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Best Things to do in North London

North London is a delightful mix of nature and urban beauty. On one hand you’ve got acres of parks and historic sites to take a walk on, and on the other hand, you’ve got beautiful buildings and massive stadiums.

It’s hard to pick what the best thing is, but here are my picks!

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Why you should Visit:

Attractions: North London has a variety of attractions, including Hampstead Heath, Regent’s Park, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, and more

Culture: North London is known for its vibrant contemporary culture, with young artists, fashion and furniture designers, and musicians, who are reflected by its exciting, ever-changing graffiti

Sports: North London is home to several sports teams, including Arsenal Football Club and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Visitors can take a tour of the Emirates Stadium or White Hart Lane, or even catch a game

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My Picks of the best Things to do in North London

Hampstead Heath

A lake surrounded by trees and swans.

Hampstead Heath is hands down one of the best things to do for nature lovers in the area of North London. For anyone who is willing to brave through the steep climb of parliament hill, you’ll be met with amazing views of the city!

Heath’s bathing ponds allow visitors to enjoy outdoor swimming and a much-needed refreshing dip in the water during the summer months. Lastly, Heath is home to really cool spots to pack a picnic as you’re treated to great views of the park and its landscaped gardens.

📍Hampstead Heath, London NW5 1QR, United Kingdom

Primrose Hill

London skyline at dusk.

I guess the reason Primrose Hill is a personal favourite of mine, is because from here you can explore North London’s other parks such as Finsbury park and Alexandra palace. Anyone with the hankering for exploration, this is a prime spot to start!

There’s also a bunch of open air theatres here and maybe you’ll get the chance to see a few amazing performances! Don’t forget there are also a bunch of street food vendors here as these vendors know how tiring exploring this place is. don’t worry the food is amazing and reasonably priced.

📍Primrose Hill Rd, London NW1 4NR, United Kingdom

Parkland Walk

A person is walking down a path in a wooded area.

It is one of London’s longest reserve and is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, and over 300 species of wildflowers that you’ll see on the trail.

You’re essentially be walking along an abandoned railway track and be treated to a serene scenery of ancient woodland and dozens of animals that scurry around the park, it’s very relaxing and its something I suggest every tourist should visit!

📍Florence Road, London N4 3EY, United Kingdom

Highgate Cemetery

A person is walking down a path in a wooded area.

As someone who’s seen five horror movies over his lifetime, I’m a bit wary of cemeteries, but this one isn’t meant to be scary. I mean except for the All Saint’s Day Halloween events.

This is the final resting place of some really famous people like Karl Marx, a former Russian spy, and more! It’s a super immersive stroll, with super interesting architecture and tomb stones that scatter around the place.

📍Swain’s Ln, London N6 6PJ, United Kingdom

Abbey Road Studios

A recording studio with red chairs and microphones.

Personally the first time I went here I only knew the place as the recording studio of some of the world’s most famous artists, like the Beatles and Pink Floyd, but I didn’t know that some of the more recent artists are also under this studio! Like Ed Sheeran and Adele.

You could take a guided tour around this joint and the staff would happily explain the many dj sets they have and how they managed to produce some of the most iconic songs in the world!

📍3 Abbey Rd., London NW8 9AY, United Kingdom

Visit Hogwarts at the Harry Potter Studio Tour

A model of hogwarts castle is on display in a museum.

Even if you’re not exactly a Potterhead, this tour is still a must-see! I might be a bit bias though as grew up watching Harry Potter, but still, it is amazing to see how the movies of my childhood were made and produced.

Since this spot is super famous, I’d like to highlight that you can’t get a ticket at the door and you need to check out their site to book ahead of time. You could get a tour of the iconic great hall from the films and of course, the forbidden forest!

📍Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR, United Kingdom

Wembley Stadium

A stadium with red seats and a soccer field.

The largest studio in the UK and home to arsenal’s many wins and trophies as they boast a massive 58 times played in the stadium. Not exactly good info for MC United fans but still, this is a prime spot for football fans all over!

Wembley Stadium has hosted many notable events, including the FA Cup Final, League Cup Final, five European Cup finals, the 1966 World Cup final, and the final of Euro 1996. Visitors can take the Wembley Stadium Tour to explore the stadium and learn about its history.

📍London HA9 0WS, United Kingdom

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds offers visitors the chance to see and take photos with lifelike wax figures of celebrities, historical figures, and other famous people. To be honest, waxwork is the closest thing I could get to meeting a celebrity in real life.

Visitors can also take part in interactive experiences and learn about the history of wax sculpting, which is actually very interesting as you get to know how they make the sculptures so lifelike!

📍Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5LR, United Kingdom

Alexandra Palace

A large auditorium with an ornate ceiling.

 

Visitors can explore the palace’s history, take a tour of the building, and attend events such as concerts, exhibitions, and sports events. Now, what really sets Alexandra Palace apart is that they are excellent for couples as they have a Boating Lake complete with pedal boats that are perfect for dates or just solo if you’re feeling a bit melodramatic.

To add on this they also host bonfire nights and firework displays. And if that doesn’t impress you’re date then the rose gardens in the palace would probably do the trick.

📍Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5LR, United Kingdom

Camden Town

A street full of shops and people walking down the street.

Camden Town is a hub for live music, with many iconic music venues such as the Roundhouse, Electric Ballroom, and Jazz Cafés, Excellent pubs, bars, restaurants, cosy cafés, and more! (We also have guides for that though so check it out!)

It’s a lively town that’s close to Marylebone and other lively boroughs in London!

📍Underground Station Underground Ltd, Camden High St, London NW1 8NH, United Kingdom

London Zoo

A group of people standing outside of a zoo.

 

This is a conservation zoo in the heart of London, where visitors can discover amazing wildlife and learn how the zoo is protecting their future. The London Zoo offers over  650 species of animals, including lions, tigers, gorillas, penguins, and more to see. The zoo also has interactive experiences, such as animal encounters and keeper talks. 

You have no idea how much we enjoyed the zoo’s animal encounters! Definitely an amazing experience, and to top it all off, every visit funds their vital work to restore habitats and protect wildlife. 

📍Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom

Kenwood House

A large white building.

Kenwood House is a wonderful example of neo-classical architecture and is famous for its exceptional collection of masterpieces by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Rembrandt, and Turner, among others. It is full of the most important and treasured paintings in the UK.

Kenwood House is set in grounds next to Hampstead Heath and is surrounded by 112 acres of parkland, offering visitors the chance to explore ancient woodland, look out for beautiful sculptures and sham bridge, and enjoy panoramic views over London.

📍Hampstead Ln, London NW3 7JR, United Kingdom

National Library

A large library with lots of books.

The British Library is home to some of the most important and treasured literature in the world, including literary manuscripts, letters, maps, photographs, religious texts, and historical documents. It is the largest library in the world by the number of items listed, with over 170-200 million items.

We had the pleasure of exploring the library’s massive collections, which include over 60 million patents, 60 million newspapers, 4 million maps, and 260,000 journal titles. You could literally pick any piece of paper and you’re bound to learn something.

📍96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB, United Kingdom

Regent’s Park

A fountain in the middle of a garden.

 

Regent’s Park has many notable attractions, including the London Zoo, the Open Air Theater, and the Regent’s Canal. You could also spot grand examples of historic English terraced houses, private villas with formal gardens, and ruined buildings designed by the renowned John Nash.

It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking to be efficient in exploring North London. It has a unique charm to it so no wonder it’s a favourite with locals!

📍96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB, United Kingdom

Islington

A view of the city of london at sunset.

Islington is a great place to shop and dine, with a wide range of boutiques, homeware stores, eateries, and grocery stores. It was originally a small village and later became an important center for trade and commerce.

Today, Islington is known for its cultural diversity and its vibrant arts scene. Islington is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Almeida Theatre, which hosts a variety of events and performances throughout the year. It’s a big street and you’ll find a bunch of things to do and most importantly, to buy!

📍116 Upper St, London N1 1AB, United Kingdom

Looking for More Guides?

North London has more to offer! From quaint independent coffee shops to cosy bars and restaurants. Fortunately, we’ve got guides for them and more!

Head on to our site and and check out some of our other articles!

 

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Q:What is the culture like in North London?

A: North London is known for its vibrant contemporary culture, with young artists, fashion and furniture designers, and musicians, who are reflected by its exciting, ever-changing graffiti.

Q: What is public transport like in North London?

North London is easily accessible by public transportation, with several bus and train services running within the local area. 

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