A comprehensive tour of London, taking in all of the UK capital’s delights and surprises, would take months to cover. Most of us don’t have the time needed to fully explore this amazing city, which is why the idea of a whistle-stop tour of some of the must-see locations is so useful for a lot of people.
So, with this in mind, here are our recommendations for a jolly good time when breezing through the bustling city of London.
See a Top Theatre Show
London is easily one of the best cities on the planet to catch a theatre show. Venues such as the Shaftesbury Theatre, Lyceum Theatre and Savoy Theatre make the West End a hotspot for an almost limitless variety of shows, on any evening you like.
Given the ongoing demand, from both overseas tourists and locals, successful shows tend to run for years. For example, Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap holds the title of the world’s longest-running theatre show, having started in 1952 and been performed over 26,000 times. Try to avoid details of the famous twist ending if you plan on going to see it.
Other massively popular shows here include The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, both of which have gone on to see major acclaim as massive Hollywood blockbusters. At the time of writing, new releases in London’s theatres include Morgan & West Present: The Three Musketeers and Salomé.
Of course, a night at the theatre is nothing without the bells and whistles of a combined dinner and theatre package that can save you some money while enjoying London’s cuisine.
A Trip to a Casino
London perhaps isn’t as renowned for its casinos as party-central locations such as Las Vegas, Macau and Monte Carlo. However, the city certainly boasts plenty of well-frequented casino establishments for everyone, whether it be for glitz and glamour or a casual night at the poker table.
Casinos are yet another way to enjoy a memorable night out in the city, with some franchises catering to those seeking to cram in all the adventures in the “city that never sleeps”. A prime example of an ideal venue for trying your hand at the slot machines or poker tables is the Genting Casino Chinatown, which is currently open from midday through to 4 am.
If you don’t have the time to physically head down to Chinatown for some games, you’ll find that Genting Casino has an online presence too. As a reputable group, they’re among the best live casinos online and offer competitive promotional codes and welcome bonuses. Playing casino games in real-time with a live dealer adds to the interactive element of the gameplay and also ensures that you can get used to different variations of roulette and blackjack, meaning that you’re primed for future play at brick-and-mortar casinos.
Most of these venues aren’t as formal or intimidating as you might think, but getting to grips with the rules online before going to a land casino might help you feel more relaxed.
Go Up in the London Eye
The London Eye opened at the end of the 20th century, is one of the capital’s most iconic attractions. In fact, with more than three million people going up in it each year, this is classed as the country’s most popular paid attraction.
With a diameter of 120 metres, the London Eye gives you one of the best vantage points in the city for seeing all of its famous sights. While most visitors go up in daylight for their 30-minute trip, seeing London from this angle in the evening is also a hugely memorable experience.
The London Eye is open until 6 pm most days of the year, which means that you can catch the sunset in certain months. However, there are also special opening hours up to 9.30 pm during festive periods as these tend to be extremely popular, so it’s worth checking in advance and booking online if you find a slot that suits you.
Take a Night Tour
The rich history and exciting atmosphere of London makes it an ideal destination for a night tour. Since the River Thames lies at the heart of London, some people enjoy navigating the city on water. This can be done during the day, but you may prefer the idea of a quieter atmosphere and the opportunity to drink in the sights of the twinkling city lights on the water.
Themed evening cruises include luxury dinner cruises with live music and spooky cruises that are combined with a walking tour of the most haunted spots in London. For example, some enjoy embarking on walking tours around the spots associated with Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes. The duration of evening cruises varies, although you can expect to spend between two and three hours out on the water on many of them.
Any of these ideas will help you to enjoy a fine evening in the capital and leave you keen to come back to discover more of this great city.
