We’re conveniently hosting the Aviation Job Expo at London Gatwick, within commuting distance of all of London’s best attractions. London is one of the best connected cities in the world, so if you have some free time around the Aviation Job Expo, why not explore all that London has to offer?
Here’s our rundown of the 10 best things to do in London.
Get some culture
London is jam packed with art galleries, museums and exhibitions – many of them are also free. From The National Gallery, to the Tate Modern, to the Imperial War Museum, you won’t be disappointed with the choice on offer.
Top tip: Free museums will get extremely busy, particularly at weekends. We’d recommend visiting early to get the most out of your experience.
Take a tour
London has numerous ‘hop on & hop off’ bus tours, which can get you around the cities famous attractions at your own pace. If you have a particular destination in mind, there are countless organised tours that you can book on to. From night sightseeing, to Stonehenge, to a ‘Haunted London’ tour, there’s something for everyone.
Top tip: Find the best tours by visiting Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor is great for finding out everything that the tour website won’t tell you.
Pop in to see the Royals
Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and The Tower of London attracts nearly £500 million worth of tourism every year. Witness the world famous, ‘Changing of the Guard,’ at Buckingham Palace – a formal ceremony in which the Queen’s guards switch shifts.
Top tip: The palace gates get extremely busy during this event, so like most things in London, arrive early to get the best spot.
Recreate history at Abbey Road
The most famous traffic crossing in the world is of course, Abbey Road, in which the Beatles created their famous album cover. If you’re a superfan, why not recreate that iconic photo? Just remember that the crossing is still in use, and normal traffic laws will apply!
Top tip: The locals advise that the best time to visit is early at the weekend, when less people are commuting.
Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the iconic London Eye offers spectacular views of London, including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. On a clear day, you can see for a staggering 25 miles during the 30 minute ride.
Top tip: The London Eye attracts over 3.75 million visitors annually, so plan ahead. You can save up to 15% by booking online in advance.
Borough Market is one of London’s biggest and oldest food markets. It’s packed with locals and tourists alike, all keen to sample the gastronomic delights that it has to offer.
There’s plenty of demonstrations, live workshops and pop ups taking place all throughout the year, so be sure to check their event calendar to make sure you’re not missing out!
Top tip: Don’t visit on a Sunday as it won’t be open! The market’s usual trading days are Monday to Saturday. The market only opens on Sundays in December for the Christmas period.
Experience Portobello Road Market
Are antiques more your thing? Portobello Road Market is the world’s oldest antiques market. Situated on a pretty street in Notting Hill, over 1,000 dealers come together here to sell every kind of antique and collectible going.
Top tip: The market usually gets into full swing at around 8:30-9:00am on Saturday morning (though some dealers may set up earlier.) To avoid the busiest crowds, arrive before 11:30am.
London’s West End is world renowned for its theatre productions. All throughout the year, you can take in a show at one of its many fabulous theatre halls. The list of shows is endless – from feel good musicals, to hard hitting dramas, you’ll definitely find a show to suit you.
Top tip: If you’re looking for a bargain, there are many websites that offer discounted tickets, but if you’re looking for the best view in the house, book early to avoid disappointment.
Explore ‘the London way’
London is one of the world’s best connected cities, largely thanks to the iconic London Underground. Love it or loathe it, it is the cheapest and easiest way to explore all that London has to offer.
London is made up of many fantastically unique areas – Camden Town, the South Bank, Notting Hill, Covent Garden, Chinatown, Hampstead, Wimbledon (to name but a few) – wherever you’re going, the tube will get you there.
Top tip: Get an Oyster card. Individual trips will soon become expensive, whereas a 1 day travel card costs around £12. You can hop on and off to your heart’s desire.
Whatever your thing is, there will be something to keep you entertained. The London Dungeon, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE, Warner Bros, Studio Tour, the list is endless.
Top tip: Book in advance! London gets 30 million visitors every year and the best attractions will always sell out first.