7 of the best things to do in London

Polymath Dr. Samuel Johnson famously declared, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”—and that was more than two centuries ago. What began as a Roman settlement around 47 A.D. has survived wars, plagues, and the near-apocalyptic Great Fire of 1666 to become a city that is at once urban and park-laced, traditional and rebellious, relentlessly international yet fiercely local. More than 300 languages are spoken here; in the city where candlelit pubs sit beside gargantuan skyscrapers, while neighborhoods have been shaped by centuries of migration and community.

This is the London explored by Antoni Porowski—the renowned cook, author and TV personality—in National Geographic’s latest series Best of the World with Antoni Porowski, in which he gets under the skin of some of the planet’s most compelling destinations. According to Porowski, London is “a city that runs on contrasts,” one that “holds its past and present in the same frame.” Here are the experiences he believes define the British capital.

1. Eat a Sunday roast with an Indian twist at Tamil Crown in Islington

Porowski begins his London adventures with Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson, founders of Tamil Crown, a popular North London Desi pub that opened in 2023 as a tribute to the city’s love of South Asian food. After a roti-making masterclass, he dives into the lamb roast dinner, calling it one of the best he's ever had. Served as a platter of dishes inspired by Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it features roasted lamb shank, potato and pea masala, coconut cabbage stir-fry, and fiery gobi 65 cauliflower. The roast is served only on Sundays, and reservations are usually made weeks in advance.

Like that? Try this. The Gladstone Arms in Borough is run by siblings Megha and Gaurav Khanna with chef Shubham Bhardwaj. Their Anglo-Indian menu features dishes like Railway Lamb Sunday Roast with goose fat Bombay potatoes and Yorkshire pudding, chicken tikka masala pot pie, and butter chicken curry alongside a selection of craft ales. Because, as Megha puts it, “What’s better than a curry and a pint?”

2. Get with the times inside the Big Ben clock in Westminster

The world-renowned Big Ben has been at the beating—or ticking—heart of the British capital for more than 160 years.Porowski learns the secrets of the timepiece from mathematician and clockmaker Andrew Strangeway, who guides him through its intricate mechanics, like adjusting the pendulum and monitoring barometric shifts. In Porowski’s words, it “feels like a classic grandfather clock, except on steroids.” Visitors can climb the 292 steps and come face to face with the clock on guided tours, though tickets sell out months in advance, so book early.

Like that? Try this. Stay on the horology bandwagon at the UNESCO-stamped Royal Observatory Greenwich, home of Greenwich Mean Time—the ‘starting point’ for the world’s time zones. Built in 1675 by King Charles II to help sailors navigate the seas, today it’s home to the Prime Meridian, the imaginary line that divides the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. There’s also a 28-inch telescope, the Christopher Wren-designed Flamsteed House, and various exhibitions exploring the science of astronomy.

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3. Take a cold swim at Eden Dock in Canary Wharf

Tucked within London’s financial district is a waterfront sanctuary, Eden Dock, a “one-of-a-kind urban oasis,” Porowski says. Almost 400 miles of rivers, canals, and docks snake through the capital, but Eden Dock—fed by a natural spring and separate from the River Thames—is one of its most surprising corners. Here, he plunges into 60°F, crystal-clear waters, swimming beneath skyscrapers and rumbling trains and among fish, eels, and aquatic plants. Membership costs $20 a year or $12 per swim, and sessions can be booked via the Love Open Water website and app.

Like that? Try this. The ponds at Hampstead Heath, North London’s 320-hectare sweep of wild shrubland, have been a beloved swimming spot for Londoners since the late 19th century. There are around 25 in total, though only three—Kenwood Ladies, Highgate Men’s, and Hampstead Mixed—are open for bathing. Swimming slots can be booked via the City of London website, and the speed at which they’re snapped up, especially during summer afternoons, is a testament to London’s enduring love affair with open-water swimming.

4. Stay at the Shangri-La The Shard in London Bridge

Porowski takes exploring London to new heights at the 1,016-foot-tall The Shard, a tapering glass-and-steel skyscraper whose jagged pinnacle give it its name. The tallest building in Western Europe, it offers visitors sweeping panoramas of London for up to 40 miles on a clear day. On level 34, the ultra-luxurious Shangri-La hotel occupies 18 floors and features London’s highest hotel rooms, bar, and swimming pool. “Sightseeing in the clouds,” as General Manager Kurt Macher puts it. But you don’t need to splurge on a fancy suite to feel the high. Follow Porowski’s lead with an indulgent Afternoon Tea ($200 for two) or head to the public viewing galleries on floors 68, 69, and 72 for a sky-high perspective of the ever-evolving city below.

Like that? Try this. Can’t fork out eye-watering amounts for a suite at the Shangri-La? Then head to The Tower Hotel by Thistle—built in the Brutalist style in the 1970s—for a different perspective that’s just as impressive. On the upper foyer is the VU from The Tower, a bar just a stone’s throw away from the iconic Tower Bridge and River Thames. The Shard provides the hotel’s backdrop, and it is only a few feet from the Tower of London. Rooms start from $168 a night.

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5. Combine science and wellness at Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew

Around 40 percent of London is considered green space—quite a feat for a major world capital. The 300-acre, UNESCO-listed Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, in the southwest borough of Richmond, is home to 17,000 unique plant species and 11,000 trees from around the world, making it the most biodiverse place on the planet. Horticulturist Brie Langley guides Porowski through the gardens, first opened in 1759. The Victorian-era glasshouses are where they carefully tend to giant water lilies. He finishes his visit with a guided yoga session inside the plant-filled Temperate House. It’s no wonder he describes Kew as a “botanical mic drop.” Head online for ticket and event details.

Like that? Try this. Chelsea Physic Garden might not rival Kew when it comes to biodiversity, but it does hold the title for London’s oldest botanical garden.  This four-acre verdant space in west London, tucked away near the embankment, is home to over 4,500 varieties of edible and medicinal plants. It also hosts multicultural supper clubs (during the summer), painting and chocolate-making workshops, and yoga sessions among the greenery. Tickets must be booked in advance, and remember to bring your own yoga mat.

6. Tuck into a bagel at the world-famous Beigel Bake in Brick Lane

Do hungry Londoners wait in line for a bagel at 3 a.m.? Absolutely. Open 24 hours every day, Beigel Bake is a Brick Lane institution in an East London neighborhood famed for its curry houses and vintage shops. Founded by brothers Amnon Cohen and Sammy Minzley, this family business has been open in the same spot since 1974. There’s a lot to choose from their menu, but you can be like Porowski and order the holy grail: salt beef with mustard and a pickle. The smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel is a close second for customers’ favorite.

Like that? Try this. Begging for more bagels? Head to Paulie’s Bagels, which has outposts in Hackney and London Fields, to try the hand-rolled, sourdough kind from husband-and-wife duo Paul and Jordan. The bagels here are inspired by the delis and bodegas of New York–Jordan’s hometown. According to Paul, the bestsellers are BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese) and The Lox (smoked salmon, cream cheese, house-pickled cucumbers, and red onions).

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7. Catch a drag show at The Divine in Dalston

In one of London’s hippest neighborhoods, Porowski calls The Divine “fun, fabulous, and just frickin’ wild.” The East London venue celebrates queerness through drag, comedy, and cabaret seven nights a week. It’s a riot of fashion, death drops, and community spirit, and according to Porowski, an absolute must-see in the British capital. Performances are ticketed, while club nights are free until 10 p.m. (£10/$13 after).

Like that? Try this. South of the river in Vauxhall, the Grade II-listed Royal Vauxhall Tavern is a legendary hub of London’s LGBTQ+ nightlife. Since the 1980s, it has hosted icons from Lily Savage to David Hoyle, and there’s even drag folklore claims that Freddie Mercury once helped Diana, Princess of Wales, slip in disguised as a man. The RVT promises its Sunday cabaret as “the most fun you can have on a Sunday evening.”