🗺️ What to try in London: tea, pub and fish and chips

London turns an ordinary day into a ceremony. At Buckingham Palace the guard changes to a live band, and afternoon tea here is taken on a schedule.

We have rounded up six British rituals worth trying on your trip. These are not tourist displays, but things Londoners actually do themselves: from a pint in an ancient pub to a walk by the Diana fountain.

We checked the facts against official websites and will tell you when to arrive so you do not stand in a crowd.

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Six rituals for one trip

💡 In short:

Walk the royal route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
Book afternoon tea at The Ritz in advance.
Have a pint at the historic pub The Seven Stars on Carey Street.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on The Ritz official website.

1. Walk the royal route through the center

London's ceremonial London route starts at Buckingham Palace and finishes at the west entrance of Westminster Abbey.

The procession goes along The Mall, through Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall to Parliament Square, then turns onto Broad Sanctuary and approaches the abbey. This corridor still draws crowds during royal ceremonies today.

The best viewing point: Whitehall. The street is long, and finding a spot along the barrier here is easier than at the palace. Take your position by the parapet early, and you will get a front-row spot.

During ceremonies the streets are closed, and access is managed through a walk-up queue. If you cannot get a spot along the route, head to Hyde Park, Green Park or St James's Park. The ceremony is shown on big screens there, and you will see everything without the crush.

Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial in London

2. Order afternoon tea at The Ritz

Afternoon tea is considered the quintessential British ritual, and The Ritz has held that standard since 1906. It is served in the Palm Court, a room with crystal chandeliers and live harp music.

According to the hotel, it is the only restaurant in the UK with a certified tea master. Giandomenico Scanu travels to plantations around the world and selects the finest loose-leaf teas.

Tea is served five times a day, with seatings starting at 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30 and 19:30. One seating lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes. Prices start from £95 for adults and £73 for children (as of 09/2026, official website).

Book in advance: weekends sell out weeks ahead. Rooms at the hotel itself are expensive, but you can check prices on Trip.com.

The Ritz hotel's festive hall with guests having tea

3. Have a pint at The Seven Stars

One of the city's oldest pubs hides on Carey Street in Holborn, behind the Royal Courts of Justice. The Seven Stars has been operating since 1602 and survived the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Inside there are no televisions and no reservations. Landlady Roxy Beaujolais writes the menu herself every day, and what is cooking today is shown on the board by the bar. Order a pint of local ale and the dish of the day.

The pub is open seven days a week, except holidays: Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 23:00, Sunday until 22:00 (as of 09/2026, official website). Come for lunch early: after 13:00 the room fills with barristers and clerks from the nearby courts.

Black facade of The Seven Stars pub with tables

4. Eat a Sunday roast by the Thames

A Sunday roast consists of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and thick gravy. It is worth going to Greenwich for it, to the Cutty Sark pub on Ballast Quay.

The pub stands right on the Thames, and from the terrace you can see Canary Wharf and the O2 arena. According to the pub, they cook with British seasonal produce and buy fish from independent fishermen. In summer there are outdoor tables, and in winter a heated terrace is open (as of 09/2026, official website).

Once a month the chef puts on a separate one-night-only menu. After lunch, walk along the embankment to Greenwich Market: it is only a few minutes away on foot (according to the map).

Evening panorama of London with Tower Bridge and the Thames

5. Try fish and chips on Marylebone High Street

Classic fish and chips in London are served at The Golden Hind on Marylebone High Street. The restaurant has been operating since 1914 and has kept its art deco interior (as of 09/2026, official website).

The menu is simple: cod, haddock and other sea fish in batter with thick-cut chips. The portion comes with pickles and vinegar. Go for the fish of the day if you do not know where to start.

Nearby are Madame Tussauds and the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Byron, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix once walked these streets.

Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery in London

6. Walk to the Diana fountain in Hyde Park

The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain opened in Hyde Park in July 2004 (as of 09/2026, The Royal Parks). It is a ring of Cornish granite with water flowing in two directions.

The fountain is designed so you can touch the water. It stands next to the Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace, in a neighborhood of expensive shops.

Important: the fountain is currently closed. The Royal Parks report a fault in the water system and will reopen the area after repairs. Check the status on the parks website before you go.

Children at the water stream of the Diana Memorial Fountain in the park

These six rituals can easily fit into two days at a relaxed pace. Want to add a guided tour? Below is a selection of city tours.

Tours and tickets in London

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on GetYourGuide

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need for these places?

It is convenient to split the route into two days: first the royal road, Whitehall and Westminster, then Marylebone, Hyde Park and Greenwich. Use the tube between stops; it runs late in central London.

How much is afternoon tea at The Ritz and do I need to book?

Afternoon tea starts at £95 for adults and £73 for children (as of 09/2026, afternoon tea page at the hotel). Book a table in advance: there are five seatings a day, but weekends sell out weeks ahead.

Where can you try real fish and chips?

At The Golden Hind on Marylebone High Street. It has been operating since 1914 and keeps a classic menu of cod and haddock in batter (as of 09/2026, restaurant website). The Sherlock Holmes museum house is nearby.

Can you visit the Diana fountain right now?

No. The fountain in Hyde Park is closed due to a fault in the water system (as of 09/2026, fountain page). The area will reopen after repairs, so check the status before your trip.

How much time should you allow for the oldest pub?

Stop in for an hour to an hour and a half: at lunchtime it gets crowded here, and they do not take reservations (according to the pub, 09/2026). Arrive at opening time and you will find a seat by the window.

In short: what is worth booking

If you have one free day, start with the royal route and finish with a pint at The Seven Stars. With two days, add afternoon tea at The Ritz and a Sunday roast in Greenwich.

One day: the royal route and a pint at The Seven Stars.
For romance: afternoon tea at The Ritz with a glass of champagne.
For families: the royal route and the Diana fountain once it reopens.
For foodies: Sunday roast at Cutty Sark and fish and chips at The Golden Hind.

Choose a hotel in the center, so you can quickly reach most spots by tube. Check hotel prices in London on Trip.com and find a tour on GetYourGuide.

Six British rituals in London: tea, pub and Sunday roast