Things to Do in London
With 272 Tube stops and close to 300 museums, planning a trip to London can seem overwhelming. But you’re in safe hands. Grab an umbrella and an Oyster card, and set your sights on the city’s many attractions.
Sights & Attractions
From red buses and black cabs to the city’s many landmarks, there is no shortage of famous sites and perfect photo opportunities in London. In the heart of London there is Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the classic London event of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. You’ll also find Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral, two of the best-known religious buildings in the world, and former royal prison the Tower of London – now home to the Crown Jewels and the famous ravens. Other central London sights include Tower Bridge and there are stunning views of the city from the 135-metre-tall the London Eye and the tallest building in western Europe, the 309.6-metre building called The Shard located near London Bridge.
Art & Culture
London is understandably proud of its world-leading cultural offering, including its many museums, galleries, and theatres. Visiting the Kensington museums – the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum), the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum you can cover everything from space and dinosaurs to hats and ballgowns in a single day. The museums are great for children, as is the Southbank Centre, the largest arts centre in the UK.
The Southbank Centre features an innovative programme of events, from gigs, comedy, and exhibitions to festivals and literature and family events. Nearby, the Tate Modern museum – and its sister museum Tate Britain on the other side of the river – caters to every taste in art, from sixteenth-century portraits to avant-garde sculpture. For theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, the National Theatre and the Old Vic and the Young Vic, are among the city’s top choices.
Shopping in London
For luxury retail start in Knightsbridge, home to high-end department stores Harvey Nichols and one of the most famous names in retail – Harrods. Shoppers with a generous budget can also head to the prestigious Sloane Street and Bond Street, with their designer stores. For more affordable mid-range options, try central London high streets Oxford Street, Regent Street, Kensington High Street, and the King’s Road. Meanwhile, iconic 1960s destination Carnaby Street offers more eclectic shops, as well as quintessentially British department store Liberty.
Elsewhere, try Savile Row if you’re looking for bespoke British tailoring. And don’t forget to explore the city’s many markets. There’s east London’s Spitalfields Market for fashion, arts and craft by independent creatives and north London’s Camden Market for a diverse mix of fashion, food and more. West London offers Portobello Road Market for antiques and atmosphere, while central London’s Covent Garden gives you market and high street shopping in one. If you prefer all your shopping under one roof, the large Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City shopping centres offer a breadth of options.
Food and Drink in London
With 69 Michelin-starred restaurants across London, those after fine dining won’t have to look far. Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester hotel and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea are famous for their exquisite contemporary French cuisine, and each boast three Michelin stars.
If you’re looking for a quicker fix, London’s market and street food scene is also thriving. The historic Borough Market is a popular food destination. A mecca for gourmets, it’s filled with culinary delights – though you’ll find a less crowded food fest at Bermondsey’s Maltby Street Market.
Explore Street Feast to find buzzing local food markets across the city, including east London’s night markets. When your sights are set on the classics, nothing beats a good Sunday roast. Why not try the Hawksmoor or Le Petit Beefbar in Chelsea for a luxury twist on the comforting British meal. Or, if you’re looking for the authentic fish and chips experience, the crispy fish and chunky chip combo at the Golden Union fish bar in Soho.
For a refined affair, there are few things more British than afternoon tea. Ritz London is the classic spot, although über-cool Sketch London puts on a fine affair with beautiful interiors, while Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley hotel serves a stylish, fashion inspired interpretation of the traditional afternoonTEA.
Unique to London
For all its busy streets and landmark architecture, green spaces define London. The capital boasts more than 3,000 parks, making it one of the greenest cities of its size in the world. The parks are loved by Londoners and visitors alike, whether for a wintry post-lunch walk, an autumn run or a summery picnic when the sun appears.
London’s many and large parks include the royal parks of Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James’s Park, Regent’s Park, Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park, and Primrose Hill. Among the city’s other large green spaces are Holland Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, and Hampstead Heath. Top park attractions include the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, the Richmond Park deer, the Open Air Theatre and the ZSL London Zoo, both in Regent’s Park, the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds and the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park.
Membership Rewards® Programme
Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards® programme will earn one additional bonus Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate (for a total of 2 points) for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences booked through the American Express Travel website americanexpress.com/en-gb//travel. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
To use Pay with Points, you must book your eligible purchase through American Express Travel and charge to a Membership Rewards programme-enrolled American Express® Card. Eligible purchases through American Express Travel exclude non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding amount will be issued to the American Express® Card Account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. When paying with a combination of your American Express Card and Membership Rewards points, only the value applied to the Card is eligible to earn Membership Rewards points.
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Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, the Dedicated Centurion® Team or American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/) with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cards. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 Credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amont will be applied at check-out.
Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay).Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and
amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/), Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge or the Dedicated Centurion® Team, with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Preferred Rewards Gold Cardmembers, Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers, Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cardmembers. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
International Airline Program (IAP)
1. Current International Airline Program Partners: Air Europa, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
2. American Express reserves the rights to change these conditions from time to time with 21 days prior notice and/or to discontinue the whole program.
3. Airlines reserve the right to change, cancel or restrict flight operations without notice. IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares may be limited by airlines to certain flights and/or dates (“blackouts”). IAP is subject to the terms and conditions of each participating carrier. American Express does not guarantee that seats or tickets will be available. Cabins of service and discounts vary by airline and route. Discounts are applicable to adult fares however some airlines extend savings to child fares.
4. To qualify for the IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares:
a) Your journey must start and end at the same port as designated by the participating airline and be completed within the period during which your selected carrier participates in the program. You will be advised of any applicable dates at the time of booking;
b) IAP tickets must be purchased through the Platinum Travel Service and must be charged to a valid American Express Platinum Card which is in good standing;
c) The Platinum Cardmember who purchases the ticket(s) must be one of the travellers;
d) IAP tickets are non-transferable and non endorsable.
5. Any travel on non-participating airlines must be ticketed and paid for separately and is not part of the IAP. Certain code share or flights on the worldwide partners of the participating airlines may not apply.
6. Certain IAP airlines or non-participating airlines impose restrictions such as ticketing time limit on advance booking to indicate a timeline for ticketing upon making your reservations. For each individual airline Terms & Conditions, please check with the Platinum Travel Service for details.
7. IAP upgrade offers or specially negotiated fares may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, negotiated or corporate rate.
8. American Express acts only as an agent for travel service providers and does not own or operate any airline or means of transportation. American Express is not liable for service deficiencies on the part of airlines or other service providers, including but not limited to: accidents and injuries; delays; changes in routes or itineraries; loss, theft or damages to possessions. American Express strongly advises travellers to insure themselves against travel risks. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have valid documentation and for complying with the health, customs, currency and other laws of any country they enter or attempt to enter.
9. IAP is available to Platinum Cardmembers from a variety of participating airlines each with specifically designated ports of departure and arrival. Please refer to the Platinum Travel Service for details of participating airlines, applicable routing and timetables and fares in force at any particular time.
10. Other International Airline Program Terms & Conditions may apply.
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