The London Pass®: 100+ Things To Do – Includes Tower Bridge

London rewards a good plan. The London Pass® puts more than 100 attractions behind one mobile pass, from the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey to Tower Bridge, Thames Clippers, Hampton Court Palace, and Windsor Castle. I like the wide choice of sights and the chance to mix famous landmarks with smaller museums, gardens, stadium tours, and unusual stops.

I also like the flat-fee format, especially if you visit several expensive attractions in a short trip. The catch is that the pass is only a bargain when you use it actively. Reservations, attraction closures, busy periods, app problems, and the calendar-day validity can turn a well-priced pass into a costly headache.

The London Pass at a glance

• More than 100 attractions: Major sights include the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and The View from The Shard.
• Flexible durations: Choose 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 consecutive calendar days.
• Useful transport extras: The pass includes a 2-day Big Bus classic tour and access to a one-day River Roamer pass on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
• Reservations matter: The London Eye, The Shard, Madame Tussauds, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, and several other attractions require advance booking.
• Best value comes from full days: You need to visit several paid attractions each day to make the price worthwhile.
• Mobile first, paper backup: Your pass arrives after booking confirmation and can be synced with the Go City app, but technical trouble has caused serious frustration for some customers.

What you are really buying for $135.75

The listed price is $135.75 per person, though the final cost can vary with the duration selected. That figure makes the pass sound simple, but the value depends almost entirely on your sightseeing style.

A single attraction rarely justifies the purchase. A day that includes the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and a Thames ride can make much better financial sense. Add Westminster Abbey or another substantial attraction and the arithmetic improves again.

I would not buy the pass simply because it includes 100 attractions. You cannot realistically see all of them, and many are small museums or locations far from central London. The number is useful because it gives you choices, not because you will visit dozens of places.

The strongest value often comes from a two or three-day visit. Use the first day for central London sights, the second for the bus and river route plus more landmarks, and a longer pass for places such as Hampton Court, Windsor, Kew, or the London Zoo. The pass gives you a maximum credit value linked to the duration you choose, so check the current terms before buying.

One important detail: activation begins when you enter your first attraction, and the pass then runs for consecutive calendar days, not rolling 24-hour periods. Activate it at 4pm and that day counts. For a one-day pass, do not casually scan it late in the afternoon unless you already have a plan.

Famous London sights worth prioritizing

The Tower of London is one of the best uses of the pass. Give it about two hours, and allow more if you want to take your time. This fortress has served as a royal palace, prison, armoury, and even a zoo. It offers the kind of layered London story that makes the pass feel worthwhile.

Tower Bridge is another strong inclusion. Its elevated walkways provide views over the Thames, and the structure itself is one of the city’s great engineering icons. Allow about an hour. Rain can make the queue unpleasant, and there may be little shelter, so check the forecast and avoid arriving at the busiest moment.

At Westminster Abbey, you get a gothic church with royal and national importance, plus UNESCO World Heritage status. One hour is the stated visit time, but opening days and services matter. Check the schedule before building your day around it.

St. Paul’s Cathedral gives you Christopher Wren’s grand answer to the Great Fire of London. The present building was constructed between 1675 and 1710, and an hour lets you appreciate the main spaces, though you may want longer if you plan to explore fully.

The London Eye offers a modern view of the capital from 135 metres above the ground. Its 32 glass pods represent London’s boroughs, and the ride takes about 30 minutes. Reservations are required, so do not assume you can simply walk up with the pass.

At The View from The Shard, your pass includes the indoor viewing gallery, the open-air Skydeck on floor 72, a panoramic guide, and four digital photos. Plan about two hours, but note a key restriction: pass holders can book daytime visits only, with the last available slot listed as 5:15pm. This is one of the attractions you must reserve early.

Madame Tussauds London is a two-hour stop built around celebrity figures, royalty, sport, music, and themed displays. It suits families and pop-culture fans more than visitors seeking old London. Reservations are required.

Buses, boats, and the practical side of getting around

The included Big Bus Tours pass provides a two-day classic hop-on hop-off ticket. It can be useful on your first morning, when you need to get your bearings and want a broad look at the city without planning every street.

The bus is not always a dependable shortcut. Traffic, construction diversions, crowded stops, delayed vehicles, and changing routes can cost precious sightseeing time. A stop may be skipped without clear notice, and one reported diversion left passengers waiting more than 30 minutes before walking to another stop.

Use the bus as sightseeing, not as a guaranteed appointment transfer. If you need to reach Westminster Abbey before last admission or make a timed reservation, allow plenty of extra time. Commentary quality can vary, too. Some rides have engaging narration, while another experience was described as mostly music and limited information.

The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is best understood as river transport with views, not a classic narrated cruise. A River Roamer pass gives unlimited use for one day, allowing you to hop on and off. It is particularly useful between central London and Greenwich, but you need to understand the route before boarding.

The boat can save walking and provide a pleasant change of pace. It may not provide the announcements or sightseeing commentary you expect from a dedicated cruise. Check the route and pier locations in advance, then use it as transportation with a scenic bonus.

Royal residences and day trips beyond central London

Kensington Palace takes about two hours and connects royal apartments with changing exhibitions. Advance reservations are required, so follow the current instructions in the guide.

Hampton Court Palace deserves about three hours. The former home of Henry VIII offers a much larger outing than a quick central London museum visit. It is a good reason to choose a longer pass, provided you are willing to spend a substantial part of a day outside the center.

Windsor Castle also needs planning. The castle dates from the 11th century and remains one of Britain’s most famous royal residences. The journey outside London adds time and transport costs, which are not generally included unless specifically stated. It makes the most sense on a four-day, five-day, or longer pass.

At Buckingham Palace, the included attraction is The King’s Gallery, a permanent exhibition space for changing displays from the Royal Collection. It is a focused one-hour visit rather than a full palace tour.

Apsley House was the former home of the Duke of Wellington and once carried the address Number One, London. Nearby Wellington Arch provides city and park views. Both require advance reservations, and each takes about an hour.

Eltham Palace and Gardens offers a different royal story, with medieval connections and a later historical setting. Allow about two hours and reserve ahead.

Greenwich gives you a full day of variety

Greenwich is one of the best areas for using several pass benefits in one outing. Begin with the Royal Observatory Greenwich, where you can explore the historic home of British astronomy, Greenwich Mean Time, and the Prime Meridian. Allow about 90 minutes.

Continue to the National Maritime Museum, the largest maritime museum in the world, and the Cutty Sark, the last surviving tea clipper. The ship takes about 90 minutes and includes interactive displays, views of the Thames, and the unusual chance to walk beneath the hull.

The Fan Museum occupies two restored Grade II listed buildings dating from the 1720s. Ranger’s House, an elegant Georgian villa beside Greenwich Park, requires reservations. These smaller attractions give the district character after the major sights.

A River Roamer pass can make Greenwich easier to reach and connect with central London. Plan this as a half-day or full-day group of attractions, not as a quick side trip squeezed between Westminster and the Tower.

Museums for rainy days and curious minds

The pass includes major museums and many small ones, but the quality and scale vary.

The British Museum can absorb three hours and covers two million years of human history and culture. An audio guide is included through the specified experience, allowing you to explore at your own pace after meeting a host near Russell Square.

The Science Museum is a good family choice, with large science displays and an IMAX theater. Reservations are required for this activity. The Natural History Museum includes a souvenir guidebook, but the pass information does not indicate general admission in the same way as many other attractions, so check the current app details carefully.

The London Transport Museum explains how transport shaped modern London. It is a lively one-hour stop, especially useful if you want context for the Underground and the city’s growth.

The Charles Dickens Museum occupies a central London home and displays more than 100,000 objects, including personal items, artwork, and manuscripts. Last admission is at 4pm. The Postal Museum adds communication history, Mail Rail, and the Great Train Robbery, but reservations are required.

At the Freud Museum, you can see Freud’s study, his original psychoanalytic couch, and a collection of more than 2,000 antiquities. Keats House presents the Romantic poet’s home, artifacts, gardens, and literary programs.

Other smaller options include the Foundling Museum, the Florence Nightingale Museum, the Garden Museum, the Cartoon Museum, the Museum of Brands, Guildhall Art Gallery, the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, Benjamin Franklin House, and the London Canal Museum. These are ideal when you prefer focused collections over famous crowds.

The London Museum of Water and Steam adds working steam engines, a narrow-gauge railway on weekends, and a family Splashzone. The RAF Museum London is a stronger choice for aviation fans, with major aircraft displays.

The Globe, historic oddities, and special-interest stops

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a reconstruction of the open-air playhouse associated with Shakespeare. Set aside about two hours. It works especially well alongside the Golden Hinde, Southwark Cathedral, and the Thames.

The Golden Hinde is a full-size reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake’s Elizabethan ship. You can explore the vessel and hear stories about life at sea from the crew. Nearby Southwark Cathedral has medieval origins, links to Elizabethan theater, and a memorial to Shakespeare.

The Monument to the Great Fire of London combines a one-hour historical stop with city views. Jewel Tower, originally built to hold Edward III’s personal treasures, requires reservations and takes about two hours.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Neasden Temple is the largest Hindu temple outside India, with panels and dioramas explaining its traditions. It is well outside the main sightseeing core, so check the journey before committing.

The Royal Albert Hall offers a look at one of London’s best-known performance venues and requires advance reservations. See The Sights Tours offers seasonal Christmas Lights Walking Tours from November 14 through December 31, 2025, including Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden.

Stadiums, gardens, cinema, and family attractions

Sports fans have plenty to choose from. The Emirates Stadium includes an Arsenal museum and self-guided stadium access. Chelsea FC Museum & Tours includes the changing rooms but requires reservations.

At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the tour includes a look at the modern soccer ground and even access to the pitch. Rugby fans should head to Allianz Stadium Twickenham, home of England Rugby and the World Rugby Museum.

London Zoo takes about three hours and offers a substantial family day out in Regent’s Park. Chessington World of Adventures Resort is outside London and requires reservations. With four hours suggested, it is a full outing rather than an add-on.

For gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew offers glasshouses, galleries, and wide grounds. It requires advance booking. The Chelsea Physic Garden, founded in 1673, focuses on plant research and conservation and takes about two hours.

For evening or weather-friendly entertainment, pass options include Curzon Mayfair, Curzon Soho, and Curzon Bloomsbury cinemas. Availability depends on the attraction’s current arrangements, so check before counting a film toward your daily value.

Other unusual choices include QUEENS skate dine bowl, with ice skating, ten-pin bowling, arcade games, a bar, and a cafe. Swingers City and Swingers West End offer nine-hole crazy golf, but pass admission is limited to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays before 5pm.

Frameless presents famous art through four themed galleries, with music and large-scale visual effects. Moco Museum London focuses on contemporary art, including works linked with Banksy, Andy Warhol, Basquiat, Kusama, Keith Haring, and Damien Hirst. A Go City customer also receives a gift bag.

Small details that can make or break the pass

The Go City app is intended to hold your pass, attraction details, maps, and reservation instructions. Your pass is available after order confirmation, and you must select Get ticket to update your email and sync it in the app.

This process has not always been smooth. Missing codes, download errors, expired messages, and confusion between third-party booking support and the attraction provider have caused some people to lose valuable sightseeing time. I would download the pass before leaving home, save the PDF if available, screenshot essential details, and keep your booking confirmation accessible.

The pass can be purchased up to one year before use, but the attraction list can change. Each included attraction can be visited once. Always check opening hours, closure dates, and booking requirements on the app or digital guide before planning your route.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should buy it?

I recommend the London Pass to an energetic first-time visitor who wants several major paid sights and is happy to plan by neighborhood. It is especially useful for a two-day or longer trip that includes the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the bus, or the Thames boat.

I would skip it if you want a slow holiday, plan only one or two attractions, or dislike reservations and app-based tickets. It is also a poor fit if you expect the Big Bus to function like a reliable taxi or the Thames Clippers service to be a narrated sightseeing cruise.

Before buying, write down the attractions you genuinely want, add their individual prices, and compare the total with the pass cost. If your plan includes four substantial attractions plus transport benefits, the numbers can work very well. If your schedule is loose, the pass may pressure you into rushing.

FAQ

How long is the London Pass valid?

You can choose a pass lasting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 days. Once activated at your first attraction, it remains valid for the consecutive calendar days purchased, not for rolling 24-hour periods.

How long can I wait before using the pass?

The pass is valid for one year from the date of purchase before activation.

Which major attractions are included?

Included attractions listed for the pass include the London Eye, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, The View from The Shard, Kensington Palace, Madame Tussauds, Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, Kew Gardens, and others.

Is the London Eye included?

The London Eye is listed as an included attraction. Reservations are required, so check the Go City app or digital guide for operating times and booking instructions.

Is The View from The Shard included?

The View from The Shard is listed as included. Advance reservations are required, and pass holders can book daytime visits, with the last available booking slot listed as 5:15pm.

Does the pass include public transportation?

Regular transportation to and from attractions is not included unless specifically stated. The pass does include the listed Big Bus Tours benefit and access to a one-day River Roamer pass on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.

Can I visit an attraction more than once?

Each attraction can be visited once with the pass.

Do I need reservations?

Some activities require advance reservations. The listed examples include the London Eye, The View from The Shard, Madame Tussauds, Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, Science Museum activities, the Postal Museum, Chelsea FC tours, and several others.

What happens if I cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.