London is old. Like, properly old. You walk over a bridge and you’re basically stepping on two thousand years of people trying not to fall into the Thames. But honestly, most tourists just do the "big three" and call it a day, which is a massive waste of a plane ticket. If you’re looking for historical things to do in London, you’ve gotta look past the shiny gift shops.
The city is a messy, beautiful patchwork. You've got Roman walls tucked inside 1960s parking garages and Tudor gatehouses standing next to glass skyscrapers. It’s weird. It’s chaotic. And that’s exactly why it’s great.
The Tower of London: It’s Not Just About Beheadings
Everyone knows the Tower. You think of Anne Boleyn losing her head or the Crown Jewels sitting behind thick glass. But people forget this place was basically a high-security zoo for 600 years. King John started the "Royal Menagerie" in the 1200s. Imagine walking past the White Tower in 1252 and seeing a literal polar bear. King Henry III had one, and he used to let it swim in the Thames on a long leash to catch fish.
Seriously.
Why you shouldn't skip the "Beefeaters"
The Yeoman Warders (the guys in the red and black pajamas) aren't just there for the selfies. To get that job, they need at least 22 years of military service with an unblemished record. They live inside the fortress. If you want the real history, skip the audio guide and just follow one of them. They’ll tell you about the "Ceremony of the Keys," which has happened every single night at 9:53 p.m. for over 700 years. Even during the Blitz, when bombs were literally falling on the city, they didn't miss a night.
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Pro tip: You can actually get tickets to watch the ceremony, but you have to book months in advance. It’s free, but it's the hardest ticket in town to get.
The Roman Wall Hidden in a Car Park
Most people think London started with the Elizabethans or something. Nope. The Romans built a massive wall around "Londinium" in 200 AD. A lot of it is still there, you just have to be kinda sneaky to find it.
- Tower Hill: There’s a big chunk right by the tube station. Easy.
- London Wall Underground Car Park: This is the cool one. Go down to Level P2, Bay 53. Right there, next to a dusty Vauxhall, is a section of the original Roman wall.
- The Guildhall: They were renovating the art gallery in the 80s and accidentally found a Roman Amphitheatre. You can go into the basement now and see the original stone circle where gladiators actually fought.
Westminster Abbey and the Coronation Chair
You've seen it on TV, but being inside the Abbey is different. It’s cramped. It’s heavy with the smell of old stone and floor wax. Since 1066, every British monarch (except two) has been crowned here.
Most people gawk at the ceiling, but look down. You’re walking over the graves of Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking. It’s the ultimate "who's who" of people who actually changed the world.
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The chair that’s seen too much
Tucked away is the Coronation Chair. It was made in 1300 and looks like a beat-up piece of school furniture. Look closely at the back of it—it’s covered in 18th-century graffiti. Schoolboys and tourists used to carve their names into it back when security was basically non-existent. It’s a nice reminder that humans have always been a bit disrespectful to history, even the fancy bits.
2026 Exclusive: The Bayeux Tapestry Comes Home
If you’re planning your trip for late 2026, you’re in luck. For the first time in nine centuries, the Bayeux Tapestry is expected to be on loan to the British Museum from France. This thing is 70 meters long and tells the story of the Battle of Hastings in 1066—the event that basically made modern England. Seeing it in London is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. It usually lives in Normandy, so check the museum dates before you go.
The "Lost" Rivers and Pubs
London is built on rivers you can't see anymore. The Fleet, the Tyburn, the Walbrook—they’re all still flowing under the streets in brick tunnels.
If you want a pint with your history, head to The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping. It’s been there since 1520. The floor is made of flagstones, and there’s a hangman’s noose dangling out over the Thames out back. It was a favorite hangout for pirates and smugglers. Honestly, it still feels a bit sketchy in the best way possible.
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Then there’s 41 Cloth Fair. It’s the oldest house in the City of London. It survived the Great Fire of 1666 because it was tucked behind some thick priory walls. It’s just a house, but seeing a wooden Tudor building standing in the middle of a modern financial district is a trip.
Getting History Right: Practical Steps
- Don't just do "Central": History in London is lopsided. Head to Greenwich for maritime stuff. Stand on the Prime Meridian line at the Royal Observatory. One foot in the East, one in the West.
- The "Highgate" Move: Go to Highgate Cemetery. It’s Victorian "death architecture" at its peak. Karl Marx is there, but the West Cemetery (which you need a tour for) has the "Egyptian Avenue" which looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie.
- Walk the South Bank: Start at Westminster Bridge and walk to Tower Bridge. You’ll pass the site of the original Globe Theatre (it’s a block back from the reconstruction), the ruins of Winchester Palace, and the Golden Hinde (Sir Francis Drake’s ship).
- Check the Tide: If you’re exploring the "foreshore" of the Thames at low tide, you can find "mudlarkers" looking for Roman coins or Victorian clay pipes. You need a permit to dig, but you can look for free.
London doesn't hide its history; it just builds over it. You've just gotta know which alleyways to turn down. If you want the real experience, get a pair of comfortable boots, buy a "Visitor Oyster Card" for the tube, and start at the Tower Hill station. Walk south towards the river and just keep your eyes open. The history is usually right under your feet.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the British Museum website for the exact 2026 dates of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition to book your slot.
- Download the "CityofLondon" app which has a specific "Roman Wall" walking route that takes you through the hidden car parks and office basements.
- Book the "Ceremony of the Keys" exactly 12 weeks before your visit date—that's usually when the tickets drop online.