London with Teens: The Complete Guide to the Top Teen Activities & Attractions

If you’re looking for things to do in London as a teenager, don’t despair! We know only too well that those aged between 13 and 19 can be notoriously hard to please, which is exactly why this guide is packed with teenager activities in London they’ll love.

From thrilling adrenaline rides to soccer stadium tours, foodie experiences, cultural attractions  and even ghosts and ghouls, this guide lists 15 fun things to do in London – with a teenager or by letting them fly solo for a while.

When you’re stuck regarding what to do when taking a trip to London with tweens or older teens, this list should help to smooth your way. As well as the top things to do, we have you covered by sharing our top tips and answers to frequently asked questions regarding things to do for teenagers in London. 

If you’re heading to London with younger siblings, don’t miss our post on the top things to do in London with kids. 

Visiting London with Teens?

The best London sightseeing pass for those with travelling with teens in tow is The London Pass

Main London Pass highlights:

• Easy to use
• Includes lots of attractions and activities 
• A real time-saver
• Cuts prices and helps you budget for your trip

The range of teen-friendly London attractions included is unparalleled. This is the number one London Pass to think about buying before your trip!

⭐️ Click here to buy the London Pass – Enter code UKLP5 at checkout to get an exclusive 5% discount!

15 best things to do in London with teens

IFS Cloud Cable car

While the London Eye is one of the best things to do for people of all ages, the average teenager in London might well appreciate being whisked across the city skyline by cable car more than other members of the family.

It’s one of the most fun things to do in London for a teenager, and gives them a birds-eye view over the historic city while experiencing the thrill of a ride over the Thames.

Sights to look out for include the O2 arena and the Olympic park built for the 2012 games. The cable was also created as an additional Olympic attraction. 

Oyster card holders can get a discount or buy a combined ticket with a Thames Clippers River Roamer day pass here.

Climb the O2 roof

If seeing the O2 as their cable car whizzes by isn’t enough, book your adventurous teen a space on one of the top things to do in London for teens. They can climb the roof of the O2 arena, and might even learn a little about its history as the Millenium Dome along the way. 

Drinking in those views over the river Thames is also a highlight. The climb takes 90 minutes in total, and gives those who participate a unique perspective on the UK capital. As well as something to boast about to their friends back home.

Britain has very high standards of safety and your teen will be tooled up with all the right kit before they begin the ascent. On a clear day, they may be able to see as far as 15 miles away.

Buying a ticket through Get Your Guide means you can cancel up to 24 hours before the climb without a penalty. You can do that here.

The View from The Shard

Even a teen surely cannot fail to be impressed by travelling up to the top of one of Britain’s most iconic buildings – and the reward at the top is breathtaking views over this world-famous city.

The viewing platform is on the 72nd floor and offers spectacular 360 degree views over the London skyline. This is another of the best things to do in London as a teenager when they want to claim bragging rights among their friends. 

It’s possible to see up to 40 miles away on the clearest of days, and they can buy a souvenir photo in the gift shop after spending as long as they like up there. 

You can also buy refundable tickets for entry to The Shard via Get Your Guide here (The View from the Shard is also included in the London Pass)

Shop till they drop at the markets

All teens love shopping, right? So it naturally follows that exploring some of the city’s eclectic range of markets is one of the top things to do in London when you’re a teen.

According to Time Out London, a teenager should be happy picking from a list comprising an antique market (that also sells jewellery and homeware for their room), general goods, artisan foods or gifts. 

If we had to pick one for teens, make it Camden Market. Based by Regent’s Canal, it’s the most legendary of all London markets, and is apparently the fourth most popular attraction in the whole city. It’s also open seven days a week from 10am until late. Find out more here. 

Take a football stadium tour

If they’re into soccer – or football as it’s known in the UK – then trust us, your teen would dearly love to take a tour of one of the top stadiums to be found on earth. You can do this at the home of Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal, or even at Wembley itself. 

The latter is also used as a concert venue, and if you did manage to grab tickets to see their favourite playing Wembley then they’re surely guaranteed to love you forever. Check out what’s on when you visit here. 

Failing that, a tour of the Emirates stadium or the Tottenham Hotspur stadium – both in North London – are major London attractions for teenage tourists who love football or soccer. 

Book your tickets for Arsenal stadium here, the Spurs stadium here or for a guided tour of Wembley here.

Organise a photoshoot with Domi of Scalens Studio

If they’re more into striking a pose than watching what’s going on at the football pitch, why not organise a photoshoot for your teen?

It will make a great souvenir of their time in the British capital, and is one of the more unusual activities for teenagers in London. You can book a time slot to suit you, and can also arrange a location of your choice for the photoshoot.

Whether the backdrop is the river Thames lined by all those iconic buildings, a cute terrace of smart townhouses, an urban street scene or a famous London landmark, it makes for an everlasting memento of your stay in the UK.

You can book your personal travel photographer Domi of Scalens Studio here.

A fabulous area for a photoshoot is Notting Hill – check out out our self-guided Notting Hill Walking Tour and book Domi to take photos along the way!

Have afternoon tea at a top hotel

Afternoon tea is a British institution and to miss out on this delectable treat while in London is just not on! For anyone not in the know, it involves dainty finger sandwiches, delicate little cakes and freshly, baked, fluffy scones slathered in fresh clotted cream and fruity jam (jelly). 

Really, the thought alone is enough to make any teen (or adult or child) salivate. This foodie experience is definitely up there with the top activities for teenagers in London, and will give them plenty of opportunities to create content for sharing via Insta and TikTok.  

Any top hotel will do the job incredibly well, or go for a Harry Potter-themed afternoon tea at the Georgian House Hotel in Pimlico. You can find out more about that in this post. 

Tour the Cartoon Museum

Yes, we know – teenagers tend to roll their eyes at the mere thought of spending time at a museum. But have they heard of the Cartoon Museum? Located in Fitzrovia, it’s a great one to do before or after that afternoon tea.

The museum has a collection spanning cartoon artwork dating back as far as the 1800s, and there are 8,000 comics on display. That should keep them busy for a while. 

The best thing about it is that kids and teens under 18 get in for free, though adults do need to buy an admission ticket. Find out more here. 

Jump on the Thames Rocket

The Thames Rockets are the UK’s best speedboat experience bar none. Whether you have a teenage son who wants to be like James Bond when he’s older or a daughter who simply hankers after a glamorous lifestyle, these trips offer excitement and adrenaline in spades.

Wearing life jackets, they’ll take to a RIB speedboat alongside a number of others for the ride of their life along the Thames. If you want to join them, why not book the ‘Mum goes free’ option? 

Rides last between 40 and 80 minutes, taking in lots of iconic London sights along the way. When it comes to cool places for teens in London, surely a speedboat is high on the list. 

You discover more about the options offered here. 

Go to The Globe

As they’re likely to be studying his plays at school, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre is one of the best teenage attractions in London to visit. It might even help to bring the eccentric cast of characters to life next time they take a class on Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream or Julius Caesar. 

There are various family-friendly events throughout the year, or you can find out which plays are on and book some tickets. Find out more at the official website here. 

Alternatively try the Unicorn Theatre near Tower Bridge, a leading light within the industry targeting young people in particular.  

Take in a West End show

There are always lots of shows for teens going on in London’s theatreland, and to miss seeing all the lights, special effects and accomplished actors is to miss out. 

Options will vary depending on when you visit, but popular favourites for all ages have included The Lion King, Wicked and Mary Poppins, as well as more grown-up options like the Tina Turner musical, Pretty Woman, Back to the Future, Moulin Rouge and Mamma Mia. 

It might even be a bonding experience for the whole family, as well as being one of the best things to do in London with a teenage daughter or son. 

Check out what’s on at the official London Theatre website. 

See a movie at a Leicester Square cinema

All the hot movie premieres in London take place in buzzing Leicester Square in the heart of the West End, so following in the footsteps of their favourite stars is a must for many starstruck teens. 

There are several vast cinemas on Leicester Square, including the iconic Odeon Luxe, a Cineworld with IMAX technology and a Vue. You can check out what’s on at each by referring to the Cineworld, Vue or Odeon sites.  

There may not be a red carpet, but if that’s the case then your teen is just going to have to use their imagination. This is for sure one of the most fun things to do in London for a teenager – even more so if there does happen to be a premiere going on. 

Eat curry on Brick Lane

Take your teen to Brick Lane or the surrounding areas of Shoreditch, Spitalfields or Whitechapel to sample one of the many curry restaurants lining the streets of the East End.

Indian-style curries are incredibly popular in Britain and to sample one for themselves will give them something of an insight into the local way of life. While ensuring tingling tastebuds for the whole family at the same time.  

Whether it’s an ultra mild, creamy vegetable Korma, a sweet, bright orange Chicken Tikka Masala or something more fiery like a lamb Madras, sharing a range of curries accompanied by rice and naan bread is a very British thing to do during a weekend or holiday. It’s one of the unique sides of London for teenage tourists to experience. 

Everyone has their own favourite: try asking at your hotel for a staff recommendation. 

Discover the street art of the East End

Before you head to a Brick Lane curry house for the evening’s feast, why not take your teen on a street art tour of the East End? 

The districts of Shoreditch and Spitalfields are abundant in street art, as is the area around Brick Lane itself. This is a great way to discover an alternative side to London, and as the scene is constantly evolving, a unique experience is guaranteed.

A guided walking tour doesn’t cost too much and is one of the coolest things for teenagers to do in London. En route they’ll learn all about how graffiti and urban art has transformed the cityscape as well as how the whole scene developed.

We recommend the guided street art walking tour you can book via Get Your Guide here.

Take a spooky tour of London

This isn’t perhaps one for those who’ve just turned 13, but for older teenagers with an interest in the strange, spooky or downright macabre, a ghoulish tour of London is ideal.

It’s one of the best things for teens to do in London when they hail from countries like Australia or the US, which simply don’t have the high concentration of ancient buildings that are found in European cities. Including, of course, London. 

Options include a spooky boat ride on the Thames, Jack the Ripper tours, Ghastly Ghost experiences and historic – and haunted – Hampton Court Palace. Find out what the options are here. 

29 Other Things to Do in London with Teens

How to keep picky teens happy when you’re spending time in the UK capital? By visiting one of the following attractions, of course!

5 Top Teen Attractions in & around London

• The View from The Shard | 360 degree city views from the 72nd floor | Click here for tickets
• BFI IMAX | Huge screen 3D films with surround sound, + special events & screenings | Click here for tickets
• Shakespeare’s Globe | Bring texts they’re studying to life by touring the theatres or taking in a play | Click here for tickets
• Thorpe Park | 30+ rides & attractions surrounded by water in northwest Surrey | Click here for tickets
• Sky Garden | Elevated public garden offering panoramic views within the Walkie Talkie building | Free entry (pre-booking required)

4 Spooky Spots for Teens in London

• London Dungeon | Spooky subterranean site with sets, live actors & rides | Click here for tickets
• Jack the Ripper walking tour | Follow in the footsteps of the notorious Victorian killer | Click here for tickets
• Hampton Court Palace | Don’t miss the Haunted Gallery at Henry VIII’s former home | Click here for tickets
• Tower of London | The classic London venue for tales of gory, grisly goings-on | Click here for tickets 

6 Top Teen Activities in London

• IFS Cloud Cable Car | Sky-high rides across the Thames operated by Transport for London | Pay by Oyster card or contactless
• Up at the O2 | Rooftop climb for over-10s at the former Millenium Dome | Click here for tickets
• Crystal Maze LIVE Experience London | Complete challenges while travelling through Aztec, Futuristic, Industrial, and Mediaeval time zones | Click here to book
• Leake Street Arches | Street art, entertainment, food & drink, & events under Waterloo Station | Free entry
• The House of Vans | Subterranean skate park under Waterloo Station, + gallery, live music, & cafe | Free entry
• Sherlock: The Official Live Game | Mystery-solving, timed and themed game for teams of 2 to 6 players | Click here for tickets

4 London Attractions for Sporty Teens

• Emirates Stadium | Tour the home of Arsenal Football Club and visit Arsenal Museum| Click here for tickets
• Wembley Stadium | See inside the UK’s famous sporting and music venue | Click here for tickets
• Chelsea Football Club | Head to Stamford Bridge to see Chelsea Football Club and the Chelsea FC Museum | Click here for tickets
• Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum | Get an inside view into one of the world’s top Grand Slam venues | Click here for tickets

6 Adrenaline Adventures in London

• Go Ape Battersea | Ultra high treetop adventure and challenge courses | Click here for tickets
• The Dare Skywalk | 46-metre high climb & panoramic views for ages 10+ at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | Click here for tickets
• Thames Rockets river tours | Thrill-filled tours by speed boat, led by a comedian | Click here for tickets
• Lee Valley White Water Centre | Lake paddling & white water rafting at an East London Olympic venue | Click here for tickets
• Gripped Aerial Park | High ropes, nets, slides, jumps & a free fall in Hounslow | Click here for tickets
• ArcelorMittal Orbit | Viewing platform & 50-metre corkscrew ride at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park | Click here for tickets

4 Top Places to Stay in London with Teens

• Sea Containers London | 5 star accommodation at Sea Containers House in Southwark with spa, rooftop bar, & more | Click here to book
• Treehouse Hotel | 4 star hotel with Italian & Mexican restaurants close to Oxford Circus | Click here to book
• Mama Shelter Shoreditch | Funky, 4 star East End hotel with a cool design vibe | Click here to book
• Art’otel London Battersea Power Station | Radisson property with rooftop pool & art gallery | Click here to book 

Top Tips for doing London with teens

Staying safe

London is a busy city, so teens need to keep their wits about them rather than walking around while looking at their iPhone screen. It’s also wise to store any valuables in the hotel safe if you can, just in case. 

Make sure they know about all the potential dangers lurking in any big city, especially if they’re not familiar with big places. Stress that they must also return to an agreed location at a time specified by you when heading out to explore without parents.

Be weather wise

Teens from drier climates may not be expecting wet weather, but it’s often a fact of life in London. Equip them with an umbrella if they refuse to wear a rain jacket, or you can buy packs of disposable ponchos for them to carry along. 

Plan ahead

If they’re easily bored and will want to try every single one of the things to do in central London for a teenager, make sure you save as much time and money as possible by booking their tickets ahead of time.

We recommend Get Your Guide, who normally refund in full if you cancel 24 hours or more before the date or time of the event.

Using public transport

Make sure your teen knows how to use the public transport network if they are heading out solo – as well as what to do or who to approach in an emergency. Oyster cards and the like can be tricky for newcomers, so try them out as a family before letting your teen loose. 

London with teens – FAQs

Is London good for teens?

London is great for teens – there are so many amazing things for teenagers to do in London and the thought of impressing their friends should spur them on if nothing else!

Even when nothing on the list appeals or it’s pouring with rain, a browse around the shops of the Oxford Street area should put a smile on their faces – especially if they have some cash to spend.

What can you do at 15 in the UK?

A number of movies screened in the UK carry a ‘15’ rating, so your teen can go and see one of these without a parent if they like. 

For many things, they’ll have to wait until they’re 16, 17 or 18. 16 is the legal age of sexual consent in the UK, while drivers can begin learning at 17. The legal drinking age in the UK is 18. 

What is the most important thing for a teenager?

The teenage years are tricky for all concerned. Teens do need to develop their own identity and have a growing sense of independence as they progress through the pre-20 years. 

This is good to bear in mind when planning your trip, as your idea of London teenager activities may well be very different from theirs – and both parties may need to compromise. 

What will your teens do in London? 

We hope that our top tips and list of things for teenagers to do in London has helped you plan your time in the UK capital. For more inspiration, don’t miss our guide to London for kids, as many of the activities and attractions included may also appeal to your older children.