In London, some of the world’s most famous landmarks are also the most packed - Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace draw millions every year. But if you’ve ever stood shoulder-to-shoulder with a hundred strangers just to snap a photo of the Changing of the Guard, you know there’s a better way. You don’t need to fight through selfie sticks and tour groups to appreciate these icons. The key isn’t skipping them - it’s timing them right.
Beat the Rush at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
The best time to see Big Ben isn’t midday. It’s 7:30 a.m. on a weekday. That’s when the street cleaners are still sweeping the pavement outside Westminster Abbey, and the only people around are early commuters and a few photographers with tripods. The light hits the Elizabeth Tower just right at sunrise, casting long shadows across the Thames. You can stand on the south bank near Westminster Bridge and get the full view without a single person in frame.
Most tourists arrive after 9 a.m., when the first guided tours start. If you’re already in the city, grab a coffee from St. John’s Coffee Roasters on Victoria Street and walk over. You’ll have 45 minutes before the crowds roll in. The same trick works for the Houses of Parliament - the exterior is free to view, and you don’t need a ticket to appreciate the Gothic detail. Walk along the river path from Lambeth Bridge to Westminster, and you’ll find quiet corners where locals sit with newspapers and watch the boats pass.
Tower Bridge - Skip the Glass Floor, Take the Walkway
Tower Bridge is one of the most photographed spots in London, but the paid interior - with its glass floor and engine rooms - is packed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Instead, walk the high-level walkways for free. They’re open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and you’ll get the same panoramic view of the river, the City skyline, and the bridge’s iconic towers - without the ticket queue.
Go at dusk. Around 5:30 p.m. in winter, the bridge lights up in warm amber, and the glass walkway glows against the darkening sky. If you time it right, you might catch the bridge lifting for a tall ship - a rare sight these days, but still happens a few times a week. Check the Tower Bridge website for lift schedules. No need to pay. Just show up with a hot drink from Boho Coffee on Tower Bridge Approach.
The London Eye - Watch from the Park, Not the Pod
The London Eye is a spectacle, but the queues can stretch for hours, and the capsules are packed with families and foreign tourists taking group selfies. The real view? It’s better from the ground.
Walk across Waterloo Bridge and head into Southbank Centre’s Jubilee Gardens. Find a bench near the southern edge, facing north. You’ll get the full sweep of the Eye, the Thames, and the Houses of Parliament in one frame. At sunset, the Ferris wheel glows pink against the sky, and the city lights begin to flicker on. Locals come here after work with takeaway pizzas from Pizza Pilgrims or a pint from The Anchor Bankside. It’s not the ride - it’s the moment.
Buckingham Palace - Skip the Guard, Catch the Morning Light
The Changing of the Guard is a tradition, but it’s also a circus. Crowds gather by 8 a.m. for a 11 a.m. show. You’ll spend more time shuffling sideways than watching.
Instead, arrive at 7 a.m. on a weekday. The palace gates are still closed, the guards are just stepping into position, and the square is empty. The morning light hits the gold railings and the Victoria Memorial perfectly. You can stand on the pavement outside the main gates and take a photo without anyone else in shot. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a royal car pulling out - a quiet, unannounced moment that most tourists never see.
Afterward, walk through St. James’s Park. The pelicans are fed at 11:30 a.m., but the lake is peaceful before then. Locals know this as the best place in central London to sit with a paper and just breathe.
Stonehenge and the Cotswolds - Day Trips That Feel Like Escape
If you’ve had your fill of London’s icons, take a half-day trip to places that feel worlds away. Stonehenge is only 90 minutes by train from London Waterloo, but few Londoners go. Catch the 7:15 a.m. train from Waterloo to Salisbury, then a 10-minute bus to the stones. Arrive by 9 a.m. - you’ll be the first there. The mist still clings to the grass, and the stones stand silent under a pale sky. No tour buses. No crowds. Just you and 5,000 years of history.
For something closer, head to the Cotswolds. The village of Broadway is a 2-hour train ride from London Paddington. Walk the cobbled lanes before the day-trippers arrive. Stop at The Broadway Hotel for a proper English breakfast - bacon, eggs, baked beans, and a pot of Yorkshire tea. You’ll feel like you’ve left the city entirely.
When to Go: London’s Quiet Seasons
London’s busiest months are June through August and the week between Christmas and New Year. The quietest? Late January, mid-February, and the first two weeks of November. That’s when the air is crisp, the leaves are down, and the museums are empty.
Try visiting the British Museum on a Tuesday in February. You can stand in front of the Rosetta Stone with no one behind you. The National Gallery on a rainy Wednesday morning? You’ll have the entire Van Gogh room to yourself. The Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall feels like a cathedral when it’s empty.
Even in summer, avoid weekends. Locals know that Friday nights and Sunday afternoons are the worst. Plan your landmark visits for Tuesday through Thursday. You’ll get better photos, quieter cafes, and more space to think.
Local Tips for a Better Experience
- Use the Citymapper app to find the least crowded walking routes - it shows real-time foot traffic around major attractions.
- Bring a thermos. London’s weather changes fast. A hot drink makes waiting in quiet corners more enjoyable.
- Visit free museums on the first Thursday of the month. The V&A, Science Museum, and Natural History Museum all stay open late with fewer people.
- Walk along the Regent’s Canal from Little Venice to Camden. You’ll pass under bridges, past houseboats, and see the city from the water - without a single tourist bus in sight.
Final Thought: It’s Not About Seeing Everything
You don’t need to tick off every landmark to say you’ve experienced London. Sometimes, the most powerful moments happen when you’re not trying to photograph them. Sitting alone on a bench near the Thames as the fog rolls in. Watching the last boat pass under Tower Bridge. Hearing the chime of Big Ben echo across the square with no one else around.
London’s landmarks aren’t just sights - they’re anchors to its soul. And the soul of the city reveals itself best when you’re not rushing.
What’s the best time to visit the London Eye without waiting in line?
The London Eye is busiest between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. To avoid queues, arrive right at opening (10 a.m. on weekdays) or after 8 p.m. in the evening. But the best view? You don’t need to ride it. Head to Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank at sunset - you’ll get the same panorama, for free, with no lines.
Are there free alternatives to paid London attractions?
Yes. You can walk the high-level walkways of Tower Bridge for free. See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge. Watch the Changing of the Guard from a quiet spot outside Buckingham Palace at 7 a.m. Visit the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern - all free. The view from the South Bank is better than the ride.
Which London landmarks are least crowded in winter?
In January and February, the British Museum, the Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey are noticeably quieter. Even popular spots like the London Eye and Buckingham Palace see far fewer people. The cold weather keeps tourists away, and locals are focused on staying warm. It’s the perfect time to explore without crowds.
How can I avoid tourist traps in London?
Avoid restaurants right next to major landmarks - they’re overpriced and aimed at tourists. Instead, walk one street over. Use Citymapper to find walking routes with low foot traffic. Skip the guided tours unless you’re learning something specific. And don’t buy souvenirs on the Strand - head to Portobello Road Market or the Southbank Centre’s craft stalls for real local goods.
What’s the best way to get around London to avoid crowds?
Walk. London’s landmarks are surprisingly close together. Use the Tube only when necessary - rush hour (7:30-9:30 a.m. and 5-7 p.m.) is unbearable. Take the bus instead. Routes like the 15, 26, and 11 run along the Thames and offer great views. Or rent a Santander bike - you’ll get to hidden corners no bus can reach.