Things to do
Things to do in the City of London.
The best of the Square Mile and the river beside it: what's free, what's worth a ticket, and how to book.
Free, no ticket neededThe big sightsThe Tower of London, done properlyOn the riverWalking tours of the Square MileFood, pubs and evenings
Free, no ticket needed
Some of the City's best things cost nothing. No affiliate links here.
- Sky GardenFree gardens and views at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street. Free tickets are released online; book ahead.
- Guildhall Art Gallery and the Roman amphitheatreFree entry. The remains of London's Roman amphitheatre lie under the gallery.
- London MithraeumA Roman temple to Mithras, rebuilt beneath Bloomberg's building on Walbrook. Free.
- Leadenhall MarketThe painted Victorian market hall, free to wander.
- Free views over the CityOur five free viewpoints.
- London StoneThe mysterious stone on Cannon Street, and its story.
The big sights
The City's headline tickets. Booking ahead saves queuing at the gate.
- #adTower of London and Crown Jewels ticketThe Crown Jewels, the White Tower and a Yeoman Warder tour.
- #adSt Paul's Cathedral entry ticketWren's cathedral, the crypt and the climb to the dome galleries.
- #adTower Bridge entry ticketThe high-level glass walkways and the Victorian engine rooms.
The Tower of London, done properly
Three ways to do the Tower, from a standard ticket to the first hour of the day.
- #adTower of London guided tour with a BeefeaterA guided tour with a Yeoman Warder, the Tower's own storytellers.
- #adTower of London early guided tour, Crown Jewels and opening ceremonyIn before the gates open to the public: the opening ceremony and the Crown Jewels before the queues.
- #adTower of London early access with a Beefeater and the Crown JewelsEarly access with a Beefeater, another way to beat the crowds.
On the river
The Thames is the City's southern edge. Boats stop at Tower Pier, by the Tower of London.
- #ad24-hour hop-on hop-off City Cruises passHop on and off City Cruises boats for 24 hours.
- #adThames cruise: Westminster to Greenwich (via Tower Pier)A sightseeing cruise from Westminster down to Greenwich.
- #adUber Boat by Thames Clippers 2-day hop-on hop-off passTwo days of hop-on, hop-off travel on the Uber Boat commuter service.
- #adAfternoon tea cruise on the ThamesAfternoon tea on the water while the skyline goes past.
- #adThames dinner cruise with a three-course mealA three-course dinner cruise on the Thames in the evening.
- #adThames Rockets speedboat rideA fast, loud speedboat ride on the Thames.
- #adCutty Sark entry ticketTaking the boat to Greenwich? The tea clipper is a short walk from the pier.
Walking tours of the Square Mile
Small-group walks with a guide: Roman London, the Great Fire, money and modern towers.
- #adLondon's Old Town: Romans, Riots and Royals walking tourStarts at Tower Hill: the Roman wall, Aldgate and Leadenhall Market.
- #adGreat Fire and Blitz walking tourStarts at St Paul's Churchyard: 1666 and 1940 to 1941, street by street.
- #adEmpire, Trade, Finance and Hidden History walking tourTrade, money and the hidden history of the City.
- #adBrutalist and High-tech architecture walking tourLed by an architect, from the Barbican to the high-tech towers.
- #adCity of London historical walking tourFrom Roman Londinium to the story behind the City's dragon.
Food, pubs and evenings
Eat and drink your way round the City and Borough.
- #adBorough Market and Leadenhall Market food tour with wineBorough Market and Leadenhall Market, with wine.
- #adLondon Bridge and Borough Market food tourTastings round London Bridge and Borough Market.
- #adSmall-group tour of London's historic pubsA small-group walk round some of London's oldest pubs.
- #adJack the Ripper walking tourAn evening walk just over the City's eastern edge, into Whitechapel.