There’s a saying (very over-quoted by London enthusiasts – sorry!) from Dr Samuel Johnson that “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” I’m hoping, with the ideas listed below, that you’ll continue to be inspired – not tired – by this city. So whether it’s a visit a quirky museum, trip to a green oasis or ticking off a must-do attraction you haven’t done yet, here’s the best selection of things to do in London.

Quirky museums

One of the best things about London is the world class, free museums and galleries. But there are also loads of less well-known, unusual museums to be explored too!

Visit The Hunterian Museum
The Hunterian Museum, one of London’s best niche museums, reopened last week. Sat within the Royal College of Surgeons on Lincoln’s Inn Fields, it charts the development of surgery and pursuit of medical knowledge through the centuries. If that sounds a bit dry, think again.......
History of the Young V&A, Bethnal Green
The Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) in Bethnal Green isn’t just a fabulous museum, its building also has a fascinating history to tell. Travelling back 350 years or so, Bethnal Green was a popular suburb for London’s upper classes. There were some large......
Sambourne House | A Victorian Time Capsule
I was recently invited to a preview of Sambourne House, the family home of Linley Sambourne. You can find it at 18 Stafford Terrace and by stepping inside you enter a Victorian Time Capsule. Meet Linley Sambourne Edward Linley Sambourne (1844-1910) was an illustrator and......
History of Eltham Palace | Greenwich’s Other Royal Palace
Eltham Palace is a bit of a mad place, full to bursting with strange juxtapositions and quirky details. Here are some of my favourite discoveries from a recent visit...
London’s Other Royal Observatory
You've probably heard of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, but there's also the King's Observatory in Richmond. Join me for a look around......
London’s Clown Museum | Trinity Church, Dalston
Dalston is host to one of the strangest – and smallest – collections; The Clown Museum in Trinity Church. If you're a coulrophobe, look away now......

Outdoors / Nature

I confess to being a proud urbanite, in fact the countryside makes me nervous. However, in London we’re luck to have an array of green, peaceful places to explore. Here are some my favourites…

The History of Bunhill Fields
Today Bunhill Fields is a wonderful slice of calm alongside the busy Old Street roundabout. But its history is macabre, curious and full of surprises. History of Bunhill Fields Its name is a derivation of bone hill, literally where cartloads of bones from St Paul’s......
History of Morden Hall Park
At the end of the Northern Line, Morden is hiding one of South London's loveliest green spaces! Here's the history of Morden Hall Park......
The Rookery, Streatham | A Beautiful Historic Garden on Streatham Common
Within Streatham Common you'll find The Rookery, a delightful little gem that's packed with history!...
Visit The Charterhouse Gardens
The Charterhouse is packed with history but you can also wander through the private gardens. Step into an oasis......
Parkland Walk | Walk Along An Abandoned Railway Line
The full Parkland Walk route goes from Alexandra Palace to Finsbury Park, but you can also take a shorter route between Highgate and Finsbury Park....
Hidden History in Greenwich Park
One of London's Royal Parks, Greenwich Park is packed with history and these more surprising sites are a great place to start......

The Classics

Sometimes, as Londoners, we don’t make the most of what’s on our doorstep because it’s ‘touristy’. Nonsense to that. Why let tourists get all the good stuff?! Here’s are the top spots that are worth visiting (as viewed by a Londoner)…

Lost London: The Old St Paul’s Chapter House
As a tour guide, you tend to try and focus on what you can actually see around London. So this week’s blog is a little odd in that it’s all about something that no longer exists. Happily though, there are clues which aid our imagination.......
Discover the West End’s Royal Warrant Holders
In celebration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, I’m working with Art of London to put together a special ‘Royal Warrants’ tour of historic businesses with Royal connections in the West End. Art of London brings together the UK’s biggest cultural institutions and showcases art in......
Go Behind the Scenes at Westminster Abbey
I often give private tours in Westminster Abbey, but this was a real treat to go to the areas not usually accessible!...
Explore The Garden at Buckingham Palace
Peer over the walls and explore some of the history in The Garden at Buckingham Palace......
A Closer Look at the Buxton Memorial
The story behind the Buxton Memorial, the jewel-like gem in Westminster that celebrates the abolition of slavery....
A Closer Look At Buckingham Palace Gates
Despite being one of London's most iconic buildings, most people don't actually look at the details surrounding Buckingham Palace......