Weekends in London: Fun activities in and around central London

London is one of the most exciting cities the world has to offer. With endless activities to enjoy and lots of sightseeing to do, planning a trip to the UK capital can certainly be overwhelming.

That's why we've listed our top recommendations to create the perfect itinerary for your weekend stay in London.

Summary of the top fun activities in London

• Buckingham Palace
• London Eye
• Westminster Abbey & Houses of Parliament
• Shopping at Harrods
• Borough Market
• Camden Market
• Visiting London’s West End 

Buckingham Palace

You can't spend a long weekend in London without visiting the home of the Royal Family. The palace holds 775 state rooms and has the largest private garden in the city. The famous footguards of the Household Regiment protect the stately home. 

If you're lucky, you might get to see the iconic 'changing of the guard' ceremony – a long-standing tradition that takes place once a day.

The stunning state rooms and palace gallery are open to the public at various times throughout the year. These state rooms are beautifully decorated, holding grand furniture, sculptures and artwork.

London Eye

As one of the world's tallest observation wheels, the London Eye offers a truly unparalleled experience, providing 360-degree views that let you see the capital as you've never seen it before. 

Spend your time spotting as many iconic London landmarks as you can, including:

• Big Ben

• The Tower of London 

• St Paul’s Cathedral

• The Shard 

• Tower Bridge 

• Battersea Power Station

You can even enjoy your own VIP experience with family and friends, and enjoy a glass of champagne in the sky.

Westminster Abbey & Houses of Parliament

Head to the City of Westminster and admire the rich history of Westminster Abbey. This breathtaking church dates back to 1245 and is where new monarchs are crowned. It is also known for hosting royal weddings, coronations, and burials. The Abbey is open to the public from Monday to Saturday, excluding religious events and holidays.

Just a three-minute walk away stands the Houses of Parliament – the beating heart of the British Government. This prestigious Gothic building houses over 1,000 rooms, including two of the most important political settings: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. 

Why not take a tour around one of the world's most famous buildings and learn more about the work of the UK Parliament?

Shopping at Harrods

Known as one of the most iconic department stores in the world, Harrods was founded in 1849. You’ll find everything you could ever dream of in Harrods, from designer handbags and furniture to pet accessories and even a Disney boutique; you'll be truly spoilt for choice.

Located in Knightsbridge, one of the city's most notable retail districts, you'll be greeted by the doormen before you begin your dream shopping trip. Feel free to explore the eight amazing floors and enjoy a luxury refreshment in the Food Hall, where you'll find an array of tasty treats.

Borough Market

Located in the heart of London, Borough Market serves some of the best local produce and street food in the city. The market is perfectly placed to bring everyone together to celebrate the amazing food that London has to offer.

Whether you're an excitable foodie or simply looking for inspiration, there are plenty of restaurants, market stalls, shops and bars to enjoy. Located in Southwark, you'll also find several iconic London landmarks nearby, including:

• The Golden Hindie (2-minute walk)

• The Clink Prison Museum (2-minute walk)

• Southwark Cathedral (3-minute walk)

• The Shard (4-minute walk)

• London Bridge (4-minute walk)

Camden Market

Camden is one of London’s most famous markets, best known for:

• Independent shopping experiences (jewellery, clothing, art, gifts and unique vintage items)

• International street food vendors 

• Strong music culture with links to artists like Amy Winehouse 

• Calming canal-side walks 

• Camden Lock, Stables Market and Hawley Wharf 

Visit London’s West End

The West End is ideally placed in the heart of central London and is the perfect area to visit, combining entertainment, shopping, dining and sightseeing. The West End is home to areas like: 

• Leicester Square

• Covent Garden 

• Soho 

• Piccadilly Circus 

• Oxford Street

• China Town 

• Regent Street 

In addition to easy access to all of these areas, arguably the best thing to do in the West End is see a show! The West End is known for being London’s famous theatre district, with popular shows running on a regular basis: 

• Wicked

• The Lion King 

• Les Miserables 

• Hamilton 

• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child           

Further inspiration for your weekends in London

Discover our handy blogs below to help plan your fun activities in Central London: 

• Direct to live music in London 

• Top 5 water activities in London

• London sports for all the family

• London food tour guide

• Places for the best shopping in London

• Beautiful places in London to relax

• Top spots for the best brunch in London

• The most popular art galleries in London

• Unique hidden gems in London

• Direct to race day thrills in London & the North East

Choose Grand Central to get you to your weekends in London

Begin your weekend stay in London by choosing a Grand Central rail service to get you to London King’s Cross. Our network provides trains to London from some of the most popular rail stations in the north. To make your trip extra special, why not consider upgrading to First Class?

We offer a variety of options to help you get the best possible price on your train ticket. If you're planning your journey ahead of time, our Advance tickets are usually available up to six months before your departure date. You could save up to 80% and secure our lowest prices before anyone else.

If you're a student, you can save an extra 25% on all Advance train tickets with Grand Central. Plus, if you have a Railcard, you can save even more!