Why You Need To Visit London In 2023

As the saying goes, if you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life. That’s probably because there is so much to see and do in the English capital. Aside from its famous historical landmarks, London is a bustling hub of incredible street food, vibrant art, talented buskers, and multi-cultural vigour. We’re sure you’ll want to visit this amazing city anyway, but just in case you need some inspiration, here’s a list of reasons we think you need to make London your top destination for 2023. 

Spend an Afternoon at South Bank

Hop off the tube at Waterloo or London Blackfriars and head to the South Bank to experience some of London’s best street food while listening to amazing buskers. You’ll see groups of people gathered around various street performers outside the Tate Modern and under Millenium Bridge. 

As you walk along you’ll see famous London sites like Tower Bridge, and St Paul’s Cathedral, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the top of the Shard. Wildly popular in the summer months, South Bank always has new and exciting food stalls, art installations and pop-up bars hitting the scene, so why not make 2023 the year to enjoy this area of London?

Visit Free Museums

One of the best things about visiting London is the free-to-enter museums. The UK is not famed for good weather, so museums are the ideal escape from inevitable rainfall. In March 2023, the Natural History Museum will be exhibiting the largest animal to have ever walked the planet - Titanosaur. Visitors can feast their eyes on pure gold artefacts at the British Museum as 2023 welcomes the Glittering Gold Exhibition. 

Of course, there are 100s of timeless exhibits at the Imperial War Museum - a must for anyone fascinated with British war history. The National Science Museum is a fabulous way to spend a few hours as you try out fun experiments and delve into the worlds of physics and chemistry. 

Take a Stroll Through Hyde Park

Hyde Park is the largest of the four Royal London gardens and is most famous for Speakers’ Corner, where members of the public can stand up and speak about anything from current affairs to pressing social issues. It has since become a site for demonstrations and is a symbol of British democracy. The park is a grade 1 listed English park, and you’ll love wandering around the lush, green lawns and pristine gardens. 

Take a Day Trip to Windsor Castle

Another one of the royal homes, Windsor Castle is a wonderful day trip to take from the busy city of London. The grounds of the castle are ideal for summer afternoon walks, where you’ll get to see picturesque English gardens. The castle is the oldest occupied castle in the world and the site of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. 

Visit Iconic Landmarks

No trip to London would be complete without a selfie in front of the Buckingham Palace gates and spending some time gazing at the many windows to see if you can catch a glimpse of anyone occupying the royal household. Take a walk up the Mall and keep your eyes out for the Royal Horse Guards, as you make your way towards Westminster Bridge where you’ll see Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and - everyone’s favourite - Big Ben! 

See London From Above

It’s easy to see all the landmarks when you’re higher up. Take a 30-minute spin on the London Eye and see how many sites you can identify at the top. One of the best viewing spots in London has to be Sky Garden which is situated at the top of the Fenchurch Street Building (affectionately known as the Walkie-Talkie). Visitors can book their free entry in advance and enjoy a drink from the bar while getting a 360-degree view of London. You can also see London during the day or at night from the 72nd floor at the View From The Shard.

Fill Your Belly at Borough Market

Borough Market is a foodie's paradise with mind-blowing dishes, tantalising drinks and cocktails, and fresh produce for sale. The vendor’s passion for their food engulfs you as they offer you tasters and testers from their stalls. When you’re meandering through London’s oldest market, you’ll quickly find that one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever have to make is just what to get for lunch!

Walk Through Leicester Square

In the heart of Soho, Leicester Square is home to loads of bars, megastores, red-carpet cinemas and casinos. It’s another area frequented by famous London street performers and is home to the famous statues of Mary Poppins, Mr Bean, and Paddington Bear. Make sure you’re in the square at midday, as you’ll get to see the Swiss Glockenspiel chime and a scene of figurines moving around the iconic clock. If you get a strong whiff of chocolate, you haven't gone mad, you’re probably outside of the M&M megastore; 4 floors of everything M&M and the largest wall of chocolate in the world!

Enjoy Vintage Shopping on Brick Lane

If you’re a fan of retro, then Brick Lane alone is the reason to come to London in 2023. Brick Lane is in an up-and-coming area of London called Spitalfields, which is also home to incredible graffiti works, Spitalfields Market and incredible bookstores. If you’re into food and have a nostalgic flair, Brick Lane is the ultimate place for you to be. 

See the Deer at Richmond Park

Richmond Park is home to resident herds of deer which you’ll more than likely encounter on a bike ride or walk through the park. Richmond Park is a short tube or bus ride from the centre of London and is a wonderful space to experience English nature in the middle of a city. This is a must-visit for those wanting to see quintessential British country scenes. Pack a picnic, get your walking shoes on and enjoy! 

Shop in London’s High-End Stores

Even if you don’t end up buying anything, you have to experience the grandeur of Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason. World-famous department stores are home to some of the most spectacular retail displays on the planet. From incredible collections of couture to decadent food displays in their neverending food halls, you’ll see what shopping is on a whole other level.  

Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street are famous for their huge stores where you can peruse luxury shops, six-story stores, and outlets of the most exclusive brands all within walking distance from one another. The renowned Hamleys toy shop is the best place to go to feel like a kid again and experience all the wonder and excitement of a child’s toy-shop dream! 

Watch a West-End Show

Several exciting new shows are coming to the West End theatre scene in 2023 and the only way you’ll catch them is if you’re in the city! West-end musicals and theatrical productions elevate showbiz to the highest quality around. This year, you can look forward to the comedy musical rendition of Mrs Doubtfire which has taken Broadway by storm. The ever-popular Queen tribute musical, We Will Rock You, will also be returning to West End stages and it’s a show you’re not going to want to miss! 

Marvel at World-Famous Artworks

The National Portrait Gallery will finally be reopening in June 2023, where you’ll be able to see famous artworks like the iconic Queen Elizabeth I portrait by Gheeraerts. If you’re an art buff, you’ll be amazed at what you stumble across at the Tate Britain, the Tate Modern, and the National Gallery simply by spending time wandering through the galleries. The buildings themselves are also spectacles to behold as you traverse through rooms with glorious painted ceilings and exquisite wall-panel work. 

Explore London Underground

London is a city built on kilometres of underground tunnels, and we’re not just talking about the impressive underground public transport system. London has a dark history which is unveiled in ghostly underground tours and shows. It’s hard to imagine the vastness of the underground networks, secret passageways, tombs, catacombs and dungeons when you’re exploring the city above ground, but it’s another aspect of London that makes it all the more exciting. 

We’re Looking Forward to Seeing You

We haven’t even scratched the surface of all the reasons why you need to put London at the top of your list of places to visit in 2023, but hopefully, we’ve convinced your inner traveller enough. The city has an energy that you can’t quite describe, but you know you want to be a part of and is the perfect travel destination for solo travellers, couples getaways, or family trips.