Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you if you kindly choose to book via my links.
No matter what time of year you’re planning your girls trip to London, you’ll find plenty to do because there’s always something going on in the city. My ultimate list of girly things to do in London will tell you everything you need to know for a weekend away with your friends.
Read on for some suggestions of things to do, where to eat, and where to stay on your girls trip to London.
And just a disclaimer – of course these things aren’t just for girls to do, boys are welcome too!
Girly things to do in London
There are so many things to do in London that it’s difficult to know where to start when you’re planning your itinerary. But don’t worry, I’ve got you!
Here are some of my favourite things to do with my friends when I visit London.
Sightseeing
If you’re visiting London with friends that haven’t been before, then you should definitely spend some time seeing some of the tourist sights. A great way to see these is on a free walking tour which will teach you more about the history of the city.
Be sure to tick off Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace.
Afternoon tea on the Thames
A lovely way to spend a girly afternoon is on an afternoon tea cruise on the River Thames with City Cruises. This one and a half hour cruise takes in the sights of London from the river, accompanied by a traditional afternoon tea.
The afternoon tea comes with everything you’d expect – sandwiches including smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise and ham, mini cakes and pastries, macarons and, of course a scone each. There was also unlimited tea and coffee and the waiter was great as he kept filling our cups every five minutes.
If you want to head outside of London, this restaurant in Henley offers food to enjoy and lots more to discover for family and friends.
Book afternoon tea cruise on the River Thames
We also treated ourselves to a couple of glasses of champagne too because, well, why not?! There is a commentary that runs during the cruise which points out landmarks and tells you some of the history of them too, so you also get to learn something during the afternoon.
We had a window table so we had great views and there is a panoramic window at the front of the boat too, so you can get pretty much 360 degree views of the city. You can also go up on the top deck during the cruise but unfortunately it really rained during our cruise so we decided to stay in the dry.
Visit a rooftop bar
Head to a rooftop bar with your girlfriends for some fantastic views over the city. Some of my favourites are the Sky Garden in the Walkie Talkie building, Searcys at the Gherkin, and Radio Rooftop.
Explore Buckingham Palace
From July to October each year, Buckingham Palace is open to the public. You can look through 19 of the state rooms and explore the garden.
I’ve been a couple of times and really love looking around the palace. It’s a great activity to do with your friends in London.
Take a sightseeing cruise
The hop-on hop-off river cruise run by Thames River Services runs from Westminster Pier to Greenwich and it’s a fantastic way to see the city. The Thames is really the heart of London, as everything has been built around it, so there’s plenty to see for a girls day out in London.
You can sit on the top deck of the boat as you cruise past all the most famous sites (and some not so famous!) while the guide talks you through everything. Cruise past sights like the London Eye, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, The Shard, the Tate Modern, The Globe and HMS Belfast.
You can hop on and hop off at any of the stops along the way so it makes a bit of a change from using the tube to get around the city.
Book the Thames hop-on hop-off river cruise
Go to a champagne bar
One of my favourite things to do with my friends is treat ourselves to a glass of champagne at a champagne bar. London has some great places for bubbles.
Grab a glass at Searcy’s Champagne Bar in St Pancras Station before you get the train home, have one in Selfridges as you take a break from retail therapy, or go to The Ned for champagne in the city.
Shop until you drop
If you and your girls are shopaholics then you’ll spending some time (and money!) looking around the incredible shops that London is home to. Try high end department stores like Selfridges or Harrods if you like your designer labels or head to New Bond Street for some real luxury shopping.
Whether you’re planning to indulge in some luxury shopping at Harrods or simply grabbing a coffee with friends, understanding the differences between how you pay—be it with a credit card or a debit card—can make your London adventure smoother. Knowing when to use each can also help you manage your budget better during your trip.
If second-hand is more your thing then London has got plenty of vintage shops to boot. Try the Brick Lane Vintage Market, Retromania in Pimlico or The Vintage Showroom in Covent Garden.
Wander around Little Venice
Just to the north of Paddington, Little Venice is a cute area with canals and waterways. If you and your girls want something a bit more chilled to do then a wander round here is perfect.
If you prefer, you can take a canal boat ride from Little Venice to Camden Lock. Little Venice is also home to independent theatres, quirky cafes and cosy pubs.
See a show on the West End
London’s West End is home to world class theatre and some of the world’s most popular musicals. A night seeing a show is a great girls’ night out.
Some of the best shows for the girls to watch include Wicked, Mamma Mia, and The Devil Wears Prada.
Watch ABBA Voyage
ABBA Voyage is an innovative concert experience that brings the Swedish pop group back to life. The concert is set in a custom built arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London.
You’ll be transported back in time dancing to ABBA’s greatest hits and watching the stunning life-like holographic performances. Whether you’re lifelong fans or just love a great show, ABBA Voyage is a must-see in London and perfect for a fun-filled girls night out.
Submitted by: Wanderlust Welsh
Sip and paint
If you’re looking for arty things to do then put a sip and paint event firmly on your list. I’m no artist but I do love a glass of wine and a sip and paint event is a good laugh.
I went to an event at the London Art Bar in Holborn and actually I was pretty impressed with my finished painting. Sip and paint is a fun activity to do with a group of your pals and channel your inner artist.
Go for lunch and a glass of wine
Ok, so a lot of my girls trips involve quite a bit of eating! London is the best place in the world for Instagrammable lunch places so get the girls together to visit one. Read this Instagram cache delete to find out how to keep your details secure.
Hush Mayfair is one of my faves – the food is delicious, it’s a great place for a glass of wine, and you can sit outside under their patio heaters. The toilets here deserve a mention too as they’re absolutely gorgeous!
Go for brunch
If your girls are anything like mine then they will love a good brunch. Whether that’s a chilled brunch with coffee or a bottomless brunch with cocktails, there are no end of places in London where you can enjoy the meal between breakfast and lunch, and a good gossip.
Some of my favourite spots for a relaxed morning brunch include Grind in Shoreditch, Lantana Cafe in Fitzrovia, Viola’s in Covent Garden, and The Breakfast Club which has locations throughout London.
Where to stay on a girls weekend in London
There’s no shortage of incredible hotels in London and there are plenty which are suitable for a girls’ trip.
Save: Wombats City Hostel, Tower Hamlets
I’ve stayed at Wombats City Hostel a few times with a group of friends and I really don’t think there’s anywhere better for value for money. It’s located in Tower Hamlets and is an easy walk to the nearest tube station.
Of course, hostels are basic, but this one is clean and functional and best of all, it’s super cheap. It has a bar downstairs and a coffee shop upstairs.
Mid-range: Mama Shelter, Shoreditch
Ok, so Mama Shelter looks like the absolute perfect base for a girls’ trip to London. They have a stylish restaurant and bar, a well-equipped gym and boutique rooms.
Oh, and did I mention there are private karaoke rooms? You might not want to leave the hotel!
Splurge: Pullman London St Pancras
Pullman London St Pancras has a great location just a five-minute walk from London St Pancras station. It’s luxurious and stylish but without snobbery.
There’s a gorgeous bar and restaurant that’s full of greenery and you can book a deluxe suite with panoramic city views.
Book Pullman London St Pancras
For those looking to extend their stay or even consider a more permanent move, checking out job opportunities can be a great idea.
Explore the latest openings in the city, and you might just find the perfect role that makes London feel even more like home. For instance, you can consider bookshop jobs in London on Jooble company.
How to get to London
There are a few options for getting to London for a day trip. The best and quickest way is probably by train.
You can check train timetables and buy tickets here.
From where I live it’s just a two hour train journey to St Pancras from Chesterfield train station. However, the train is really expensive with tickets sometimes costing up to £200.
A cheaper option is the National Express coach, however this does take a little longer – at least three and a half hours.
We decided to drive down for the day and park just north of central London at Stanmore tube station. The station is located just off junction 4 of the M1 and has a huge car park where you can leave your car for a day or two.
It’s just £6 to park for the entire day.
You do usually have to get here early as it is a popular parking spot for commuters, however, I’ve been a few times at all different times of the day and usually do manage to get a space. You can also leave your car here overnight if you’re planning to stay in London for a few days.
From here, it’s around a 45 minute tube ride into central London on the Jubilee line, depending on where you’re heading. Again, the tube was super quiet compared to usual and we even travelled during rush hour, but there was plenty of space for everyone.
I’m hoping we can do another perfect girls’ weekend before too long! What are your best tips for enjoying yourself with your friends? Let me know below!
One Response