London Visitor Guide: Free Museums, Hidden Gems & Local Tips

Free museums in London

Most of London's major museums are free to enter — only special exhibitions charge. Donations are welcome.

Shops and markets worth your time

From luxury department stores to weekend markets. Most shops open until around 8pm, with shorter hours on Sundays.

Where and what to eat

London is one of the best food cities in the world. A few experiences we always recommend to visitors:

Hidden places most visitors never find

Our drivers know London street by street. These are the places we tell friends about — many of them are not on the usual tourist lists.

London nightlife

London is busy until late, especially Thursday to Saturday. The Night Tube runs on some lines on Friday and Saturday nights.

Day trips across the UK

We drive to all of these — ask us for a fixed price for a private day out with your own driver.

A layover at Heathrow: what you can see in 6–8 hours

If you have at least 6–7 hours between flights and can leave the airport (check your visa and connection rules), London is close enough for a short tour. Leave your bags at the airport, and allow plenty of time to get back through security — we recommend being back at the terminal 3 hours before your next flight.

We can drive you from the terminal, wait or collect you at a set time, and have you back well before check-in closes. Heathrow transfers · Windsor to Heathrow

15 things worth knowing about London

1. The London Underground opened in 1863 — the oldest underground railway in the world.
2. Big Ben is the name of the bell, not the tower. The tower is the Elizabeth Tower.
3. London's black cab drivers spend years learning "The Knowledge" — every street in central London by heart.
4. You can pay for buses and the Tube with a contactless card or phone. There is a daily cap, so you never pay more than a set amount.
5. Stand on the right on escalators and walk on the left. Locals really do care.
6. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is free to watch. Check the dates before you go.
7. Tap water is safe to drink and restaurants will bring it free if you ask.
8. Many restaurants add a service charge of around 12.5%. If they don't, a tip of about 10% is normal for good service.
9. UK plugs have three rectangular pins (type G). Bring an adapter.
10. Traffic drives on the left — look right first when you cross the road. It is painted on many crossings.
11. More than 300 languages are spoken in London.
12. Sunday opening hours are shorter: large shops usually open for six hours.
13. The weather changes quickly. Bring layers and a light waterproof whatever the season.
14. London has around 3,000 parks and green spaces — nearly half of the city is green.
15. Pubs call "last orders" by ringing a bell before closing time.