday season in the UK and the USA.

I write often about Christmas Things to Do in London on my blog.

The best way to make sure you don’t miss behind the scenes news about London’s food, life, culture and events is to subscribe to the Sunny News email. If you’re planning a visit to London, the Sunny News YouTube channel has regular updates which shows you what’s happening here and gives advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London.

For example, the video below outlines what you need to know about the changes to Winter Wonderland due to the pandemic. And I publish daily updates on my TikTok account too, if you’re seeking the most current London food and events news.

If there is a specific topic or question you want covered, you can always request it in the comments section below or in a video’s comments.

things to do in london at christmas

What can you add to these Christmas differences between the UK and USA? What do you think of Mr. Sunny’s guess that there’s more drinking in England for Christmas than in America?

Things to Do in London- September

There are a few advantages to planning things to do in London during September. If you are interested in visiting attractions, they are a lot less crowded. That’s because it’s back to school season for everyone. Additionally, the temperatures are generally cooler than the summer months. And- you still have some lingering evening sunlight. Daylight tends to last until around 7pm for the month.

These factors make it a nice month to visit or plan big things to do in London. However, this year you’ll want to keep an eye on train strikes.

The summer saw quite a few days where train and bus strikes halted a lot of movement around London. Several heat waves also caused transportation problems because the tracks became too hot to allow safe travel.

Before you plan your things to do in London during September, consider the possibility of public transportation being an obstacle and have a backup plan.

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Things to Do in London – September’s Top Recommended Activities

22nd September- Operation Black Door: An Immersive Theatrical Experience. Travel back in time to World War II and become part of a government organisation. Guided by the characters you meet along the way, the historic Churchill War Rooms will be your stage for an evening of mystery solving, code-cracking and drama.

Van Gogh- The Immersive Experience– a 360° digital art exhibition

Mexican Geniuses: A Frida & Diego Immersive Experience. This is a 360° digital art exhibition that invites you to step into the incomparable universe of Frida and Diego, two of the most inspiring and revolutionary artists of the 20th century.

Pub in the Park: Join Tom Kerridge and Matt Tebbutt for the UK’s biggest celebration of food and music. 

  • 2nd-4th September. Chiswick House & Gardens
  • 9th-11th September. St Albans, Verulamium Park

Candlelight Concerts: Read my review of when Mr Sunny and I attended the Coldplay Tribute to learn more about this highly recommended thing to do in London.

  • 7th- A Tribute to Coldplay at Southwark Cathedral
  • 18th- A tribute to ABBA
  • 24th- Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
  • 24th – Mozart by Candlelight
  • 30th- The Best of Joe Hisaishi
  • 30th- Tribute to Ed Sheeran

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Things to Do in London – The Whole Month of September

Totally Thames. These are river-themed activities at various locations along the riverbank. 

Radical Imagination Exhibition at King’s Cross. This event showcases the work of seven internationally acclaimed female photographers as part of the free Outside Art Project.

Until 16th October- ‘Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts’ at the Wallace Collection. This is a collaboration with New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Arts. It displays American 20th century hand-drawn animation alongside French 18th-century art to reveal the surprising and enchanting connections between these two artistic movements.

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Things to Do in London – September Limited Dates

Concerts-O2 Arena – Andrea Bocelli  (from 30th September)

3rd-4th Big London Tattoo Show at The Excel. This is for seasoned tattoo enthusiasts, people seeking inspiration for their first tattoo and those who just want to enjoy all the vibrancy and colour of this hugely creative event.

24th August-7th September Casa Brasil in Covent Garden. Visit to discover Brazilian gastronomy, design, fashion and music.

8th-19th London Podcast Festival. This event brings the best of UK and international podcasting talent, taking place in front of a live audience.

9th- London Transport Museum- Elizabeth Line Late. This event celebrates the opening of the new high-speed railway.  

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Until 11th September- Picturing Pickwick: The Art of the Pickwick Papers at the Charles Dickens Museum

Until 11th September- Multi-coloured foam surge in the streets of Greenwich. This is part of London’s free outdoor Greenwich + Docklands International Festival

From 14th September-5th November The Crucible runs at The National Theatre 

24th September-  The Anatomy of the Orchestra at Southbank Centre. Conductor Charles Hazlewood leads this free 360-degree part installation, part performance of classical music.

14th-13th November Frieze Sculpture at Regent’s Park. See the park transformed into a massive gallery.

16th-18th Shōtengai pan-Asian Market at King’s Cross Lower Stable Street. This features a mix of stalls featuring pan-Asian homeware and food.

17th-25th London Design Festival. This features innovative design projects and large-scale installations all over the capital.

17th-25th- Chelsea History Festival. You can attend talks with world-class speakers, historians and performers.

8th-21st- Open House London. This is a capital-wide two week long festival. You can enjoy free access to buildings which are not usually open to the public. Nine London neighbourhoods are involved across all 33 boroughs of the capital.

Things to Do in London – Final Thoughts

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Sunny News email which notifies you of important information for visiting or living in London. And if you want a daily dose of what’s happening here, follow me on TikTok too.

Fever Candlelight Concert in London Review

Want a really great idea for date night? Recently, we attended a Fever Candlelight Concert in London and it’s now at the top of our things to do in London list. This experience is especially for couples that want a relaxing, high-quality event to attend in London.

Of course, if you’re visiting London and won’t be too exhausted at the end of your days touring iconic attractions, we suggest these concerts to you too.

And we’re not the only ones who had a great experience. On the afternoon we attended, I mentioned our evening plans during a TikTok livestream. Several viewers commented they had been to them and highly recommend it.

Although we were guests of the event company, we plan to purchase tickets to several upcoming candlelight concerts. I will let you know which ones below.

fever-candlelight-concert-in-london-review

Fever Candlelight Concert in London- Location and Seating

We attended the Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay at Southwark Cathedral. Originally, we had asked to go to the Hans Zimmer tribute performance. The popularity of that event and the need to coordinate everything quickly didn’t make it possible.

Our second choice was Coldplay and our third was the Avicii tribute.

The candlelight concerts take place at various locations around London. For example, you might find one at the Royal Museums in Greenwich, St Mary’s Church in Marylebone, the Freemasons’ Hall in Holborn and Central Hall Westminster.

We chose this candlelight concert because I enjoy Coldplay’s music, it matched our availability and was in the London Bridge area. If you’re not familiar with all the things to do near London Bridge, you can see highlights below.

We arrived at Southwark Cathedral 15 minutes before the concert began at 7pm. Specifically I was impressed with the event organisation. Several Fever staff members were visible at key points. They were wearing event t-shirts which easily identified them. Staff members were friendly and made sure you knew exactly where to go in Southwark Cathedral. We were literally escorted right to our seats.

We had the misfortune of visiting during a summer heatwave. While I had been hesitant to go due to these adverse weather conditions, the temperature in the Southwark Cathedral wasn’t too bad.

fever-candlelight-concert-in-london-review-southwark-cathedral

Our seats were in the second row facing the performers. The sound throughout the performance was incredible. This included each time the first violinist used the microphone to introduce or recap songs.

In terms of acoustics and how the event was operated, I can’t offer any feedback which would make it better in this review. The candles filling the steps were a beautiful foreground to the performers’ stage area.

There was an announcement about the use of mobile devices just before the evening kicked off. Audience members were asked to refrain from filming, until the last song. We would be advised when that would be later in the concert. Our audience respectfully adhered to these guidelines.

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Fever Candlelight Concert in London- Performance

City String Ensemble is the female quartet who gave our evening’s performance. It was outstanding. The performers started precisely on time with a quick introduction and immediate release of their rendition of Clocks. I’m actually replaying the music video on YouTube in the background as I write this as an attempt to relive the evening.

On our way home, Mr Sunny and I discussed how exciting it was to see the musicians so engulfed in their art during their performance. Their passion for Coldplay music showed as they tapped their feet and smiled and each other as they played.

The first violinist spoke well in front of the audience on each occasion. She told very short anecdotes about the songs or Coldplay musicians that added to the candlelight concert’s enjoyment.

About mid way through the candlelight concert in London, she shared that group formed when they attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Additionally, they are available for hire to perform at weddings.

fever-candlelight-concert-in-london-review-city-string-ensemble

To be fair, neither Mr Sunny nor I are well versed in music, aside from what we’ve heard at nightclubs or on the radio. He actually said before the concert started that he couldn’t name any Coldplay songs.

Blasphemy for an Englishman, right?

However, throughout the performance he recognised many and even said he wished the one hour performance would’ve continued for another hour.

Personally, I thought that a one hour concert in the summer was the perfect length. I loved the precision at which everything happened. And the renditions the string quartet created of the iconic band’s music was very impressive.

Fever Candlelight Concert in London- Upcoming Events

You’ll find several concerts a month in London if you visit the Candlelight Concerts in London website. Some of their upcoming performances include: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, Taylor Swift and ABBA. You’ll also find performances for Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Mozart and Moonlight Sonata and more.

Mr Sunny and I will without a doubt be at one of the upcoming Hans Zimmer tributes. We met while working at NBC News London Bureau and are very passionate about film. There’s also a John Williams’ Best Works one happening too.

Additionally, there are many Christmas concerts I will have to choose from during the holiday season.

Fever Candlelight Concert in London- Final Thoughts

Candlelight Concert tickets would also be a great Valentine’s Day, Mother’s or Father’s Day gift or even birthday celebration idea. Even if you aren’t huge live music fans (like us), you would have a hard time not being impressed by the talented musicians and well-managed event organisation.

To make sure you don’t miss any fun things to do in London, you can subscribe to the Sunny News weekly email. It includes Mr Sunny’s Pub of the Week recommendation and all the news you must know about London for the week.

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What do you think, Sunny friends? Do any of these above named tribute concerts sound exciting? Ha!Ha! I couldn’t resist closing with a pun, everyone. 🙂

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The Best Pubs in London – Camden Pub Crawl

It’s smart to start this London Pub guide about a Camden Pub Crawl with a clear warning. And that is- you can’t be an amateur. But obviously- you do need to drink responsibly too.

If you know anything about London and especially Camden Town, you know that it’s a place to party during the day and at night. It’s known for live music venues, edgy fashion, street food and living loud.

So, if you want a posh, casual drinking neighbourhood tour that includes sipping G&T’s in relaxed atmospheres, I suggest you read here.

Alright, for those still with me, let’s get this Camden Pub Crawl party started with a little history.

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Camden Pub Crawl- Dingwalls

In the early 1970’s Dingwalls Dance Hall officially opened. Unlike many pubs or bars in London it stayed open until 2am. It had a long bar and was a popular hang out for musicians. Over the years, rock stars who either visited or played there include: Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Blondie, Noel Gallagher, the Foo Fighters and Mumford & Sons.

Camden credits this venue for its rich, iconic music history and party vibe its had for decades. It’s located in Camden Market and is adjacent to Camden Lock.

Camden Pub Crawl- Edinboro Castle

On this pub crawl, we’ll begin at Edinboro Castle. It’s where we started our 8 pubs in Camden tour in this YouTube video. So, if you want to see these Camden Pub interiors- it would be worth three minutes of your time.

Edinboro Castle on 57 Mornington Terrace, which is a short walk from Camden Town Underground Station. This Camden pub is very dog friendly. The day we visited there was a basket of dog treats on the counter. However, it is most famous for its ginormous beer garden. I featured that on my Sunny in London TikTok account. If you want daily tips about London life and pubs- give me a follow there.

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Camden Pub Crawl- Dublin Castle

Located on 94 Parkway, The Dublin Castle is the Winner of Best Live Music Venue 2019 at the Camden Inspire Awards. For 28 years the same family has ran the pub. It has 4 live bands every night and a great selection of beers, ciders and wines.

Its claim to fame is that it is the birth of Madness, an English ska band. Additionally, bands such as Blur, Coldplay, The Killers and The Arctic Monkeys have stepped on its stage. Back in the day, you might have caught Amy Winehouse behind the bar serving drinks.

Aside from all the memorabilia inside, you’ll also notice the red walls. They credit them as ‘grimy, sticky and beer-soaked’ and not changing in years.

See, I told you this wasn’t a London pub crawl for a novice!

Camden Pub Crawl- The Lock Tavern

Moving on to 35 Chalk Farm Road, you’ll find The Lock Tavern. This Camden pub would be a great place to stop for food. It feels it has the best burgers in Camden. You’ll want to try the beef burger with bacon or their famous vegan black bean and mushroom burger.

Another highlight of this Camden pub includes a heated beer garden with a fire pit and a suntrap roof terrace. It also has a design which allows private parties.

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Camden Pub Crawl- The Hawley Arms

You can’t have a Camden Pub Crawl without mentioning the most iconic local of them all- The Hawley Arms. Yes, it was where Amy Winehouse drank. A LOT.

When you go you will find a mix of passionate locals and tourists who want to pay their tribute to Amy by having a drink in her favourite local Camden pub. It’s located on 2 Castlehaven Road.

It’s a very spacious pub with two floors and a nice beer garden. Like the above mentioned Camden pubs, The Hawley Arms is keen to continue the music tradition held by so many of this London neighbourhood’s pubs.

Camden Pub Crawl- The Elephant’s Head

This Camden pub has a diverse offer, starting with a full English breakfast and light bites Monday-Friday until 10pm. It’s right on Camden’s High Street too.

It’s an authentic Victorian London pub and dates back to 1832. The Elephant’s Head was once part of the famous Camden Town Brewery who brewed ‘Elephant Ale’ in the 1800’s.

Again, the local spirit is strong in this Camden pub. Every night of the week there is a DJ spinning classic vinyl. And if you’re there on a Wednesday, you might jump on the stage yourself for an Open Mic session.

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Camden Pub Crawl- The Oxford Arms

Just across the street, you’ll find The Oxford Arms at 265 Camden High Street. It’s another Camden pub that dates back to Victorian times. However, aside from offering traditional pub food, The Oxford Arms also has comedy events.

The staff is very friendly too!

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Camden Pub Crawl- The Bucks Head

A few steps away at 202 Camden High Street is this lovely pub. It’s part of the Stonegate Group, which also owns Slug & Lettuce, Pop World, City Taverns and more.

I can’t imagine you’d be doing any work on this Camden pub crawl. But if you wanted to come back, The Bucks Head has a ‘work from the pub’ experience which includes bottomless hot drinks, bottomless soft drinks, WiFi and unlimited use of their plug sockets for just £12.50.

And, their gin stash is pretty impressive too. You’ll want to visit their website to see if they’re running any special offers. Previously, they had a gin lab which let you mix and match three gins with three mixers right at your table.

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Camden Pub Crawl- The World’s End

If you’ve made it this far, you deserve a proper send off. Just across from the Camden Town Underground is The World’s End at 174 Camden High Street.

And this Camden pub is BIG, Sunny friends. It has 2 bars and a mezzanine balcony with seating. It has the capacity for 1,000 and the Underworld venue beneath it can hold 500.

Not only does it have a banging music venue history, but it has the best barbecue smoked meat which uses their own smoker.

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Camden Pub Crawl- Final Thoughts

Phew! That’s just a collection of what we feel are the best Camden pubs to visit on a pub crawl. My husband was born in London and I have lived here as an American for nearly 10 years. We visit London pubs regularly and write about them here.

If you’re planning a trip to London or live here and want a weekly update of things to do in London, subscribe to our Sunny News email. It also has Mr Sunny’s Pub of the Week recommendation!

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Did we miss your favourite Camden pub in this guide? If so, please add your ideas in the comments. We’d also love to answer any questions you have about London pubs or planning a trip here too.

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Things to Do in London Bridge Area

If you’re looking for things to do in London, starting in the London Bridge area is smart. This is because there so many iconic things to do and see within walking distance of London Bridge. Also, there are great transport links not only to other areas of London but also to cities that offer fantastic day trips.

However, let’s be clear that you need to know the difference between Tower Bridge and London Bridge. The first is far more iconic. London Bridge is not photogenic at all!

In the photo below, you can see Tower Bridge. For this article on Things to Do in London Bridge, everything I will communicate is to the right of Tower Bridge and down the photo (or South side of the Thames). London Bridge would be the next bridge in London, if it had made it in to the bottom borders of this shot I took at the View from the Shard.

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Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Naturally, we’ll start with visiting the Tower of London, which is the attraction I always say is THE one not to miss when you’re visiting London. You will want to allocate a half day to this experience. I’ve written advice about it separately and will link all relevant articles from Sunny in London below.

It’s an attraction that is part of the London Pass, which can be beneficial if you plan your daily activities by order of the neighbourhood you are visiting.

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I’ve included Tower of London here because if you are staying in the London Bridge area, or South of the River Thames, you should walk to the Tower of London. Taking public transport or a cab might actually be more time consuming than walking.

Also, after you spend a few hours at this historic attraction, you might want to visit Tower Bridge. Yes, it’s more than just a bridge to walk across and take selfies around. For a relatively cheap price, you can tour the engine rooms and talk pictures on the glass walkway.

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Things to Do in London Bridge Area- ‘City Hall’

Just near Tower Bridge is the building formerly known as City Hall. Previous London mayors have referred to it in silly, derogatory ways. The nicest name I can include here is when Boris Johnson called it ‘The Onion.’

In the end of 2021, Mayor Sadiq Khan relocated the office to Royal Victoria Docks in East London. His reasons were he felt he could save over £55 million in rent over the course of five years.

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Right around this building is where you will find the best Christmas market in London. Again, you can find more on that if you are planning to visit London during Christmas in the articles suggested at the end. You can also see a lot of this, if you prefer to watch rather than read, in the Things to Do in London Bridge YouTube video below.

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Boat Tours

Boat Tours are a great way to get around London and to see many iconic buildings quickly in the open air. While there is no dock specifically for London Bridge on tours like those offered by City Cruises, you are very close to two docks. You could get a boat from Tower Pier or take a short walk the other direction on the South side of the River to London Eye Pier. Heading to the Greenwich area of London from either of these makes for a very enjoyable second part of your day.

Greenwich is great for those who have nautical interests. However, you can also tour the HMS Belfast right near London Bridge if you don’t want to leave this general area and save time. It is a Second World War Ship.

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Additionally, there is a replica of The Golden Hinde that would be a fast, fun thing to do in London. It’s also part of the London Pass and doesn’t take long to enjoy. The fact that it’s right next to The Old Thameside Inn pub is pretty nice too!

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Things to Do in London Bridge Area- View from the Shard

Aside from a helicopter ride over London, The View from the Shard offers the highest views of London. Although, this also means it is one of the highest priced things to do in London Bridge area. Actually, it might be the highest costing tourist attraction in town.

Initially when I moved to London as an American 10 years ago, I thought this was a fantastic experience. Now that I have been able to visit nearly every London attraction, I’ve discovered others I recommend first. The View from the Shard is quite posh. The building has some of London’s best restaurants and bars. The hotel inside it The Shangri-La is certainly one of the best if you want to really splurge for a special occasion.

However, if you are on a budget when you travel to London, you could hit the Sky Garden instead for free. It has nearly as amazing views but it is in the City of London. You can see the Sky Garden in the image below taken from the View from the Shard. It’s the big white building and the observation deck can be seen at the top.

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View from The View from the Shard

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Other Activities

I’ve never been to the London Bridge Experience. It’s an interactive walk through experience with live actors that play characters from the past 2000 years of London Bridge. As someone who grew up in Florida and worked at Universal Studios Florida, I am naturally more critical of attractions like this. Given Walt Disney World and the theme park where I worked set the global standard for experiences like this, I am not a good judge of whether or not this one would be fun. The few attractions like this that I have visited in London have been really disappointing.

However, in terms of setting global standards for literature and drama, you can’t disagree with a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe. This is probably considered more the Bankside area of London, rather than London Bridge. But, it is a short walk and would be silly to use public transportation to get there if you were at London Bridge. You can tour this attraction and attend performances.

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Practically adjacent to Shakespeare’s Globe is Tate Modern. I have visited here once or twice. But without being trained in modern art or having a natural interest, it’s not a place I gravitate toward visiting in London regularly. However, a big tip I will give you about going to Tate Modern is to make sure you take time to visit the observation areas on the top floor. Again, the views of London are fantastic. It’s also free because most museums in London do not charge for admission.

Another highlight of the area is Southwark Cathedral. Not only can you attend mass at this Christian church but also you can explore it. Because it plays an active role in the community, it would be best to check in advance of whether or not it is restricted due to a service or event taking place.

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Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Hay’s Galleria

Unlike an American ‘galleria’, the Hay’s Galleria is not a ginormous shopping mall with numerous floors and a hundred stores. But it’s a really nice place to walk through and maybe have something to eat at one of the cafes or restaurants.

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In 1987 it was redesigned and modelled on Milan’s Galleria on the Piazza del Duomo. The shopping arcade has a Victorian style glass roof. It has a bronze moving sculpture with the face of a man and body of an industrial-age ship named The Navigators. During Christmas it also has a beautiful Christmas tree.

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Final Thoughts

You could easily spend several days on these things to do in London Bridge, if you had that kind of time during one trip to London. Not mentioned in any detail in this article is the fact that there are tons of places to eat in the London Bridge area. Perhaps the most popular are Borough Market and Vinegar Yard. I will publish another YouTube video soon just on pubs and places to eat in this area.

To make sure you don’t miss any updates about London, you can subscribe to the Sunny News weekly email. It features Mr. Sunny’s Pub of the Week and all the latest happenings around town that you must know.

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What questions do you have about these things to do in London? Have you already been to any of these attractions or experiences and can offer advice to those visiting London?

Things to Do in London Bridge Area- Related Articles

Things to Do in London – August

Finding things to do in London during the month of August each year is never a challenge. There are tons of annual activities around London that last the whole month. Additionally, there are always special events that celebrate unique activities happening in the different neighbourhoods.

Whether you are interested in things to do that are foodie, music or art related, there are endless options to keep you busy. And since it’s generally a warm, sunny month when most people use their annual leave to soak up the rays, there are tons of outdoor festivals scheduled too.

Below I’ll show you highlights of the popular things to do and give you a tip on what not to miss for the future.

Things to Do in London – August Hot Tickets

This year the item that is already sold out for the month is the Jurassic World exhibition at ExCel London. It’s an immersive experience which brings you face to face with life-size dinosaurs. You would have the chance to walk through the world-famous Jurassic World gates and see the film franchise brought to life. It’s for ages 16+. If this interests you, there are limited availability tickets in September. As of this publication, October and November have good availability.

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Things to Do in London – August All Month

  • Surrealism Beyond Borders at Tate Modern- ends 29th August. Here you can discover how surrealism has inspired and united artists around the world.
  • BBC Proms- ends 10th September. It’s the annual celebration of classical music at Royal Albert Hall. This year it will include the newly formed Ukranian Freedom Orchestra.
  • Superbloom- ends 18th September. Through an additional entry fee with your Tower of London ticket you take a walk through what was previously the moat surrounding this iconic London landmark. Now, the moat is transformed into a sea of flowers to celebrate the Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
  • Windsor Castle- The Queen’s Coronation exhibition ends 26th September. Included in your admission to Windsor Castle is the opportunity to see the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate worn by The Queen that day. 
  • Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre- ends 28th August. See the all-singing adaptation of the kids’ novel (and famous Disney cartoon) 101 Dalmations.
  • Somerset House ‘This Bright Land’- ends 29th August. The courtyard will be transformed into a winter wonderland open to all. There will be day and night performances, music, dance, talks, workshops and more. 
    • Wonder Garden Clubhouse & Pop-ups are stunning sensory experiences for both mind and body from world-leading beauty and wellness brands like Jo Malone, MAC Cosmetics, Aveda, Origins and Bobbi Brown.
    • Friday Night Parties will be held on 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th.
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Things to Do in London – August Candlelight Concerts

Held at various locations around London, these concerts feature live artists illuminated by candlelight at London’s most iconic venues.

  • A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral until 25 August
  • A Candlelight Tribute to Avicii – 14 August
  • A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac – 16 August
  • Hans Zimmer’s Best Works at Central Hall Westminster – 27 August

Additional Concerts:

  • O2 Arena- Christina Aguilera (5th August)
  • Wembley Stadium – Coldplay (12th-20th August)

Things to Do in London – Afternoon Tea Week

  • Held the second week of August (8-12th) each year, Afternoon Tea week celebrates the tradition of Afternoon Tea. You’ll find many locations will offer a special, such as a free glass of champagne, to accompany their delicious sweet and savoury treats.
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Things to Do in London – August Limited Dates

  • Canary Wharf’s Summer Lights festival- ends 20th August. Launching on the Summer Solstice, these installations are designed specifically to celebrate the long hours of natural light available on summer days in London. It has 11 new installations, as well as 6 permanent pieces, plus an exhibition of hand-blown glass in the Lobby of One Canada Square.
  • Carnaby Summer Festival- from 8th-21st August. Visit this area of London to experience tons of free activities. Included in the festival are free workshops such as pottery, painting, candle making, and life drawing. There will also be tons of giveaways from Carnaby shops and restaurants.
  • King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard- from 10th-21st August. This will be a free music festival with world famous performers. There will be live concerts every evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and ‘Family Sundays’ from 1pm-6pm.
  • London Craft Beer Festival in Tobacco Dock- 12th-13th August. Enjoy 100 craft breweries, including 25 US beer makers.
  • Covent Garden Ice Cream Festival – 19th August-4th September
  • Field Day- 20th August. This is a music festival at Victoria Park. It will be led by The Chemical Brothers, Kraftwerk 3D and Peggy Gou. It lasts from Midday-11pm.
  • Greenwich+Docklands International Festival- 26th August-11 September. London’s leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts. It’s organised by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to celebrate cultural vibrancy. 
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Things to Do in London – August Bank Holiday Weekend (27th-29th)

  • Notting Hill, West London – After a two year hiatus due to Covid 19, Europe’s Biggest Street Festival returns and will have an estimated 2.5 million attendees.
  • Hampton Court Palace Food Festival – features street food, pop-up bars, boutique drinks, artisan producers, drinks masterclasses, pop-up ProCook Cookery School, circus skills, fete games, face painting, music and shopping.

Things to Do in London – August COMING SOON

On 27th July Winter Wonderland email subscribers can purchase tickets for this year’s festivities. The Christmas themed amusement park will open on 18th November and run until 2nd January 2023.

To make sure you don’t miss any future monthly updates about Things to Do in London, be sure to subscribe to the Sunny News weekly email which is sent every Sunday. And watch for daily updates about things happening in London on my TikTok.

ROYAL Things to Do in London

If you want to experience a slice of what it’s like to be a Queen, there are many royal things to do in London and the surrounding area. I’ve lived as an American in London for nearly 10 years and also have UK citizenship.

Through my experiences as a London blogger and YouTuber with my London born husband, I have visited all of London’s top attractions. There are quite a few that qualify for royal things to do. If you’re a fan of the Queen, you won’t want to miss them if you’re visiting London.

Royal Things to Do in London- Visit a Palace

Foremost, there are far too many royal things to do in London for one trip. You might want to choose which ones to visit based on your hotel’s location, other planned activities or historic interest.

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Buckingham Palace

It’s probably the most recognisable palaces in the world. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms and is one of the few working palaces remaining in the world. However, most people just see it from outside the gates. During the summer months you can tour 19 State Rooms, if you pre-book tickets via the Royal Collection Trust website.

While you are there, you could also watch the Changing of the Guard. It takes place at 10.45am and generally lasts around 45 minutes. This event doesn’t happen every day, so plan on checking times and possibilities before you plan on seeing popular London attraction.

Kensington Palace

This is the home to young royals and has been for over 300 years. Kensington Palace is the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children. Additionally, it is the birthplace of Queen Victoria.

Regarding royal things to do in London, if you’re a fan of the Victorian era or Princess Diana, this is somewhere you must visit. It frequently has exhibitions devoted to these two individuals and generally isn’t too crowded. You might want to designate 2 hours for this experience.

The Kensington Palace Pavilion is the only place in London where you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the grounds of a royal palace. The Orangery Restaurant is the perfect location for an elegant lunch or an indulgent afternoon tea. It’s next to Kensington Palace in the Kensington Gardens. Queen Anne used it for entertaining and held parties in the Orangery.

If you’d like to see everything I am outlining, I have made a YouTube video for you.

Hampton Court Palace

This is going to be a day trip, if you are planning to visit. Hampton Court Palace is about 12 miles south west of central London on the River Thames. It’s in the borough of Richmond Upon Thames, which is truly beautiful.

If you’re a fan of the Tudor period in English history, this is well worth your time. Its focus is on the public drama and private lives of Henry VIII and ‘company’. If you look in to Hampton Court Palace, you’ll see it frequently has festivals and events happening on the grounds.

Things to do there include garden history tours and artisan food festivals. You may even find a cookery and roasting event that shares what life was like working in King Henry VIII’s kitchens in the 16th century.

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HM Tower of London

Whether you like tourist traps, history or just want to have the most British experience in London- I always suggest as the top thing to do in London on your first visit is a trip to the Tower of London.

It’s an iconic castle, secure fortress, royal palace and infamous prison. I’ve been there several times and the best advice I can give you about visiting is to go when the weather is sunny. Most of the experience takes place outside. As part of your admission you can see the Crown Jewels and take a tour with an iconic Beefeater. They are humorous, informative and something you wouldn’t want to miss while at the Tower of London.

Additionally, like most attractions in London, you will want to arrive very early in the day because it does become quite crowded. It’s probably the most popular royal thing to do in London.

For more about what to plan around a day there, you’ll want to read this advice on Things to Do Near the Tower of London.

Trooping the Colour

This royal thing to do in London marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign and has done this for over 260 years. To Americans, I would explain it as a military parade. It starts around Buckingham Palace and heads down The Mall. Members of the Royal Family are included either on horseback or in carriages.

In America, you see the country’s flag outside houses on cars, etc frequently. However, the Union Jack seems to only fly or be waved on ceremonious occasions like that of Trooping the Colour. It’s not to be confused with Saint George’s Cross, which is specifically for England.

Visit the Royal Mews

If you would like to dress up as a royal footman and learn how to harness a horse- you can do this at the Royal Mews stables. It’s responsible for all the road travel arrangements for The Queen and members of the Royal Family.

The Royal Mews are home to historic royal carriages and one of the finest working stables in existence.

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Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

This is a one off event in London for 2022. It’s dedicated to celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years of service. It also includes an extra Bank Holiday as part of the noteworthy events. It’s unlikely that day will be added to future calendars. The outline of events are below.

Thursday 2nd June

The Queen’s birthday parade (Trooping the Colour) will feature 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. It will close with a Royal Air Force fly past which the members of the Royal family will watch from the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Friday 3rd June

There is a service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Saturday 4th June

Her Majesty the Queen and her family will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs. There will be a Platinum Party at the Palace and a BBC special live concert. Tickets are available through a ballot.

Sunday 5th June

This will be Platinum Jubilee Pageant and the Big Lunch. It encourages communities to get together. It’s designed to help people feel less lonely. It’s basically organised street parties in neighbourhoods. For example, most local streets could have sections which are closed that day and devoted to people assembling together to celebrate the national event.

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Windsor Castle

This is what the Queen has fondly referred to as her ‘weekend home’ since she considers Buckingham Palace her office. The castle was originally built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror. It’s generally the Queen’s main residence. Windsor Castle is located in Berkshire- outside of London. Visiting here is a day trip outside of London. You may even wish to stay over night.

In 1992 there was a fire that destroyed 115 rooms which was devastating for Her Majesty. This royal thing to do in London is especially beautiful during the Christmas season. You’ll want to book those tickets as early as possible, if it’s one of your priorities.

The people I know who live in Windsor feel that the Changing of the Guard experience in Windsor far surpasses that of the Buckingham Palace. It’s generally on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. However, I’ve been there on a Saturday when it was canceled that morning, so consider this if you’re making a special trip there just to see it.

Windsor is my favourite day trip from London. You’ll find these helpful if you want to visit: Where to Stay Near Windsor Castle at Christmas, Tips for Visiting Windsor Castle, Windsor Castle MacDonald Hotel Review.

Westminster Abbey

This has been the coronation church since 1066 and is the final resting place for kings, queens, poets, musicians, scientists and even politicians. You can easily pair it with a trip to Buckingham Palace, since they are very close together.

It’s held 16 royal weddings, including William and Kate’s ceremony.

Afternoon Tea

It’s well known in England that the Queen has afternoon tea daily. While there are countless locations around London where you can have it, the Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea is regarded as the most royal.

Fortnum & Mason has a long and close relationship with the royal family. It holds two royal warrants. A Royal Warrant of Appointment is granted as a mark of recognition to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services to HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh or HRH The Prince of Wales or their Households. The Monarch decides who may grant Royal Warrants. 

Therefore, if you want to shop or eat like a royal, Fortnum and Mason is the place to be, especially for afternoon tea.

G&T

Most British people also know the Queen likes a good drink. It’s said that she really fancies a nice G&T- like most people here. Her cocktail recipe is alleged to be two parts Dubonnet to one part gin, with a slice of lemon and lots of ice.

So, if visiting London isn’t on your horizon this year, you can always chill with the latest season of The Crown on Netflix while sipping your favourite gin and tonic.

Final Thoughts:

If you’ve done other Royal Things to Do in London and can share advice on those experiences with everyone, please put them in the comments. And for more help planning a London trip, I’ve included some popular articles and videos I’ve created below.

If you want regular updates, subscribe to the Sunny News email. Each week you’ll receive Mr Sunny’s Pub of the Week suggestions, plus current information on what’s happening in London. I publish several daily updates on TikTok too.

More London Advice:

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THE ESSENTIAL 1st TIME GUIDE TO LONDON

Sunny in London Guide

HARRY POTTER

Harry Potter Sunny in London

PUBS IN LONDON

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