My Favourite Activities in London – How to spend a perfect Saturday in London

Hello everyone, my name is Nelly and I attended Summer School for nine weeks. During my time at LSE I was able to explore London to its fullest and I want to share with you my favourite experiences and activities in London – aside from the wonderful social activities that you can book directly through LSE Summer School!

1. My favourite cycling route through London:

To get a better feel for this large city and to explore Lonon’s cutest and most exciting neighbourhoods, I’d suggest following my favourite cycle tour. You can easily rent a Santander bike almost everywhere in the city, which usually cost me around £4 a day.

Before getting on my bike, I started my day in Notting Hill, walking through the famous Portobello Road Market. The mix of antiques, street food, and colourful houses makes it a great place to explore on foot. I also took some time to stroll through the nearby gardens and quiet residential streets, which offer a nice contrast to the busy market. Afterwards, I rented a Santander bike and cycled towards Kensington Palace. The ride through the park is really pleasant and gives you a bit of calm before heading into the more central parts of the city. From there, I continued through Hyde Park, following the bike path all the way to Hyde Park Corner.

From Hyde Park Corner, I cycled along Constitution Hill towards Buckingham Palace. This part of the ride is especially scenic, with trees lining the road and occasional views of the guards at work. I stopped in front of the Palace to take some photos – probably too many – but it’s hard to resist. Next, I rode down towards Westminster, passing Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament. Once I reached the Thames river, I had a great view of the London Eye across the water. It's one of the classic London sites and always impressive, especially on a clear day. From there, I followed the cycle path along the riverbank, which runs past several landmarks and offers great views. I rode all the way to Millennium Bridge, where I returned the bike at a nearby docking station.

To finish the trip, I walked across the bridge and took a great photo of St. Paul’s Cathedral directly ahead. It's a perfect way to end a city ride – combining some of London's most iconic spots with a bit of green space and fresh air.

2. Museums

A no-brainer, but absolutely worth the hype, is the Tate Modern. Especially for students or on rainy days, it’s one of the best places to spend your time. The museum is huge, and most of the exhibitions are completely free, which makes it even better. Inside, you’ll find one of the world’s largest collections of modern and contemporary art, with works by artists like Mark Rothko, the Guerrilla Girls, Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, and many more. With five expansive floors filled with thought-provoking pieces, you can easily spend several hours wandering through the galleries. After exploring the exhibitions, you can relax outside in the small park in front of the museum or grab a drink at the bar next to it. The area around Tate Modern is also great to explore: just walk along the Thames Path toward the National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of outdoor seating, food trucks, pop-up bars, and often live music – a perfect spot to take a break and soak in the riverside atmosphere.

If it’s your first time in England and you’re curious about British art history, don’t miss the Tate Britain. It’s much quieter than the National Gallery, equally impressive in size, and also offers free entry. The collection focuses more on British artists, from historical to contemporary, and the atmosphere is calmer and more relaxed. Plus, the museum café is really charming – perfect for a coffee break after your visit.

3. A visit at the Houses of Parliament, Palace of Westminster

One of my highlights in London was a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster. I booked a 90-minute tour through the Houses of Parliament, which offered a great overview of British political history. We learned about the evolution of the UK from a monarchy to a constitutional democracy, the role of the royal family today, and how Parliament functions. The guide made the complex history really engaging and easy to follow. A real highlight was visiting the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Standing in the rooms where major political debates and decisions take place was impressive – you can truly feel the atmosphere and imagine the debates of the past, including those led by figures like Winston Churchill.

If you're interested in politics, history, or British culture, this tour is absolutely worth it.

4. Sunset on Primrose Hill

If you feel like you had a long day of sitting inside classrooms all day, I can assure you that an afternoon and evening spent in Regent’s Park with a good book, some friends, card games and picnic is the best thing you can do in London! You can come during the afternoon and stroll around the park. With the sun slowly setting you should head to Primrose Hill which is in the northern part of Regent’s Park. From up there you will have one of the best sunset views of London and you will feel like a real Londoner.