25 Things to do in London for Creatives & Travelers
“I am always excited by the possibilities of London, the feeling that anything can happen, that people from all over the world will come together to make something new and something greater.” – Zadie Smith, novelist
London, the creative capital of the world, is a place where inspiration knows no bounds. From vibrant street art to cutting-edge fashion, the city is a melting pot of artistic expression. Whether you’re a budding painter, a music lover, or a fashionista, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant city.
And with so many things to see and do, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list specially curated for the creative audience.
The Top 25 Things to do in London
- Take a Street Art Tour: London is famous for its vibrant street art scene, and a tour is a perfect way to see the best of it. From Shoreditch to Camden, you’ll discover a whole new side of the city. Exploring street art is one of the must-see things to do in London for creatives.
- Visit the Tate Modern: The Tate Modern is one of the world’s most important art museums, and it’s free to enter. It’s home to an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by famous artists such as Warhol, Hockney, and Banksy. Visiting the Tate Modern is one of the inspiring things to do in London for artists.
- Explore the boutiques in Notting Hill: Notting Hill is one of London’s most trendy neighborhoods and it’s home to many independent boutiques selling unique fashion and accessories. A stroll through the neighborhood is a great way to get a feel for London’s fashion scene. Shopping in Notting Hill is one of the fashionable things to do in London for fashion enthusiasts.
- Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum: The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, and it’s free to enter. It’s home to an impressive collection of artifacts and works of art from around the world, including items from ancient Egypt, medieval Europe, and Renaissance Italy. Visiting the V&A is one of the visually stimulating things to do in London for designers and architects.
- See a Show in the West End: London’s West End is famous for its world-class theaters, with many productions of plays, musicals, and concerts. Whether you’re looking to catch a classic or a new show, you’re bound to find something that appeals to you. Seeing a show is one of the most entertaining things to do in London for theater lovers.
- Take a stroll in the Camden Market: Camden Market is one of London’s most popular tourist destinations, and it’s a great place to find unique souvenirs and gifts. With its many shops and street vendors selling everything from clothing to crafts, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon. Exploring the Camden Market is one of the most exciting things to do in London for creators of all kinds.
- Take a walk along the Southbank: Southbank is a bustling area along the River Thames that offers a mix of street performers, street vendors, and interesting shops. It’s a great place to take a walk and people-watch. Walking along Southbank is one of the spontaneous things to do in London for anyone looking to capture interesting sights and sounds.
- Visit the British Museum: The British Museum is one of the oldest and most important museums in the world, and it’s free to enter. It’s home to many priceless artifacts from around the globe, including the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and the Egyptian mummies. Visiting the British Museum is one of the enlightening things to do in London for anyone interested in history, art, and culture.
- Take a photography tour: London is a city that offers endless opportunities for photographers. From its historic landmarks to its street art, there’s always something new to capture. A photography tour is a great way to get a new perspective on the city, and learn new skills. Taking a photography tour is one of the visually engaging things to do in London for photography enthusiasts.
- Attend a concert at the Royal Albert Hall: The Royal Albert Hall is one of London’s most iconic concert venues, and it hosts a wide variety of music events throughout the year. From classical to contemporary music, there’s always something happening at the Royal Albert Hall. Attending a concert at the Royal Albert Hall is one of the musical things to do in London for music enthusiasts
11. Visit the Fashion and Textile Museum: The Fashion and Textile Museum is London’s premier destination for fashion and textile enthusiasts. Visitors can see temporary and permanent exhibitions that showcase the work of contemporary and historical designers and artisans. Visiting the Fashion and Textile Museum is one of the fashionable things to do in London for fashion enthusiasts.
12. Visit the National Portrait Gallery: The National Portrait Gallery is home to an impressive collection of portrait paintings and sculptures from the 16th century to the present day. Visitors can see works by famous artists such as Reynolds, Gainsborough, and Hockney. Visiting the National Portrait Gallery is one of the visually stimulating things to do in London for artists and art lovers.
13. Visit the Serpentine Gallery: The Serpentine Gallery is one of London’s premier contemporary art galleries and it’s free to enter. It’s home to an impressive collection of contemporary art, including works by famous artists such as Yayoi Kusama, and Ai Weiwei. Visiting the Serpentine Gallery is one of the inspiring things to do in London for artists and art lovers.
14. Visit the Whitechapel Gallery: The Whitechapel Gallery is one of London’s premier contemporary art galleries and it’s free to enter. It’s home to an impressive collection of contemporary art, including works by famous artists such as Frida Kahlo and Jackson Pollock. Visiting the Whitechapel Gallery is one of the thought-provoking things to do in London for artists and art lovers.
15. Visit the Barbican Centre: The Barbican Centre is a multi-arts venue that hosts a wide variety of cultural events throughout the year, including theatre, dance, music, and visual arts. With its cutting-edge programming, it’s a great place to discover new talent and explore new ideas. Visiting the Barbican Centre is one of the innovative things to do in London for art enthusiasts.16.
16. Visit the Design Museum: Visiting the Design Museum is one of the most educating things to do in London for design enthusiasts. The Design Museum is London’s premier destination for all things design. Visitors can explore the museum’s collection of design objects, prototypes, and art, as well as temporary exhibitions featuring the work of contemporary designers.
17. Visit the Photographers’ Gallery: The Photographers’ Gallery is London’s premier destination for photography. Visitors can explore the gallery’s collection of contemporary and historical photography, as well as temporary exhibitions featuring the work of emerging and established photographers. Visiting the Photographers’ Gallery is one of the visually stimulating things to do in London for photography enthusiasts.
18. Visit the British Library: The British Library is home to an impressive collection of books, manuscripts, and artifacts, including some of the most important works in the history of literature, science, and art. Visiting the British Library is one of the enlightening things to do in London for writers and researchers.
19. Visit the Sir John Soane’s Museum: The Sir John Soane’s Museum is a small but fascinating museum that was once the home of the architect Sir John Soane. Visitors can explore the house and its collections of art, architecture, and artifacts, and see how Soane lived and worked. Visiting Sir John Soane’s Museum is one of the historically rich things to do in London for architects and history buffs.
20. Visit the White Cube Gallery: The White Cube is one of London’s most prestigious contemporary art galleries, showcasing works by some of the world’s most celebrated artists. Visiting the gallery allows you to see works of art from contemporary artists, it’s a great place to discover new talents, and explore new ideas. Visiting White Cube Gallery is one of the visually stimulating things to do in London for artists and art lovers.
21. Visit the Royal Academy of Arts: The Royal Academy of Arts is a leading institution for the visual arts in London, hosting exhibitions, lectures, and other events throughout the year. Visitors can see works by some of the most famous artists in the world, both past and present, and gain insights into the creative process. Visiting the Royal Academy of Arts is one of the inspiring things to do in London for artists and art lovers.
22. Take a Jazz night tour: London is famous for its jazz scene, and a jazz night tour is the perfect way to experience it. From the famous Ronnie Scott’s jazz club to the lesser-known jazz clubs, you’ll discover a whole new side of the city. A Jazz night tour is one of the musical things to do in London for music enthusiasts.
23. Visit the Stanley Kubrick Archive: The Stanley Kubrick Archive is a collection of the papers and effects of the filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. Visitors can see Kubrick’s scripts, production materials, and photographs, and learn about the making of his films. Visiting the Stanley Kubrick Archive is one of the fascinating things to do in London for film enthusiasts.
24. Visit the Serpentine Pavilion: The Serpentine Pavilion is an annual architectural commission for a pavilion in Kensington Gardens, London. Each year, the pavilion is designed by a different architect, and visitors can explore the unique design of the pavilion and learn about the architect’s vision. Visiting the Serpentine Pavilion is one of the visually stimulating things to do in London for architects and design enthusiasts.
25. Visit the House of Illustration: The House of Illustration is London’s premier destination for illustration and graphic novels. Visitors can explore the gallery’s collection of contemporary and historical illustrations, as well as temporary exhibitions featuring the work of emerging and established illustrators. Visiting the House of Illustration is one of the creatively stimulating things to do in London for illustrators and art enthusiasts. It is said to have reopened in the Autumn of 2022, but we haven’t been back since it was relocated during the Pandemic; if you beat us there, do tell my friends.
Overall, London is a city that has something for everyone. This list is just a small sampling of the many things on offer for the creative audience. From exploring street art to attending a jazz night, there’s always something new to discover. And with our list of top 25 things to do, you’ll have a great starting point to plan your next trip and make the most of your time in London.