Having grown up in Wales and now living up north, it's always a treat to visit the capital and I've been on quite a few trips to London over the last few years. Whatever your interests, you're sure to find plenty to explore and the London design scene is no exception - there's so much interiors inspiration here! In this guide, I'm sharing my favourite things to do in central London for down to earth design lovers.

Museums and Exhibitions

Museum of the Home - Hoxton

Number one on my must-visit places is this fantastic museum which explores how people have lived in domestic spaces over the past four centuries. It's housed in a row of beautifully preserved listed 18th-century almshouses and there's so much to see. The main exhibition, Rooms Through Time, is a series of fascinating galleries showing how life in London's homes has changed over the years, from 17th-century halls and Georgian parlours to mid-20th-century flats and contemporary living spaces. As well as other temporary exhibits, there are also regular tours of Almshouse 14 where you can find out how residents lived, slept and stayed warm centuries ago.

Don't miss the Gardens through Time which are especially lovely to visit in spring!

Charles Dickens house

I can’t recommend this museum highly enough. Set in the author’s former home — a Georgian townhouse on Doughty Street — it offers a fascinating glimpse into his life and work.

The rooms are filled with original furniture, personal objects and manuscripts so it's easy to picture Dickens living and writing here. And it’s the perfect museum to get an insight into 19th-century life in a Georgian home.

London design museum

Just off Kensington High Street, this museum is a must for anyone interested in the design world. It explores contemporary design in all its forms, including product design, fashion and architectural design. The building itself is striking, and inside you’ll find exhibitions packed with inspiring interiors and design ideas.

Churchill War Rooms

A fascinating step back in time, this historic underground complex located beneath the streets of Westminster served as Winston Churchill's wartime headquarters during World war 2.

You can explore the rooms almost exactly as they were left. It gives a great insight into the history, strategy and daily life during the war years, and I loved seeing the original 1940s style interiors. You can easily spend a few hours in here.

V&A museum

Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, this museum is a treasure trove of art, design and fashion. From historic furniture and textiles to contemporary pieces, you'll find plenty of design inspiration.

Temporary Exhibitions

You'll also find lots of temporary and pop-up exhibitions all over London. On recent visits, I've been to an Andy Warhol exhibition at the Fashion & Textile Museum and a David Hockney immersive show at the Lightroom in Kings Cross. Both were fantastic.

Art Galleries

Tate modern

London’s iconic contemporary art space located on the South Bank. From bold modern paintings (including works by Picasso, Matisse and Rothko) to giant sculptural installations in the Turbine Hall, there’s always something inspiring for art and design lovers.

National gallery

For a more traditional art experience, this iconic gallery on Trafalgar Square is home to one of the world’s greatest collections of Western European paintings, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

Moco Museum

A cool spot for contemporary and street art, this immersive art museum includes works by contemporary artists like Banksy, Warhol and Kusama.

A great one to visit with kids - I took my youngest to MOCO in Amsterdam and he absolutely loved the interactive digital installations!

Architecture

London is packed full of amazing buildings - here are a few of my favourites.

Buckingham Palace

Classic London - grand and symmetrical with tall columns and iconic sash windows. Building started in 1703 and it’s been the official residence of the British monarch since 1913. Watch the changing of the guards at 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Shakespeare’s Globe

A beautifully recreated open-air theatre on the south bank of the River Thames, built to reflect the original Elizabethan playhouse. Whether you’re watching a play or just exploring the area, it’s a great place to soak up theatre history.

Monument

A striking stone column built to commemorate the Great Fire of 1666. Climb the 311 steps to the top for fantasitc views of the city.

Tower of London

One of the city’s most iconic sites, with nearly a thousand years of history behind its walls. From royal palaces and prisons to the Crown Jewels, it’s a fascinating place to explore for a taste of Britain's medieval architecture.

Natural History Museum

Built in the late 19th century, this building is as impressive on the outside as it is inside, with its grand terracotta façade, soaring arches and intricate details. Designed in a Gothic revival and twelfth century Romanesque style, the building has a cathedral-like feel. The museum itself is really interesting but it’s well worth a visit just to admire the architecture!

Coal Drops Yard - King's Cross

A stylish mix of shops, restaurants, and cafes set inside beautifully restored Victorian coal warehouses. The combination of historic architecture and modern design gives it a unique atmosphere - an interesting place to wander.

Barbican

Built in the '60s and '70s, the Barbican is a striking Brutalist complex with unique architecture, elevated walkways, and hidden gardens. It’s home to the Barbican Centre where you’ll find theatre, music, and art exhibitions.

Wanderings

One of my favourite things to do in London is to get lost in the pretty residential streets and admire the beautiful houses. I particularly love the walk from Earls Court to Kensington, past the Victorian gated squares.

Or wander past the pretty Georgian pastel townhouses of Notting Hill (it gets very busy on Portobello Road on market days though!)

Parks and Gardens

If you're look for outside spaces to enjoy, you'll be spoilt for choice in London.

Kensington Gardens

One of London’s loveliest green spaces, with wide tree-lined paths, manicured lawns, and peaceful lakes. Home to Kensington Palace and the beautiful Italian Gardens, it’s perfect for a stroll or a picnic. You'll also find the Princess Diana Memorial playground and garden, inspired by her love of children.

St James's Park

Right in the heart of the city, opposite the Churchill war rooms and with views of Buckingham Palace - admire the beautiful lake, colourful flowerbeds and the resident pelicans, who’ve been a famous part of the park for centuries!

Sky Garden

A different kind of (indoor) garden!

Wander around lovely landscaped gardens and feel closer to nature at London's highest public garden. It has a lively social feel with 360-degree views of London's skyline, with observation decks and an open-air terrace where you can enjoy a drink. I love this place! Tickets are free and go on sale every Monday morning for visits three weeks in advance.

Green Park

A calm, leafy escape in central London, perfect for a stroll between Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park Corner. You’ll find several memorials here, including the Bomber Command Memorial in tribute to those who served in the Second World War.

Shopping

London has a diverse collection of shopping spots for design enthusiasts, from iconic department stores and designers’ showrooms to flea markets and antique shops.

Liberty

A beautiful historic department store with Tudor-style charm, packed with designer fashion, quirky homeware, and stylish decor finds. You don’t come across many buildings with as much character as this!

Chelsea Design Centre - Chelsea Harbour

A trade-focused shopping destination full of showrooms, brands and makers - the perfect place for relaxed browsing and to discover new products. If you're visiting in June/July, I highly recommend a visit to the WOW!house - a really inspiring immersive showhouse, with interior designers and brands bringing full-scale room designs to life.

Hackney flea market

A great collection of vintage furniture, quirky homeware and retro finds.

The Conran Shop

Sir Terence Conran's flagship store is a must-visit for anyone into interiors and design. Located on Chelsea’s King’s Road, it’s packed with stylish furniture, homeware, lighting, and decor - great for interiors inspiration or if you want to treat yourself.

Camden Market

Centred around the famous Camden Lock with vintage furniture, quirky lighting, and unique homeware - it's the perfect place to buy unique pieces for your home.

Take a walk along Regents Canal afterwards where you’ll find colourful barges, street art and very posh houses!

Newson’s Yard

A lovely luxury design spot in upmarket Belgravia, with a collection of high end interiors shops, design studios and showrooms including Nina Campbell, Modernity and Plain English. Located in a pretty courtyard, it's a great place to wander and soak up some design inspiration.

Eat and Drink

Oscar Wilde Lounge at Café Royal - Regents Street - Quite pricey but lovely for celebrating a special occasion, this is a beautiful historic spot with ornate gold rococo plasterwork, amazing parquet floors and floor to ceiling mirrors. It was a famous celebrity hotspot in years gone by so each table is named after someone famous who used to sit there.

Dishoom - Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross - a cosy, Bombay-inspired spot in London, full of vintage charm and flavour-packed Indian dishes. Perfect for a casual lunch or evening out.

Leadenhall Market - a stunning Victorian market with cobbled lanes, ornate architecture and a mix of shops, cafes and pubs. One of my favourite places to stop for a coffee - I highly recommend Aux Merveilleux de Fred for delicious pastries!

Seven Dials Market - Covent Garden - A bustling space that brings together the best independent street food and drinks vendors in London. I love the cheese conveyor belt!

Lockes - Covent Garden - a cosy candlelit wine bar.

Cork and Bottle - Leicester Square - A cosy, cellar‑style wine bar serving delicious dinners and small plates.

Cates - Hoxton - Serving the best almond croissants I’ve ever tasted! Stop off for a snack after visiting the Museum of the Home.

Interiors Events

And finally, here’s a roundup of annual interiors events that take place in London.

March - London Design Week (Design Centre - Chelsea Harbour)

March–April - Ideal Home Show (Olympia London - Kensington)

May - Clerkenwell Design Week

June–July - WOW!house (Design Centre - Chelsea Harbour)

September - London Design Festival (V&A - South Kensington and other locations)

October - Decorex (Olympia London - Kensington)

If you’ve enjoyed this post, take a look at my other UK travel blog posts - Hebden Bridge and North Wales.

London City Break - Design Lover’s Travel Guide