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Essential London

Key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners

London is a city like no other – a vibrant, global hub of culture, creativity and opportunity. Shaped by centuries of innovation and diversity, it’s home to communities and experiences from every corner of the world. You could spend a lifetime exploring it all, but here are just a few highlights to get you started.

LSE's campus is right in the centre of London, which means it's easy for you to explore different sights and areas of the city either by foot or public transport. Look at LSE's custom Google map of must-see London spots to get started.

London’s museums and galleries range from vast historical collections to state-of-the-art contemporary exhibitions. Many are free to visit as well, making them a great budget-friendly activity for students.

There are world-famous institutions like the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Tate Modern and Tate Britain and the Imperial War Museum.

You can also visit less-known but equally fascinating attractions such as the Sir John Soane's Museum (just around the corner from LSE), the Photographers’ Gallery, the Cartoon Museum, the Wellcome Collection, and countless other specialist collections and exhibitions.

Remember to bring along your Student ID for special exhibitions as many galleries and museums will offer discounted tickets for students.

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Theatre and comedy

Theatreland is an iconic part of London’s West End, spanning the areas of Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square, and Shaftesbury Avenue. These vibrant locations are home to hundreds of theatres showing musicals and plays.

Long-running shows like The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Les Misérables and The Mousetrap are complemented by new plays every week, creating an exciting theatre scene that is a key part of London’s appeal.

Lots of venues also have stand-up comedy nights, hosting the UK’s funniest comedians.

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Cinemas

From blockbusters to independent movies, London’s cinemas are at the cutting edge of contemporary film. While the Odeon in Leicester Square is the site of many world premieres, you can also enjoy world cinema, classic film and indie flicks just around the corner. The range of independent cinemas in the city all offer their own film experience, like audience participation at the Prince Charles, foreign language films at the Lumière, or luxury table-service at the Everyman chain.

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Music

London is the best city in the UK for gigs, concerts and festivals. Classical music fans can see world-class performances at venues like the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House.

Every genre of contemporary music will be found in gig venues and clubs across the city, from chart-topping artists at Alexandra Palace and Wembley Stadium, to up-and-coming acts in bars and studios. London also hosts lots of festivals – BST Hyde Park and All Points East in particular are popular.

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Food

Food is a huge part of London life, with many of the city’s international communities expressing their cultural roots through restaurants, cafes and more. You can find cuisine from India, Ethiopia, France, Azerbaijan, Georgia, China, everywhere in between, and almost every fusion combination imaginable.

Plus, there are hundreds of pubs which serve traditional British pub food. Every budget is catered for, from markets, pop-ups and food trucks to fine dining gourmet experiences.

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Markets

The city also prizes its markets, some of which have been held in the same spot for hundreds of years. Great for both shopping and people-watching, favourites include Portobello Road, for vintage clothing and antiques; Brick Lane, for bric-a-brac; Spitalfields, for fashion, art and design; and Borough Market, for food.

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Sports

Sport is an important part of London’s culture. The city is home to many football clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers.

Sports fans can go to major fixtures at Wembley Stadium, Lord’s and the Oval for cricket, Twickenham for rugby, and Wimbledon for tennis.

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Parks and green spaces

It might be the largest urban area in the UK, but London contains a surprising number of green spaces. Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Hampstead Heath, Clapham Common, Kensington Gardens and many others are wide open spaces where Londoners picnic, stroll, and relax on a sunny day.

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London is one of the most iconic cities in the world. While every side-street and tiny pub has a story, here are some of London’s most famous landmarks.

Famous London landmarks near LSE campus include St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament and South Bank just to name a few. Take a look at LSE's tailored Google map of must-see London spots to get started.

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London evolved as many villages became part of the urban area over hundreds of years. Made up now of 32 boroughs, the city still feels like a place of many parts, with many places retaining their own character and identity.

The diversity of London’s areas is one of the great things about living here. Get started with these blogs to discover iconic neighbourhoods across the city.

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The best things to do as a new student in London

LSE student Ben gives his top picks for what to get up to in London if you're new to the city - from art and theatre outings to the best green spaces and nightlife.

Read Ben's blog
A view of London featuring Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament