hero media

A wanderer’s guide to the top things to do in London

Quentin Long Quentin Long

No matter what your passion or interest, you can not only indulge it, but usually find the world’s best at it in London. 

 

Museums

Victoria & Albert Museum

Cromwell Rd, South Kensington SW7
Underground: South Kensington

The ‘attic of Britain’, the V&A’s permanent collection is home to a great collection of unexpected and quirky gems that only a colonial power could amass.
The temporary exhibitions are always surprising and worth it.

British Museum

Great Russel St, WC1
Underground: Tottenham Court Rd / Russel Square

When you conquer and run the world you tend to collect a few keepsakes from your efforts, and the British Musuem is where the best of these spoils of colonial conquests are kept.
In short, it is the greatest collection of antiquities in the world, though some are fairly controversial. From the Egyptians to the Greeks (and those troublesome Elgin Marbles) the museum is an ancient historian’s nirvana.
Lord Foster’s dome over the atrium is pretty impressive, too.

Churchill War Rooms

King Charles St, Westminster SW1
Underground: Westminster / Charing Cross

A great insight into both the man and how the war was run (if not won).
In the secret underground bunker you can visit the war cabinet rooms, the transatlantic telephone room and kitchens.

More London museums…

 

Historical Buildings and Palaces

St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Churchyard EC4
Underground: St Paul’s

The monolithic Sir Christopher Wren-designed structure really does tower over the city, so much so that St Paul’s and Big Ben are probably the most iconic buildings across the kingdoms supposedly united.
Famous burials include Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and Duke of Wellington and, of course, Lady Di married Charles at St Paul’s as well.
Guided tours and climbing to the top of the dome are a highlight.

Houses of Parliament

Parliament Square, Westminster SW1
Underground: Westminster

For anyone who lives in a democracy, a tour of the Houses of Parliament is going to be worthwhile. The House of Lords and Commons, plus the 1000 plus rooms – you obviously don’t see them all, as well as plenty of secret gardens and towers. The guided tours are worth it – even backpackers have been known to enjoy them.

More of London’s historical buildings…

 

Shopping

Selfridge’s

400 Oxford St, W1
Underground: Bond St

A more wallet-friendly and contemporary department store on Oxford St, Selfridge’s range starts at reasonable prices (vs Harvey Nicks and Harrods).
You will find everything from the conservative to ultra high fashion and, while the food hall doesn’t quite rival Harrods, drop into Selfridge’s when needing some sustenance and this little-known secret: it serves the best salt beef sandwich in London.

Portobello Road Markets

Portobello Road, Notting Hill , W11
Underground: Notting Hill Gate

The world’s largest antique market has food and fashion, too.

Hamleys

188-196 Regent St, W1
Underground: Oxford Circus

A real-life toy emporium, this is the ultimate in the world’s toy shops.
Across eight floors of giddiness-inducing kiddy fun, if you have any gifts to buy for under 18s, use that as an excuse to entertain your inner child for a fulfilling afternoon.

East End Thrift Store

1A Assemblage Passage, Whitechapel E1
Underground: Whitechapel

East End Thrift Store is a little vintage beauty selling fur coats, leather jackets etc. from as little as £10.
Plus there’s plenty of other cute boutiques down this way to check out.

More London shopping haunts…

 

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Tours

Walking Tours

In a city this big, with this much history, walking tours are as prolific as mice in the underground.
Here are our recommendations:

Open Bus Tour

It’s almost non-negotiable for London first-timers (and second-timers, we could argue), particularly on a tight schedule.
It’s an efficient overview and introduction to the great city and will help you get your bearings.
The two major operators are the Big Bus Company and the Original London Sightseeing Tour. Just find a bus stop, look up and if it has the logo – wait for the bus.

More London tours…

 

Parks, Gardens and Heaths

Regent’s Park

Underground: Baker St, Regent’s Park, Great Portland St

Active playground for Londoners and home to the London Zoo, a sojourn on a Saturday will see locals at play well into a long summer night.
Enter via Baker St and hire a pedalo or boat to flop about on the lake.

Hampstead Heath

Underground: Hampstead / Golders Green

The wild and woolly park of London, the Heath has loads of children’s parks, plus three ponds in which people actually swim, so if you are hankering for a dip on a warm evening it’s the go.

 

More of London’s parks, gardens and heaths…

Want to see more stories from International Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set International Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "International Traveller". That's it.
Quentin Long
Quentin Long is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Australian Traveller Media. Quentin is a sought-after travel media commentator. He is Australia’s most trusted source for travel news and insights, having held weekly radio segments across the country since 2006, and regularly appearing on Channel 9’s Today and A Current Affair programs from 2010. Don't ask him his favourite travel experience as that's like asking him to choose a favourite child. However he does say that Garma Festival is the one travel experience that changed him the most.
View profile and articles
Swimming pool at six senses london
London

Six Senses London opens within a former Art Deco department store

The luxury hotel brand has officially made its UK debut.

Read more
Virgin Hotels Shoreditch
London

This playful London hotel puts you in the heart of Shoreditch 

Big rooms, buzzy bars and a rooftop scene that captures Shoreditch at its most fun. 

Read more
View out room window in Lost Property St Paul's London
London

This London hotel near St Paul’s proves the best finds are unexpected

A central stay where bold design, warm service and a story-driven concept come together just steps from one of London’s most iconic landmarks. 

Read more
Beautiful view of the busy Fleet Street in London with famous buildings in the background
London

I didn’t expect to fall for this historic London precinct

This historic London precinct is having a quiet renaissance, and exploring it felt like stepping into layers of story, flavour and memory. 

Read more
hero media

What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
    Continue
    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

    Top things to do in London - International Traveller Magazine