London Vacation Tips for 2026–2027 – What You Need to Know

Are you planning a trip to London in 2026 or 2027? Here are some essential tips to make your visit smoother and more enjoyable, along with exciting new attractions to explore in this ever-evolving city.

General Tips to Make Your London Vacation Easier

Embrace Contactless Travel

London’s public transport runs on contactless. Use your bank card, phone or smartwatch on the Tube, buses, trains and riverboats, and the daily cap means you never pay more than a set amount per day. Always touch in and out with the same card or device, because each one counts as a separate payment method. For a full breakdown of fares, caps and the best way to pay, read our guide How to Pay for London Public Transport: A Practical Guide for Visitors

Download Helpful Travel Apps

A few good apps make getting around London much easier. Citymapper, Google Maps and Apple Maps all use live Transport for London data to plan routes and warn you about disruptions. Shorter trips are often quicker, and more rewarding, on foot or by bus. See our pick of the best ones in The Best Apps for Getting Around London (So You Can Focus on the Fun Stuff)

Mind the Traffic and Escalator Etiquette

A classic but important tip: watch out for traffic from the right when crossing streets, as cars drive on the left. On Tube escalators, stand on the right unless you’re walking up. It’s an unwritten rule Londoners take seriously, especially at busy times.

Stay Informed with Social Media and Apps

Follow @secret.london and @timeoutlondon on social media platforms like TikTok for up-todate information on events and activities during your stay. These accounts often share hidden gems, pop-up events, and last-minute deals that can add unexpected delights to your itinerary. For events download the Eventbrite App and the Dice App.

Check Your Entry Requirements

Many visitors now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. Check the official GOV.UK website well before you travel.

7 New Things to See in London for 2026–2027

London never stands still. Here are seven exciting attractions that have opened in the past year or so.

Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station has become a vibrant destination full of shops, restaurants and entertainment, and its star attraction is Lift 109. The glass lift travels up inside the northwest chimney, rising 109 metres for 360-degree views across the London skyline. Your visit begins in the Art Deco Turbine Hall A, where interactive exhibits tell the Power Station’s story, and tickets start from £17. For an exploration of nearby Chelsea & Kensington, consider the THEHOOFIT Chelsea & Kensington Walkabout.

V&A East Storehouse

Ever wondered what museums keep behind closed doors? Open since May 2025 in part of the former London 2012 Olympics Media Centre, the warehouse-style Storehouse gives visitors access to the V&A’s vast collection of art and historic objects. General admission is free and no booking is needed. Don’t miss the Order an Object service: you can book a free appointment online to see almost any object up close, but it must be made at least two weeks before your visit. Music fans should head to the David Bowie Centre, which you can now visit without booking a timed ticket. The Storehouse also made TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2026.

V&A East Museum

Right next door is one of London’s newest major museums. V&A East Museum opened in Stratford in April 2026. Its two free permanent galleries, Why We Make, feature more than 500 objects spanning art, architecture, design, performance and fashion. The top floor hosts changing temporary exhibitions, which are ticketed. Combine both V&A sites into a great day out in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. For more of East London, explore Spitalfields and Shoreditch with the THEHOOFIT EC2 East London Walkabout, or at your own pace with our audio guide.

London Museum at Smithfield (opening 28 November 2026)

London’s most anticipated new museum. The former Museum of London reopens in its new Smithfield home on Saturday 28 November 2026, and entry to the permanent galleries will be free. You’ll enter through Real Time, a former covered street showing London in the moment, while the subterranean Past Time galleries tell the city’s history.

Late openings on Friday and Saturday nights are planned. Smithfield is just a short walk from Spitalfields, where our EC2 East London Walkabout begins.

Summit at Alexandra Palace

Fancy walking across the roof of a palace? Opened in February 2026, Summit is the highest roof walk in the UK at 130 metres above sea level. The hour-long climb takes you up to the famous Angel of Plenty statue, then opens out to 360-degree views of the capital.

You can choose a daytime, sunset or evening climb, and prices start from £28 plus a booking fee. For more of North London, combine your visit with the THEHOOFIT Camden & North London Walkabout.

Hidden London: Aldwych Family Tour

Ever wondered what lies behind the locked doors of an abandoned Tube station? The London Transport Museum’s new family tour goes underground at Aldwych, a former Piccadilly line terminus that closed to passengers in 1994. Families unlock different parts of the station by solving riddles, clues and quizzes as a team, and hear how it served as an air raid shelter in both world wars and later a Hollywood filming location.

It’s aimed mainly at children aged 10 to 14, with tickets from £43.50 for children and £46.50 for adults, including half-price entry to the London Transport Museum. A perfect pick for families with teens. Tickets available at https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/hidden-london/aldwych-family-tour.

Absurd City at Westfield London

For families and teens, this is the newest adventure in town. Opened in October 2026 at Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush, Absurd City by Wake The Tiger is an 80,000-square-foot immersive world of strange environments, interactive installations and hidden spaces. Plan to spend up to two hours exploring.

By keeping these tips in mind and exploring London’s newest attractions, you’re sure to have an unforgettable London experience in 2026 and 2027. 

Remember to check official websites for the latest opening hours and ticket prices before your visit.

London’s charm lies in its blend of history and modernity, and these new attractions perfectly embody that spirit.

Curious to explore London from a different perspective? Check out THEHOOFIT London tours or get in touch to book private tours or personalised experiences.