It’s no secret London is a hive of history, with the vestiges of a centuries-old past found around nearly every corner. Whether you love to delve into the mysteries of a bygone era, fancy walking in the footsteps of famous figures from the past or want to step back in time on an immersive adventure, we’ve rounded up some of the best historical experiences and things to do in London.
1. Sip spirits with spectres at the oldest pub in the city
We can’t talk about history and London without mentioning the city’s oldest boozer. Pubs are an intrinsic part of our culture after all. Dating back to 1520, The Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping has a particularly dark and storied past. If the walls could talk, they’d be blabbing about its early beginnings as a haunt for pirates, smugglers and criminals – you can chalk that up to its riverside location – before it burned down and started a new life under its current name.
While you’re sinking a few pints and musing on the frozen-in-time interiors (a nod to its history, no doubt) you can gaze out the window at a morbid piece of the past: the noose and gallows of Execution Dock. It’ll come as no surprise that the pub is said to be haunted – there are even regular ghost tours if you fancy some spooky spectating.
📍57 Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SH.
2. Soak up some history at St. Dunstan in the East Gardens
Now the weather is perking up (for now anyway), you’ll probably want to spend a bit more time soaking up a precious bit of sunlight. One particular place that boasts not only a long and interesting history, but spellbinding surroundings is St. Dunstan In The East.
The overgrown ruins of the 1,000-year-old church are a striking spot to explore, where vines twist through the empty shells of gothic windows and creep across the walls like an intricate cobweb, while palm trees add an unexpected tropical touch and sun-dappled moss bathes the space in a spectrum of green. Once you’ve enjoyed the romanticism of this almost dystopian haven, you can delve into its impressive history – it had its fair share of misfortune thanks to the Great Fire of London and a German bomb in 1941 before ultimately being made into a public park in 1967.
📍St Dunstan’s Hill, EC3R 5DD. Nearest tube stations are Tower Hill and Monument.
3. Take in priceless treasures at this rare Ramses II exhibition
Coming to NEON at Battersea Power Station at the end of February, the captivating Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold exhibition features over 180 authentic artefacts, including the coffin of Ramses II and the golden mask of King Amenemope. You will be able to explore the legacy of the “builder pharaoh” through colossal statues, animal mummies and ancient hieroglyphics. With special approval from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Culture, this is the largest collection of Ramses II items to have ever left Egypt, offering a rare chance to explore age-old treasures of immeasurable value. It is a must-visit for history lovers and curious minds alike during its limited London run.
📍 LOCATION: Battersea Power Station, 2 Circus Road East, SW11 8DQ
🗓️ DATES: From 28 February 2026
4. Embark on a goosebump-inducing Jack the Ripper walking tour
History has its fair share of spine-chilling serial killers, but few are more notorious than Jack The Ripper. His reign of terror in Whitechapel and the unsolved mystery surrounding his identity has sent ripples throughout time, with unanswered questions that plague people to this day. If you can’t contain your curiosity any longer then grab tickets to the Jack The Ripper Walking Tour for an hour and 30 minutes exploration of the infamous area where he committed his brutal murders. You’ll learn the chilling secrets of his crimes as you follow an expert guide on this haunting hunt.
📍Tour starts at Tower Hill Underground Station.
5. Go behind the scenes at the Natural History Museum Spirit Collection tour
Explore the hidden depths of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks with a fascinating look at over 23 million preserved animal specimens tucked away in the labs. This 45-minute guided journey takes you through the Darwin Centre’s vast shelving to see everything from giant squids to Charles Darwin’s original samples. It is a rare opportunity to see real science unfolding far beyond the public galleries.
📍Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
6. Uncover the rise and fall of ancient civilisations at the Timewalk Exhibition
The Timewalk Exhibition is a portal to ancient worlds that opened in London in summer, inviting visitors to delve into the history of lost civilisations through mesmerising, immersive rooms featuring 360-degree projections, illuminated sculptures and atmospheric soundscapes. You can plug into an audio guide and leave reality behind as you listen to the wondrous stories of Göbeklitepe, Babylon, Ancient Egypt, Maya and Rapa Nui, all while surrounded by breathtaking visuals depicting nature-wrapped cenotes and glimmering, golden cities. The exhibition also shines a light on the enduring link between civilisations, the cosmos and water throughout the centuries, promising a gripping journey through human history.
📍 LOCATION: Immerse LDN
7. Enjoy history before your hangover on this historic pub tour
Take a pub crawl, add a heft glug of history, mix it up with some leg-stretching walks and you’ve got the Historic Pub Walking Tour. The four-hour journey takes you to four historic pubs from Trafalgar Square to Shaftesbury Avenue. You’ll get to sip local beverages in the favourite haunts of famous figures such as Charles Dickens, soak up some knowledge about London landmarks and even explore a few secret streets that are practically drenched in history.
📍Starts at Longridge Mansion, Warwick Road, SW5 9TB.
8. Admire the historic splendour of The Painted Hall
Architecture, art, mythology and more can be found at the Old Royal Naval College. History is found in every brushstroke and architectural feature of this striking centuries-old building, making for a spellbinding journey through time.
Feast your eyes on the Elysian fresco that adorns The Painted Hall’s ceiling, featuring everything from mighty gods and goddesses to regal monarchs and rosy-cheeked cherubs. While there, you can learn all about Sir James Thornhill’s fascinating masterpiece with an enlightening audio guide. Plus, you can take a peek in the hall’s treasure chest and enjoy replica artefacts such as the shattered sword of King Louis XIV.
📍Greenwich, SE10 9NN. Nearest station is North Greenwich.
9. Take a wander through Leadenhall Market
If you’re saving your pennies and happy to simply sit with a coffee and admire a piece of architectural history then you might want to head over to Leadenhall Market – though your pennies might soon disappear once you breathe in the aromas of the many tempting eateries there.
The striking Grade II-listed building dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest markets in London, complete with cobbled walkways, golden detailing and an ornate roof, you could easily while away the day taking in its intricate and storied architecture. Potterheads will also recognise it from the film ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, so there’s a little bit of cinematic history there to enjoy as well.
📍Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT. Nearest station is Monument.
10. See London through Charles Dicken’s eyes
A literary lover with great expectations for a historic day out? Our Charles Dickens tour of London will be just the thing. The city is the setting for many of his novels and a character in and of itself, but while Dickens’ London as he knows it exists only in the pages of his books, some locations remain. You can walk in his footsteps and remember his works as you visit places such as The Old Curiosity Shop, which, while unproven, is said to have been the inspiration for his novel of the same name, Seven Dials (once a notorious slum) and the Victorian pub ‘Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese’ where it is claimed he had a tipple or two.
📍Various locations.
11. Catch a show at the Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre, famous for its association with William Shakespeare, has lived a few lives. Its first iteration was built in Southwark in 1599 by Shakespeare’s playing company (The Lord Chamberlain’s Men), before being destroyed by a fire in 1613 then rebuilt on the same site a year later, it lasted a few decades before it was shut down by the Puritans during the First English Civil War.
The circular Shakespeare’s Globe we know and see today was built in 1997 as an ode to the Elizabethan playhouse, opening with a production of Henry V. While Shakespeare never actually stepped foot in this particular theatre, his plays still unfold on the striking stage in various reincarnations as well as a selection of new productions. If you’re more interested in the theatre itself, there are guided tours shedding light on the 400-year-old history of this storied piece of architecture and the iconic literary figure who inspired it.
📍21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT. Nearest tube station is Blackfriars.
12. Venture outside the city to the storied Blenheim Palace
If you fancy popping the bubble of London and venturing further afield to get your history fix, then take a look at Blenheim Palace. Dating back to the 1700s, the regal country house has history oozing from every curtain tassel, gilded swirl and perfectly manicured blades of grass. It’s a bit of a journey, found just under three hours from the city, so you might want to make it a weekend trip. But there’s plenty to do and see, including the chance to step into Winston Churchill’s birth room – and explore his legacy and life at a dedicated exhibition – soak up the lavishly decorated State Rooms and wander through acres of the meticulously-designed gardens.
📍Woodstock OX20 1PS.
13.Tour the century-old underground postal railway tunnels
The Postal Museum is inviting visitors to go beneath the streets for an exclusive tour of its 100-year-old subterranean network. These expert-led Mail Rail tours allow you to explore an eerie train graveyard and parts of the tracks usually hidden from public view. You can descend under London’s labyrinthine streets to adventure through 1.2 kilometres of historic tunnels while learning about the staff who operated this vital railway until its closure in 2003.
📍 LOCATION: The Postal Museum, 15-20 Phoenix Place, WC1X 0DA
🗓️ DATES: Select Friday and Saturday evenings until March 2026
14. Learn about the legacy of a revolutionary designer at this Schiaparelli exhibition
Collection, summer 1938. Fabric designed by Salvador Dali (c) Victoria and Albert Museum,
London. (l); (Photo by Horst P. Horst/Conde Nast via Getty Images) (r)
This UK-first showcase dives into the life of Elsa Schiaparelli, a visionary who famously bridged the gap between innovative fashion and surrealist art. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art features over 200 spectacular items, including garments, accessories, and sculptures, ranging from her early 1920s designs to modern creations by Daniel Roseberry. You can explore the blurred line separating fashion and art through iconic collaborations with 20th-century masters. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of haute couture and creative expression.
📍 LOCATION: V&A South Kensington
