Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in West Kensington

"Of course you will want to check off primary attractions such as The Big Ben, The London Eye, or Westminster Abbey off your list. If you’re a keen shopper, you will want to hit the shopping mecca that is Oxford Street. But also make sure you experience luxurious afternoon tea in London , take an offbeat food tour, sample street art, and hit a few alternative bars in town. Check out our Guide To London for loads of offbeat and fun ideas of things to do in London."

"Westminster Abbey is often mistaken as one of the cathedrals of London. It’s an easy mistake to make, but it’s an Abbey which has served as the Coronation Church for Kings and Queens of England for almost a thousand years. Westminster Abbey is one of the big-ticket top three or four things to do in London, and it’s something we suggest you make time for, even if you only have a 1-day London itinerary."

"In June 2018, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries opened. The galleries, which are reached by the newly build Weston Tower, house historical exhibit and treasures owned by the Abbey. Admission to the Galleries is currently an extra £5.00 and requires a timed ticket as space is limited."

"The Shard is one of the masterpieces of the architect Renzo Piano. Ever since the Shard opened in February 2013, the beautiful skyscraper has been a site that many visitors travelling to London want to see. The Shard stands at the height of 309.6 metres, making it the tallest building in the United Kingdom and the sixth-tallest building in all of Europe."

"Options at the Shard are to go to the viewing platform on the top floor or stay in the amazing Shangri-La hotel. Both will present you with spectacular 360 views of the city. The Shard is also a good spot for sunset and blue hour pics."

"Part of London’s new modern skyline, this skyscraper is the highest in the European Union at the time of writing. It rises to 309 metres. The building is a popular tourist destination, with great views of London."

"3 km from city center 7 out of 40 places to visit in London. A royal fortress and a World Heritage Site which is also famous for being an infamous prison back in the day, the Tower of London, founded in 1066 and located in the heart of the city, is a majestic fortress, with a history dating back to centuries before the present day. Treat your eyes to the world-famous and priceless jewels, archaic yet riveting architecture, and to a clear view of the River Thames on a day trip to this Tower."

"This well-preserved medieval castle is one of London’s premier attractions for families – adults and children love it. Interior exhibits are interactive and informative. The castle was eventually converted to a prison and the site of many executions."

"I got the above shot about five minutes before the below shot, and you can see how dramatically quickly the light and clouds have changed!. The other thing to keep in mind are the crowds. Attractions like the Tower of London get really busy."

"If there ever was a defining landmark in London, it’s the Tower Bridge. Often mistaken by tourist as the London Bridge, the Tower Bridge is quite a bit more ornate and lovely than the plain London Bridge to it’s west. Traffic (both foot and car) abounds on the Tower Bridge, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit the inner workings of the bridge and learn all about it."

"Definitely up there as one of my favourite bridges in the world, Tower Bridge is marvellous to photograph both during the day…. … and at night, as a long exposure. It’s also good from both sides of the river, although if you go to the south bank then you can frame it with the Tower of London as well, which is nice."

"Tower Bridge is without a doubt the most famous drawbridge in the world. This alone makes it a must-see landmark when visiting London. A lot of photographs have been taken from this spot already and the pedestrian ways seem to be crowded 24/7."

"At present it’s a hotch-potch of scaffolding and sheets holding the magnificent old building together like a set of sticking-plasters. And then there’s Big Ben, the famous clock-tower shorn of all its slender grace by a mass of scaffolding. Big Ben is perennially near the top of any London must see list, especially in the age of digital photography and Instagram."

"The Palace of Westminster is perhaps best recognised as the hub or perhaps the heart of British politics, housing both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Located on the River Thames, this landmark is famous on an international level. The original palace was destroyed in 1834, but the current palace was built back up."

"The Palace of Westminster, as the complex is called, was first established on this site by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century."

"Another discount card option is the London Explorer Pass where you can choose up to 7 attractions you want to visit (out of 20) where you can get free entry into all these attractions (Westminster Abbey, London Dungeon, Madame Tussauds, Churchill War Rooms, London Eye). See a full list of possible attractions here. This card doesn’t work as well with our suggested itinerary but may be more appealing to some, especially families, as it includes more attractions geared to families that are not included on the London Pass."

"Standing 135m high in a fairly flat city, the London Eye affords views 25 miles in every direction, weather permitting. Interactive tablets provide great information (in six languages) about landmarks as they appear in the skyline. Each rotation – or 'flight' – takes a gracefully slow 30 minutes. At peak times (July, August and school holidays) it can feel like you'll spend more time in the queue than in the capsule; book premium fast-track tickets to jump the line."

"If you’re familiar with a Monopoly board then you’ll know that Regent Street is a slightly more upmarket area than Oxford Street in which you can spend some money. Tourists to London in particular will appreciate the upscale high street designers and labels that you’ll find here, including Banana Republic and Liberty. This area is also where London’s main Apple Store is and where people queue for hours anytime there is an updated product set for launch."

"The best that the West End has to offer, in terms of shopping, is located on Regent Street. Brands like Anthropologie, Liberty, Hamleys and Apple are available, as well as many other internationally-renowned shops. You can also find second-to-none restaurants, hotels, art galleries and even spas."

"Just round the corner from Oxford Street you will find Regent Street. With a very similar layout and architecture Regent Street is also a perfect spot to snap pictures of the busy London street life. It’s also the perfect location to do some shopping in between photos."

"St Margaret Pattens is one of Wren’s plainest churches, with a severe, un-Wrenish, but beautiful spire. The church gets its name from the nearby makers of pattens in medieval times. Pattens were devices that you wore under your shoes to elevate you several inches off the ground."

"You can also rent a boat to row across its lake (seasonal), climb Primrose Hill for a nice view of London, or enjoy the roses at Queen Mary Gardens. There are also homes located in Regent’s Park, including Winfeld House, which has been the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to the UK since after World War 2. A great place to have a break or enjoy a picnic (there is a restaurant located in the center of the park or bring your own food)."

"The Seven Noses of Soho are a quirky art installation in Central London and one of the city’s most unusual free attractions. The strange little statues are plaster reproductions of artist Rick Buckley’s nose and were installed around Soho as a prankprovoked by the controversial introduction of CCTV cameras throughout London during the 1990s – the noses were installed under the noses of the cameras. While 35 noses were originally installed, only 10 still remain today and searching for them all certainly makes for one of the most unique free days out in London."

"If you’re travelling between The Mall and Trafalgar Square, that’s Admiralty Arch stretching elegantly overhead. Completed in 1911 to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria, the Portland stone structure is more than an arch—it’s actually a functional building. Check out these rarely seen photos of the British royal family through the years."

"OK, now we know this next suggestion for the best desserts in London, isn’t a restaurant or cafes – but if you’re looking for an amazing dessert on-the-go, then I don’t think you can top Ben’s Cookies for deliciousness and price. Yummy, gooey, tasty cookies that dreams are made of."

"This South Ealing bakery makes amazing Japanese breads, cakes and pastries - if you want to make sure something is going to be in stock, like their sweet azuki bean buns, then order ahead. They also do French baguettes which are the stuff of legend in these parts. More about Tetote Factory"

"One of the city’s best (Japanese) bakeries remains partially open, for pre-booked customers who must call 0208 579 8391 a day ahead."

"This farm is little further out of London, but a whole day of adventure and fun can be enjoyed here, thanks to a huge array of facilities, besides the friendly animals. There’s indoor soft play at the Bundle Barn, an alpine toboggan run, Dino Dig and Splash play area and an adventure playground. Unlike most of the other city farms in London listed, there is a small entry price for this one (£10) but this includes entry to all indoor and outdoor play areas, activities, animals, bird shows and a tractor ride to the dairy farm."

"A post shared by Georgiebd (@georgie.bd) on May 26, 2018 at 10:23am PDT. Cycle along the paths or take a stroll at Lee Valley Regional Park. Stretching 42km (26 miles) along the river Lee, past Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and up to Ware in Hertfordshire, there is plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife, relax or play."

"Located in Elephant and Castle, Mercato Metropolitano is one of the original food halls in London. Enjoy a craft brew outside on their terrace, tuck into a freshly-made pizza on one of the communal tables in the main hall or sneak into the more secluded den and nibble on cured meat and melted raclette whilst sipping on wine."

"Venture over to Mercato Metropolitano and you'll find a great atmosphere, craft drinks aplenty and a treasure trove of dining stalls to choose from. As one of the city's ultimate food halls, this Elephant & Castle beauty is guaranteed to be busy all-year-round with regulars and newcomers alike."

"A hub of all things eating and drinking, Mercato Metropolitano is an epic food hall in Elephant & Castle. Not only does it have a wealth of vendors catering to all your cravings, but it also has a gorgeous and expansive selection of outdoor spots to choose from."