Welcome to London
One of the world's most historical cities, London has something for everyone: from arts and culture to fine foods and entertainment.
YHA offers accommodation in the city centre, including in Oxford Street and Earl's Court, so there's a great selection of cheap hostels in London if you want to stay somewhere central. If you'd prefer to stay outside of the city centre, or are looking for an activity break, London Lee Valley offers fantastic accommodation set in thousands of acres of tranquil country parkland - and all just a 25-minute train journey from the centre of London!
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Things to do in London
Five free things to do in London
Richmond Park
You’ll be sharing 2,500 acres with two herds of red and fallow deer. Don’t miss the Isabella Plantation – beautiful at any time of year, exceptional in the spring when the azaleas are in flower.
London Southbank Centre
This welcoming space on the Thames regularly holds free concerts, dance performances and arts oriented fun.
Maritime Greenwich
Visit the Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum and The Queen’s House – all free. Explore the maritime history of Britain, navigational and astronomical discoveries, and seafaring deeds that led to the voyages of discovery.
British Library
The UK’s national library and home to unique exhibition galleries. Many exhibitions are free though some do incur an entrance fee.
Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon
The history of aviation from the earliest balloon flights to the latest “Eurofighter.” The museum has special events throughout the year.
There's nowhere in the world quite like London
There's nowhere quite like London - whether you're checking out the kooky fashions at Camden Market, taking in performances at the London Southbank Centre or wandering the vast green expanse of Richmond Park, there's always something new to do.
The UK capital is constantly evolving, and while some of the attractions may be pricey, YHA's wide selection of cheap London hostels means you don't have to splash out on accommodation, leaving you with more cash to spend doing the things you really want to.
It's hard to know where to start when talking about the things you can do on a city break in London, but there really is something for everyone. First-time visitors may want to do some sightseeing, taking in famous landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge, or spend time exploring the city's vast wealth of museums and art galleries, many of which are free to visit.
Alternatively, you may want to live it up in the trendy clubs and bars of Soho and Shoreditch, get a bite to eat in a bohemian Camden café or take in a West End musical - it's all there for the taking!
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2-hour London private city tour
Explore the best bits of London but are on a time limit? Take the London highlights tour offered by Sandemans.
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3-hour London Private City Tour
Explore the major landmarks of London with your very own private tour.
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Alcotraz – London's speakeasy cocktail bar prison experience
Alcotraz Cell Block Two One Two promises to be one of the most unique cocktail bars in London. Once convicted, inmates are taken into an exciting world of mischief as they are instructed by a notor
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ASICS London 10k
The ASICS London 10k (formerly the British 10k) spans across the countries capital. You'll pass notable landmarks like the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
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British Museum Small Group Tour
This 2-hour semi-private tour (8 people max per group) through the British Museum covers all the highlights of the museum including the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marbles, the Easter Island statues
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Buckingham Palace
Steeped in history, Buckingham Palace is a must see for any visitor.
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Camley Street Natural Park
London Wildlife Trust’s flagship reserve, it hosts pond-dipping and nature-watching sessions for children and its wood-cabin visitor centre is used by the Wildlife Watch Club.
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Cycling in London
Santander Cycles (more commonly known among the locals as Boris Bikes!) is a public bicycle hire scheme in London.
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Free tour of London
No other tour covers so many major London landmarks! Have your cameras at the ready as we walk past Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and stroll past Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace.
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Gasholder No8 at King's Cross
The iconic guideframe of Gasholder No 8 frames the new park at King's Cross.
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Hampton Court Palace
Have a royally good time at this stunning location - its amazing history and luxurious rooms will make you feel like a king or queen! Don't miss the gardens and maze outside.
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Herts Young Mariners Base
Herts young Mariners Base is an outdoor activity centre next door to YHA London Lee Valley.
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Lee Valley Park
A hidden gem just waiting to be discovered! Great for sports, heritage sites, country parks, farms and nature reserves. The Lee Valley Park stretches 26 miles, right from the heart of East
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Little Chelsea
This vibrant shopping quarter has all the vibe of its namesake. You'll find over 50 indie retailers for fab vintage finds, along with restaurants and cafes to relax in.
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London Dungeon
1000 years of London's gory history, 11 actor led shows and two scary rides make for a chilling experience and a great day out.
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London Eye
135 meters tall, the London Eye's sleek, modern, totally see through glass pods offer an unrivalled 360-degree view of London and beyond.
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London Grim Reaper tour
This 2-hour walking tour begins in the 1400s, a time long before London had an official police force and when tyrants ruled and preyed on the weak.
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London Harry Potter Tour
This 2-hour walking tour covers all of London’s major Harry Potter sites, including the Ministry of Magic, the Leaky Cauldron, scenes from the films and much more!
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London Marathon
The Virgin Money London Marathon is the largest annual fundraising event on the planet. 26.2 miles is the distance our runners are going for young lives. We’d love to have you on our team.
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London Old City walking tour
Learn about the original London, a mere one square mile beside the river Thames.
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London pub crawl
Enjoy a great night out in London with the SANDEMANs Pub Crawl! London has long been home to legendary parties and we’ve got you sorted with some of the best spots in town!
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London Street Art Tour
On this two and a half hour walking tour, your local guide will take you further into East London to discover street art, anti-gentrification movements, Cockney culture and more!
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London Zoo
London Zoo is home to 750 species of animals including lions and lizards, monkeys and meerkats, birds and butterflies.
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Madame Tussauds
Rub shoulders with Lady Gaga and the Beckhams, have your photo taken with the Usain Bolt or scream in the Chamber of Horrors.
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Royal Parks Half Marathon
This stunning central London Half Marathon, takes in some of the capital's world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London's eight Royal Parks - Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James's Park a
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SEA LIFE London Aquarium
The Sea Life London Aquarium hosts 1000s of sea creatures in over two million litres of water! Watch sharks swim beneath you, diving displays and interactive feeding.
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Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition
Explore the life of Shakespeare, the London where he lived and the theatre for which he wrote. Don't miss the sword-fighting display!
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St Paul's Cathedral
The world-famous dome of St Paul's Cathedral is an iconic feature of the London skyline. Step inside and enjoy the cathedral's awe-inspiring interior.
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The British Museum
The British Museum houses a vast collection of artefacts and treasures, many of them acquired as the British Empire grew.
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The Harry Potter Shop & Platform 9 3/4
Still waiting for your Hogwarts letter? Don’t worry, you can experience the next best thing at King’s Cross station.
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The Houses of Parliament
Guy Fawkes once tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and, whilst you won't find any gunpowder there anymore, it is still home to the UK government and some often explosive discussions between the
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The Original London Sightseeing Bus Tour
This bus tour takes in all of the capital’s famous sights and also includes an exciting riverboat cruise on the River Thames.
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Tower Bridge Exhibition
Enjoy stunning views of London from the high level walkways of Tower Bridge and discover the beautiful River Thames in the Source to Sea exhibition.
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Vertical Chill
Vertical Chill is a unique climbing centre where the wall is housed inside a refrigerated unit and is named the Ice Wall, giving you a taste of real ice climbing indoors.
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Walking and Rambling in London
If you're planning on staying at one of our London hostels, why not download a free map and get out exploring?
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Walking in London
Stride out on foot to discover this beautiful, vibrant city.
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Watersports in London
Join us every Thursday morning for some super high speed sightseeing on the Thames! For thrills, spills and high speed, there's only one way to see London from the water - the Thames Jet!
View some of our popular London blog posts
10 of the best places to walk in London
Whilst London is famous for its busy streets and energetic buzz, hidden within the city are beautiful gardens and parks where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life for a breath of fresh air...
Art galleries and museums to visit in London
London is a magical city filled with great food, festivals and of course art and culture. London has some of the finest art galleries and museums in the world and these five are just scratching the surface of what you can find in England’s capital...
Great places off the beaten track in London
Looking for things do in London off the beaten track? Getting the most out of England’s capital, means not only enjoying Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Tate Modern, St Paul’s Cathedral, but also some hidden gems...