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Vacations in London

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• There are loads of types of vacations in London and the cost will depend on what type of trip you’re taking and for how long you’d like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travelers: Top vacation $585; Family vacation $508; Romantic vacation $683; Luxury vacation $648; Budget vacation $360.

Why should you book a vacation package to London?

A time and money saving vacation package is the smartest way to enjoy London. It's generally more expensive to reserve rooms and book flights separately, so doing so simultaneously means better rates. Plus, you won't waste time matching room availability to flight times when you opt for London vacation deals.

When should you book a vacation package to London?

You'll normally find the cheapest London packages between November and January when average temperatures range from 39.2 to 48.2F. Beat the crowds and save money by choosing May and catch events like the Chelsea Flower Show or the Museums at Night festival. Although it's peak season, good London travel deals can still be found from June until September. Plan your trip to coincide with top sporting events like Wimbledon or music festivals like BST Hyde Park.

Where should you stay in London during your vacation?

For any vacation type in london:.

Located in fashionable Clerkenwell, The Rookery is a smart choice for vacations in London. This chic but friendly hotel is under one hour from Heathrow by London Underground and well connected by train and bus to other main airports.

Try London Wembley International Hotel if you're looking for versatile London package deals. Ideally placed for music and sporting events at London's famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena, the hotel is also easily reached by taxi, bus or train from the main airports.

For family vacations in London:

The Premier Inn London Hampstead is just 2 minutes from Hampstead Heath, 10 minutes by tube from the West End and Oxford Circus, and easy to reach from all London airports. Take the tube to Hampstead from Heathrow or the overland train service to Paddington Station before completing your journey by taxi.

Little Bullocks Farm in Stansted, Essex enjoys a quiet rural setting and offers excellent four star service. Plus, it's just 6 minutes by taxi from Stansted Airport and easy to reach from central London via Liverpool Street Station.

For romantic vacations in London:

With its prime location on Piccadilly and opulent rooms and suites, the Ritz London is a great choice for couples searching for romantic London travel packages. Take a taxi from the airport to arrive in style or board trains at all four main airports.

Although it's located in the heart of London's vibrant West End, the Sanderson is a calm and tranquil base for couples. Noted for its luxurious decor and excellent services, the hotel is easy to reach from any London airport by rail or taxi.

For luxury vacations in London:

The Sheraton Grand is one of London's most elegant hotels. Located in upmarket Mayfair, the famous art deco building occupies a prime spot on Park Lane. Upon arrival at the airport you can take a taxi directly to the hotel or hop a train to central London.

Opt for trendy Chelsea and the stylish Sloane Square Hotel for a memorable London getaway. It's just a short walk from the famous Saatchi Gallery and is easy to reach by taxi or train from any of London's airports. Sloane Square station is nearby for those traveling via the underground from Heathrow Airport.

For budget vacations in London:

The Astor Museum Hostel is a friendly hostel right next to the British Museum. Just a few minutes walk from Oxford Street, the hotel can be reached by underground from Heathrow or by rail or bus from other London airports.

Looking for inexpensive London package deals? Try Villa Verde Gatwick, a friendly and comfortable hotel just a few minutes by taxi or shuttle bus from Gatwick Airport.

Where to stay in London

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London vacations: A trip to the heart of the UK

There's nowhere in the world like London. The English capital is a city of sublime contrasts that combine to make a captivating whole. Towering skyscrapers meet quaint village-style neighborhoods, quintessential English charm meets global flair, centuries of history meet the cutting edge . You'll find an influence from virtually everywhere in the world in this proudly cosmopolitan city where the local meets the global . And from  Buckingham Palace to  Big Ben , there are plenty of attractions to check off your bucket list on your dream trip to London . Browse London vacation options on Expedia and book that trip of a lifetime today.

Your London Vacation

From its cosmopolitan vibe to its rich history and diversity, you'll find loads of great reasons to visit the riverside city of London. You'll discover all this and more when you lock in your vacation package to London. If your trip to London includes some sightseeing, check out much-loved attractions like Buckingham Palace , Big Ben and Tower of London . Stop dreaming and start adventuring. Check out the broad range of options on Expedia today and put your London vacation plans in motion!

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Where to stay in London

London City Centre

Iconic landmarks, a world-famous theater district, lively nightlife zones and superb shopping and art museums await in the heart of England’s capital city.

City of Westminster

Home to iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, this bustling borough offers world-class shopping on Oxford Street and Regent Street, as well as vibrant nightlife in Soho. With 27 Underground stations, it's well-connected and walkable for residents and visitors alike.

The City of London

The financial hub and ancient center of London, this area boasts historic sites like St Paul's Cathedral and Tower of London, and its iconinc bridges, including Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge, make exploration easy.

Covent Garden

Discover a lively district with the Royal Opera House, street performances, and shopping at Apple Market. Explore historical sites like Theatre Royal Drury Lane and dine at renowned international restaurants.

Explore one of Europe’s busiest shopping strips, sing along at a musical show, or simply watch the world go by.

• Where to stay

Where to stay on the ultimate London vacation

The UK's biggest city is a vast place, with so many charming and individual little neighborhoods that it can be tricky to pick just one area to base yourself in for your trip to London . Good news: This city is so dripping in history, energy, and local-meets-global flair that you're sure to find something interesting just around the corner wherever you choose.  

Soho and Covent Garden are central destinations that remain popular with tourists. If you'd like to see a little more of London's cutting edge, it's all about the East: Base yourself in hip Shoreditch or Hackney for live music, street food, and independent shopping, or drift further south to Peckham, the real nexus of London's next big things.  

If you like your culture trip infused with a little English country charm, consider Richmond for your London vacation . This town-within-a-town on the Thames has a quaint yet sophisticated feel. Close to the world-famous Kew Gardens and home to a royal park with some resident deer, it's just a short train ride to more central destinations.  

The type of accommodation you choose in London all depends on how you want to travel. Renting a private home is a great way to experience the city like a local and move at your own pace in a place that feels like your private oasis. Boutique hotels serve up a little of the city's edgy style, while major chains offer those familiar comforts that feel so welcome after a long day exploring the metropolis. If you're looking to live it up on the trip of a lifetime fit for royalty, consider London luxury vacations for a slice of the high life in a city of sophistication. Or if you'd simply like to relax and have somebody else take care of dinner, consider all-inclusive hotel options for your trip to London .  

Ways to spend a day in London

A wise man once said: If you're tired of London, you're tired of life—and it's true that there are as many places to explore as there are days in the year. A few stand out. One perennial popular spot is Columbia Road Flower Market. Situated on a charming street in East London, this celebration of all things horticultural bursts into life and draws visitors from around the world to sample its unique vibe. From there, it's a short walk to buzzing Brick Lane, a street with a storied past where you can pick up a bagel and browse vintage fashion and vinyl records as you watch London's bright young things pass by.  

Another charming place to spend the afternoon is the city's South Bank. Stroll along the Thames and discover art and culture in some of the city's must famous institutions, from the iconic National Theatre and British Film Institute to the magnificent Royal Festival Hall. Browse books at the second-hand stall by the river and stop at any one of the restaurants to dine as you watch day turn to night over the Thames.  

You might want to end your day soaking up the city's culture on the other side of the river with a show in the world-famous West End . This is where some of the finest actors in the world tread the boards in showstopping performances that draw crowds from around the globe. Get your hands on a pair of tickets and enjoy a night you'll never forget.  

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Once the private hunting grounds of a king, London's most famous park is today a place where everyone can enjoy gardens, monuments and music performances.

Tower Bridge

An engineering marvel, this London icon spans both the River Thames and the ages.

One of London’s most resounding landmarks is a treasured emblem of England.

What to do in London

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Home to buckingham palace, from trendsetting shops and stylish hotels to world-class theater and regal history, london is the heartbeat of britain..

Commanding cathedrals stand alongside trendy boutiques. Sophisticated restaurants complement traditional pubs. Perfectly manicured parks sprawl near museums that are rich in medieval history. As you take it all in, keep an eye out for celebrities, superstars and royal showstoppers.

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More About London

From treasured landmarks to sipping afternoon tea, there is something for everyone in London. The Houses of Parliament with Big Ben, the giant clock and bell, on the banks of the Thames are the classic backdrop of London, with Westminster Abbey, the site of coronations and royal marriages, standing nearby. Enjoy panoramic views from Tower Bridge and visit the nearby Tower of London, with its rich history and the crown jewels of England. Speaking of royalty, catch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, the residence of the reigning monarchs.

In central London, enjoy Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, the British Museum, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. London also has a splendid array of markets to explore, like Covent Garden or Portobello Road on Notting Hill. And for evening entertainment, enjoy world-renowned theaters and lively clubs in London’s West End. With all this and more, the historic and vibrant European capital of London is an absolute must-see.

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The heaviest tourist season runs mid-April through mid-October, with another peak around Christmas—though the tide never really ebbs. Spring is the time to see the countryside and the royal London parks and gardens at their freshest; fall to enjoy near-ideal exploring conditions. In late summer, be warned: air-conditioning is rarely found in places other than department stores, modern restaurants, hotels, and cinemas in London, and in a hot summer you'll swelter. Winter can be rather dismal, but all the theatres, concerts, and exhibitions go full speed.

It's virtually impossible to forecast London weather, but you can be fairly certain that it will not be what you expect. It's generally mild—with some savage exceptions, especially in summer. In short, be prepared for anything: layers and an umbrella are your friends.

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Top Experiences

Tower of London : Iconic castle and infamous prison, the Yeoman Warders and their ravens will regale you with tales of the exploits of history that occurred within its walls. A viewing of the Crown Jewels will complete the visit.

Buckingham Palace : Official residence of the monarchy when in the city and backdrop to the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony occurring daily in the summer, and four times a week weather permitting at other times of the year at 11 a.m., subject to change.

Westminster Abbey : With over 1,000 years of history, this still functioning church houses the final resting places and memorials to many former monarchs and important figures of history such as Robert Browning, Charles Dickens, Stephen Hawking, Sir Isaac Newton and Queen Elizabeth I, to name a few.

Thames River Cruise : A sightseeing cruise through the city during day or night is a unique way to view aspects of the area only viewed by water.

London Eye : 360-degree views of the city from a glass enclosed pod circling on a large ferris wheel.

British Museum : With free entry, you can explore millions of years of human history and culture. With more than 60 galleries and rotating exhibits, you will find plenty of interest, including Egyptian culture and the Rosetta Stone, to the sculpture and pottery of the Roman Empire.

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London Vacation Packages

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Where to stay in London

London City Centre

Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are a few top attractions in London City Centre. Hop around the city on the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, stunning river views, and acclaimed art galleries.

City of Westminster

Home to iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, this bustling borough offers world-class shopping on Oxford Street and Regent Street, as well as vibrant nightlife in Soho. With 27 Underground stations, it's well-connected and walkable for residents and visitors alike.

The City of London

The financial hub and ancient center of London, this area boasts historic sites like St Paul's Cathedral and Tower of London, and its iconinc bridges, including Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge, make exploration easy.

Covent Garden

Discover a lively district with the Royal Opera House, street performances, and shopping at Apple Market. Explore historical sites like Theatre Royal Drury Lane and dine at renowned international restaurants.

Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus are a few top attractions in West End. Hop around the city on the metro at Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station or Oxford Circus Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops, and acclaimed art galleries.

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Frequently asked questions, discover the most popular places to visit in london.

Once the private hunting grounds of a king, London's most famous park is today a place where everyone can enjoy gardens, monuments and music performances.

Tower Bridge

An engineering marvel, this London icon spans both the River Thames and the ages.

One of London’s most resounding landmarks is a treasured emblem of England.

What to do in London

London eye experience tickets, westminster abbey tickets, warner bros. studio tour - the making of harry potter from central london, other vacations you might like.

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"I love surprising our guests with London's incredible diversity. You can go from admiring the dazzling architecture and shopping at the trendy boutiques, to watching grand royal ceremonies and meeting the locals in a 16th-century pub - all in one day."

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Admire the Big Ben and the imposing Houses of Parliament

As you touch down in London, you’ll surely be searching the skyline for Big Ben, the iconic Clock Tower at the Palace of Westminster, or the Houses of Parliament. You'll have the chance to admire these impressive buildings in the company of your London travel guide and listen for the famous chimes that have been ringing out across London since 1859.

Learn about the history of the Buckingham Palace

You’re in for a royal time at Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British royal family since 1837. It’s one of the most iconic places to visit in London, and we’ll take you to marvel at this magnificent palace, learn about it’s centuries-old history, and perhaps even wave to the King if he’s home.

Ramble through London's picturesque Royal Parks

If you love a lush park or garden, you’re in for a real treat in London, with over 5,000 acres of gorgeous green space across the eight Royal Parks. Spend your days strolling, cycling, or simply relaxing in these beautiful parks, from the famous Hyde Park to the ornate Kensington Gardens.

Go on a shopping spree around Carnaby Street and Soho

We’ll dive into London’s West End with a tour around the buzzing borough of Soho, where you’ll get a taste of London’s diverse culture, history and cuisine. Wander down the iconic Oxford and Regent Streets and of course, Carnaby Street, the city’s shopping mecca, and the epicentre of the Swinging Sixties in London.

See the stately Changing of the Guard

You’ll watch history come alive when we take you to Buckingham Palace to witness the spectacular Changing of the Guard ceremony. It’s a full-on display of royal pomp and military tradition, with the soldiers of The Queen’s Guard in bearskin hats and bright-red uniforms marching down the Mall, and you can’t miss it on your London trip.

Our top 5 things to do in London

With an overwhelming number of iconic London attractions to explore, where to begin? When you travel London with Trafalgar, we’ll show you all the very best of the city.

Tate Modern

As one of the world’s largest museums of modern and contemporary art, the Tate Modern is an unmissable London attraction. You’ll find everything here from vibrant artworks to films and performance art, and you can’t miss the giant Turbine Hall, a five-storey tall room used to display extraordinarily large art installations.

Museum of London

If you’ve ever wanted to learn the history of this great city, the Museum of London is the place to go. It’s the world’s largest urban history collection and you’ll learn all about England’s capital from prehistoric to modern times. The museum even overlooks the remains of the Roman city wall on the edge of the oldest area of London.

Science Museum

You could spend hours exploring the treasures of the Science Museum including the world’s greatest innovations, ranging from Puffing Billy, the oldest surviving steam locomotive, to the first jet engine, to the Apollo 10 command module. You’ll travel from the Industrial Revolution all the way into the future in this amazing playground of the mind.

Best museums in London

London’s museums are among the world’s best, with millions of visitors each year to marvel at the incredible history, art and design. What treasures will you find when we take you to these great institutions?

Cottage Pie

It doesn’t get more comforting than a traditional cottage pie, and you’ve got to order this English staple at least once in a classic London pub. It’s been a beloved dish for generations, originating as a clever way to make a hearty meal from leftovers like beef, peas and carrots, topped with creamy mashed potatoes.

Cornish Pasty

Make a beeline for the nearest bakery in London and discover these little pockets of deliciousness. They’re made from shortcrust pastry stuffed with beef, potatoes, swede, onion and egg, then baked until golden, forming a rich gravy inside its own tasty casing. You’re sure to go back for more than just one Cornish pasty!

Named after the prestigious boys’ boarding school of the same name, this simple yet delicious treat is made from a refreshing blend of cream, strawberries and crushed meringue. It’s a classic British dessert and you can even try it at The National Café at the National Gallery, one of the best art museums in London.

Best food in London

Our London tours are big on foodie experiences, and you can go from a traditional English afternoon tea, to a delicious culinary adventure through Chinatown in the West End.

What to pack for London

Waterproof coat

London is known for its drizzles and rain showers, so pack a waterproof coat or travel-sized umbrella to keep your dry and warm on your London trip.

Comfortable shoes

This city was made for walking, and with so many incredible monuments, museums, parks and markets to explore, you’ll need a sturdy pair of shoes to get you around London.

Camera & extra SD cards

From Big Ben to the London Eye, your camera is sure to get a good workout. Pack some extra SD cards so you never run out of space to capture all of London’s pinch-me moments.

Waterproof day bag

Keep your hands free on your London tours with a waterproof day pack, perfect for holding all your shopping and souvenirs and keeping them dry in wet weather.

Warm layers

London is known for experiencing four seasons in one day, so it’s best to wear layers that will keep you warm in the cold weather and cool when the sun comes out.

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London holidays and city breaks

We know London better than anyone; it’s our home turf – so who better to explore the capital with than us? We can help you plan and book your dream London holiday, whether it’s a last-minute city break, a cheap stop-over or a family getaway. Book your flights and hotels in London together, and you’ll save with our great value package holidays.

Stroll alongside the pastel-coloured houses of Notting Hill and roam the green spaces of Kensington Gardens. Warm up and fuel your curiosities at the Science Museum, then womble down the road to explore the captivating Natural History Museum. Visit the striking Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, before heading to the top of The Shard for captivating views of the city – then walk across London Bridge and head up 35 floors for a drink with a view at Sky Garden. For the inside track of seasonal things to do, check out our top 10 attractions, to make the most of your trip this winter.

London hotels

Our recommended hotels in london.

Start your holiday the right way, by choosing the best stay for you. Home to an array of luxurious five-star retreats, as well as a selection of budget-friendly three-star hotels – there is something to suit every travellers style, with our carefully selected London hotels.

Savour an opulent break at The Clermont London, Charing Cross , this Grade II listed building is just moments away from the The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery on Trafalgar Square. Or after busy days exploring the best of London, including Tower Bridge, Tower of London, St Katherine's Docks, HMS Belfast and The Shard, enjoy some of the best views across the River Thames from  T he Tower Hotel .  The Cumberland is an ideal base for a shopping trip, within easy walking distance of Oxford Street, or if you'd prefer you can take relaxing strolls in Hyde Park. Be sure to return in time to listen to live music daily. If you’re looking for a stay in London that won’t break the bank, the Royal National  offers a central three-star stay near Euston, with simple rooms and a continental breakfast included.

Three-star London hotels

It might have a reputation for being expensive, but a trip to London isn’t just for big spenders. If you know where to look there are plenty of brilliant, affordable places to stay.  Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo is ideal for families as a daily hot breakfast is included in your stay.

Four-star London hotels

Our large selection of 4 star hotels in London offers options to suit varied tastes and budgets. Choose from charming boutique hotels, traditional hotels with central locations and modern apartments that offer that ‘home from home’ feel. The Clermont London, Victoria  is a convenient choice if you're travelling by train from London Gatwick. You can directly access the hotel from London Victoria concourse, and it's a short walk from Buckingham Palace and Green Park.

Five-star London hotels

London leads the way when it comes to glamorous five-star hotels. Our collection of luxury hotels in London brings together the best of the bunch, so whether you want a historic grand dame, glitzy city views or out-and-out opulence, we’ve got it covered. The Savoy  is located on Marble Arch, within easy distance of Oxfrord Street and Hyde Park. Here you can enjoy live music daily.

Strand Palace

£ 253 pp

£ 182 pp

£ 238 pp

The Royal Horseguards Hotel, London

£ 295 pp

Make the most of your London holiday

London is a city that could keep you entertained for months. With so much to see, it can be hard to know where to start. Our guide to city breaks in London will help to make sure that your trip ticks all the right boxes.

Where is the best place to stay in London

London’s hotel scene is diverse and exciting, and there are hundreds to choose from. This makes deciding where to base yourself a conundrum. Staying in central London or the glitzy West End means you’ll be at the heart of it all, with Covent Garden, Soho and the Southbank on your doorstep. It’s a fun place for first-time visitors to really soak up the city spirit, with luxury and budget options. But other parts of town are equally appealing. Business travellers often make for the City of London, where smart hotels abound. South Kensington and Chelsea have more of a quaint feel with boutique hotels plus the Natural History Museum and the V&A. Fashionistas flock to Knightsbridge, Mayfair and Marylebone with its five-star hotels, and fabulous shopping.

Top five things to see in London

Whatever type of London city break you’re after, the British capital is full of exhilarating experiences. Here are our top five suggestions:

• Warner Bros. Studio tour - The making of Harry Potter
• The View from the Shard
• Buckingham Palace and Changing of the guard
• Crown Jewels of London
• Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off tour

Our insider tip? Book tickets for sights and attractions in advance if you can – it means during your holiday you can focus even more of your time on having fun.

Best places to eat in London

Home to innovative fusion cuisine, classic bites, fine dining, a street food revolution and just about everything in between, the London food scene is frequently astonishing and always delicious. Whet your appetite with our insider foodie guides:

• Discover London’s quirkiest afternoon teas
• London’s classic dishes and where to try them

What to see in London in three days

In order to get the best out of a short break to London, do some forward planning before you arrive. Book a hotel that’s close to the London attractions you’ve set your heart on visiting and research which activities you don’t want to miss. Pre-booking popular activities and purchasing tickets to sights before you arrive means you can make the most of every minute of your time in the city.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotels in London to suit every budget

Whether you're looking for wallet-friendly, boutique digs in London or a stay at a five-star hotel, our guide has options to suit every budget

Hidden gems

Quirky London: a weekend guide

No matter how many times you visit, there’s always something new to discover. Look beyond the classic hot spots with our guide to unexpected London

WHAT TO EAT

A guide to London’s classic dishes

From a hearty Full English breakfast to Britain’s love affair with curry, food blogger Chris Pople reveals nine must-try dishes and drinks for your next visit to the capital

How to see London on a budget

Although jaunting around London can be expensive, there’s still plenty to see and do on a budget. Whether you’re on a luxury break or are carefully spending your pennies, our handy guide will help you get the most out of your money each day with hotel, food and sightseeing suggestions.

President Hotel

Check in to the President Hotel, just a short walk from the West End and Covent Garden. It’s conveniently located close to Russell Square Tube on the Piccadilly line, and you can travel straight to London Heathrow Airport on the Underground.

Eat on a budget

London is a city where you can dine like a king for just a few pounds. Walk to Chinatown for delicious dim sum at a steal, or head to one of Soho’s cool cafés. Another good spot is Kingly Court, which has a lovely al-fresco courtyard and scores of reasonably-priced restaurants.

Get out and walk

It’s free, and a great way to see some of London’s loveliest landmarks. Start at Westminster, then marvel at Big Ben and Westminster Abbey before walking along to the Southbank to Tower Bridge. Or, walk to South Kensington and explore some of London’s wonderful free museums including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the V&A.

The Cumberland

In a prime position just off Oxford Street, The Cumberland, London is the ultimate spot for live music. Every evening they host a different music genre, so you're bound to find something to satisfy your music tastes. SOUND will also whet your appetite with a menu filled with comfort food.

Eat deli style

Once you’re shopped out in Marylebone, make for cool deli La Fromagerie for fine cheese or nibble on Indian street food at Roti Chai.

Get cultural

See some theatre in the West End. For last-minute tickets head to Leicester Square’s TKTS booth, where you can buy tickets from as little as £15. The Lion King and Matilda are fun-filled family classics, while controversial The Book of Mormon remains a crowd-pleaser.

Shangri-La London

Wake up in style at the Shangri-La London, 125 metres high. All rooms offer phenomenal city views, but there's something quite magical looking out from London's highest infinity pool.

Spoil yourself

Splash out at Spring at Somerset House where super chef Skye Gyngell serves seasonal cuisine in leafy surrounds. Expect to pay around £150-£200 for a dinner for two. Afterwards zip to the nearby Radio Rooftop bar at ME London for cocktails with a view.

See London from above

If the sky’s the limit, hire your own capsule in the London Eye for two, or take a breathtaking ride in a helicopter and whizz above the Thames with London Helicopter.

Book your ideal London holiday with us

Discover the best London deals and save, when you combine your flight, hotel and car hire. We have more than 12,000 hotels to select, and you’ll collect bonus Avios when you book your London city break with us.

Low online deposits

Book early and secure your dream holiday with just a small online deposit

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We have a dedicated team on hand 24 hours a day in case of any issues

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All our holidays are ATOL protected to give you complete peace of mind

London fly-drive holidays

With breathtaking coastal roads and pretty country lanes there’s no better way to explore the UK than by car.

Whether you fancy driving the kids to the seaside or you’re off on an awesome road trip into the lush, green countryside, you can save money on your British fly-drive holiday with us by booking your flight and car hire together.

UK multi-city holidays

After you’ve explored London, why not make the most of your time in the UK by visiting more of its exciting cities such as Manchester or Edinburgh? Add in two, three or even four additional stops. Our multi-city holidays are a great way to combine two or more thrilling destinations. Let the adventure begin…

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Discover more of London

Take a break from the city and escape to the countryside or the English seaside

Places to visit from London

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Everything you need to know before you go to London in 2024

Mar 10, 2024 • 7 min read

Make the most of your trip to London with these expert tips © FilippoBacci / Getty Images

Even though I was born and raised in London, I’ve been caught out without a brolly (umbrella) in the rain countless times. I’ve felt the scorn of others when not noticing there’s a queue, and I’ve made the costly error of driving into the city. But as a local, I’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to; I hope my experience and top tips help inspire a smooth and memorable trip to the UK capital.

1. Know your Tube etiquette

One easy way to annoy commuters is to not follow these very easy rules when traveling around on London’s Underground. Get your ticket, bank card or smart phone ready before you reach the ticket barriers so you don’t create a queue. Stand on the right when using escalators so passengers wanting to walk can pass. Let passengers off the train first (stand to either the right or left of the doors) before you board. Offer your seat to someone who may need it more, such as a pregnant person, an elderly person, someone who is disabled and so on. And definitely don't try to strike up conversations with the locals (if you want to blend in). 

2. Skip the car

London ’s roads are small, its traffic is chaotic, and there’s hardly anywhere to park. Plus, you’ll be charged for driving your car in to the center of London – the congestion charge is £15 a day, while the separate ULEZ charge starts from £12.50 and only certain energy efficient or electric cars are exempt. The best way to get around is on public transport (although check on the TFL website or app for information on industrial action and weekend engineering works). Use the Tube, hop on a bus, or rent a bike or e-bike if in the center of the city; cycle maps, highlighting designated paths for bikes, can be downloaded online.

3. Bring layers (and a raincoat)

London’s weather is changeable – temperatures have been known to rise and fall by 20°C in a matter of days. Showers can happen any time of year so pack a brolly (umbrella) or raincoat in your day bag and wear layers that you can easily take off. In summer, always carry a bottle of water on the Tube (the deep tunnels were built before air-conditioning). And while the climate may be mercurial, don’t let bad weather put you off going about your day – simply switch to more indoor-based activities, there are hundreds of them to choose from.

4. Opt for comfort over fashion when it comes to shoes

Most people cover a lot of ground when exploring London, plus different terrains: grass in the many green spaces, long Tube escalators, slippery pavements and even cobblestones. Museums require leg work, as do bridges, boats and parks. Heels are pretty pointless in London, unless you are getting a door-to-door cab to a venue. 

5. Make reservations for top restaurants

While there are plenty of terrific places to eat that welcome walk-ins (although be prepared to queue for the best joints), many of the best restaurants are booked up weeks in advance, especially new ones or those run by celebrity chefs. More restaurants have adopted booking policies and deposits since the pandemic, so if you’re looking for a unique dining experience, you will need to book ahead.

6. Do as the Londoners do and go to a supper club

Embed yourself in London life with a dinner party with locals; a supper club is a superb way to try home-cooked local food from London’s diverse community. These are locally run endeavors, taking place in people’s homes or taking over whole restaurants – try The Bridge Club  serving British eats made with French cooking techniques in South London, Dinner Ladies putting on immersive food experiences, or Indian street food run out of local chef Dhruv Mittal’s flat.

7. Know how to order at a pub

There are unspoken rules when visiting a pub. One person – not a whole group – should go to the bar. Stand anywhere and wait your turn. If someone was waiting before you, it’s polite to signal for the bar staff to serve them first if they come over to you. When you go back to your table with the drinks, you just bought "a round". Now everyone at the table owes you a drink throughout the evening, each person has a turn at buying a round. Last orders are when the bell rings, and from this moment you have 20 minutes to finish your drink.

8. Go to a football game

Football rivalries run high in the city, with 17 football clubs, including seven Premier League teams and four Women’s Super League Teams. Giant temples to "The Beautiful Game" sit around London and are great places to feel the collective energy of the city, as locals congregate (come rain or shine) to watch their heroes on the field. You'll need to book tickets far in advance for Premier League Games, but women’s and lower league men’s games are usually easier to come by – and arguably far more fun to watch. Visit local team websites to book.

9. Be polite and embrace the art of queueing

Londoners (and British people alike) are big on manners, and not having any will get you into trouble. Say "please" and "thank you", and apologize if you bump into someone. Don’t stare at people on the Tube, and hold a door open for people behind you when you walk through one. Let people pass, and be sure to help people in need (people with buggies at the top of stairs, older people crossing the road etc). If there is a queue to the attraction you want to visit or a stall you want to buy from, join it – you’ll might not get into a confrontation if you skip the line, but you will be judged. 

10. Make a plan, but don't go overboard

London is massive, so getting from one side to the other takes a couple of hours in a car (and that's if there is light traffic). Riding the Tube is quicker, but journey times can still be long if attractions are on either side of the city. Minimize travel times by exploring by neighborhood – do a day in Central London, another day in West London and so on. Plan on spending at least a few hours in the big museums and galleries, as there is so much to see. Take many breaks, grab lunch at a cafe or pub and pause to take in the views. It’s easy to get carried away with the energetic pace of London, but sights are more enjoyable if you adopt a more leisurely approach.

11. Don’t leave your stuff lying around

Don’t leave your bags unattended at public venues like stations, buses, theaters or museums, as this is likely to cause alarm and your bag may be removed – or stolen. Only take with you what you are able to carry for several hours. Luggage storage is generally rare in London, but hotels will likely store bags once you check out. Avoid carrying mobile phones in back pockets or where they can be easily swiped from your hand in the street. Never leave your phone or purse on a cafe table, opportunistic thieves will distract you and it will be gone before you realise what's happening. 

12. It's an election year in London

The incumbent mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will face an election race in May 2024 (he's been in the top job since 2016). This might not be particularly noteworthy for travelers, but it does mean there's greater incentive to make sure London is working well. Policing, housing and public transport are high on the agenda for all the candidates. Services have been expanded to support the rising number of "rough sleepers" in the city, with the visible issue of homelessness a concern for locals and visitors alike. Tube strikes, which brought the city to a standstill in 2023, have been averted but industrial action on national rail services in and out of the city continue. The city goes to the polls on Thursday 2 May, 2024. 

This article was first published Sep 7, 2023 and updated Mar 10, 2024.

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Your First Trip to London

Are you planning your first trip to London?  

This global city is endlessly popular with travelers from all over the world. With its famous landmarks and iconic sights, the number of things to see and do in London can easily excite and overwhelm first-time visitors.

In this post, you’ll find a cheat sheet compiled over 3 separate visits to London packed with information about how to get to London from the airport, where to stay in London, how to get around once you arrive, and best of all,  mapped-out London itinerary planning tips .

Are you ready to make your first trip to London a success? 

How to Plan a Trip to London

It can seem daunting to get started on your London trip plan. It’s a huge city with lots of iconic sights and experiences. In fact, I think it’s often underestimated by travelers who often write to tell me what a great time they had in London and that the city was such a surprise…in a good way!

So, as any good teacher will tell you, start with an outline. In this case, you want to break down each step you’ll need to do to plan a trip to London and then work on filling in all the details.

Start with deciding when you want to visit London and how many days you’ll stay. (I recommend at least 3-4 days.)

Once you know this, you can work on booking your London accommodations. (I recommend staying in a central-ish area within walking distance of a Tube station. Keep reading for more below) The further out you book your London hotel, the more available options you’ll have with competitive pricing.

ProTip: If you have flexibility, you might even look at London flights and hotels first to find the cheapest combination of dates and rates. In this way, you’re letting the deals decide when you travel versus looking for a deal on the dates you need/want to travel.

Once you’ve got the major logistics set, it’s time to work on your London itinerary. (I’ve got specific itinerary ideas below so keep reading!)

At this point in your planning a trip to London, you’ll want to make a list of the London sights and attractions that are your must sees and dos. Then, using the maps below (or Google Maps), start grouping them by area.

One really important thing to know as you plan your London trip is that the city is huge. The distances between places can be far, and with limited days, you don’t want to backtrack or plan activities on opposite ends of the city on the same day.

From here, figure out what can be booked ahead…and actually book it ahead! London is a popular destination. It’s normal for there to be lines at top sights and restaurants that are completely booked.

You can use sightseeing passes like The London Pass (my complete review) to pre-plan and save money. Or you can book individual tickets through a platform like Get Your Guide .

Once you know where you’re staying and what you’ll be doing each day, you can round out your London trip planning by looking at the Tube Map to orient yourself and decide how you’ll get from the airport to the city center. (More tips on this below!)

What to See and Do on Your First Trip to London

This London trip planner is set up in different sections to help you plan a trip to London from start to finish. The first part helps you get ideas about how to plan your days in London with landmarks, attractions, museums, markets, and activities in a logistically sensible way.

You want to maximize your time in London without backtracking or zigzagging around the city. These ideas can also help you piece together a complete day because not all of them require a full day.

You also note that I’ve included the Tube stops for individual attractions. This is to help you in case you visit these places outside of the order I’ve suggested in the Google Map for each itinerary idea.

After these itinerary ideas for planning your trip to London, you’ll find tips and helpful information so you can navigate the city confidently.

Are you ready to plan your trip to London?

London Itinerary Planning Idea #1 – History Buffs and Foodies

Tower of London – Tower Hill Tube Stop – Circle and District Lines

The  Tower of London  with its crown jewels is an absolute must with its thick, ominous walls, dark past, resident black ravens, and informative Beefeaters. The Tower and the nearby Tower Bridge sit stalwartly as a link to the past when Kings and Queens sent prisoners to “think” about their choices and to wait for the inevitable… execution.

The Tower of London was the inhospitable home to infamous gangsters, spies, Dukes, Bishops, Princes, and even Queens!

Undoubtedly the most famous Queen of them all was the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. The Tower of London is where Henry the VIII’s executioner beheaded her on charges of adultery and conspiracy, however, Henry actually blamed her for not producing a male heir.

Today, visiting the Tower of London is like stepping back in time. The daily traditions involving this historic castle have continued for hundreds of years. The resident Beefeaters live at the Tower of London and maintain the rituals and routines of the past. But they also offer free tours (once inside) and comically share their vast Tower of London knowledge.

These tours begin every 30 minutes starting at 10:00 a.m. and finishing with the last tour at 2:30 p.m.

Pro Tip:  Arrive in the morning when the Tower first opens. It becomes quite crowded later in the day. Use your  London Pass  to get Fast Track Entry and bundled savings when compared to buying attraction tickets individually.

Tower Bridge & Borough Market – London Bridge Tube Stop – Northern and Jubilee Lines

After a morning at the Tower of London, time your escape for lunch at  Borough Market . It’ll be easiest to walk from the Tower of London. Walk across Tower Bridge instead of London Bridge as shown on the map above. The walk is a bit longer than crossing London Bridge, but historic Tower Bridge is a sight in its own right.

You can tour the Victorian-era engine rooms, as well as climb to the bridge’s upper walkways for gorgeous views over London and the River Thames. Get your Tower Bridge ticket in advance or use The London Pass to visit the bridge.

You can also cross the River Thames with a river bus using your Tube Oyster Card (more on these below) from Tower Pier to London Bridge City Pier.

Once at Borough Market, the market lanes are lined with food and grocers selling every imaginable food item. It’s a great place to sample a variety of foods from all types of global cuisines. Not to mention, no London trip is complete without taking advantage of the city’s amazing international food scene!

From famous falafel to perfectly spiced Indian food, huge skillets of paella, and savory British pies from Pieminster, you’ll be thankful to visit with an empty stomach on your first trip to London and every time you return like I do!

Restaurants and cafes fill the upstairs level and the surrounding streets (in case you’d prefer to sit rather than sample and roam) making this Southwark neighborhood a foodie’s delight.

ProTip: From Borough Market, you’re just a 5-minute walk to The Shard , London’s tallest glass skyscraper to see the highest views over the city. If you have it, you can use your London Pass for access. Be sure to follow the pass instructions to pre-reserve a time.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #2 – Royalty and High Tea

Westminster Abbey – Westminster Tube Stop – Jubilee Line

Coming out of Westminster Station, you’ll immediately be in the shadow of Big Ben and London’s iconic Parliament Building. You can walk back onto the Westminster Bridge to capture fuller photos of these London landmarks. If you’re lucky, you just might get a classic shot with a red doubledecker bus!

Continue on to  Westminster Abbey , just a couple of minutes walking from Big Ben. Westminster Abbey is open to visitors Monday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m until 3:30 p.m. The Abbey is closed on Sundays so keep this in mind when planning your London trip.

Use your  London Pass  to gain access to Westminster. Once inside, admire the architecture and the Abbey’s gorgeous choir room. Westminster is also the final resting place of numerous kings, queens, and dignitaries. You can see the monuments in their honor, as well as learn about their place in history.

If you’re a fan of the Royals, you’ll be visiting the spot where Kate and William were married.

Pro Tip:  If you want to take a ride on the London Eye , it can be included with the stops you make in and around Big Ben because it’s just a short walk over the bridge you see in the photo below. Avoid the lines by choosing the fast-track ticket option. It’s also quite popular to depart from the Westminster Pier for a cruise along the River Thames to take in the sights of London from the water.

History buffs won’t want to miss the Churchill War Rooms. They’re not far from Westminster Abbey, along the edge of St. James’s Park. These rooms served as the secret headquarters for Churchill during WW2. The rooms have been preserved just as they were during the war and give a fascinating look at how Churchill operated and made decisions during this dark time in history.

If your trip to London is 3 days or less and it’s your first visit, this WW2 museum may not be a top priority. But if you or a travel companion is interested in visiting WW2 sights and museums in Europe, The Churchill War Rooms are a great way to divert from the typical first time in London sights.

Buckingham Palace-Green Park Tube Stop-Jubilee, Victoria, & Piccadilly Lines

Next, make your way to  Buckingham Palace  where the  Changing of the Guards  happens.

The ceremony is all pomp and fanfare. The King’s Guard outside the castle has been on watch for hours and the new guard comes to take over in grand style! A marching brigade of guards along with a mounted cavalry and a marching band head up The Mall and through the palace gates.

This ceremony draws a crowd so it’s best to arrive ahead of time so that you can get yourself in a position to see the fanfare. I’ve watched from both the gates of Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Monument directly opposite the palace gates.

You’ll have to choose the location you want because it’s typically too crowded to move from place to place. To get a spot along the fence at Buckingham Palace, be prepared to arrive up to an hour early and wait.

If this is the case, you also may need to reverse the order and visit Westminster Abbey after so that you can stake out your Changing of the Guard spot in the morning.

Pro Tip:  Check the  Changing of the Guard schedule  before you go to make sure the ceremony is planned for the day you intend to visit.

Hyde Park – Hyde Park Corner Tube Stop – Piccadilly Line

When the ceremony is finished, keep those royal juices flowing for a stroll around  Hyde Park . It’s one of the largest parks in London, as well as one of the Royal Parks. Enjoy its monuments, bridges, fountains, gardens, and lake, including the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.

Finish up with a classic afternoon tea experience at  The Dorchester Hotel .

No doubt, it’s a luxurious splurge, but after having experienced life as a royal, it’s the perfect way to properly finish the experience. From finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, sweets, and of course, tea, you’ll have had a quintessential London outing.

Alternatively, if you plan afternoon tea for another day, you might want to visit London’s Natural History Museum or Kensington Palace on the other end of Hyde Park.

The latter has been a royal residence for hundreds of years and was where Princess Diana lived with Princes William and Harry. Today, you can tour the apartments and staterooms and see the sunken gardens where there is a statue of Princess Diana commemorating the 20th anniversary of her death.

While the Natural History Museum displays animal specimens, dinosaurs, and exhibitions about the history of the natural world and the people who evolved in it.

If you intend to walk into Hyde Park and casually make your way towards Kensington Palace or the Natural History Museum, the walk will be broken up by the time spent in the park.

Otherwise, if your aim is to get to either of these sights without a long walk, use the London underground. The Queensway stop along the Central line is the closest to Kensington Palace and the South Kensington stop along the Circle and District lines is near to the Natural History Museum.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #3 – Architecture, Theatre, & Art

St. Paul’s Cathedral – St. Paul’s Tube Stop – Central Line

Start off at  St. Paul’s Cathedral  to admire this Anglican Church’s architecture. You can explore the crypt or head in the opposite direction and climb the dome’s 528 steps for spectacular panoramic London views.

If you have it, entry is included with your London Pass .

Take your time crossing the pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge on your way to the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. This is a great spot to watch boat traffic along the River Thames.

Tate Modern & The Globe Theatre-Blackfriars Tube Stop-Circle & District Lines

These 2 London attractions are just next to one another.

The  Tate Modern  has a vast permanent collection of modern art by the likes of Henri Matisse and Jackson Pollock, as well as temporary exhibitions. There are beautiful views looking back on St. Paul’s Cathedral and the River Thames, as well.

It’s free to enter the museum and there’s no need to book ahead, unless there is a specific exhibit you’d like to see that requires a reserved space.

The nearby  Globe Theatre  is a replica of Shakespeare’s original which burned in a fire many years ago after the thatched roof was ignited during a production of Henry VIII.

For your first trip to London, you’ll want to use your  London Pass  to tour the theater during the day and hear about its historic past. The Globe also has evening performances during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The ambiance of the open-air theater makes for a fantastic night out!

Pro Tip:  Check times to coordinate visits to both the Tate Modern and The Globe in a way that lets you see one after the other. The Globe performance tickets sell out so purchase them in advance, especially if you want to see a play on a specific date.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #4 – Artifacts, Landmarks, and Shopping

The British Museum – Tottenham Court Tube Stop – Central & Northern Lines

No trip to London is complete without a stop at The   British Museum . The art and artifacts on display are open free to the public beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon, and a vast Egyptian collection including mummies.

It’s worth checking for any special, limited-time exhibits during your stay. If there’s one you’d like to see, it’s worth buying tickets online or at the museum when you first arrive.

After the museum, spend the afternoon strolling through  Covent Garden  or head over to  Soho  and  Oxford Street  for a shopper’s paradise. Covent Garden is in London’s West End, home to theaters, restaurants, and shops. You’re sure to find anything you’d want to buy from the numerous chain stores, boutiques, and markets.

Pro Tip:  There are many classic London pubs in these neighborhoods. If you haven’t had a plate of fish and chips yet, now’s the time. You can also join a historical pub walking tour to visit some of London’s most iconic pubs.

Leicester Square – Leicester Square Tube Stop – Piccadilly & Northern Lines

Make your way to  Leicester Square  and the heart of London’s Theatre District. It’s super touristy here. Think Times Square-esque…a place where you take a few photos before moving on.

But if you plan to see a musical or a play later (and you certainly should!),  get your discounted tickets at the TKTS booth right in the square for performances that day or night.

There’s crossover between shows in London and New York’s Broadway district. Sometimes, you can even catch a performance in London before it heads to New York City.

Trafalgar Square – Charing Cross Tube Stop – Bakerloo & Northern Lines

Finish your walk at  Trafalgar Square . This iconic London crossroads has monuments, historic buildings, museums, and street performers. It’s an absolute beehive of activity and perfect for taking more classic London photos complete with red double-decker buses passing by on the streets in and around the square.

With any luck, you’ll have time to check out the  National Gallery  right in Trafalgar Square which houses famous paintings by the likes of Vermeer, Monet, Rembrandt, Cezanne, and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Best of all, it’s free to visit, and you can use your  London Pass  Hop On Hop Off double-decker bus ticket to reposition yourself closer to your hotel when you’re done.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #5 – Harry Potter Fans

Harry Potter Studio Tour Meeting Point – Victoria Station – Circle, District & Victoria Lines

Are you traveling with a wannabe wizard dying for a Hogwarts adventure?

Plan a visit to the  Harry Potter and Warner Brothers Studio . Buses leave from Central London and travel to the magical sets of the famed movie and book series. The closest tube stop to the meeting point is Victoria Station. From there, it’s just a few minutes on foot.

You’ll have 4 hours to see places like the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s Office, Diagon Alley, and more! Plus, get to see some of the most famous props and the costumes worn by Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

If you’ve wanted to visit Platform 9 ¾, ride the Hogwarts Express, and attempt to ride a broomstick, then you definitely don’t want to miss escaping the world of Muggles for just a bit on your visit to London!

ProTip: If you want to sprinkle some Harry Potter into your London trip but don’t want to commit a full day to the experience, this Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour is a popular alternative.

Out-of-Town Must-Sees on your First Trip to London

From London, many parts of Britain and the U.K. are easily reachable by train. This makes it possible to visit a couple of popular sites with even just a half day’s worth of time.

Trains run from London to both  Windsor Castle  and  Hampton Court Palace . From their respective train stations, it’s just a few minutes on foot to reach the entry points.

The exquisite staterooms at Windsor Castle are open to the public when the King is not in residence. These rooms are some of the most spectacular castle rooms you’ll see anywhere in the world.

St. George’s Chapel, within the grounds of Windsor Castle, is the final resting spot of Henry VIII and several other Kings and Queens. It’s also where Meghan and Harry were married and the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II.

Hampton Court Palace is full of Tudor history, as it was a regular stop for Henry VIII and his royal court. The palace creates a historical experience by revealing the inner workings of how the palace operated in its heyday. It’s undoubtedly one of the most interesting and well-preserved looks at Tudor history, as well as what life was like during this period.

Look out for King Henry VIII himself, as visitors can watch the King interact with Anne Boleyn or flirt with his soon-to-be next wife, Jane Seymour. Leave some time for the palace’s gardens and maze.

Pro Tip:  Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace are both included with the  London Pass . Get Fast Track Entry at Hampton Court to maximize your time and avoid any entry line.

If you have extra days in your itinerary, consider a London day trip to:

• Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath
• The Cotswolds
• Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) & the Filming Locations

If you’re planning a trip to England, rent a car and drive into the English countryside when your time in London is done. I’ve done this to spend time exploring places like Stratford-Upon-Avon , the Cotswolds villages , and Warwick Castle .

It’s a perfect way to add on to an England itinerary and explore more of what the country has to offer beyond London.

Best Area to Stay in London

Where to stay in London is one of the most frequently asked questions for anyone planning a trip. It’s understandable. You want to be somewhere conveniently located, safe, and within your travel budget.

London’s neighborhoods and districts each have their own unique charm and flavor. And while some might say you should absolutely stay in the heart of the most touristy areas of the city, I think the most important thing when choosing where to stay in London is to  stay somewhere with convenient access to the Tube. 

You shouldn’t be hesitant to book a hotel or rental accommodation that’s a few Tube stops away from popular attractions. You can truly get nearly anywhere in London very quickly by using the underground train system.

That being said, you don’t want to stay too far from the heart of London, either. The city is big and the Tube rides from London’s outer neighborhoods can take upwards of an hour back to the center.

Ideally, you want to find a London hotel that matches your travel budget, close to a Tube station, in a relatively center-ish location. Example neighborhoods include Seven Dials, Covent Garden, Westminster, Soho, and near Southwark along the south bank.

Below, I’ve shared a couple of hotels where I’ve stayed. They’re in different budget categories and neighborhoods, and they have convenient Tube access.

I’ve had excellent hotel points and paid stays at several London hotels including the ones listed below.

Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel  – The hotel is located in the Seven Dials neighborhood near Covent Garden, the West End’s Theatre district, pubs, and my favorite Indian restaurant, Dishoom. Rooms are a classic modern boutique style for which Radisson Blu hotels are known.

Holiday Inn Express London-Southwark  – Just a 10-minute walk to Borough Market, the Tate Modern, or the Globe Theatre, with a Tube station nearby. This hotel is on the south bank of the city not far from the Southwark Tube station.

London Rental Accommodations

During my travels, I’ve also opted for apartment and home rentals. You feel more like a local and oftentimes can save money because you’re able to prepare your own breakfast or share the overall cost with family members or friends. Not to mention, you can find truly unique places to stay with awesome views or even discover a new neighborhood!

London is the perfect destination to consider a rental accommodation over a hotel because hotels aren’t cheap(!) and London is well-connected with its underground trains.

My go-to place to search for rental accommodations is Plum Guide . They vet the properties on their site using “Home Critics” and only select the best properties in a variety of price brackets. Plum Guide even offers phone support 24/7 should you need any help or have questions.

How Many Days to Spend in London

As with most places, you can spend an extended period of time and still not see and do everything a fantastic city like London has to offer.

If it’s your first time in London, you likely will focus on the most popular attractions and experiences that interest you. For this, you’ll need 3-4 days to explore and make use of the London itinerary ideas in this guide.

With 4+ days in London, you can also use a day to visit a popular sight just outside of London or even  get off the beaten path .

London is a great city to explore. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for future trips to Europe. It’s not complicated to add a couple of days in London as a stopover before continuing on to another destination in Europe.

Arrival into London

The  Heathrow Express  is a quick and efficient way to get into the city from London Heathrow Airport. The train leaves every 15 minutes and arrives in just about the same time to Paddington Station.

You can book your tickets online or using the Heathrow Express App. Not only will this save you any hassle at the airport, but you’ll also save money. Heathrow Express prices are lower the further you book in advance.

Gatwick Airport also has an  express train  which arrives at Victoria Station. Trains run every 15 minutes and take a half-hour to reach London.

Similarly, the express train from Gatwick offers considerable discounts for booking online and ahead of time.

The airports also have commuter trains, buses, and taxis to get you into London. Except for the taxis, these options are less expensive than the express trains mentioned above but do take more time.

You can check prices and schedules for  Southern Railways  from Gatwick to compare.

In addition, from London Heathrow, you can take the Tube. Trains along the Picadilly and Elizabeth lines connect terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. The ride takes between 45-50 minutes to reach central London but is less expensive than the Heathrow Express.

From Paddington and Victoria Stations in London, you’ll have access to the  London Tube  with lines spreading across the city, as well as a taxi queue at ground level. Most taxis take credit cards but be aware of the occasional cash-only sign in a taxi’s window.

Pro Tip:  My recommendation is to use an express train or the Tube (from/to Heathrow), for a quick and easy trip to London’s city center or even directly to your hotel. Avoid London traffic and expensive taxi rides.

If you’d prefer to arrange transportation and/or avoid taking the trains, consider booking a car with Welcome Pickups  to transfer to the city. Although I’ve only used the trains to get from Heathrow to London, I’ve used Welcome Pickups in several other European cities and always had a great experience.

This will be a much more affordable option compared to a London taxi. The price will be a flat rate, as opposed to paying based on the taxi’s metered fare which can get quite high with even the smallest amount of traffic

How to get around London

London is very pedestrian-friendly and you’re bound to do a good amount of walking during your London trip. Remember, cars are on the opposite side of the road compared to the U.S., so you need to LOOK RIGHT when crossing the road. When in doubt, just look both ways before crossing.

Along the Thames, the riverwalk is a clear path connected with several bridges to help you cross to the other side as frequently as you need.

In addition, London’s Tube (subway) is reliable, easy to navigate, and stretches across the city. The announcements are clear and the lines are identified with colors and names, like Central, District, and Piccadilly. Given how big London is, you’ll need to rely on public transportation to maximize the time you have rather than always walking long distances.

As with getting to London from the airport, taxis are expensive in London and get even pricier when traffic is heavy. It’s best to go underground to save time, money, and patience.

Visitors staying for a few days can get an Oyster Card for easy use and refills in the Tube. Your Oyster Card is good for your first trip to London and every return trip thereafter!

London Pass  purchases come with the option to add a visitor’s Oyster Card. I would skip this option because the card takes several weeks to be physically mailed to you. You can also save more money by simply using a regular Oyster Card or the Tube’s contactless payment system because it will cap how much you’ll pay each day automatically.

Use a contactless credit card to pay to enter the Tube, as well as a mobile device like a smartphone with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. Just be sure you’re using a card with no foreign transaction fees.

A few things to keep in mind when paying to access the Tube.

• Use the same card or device when you touch in and out at the yellow card readers. The London Tube caps how much you’ll pay. So, you can ride as much as you want in a day or a week and you’ll never pay more than the capped price.
• If you don’t use the same card or device, the Tube card readers won’t be able to accurately cap the amount you pay.
• If you’re using a device like a smartphone, be sure you have enough battery power. You need to touch in and out of the Tube. You also need to use your phone all day otherwise the system can’t cap the amount you pay.
• You can pay for another person if you are traveling together. (They will need to touch out of the Tube and can’t do it without your card or device.) You’ll need to pay for yourself with a separate card or device.

London Tips for Your First Trip

As you plan things to do in London and where to stay in London, also take into consideration the tips below. They’ve come from 3 separate trips to London and a lot of travel experience overall.

The best time to visit London is during spring and fall.

Visiting London in the shoulder/winter season months, April-June and September-November, are the perfect combination of moderate to cool temperatures and fewer visitors. January to March can also be a good time to visit if you’re not bothered by colder temperatures and prefer to visit during the least busy time of year.

Summer can be very busy, making the next London travel tip even that much more important.

Book as many things as possible in advance.

Not only will things like the London Pass or advance fast-track tickets help you save time and money, but it’ll eliminate indecisiveness about what to do while you’re in London and who to trust when you eventually buy the tickets, tours, and passes you want.

Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

London isn’t a budget destination. The last thing you want to add to the currency exchange are fees from your credit card once you get your bill back home.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout London and also remove the necessity to convert and carry large amounts of dollars to British pounds.

ProTip: When paying by credit card or using your debit card to withdraw money at an ATM, always pay in the local currency (Pounds) and/or decline the currency conversion. This is a sneaky way to convert your money at a less-than-desirable rate.

Wear comfortable walking shoes.

I know this seems obvious but it truly can’t be understated. As someone who lives in New York City, I can always recognize a visitor who’s regretting his/her shoe choice.

These are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I wear them walking around New York City and they’re a staple I pack for nearly every trip I take. You can walk miles without any irritation or blisters.

Check for service charges.

Tipping isn’t obligatory in London. In fact, service charges are often added to bills at restaurants and pubs. That being said, if you’re happy with your service, you always leave a small amount as a gesture of appreciation.

Pack the right electrical converters.

Most commonly, you’ll need a Type G converter to plug into the outlets throughout the U.K. I’ve encountered one place where this wasn’t the case. So, it’s smart to also have a universal adapter with USB ports, too.

London Trip Planner FAQs

How do i start planning a trip to london.

To plan a trip to London, first, decide how many days you’ll spend in the city. Then, book your hotel. You’ll find more options and competitive pricing the further in advance you book. After this, plan your London itinerary. Make a list of the sights and activities you want to see and do. Then, group them by area to logically plan what to do without backtracking. Be sure to book ahead as many things as possible to save time and to ensure you can visit places on the days that make sense for your London itinerary.

How many days should I plan for London?

As you plan a trip to London, you’ll need at least 3-4 days to comfortably see the city’s top sights and attractions. London is a very large city with an endless number of things to see and do. You can easily plan a trip to London for a week and have plenty to fill your itinerary.

What time of year is best to go to London?

The absolute best months for a perfect combination of weather and number of visitors is from April to June and September through November. January to March can also be a good time to visit London because fewer people are visiting during this time. Summers come with big crowds and long lines.

What is the best area to stay in London?

The best area to stay in London is in the heart of the city, especially if you’re visiting London for the first time, and within walking distance of a Tube station. These include neighborhoods like Seven Dials, Covent Garden, Westminster, Soho, and along the south bank near the Southwark area.

Where should I go on my first trip to London?

For your first London trip, plan to see the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the British Museum, Covent Garden, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and the iconic view of Big Ben and Parliament from Westminster Bridge. You should also plan to have afternoon tea, eat at Borough Market, go to a play or musical, and glimpse London from above at the London Eye or the Shard.

First Trip to London – Bottom Line

You have chosen a fantastic city to visit, full of important landmarks, historic sights, good food, and fun experiences. With some advance planning, you’ll arrive in London prepared with your itinerary and know-how to navigate the city confidently for an unforgettable trip.

So, what questions do you have about your first trip to London or about planning a London itinerary?

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76 thoughts on “the ultimate cheat sheet for your first trip to london”.

I have been to London several times, but I found your guide and itineraries very helpful!

I’m so glad, Chrysoula! Thanks for reading. 🙂

Such a great guide! I’ve been to nearly 50 countries and still not the UK, so I’ll have to remember to come back to this article when I finally make it to London 🙂

Thanks, Tamara! 50 countries is quite an accomplishment! Awesome. Glad the guide will be useful when you make it to London. 🙂

Somehow I wish I’ve read this post before my first trip to London. Then I wouldn’t have skipped many experiences listed here) Thank you for putting this up! I’ve pinned it as well (maybe I’ll visit London again, then I’ll need it for sure)

Thanks for reading and sharing on Pinterest, Natalia. 🙂 Here’s to hoping you make it back to London soon!

Love the Pro Tops plus how you broke each day down into categories. What a great way to see London! I also like how you included things to see if it is your first time there. Going anywhere for the first time can be so overwhelming!

Especially in a big place like London, Bryanna. It’s nice to break it up and make the most of your time.

You made me want to visit London again! Love the way you divided the itinerary with themes and suggestions for good food. London is such a huge city and planning a trip there for the first time can be overwhelming, you just make it so easy! Cheers,

Thanks, Natalie! Sometimes, it’s just easier to work on trip planning in small chunks. 😉

I’ve been to London a few times, but I’ve never made it to the Windsor Castle or the Hampton Court Palace. There is just so much to do in the city and its surroundings, but you’ve highlighted the must-sees in a very comprehensive and informative post. I’d love to go back and take more advantage of the free museums, especially the National Gallery!

Next trip, Erika, take some time for Windsor Castle and/or Hampton Court Palace. They’re well worth your time. 🙂

Wish I had your cheat-sheet on m first trip to London! You certainly covered all the hot spots and then some. I can’t wait to go back and hit the places I missed.

Thanks, Sue. A return trip to London is always a good idea. 🙂

Loved your tips! I’ve pinned and will reference during my London trip planning. Can you share a bit more about the oyster card?

Thanks, Amanda! I’m so glad the post is helpful for planning your London trip. The oyster card is a plastic card you can use for quick and easy entry to the London’s metro, buses, and many commuter trains. The card is 5 pounds to buy, after which you load some money onto it. The fare you’ll pay for a metro ride with the oyster card will be cheaper than if you had simply purchased a single ticket for the ride. The Oyster card also caps off what you’d pay in a day making sure you never pay more than had you bought a day pass travel card. Hope that helps! 🙂

I love the addition of the pro tips, especially times of day best to visit. I do love London, but timed a few things wrong, ending up in bigger crowds than I like.

Thanks, Rhonda. I certainly know that feeling of being in a crowd and wanting to be anyplace but there! Glad the pro tips will help for your next London trip. 🙂

Hi Jackie! Any tips for going to London with a toddler? Going to London this Wednesday and I’m going to use your cheat sheet! Thanks!

Hi Jen! So exciting to hear about your trip. 🙂 I’d definitely do the London Eye, but book tickets ahead of time online to skip the line. The Changing of the Guard with its parade, music, and horses are also toddler-friendly. He’ll get in free to the London underground, but if you don’t want to do that, go for the Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. The pirate-themed Princess Diana Playground in Hyde Park is also supposed to be a big hit. Not sure if he’s too young, but the I’d also look at the Natural History Museum, the National Maritime and/or Transport Museum, and maybe a show like Lion King. If that show is too long, how about The Gruffalo? It’s based on the kids book and is less than an hour long. Let me know if you have any more questions and have a great trip!! 🙂

Awesome, thank you for this! I printed out your cheat sheet & 8′ using it for our guide! Thanks!

Great! Hope you have a fantastic trip, Jen!

I’m actually from London, yes all these places are great, but you haven’t mentioned how expensive they can be. Most museums and art galleries are free and fantastic but eating at fancy hotels is only for the rich! Try to go to restaurants and pubs that are not in the tourist areas and you’ll be much better value for your money. As for traditional fish and chips, there is a great place in Waterloo road called Superfish. It’s the best around and very reasonable. Lots of London Taxi drivers eat there, so you know it’s good!

Hi, Joanne and thanks for the tip about Superfish! It’s so great to get that from a local. Totally agreed about eating in hotels, too expensive. I only splurged on the Dorchester Tea because we wanted to have a fancy afternoon. Thanks again for reading. 🙂

Hi, thank you for your tips. We’re going to London ne te may, my husband and I. Do you recommend Stonehenge ?

Hi Helene, Thanks for reading and commenting. You know, as many times as I have been to London, I have not made it to Stonehenge. To help you, I’m linking to another blog post all about visiting Stonehenge written by a blogger friend of mine. She’s got some great tips. Hope that helps! 🙂

There are some great tips here. I’m planning a trip to London during the high season with a variety of ages from grandmother, 4x 30 year olds, 4 kids between the ages of 8-3, and 2 newborns. Aiaiai. Just trying to get a place to eat together will be challenging. I loved your tips about the Oyster card, and pre-booking tickets, It saves lots of time to book in advance so that you are not waiting in line for tickets, and then waiting in another line for entry. Depending on how early you book it also puts that block of tickets on separate credit card bill instead of all at once. Just a tip from how I travel with all the children and trying to be budget concsious, I usually stop in a local grocery store and grab the 3 (pound, I don’t have the symbol on my keyboard) meal deal, Its filling and usually healthy. If you have any more kid friendly tips I’d love to hear them. Thanks for the guide, I found you on Pintrest, and will make sure to repin.

Thanks for reading, Erin, and for repinning on Pinterest. I appreciate it. 🙂 Sounds like your trip is set to make some amazing multi-generational memories. Thanks for sharing your food tip. London has great parks to make use of when the kids need a break. Hyde Park has paddle boats for rent and a great playground and fountain. St. James Park also has a popular playground. Enjoy your trip!

Do you have more ideas? We will be in London for 10 days. We will do all you mention but we need more?

Hi June, Thanks so much for reading and so exciting about your upcoming trip to London! 🙂 A couple other sites/places I’d recommend is Kensington Palace and if you’re at all a history buff, the Churchill War Rooms. If you’re doing all of that plus these last 2, check out the London Pass to save some money. Also, check out Free Tours by Foot and Sandeman’s free walking tours. If you’re interested in street art and/or learning more about London’s ethnic food scene check out a tour in the Shoreditch neighborhood. With 10 days, you can also plan day trips out of the city if you want. The Cotswolds Warwick Castle , and/or Stratford upon Avon are just a couple of hours drive, as are Stonehenge and Bath. Even Paris is a doable day trip with the Chunnel train taking just 2ish hours. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the tip about the London Pass! We went last year and no one told us about it, and we are going back in October and still want to do many of the activities included in the pass. Sounds like a great value!

Fantastic, Dana. I hope your trip is fantastic and enjoy the London Pass! Thanks so much for reading. 🙂

The best North Indian food is in southall (West London), trains run from Paddington. Brilliant Restaurant highly recommended..

Thanks Preetvan for the tip! 🙂

It’s ravens that you find at the Tower of London, not crows!

Thanks for that! I have no bird ID skills! 🙂

Thanks for your post; definitely adding it to my Pinterest board. I’m heading there for Spring Break with my husband and three teenage girls. We have eight days (flying into Gatwick and out of Paris-CDG). How do you suggest we split the days between London and Paris? And what would your top recommendations be?

Thanks for reading, Sheath. So exciting about your upcoming family trip to London and Paris. Both cities have so much to see and do, it all depends on your interests. You can easily split your time in half, although the Francophile in me says to give yourself an extra day in Paris. Not sure if you’re into theatre, but a night out to see a show in London’s West End is unforgettable. Tower of London, Shakespeares Globe, Borough Market, high tea are all at the top of my London first time list. For Paris, visit the top of Notre Dame in the morning, Arc de Triomphe at dusk, Sainte-Chappelle, Musee de l’Orangerie, and wander through 4th, 5th, and 6th arrondissements for tucked away shops and cafes as a start to your Paris visit. Hope that helps and have soo much fun! 🙂

Thank you for this cheat sheet. Great tips and ideas. My best friend and I are traveling to Europe for our 40th birthdays in March. We are spending about 2 1/2 days in London. It seems you were recommended traveling by way of the tube for most everything. I had been looking at the Hop On and Off Bus before reading your cheat sheet. Would you recommend skipping the bus and just using the tube?

Hi Heather, Thanks for reading. London is such a great city for a friends birthday trip! I would still recommend the Tube. The traffic in London can be horrible and Hop on Hop off buses can get stuck in it with the rest of the vehicles. With 2 1/2 days, getting underground will help you maximize your time getting from place to place. Enjoy your trip! -Jackie

Do you have any recommendations for visiting in December (just prior to Christmastime)? My family and I will be arriving on a Monday and departing on Thursday (for Germany), flying in and out of Stansted. It will be myself, my husband, and our 2 kids, ages 20 and (will turn while we’re in London) 17 year old (boy and girl). My husband is normally into things like the museums, but he’s the type that would need several days in any one museum (he literally reads each and every plaque, and doesn’t miss a display, LOL). So, because we’re limited on time, we’ll probably skip museums until another time. My husband and I are doing Harry Potter/WB Studios on Tuesday (I’m a big fan, kids not so much) and we’re letting them go off on their own. Will definitely be getting Oyster Cards.

Any other recommendations, especially since will will be cold weather? Thanks!

Thanks for reading, Cammi. I’d definitely try and see a show, be it one in the west end or a special Christmas themed show or concert. I’d also like to see the seasonal attractions like the winter wonderland in Hyde Park and all the lights around the city. I’m a cold weather gal so I love to get outside. But just in case of super cold weather, I’d have 1 museum in mind just as a back up if you need to warm up. Not sure if your hubby has seen the Churchill War rooms not far from Westminster, but I highly recommend. Enjoy your trip!

My husband and I leave for our first ever trip abroad, London, in less than a week! The ironic and very strange thing is that as soon as I read the title of our article was that the authors last name is Sills. That is MY maiden name and some of my father’s family still lives in England! Dad himself, Charles Sills, was actually born in London! We will be visiting some Sills relatives in Suffolk on our trip!

Anyway, thanks for the great articles!

Sincerely, Elizabeth (Sills) Hurd

Hi Elizabeth, Thanks for reading and omg! My maiden name is Sills as well! I have done a ton of family research but always run into a dead end trying to figure out more about the George Sills who came over from England to the U.S. back in the 1800s. That’s so amazing you’ll be combining your tip with some ancestry travel. I hope you have a great trip and enjoy meeting your relatives! Thanks again for reading the blog. 🙂 Jackie

Nice tips overall. Anyway, thanks for the great articles!

Thanks for reading, Brandy. 🙂

I must say this is an ultimate post for travelers who are looking for trip to London at affordable cost. You have covered everything in your post such as best places to stay, which is really helpful.

Thanks for reading, Sandeep. Happy travels to London!

Your blog is amazing – thanks for all the incredible ideas. We are considering going to London for Spring Break (March 8-17, 2019). Would you recommend going at his time ….will the weather be agreeable? Thanks, Stacey

Thanks for reading, Stacey, and for your kind words. So, it’ll likely still be chilly, but I’d say yes, go! Take this with the knowledge that I live in NYC and walk around in all kinds of weather and that I love visiting Europe in the off-season. I’d rather have cooler temps and fewer crowds. Plus, with London’s Underground/Subway, you can so easily pop underground and get around if you needed to escape the weather for a bit. Not to mention with delicious tea, scones, English pies, and Indian food, there’s plenty to warm you up! 🙂 Thanks again for reading.

very informative blog love to read it. i got so many new ideas about London. Thanks for sharing and it will help me during my visit to London. [LINK EDITED OUT]

Thanks for reading, Mickey. Enjoy London. 🙂

Love this guide and the one for Portugal also. Now if I could print it and store it in my travel file folder for easier access when I go to London. Thanks for writing these detailed trip reports – they are extremely helpful

Thanks do much for reading, Jane. You can download the London cheat sheet to help with your travels. 🙂

Going to the Harry Potter Studios by bus from Central London is the silliest thing to do. It takes too long AND you can only stay at the studios until the time your bus would take you back (about 4 hours) – not enough time for a true Harry Potter fan. It is fastest and easiest to go by train from Euston Station to Watford Junction (Oyster can be used) and takes about 30minutes. The studio has buses at Watford Junction to take you there – it takes just about 10 minutes. We stayed over 7 hours at the studios – my kids would start a riot if we had to leave after some 4 hours only!

Thanks for reading, Deesi! And great tips! Appreciate you sharing. 🙂

Your blog is amazing. How do I download the cheat sheet??

Thank you ~Alison

Thanks so much for reading, Alison. All you need to do is fill in the fields on the cheat sheet sign up box. It’ll get sent to you. 🙂 So glad the blog has been helpful for you.

If you have enough time you should certainly consider Kew Gardens and Greenwich. You can take the clipper down the river to Greenwich. Also Kenwood is free to visit and set in beautiful grounds on Hampstead Heath. Don’t pay to go up the Shard. Book the free tickets for Skygarden three weeks ahead. Or go up the tower at Tate Modern. Children like all these places but as other people have said the parks are lovely and all different. It’s lovely to see this thread still working and growing after such a long time. Well done!!!

Thanks for reading and sharing your London tips, Marian! I didn’t know that about the Shard!

The Dorchester is indeed a great hotel, but the very best Afternoon Tea has to be the Ritz.

Thanks for reading and sharing, David. I have heard great things about the afternoon tea at the Ritz. I’ll have to try it next time I’m in London. 🙂

Thank you for sharing this info about London. I am planning to visit in a neaxt month.

Thanks for reading, Alina. Have fun in London. 🙂

Amazing. you have told very easy and splendid ways for exploring London. London is my favourite place to travel and for food too. I love the food Enjoy!

Thanks for reading, Amy. Glad you had great travels to London. 🙂

My niece and I want to go to London. We’ve considered a tour group, but the itinerary is limited, I enjoyed reading your cheat sheet. It was interesting, and we got very excited at the thought of actually visiting the sites, Have you ever traveled there in December? I am a teacher and my big break is in the month of December, I don’t want to go and freeze! The travel dates would be between December 14th and December 24th. Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you.

Rebecca and Brooke

Thanks for reading, Rebecca and Brooke. I haven’t been to London in the winter but I’ve been to many other cities in Europe in winter like Paris, Prague, Budapest, Munich, and more, also during my winter school breaks! I’m probably not the most objective person on this as I live in NYC and walk around outside all winter long. But I love European cities around Christmas. Yes, it’s chilly. But if you dress right the charm and the ambiance is unforgettable. I’d highly recommend a London Christmas visit! If you want some freedom to explore mixed with a few organized activities, plan a couple of day tours instead of something more comprehensive. The London Pass is also a great way to see what’s popular while saving money by bundling sightseeing costs. Hope this helps and you have a great trip! 😉

Thank you so much. We are moving ahead with our plans. I agree, if you dress appropriately, the weather will not be a factor.. Again, I really learned a lot from your cheat sheet and have read it many times.

Thanks for reading, Rebecca and Brooke. 🙂 So glad to hear the cheat sheet was helpful. I hope you have a wonderful trip to London.

Heathrow express!! Saved me so much time! So glad I read this.

Thanks for reading, Scott. Yep, the Heathrow Express makes things super easy! 🙂

Thanks for informative sharing. I must say that your shared information is very useful for me as well as other readers.

Glad to hear it, William. Thanks for reading.

Hello Jackie, I am at the beginning of planning a second Girls Trip to London, and the country side of England. The first was with a group of high school girls friends,(tons of fun) and this one will be with all my sister in laws. Both groups are in their early 60’s. I appreciated the link to the GO transportation site. I like the idea of a van to haul us all to the hotel from Heathrow. There will be six of us in this up coming trip. There were only four on the high school trip. We all squeezed into one cab, and shared the cost. I don’t think we can squeeze six ladies and luggage into a cab, so the van idea sounds good. I suggested a cab for the HS group, knowing it is the more expensive way to get from the airport. I knew we would be sharing the cost AND also with the age of the group, didn’t think we (or I ) would want to be dragging our luggage in and out of tube trains. They were all ok with the idea of a cab. Also one thing I tell anyone I know who is on their way over, WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! I know they aren’t always the most fashionable, but gee, your feet will thank you at the end of the day. No new shoes that haven’t been wore in yet either. One last thought– the HS trip was a full week in London, so we all decided that the London Pass would be a good idea– and it was! The Shard visit alone would have cost 50 pounds for one person to enter. The payable sites do add up. All worth seeing, but can get pricy. Not so sure it will be worth it for this sister in law trip, we won’t be spending as much time in London. Thanks for the time and research you put into this travel blog. Very enjoyable read. 🙂

Thanks so much for reading, Deborah! So exciting to be planning another trip (and a Girls Trip, even better!) to London. Thanks for sharing your experiences, too. Totally agree on comfortable shoes! My go-to’s for lots of walking (live in NYC) and traveling (one pair is with me on every trip) are Allbirds . In fact, I just bought 2 new pairs (Tree Runner & Wool Runner) since I’ve worn my others out. If anyone in your group or you are looking for something comfy, definitely give these shoes a look. Enjoy your trip to London and come back if there are any questions I can answer. Thanks again for reading. 🙂

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Savvy Travel Advice

London Itinerary: 6 Days in London

Last updated: May 28, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 90 Comments

London is one of the world’s most famous capital cities and England’s largest city, offering an endless number of attractions, museums, historical buildings, and entertainment options. London can be an overwhelming city for many travelers, especially those visiting for the first time.

We’ve put together a recommended 6-day London itinerary that will help you see the highlights if you have at least 6 days in London.

It includes all the major attractions (e.g., Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the National Gallery), but also includes several lesser-known sites and encourages you to explore several of London’s diverse neighborhoods including Westminster, Greenwich, Kensington, and Camden.

We suggest using this itinerary as a starting point for planning your 6 days in London, not as a definitive itinerary, and you can edit it to put together your own personal itinerary that reflects your own needs and interests.

In addition to the 6 day itinerary, we also provide tips on how to get around London, maps of each day’s suggested attractions, and how to save money during your 6 days in London.

Table of Contents:

Planning for 6 Days in London

Before we share the day-to-day itinerary, here is some essential planning information on getting to London, getting around London, tips for saving money, how to find accommodation, and further resources for planning and making the most of your 6 days in London.

Getting to London

London is easy to reach by plane, train, or car. London has six main airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Southend, and London City, and these airports collectively serve just about every region of the world. If you are arriving from an international location outside Europe, busy  Heathrow is likely to be your arrival airport. See this airport guide for getting to and from each of the airports in London.

If you are arriving by train, London is well-connected to train routes throughout the UK and Europe with a number of train stations in and around central London. Those arriving from Scotland might want to consider an overnight sleeper train . If you are arriving from continental Europe by train or car, you’ll need to travel across the English Channel on EuroStar or take a ferry.

Getting around London

London is best explored either on foot or by public transportation. Cabs and bike hires are also good options. If you need to book a cab, you can use  minicabit to compare prices.

I would not recommend driving in London unless you are planning to stay on the outskirts of the city as driving and finding parking in central busy locations can be a nightmare and parking can be expensive. If you are driving to London, I’d park your car when you arrive in the city and then use public transport until you leave.

London’s has a great public transportation network and most visitors spend at least some time traveling on it. This includes public bus, tram, and rail services (including “the Tube”) within the city. You can buy individual tickets for each ride, but many visitors get an Oyster Card  which allows you to travel on almost all the city’s public transit options and can save you time and money.

If you are considering an Oyster Card, you can read our full review of it here .  For more information and tips on getting around London, check out our detailed  Guide To Transportation Options in London .

Where to Stay for 6 Days in London

Accommodation wise, London has about every lodging option you can imagine, from inexpensive hostels to self-catering apartments to pricey 5-star luxury hotels . London is home to some really iconic classic luxury hotels like The Ritz , The Dorchester , Brown’s , and The Savoy .

But it also has a number of mid-range and budget friendly chains like Holiday Inn Express , Travelodge ,  Best Western ,   Premier Inn , Ibis , and Point.a Hotels . If you are spending a full week in London, you can often save money by booking an apartment at a weekly versus daily rate.

To find the best rates on hotels in London, we recommend searching on Booking.com  or Hotels.com  as in our experience these two sites tend to have the best prices and widest choice on both hotels and a range of apartments.

If you are looking for self-catering apartments or rooms, we recommend checking out Plum Guide . We’ve tried many of the apartment rental sites, and have usually had the best experiences with Plum Guide. Of course, there are also loads of Airbnb alternative booking sites you can check.

Based on our various trips to London, we’ve put together few suggestions across budgets to give you some ideas for where to stay in the city, which are sorted from lowest to highest price:

• The Walrus Bar and Hostel – This is a well reviewed and centrally located hostel, found only a 15 minute walk from Parliament Square and the Palace of Westminster (Big Ben).
• SoHostel  – Another well-reviewed hostel located just at the edge of Westminster, only a 15 minute walk from Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.
• Point A Hotel – This hotel is located within Westminster and is within the well-priced Point A hotel range. It’s a 17 minute walk to Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey. We’ve stayed here; rooms are tiny but clean and a great budget option.
• Premier Inn – This well-rated mid-range 3-star option is located near to Borough Market and London Bridge.
• Hilton Tower Bridge – This well-rated hotel offers good value for this class of hotel and is located within a short walk of Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and Borough Market.
• Resident Victoria Hotel  – A centrally located 4-star hotel offering excellent value for money located near Buckingham Palace. We’ve stayed here; the lower priced rooms are small but the hotel is very well-located.
• Lime Tree Hotel – A well reviewed boutique hotel, around nine minutes walk from London Victoria
• Brown’s  – If you are looking for a classic 5-star London luxury hotel, you can’t go wrong with Brown’s which provides intimate boutique luxury. It is the oldest hotel in London and is located in Mayfair within a 12 minute walk from Buckingham Palace.
• The Savoy  – Another classic 5-star luxury hotel, this one much larger, located in central London. Less than 10 minute walk to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.

For many more options, see our complete guide to where to stay in London , which also has tips on what to look for and the different neighbourhoods in the city.

Saving Money on London Attractions

It is hard to deny that London is a fairly expensive travel destination and attraction entrance fee costs can really add up. Luckily, there are a number of London discount passes you can purchase which can help you save money if you plan to visit a number of London’s museums and attractions.

Our favorite is the London Pass which allows free entry into over 60 of London’s top attractions, and also comes with a free hop-on, hop-off bus ticket and additional discounts on food, shopping, and tours.

We’ve used the London Pass on a number of visits and have written a full review of the London Pass which you can read to help determine if it is a good fit for your trip. Also be sure to check out all the free attractions in London which include top-notch museums, parks, historic sites, special events, and festivals. 

Another discount card option is the GoCity London Explorer Pass where you can choose up to 7 attractions you want to visit (out of 50+) where you can get free entry into all these attractions (including Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London). See a full list of possible attractions here .

This GoCity London Explorer Pass doesn’t work as well with our suggested itinerary but may be more appealing to some, especially families, as it includes more attractions geared to families that are not included on the London Pass.

Buying Tickets for London Attractions

When you are planning on buying tickets for attractions in London, you have two main options. You can book online in advance, or for some attractions, you can buy tickets in person.

For most attractions we would recommend booking online in advance, as this means you can skip the in-person ticket lines. Many attractions also now operate a timed entry system, so turning up on the day might lead to disappointment.

Booking online in advance is usually the best option, and it also often results in slightly better value tickets compared to on-the-door prices.

You then have the option for most attractions of buying direct, or buying via a third-party site like GetYourGuide , Viator or Tiqets .

It is always worth comparing prices across the different options, as well as the cancellation policies. Generally our preferred option is GetYourGuide because they normally offer a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of your visit to most attractions. The prices are nearly always the same as the official site as well.

Of course, you will need to check each attraction’s policy and compare, but for peace of mind this policy can be very helpful.

Walking Tours in London

When visiting a new city, or when we just want to get a bit more local insight into somewhere we’ve been before, we’ll often take a walking tour. These offer a couple of advantages as they help orientate you to a new place plus you can get insider tips from a local on the best places to visit and eat.

We’ve taken a number of walking tours in London, and I did this full day London walking tour on my very first visit to London which covered all the central highlights and includes a visit to the Tower of London , the Changing of the Guard, a short Thames cruise, and a view of all the main sites in Westminster. I did this tour on my very first visit to London and really enjoyed it!

Our favorite walking tour company is Take Walks , who are behind the popular Walks of Italy walking tour company. They now offer a number of tours in London, and we can highly recommend them if you are looking for a walking tour in the city. See all their London tours here .

You can also find a number of popular London walking tours over on GetYourGuide from Harry Potter walking tours to WW2 related walking tours to Royal London tours to food tours to Jack the Ripper tours . Speaking of food tours, see our guide to the best food tours in London for some suggested options.

If you are looking for a private walking tour of London, we recommend checking out the London tours offered by Context Travel. They can personalize private tours, adapt to special needs, and can add a car service if needed.

Popular London Day Trips

If you have 6 days or more in London, then you may be wanting to do a day trip on one or two of those days and see some of the other towns and attractions in southern England.

Below are seven popular London day trip options to consider:

• Stonehenge – Stonehenge is an ancient and mysterious stone circle and this site is one of the most popular day trips from London. It is probably best done as a bus day trip, but you can also do it via public transit (train plus shuttle), by car, or via a private transfer. You can read about our Stonehenge day trip experience here , which was a version of this tour of Stonehenge and Bath . A couple other suggestions for guided tours are this express half-day trip to Stonehenge, this tour which include Windsor Castle, lunch and Lacock as well, or this full day trip which includes inner stone access at Stonehenge and Bath.
• Stratford-upon-Avon  – Stratford-upon-Avon is a picturesque medieval market town located along the River Avon in the West Midlands. It is best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and for its well-preserved Tudor buildings. Best ways to get here is by car, train, or by joining a tour. Here is a  guided tour option that includes a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon and three Cotswolds villages. See our guide to things to do in Stratford Upon Avon for more information.
• WB Harry Potter Studio – If you love Harry Potter, you may want to make time to visit the Warner Brothers Studio filming studio. The Studio Tour  includes original film sets, clothing, props, interactive visitor experiences, and a huge gift shop. Tickets must be booked in advance. You can get here via public transit (train plus shuttle) or by booking a tour or private transfer. You can book a tour  from central London that includes your transportation so you don’t have to take the train and shuttle. If you want to take a walking tour of the Harry Potter London filming locations consider this tour .
• Oxford – Oxford is a scenic historical city that is home to Oxford University, England’s oldest university. Read our post about things to do in Oxford and how to plan your own Oxford day trip from London . Oxford is easy to reach by train, although car and bus are also options. If you are interested in a guided tour, you might consider this tour which visits Oxford as well as the Cotswolds.
• Highclere Castle & Downton Abbey Sites – Highclere Castle is a country house best known for being a prime filming location in the British TV series Downton Abbey. Easiest ways to get here is by car or by joining a tour. Here is a suggested guided tour option that includes a visit to Highclere Castle, the castle gardens, Bampton (Downton village), and other Downton Abbey filming locations. Highclere Castle is open seasonally so check opening dates before planning a visit.
• Portsmouth  – Portsmouth is a port city and naval base where you can discover over 500 years of naval history. You can visit a number of boats dating back to Tudor times, museums, and other attractions along the historic dock. From London, you can get there via public transit (train is best) or by taking a guided tour. If you visit on your own, we recommend checking out the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Attraction Ticket . If you are looking for a guided visit, you might consider this full day private one which includes transport from London. See our guide to things to do in Portsmouth for more information,
• Cambridge  – Cambridge, like Oxford, is a historic scenic university town. Cambridge University was founded in 1209 and is the second oldest university in the English-speaking world. There are a number of historical attractions and museums here, and you can check out our guide to things to do in Cambridge . You can get here by public transit (train or bus), car, or by joining a tour. If looking for a tour from London, you might check out this guided tour or this small group tour to Cambridge and Ely Cathedral.

Other Resources for Planning 6 Days in London

If you are looking for packing tips, check out our suggested London packing list .

If you have less than 6 days in London, we have also written a suggested guide to spending one day in London ,  two days in London , and  three days in London . We also have a post about seeing the best of the city and its royal sites in a one day London walking tour .

We have written a ton of content about London, so you can check out our London articles on Finding the Universe and our London articles on this blog for more info and to see where we’ve been. For additional planning resources, the  Visit London  and  Visit Great Britain  websites also offer tons of helpful information for visitors. If your travels are taking you beyond London, you can check out Laurence’s suggested 2-week UK itinerary to get you started.

A 6 Day London Itinerary: How to Spend 6 Days in London

London is one of those cities that has an endless amount of attractions, museums, shows, and potential things to do. This can be overwhelming for many visitors so we’ve put together our suggested 6 day itinerary that takes in London’s most popular attractions as well as several of London’s best neighborhoods. I’ve also tried to arrange them in a logical order so you spend less time traveling around the city.

Use this as a guide and starting point for planning your 6 days in London, not as a definitive itinerary, to put together your own personalized itinerary that reflects your own needs and interests. Be sure to check on admission days and hours for any must-see attractions before you set out as many attractions close for one day per week, or may be closed due to a special event or renovation. 

For all attractions with an admission fee, we’ve noted there is an entry fee by writing “(fee)” next to them. Note that since many people use the London Pass , the attractions that are included on the London Pass are starred (*) denoting that passholders receive free entry so they have “(fee*)” next to them.

We do our best to provide the most updated information, but things change so you may want to double-check fees and London Pass inclusions before your trip.

London Itinerary Day 1 – Westminster

On your first full day in London, I’d head to Westminster. Westminster is a great place to start your exploration of London as it is the political, cultural, and geographical center of the city. It is also where you’ll find some of London’s most iconic and famous buildings. The itinerary starts and stops near Parliament Square but can begin it at any point along the route. 

First, you might consider taking a tour to get oriented to the city. If you are the kind of person who likes to get a good overview of a city before striking out on your own, a sightseeing bus tour, bike tour, Thames river cruise, or city walking tour is a great way to get oriented.

You have loads of options in terms of companies and London Pass holders have access to a free sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour , bike tour, and a Thames cruise which all cover the Westminster area. If this sounds appealing, I’d probably recommend either a walking or bus tour for your first day.

If you choose a walking tour, most need to be booked in advance, and you can read about one of the guided  walking tours of Westminster we did on my very first trip to London to get an idea of what you can cover on foot in the area.

As mentioned earlier in the post, we also often use and can recommend walking company Take Walks . They have a number of London walking tours to get you acquainted with London.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey  (fee*) is definitely one of the most impressive and historical churches in England. The church (and its Norman predecessor) has been the site of all English and British coronations since William the Conqueror in 1066 as well as the site of over a dozen royal weddings, including Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011.

The current church dates from 1245, being built mainly from the 13th century to 16th century, and was mostly built in the Gothic style. The church is a coveted burial spot and includes the tombs of British royals as well as Prime Ministers, famous artists, writers, and scientists, and other famous people from the past 1,000 years!

This is a popular place so be sure to leave some time to get in and explore. The included audio guide helps give you a lot of background on the church and points out all the highlights. Guide-led tours are also possible for a small extra fee (currently £5/person), check at arrival or on the Abbey website for tour times.

In June 2018, the  Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries opened. The galleries, which are reached by the newly build Weston Tower, house historical exhibit and treasures owned by the Abbey. Admission to the Galleries is currently an extra £5.00 and requires a timed ticket as space is limited. You can buy your tickets online in advance here .

St. James’s Park

For a breath of fresh air, take a walk through St. James’s Park en-route to Buckingham Palace. The park is one of eight of the city’s Royal Parks and has over 50 acres of green spaces, flower beds, and even a lake that contains some famous resident pelicans.

There is a small café here and it is a great place to take a short break. Also for those interested in the Guards regiments of the British Army, you can make a stop at The Guards Museum (fee*) which is just across from St. James’s Park, next to the Wellington Barracks.

Buckingham Palace 

Buckingham Palace is probably the most famous palace in the UK and it serves as the primary London workplace and residence for the reigning sovereign of the United Kingdom. It was originally built as a private residence by the Duke of Buckingham (hence the name) in the early 18th century, but was later acquired by British royalty and expanded over time.

The public can tour Buckingham Palace (fee, book tickets in advance) but only for about 8 weeks per year (generally August and September). However, you can get a good view of the palace from outside the gates year-round and you can walk up to see the marble and bronze Victoria Memorial that stands in front of the palace at the end of The Mall.

Depending on the day of you visit (as well as weather and security conditions), you may get a chance to see the Changing of the Queen’s Guard ceremony at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace which often takes place around 11am. The full ceremony lasts about 45 minutes. If you want to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, check the schedule online in advance and show up early to get a good viewing spot.

If you don’t want to stand in the crowds, you can try going to Friary Court in front of St. James Palace for the ceremony (the Old Guard normally lines up and starts here) or watching the Changing The Queen’s Lifeguard (horse guards) at the Horse Guards Parade as both spots attract fewer visitors.

Even if you can’t visit the State Rooms of Buckingham Place, there are places to visit on the palace grounds year round. You can visit the  Royal Mews (fee) which showcases the royal collection of historic carriages and coaches, including the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Art lovers will want to stop at the Queen’s Gallery (fee*) which displays regularly changing exhibitions of art from the royal collection. 

St. James’s Palace

St James’s Palace is the most senior royal palace in the United Kingdom, having been built during the reign of King Henry VIII in the 16th century. Although it is no longer the residence of the monarch, it is the meeting place and London residence of members of the British royal family.

The palace is not open to the public but as noted above you can see the start of the Changing of the Guard ceremony from Friary Court in front of the palace.

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is a famous road junction and a popular public meeting spot in London. The area is famous for its large neon signs and video advertising as well as the Shaftesbury Memorial with its statue of Anteros.

The spot is well-located for an easy walk to the West End theaters and Regent Street, one of London’s major shopping streets. It’s also going to be familiar to Harry Potter fans as it was one of the Harry Potter filming locations in London .

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a popular public square in central London known for its monuments, architecture, street artists, and surrounding museums. The square itself is home to Nelson’s Column (a monument commemorating Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805), the famous stone lion statues, and the featured contemporary art on the Fourth Plinth.

Around the square you’ll also find two of London’s top art museums, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery . Both are highly recommended for art lovers and include works by some of the world’s most famous artists from Turner to Monet.

Also nearby (hidden underground in St. Martin-in-the-Fields!) you can visit the London Brass Rubbing Centre (fee) to learn about and create a brass rubbing to take home. A great activity for families (we had fun too!). Note that this isn’t always available, check the website for when you can do it.

Whitehall & Downing Street

Whitehall is the main street running south from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Square. This area was once home to the Palace of Whitehall, a sprawling royal palace complex and the largest palace in the world until it burned in 1698. However, today visitors can still see one remaining section of the palace complex, the Banqueting Hall (fee) designed by famous architect Inigo Jones with a ceiling painted by Peter Paul Reubens.

Today Whitehall is the center of the Government of the United Kingdom and you’ll pass a number of buildings home to various departments and ministries, including the Ministry of Defense and the Cabinet Office. Along this street you’ll also find The Household Calvary Museum (fee*), located in the 18th century stables of the Horse Guards, which gives information on the history of the Household Cavalry and displays a small collection of uniforms and weapons.

Past the Banqueting Hall and Household Cavalry Museum, you’ll pass the entrance to Downing Street. The street is gated and guarded, but you can peek through and should be able to see the door to 10 Downing Street, which is the headquarters of the UK government and official residence of the Prime Minister. There are a lot of statues and memorials along the street, including  The Cenotaph , which has been designated as the United Kingdom’s official national war memorial. As you continue down Whitehall, you’ll end in Parliament Square.

Parliament Square & Houses of Parliament

Parliament Square is a public square where you’ll find a number of statues of famous people, including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, Abraham Lincoln, and Nelson Mandela. The square is surrounded by famous buildings, including Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church, the parish church of the Palace of Westminster.

On one side of the square you’ll see the iconic Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament, with the iconic Elizabethan Tower which contains the famous Big Ben bell. The building is named after the former medieval palace that once stood here, and you can actually visit a section of the old palace, the 14th century Jewel Tower (fee*), if you want a sense of what the original Palace of Westminster was like.

The public can visit the Houses of Parliament  on certain dates, and debates are free for the public to watch. But if you want to actually tour the building, tours are available on certain days of the week and the tours include a number of rooms, including Westminster Hall, St. Stephens Hall, Commons Chamber, and the Lords Chamber. UK residents can contact their local MP or a Member of the House of Lords to request and arrange a free tour. Otherwise, you can book a tour ticket online for a self-guided audio tour or guided tour.

The tour here is well worth it if you have the chance to do it during your visit. We did a guided tour plus a Thames-side afternoon tea here and really enjoyed seeing the inside of this iconic building!

Westminster Bridge

After you have visited all the spots you want to in and around Parliament Square, walk onto Westminster Bridge and look back for a great view of the House of Parliament and the River Thames. You can then take a walk along the Thames or head off to dinner. Tomorrow the itinerary will bring us back to the Thames to further explore more of London’s iconic sites.

London Itinerary Day 2 – Along the River Thames

Today we’d suggest heading back into central London and focusing on sites located along the famous River Thames, London’s main river and the longest river in England. The Day 2 itinerary takes you to more of London’s most historic and iconic sites and attractions. It starts at the Tower of London and ends either at the Churchill War Rooms or the London Eye , depending on your time, energy, and interests.

The first part of the itinerary is walkable but you’ll probably want to use the Thames river boat or public transit to get from the bridges to the Churchill War Rooms. If you want to do a Thames river cruise (fee*), this is a good day for it.

Tower of London

The  Tower of London  (fee*) is a UNESCO world heritage site that has served as a fortress, prison, armory, Royal Mint, and place of execution among other uses during its long history. It is famous for serving as a prison and execution site of famous people like Queen Anne Boleyn and for housing the Crown Jewels.

There is a lot packed in here and highlights include the Crown Jewels, White Tower, Tower Green, and tours given by the Yeomen Warders (Beefeaters). This is a popular place so we’d strongly recommend trying to get here around opening, head to the Crown Jewels first, and plan to spend at least 2 hours visiting here.

One of our favorite attractions in central London but also one of the most crowded so do try to get here early.

You can buy a ticket online in advance here .

We also recommend checking prices on the official website  here , where you can also see opening times.

For more on visiting, see our complete guide to the Tower of London .

Thames Cruise

Today is a good day to do a sightseeing boat cruise of the River Thames, as all the suggested locations today are alongside the river. There is a City Cruises (fee) dock just a short walk from the Tower of London and you can use the cruise to see the city from the Thames and get to the next location with a 24 hour hop on, hop off cruise ticket.

Another option is to get a River Roamer pass (fee*) for the Thames Clipper , a commuter boat service, or just buy a single ticket for a one time ride. Of course, you can also just walk to each attraction or take public transit.

HMS Belfast 

Next suggested stop is  HMS Belfast (fee), which is permanently moored on the Thames a short walk from Tower Bridge on the south bank. This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with an interest in boats. Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963.

Since 1971 she’s been a popular London tourist attraction, and you can spend a good deal of time learning all about operational life on board this historic warship.

There is a small café next to the visitor entrance to the ship which serves fresh sandwiches, salads, pastries, and coffee if you need a bite to eat.

Tower Bridge and London Bridge

Next I would take some time to appreciate two of London’s most famous bridges, the London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Both bridges have exhibitions you can visit, although in terms of time I would choose to visit only one exhibition or just admire them both from the outside. 

London Bridge is famous for being the subject of the nursery rhyme “London Bridge Is Falling Down” and there has been a London Bridge since Roman times with the current one dating only to the 1970’s.   The London Bridge Experience  (fee*) is an interactive educational and amusement attraction geared towards families with children and young adults that don’t mind a bit of a scare. 

The bridge in London which you are probably more familiar with in terms of photos is Tower Bridge, often mistakenly called London Bridge by tourists. This iconic bridge opened in 1894 and is currently painted white and blue.

If you want to learn more about the bridge, then you should visit the  Tower Bridge Exhibition (fee*). Here you can learn about the history of the bridge, including how it was built and how the lifting mechanism works to allow ships through. You can also walk the glass floor walkway across the bridge, a 138 feet high walkway that will definitely test any fear of heights you may have!

Alternatives  (or additional spots) in the area to the above attractions: Southwark Cathedral , Borough Market (one of London’s most famous food markets),  The Old Operating Theatre Museum (fee*), The Monument (fee*), and The View from the Shard (fee*).

Churchill War Rooms 

Now, we are going to head back to Westminster to visit the Churchill War Rooms which are not too far from where you were yesterday. You’ll likely want to hop on the Thames boat to Westminster Pier or take public transit here.

The Churchill War Rooms (fee) are run by the Imperial War Museums (those with a military history interest will also want to visit the Imperial War Museum in London) and allow the public to visit the huge underground secret bunker where the majority of the war effort during World War 2 was directed from August 1939 to August 1945.

The visit essentially includes two places: the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum. You get to visit an interesting maze of rooms to see where communications and strategizing happened as well as where people ate, slept, and cooked during WW2. Then a separate large museum room is devoted to the life of Winston Churchill and his legacy. It has the best collection of information and exhibits on Churchill that I have visited, and it covers his life from birth to death, not just the war years.

There is an excellent audio guide included with the tour that covers the Cabinet War Rooms, For those with an interest in Churchill, we recommend checking out this article about visiting some of the top Winston Churchill sites .

For those with an interest in Churchill and the London Blitz, we can also recommend the London Churchill War Room tour by Context Travel which includes a guided visit to the Churchill War Rooms as well as a guided tour of parts of London related to the Blitz. We love Context Travel tours, which are geared to the intellectually curious travelers, and if you book this tour or any other tour with Context Travel, using the link above you’ll receive 10% off any Context Travel tour anywhere in the world. Be sure to book in advance of your trip.

London Dungeon

If you still have time and energy you might want to continue on across the Westminster Bridge to where you’ll find more attractions, including the London Dungeon and the London Eye.

The London Dungeon (fee*) is an interactive attraction that uses costumed actors, rides, special effects, and staging to tell London’s more sinister history while offering up a bit of fun and scares. I wouldn’t come here for a history lesson but if you enjoy haunted houses and amusement parks, you’ll probably enjoy this. Not recommended for young children.

The dungeon also sometimes offers adult-only nights that include food and drinks. Depending on who you are, the London Dungeon is either a must-see or a must-avoid! Next door to the Dungeon are also two family-oriented attractions, the Sea Life London Aquarium and  DreamWorks Tours: Shrek’s Adventure . 

The London Eye (fee*) is Europe’s tallest observation wheel and is essentially a giant slow ferris wheel with large enclosed glass pods. The London Eye is a great place to get some nice views of London, although I’d pass if the weather is terrible. It is open late so makes a great last stop, and around sunset is an ideal time to do the ride if the weather is pleasant. 

You can save money (and time) by purchasing your tickets in advance. Online prices are usually much lower than if you buy at the ticket desk.

You can buy tickets for the London Eye from the official site here . We also have a complete guide to visiting the London Eye here .

Alternatively if you didn’t do a boat trip on the Thames already, you might consider booking an evening sunset and/or dinner Thames river cruise. There are several companies that offer these in London, including City Cruises mentioned earlier and Bateaux London .

London Itinerary Day 3 – More London Highlights

Today we are going to explore even more of London’s central highlights, including the British Museum, Covent Garden, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Shakespeare’s Globe.

Today all of the attractions are within walking distance but you may want to use public transit to reach some of them. It may also be a good day to use a hop-on hop-off bus if you have a free ticket with the London Pass as the bus routes go to or near all the attractions on today’s route.

British Museum

The British Museum  is a museum holding a vast collection of artifacts from cultures around the world, ancient to modern. Established in 1753 with the collection of just one man, it has grown to be one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in the world with about 8 million objects in its permanent collection!

If you are going to only visit one general museum in London, this would probably be my recommendation as it holds a wealth of treasures from mummies to vases, with the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Lewis Chessmen being some of its most well-known treasures.

Now you can walk (about 15 minutes) or jump on public transportation to get to Covent Garden and the London Transport Museum.

London Transport Museum

The London Transport Museum (fee*) is a museum dedicated to telling the story of London’s transport system over the last 200 years, highlighting the link between transport and the growth of modern London culture and society. The museum collection is housed in a 19th century building that was previously used for the Covent Garden Flower Market.

As a visitor you can follow a self-guided path that begins with what transportation was like around 1800 in London and then continues to the present day. So you get to see everything from human carried sedan chairs to horse-drawn omnibuses to steam trains to the famous red double-decker buses. The museum does a good job of having a mix of information and interactive exhibits. 

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is a popular tourist destination in London. It originally was a food market (mainly fruit and vegetables) and by the 18th century had become a bit seedy and was also a popular red-light district. The food market eventually outgrew the space and was moved in the 1970’s and today the area is home to shops, cafes, pubs, two markets selling crafts, jewelry, souvenirs, and goods.

It is a popular spot for street entertainers and you’ll often find crowds of people gathered around an entertainer here. The area has long served as an area of entertainment and the first known Punch and Judy like puppet show in England was performed here in 1662! An easy area to find a bite to eat if you are hungry as there are dozens of bars and restaurants here.

Now you can walk on to St. Paul’s Cathedral (20-25 minutes) or take public transit.

St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral (fee*) is an Anglican church designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the English Baroque style. The present church was consecrated in 1697; however, it sits on the same site as the former medieval church of the same name which was badly damaged by fire. Today it is the seat of the Bishop of London and one of the most important churches in London.

The Cathedral was the tallest building in London for almost 200 years, and although no longer the tallest it can still been seen from many places in London and is one of the most recognizable places on the city skyline. The Cathedral has been the site of many famous services and events, including the state funerals of Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill, jubilee celebrations for both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, and royal weddings such as that of Prince Charles to Princess Diana.

St. Paul’s Cathedral was a symbol of resilience during WW2 as images of the recognizable Dome still standing after the Blitz gave hope to people (although the church was damaged), and Churchill would give orders to try to protect the church at all costs. Services were held here after both WW1 and WW2 to give thanks for their end and to pray for peace.

Admission prices include an audioguide for self-guided visits or you can join a regular guided tour of the church. St. Paul’s Cathedral is a busy tourist attraction so be sure to allot enough time, especially if you want to climb the steps to the dome which can have a long line.

If you are planning to visit without a London Pass, especially in the summer months, we recommend booking your ticket online in advance to save money on admission and to get skip the line access.

Worshippers attending a church service or wanting to pray in one of the side chapels can enter for free.

An Alternative or additional stop in the area may be the Museum of London , which is a great free museum dedicated to the history of London. 

Tate Modern

Now you can cross the Millennium Bridge, a popular pedestrian bridge, to reach the Tate Modern , the largest international modern art gallery in the UK. The museum’s location is unusual as it is based in a former power station building. The museum displays both a permanent collection as well as several temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Personally I prefer the Tate Britain (also in London) since I tend to like older art, but this is a must-see for modern and contemporary art lovers and has some great masterpieces. The museum is free to visit. 

Shakespeare’s Globe

A short walk away you’ll come to a famous white theater building. First let me say that the current Shakespeare’s Globe theater (fee*) is not the original and in fact this one only dates to 1997! The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599, destroyed by fire in 1613, rebuilt in 1614, and then demolished in 1644.

The current one is a realistic reconstruction of the original (with concessions to modern health and safety requirements) and is located very close to the site of the original. The man behind the rebuilding of the Globe is the late American actor and director Sam Wanamaker , who sadly died before the Globe was completed.

The complex also has a museum exhibition about Shakespeare’s work and the original theater, a smaller candle-lit indoor theatre called the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, and an educational and rehearsal space. Today the public can visit the exhibition and take a guided tour of the theater, which allows visitors to experience what it would have been like to go to a theater in the Elizabethan era as either a lord or lady or as a poor groundling.

You can also get tickets for performances at both the Globe (summer only) and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (year round).

Enjoy a West End Show or Hit a Club

Tonight is a perfect evening to go see a West End Show performance, a performance in Shakespeare’s Globe, or other theater or concert event. London is full of nightlife throughout the year—concerts, shows, theater, opera, circuses, comedy shows—so you shouldn’t have a problem finding something that will appeal.

If you are planning to go to a theater performance, you can book tickets in advance online before your trip (recommended if there is a performance you really want to see) or try to find a deal once you are in the city.

Here are some tips for buying London theatre tickets . Note that London Pass users typically have access to theater ticket discounts on certain West End shows. Also check out what is happening at the Royal Albert Hall during your visit, this world-famous venue hosts everything from classical concerts to rock bands to tennis matches!

If you prefer a club or a bar to a theater, London has some of the best clubs in Europe. Here is a list of some of London’s top clubs to get you started. Note that most bars stop serving drinks between 11am and 2am, and here is a guide to some of London’s  late night bars .

London Itinerary Day 4 – Day excursion & Camden

If you have 6 days in London, I would head out of central London for at least one day. Today I’d recommend visiting one of the major attractions outside the city in the morning and then spending the afternoon in the borough of Camden. Camden is well-known for its markets, canals, zoo, and Regent’s Park.

Alternatively, if you are not interested in visiting Camden, you could try visiting two of the recommended morning attractions (e.g., Windsor Castle and Kew Gardens). You’ll need to use public transit to reach the morning attractions and to get to Camden but the attractions in Camden are all within walking distance.

Visit an Out of Central London Attraction

In the morning I’d recommend heading to one attraction on the outskirts of London or just outside the city. All of these are popular and busy attractions so getting there around opening time is wise idea! Here are our top recommendations to choose from:

Option 1: Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle (fee*) was built as a defensive fortification by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Today it is the largest and longest continuously occupied royal residence in the world. Much of the castle’s magnificent State Rooms were designed and built in the 19th century, and the castle is a common weekend home for Queen Elizabeth II.

Highlights here include the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and the 15th-century St. George’s Chapel. You can also see the Changing of the Guards ceremony here on certain days which is a similar but much smaller version of the ceremony that takes place in front of Buckingham Palace.

There is an excellent audioguide included with admission and you can also join offered guided tours at the castle. Note that the castle can get very busy, especially in the summer, so try to arrive at opening time or alternatively you may want to visit in the afternoon.

To get here you need to take a train out of London. You cannot use an Oyster Card and will need to buy a rail ticket. Windsor Castle tickets can also be purchased here . 

Option 2: Hampton Court Palace  

Hampton Court Palace (fee*) is a former royal palace, originally built in the 16th century for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a powerful person during the time of King Henry VIII. However, Wolsey would fall out of favor with the king (as most people did) and Henry would confiscate his house and use it as his own palace.

The huge Tudor and Baroque style royal palace was used by British monarchs until the 18th century and is now a popular tourist destination. The palace is huge and you could spend all day exploring its many rooms, but luckily the self-guided tours are broken up by themes so you can decide which parts of the palace are of most interest to you. The gardens, the tennis court, and hedge maze are also definitely worth exploring here.

This is a must-see for anyone interested in King Henry VIII and Tudor history. The palace is located in outer London and can be reached by public transportation. Tickets can be bought in advance here .

Option 3: Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens (fee*) is considered one of the best botanical gardens in the world, housing over 8 million specimens. The gardens have “the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world”, representing “over 95% of known flowering plant genera and more than 60% of known fungal genera”!  

Some highlights include the Palm House, Temperate House, Waterlily House, and Treetop walkway. A trip here offers more than just plants, as you can also visit art galleries, the Great Pagoda, and tour Kew Palace, a former royal residence located within the gardens.

You can explore at your own pace or join one of the garden’s guided walk tours that come free with entry. This is a must-see for any garden lover. Kew Gardens are located in outer London and can be reached by public transportation. Tickets can be bought in advance here .

Option 4: Warner Brothers Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter 

If you are a Harry Potter fan you might want to consider spending the morning at the Warner Brothers Studio located just outside the city. This film studio was where all eight of the Harry Potter films were actually filmed, and they have retained many of the original sets, clothing, and props from the movies.

On the largely self-guided The Making of Harry Potter tour  (fee), you can visit the Great Hall, the railway station, numerous filming locations from inside Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest, and Diagon Alley. You’ll learn many of the secrets of how the films were made, have the opportunity to drink Butterbeer, and explore giant gift shops full of all things Harry Potter.

Many people take 3.5 to 4 hours to visit here. So you’ll want to take this into account in planning your day as well as the time it will take you get there. This will be a full day trip for some.

T o get to the Studio, you can take a National Rail train (London Euston most convenient) to the Watford Junction station and then you can take the studio tour shuttle from the station to the film studios. You must book your tickets in advance online and have the voucher with you on your visit. You can also book a tour from central London that will take you directly to and from the studio so you don’t have to take the train and shuttle. 

Check out our detailed guide to the Harry Potter Studio Tour for more information, tips, and photos.

Explore Camden

After a morning spent exploring a royal palace, marveling at Hogwarts’ Great Hall, or wandering around one of the world’s best botanical gardens, you might want to head to the borough of Camden.

Camden is a diverse neighborhood that has been home to a number of famous people over the centuries from Charles Dickens to Sigmund Freud to Amy Winehouse.

Once an industrial area known for shipping gin, it is now known for its markets, music scene, street art, and alternative fashion stores. It is also home to Regent’s Park and the London Zoo, and Camden Lock is a popular place to start a canal boat ride along the Regent’s Canal. 

Camden Market

Camden Market is not a single market, but consists of several different markets within walking distance of each other. Market stalls sell just about everything including food, clothing, crafts, art, souvenirs, and more.

In addition to the market stalls, you’ll also find restaurants, bars, dance clubs, and other entertainment spaces here. It is a popular tourist destination as well as a meet-up spot for Londoners. Although the Camden Market is open daily, you’ll find it at its busiest and with the most open stalls on the weekends. Great place to find something to eat.

The ZSL London Zoo (fee*) is the world’s oldest scientific zoo and it was originally begun with a royal collection of animals that has been previously kept at the Tower of London. Today the zoo animals include lions, hippos, otters, gorillas, tigers, and giraffes. The newest exhibition is the Land of Lions which features a large interactive exhibit for its endangered Asiatic lions.

The London Zoo also has a Reptile House, an aquarium, an aviary, and a large collection of insects. There are several places to eat, shop, and you can even take a photography workshop or spend the night in the zoo.

The Regent’s Park

The Regent’s Park is a large 410 acre royal park that is mainly open parkland. In the northern end you’ll find the London Zoo, but you’ll also find lots of open spaces, gardens, sporting pitches and facilities, children’s playgrounds, sculptures, memorials, and an open air theater. You can also rent a boat to row across its lake (seasonal), climb Primrose Hill for a nice view of London, or enjoy the roses at Queen Mary Gardens.

There are also homes located in Regent’s Park, including Winfeld House, which has been the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador to the UK since after World War 2. A great place to have a break or enjoy a picnic (there is a restaurant located in the center of the park or bring your own food). 

Madame Tussauds

If you still have time and energy, you can cross Regent’s Park’s (by foot or bus) and you can visit Madame Tussauds. Madame Tussauds (fee) is a museum displaying the waxworks of famous and historic people from Tudor royalty to current Hollywood film stars.

The museum was started by an interesting French woman  Marie Tussaud  who traveled around Europe with her wax figure collection until opening a permanent location in 1835. Although many of the original figures have been destroyed or damaged by fire or bombing, some of Tussaud’s original figures still exist as well as older ones she inherited.

The oldest existing figure displayed in the collection is one modeled after Madame du Barry dating from 1765, but the museum also includes everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to the band One Direction to Angelina Jolie.

Although not for everyone, it is a popular place to take a selfie with your favorite stars. The museum has become a popular London attraction and there are now branches of Madame Tussauds around the world, but if you are only going to visit one, I’d visit the original! See our guide to visiting Madame Tussauds for more information.

Alternative places you may want to visit in the area include the Sherlock Holmes Museum  (fee) and the Jewish Museum (fee). Note that if you are a fan of Amy Winehouse, you’ll find a Amy Winehouse statue near the Stables Market, street art dedicated to her memory throughout the area, and there was an exhibition at the Jewish Museum about her life and career when we last visited.

London Itinerary Day 5 – Kensington

Today I’d suggest exploring the London borough of Kensington & Chelsea, with a particular focus on South Kensington. This affluent area of the city is full of museums, galleries, stores, and world-class entertainment venues. Everything on the main itinerary is within walking distance (or a short public transit ride if you prefer).

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace (fee*) is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens. It began as a fairly humble 17th century two-storey Jacobean mansion and was expanded by the royal family into the giant royal residence it is today.

The palace might be best associated with Queen Victoria as it was here that she spent much of her unhappy childhood and first learned that she was queen. More recently it was the official residence of Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and their two sons.

Today it is still an official private residence and workplace for many royals including Prince William and Prince Harry, but the State Rooms are open to the public. There is a lot to see here and it can be a bit confusing to try to wander around on your own, but luckily the palace has put together several different self-guided routes based on different themes and people (e.g., King’s Apartments, Queen Victoria, royal fashion) to help you get the most of your visit.

There is a cafe here and the garden is a nice place to enjoy a cup of tea if the weather is pleasant.  This palace can be very busy, especially in the summer months or when they have a popular exhibition. If you don’t have a London Pass I would recommend booking your ticket in advance here and if you do have a London Pass, I’d recommend arriving near opening time.

Kensington Gardens

After visiting Kensnigton Palace, if the weather is nice, I’d spend some time exploring Kensington Gardens and adjacent Hyde Park. Within this large green space, you’ll find a number of gardens, sporting area, statues, biking trails, and boat rentals (seasonal).

Some of the notable places to see or visit include the Serpentine Gallery, Serpentine Sackler Gallery, the Princess Diana Memorial, Peter Pan statue, the Elfin Oak, and the ornate Albert Memorial. An easy place to spend an hour or two.

Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall  is a world-class performance venue that was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria. The hall has hosted just about every kind of event which have included concerts by Richard Wagner, wartime speeches by Winston Churchill, rock concerts by the Beatles, tennis tournaments, Cirque du Soleil performances, and Star Wars films accompanied by a live symphony orchestra.

It has been host to the BBC Proms for decades. If you are interested in going inside, you can take a guided tour of the Royal Albert Hall (fee*). Guided tours include the original carriage entrance, the auditorium, gallery, royal private box, and the private suites of the royal family.

If you’d rather come for a performance, you can head inside to the Ticket Office. Note if you are on a small budget, inexpensive standing room only tickets are available for some performances, including the BBC Proms.

Kensington Museums

It’s museum time! Kensington is one of our favorite areas for museums as it has loads of them, and the best part is that almost all of them are free to visit! Let’s talk about the three main museums, and you can choose your favorite or dive into all three.

First you have The Science Museum which has information and exhibits on a range of scientific topics from genetics and electricity to space travel and virtual reality. There are loads of interactive exhibits that are both fun and educational. The museum also has an IMAX theater (fee*).

Next you have the Natural History Museum and its giant life and earth science specimens are housed in a beautiful building that looks more like a cathedral than a museum. Its collection holds over 80 million items and you can see everything from dinosaur skeletons to specimens collected by Charles Darwin to a giant mineral collection. There is also a seasonal butterfly house (fee) at the museum.

The  Victoria & Albert Museum , often referred to as the V&A Museum, is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, with over 2 million objects in its collection that spans 5,000 years of human history! You’ll find everything from Greek pillars to Chinese vases to Alexander McQueen gowns here. The museum is also known for hosting popular temporary exhibitions (fee) throughout the year.

Kensington is well-known as a shopping destination with many of its most famous stores located along Kensington High Street, Brompton Road, King’s Road, and Sloane Street.

Among the hundreds of stores, you’ll find popular antique stores, the British department store Harvey Nichols, and the world-famous Harrods with its 1 million square feet of retail space which sells everything from speciality food to designer shoes!

Harrods was started by Charles Henry Harrods as a small family-run shop, but like many British landmark institutions it is sadly now owned by foreign corporations (in this case the state of Qatar). In addition to shopping, you might also want to stop for an afternoon tea, such as this fashion inspired afternoon tea in Knightsbridge.

If you prefer a market, the Portobello Road Market in Chelsea is a popular market and at its best on Saturdays. There are many cafes and restaurants in this area if you are here at dinner time.

Alternatives : There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum , Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum (fee*).

London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day

For your final day in London, consider spending the day in the London borough of Greenwich. Greenwich is world-famous as the traditional location of the Prime Meridian and for its observatory, but it also has a number of historical buildings, museums, a market, a giant park, and a famous tea clipper. A large portion of Greenwich, and most of today’s suggested itinerary, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Maritime Greenwich.

Or alternatively leave this day free to wander around London’s streets and parks, do some shopping, or catch up on places you missed on prior days. Maybe you want to simply spend a day relaxing by the Thames, exploring the latest art exhibits, buying gifts for loved ones back home, or checking out vintage clothing shops. 

This is also a perfect day to follow your specific interests and passions, whether it is searching for  Harry Potter in London , checking out London’s best pubs, visiting Winston Churchill sites , taking a Jack the Ripper tour , checking off London’s World Heritage sites , exploring London’s street art, or finding the perfect fish & chips shop. 

The Cutty Sark (fee*) is a British clipper ship built in Scotland on the River Clyde in 1869. The ship is historically significant for being one of the last tea clipper ships ever built and one of the last clipper ships of this period still in existence. The ship was originally used to carry tea from China to England as quickly as possible and would visit almost every major world port during its life at sea.

In later years as steam-powered ships became popular, the Cutty Sark was used for cargo transport and then as a training ship. It was dry docked here in 1954 and is now one of the area’s most popular tourist attractions.

A tour of the Cutty Sark allows you to see the ship’s interior, learn about the ship’s history and what it was like at sea in Victorian times, hear stories of the people on board the ship, and see the ship’s hull up close as you walk underneath it. There is also a cafe on board where you can grab sandwiches or have afternoon tea (if you want a full afternoon tea, book it in advance). 

Tickets can be purchased in advance here .

Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College is a set of buildings designed by Christopher Wren whose original purpose was to serve as a place to care for and house retired seamen. Later the large building complex was used as a naval training college and today is used for a number of functions, and many of the buildings are open to the public.

We’d recommend starting your visit at the Greenwich Visitor Centre which has some helpful information, displays, and artifacts. Then you can wander around the site to admire the buildings, and you can visit the Chapel and the beautiful Painted Hall, painted by James Thornhill in the early 18th century. Guided tours can also sometimes be arranged for those with a special interest to see more areas of the complex not usually open to the public.

Before the Old Royal Naval College was built, the Palace of Placentia (better known as Greenwich Palace) sat here which was the birthplace of King Henry VIII and his daughters and later queens Mary I and Elizabeth I. You can learn more about it in the Greenwich Visitor Centre.

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is a great museum dedicated to the dramatic maritime history of Britain. The museum covers about everything related to the sea from shipping and trading, fishing, technology development, the Atlantic Slave trade, pirates and explorers, war battles at sea, leisure cruises, and the life of seamen throughout the ages. You’ll even find J.M.W. Turners’ largest painting The Battle of Trafalgar here.

The museum is packed with information, exhibits, and fun interactive bits. The museum is free to visit.  Not far away you can also visit the  Queen’s House , a beautiful and architecturally significant former royal residence designed by Inigo Jones.

Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is yet another of the large royal parks in London that was once a royal hunting park. Here in its 183 green acres,you’ll find a number of attractions, historical ruins, memorials, sporting fields, a deer park, and gardens.

Our favorites are the rose garden, the Ranger’s House which houses the Wernher Collection of art, and the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Note that the hill in the park is a bit steep but those who climb the hill are also rewarded by a nice view of London.

Royal Observatory Greenwich

The Royal Observatory Greenwich  (fee*) is a well-known observatory that has played a significant role in the history of astronomy and navigation. It is known as the location of the prime meridian and gave its name to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and sits first on the meridian line.

The observatory is now maintained as a museum and visitors can learn about the history and discoveries at the observatory, stand on the famous Meridian line, visit Flamsteed House, see a camera obscura, and see the great equatorial telescope.

Admission includes an audioguide to make the most of your self-guided visit. You can buy your tickets in advance here .

Nearby is the interactive Astronomy Centre (free to visit) and the attached Peter Harrison Planetarium (fee), which is currently London’s only planetarium. 

Greenwich Market

Greenwich Market has been in existence since the 18th century and is one of London’s best covered markets. The market sells food, clothing, flowers, antiques, crafts, souvenirs, art, and more. There are also a number of pubs and restaurants nearby. A great area to grab a snack or meal.

Isle of Dogs

If you are looking for a walk underneath the River Thames, you can take a walk across the Greenwich Foot Tunnel to the Isle of Dogs. The Isle of Dogs is surrounded by the Thames on three sides and while once na industrial dock area, it is mainly a residential area now. The view from the Island Gardens across the river of the Queen’s House and Greenwich Hospital was depicted by Canaletto in a few of his paintings.

From here you can walk back across the tunnel to Greenwich or take public transit onto your destination.  Note that if you haven’t done a Thames cruise yet and still want to, you can pick up a boat at the Greenwich Pier near the Greenwich foot tunnel entrance.

Final Night Out? If you haven’t already taken in a West End Show or gone out for some of London’s nightlife, this is your last chance to do it. If you are looking for an earlier evening (big flight tomorrow?), consider splurging on a nice dinner to enjoy your final evening in London and talk about all the great things you saw and did during your 6 days in London!

Save Money on your 6 Days in London Trip with the London Pass

We wanted to give you an example of the cost savings over 6 days in London if you have a London Pass.

The following is based on the above itinerary although it doesn’t include every single attraction we suggested but includes what we believe is a realistic number for someone planning to actively sightsee based on the above itinerary.

Note, we have included images of the London Pass which was previously available as a physical product. As of 2021, the pass is only available as virtual product, which can be used through a smartphone app. The code can also be printed out for scanning.

Here is the cost savings for 6 days in London for 2 people with the London Pass based on our itinerary above:

It’s also always worth comparing prices between the official site here and GetYourGuide here as sometimes one will be better value than the other.

As you can see in our example (with the 6 day pass) we ended up with a savings of £280.5 per person for a total cost savings of £561. This is definitely a considerable amount for six days of sightseeing!

Even if we had visited significantly fewer sites during the six days in London, we would have still saved money with the London Pass. A general rule is that you need to visit an average of 2 to 3 attractions per day to save money with a 6 day London Pass.

We highly recommend that all visitors check out the London Pass, especially if it is your first visit to London. It covers free entry to over 80 attractions and museums, plus a number of discounts on tours, restaurants, souvenirs, and theater tickets. Not only will it save many visitors money, it also saves times by providing fast track entry into certain busy sites.

However it is not a great fit for everyone, and if you are not sure if it is a good fit or not, read our full review of the London Pass to help you decide as it breaks down the features, ways to purchase, how to calculate your cost savings, and more.

There you have our suggested London itinerary on how to spend 6 days in London. If you were planning a trip to London, which of these places would be must-sees on your itinerary? If you’ve visited London, what were you favorite spots in London? If you are planning a visit to London and have any questions about the itinerary or visiting London, just ask them in the comments below and as always we are happy to help!

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Caroline Post author

November 27, 2023 at 8:42 am

Fantastic itinerary! Your detailed suggestions make planning my upcoming 6-day London trip a breeze. Can’t wait to explore these iconic spots and soak in the city’s charm. Thanks for the insights!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

November 29, 2023 at 4:05 pm

Hi Caroline,

So happy to hear that you are finding our London itinerary helpful, just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip!

Best, Jessica

Albert Post author

October 12, 2023 at 2:26 am

My name is Albert, I was very impressed after reading your article and I also got a lot of information. I also went on a trip to London once and enjoyed it a lot and that time I stayed at Edward Hotel. I have enjoyed your service a lot.

October 12, 2023 at 11:32 am

Thanks for taking the time to comment, and so happy to hear that you found our London itinerary and travel information helpful in visiting London! Glad you had such a great stay and hope you have a chance to return to London again.

Happy travels! Jessica

Alexis Post author

April 8, 2023 at 4:46 pm

I just bought my airline tickets last Tuesday for travel the last week of September . I am traveling solo and now I need to start making the rest of my plans. This article has been incredibly helpful as London is a large city and I am overwhelmed! I am subscribed to your newsletter and look forward to gathering more information. Thank you for all the effort you put into this article and all the resources provided!

April 10, 2023 at 12:17 pm

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and let us know that our London article has been helpul. Obviously, I would suggest editing the London itinerary to best suit your interests, pace, etc. but hopefully it will give you some good ideas on what you might want to see/do and how to organize your days. If you have any questions as you begin to book the rest of your trip, just ask!

Coleen Post author

February 25, 2023 at 8:39 am

Our group of 4 adults is planning a 5-day trip to London in late April to early May. We’ve been struggling over how best to allocate our time in the city. Your post’s itineraries are a wonderful resource for us! Thank you for all the work you’ve put into it!

February 25, 2023 at 10:58 pm

You’re very welcome and glad our London itinerary ideas have been helpful in planning your Spring trip. If you have any questions as you plan your trip, feel free to just ask!

Wishing you a wonderful trip to London!

Tom Post author

January 12, 2023 at 8:23 pm

This is how detailed and comprehensive a guide should be! Thanks for this, Jessica! Hoping to read more itineraries from your trips.

January 14, 2023 at 2:31 am

Thank you very much for your nice comment, and glad you are enjoying our London itinerary. It is a city we have spent a lot of time in. We do have other itineraries on our travel blogs (we also run Finding the Universe) that might be helpful for future trips elsewhere.

January 17, 2023 at 2:13 am

Thanks for mentioning your other blog site, I found the Cost of Travel in Uk blog very helpful. Anyway, since you’ve been or spent a lot in London, what do you think of private tours with GowithGuide, is it worth it? in terms of travel with family of DIY itinerary is still doable regardless of number of people traveling in London?

January 19, 2023 at 6:27 am

I don’t have any specific thoughts about GowithGuide and haven’t used this site for a private tour. But if you do hire a guide for a private tour in London, I’d recommend a licensed Blue Badge guide as they tend to be the best (and are the only people who can guide within certain places). If traveling with kids, it is best to find a tour guide who specifically does family tours as some of the guides can pack too much in or plan tours that aren’t very interesting to kids/teens. And yes, guides are normally able to do a set itinerary of their suggestions or you just pay them by the hour (plus all transport/entrance fees) to do a DIY itinerary that you decide in advance with your guide. So definitely good to ask all your questions before booking if planning to hire a private guide.

A private guide is definitely going to add a lot of extra cost to your trip, so I would think about if you feel you need one or not. London is a pretty easy city to see independently if you speak English so you definitely do not need one. So it just depends on if you think it would be worth the cost or not. Certainly a good guide can be priceless, especially if you have an interest in learning more about the history and backgrounds of the places you are visiting and for local recommendations.

We tend to just join tours within sites (e.g., tour the Parliament) and to do general city walking tours (e.g., an introduction to London tour or a Jack the Ripper tour). These are generally not that expensive as they are group tours and are generally 2-4 hours in length. Some are led by site guides (e.g., Parliament) or companies like Take Walks , City Wonders, or Context Travel.

Anyway, hope that helps!

January 23, 2023 at 11:00 pm

Hi Jessica, thank you for your input! I’ll take your suggestions/recommendations into consideration. Thanks a lot!

Babu Kaji Sitaula Post author

July 20, 2022 at 2:50 am

One of the most comprehensive guides to London that I have recently seen is this one. I’ve been to a good number of these sights, but there are still a ton left to see.

July 22, 2022 at 11:49 am

Thanks Babu for taking the time to comment. Glad you have enjoyed so many great places in London but this itinerary inspired you to visit still more places. I don’t think you can ever fully see a bit city like London – always something more to see or do 😉

Saras Mahara Post author

September 26, 2021 at 4:38 am

Most a wonderful and informative site. We would also like to see a day of countryside out of London, what would you recommend. I day we have a trip to Paris.

September 26, 2021 at 6:00 am

Glad you are finding our suggested London itinerary helpful in planning your trip. There are lots of countryside locations all around southern England so you will have no shortage of choices. But it really depends on what you want to do there, do you want to just see the countryside, do you want to go hiking, or some other activity? Do you want to go on a guided tour or do you want to take the train out to a location and explore on your own? Some locations might be the Cotswolds for pretty villages and countryside or Kent which has lots of countryside walks.

For example, this guided tour takes in a number of popular Cotswolds villages and includes a lot of driving through local countryside. This is a very beautiful part of the country and near where we live.

If you are a fan of “Downton Abbey”, the Highclere Castle tours may be of interest as those tours include filming locations that are set in the Cotswolds countryside. Many of the tours also include a visit to a historical farm. Just note that the home is only open a limited number of days a year so it would depend on the dates of your visit. But you can see our Highclere Castle guide for more information on visiting.

If you are looking for a more of a day of hiking on your own, you could consider a hike in lots of places like the Cotswolds (perhaps a section of the Cotswolds Way), Kent (lots of countryside walks), or do a short section of the Thames Path (this long-distance path runs alongside the river and goes through London). You would just need to figure out where you want to hike and plan your transport to and from there.

For the Thames Path , you can combine a popular attraction visit with hiking as places like Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle are along the path. So you could get train or bus from London to Hampton Count Palace for instance, visit the palace and then do a afternoon hike from there along the river and then return back. If you’d rather bike than hike, there are also biking tours like this one to Hampton Court that you can join.

Those are just a few ideas, but there is a lot of potential countryside locations that may suit depending on what you want to do.

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have further questions!

mike Post author

May 31, 2021 at 10:38 pm

Thank you so much for this serious and well-thought-out list! I’m on my way here second time and I can see I have a lot of catching up to do. I want to add that for anyone considering a longer stay, it is worth checking out the co-living option. I had a flat here last time and loved it.

June 2, 2021 at 5:27 am

Glad that our London itinerary is helpful in planning your second visit to London. Yes, if you are staying for several day or more, it can often save you money and be easier to rent a flat than pay for a hotel, just depends how you like to travel and what amenities you need.

We have a guide to booking holiday homes and flats in the UK here that gives you some of the best booking websites if you are searching for one!

Polly Taylor Post author

August 23, 2020 at 9:44 am

Great itinerary. I used to live in London and haven’t done nearly all of these! I love Greenwich and its market, and always has a pie and mash at a great little cafe there – not been south of the river for a while now but must take our daughter up to London to explore before too long.

August 24, 2020 at 6:47 am

Yes, we love Greenwich – it is a great place to spend a day! Hope you get a chance to visit London with your daughter soon.

Victoria Post author

January 8, 2020 at 10:20 am

So happy to find this! I goofed on calendar dates and booked Harry Potter 1st on our trip instead of the walking tour you suggest. We arrive in June on a Sat late. Booked Harry Potter for Monday not knowing there is no changing of the guard on Tuesday for the tour. And it looks like no tours are booked on Sundays. What do you recommend we do 1st Sunday? Pretty much want to see all you mention in your itinerary, I guess I’m just out of order. 1st time visitor to the UK. Thank you!

January 8, 2020 at 12:20 pm

Hi Victoria,

Don’t worry, you can do the days in really any order, so I would just book any tours on the days that work best for you and for what’s happening (such as the changing of the guard). You can leave your Harry Potter tour as is or switch it to a better day, but I would not be too worried about the order. But yes, you do need to check opening hours/days and schedules for the attractions you really want to visit. For instance, I think Westminster Abbey is also closed on Sundays for public visits (services only).

For the Changing of the Guard, if you are interested in seeing it as part of one of the walking tours, I’d just join the tour on a day the changing of the guard is scheduled to happen. Just note that weather and royal events can affect the ceremony as well, so just keep that in mind. But I’d just do the Westminster highlights on that day, in however it fits into your schedule. If the tour doesn’t work into your schedule, you can of course just head over on your own to see the Changing of the Guard, just be sure to try to get to the palace well before it starts so you can find a place to stand.

For Sunday, I think Kensington would be a good area to explore. There is the palace, the parks and gardens, Royal Albert Hall, several free museums, and lots of shopping opportunities in that area. So you have lots of choices of how to structure your day. As far as I can think of (but do double check all the places you definitely want to visit), all the main attractions are usually open on Sundays. Just note that Sunday is generally going to be a busier day for museums and attractions as you have all the local people off work and it is a day a lot of families go out – but this is going to be true of any place in London (especially free places).

If you are planning on using a London Pass (or other tourist pass), it is only valid for a set number of consecutive days. So I would just make sure you go to the things included on your pass within the allocated number of days once you activate the pass.

The other thing to note is that we list a lot of options and alternatives for each day of our London itinerary, and it is designed to help give you an area to explore each day and a suggested route. You can’t of course visit all the places (especially if you want to really go inside and spend time) we mention under each day and do all the extra tours and activities we mention. So I’d use each day as a guide for the area you are visiting and the major attractions, and then focus on all the places that are must-sees, whether you want to really visit each place or just view it from the outside (and how long you think the visit will take), and then make a list for “other things that I’d like to see here if there is time”. This can really help prioritize your days, especially if you encounter delays or you decide to spend longer than expected somewhere.

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have any other questions as you plan your trip to the UK!

Helen Post author

October 29, 2019 at 9:54 am

Your suggestions have been so helpful. We area going to London next month! We hope to see some of the Christmas markets while we are there. I am not sure if I missed it, but how long per day (approximately) from start to finish to fit in the itinerary? We generally like to move at a leisurely pace and so I would want to make some adjustments if it is a little overwhelming for us. Thanks again for all your ideas! Helen

October 29, 2019 at 1:30 pm

Happy to hear our itinerary is helpful! Our London itinerary is just a general suggestion for how you could spend 6 days in London. We discuss more attractions than you’d want to squeeze into each day to give you choices. So I’d use it more to base each day. The days are laid out to give you a good roadmap but you’ll want to adjust as needed. I’d take into account which attractions are of interest and for those you want to visit, how long you’d want to spend at each (taking into account security and lines).

For example, for Day 1 describes a walking route focused on Westminster, joining together a number of historical and popular attractions and sights. You could complete the general sightseeing path in an hour or so on foot, but then you want to add in time for each attraction you want to stop and visit, breaks, meals, etc. Some people may want to just spend a few minutes seeing Westminster Abbey from the outside and then move on and others will want to go inside and spend a couple of hours touring it, so it is really dependent on the traveler. If as part of the walk, you want to visit Westminster Abbey (for an estimated 1.5 hours), stop for lunch (for estimated 1 hour), visit the National Gallery (for an estimated 2 hours), and stop in to see the Banqueting Hall (estimated 40 minutes) as part of the route, that would fill up most of your day.

Our itineraries are definitely designed for a full day of sightseeing (after breakfast to dinner), so yes I would definitely adjust down for a more leisurely day out. And take into account other things you want to do such as the Christmas markets. For example you may want to try to take out a day out of the itinerary and try to do 5 of the days over 6 days.

Hope that helps! Jessica

BK Lim Post author

October 12, 2019 at 8:20 pm

Can I check if this London itinerary is recommended for summer? I’m going in Nov/Dec and I was told the days are shorter.

October 13, 2019 at 12:34 am

Our London itinerary will work any time of the year and just about all the places mentioned are opened year-round. Our 6 day London itinerary is a suggestion though and you’ll want to edit it to your specific schedule and preferences.

The daylight hours will, of course, be shorter in London in the winter months than in the summer months. Also some of the attraction opening hours may be a bit shorter than in the summer months. So you may not be able to see or do quite as much as you could in the summer months. Our 6 day London itinerary provides lots of suggestions for each day, and you can still use it to guide each day. But you will probably want to maybe aim for no more than 3 major attractions (to go inside) each day.

Hope that helps, Jessica

Luciana Post author

July 10, 2019 at 5:08 pm

Thanks for such a great article! I’ll be in London next month for the first time in my life and you’ve been of great help. I’ve been reading about the London Pass, and they offer some interesting excursions on their app, but the problem is I haven’t been able to find their price. Could you help me? Thanks in advance!

July 11, 2019 at 3:20 pm

Hi Luciana, Glad you are finding our London itinerary helpful. I am not 100% sure which excursions you are referring to but London Pass holders do get discounted prices on some tours outside of London, and you can view these and their prices and book them here . Hope that helps! Best, Jessica

Patty Post author

July 1, 2019 at 10:49 am

Thank you for the amazing 6-day London Itinerary! My husband, two adult daughters and I will be visiting London for 7 days in September (13th – 19th) for the first time. We’ve been doing a lot of research and have put together a tentative itinerary. I do have a couple questions I hope you can answer. Is it wise to visit Westminster Abbey at opening time one day and the Tower of London first thing on another day? Do you think the queues will be long that time of year? Is there a way to buy a ticket or book a tour to avoid the queues? It looks like I can buy a ticket on the Westminster Abbey website for a particular day and time block (9:30-11:30 am) so assume it’s not a timed entry and will wait for entrance. It looks like the Tower Of London tickets don’t offer a timed entry either. Thanks for any advice you can provide.

July 3, 2019 at 10:02 am

Hi Patty, Yes, Tower of London in particular we recommend visiting when it first opens as it doesn’t absorb crowds that well in certain areas such as the line to see the Crown Jewels which can get busy and long. We were the first group in on our last visit and didn’t have any long waits. Westminster Abbey is also always busy but does absorb crowds better, but can be good to visit near opening if it fits in your schedule. Kensington Palace is another site in London that is best to try to visit near opening if it is on your list.

London is a popular and busy destination year round but September is not going to be nearly as busy as July and August so attractions will be busy but should not be super busy. We normally visit with the London Pass so we just try to arrive near opening for busiest places and then visit less busy places later in the day.

Yes, Westminster Abbey does offer fast-track entry tickets (only sold by them online) for most days and times. We have not used these but you get to avoid the ticket lines and I think you should be able to go through a faster security line. But you may want to send them an email or call them to confirm this. The tickets are sold by time blocks so you just need to be in line before that time period ends to use your ticket.

For the Tower of London, you can currently pre-purchase tickets online for entry to avoid the ticket line but I don’t think it gets you into a priority line.

If you you are interested in a walking tour (and all 4 of you are reasonably fit), this tour by Take Walks is a great one to consider. It is organized in a way so that you see as much as possible in one day and includes tours of both of the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey as well as Changing of the Guard ceremony and more. One great advantage is the guide is a Blue Badge guide so can do tours inside both attractions. So that might be something to consider for your first or second full day in London.

MDHegs Post author

June 24, 2019 at 11:13 am

Excellent itinerary!! My wife and I will be visiting for 8-days in August and have secured lodging near Madame Tussaud’s and Regent’s Park. We have already received our Visitor Oyster Card and selected this location due to it’s close proximity to a couple of underground lines. Is this a suitable location, in your opinion?? I am using your itinerary as a baseline and filling in with specific markets, for dining and a walking tour or two to dig a little deeper into some history and culture. On day 7 we are going up to Highgate Cemetery with Take Walks … Can’t wait!! Thank you for the excellent post!!

June 24, 2019 at 5:55 pm

Hi there, Yes, I think that as long as you are somewhat central and near a good public transit line, you should be able to easily do a lot of sightseeing in London. Regents Park is a nice area, and there are two Underground stations really close together there (Baker Street and Regent’s Park). You are just a 15 to 20 minute Tube ride from the very center of the city so it should not take you too long to reach any of the places in our 6 day London itinerary except of course if you head out to Kew Gardens, Windsor, etc.

The Highgate Cemetery tour sounds interesting, that must be new to Take Walks, we’ll have to check it out!

Wishing you a great visit to London, Jessica

Beverly Post author

May 30, 2019 at 2:59 am

Did you stay in the same hotel for the 6 days or did you book different hotels according to your itinerary? Thank you

May 30, 2019 at 7:34 am

Hi Beverly, We would recommend staying in the same hotel, which is why we recommend a centrally located hotel so you are closer to most of London’s attractions. But you could split up in stay in 2 places if you really wanted to do so of course, but I’d probably recommend just one place if you can so you don’t have pack up and move hotels in the middle of your visit. Best, Jessica

Danny Doan Post author

May 28, 2019 at 11:37 am

Hi Jessica, Thank you so much for the 6 day itinerary. I have a couple of questions I hope you could answer. Do you know if the airbnb’s apartment in London have a safe box to put personal belongings in to? And are there any budget hotels in London that can accommodate a family of 4? My wife and I travel with our sons who are 17 and 18.

May 28, 2019 at 12:04 pm

Glad you are finding our London itinerary helpful!

If you are thinking of an Airbnb in London (note we have personally NOT had good experiences in London with budget Airbnbs), most Airbnbs do not have a guest safe. But I am sure some do, but you will likely need to contact properties individually to ask if they offer a safe as it is not a feature you can currently search for and this as it is not often included in the descriptions. It is not typical if renting an Airbnb apartment. If having a safe is important, I’d recommend looking at budget hotels or apartment hotels instead as they are much more likely to have a safe box in the room.

Yes, most budget hotels can accommodate 4 persons. Most room configurations though are going to be 2 double beds, so if your sons are OK with sharing that could work for 1 room. Or try to find a family room that has 1 double and 2 singles or 2 doubles with a pull-out sofa. Otherwise, I’d probably recommend getting 2 separate rooms, one for you and your wife and one for your sons. You can search for rooms for 4 adults here on Booking.com .

Hope that helps, let me know if you have further questions.

May 28, 2019 at 6:14 pm

Thank you so much for you help.

melis Post author

May 25, 2019 at 1:36 am

I had stayed just 3 nights in Westminster, and it was totally enough to love that city. On my last day, I just tried to see something negative, but no way.. It might be only some expensive when you compare it with other European cities, I guess. And, this post… It looks like a formal guide, more than a blog content. Thank you…

May 25, 2019 at 7:52 am

Hi Melis, Yes, it is easy to love London, and we love staying in or near Westminster or elsewhere in central London. It is a great time for new visitors to the city as it makes it easy to walk to so many of the highlights like the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace! Glad to hear that you didn’t have anything negative to say about your stay, and hope you return to see more of what London has to offer! Best, Jessica

Kathy Post author

May 20, 2019 at 6:52 pm

So much helpful advice here…thankyou! Re London Pass or London Explorer Pass…the former has a maximum 10 day pass whereas Explorer gives you 30 days, which is great for us. We will have 10 days in London and may want to vegetate a bit in between serious sightseeing!! Value your thoughts on this…am I missing something here? ( apart from different venues depending on your interests)

May 21, 2019 at 5:19 am

Hi Kathy, In terms of time the London Explore Pass may be good if you have more than 10 days in London and want to explore the attractions at any time during your visit. However, the London Pass gives you free entry to a lot more attractions (60+) than the London Explorer Pass which only allows you to visit up to 7 attractions (out of 20) plus sightseeing bus for 1 day. That included attractions are also different between the two.

I think the main thing to consider is what attractions do you know you want to visit? Then see if the London Explorer Pass is a good fit and includes those. If not, the 10 day London Pass may be a better fit.

Kathy J Post author

May 22, 2019 at 1:04 am

Thanks heaps Jessica! I’ve since been checking reviews and London Explorer Pass doesn’t seem to be a good option….not recognised at some venues etc. etc When 80% of reviews aren’t favourable I think it pays to steer clear!

May 22, 2019 at 4:42 am

Hi Kathy, The London Explorer Pass is sold by the same company as the London Pass, but it is just a different product. I haven’t heard anything negative about it (it should work as designed) but it works differently from the London Pass. I think the bad reviews are likely by people who did not know how it worked. It will definitely save you money if the attractions included fit where you want to visit. But if you are not sure, the London Pass gives you a much wider range of attractions to choose from and you can visit as many as you want during the consecutive day period. Hope that helps! Jessica

ALLISON brackett Post author

April 30, 2019 at 3:08 pm

I’m getting to London at 6:30 in the morning on a Sunday after a long flight. Do you have recommendations on what to see without having advance tickets on that day? With possible delays/exhaustion I’m afraid of booking activities in advance for our arrival day. Thank you for any help.

May 2, 2019 at 2:01 am

Hi Allison, If your flight arrives at 6:30am, you should have a lot of time that first day. But since you’ll likely be tired, I’d just plan a relaxing day. You have a lot of options and really could pick stuff from any of the days of the 6 day itinerary.

I would recommend having a London Pass and then perhaps doing the suggested walking route around Westminster as described in Day 1 – you can stop into the attractions that look interesting and you have time to visit. Most don’t require reservations and most are free to enter with the London Pass. A few places in London do close to visitors on Sunday, notably Westminster Abbey, so do keep that in mind. Then whatever you don’t see the first day, you can just go back and visit the next day.

Another option would be going to go to Kensington and explore the museums, parks, and shops around that area at your leisure. Or maybe you just want to tackle one big place, like spending the day at Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, or exploring the British Museum.

This is also maybe a good day to do a sightseeing bus as you can get your bearings while justing relaxing on a bus. Or do a Thames boat cruise.

Michelle Post author

April 23, 2019 at 9:48 am

Hi, i am travelling to London and bought 6 Days london pass. Am so confuse where to start as my hubby will hv interview on Day 2 of our arrival. Intervirw is at Birdcage walk near Westminster. I would also like to visit Paris as i will be thete in London for 10days. Staying at relative place at southfield. Much appreciate if u could guide on the best itinerary. First time traveller from malaysia

April 24, 2019 at 7:08 am

Hi Michelle,

I think that the 6 Day London itinerary above should work well for you, but you should do the days as they make sense with your schedule and not necessarily do them in order. So for the day you are in Westminster, Day 1 is a good one to follow. Most attractions in our itinerary are included on the London Pass.

Southfields is not very central or near many tourist attractions, except Wimbledon, so just keep that in mind as you will need to take public transit each day to get to each of the neighborhoods we recommend in our itinerary. So plan in that extra time. Your relatives should be able to tell you the nearest Underground and bus stops and the best ways to use public transit from where you will be located.

Since you have 10 days, I’d consider doing at least a couple of day trips out of London. We recommend several at the top of this article to places like Stonehenge, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, etc.

Paris can be visited as a day trip or you can take the Eurostar train and stay overnight in Paris and then return to London, depending on your schedule and budget. You can also book a tour from London to Paris, and you can see options here and here .

Hope that helps, let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to London.

Bob Post author

April 22, 2019 at 6:50 am

Admiring the persistence you put into your travel blog and in depth information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material. Fantastic read!

April 22, 2019 at 7:01 am

Hi Bob, Glad you enjoyed our London itinerary and travel blog – hope you’ll continue to follow along with our adventures and articles. Best, Jessica

pat Post author

November 17, 2018 at 8:23 pm

I know, there’s a lot of websites out there but this London itinerary is fantastic! Giving me so many great ideas for our vacation. Thanks!

November 18, 2018 at 7:08 am

Hi Pat, So glad you are finding our London itinerary helpful in planning your vacation. Thanks for taking the time to comment! Best, Jessica

Travelouts Post author

November 12, 2018 at 2:36 am

Excellent London itinerary, and thank you for sharing so many very helpful thoughts!!! Best of luck with your travels

November 12, 2018 at 6:06 am

Hi there, Thanks, and do let us know if you have any questions if you are planning a trip to London! Best, Jessica

MickeyArorra Post author

October 22, 2018 at 1:41 am

This is a great post. You have covered all the aspects of London. I love to live in London. Its nightlife is just amazing – Bar’s, Pubs, Theaters everything is just superb.

October 22, 2018 at 11:49 am

Hi Mickey, Glad you enjoyed our London itinerary and so happy to hear you think we gave some comprehensive coverage of things to do. Yes, London does have some great nightlife and quite a variety! We are looking forward to being back in London in a couple of weeks 😉 Best, Jessica

Samuel Post author

September 30, 2018 at 1:40 pm

Great info indeed on London. I and my wife will like to visit and tour London on 6 days tour starting from 15th -22nd December 2018. we are coming from Lagos Nigeria. Can you please arrange the tour itinerary, accommodation inclusive with mode of payment. yours truly, Samuel.

October 3, 2018 at 8:28 pm

I am happy to hear that you enjoyed our 6 day London itinerary. We are travel writers not a tour operator and cannot book a tour or accommodation for you. But we are happy to provide any additional tips you may have about what to do or where to stay.

If you would like an itinerary and tour booked for you, I would contact a local travel agent or tour operator who operates in London.

Arun Mishra Post author

August 1, 2018 at 7:30 am

Hey Jessica, I am visiting London and Scotland in the month September and I was wondering how to go about it ! Though my daughter just came back from LSE after completing her summer schooling program and gave me lot of tips but your post solved all my problems. This is my first trip to London and staying almost 8 days there. Thank you so much for the valuable tips and information. Warm regards Arun

August 1, 2018 at 7:34 am

Hi Arun, I am so happy to hear you found our London itinerary article helpful and thank you so much for taking the time to comment! We have lots of articles on both London and Scotland (our current home) on our travel blogs, but just let us know if you have any questions as you continue to plan your trip. London is such a fantastic city and having 8 days will give you time to see so many of the city’s highlights!! Happy travels, Jessica

Vidhi Sehgal Post author

June 13, 2018 at 1:10 pm

Hi , Great Post. Just wanted to know which month did you travel in? I plan to travel to London in November, will the tourist spots mentioned in your post be open then?

June 14, 2018 at 2:16 am

Hi Vidhi, Yes, almost all major attractions (and even most minor ones) are open year-round in London. Buckingham Palace for instance is only open for part of the summer, but all the rest should be open. However, many may have reduced winter hours so just check the website of the attraction before you visit to note the opening days and times. Wishing you a great trip to London! Best, Jessica

Amy & Scott Post author

October 3, 2017 at 5:43 am

Wow, we are going to London in 2 months and this is the most helpful post I’ve come across over the past week in searching for things to do during our time in London. This London itinerary covers all of the things we had on our bucketlist plus so many other great places and tips on how to spend our time. My husband and I are very grateful and we’ll be printing this out and bring it along our our trip!! Our warm thanks from NYC!

October 3, 2017 at 7:09 am

Hi Amy & Scott, So happy to hear and thanks for taking the time to comment! Wishing you a fantastic visit to London and please just let us know if you have any questions about our London itinerary or traveling in London. Best, Jessica

Sand In My Suitcase Post author

September 10, 2017 at 7:33 pm

Wow! This is a really fabulous detailed guide to things to do in London! We’ve hit London from time to time over the years for a couple of nights here and a couple of nights there — before or after a cruise. We’ve enjoyed the double-decker, hop-on/hop-off sightseeing bus for an overview of the city. And oh the musicals and plays! That’s our favorite thing to do in London — take in a West End show.

You’ve got us thinking that next time we should explore the Camden area. :-).

September 12, 2017 at 12:02 pm

Hi guys, Thanks! Yes, a bus tour or walking tour is always a great way to get a good feel and look around a new city! The West End is definitely a great area for those who like theater and musicals!! Camden is a great area of London to explore if you haven’t been before, there are of course the famous markets and London Zoo, but you can take canal boat rides, visit Jewish Museum, do street art tours, wander Regent’s Park, etc. It is definitely an area with a different vibe! Best, Jessica

Lyn @ A Hole in my Shoe Post author

September 4, 2017 at 11:19 pm

What an amazing itinerary which will surely stop me walking around in awe and keep me in the right direction. We like to fit as much as we can in our days as it is so far to travel we make the very most of our time. Thanks for keeping all this info in one place so we can save for a reference when we finally make it to UK.

September 5, 2017 at 1:37 am

Hi Lyn, You should still leave some time to walk around in awe 😉 Westminster and the City of London have the biggest concentration of the iconic sites and are great areas to hit in your first few days in London. Hope you get to the UK soon and hopefully this London itinerary will come in handy! Best, Jessica

Anda Post author

September 4, 2017 at 2:06 pm

Very good itinerary, Jessica. We’ve spent a week in London some years ago and visited all these places (except for the Royal Albert Hall), but I loved revisiting them with you through your beautiful post and pictures. We also bought the London Pass, like you, and saved a lot of money. For us it was worth it.

September 5, 2017 at 1:36 am

Hi Anda, Thanks, glad you like our suggested itinerary on how to spend 6 days in London. Happy to hear that you saved a lot of money from buying a London Pass. Best, Jessica

Cheryl Post author

September 2, 2017 at 5:52 pm

What an amazing and detailed itinerary for London! I’m pinning it now for later planning. I love how you included alternatives in it. My favorite is Warner Bros. Studios and the Harry Potter set. I’m a self professed Potterhead (nerd, but I’m good with it lol). This post has definitely moved London up some notches on my travel bucket list and made it seem more affordable with the right planning.

September 4, 2017 at 11:21 am

Hi Cheryl, Glad you enjoyed our 6 days in London itinerary. We just went to the Warner Brothers Studios the Making of Harry Potter tour this year and really enjoyed it. We are not huge Harry Potter fans but still spent almost 3 hours doing the tour and stopping for a snack and butter beer 😉 You might enjoy Laurence’s guide to Harry Potter spots in London and my guide to Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh for future trips! Best, Jessica

Ruth | Tanama Tales Post author

September 2, 2017 at 10:42 am

Jessica, you knocked it out of the park! Well, you always do but this time you hit the ball a bit harder. I visited London once but my time there was so, so reduced. I have come to the realization that London needs time (like other great cities in the world). I like to have 3 or 4 days in a city but I think that will never be enough in London. I will like to have at least a week in the city. And, I will love to follow parts of your itinerary. I am the one always looking for walking maps!

September 4, 2017 at 11:09 am

Hi Ruth, Thanks for the kind words! Yes, I agree, 3 or 4 days is not enough time in London as it is in many cities. Some cities like London, Paris, NYC, etc. just need a lot more time as they just have so many great sites, attractions, and entertainment options. We think 5 or 6 days in London is a good amount of time to see a lot on a first trip without getting overwhelmed or exhausted. I hope you get a chance to return soon and do parts of this London itinerary and use the suggested walking maps 😉 Jessica

Hilary Post author

September 2, 2017 at 9:11 am

Amazing list of things to do in London! We’ve already done many of them, but many are definite repeats if you ask me! My boys and I plan to spend 2 weeks in London over the Christmas Holidays, and will definitely refer back to this list for inspiration!

September 4, 2017 at 11:04 am

Hi Hilary, Yes, we often return to places we love as well. We’ll be back in London in November and already have plans to re-visit a couple of the galleries 😉 Enjoy your upcoming trip to London. Best, Jessica

Paul and Carole Post author

September 2, 2017 at 12:05 am

This is an excellent post on London. We spent 4 days there in April and covered quite a bit, but would love to go back so have pinned your post for reference. Your photo of the Beefeater at the Tower is spectacular!

September 4, 2017 at 11:03 am

Hi Paul & Carole, Thanks, and I hope you get a chance to visit London again. There is so much to do in the city that it is difficult to see everything you want in one (or two!) trips 😉 Thanks, Laurence shot that at the Tower our first trip to London together a couple of years ago – we had a gray rainy day and that was the best shot of the day! Best, Jessica

Michelle | michwanderlust Post author

September 1, 2017 at 9:18 pm

I just love how thorough and detailed your posts always are! Definitely a great resource for anyone planning to visit London. Even though I’ve spent a lot of time in London, I haven’t visited all the places on your list – especially the Greenwich area, or even St Paul’s Cathedral, which is actually pretty close to my apartment. Pinned this for when I go back to London later this year!

September 4, 2017 at 11:01 am

Hi Michelle, St. Paul’s Cathedral is a great church, I didn’t find it as historically interesting as Westminster Abbey but it has a lot of history and significance and is definitely a symbol of London. The dome was definitely a highlight for Laurence, although I would recommend trying to go early to avoid it being too crowded as the line for the dome can get long and is slow moving. Greenwich has loads of great things to do, we spent a couple of days exploring Greenwich on our last trip and Laurence’s brother is actually moving there next year so should get to see even more 😉 Definitely recommend going the next time you are in London, lots of stuff to do including museums, the Cutty Sark, historical buildings, the O2 arena, family-friendly things, and a giant park. Best, Jessica

Upeksha Post author

September 1, 2017 at 3:04 pm

This is a one of the most detailed guides to London I have seen for a long time. I have been to quite a few of these, but there’s still so many to visit.

September 3, 2017 at 11:49 am

Hi Upeksha, I am not sure if you could ever see everything in London, and I think that makes it one of those cities that is great to keep visiting. We are excited to head back again in a few months! Best, Jessica

Lolo Post author

September 1, 2017 at 2:55 pm

I’ve done soooo much in all of my many visits to London, but at the same time there is still sooo much to see and do! I can’t believe you managed it all in 6 days! That London Pass definitely seems like it’s worth the splurge! Pinned!

September 3, 2017 at 11:45 am

Hi Lolo, Yes, the London Pass can be a great deal as even though it may seem like a lot upfront, the cost of many of the attractions in London are £15 to £20 each. We did not actually do this exact itinerary in a single 6 day trip, but it is based on our many visits to London. This is what we came up with for the best itinerary for first or second time visitors. One should definitely go at their own pace and adjust our suggested London itinerary each day to meet their needs. Best, Jessica

Tanja Post author

September 1, 2017 at 1:39 pm

excellent post! and it’s great to see other people also doing a lot on a trip, visiting actual sights not just trendy things they saw on Instagram or Pinterest:) I shuddered when I saw some of the prices, I was fortunate to have done most of these on my trips to London before a couple of years, the prices are sky high now! Can you believe that I paid only 12 pounds for Tower of London? but then again,it was 10 years ago. luckily, there are many free attractions in London, and once you’ve visited all the main attractions you can do the rest:) I did Sky garden last year for instance:) and Tower Bridge exhibition but only because they didn’t have the glass walkaway before:)

September 3, 2017 at 11:29 am

Hi Tanja, We like to really explore cities and we’ve been to London now a number of times so have seen most of the major attractions and many of the lesser known ones, although we always discover something new on each visit. Yes, 10 years ago prices were definitely lower and there seems to be a small increase in attraction entry fees every year or two. Although its not just London as we have observed in the same in Paris, NYC, SF, etc. London does indeed have some great free attractions, I love the parks, shopping arcades, and free museums. Best, Jessica

Anisa Post author

September 1, 2017 at 1:11 pm

Wow you really covered a lot and I can tell a lot of thought went into this post (like usual!). I have been to a lot of these but there are some I still need to visit, like the Churchill War rooms. I had no idea that you could save so much using the London pass, that is a great tip.

September 3, 2017 at 11:25 am

Hi Anisa, The Churchill War Rooms are fantastic (well in my opinion!) and the museum is very centrally located (short 5-7 minute walk from Westminster Abbey or Parliament Square). Most people go to see the secret bunker and war rooms and learn about how it operated during WW2, but my favorite part is the Churchill Museum which is a giant room filled with all kind of Churchill artifacts, memorabilia, and information. The London Pass includes free entry into about 60 attractions in London (e.g., Churchill War Rooms, Westminster Abbey, London Zoo, Tower of London) and can really save many visitors money as most are going to want to visit some of the included attractions. Best, Jessica

Gary Post author

August 30, 2017 at 12:05 am

Great post, you’ve managed to cover so many sides of London in six days, with so much detail. I love the city. However, I am biased as I’m a Londoner, it says so on my Birth Certificate.

You’ve captured a brilliant mix of history, culture – London’s green spaces, museums and galleries. Glad you included Camden & Greenwich because both offer another side of London.

I have to agree the best way to see London is on foot – there’s so much to see, or bus if the feet are weary (The river cruise is also a good idea). I’d say avoid the underground unless it’s a distance (Smartphones & maps help here) because there’s always something to see when heading from A to B.

As I said, fabulously detailed post, and will help a visitor see a chunk of London.

Happy Travels,

August 30, 2017 at 3:08 pm

Hi Gary, Glad that we have the seal of a approval of a Londoner!! Laurence lived in the city for a few years but honestly didn’t make it to many tourist sites during that time, so it has been fun exploring them together when in the city. We get a lot of readers asking for these longer itineraries so finally put one together! Yes, exploring London by foot is a lot of fun as you never know what you’ll see and cutting across green spaces is so nice as it gives you a bit of time to relax!! Best, Jessica

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London short break, book your trip from, view hotels, your guided group holiday to london.

Discover England’s cosmopolitan capital London on this 4​-night guided holiday. For 4 nights we’ll be staying in the heart of Kensington, one of London’s most prestigious areas conveniently located close to the museum district and Hyde Park. We will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, taking in sights such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament. The trip also includes plenty of free time in this buzzing metropolis for sightseeing and shopping. Plus there is also an optional excursion to Oxford, ‘The City of Dreaming Spires,’ where we will visit the world famous university as well as the splendid Blenheim Palace.

Trip Itinerary

Activity Level: Easy

Travel to london, arrive in london and city tour.

Upon arrival in London, you will be met in the arrivals area of the airport by our local representative who will accompany you to your hotel, located in the centre of the city. Enjoy a panoramic tour of London en-route and admire famous sights such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge.

You will have the remainder of the day at leisure to unpack, relax and further explore this fascinating city. Your guide would be delighted to recommend activities to suit your interests.

Free Time in London

Today can be spent at your leisure sightseeing and shopping in London. Take in the majesty of London’s grand buildings and monuments, and marvel at its wealth of tradition.

At Leisure - Optional Excursion to Oxford & Blenheim Palace

Spend the day exploring all the wonders London. Take in the famous landmarks, walk the numerous parks and gardens or visit one of the many museums London has to offer.

Optional Excursion to Oxford & Blenheim Palace

After breakfast, depart on a full day guided excursion to Oxford and discover the history and heritage of this world-famous city. Sights include the well-known Bodleian Library and Christ Church, both of which were Harry Potter film sites, Oxford University and much more. There will be free time for lunch, and to sightsee or shop at your own pace.

Continue your journey to the magnificent Blenheim Palace, a Baroque masterpiece, where you will see intricate state rooms and beautifully kept gardens and parkland. The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and the current home of the Dukes of Marlborough, this palace is rich in history. With more than 2000 acres of landscaped gardens, a vast lake and a secret garden, there is much for you to explore in this truly unique palace.

*Minimum numbers apply for the operation of this tour.

Explore London at Your Own Pace

The final day of your holiday will be free to spend as you wish. Enjoy some last minute shopping and sightseeing of your choice.

Return Home

Depart london.

This afternoon, you will transfer to the airport, with guide assistance, for your return flight home.

* We aim to operate your tour itinerary according to the format shown. Occasionally, local conditions and unexpected events may result in adjustments to the planned schedule. We kindly ask for your understanding and flexibility in the event of any changes.

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Immerse yourself in the rich history, battle sites, culture, and picturesque landscapes found within iconic regions of England and France. Begin by uncovering the secrets of London with a certified Blue Badge Guide and visiting famous attractions like the Tower of London, the Churchill War Rooms, and the royal Windsor Castle. Enjoy quintessential experiences, such as a relaxing on Thames River cruise and sipping an authentic afternoon tea amidst the city’s historical charm. Ferry across the English Channel to Normandy, where we page homage to the heroes of World War II at D-Day sites including Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Point-du-Hoc Ranger Monument, and Saint-Mere-Eglise. Travel through the gorgeous countryside to Giverny and gaze upon Claude Monet’s lush gardens before settling in for three romantic nights in Paris. Our incredible vacation concludes with an illuminated Seine River cruise, browsing the Musee d’Orsay, and time at leisure to explore all that the City of Light has to offer.

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Additional Tour Information

Your holiday vacations experience includes:, all accommodations featuring.

• 3 nights at the Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
• 3 nights at the Novotel Caen Cote de Nacre
• 3 nights in Paris
• 3 nights in London
• 3 nights at Novotel Bayeaux
• 3 nights at Hotel Melia Paris La Defense

Attractions & Highlights

• Tower of London
• London guided city tour
• Imperial War Museum
• Thames River cruise
• Windsor Castle
• Churchill War Rooms
• D-Day Museum
• English Channel ferry crossing to France
• Utah Beach & Omaha Beach feat. Overlord Museum
• Arromanches Landing Museum
• Pointe-du-Hoc Ranger Monument
• Saint-Mere-Eglise
• Airborne Museum
• Tapestry of Bayeux
• Claude Monet's Home & Gardens at Giverny
• Paris guided city tour
• Illuminated Seine River cruise
• Louvre Museum
• London guided city tour feat. Tower of London
• D-Day Story museum
• Omaha Beach feat. Overlord Museum & Normandy American Cemetery
• Arromanches 360 museum
• Sainte-Mere-Eglise feat. Airborne Museum & Utah Beach
• Bayeux Tapestry
• Claude Monet's House & Gardens
• Musee d’Orsay

15 Excellent Meals Featuring

• Holiday Vacations Welcome Dinner in London
• Traditional English Afternoon Tea
• Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner in Paris
• Welcome Dinner in London
• Traditional English afternoon tea
• Farewell Dinner at Le Train Bleu in Paris

September 2, 2024 - September 12, 2024

Price Per Person

Final Payment Date: 05/30/2024

September 16, 2024 - September 26, 2024

Final Payment Date: 06/13/2024

September 30, 2024 - October 10, 2024

Final Payment Date: 06/27/2024

April 7, 2025 - April 17, 2025

Final Payment Date: 01/02/2025

September 1, 2025 - September 11, 2025

Final Payment Date: 05/29/2025

September 8, 2025 - September 18, 2025

Final Payment Date: 06/05/2025

September 15, 2025 - September 25, 2025

Final Payment Date: 06/12/2025

September 29, 2025 - October 9, 2025

Final Payment Date: 06/26/2025

Day 1 : Fly to England

Board an overnight flight to London to begin this journey of a lifetime.

Day 2 : Tower of London

Upon arrival in Europe, we meet our resident Blue Badge Guide whose passion for British history and traditions enhance our experience. Departing the airport, our first stop is the Tower of London. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, this enduring fortress houses both Britain’s Crown Jewels and a medieval collection of armory and weaponry. Its ancient stone walls hold some of the city’s darkest secrets, and we are privy to a few of them during our narrated tour. We then check in to our incredible accommodations for the next three evenings and get to know our fellow travelers over a delicious three-course Welcome Dinner.

Day 3 : Thames River Cruise & Afternoon Tea

After an included full English breakfast, we visit the Churchill War Rooms, part of the underground nerve center of Britain’s war effort. Explore the secret corridors, discover life during World War II, and learn about Churchill’s leadership and legacy. Next, we relax on a delightful cruise with views of Tower Bridge as we travel down the Thames River to Westminster Pier. Later, we partake in a favorite pastime of locals, Afternoon Tea. It is truly the perfect end to our day’s scheduled activities as we dine on a delicious array of bite-size savories, sip expertly steeped tea, and enjoy the comfort of easy conversation with our new acquaintances.

Day 4 : Imperial War Museum & Windsor Castle

Our sightseeing this morning begins with a visit to the Imperial War Museum, which houses authentic examples of World War II weaponry and an exhibit of World War I trench warfare. We then tour Windsor Castle, private home of British royalty as well as the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Marvel at the magnificent architecture and opulent interior, including the Grand Reception Room that’s adorned with real gold and sparkling chandeliers. Afterwards, the rest of the day is yours for individual exploration.

Day 5 : Portsmouth & Ferry to France

We say farewell to London and travel to England’s south coast. Upon arrival in Portsmouth we visit the award-winning D-Day Museum before boarding a ferry to cross the English Channel to France.

Day 6 : D-Day Sites

We are joined by a special World War II guide to learn about famous battle events. Spend a poignant morning at Omaha Beach, one of the five beaches making up the landing for the D-Day invasion by Allied troops. We study the battlefield, cross the beach, analyze maps, and pay tribute to the courage that guarded our freedom. The American Cemetery stretches along the bluff where we may offer our respects among the hundreds of Crosses and Stars of David for the deceased. Our next visit is Arromanches, the renowned site of Mulberry Harbor. This artificial port and dock carried thousands of Allied troops and cargo across the Channel during wartime. Portions of it remain today.

Day 7 : Normandy Sites

Joined by our World War II guide, we spend the morning at the Pointe-du-Hoc Ranger Monument located on a sheer cliff overlooking Omaha Beach. Americans seized the German artillery equipment here, preventing fire on American troops landing on the beach. This afternoon we visit St. Mére Église, seized by American paratroopers on D-Day. Hear the riveting story of American Private John Steele and visit the Airborne Museum. Next, we visit Utah Beach, the westernmost beach during the Allied Landings. Later, we view the Bayeux Tapestry which tells the tale of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England.

Day 8 : Monet’s Garden

Today we begin our journey to Paris. En route we visit the charming village of Giverny and stroll the gardens and visit the home of famous Impressionist artist Claude Monet.

Day 9 : Paris City Tour

We discover the enchanting sights of romantic Paris, the City of Light. On a guided tour we see the Champs Elysees Avenue, Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Arc de Triomphe. The afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure. Relax at a sidewalk cafe, do some shopping, or visit city sights. After dinner, a spectacular Seine River cruise creates a magical evening. Illuminated buildings, bridges, churches, and the Eiffel Tower create a dramatic backdrop in the night sky.

Day 10 : Iconic Louvre Museum

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the world-renowned Louvre Museum and discover its many masterpieces. The afternoon is free for individual pursuits. Visit the Musee d’Orsay or stroll through The Tuileries Garden. We gather this evening for a special Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner in Paris, the perfect ending to our extraordinary vacation.

Day 11 : Fly Home

Our journey of a lifetime begins with an overnight flight to London.

Upon arriving in Europe, we meet our resident Blue Badge Guide whose passion for British history and traditions enhances our experience. Departing the airport, our first stop on our city tour is the Tower of London to see Britain’s Crown Jewels and a medieval collection of armory and weaponry. We then check in to our comfortable accommodations for the next three evenings and get to know fellow travelers over a delicious Welcome Dinner.

Day 3 : Churchill War Rooms & Thames River Cruise

After a full English breakfast, we visit the Churchill War Rooms, part of the underground nerve center of Britain’s war effort during World War II. Next, we relax on a delightful cruise with views of Tower Bridge while gliding down the Thames River to Westminster Pier. Our day concludes with a quintessential experience and favorite pastime of locals – afternoon tea. Dine on a delicious array of bite-size savories, sip expertly steeped tea, and enjoy socializing with new friends.

Our sightseeing this morning begins with a visit to the Imperial War Museum, which houses authentic examples of World War II weaponry and an exhibit of World War I trench warfare. We then tour Windsor Castle, a private home of British royalty as well as the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Marvel at the magnificent architecture and opulent interior, including the Grand Reception Room that’s adorned with real gold and sparkling chandeliers. Afterwards, enjoy dinner on your own and a free evening to relax or explore.

We say farewell to London and travel to England’s South Coast today. Arriving in Portsmouth, we tour the award-winning D-Day Story, a museum with personal accounts of people who experienced Operation Overlord during the Normandy D-Day landings. Later, a ferry brings us across the English Channel to Caen, France. Our accommodations are in Bayeux.

Day 6 : Omaha Beach & American Cemetery

A special World War II guide joins us for a poignant day as we learn about the largest seaborne invasion in history. Our first stop is Omaha Beach, one of the five beaches making up the landing for the D-Day invasion by Allied troops. Next, take in sights of the Normandy American Cemetery stretching along the bluff and pay tribute to the courageous individuals who guarded freedom, then tour the Overlord Museum. After lunch on your own, our journey continues to Arromanches-les-Baines, the renowned site of Mulberry Harbor, to visit the newly built museum and take in a 360° cinematic recount of events. This artificial port carried millions of Allied troops and cargo across the Channel during the war; portions of it remain today. The evening is at your leisure.

Day 7 : Pointe-du-Hoc & Utah Beach

Our in-depth tour with a World War II guide continues this morning as we see the Pointe-du-Hoc Ranger Monument, located on a sheer cliff overlooking Omaha Beach. Americans seized German artillery equipment here, preventing fire on incoming American troops. We then visit Sainte-Mere Église, the first French town to be liberated during the D-Day invasion by American paratroopers. Learn more about this military division and hear the riveting story of American Private John Steele at the nearby Airborne Museum, then explore Utah Beach, the westernmost beach of the Allied Landings. Later, we view the Bayeux Tapestry, which tells the tale of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England. Tonight, our group gathers for a delicious dinner together.

Day 8 : Monet's House & Gardens

Enjoy picturesque vistas of the French countryside today on our drive to the charming village of Giverny, home to Impressionist painter Claude Monet. We visit Monet’s house and gardens to soak up the beautiful scenery that inspired some of his most famous paintings. Later, we arrive in Paris and settle into our accommodations, then spend an evening at leisure.

Day 9 : Paris City Tour & Sunset Cruise

We discover the enchanting sights of romantic Paris this morning on a guided tour, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees Avenue, and Arc de Triomphe. Afterwards, the day is yours to relax at a sidewalk cafe, go shopping, or visit the city’s fascinating attractions. As the sun sets, our group gathers for a spectacular Seine River cruise. Delight in a magical evening as the City of Light softly glows with illuminated buildings, bridges, and churches, creating a dramatic backdrop in the night sky.

Day 10 : Iconic Musee d'Orsay

Our last full day in France begins with a guided tour of the world-renowned Musee d’Orsay. Browse the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces by famous artists, such as van Gogh. This afternoon, take advantage of leisure time to pursue your individual interests. Later, we savor a lovely Farewell Dinner at Le Train Bleu.

We return home today with incredible memories of our adventures in Europe.

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London Holiday Packages : rated 4.4 /5 (based on 36 reviews) | Packages starting from ₹28,349/-

London Holiday Packages

TravelTriangle offers a plethora of London holiday packages specially designed by our travel experts to facilitate travellers with a planned, organised, and hassle-free vacation. Therefore, these London Vacation Packages incorporate a detailed itinerary that looks after a number of needs and requirements of the travellers, ranging from sightseeing tours to outdoor activities, transfers, and accommodations as well, ensuring an amazing experience for them on their London Trip . Moreover, travellers can customise these itineraries according to their personal preferences and requirements since tour packages to London with airfare are fully customisable.

Places to Visit in London tour package

London is one of the most visited countries in Europe. The beautiful place is rich in art, culture, and heritage and has a lot to offer every kind of tourist. There are numerous places to see and visit in London that will keep one busy through their vacation, regardless of the duration. London also offers people some experiences that are unlike any other and can only be had in this dreamy city. The top ones are listed below, so do make sure you experience these amazing things when in London. Explore these unique experiences with tailor-made London holiday packages that ensure an unforgettable London trip , encapsulating the best this captivating city has to offer.

1. Take Afternoon Tea Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair

What’s Special: High tea in the garden

Nearby Attractions: Park Lane, Berkeley Square, Buckingham Palace

Timings: 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Distance From City Center: 1.1 mi

Transportation Options: Taxi

Visiting London and not enjoying a high afternoon tea is a big no-no. It is something that must be experienced and there is no other place than the Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair that will give you an experience of a lifetime. The place is quite popular for its afternoon tea and has tourists coming in from all the directions to enjoy it. The tea is served either their Conservatory, which is flooded with natural daylight, set against the backdrop of the garden and fountain or The Butler's Restaurant which is warm and intimate and provides a quintessentially British dining experience. One enjoy flavors like rhubarb and custard macaron, an apple drop, a coca-cola slice and a liquorice allsorts lemon cheesecake. Chocoholics won't be disappointed as a decadent chocolate fudge eclair and peanut butter cup are amongst the sweet treats on offer. 

2. Seeing The View From The Coca Cola London Eye

What’s Special: View from the top

Nearby Attractions: Thames River, SEA Life, Leake Street Arches

Entry Fees: Adults: 30 Pounds, Children (3 to 15 years): 24 pounds and children under 3: free

Timings: 10 AM to 8: 30 Pm

Distance From City Center: 1.2 miles

Transportation Options: Underground, Taxi

London Eye is basically a Ferris wheel located on the bank of the River Thames. It s 443 feet in height and is London’s most popular tourist attraction. The wheel has 32 cabins with the capacity to carry 25 people. The wheel takes 2 revolutions per hour. Today people come to the London eye to see and observe the spectacular view of London from the top. Getting on this Ferris wheel is a must-have experience.

3. Harry Potter cocktails at The Cauldron Pub London

What’s Special: The Harry Potter world feels

Nearby Attractions: Mail Rail at the Postal Museum, SEA Life, James Rupapara

Timings :-  

Tuesday : 5 pm–1 am

Wednesday : 3 pm–1 am

Thursday : 3 pm–1 am

Friday : 12 pm–1 am

Saturday : 11am–1am

Sunday : 5pm–12am

Monday : Closed

Distance From City Center: 4.6 mi

Transportation Options: Taxi, Bus

If you are a Harry Potter fan then visiting this place is a must for you. This magical cocktail bar will take you to the world of wizarding where you can get boozy cocktail classes. They will give you an actual experience of the magical land by providing you a robe and a wand for you to take classes. The decor is also inspired by our favorite Harry Potter and will transport you to the magical land. Try mixing potions at the cauldron using a set of ingredients that are sourced from magick textbooks. You will be chopping, grinding and mixing the concoctions and ultimately enjoy the drink.

4. The Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace

What’s Special: The ceremony of guard changing

Nearby Attractions: Buckingham Palace

Entry Fees: Free

Timings: 10:45 AM

Distance From City Center: 0.6 mi

Transportation Options: Underground, Bus

See the beautiful and thrilling ceremony of guard change in Buckingham Palace in the morning when in London. The change of guard happens every morning and lasts for 45 minutes and is absolutely intense. People come to see this taking charge of the duties from regiment to the new one from different parts of the world.

5. Go shopping at Harrods

What’s Special: Luxurious brands

Nearby Attractions: Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum

Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 8 pm

Sunday: 11:30 to 6 pm

Distance From City Center: 1.9 mi

Harrods is one of the most popular places to visit in London. This famous luxury department store is absolutely beautiful to look at. The shopping department houses some of the most expensive brands in the world. There are a lot of things that one can purchase from here and if not one can enjoy window shopping at all times. People can buy chocolates, souvenirs, toys and more.

6. Big Ben and Parliament

What’s Special: Second-largest chiming clock with four faces in the world

Nearby Attractions: BFI London, The O2, Westminster Abbey

Timings: Anytime

Distance From City: 500 meters

Transportation Options: London Underground, Bus, Cab

Located next to the houses of parliament, Big Ben is officially known as the Elizabeth Tower. It is not only an attraction that attracts tourists but also serves as a landmark that identifies the city of London.

7. Somerset House

What’s Special: The courtyard serves as a fountain show in the summers and turns into an ice rink in the winter.

Nearby Attractions: Soho, British Museum

Timings: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Distance From City: 900 meters

The Somerset House is one of the most popular examples of neo-classical architecture that is frequented by travelers from around the world. This place is always bustling with tourists, local food vendors, and buskers who create a vibrant atmosphere in the area.

8. St. Paul’s Cathedral

What’s Special: The dome has 528 steps atop which there’s a view of the London skyline.

Nearby Attractions: British Museum, National Gallery

Timings: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Distance From City: 1.8 kilometers

The St. Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican church situated at one of the highest points in London, offering an unmatchable view of the city. The landmark is a celebrated part of the London skyline for the last 300 years and it holds a symbol of cultural significance in the city.

9. Warner Bros. Studio

What’s Special: Known for the shooting of Harry Potter, Star Wars, Batman movies, and more.

Nearby Attractions: Somerset House, Tower of London

Timings: 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Distance From City: 2.6 kilometers

The Warner Bros. Studios is one of the largest in the UK that is a popular attraction for its Harry Potter tour that takes fans and enthusiasts on a journey of exploration and magical events during a ticketed event.

10. Millennium Bridge

What’s Special: This bridge was featured in the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie.

Nearby Attractions: London Museum of Transport, Baker Street

Distance From City: 6 kilometers

The steel suspension bridge is popularly known as. “Wobbly Bridge”, is a footbridge where you can cross the river Thames. Located between Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge, it is a key part of the cultural scene in central London.

How to Reach London?

Reaching London is sure to be easy, thanks to it being one of the most well-connected cities in the world. There are five airports here, along with several train and bus stations that can offer you connections to your part of the world. Take a look below at the most used modes of transport to reach London. Whether arriving by air, train, or bus, our London packages ensure a smooth and well-organised journey, offering various options and flexibility in planning your trip. Discover the ease of travel and convenience with our tailored tour packages to London .

There are five airports in London, including the much famed Heathrow, which is the largest and most frequented. The others include Stansted and Gatwick. These airports are well connected to most parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, the Americas, etc. There are daily flights to London from India, and other countries as well.

London is well connected to various cities in Europe, including Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and so on. In fact, London is the hub of the British Rail Network, and offers regular trains for coming into or leaving the city. It is an effective way of traveling, since fares are cheaper as compared to flights, and yet the service is pretty good.

Traveling via car and buses to reach London is also a good idea, if you are coming in from any of the neighboring countries. The road networks excellent and the countryside is beautiful enough to make you think of it as an experience in itself. Needless to say, it is one of the most economical ways to travel, and much preferred by budget travellers.

Travelling to London by sea is possible, although the journey will take a lot more time than a flight will and is sure to be an expensive one. Also, sea charters from India to London are currently not available for travelers.

Best Time to Visit London

Autumn is the best time to visit London. The months from September to November offer ideal weather conditions, making it traveler-friendly. Fall makes the city look all the more enchanting and makes your trip to London worthwhile. Lose yourself in the wonders of London with cheap London packages designed exclusively by verified and trusted agents, keeping in mind your best interests. The rain in London may occur at any time of the year. However, the early summer months offer bright sunshine on a few days, which can be a real blessing on an English holiday. The parks are lush green, and outdoor sightseeing is really rewarding in the summer season. Snowfall in winter is a rare occurrence, although the weather from November through February is freezing. The best time to avail discounts on our London holiday tour packages is the off-season, particularly in the latter half of the year, especially during the fall and winter months. Explore London's varied seasons and experiences with our tailored London travel packages and London vacation packages , providing you with an opportunity to embrace the city's diverse charms throughout the year.

March to May

Though it might not be the peak season of the year to visit London, but then London witnesses a huge flock of tourists during the late spring season as well. This is the best time to savor the blossoming view of the lush gardens, and take a romantic stroll through the royal parks.

June to August

In London, the arrival of summer does not mean that rainfalls bid adieu to the region. With subsequent humidity, comfortable temperatures, and bearable crowds, you can explore London on a budget tour at this time of the year.

September to November

If you are a culture vulture, and want to unveil the rich culture of London, then the duration starting from September and lasting till November can be a great time to observe its many events and festivals, such as London Fashion Week, Museums at Night, The Lord Mayor’s Show, and others.

December to February

If you love exploring the chilly environs, then getting on an excursion to London at this time of the year would probably the best thing to do. In fact, with several festivals around, like: Christmas and New Year, here is your chance to explore it at its full glory.

The most pleasant months to visit London are March through September when the temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing and the city is bustling with hype. Although, winter in London is also a prime tourist season as the capital lights up with Christmas markets and activities such as ice-skating for the visitors.

London vacation packages with airfare provided by TravelTriangle are the best way to explore London. Check out the best England tour packages  that we offer, and get set to jettison your way on to fun, relaxing or adventurous trip. The choice is yours.

Bestselling London Tour Packages

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Duration ( in Days )

Budget Per Person ( in Rs. )

Hotel Star Rating

Showing 76 London Tour Packages

Elite England Honeymoon Package

₹ 28,349/- ₹ 31,153/-

Per Person on twin sharing

• Ideal for Couples
• Hill station
• Madame Tussauds
• Hop On Hop Off tour

Hotel included in package:

• London (3D)

Home to the Royal family, England is the land of the king of literary romance- Si....

Upto 3 Stars

• Sightseeing

Resplendent London Tour Package

₹ 28,350/- ₹ 31,500/-

• Madame Tussauds Museum
• Hop-On-Hop-Off tour

Explore London, the city of panoramic architectural splendour and pioneer of ideas and ....

Best London Paris Tour Package From India For A Memorable Getaway

₹ 147,000/- ₹ 161,538/-.

• Eiffel Tower
• River Cruise
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• London (4D)

Enlivening London And Edinburgh Tour Package

₹ 68,250/- ₹ 75,833/-.

• Thames River
• Transfer to Edinburgh
• London (2D)
• Edinburgh (4D)

With the 5 nights 6 days London Edinburgh tour package you get to see ....

View London Tour Packages from

Euphoric England Family Packages

₹ 110,249/- ₹ 121,153/-.

• Art & Architecture
• London (5D)
• Birmingham (1D)
• Liverpool (1D)
• Manchester (1D)
• Oxford (1D)

England, the birthplace of Shakespeare and the Beatles, home to the Royal Family, is am....

Best-Selling London Honeymoon Packages For Your Best

₹ 68,249/- ₹ 77,556/-.

• Stirling Castle

Romantic London honeymoon package

• Hop on Hop off tour

A customizable 2 nights 3 days 2 London honeymoon package is perfect f....

Joyous England Family Package

A 2 nights 3 days family trip to England ensures a fun-filled family v....

England & Scotland: Land of Marvels

₹ 106,575/- ₹ 117,115/-.

• Best sellers
• Glasgow (2D)
• Edinburgh (2D)

10 Days Tour Package To London Scotland With Airfare

₹ 157,499/- ₹ 169,354/-.

• Edinburgh (6D)

London is one of the most astounding and magnificent places in the world a tourist woul....

Awe-Inspiring Scotland Sightseeing Tour Packages

₹ 96,650/- ₹ 106,209/-.

• London (6D)
• Scotland (1D)

TravelTriangle assures the best of your holiday with this amazing 10 night 11 days

Exquisite London Family Tour Package

₹ 120,750/- ₹ 135,674/-.

• Ideal for families
• Edinburgh (3D)
• Dublin (4D)

Iconic, classy, and elegant, are few words that describe the phenomenal city of London ....

Irresistible Ireland Sightseeing Tour Package

₹ 120,749/- ₹ 132,691/-.

• Scenic Landscapes

Experience a melange of a thriving culture, architectural splendour, brooding history, ....

10 Days Tour Package To Ireland With Airfare

₹ 162,750/- ₹ 175,000/-.

• Historical Sites

Beer-lovers visit Ireland at least once for Guinness. But what is in the Irelan....

Enchanting London Honeymoon Package

₹ 120,749/- ₹ 140,406/-.

• Ideal for couples

It's time to celebrate love and what could be the best way to do it than going on a dre....

Best 4 Days London Tour Package With Airfare For A Reviving Getaway

₹ 94,499/- ₹ 101,612/-.

• Coca Cola London Eye

7 Days Tour Package To Ireland With Airfare

₹ 131,250/- ₹ 142,663/-.

• bars and pubs
• London (1D)

Every vacationer should have Ireland in their bucket-list! Touted as the world’s ....

10 Days Tour Package To England With Airfare

₹ 167,999/- ₹ 182,608/-.

• Luxembourg City (1D)
• Brussels (1D)
• Amsterdam (3D)

Everybody should visit England, after all, it is Europe’s one of the most develop....

An Unforgettable Family Trip To London

₹ 120,750/- ₹ 138,793/-.

Experience not merely just a family trip to London, live a fascinating....

Breathtaking England Tour Package

Pack your backpacks and get ready for a stupendous trip to England. Th....

Alluring England Honeymoon Package

₹ 110,250/- ₹ 122,500/-.

The most famous romance playwright, William Shakespeare welcomes you to his abode Engla....

6 Days Tour Package To London And Paris With Airfare

₹ 115,499/- ₹ 124,193/-.

• Seine River Cruise

Since childhood, going to London and Paris is a fascination for many. They both are ver....

Singapore: Visit The Dynamic Duo: London & Dublin

₹ 152,250/- ₹ 165,489/-.

• Dublin (6D)

10 Days Tour Package To Ireland-Scotland With Airfare

• Tower of London
• Edinburgh (1D)
• Glasgow (1D)
• Ireland (1D)

Let’s pack the bags and grab the boots to enjoy the most amazing international to....

The Best of London Family Tour Package

₹ 107,100/- ₹ 121,704/-.

• London (7D)

Nothing beats the joy of vacationing in the most dramatic city of the world - London. D....

London Tour Packages by Theme

Hotels in london by star ratings, hotels in london by themes, property types in london, faqs for london, how much would a london tour cost.

The average cost of a London tour will depend upon the number of people travelling, the type of accommodation (luxury, budget, family), and the number of days you plan to spend at the destination. For 2 nights and 3 days in London, you can end up shelling out INR 28,000 whereas if you are planning a long trip of around 8 nights and 9 days, you may spend INR 90,000 to INR 110,000.

How can I go to London from India?

The best way to travel from India to London is via flight from any of the major cities with international airports.

How do I plan a tour of London?

The best way to plan a tour of London is to enlist all the landmarks, attractions, and experiences that you want to enjoy and align them with the number of days you plan to spend at the destination. Some of the most popular places to visit are Big Ben, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, St Paul's Cathedral, Madame Tussauds, and Sea Life London Aquarium.

How many days should I spend in London to explore the city?

To explore the city like a true London, you will need at least a week to immerse yourself in the culture. From the traditional English breakfast to visiting the Trafalgar Square for an evening people-watching session, there’s a lot to observe in England’s proud capital.

What are some of the must-visit attractions in London?

Some of the most popular attractions that you shouldn’t miss on your trip to London are Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the British Museum, Big Ben, and Parliament, National Gallery, The Victoria, and Albert Museum, and Piccadilly Circus.

What is the best time to visit London?

The best time to visit is from September to November, the Autumn months, providing idyllic weather conditions.

What is the best way to tour London?

The best way to tour London is by taking a ride on one of the hop-on-hop-off buses that take you all around the city, stopping at the major attractions and venues where you can spend time at your own pace and then catch the next bus to continue your journey.

What are the best London tour packages offered by TravelTriangle?

Below listed are some of the best London tour packages offered by us:

London Honeymoon Tour For 6 Days & 5 Nights

Is the city safe to explore at night?

Yes, it’s not only safe to explore the city at night but also very convenient.

What are the best places for travelers to visit in London?

Places in London that are a must-visit include:

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making Of Harry Potter
• Madame Tussauds London
• Westminster Abbey

London Dungeon

What are the must-eat dishes in london.

The top must-eat in London are:

• Fish and chips
• Duck and Waffle
• Custard Donut
• Crab Donuts
• Posh Madame
• Buttermilk fried chicken
• Eggs Benedict
• Lobster and many more

Is vegetarian food easily available?

Yes. Hygienic, affordable and delicious vegetarian food is easily available.

Is the train to Edinburgh included in the London tour Package?

No, it is exclusive of the package charges.

What are some of the top activities to do in London?

There are plenty of activities for entertainment to choose from like:

• Visiting O2
• Playing footgolf
• Being a part of “it’s a knockout”
• Experiencing indoor karting
• Taking Harry Potter walking tour
• See a film at Regent’s Park open-air theatre
• Sightseeing at Westminster
• Riding the London eye
• Visiting Soho

Why Book With Our Agents?

Only The Best Agents

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Read on to find out why our customers love us!

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Let the experts guide you to the best of this mesmerizing destination

Westminster Abbey in London

Located west of the House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey church is one of the must-see historical sites in the world. Dating back to more than 1000 years in history, this was the first location where Benedictine monks used to visit to carry out their daily worship. Today this is a beautiful church in London and a beloved ...

• Palace of Westminster

Kew Gardens in London

One of the most popular and famous royal botanical gardens in London , the Kew Garden is home to a large number of botanical and mycological collections. On 3 July 2003, the garden was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded in the year 1840, and is home to over 30,000 different species of plant life. Visitors ...

The London Dungeon is a major tourist attraction in the city, and is one of the most famous places to visit here. Located along London’s South Bank, it recreates some of the most macabre and gory scenes of horror and torture, in a subtly humorous way. There are wax statues and figurines here, apart from a few live actors an...

Madame Tussauds in London

Located in Marylebone, Madame Tussauds in London is a great place to visit life-sized wax replicas of popular celebrities and artists. The wax figures of icons of sports, movies, modeling and cultural significance can be seen here, from Isaac Einstein to Benedict Cumberbatch, from Queen Elizabeth to Donald Trump, and from M...

National Gallery in London

One of the most popular and most visited museums, in terms of number of people is the National Gallery, London . It is home to more than 2,300 paintings that can be traced back to the mid-13 th century to the 1900s. The National Gallery, London was founded in the year 1824, and houses masterpieces by artists such as Van Gogh,...

Things To Do In London

Your list of the best things to do, compiled on the basis of actual traveler experiences

Emirates Airline Cable Car In London

Gliding above the city of London especially, over river Thames can be an incredible experience for any tourist who would love to experience the city of London in a different way. The Emirates Air Line cable car is the best and easiest way for one to travel from Greenwich Peninsula to Royal Docks. The cable car trip may take...

Ice Skates in London

London is the place that pops into our mind the moment we think of Ice skating. If you think it is only during Christmas you get the opportunity to enjoy this sport that is not true. Though the rush is the maximum during the Holidays, there are some exotic and magnificent places which offer the choice to indulge in the spor...

• Ideal for friends

Museum Visits in London

London is rightly addressed as the cultural capital of the world. London is a place where visitors get the scope of diving into fantastic art and artifacts. Although there are other attractions in the city yet for the museum lovers it is the right place. One can not only find museums of history and science but also enjoy mu...

• Historical Tour

The Royal Palaces of London

The royal palaces of London are the beautiful places which are rich in the arts and architecture. These are very intriguing places and people from different parts of the world visit London for enjoying the beauty of these elegant buildings that are regarded as the charms of the city. Here is a list of the royal palaces in L...

• Royal Palace

Theme Parks in London

London, the capital of England, is full of wonders. It’s also often called Greater London. It’s one among the nine regions of England. The climate in London is oceanic; summer in London is mild but warm. Winters are cloudy and cold; snowfall occurs occasionally. It is also one among the world’s greenest cities with majority...

• Themed Rides

London holiday packages also take you for a Hop-on Hop-off city tour across the city. Explore one of the best London tours of the city with expert tour guides and witness the city like you cannot otherwise. You can visit Greenwich and literally cross over to the other side of the Globe, by jumping across the Prime Meridian. You can also witness the iconic guard changing ceremony at the Buckingham Palace and visit the Trafalgar Square and the Piccadilly Circus.

Activities to do in London

With London tour packages from India , you can explore Royal Parks in London like St. James Park or the Bushy Park. If you’re fascinated by art, you could pay a visit to National Gallery at Tate Modern and lose yourself in the beauty that this place had to offer. It’s often said, ‘best things in the world are free’, there’s little evidence of that, except a few places you could visit while you’re in London. Enjoy your time at the Tower bridge, the Big Ben, watch street performers in Covent Garden, admire the beauty of Queen Mary’s Garden in Regent’s Park.

1. Go Kayaking

One of the most sought after things to do in London is to go Kayaking in the famous Thames river. While kayaking, admire the breathtaking surroundings and see remarkable places like London Eye, Big Ben, and the Parliament house. You get a chance to click as many selfies as possible. The tour basically begins from Chelsea in London. So this way, you enjoy an outdoor adventure activity and also see some wonderful places in London. With London packages from India , make sure to try thrilling and exciting activities in the beautiful Thames River of London.

2. White Water Rafting

Another most interesting and adventurous activity to try in London is white water rafting. Lee Valley is one of the top-rated places to try white water rafting in London. Many professional rafters visit this place for rafting. The steep and sudden rapids while rafting are sure to pump up your adrenaline. So while visiting London white water rafting at Lee Valley must be one of the top things to do. The place also offers other exhilarating and thrilling activities like tubing, kayaking, and hydro-speeding. One can visit the place and look forward to a plethora of activities.

3. Bungee Jumping

Bungee Jumping next to O2 arena in London is one of the most interesting and thrilling things to do. Before jumping on a bungee jump, make sure all your health parameters are fine. Then get ready to take a plunge from a height of around 50 meters. You can admire the panoramic views of the London city, river Thames, and Canary Wharf, before you jump down for an adrenaline pumping experience. So when booking for London trip packages , make sure to include this thrilling activity in your itinerary.

4. Ice Climbing

Ice Climbing is a unique activity one can try in London. The ice climbing is done indoors with proper equipment and clothes, to give a real life experience. The temperature is set to between - 5 to - 12 degree Celsius, giving you real chills. The place is located at Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports Shop in Covent Garden. The ice climbing wall is of around 8 meters and it has many inclines, hurdles, sharp edges, and many other things, to give a real life experience. So if you want to do something unique in London, we advise you to go for this remarkable activity.

5. Go Zorbing

Zorbing is a fun-filled activity which can be tried by adults as well as by kids. It is one of the most exciting activities as well. Try this activity near the London Bridge. Get inside a giant inflatable ball and come down the hill rolling. The best time to try Zorbing is from March to October. Have fun zorbing with your friends and family.

6. Rummage through the stalls at Camden Market

Surely you are planning to shop a little when in London? After all, a trip cannot just be about culture and history, even if it's London. And it's a good thing that Camden Market has a bit of both culture and history, and it is a refreshing place to go for a walk and enjoy a couple of sandwiches while watching the world go by. The small stalls here can be the perfect place to pick up trinkets and knick knacks to take back home. ANd who knows, you might find a gem here for a small portion of the price.

7. Enjoy a round on the London Eye

No trip to London is complete without a round on the London Eye! How many times have you heard that being said? Well, it’s true. After all. The vantage points that the London Eye offers is not something you come across very often, and you can check out almost all of the city from one of the pods. This gigantic ferris wheel is also the backdrop for the New Year fireworks that light up the sky in London.

8. Spend a day at Hampstead Heath

If you are looking for just a day of simple relaxation, then a visit to Hampstead Heath is sure to be right up your alley. One of the largest parks of London, the park offers fabulous views of the city spread out beneath you from Parliament Hill. The park covers nearly 790 acres, which includes several ponds, woods, flower gardens and grassy fields stretching till as far as the eye can see. Find a cozy spot here and doze off for a few hours, before leaving for your hotel in the evening.

9. Enjoy a cruise on the Thames River

The Thames River is said to be the lifeline of the city, and a cruise on it is sure to invigorate you. In addition, the cruise will take you to the often visited places of London, to get you a new perspective on it, looking at them from the water. There are night cruises as well, offered by several travel companies, which take you across a city glittering like diamonds.

10. Spend time at Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum

Remember all the “Believe it or Not” facts that you used to read in the newspapers when you were a kid? Well, this is your chance to check out the items in question up close and personal at the Ripley’s Museum, at Piccadilly Circus. It is a big place to explore, and there can be lines that run extra long on holidays, so make sure you visit with plenty of time in hand.

So, wait no more, book a London trip plan now, and explore the magic this city has in store for you. Apart from the usual and obvious, there are many places in London that are lesser known but are totally worth a visit. Getting a holiday in London is just a flight away from all major metropolitan cities. All the places to visit are in the near vicinity of the city and are easily accessible. If you are traveling from India, then you can choose from numerous London travel packages available with flight to get on an amazing expedition to the British Capital, and have an experience that might just impart your soul with a bouquet of memories to be cherished for life.

Accommodations In London

1. the biltmore mayfair, lxr hotels & resorts.

Star Category: 4 star

Starting Price (Per Night): 46,652 INR

Location: 44 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London W1K 2HP, United Kingdom

The beauty of the Biltmore Mayfair is sure to set anyone in good spirits. The lush greenery that surrounds it, the opulence and elegance that the very air exudes is a great addition to your London trip. There are more than 300 rooms, and several dining options to choose from. And thanks to its central location, you can walk over to some of the local attractions pretty easily. Or you can ask the hotel to book a chauffeured car for you.

2. The Stratford Hotel London

Starting Price (Per Night): 9,352 INR

Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 20 International Way, London E20 1FD, United Kingdom

A modernistic hotel, this is where the hip n’ happening put up. The hotel offers accommodation of various kinds, including rental loft apartments and hotel rooms. The idea is to give the guest a chance to choose between staying in the hotel rooms for a few days, or renting a loft apartment for a few months. There are also a slew of eating joints to choose from, as well as well-appointed rooms that come with all the comforts of the modern world. You can also enjoy various cultural events here.

3. Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London

Star Category: 5 star

Starting Price (Per Night): 52,976 INR

Location: 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA, United Kingdom

If you are looking for that rare combination of contemporary services and a classic flair for elegance, then this is the hotel for you. Located almost in the heart of the city, the Mandarin Oriental offers a huge choice of eateries to choose from, as well as a spa & wellness area that is sure to put you at ease. Add to that their newly designed rooms and common areas, and you have a winner on your hands if it's a little pampering that you need.

4. Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard London

Starting Price (Per Night): 40,327 INR

Location: 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU, United Kingdom

Standing taller than other buildings in its vicinity, The Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard is also home to the highest infinity pool in the city. It is, in fact, the tallest building in Western Europe. Its panoramic views will bring you face to face with the Thames in all its glory. Thanks to its centralized location, you will be pretty close to some of the major attractions of the city, such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market.

5. The Savoy Hotel

Starting Price (Per Night): 35,491 INR

Location: Strand, London WC2R 0EZ, United Kingdom

An iconic London landmark, The Savoy Hotel is home to not just beautifully appointed rooms, but also to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant! There are also several other restaurants to choose from here, to satiate all your cravings. All the rooms are well equipped with all modern amenities that a traveler might ask for. You can also enjoy afternoon tea in their parlor area, and spend some time relaxing yourself at the spa and wellness area.

Best Restaurants In London

1. 215 hackney.

Cuisines: Middle Eastern

Timings: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5

Location: 215 Stoke Newington High St, Stoke Newington, London N16 0LH, United Kingdom

A casual cafe, the 215 Hackney is the brainchild of Ali and Cemal, two friends whose love for food led them to opening several branches. The menu is curated by the Turkish head chef, and comprises some of the most delicious dishes from all over the Middle East. The combination of vibrant colors and the freshest of ingredients, leads to some of the most decadent creations ever. Enjoy all this with an opulent ambiance and a trendy setting.

2. Gigi’s Hoxton

Cuisines: Bar & Grill

Timings: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm

TripAdvisor Rating: 2.5/5

Location: Gigi's Hoxton, 11 Hoxton Square, Hackney, London N1 6NU, United Kingdom

If it’s a grilled meal that you are after, then what better place to be than at Gigi’s Hoxton. You can enjoy live music and tunes from some of the best DJs here, along with plenty of entertainment in terms of the ambience and the general atmosphere. The menu is full of eclectic choices, a blend of contemporary flavors and classic twists. The cocktails here are also something to be written home about, with lots of nouveau options to choose from.

3. Andy's Greek Taverna

Timings: 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Location: 23 Pratt Street Camden, London NW1 0BG England

Running since the year 1967, Andy’s Greek Taverna is one of the most popular Greek food joints in London. Here you can try out a plethora of homemade Greek food, with meat and vegan options as well. The running theme of white and blue in the restaurant evokes a feeling of serenity, and might even transport you to the shores of Santorini. The budget-friendly prices here, the efficient service along with the smiling and ready to help staff make eating here a pleasure.

4. Ikoyi Restaurant, St. James

Cuisines: sub-Saharan West Africa

Timings: Friday and Saturday: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Monday to Saturday: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5

Location: 1 St. James's Market #1a, London SW1Y 4AH England

One of the rarer casual, fine-dining restaurants in London that focuses more on taste and sustainability than anything else. With aged native beef, line-caught fish, unique ingredients and hand-made pickles, this place is the one for those interested in the journey of the food from the wild to the plate. If you are thinking of having a dish that is not just delicious but also an original creation, then head to Ikoyi for the meal of a lifetime. Expect British dishes with an African twist.

5. Pellicci’s

Cuisines: Italian

Timings: Monday to Saturday: 09:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sunday: Closed

Location: E E 332 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 0AG England

If you are nursing a hankering for some Italian grub, then the best place to head over is to Pellicci’s, where you can find plenty of budget friendly items on the menu, and expect smiling service from the staff. It is an iconic establishment in the lOndon East End, and has been serving customers for more than a hundred years.

Explore London After Sunset

Nightlife in London is happening and it’s an ideal place for pub-hopping with friends or for a night free from worries or stress. You can catch a match at the legendary Wembley stadium and cheer for the team of your choice. You can also interact with the locals and learn more about the culture, if it appeals to you, and indulge you in some shows put up in the city. Wander around Royal botanical gardens, catch the mesmerizing sunset from the London eye, explore the city in the morning, free from all the hustle, and take a walk by the Thames. Experience all of this and a lot more with tour packages for Rome, designed keeping in mind your needs and a desire to give you the best experience to make your vacation worthwhile. While these packages may confine you travel itinerary to Rome and nearby places, our exclusive London tour packages deals offer you a huge chance to explore many other places.

Safety Measures For London Tour

• Keeping the ongoing Covid - 19 pandemic in mind, make sure to follow all safety protocols set up by the local authorities.
• If you feel at all infected or show any of the Coronavirus symptoms, contact the local authorities for assistance.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth whenever outside.
• Clean your hands using a sanitizer before and after you touch any surfaces outside your place of stay.
• Wash your hands with soap before you touch your face.
• Try to maintain social distance as much as possible and wherever possible.

Useful Tips For London Tour

• If you are travelling to London on your own, stay in central London that offers much more sightseeing in very less time. You can also save money on transportation and overall trip budget as you will need fewer days to cover the attractions.
• London remains extremely crowded during holidays and festive seasons. The busiest months in London are July and August, European bank holiday weekends and school breaks.
• For a budget tour, avoid London during peak seasons.
• Tickets for main attractions are available at a cheaper price if booked online at least a day in advance.
• A few London museums that can be visited free of charge are British Museum National Gallery, Natural History Museum,Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum, Museum of London and many more.
• Pack a rain jacket which is durable, comfortable, waterproof, and heavy enough to be worn even during spring and fall.
• If you plan on hiking in London, pack a pair of hiking boots in your bag.
• It is necessary to carry all your travel documents which include travel insurance, visa documents, additional copies of passport photos before leaving for London.
• Carry all necessary and allergy medications along with copies of prescriptions.
• Pack deodorant, toothpaste & toothbrush, hair products, travel size shampoo, conditioner, body soap and grooming kit in one small backpack.
• Before you leave for any place in London, plan your route a couple of hours in advance to avoid getting lost.
• It is unsafe to walk alone at night. Avoid walking alone at night, especially dimly-lit roads.

With an exhaustive list of travel packages for London available on our portal, all you need to decide on a suitable time, and pack your bags to set off for a journey to this amazing place. Check out the packages along with their prices mentioned. Pick the best one from a list of other quotes and get ready to explore London.

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17 day trips from London to escape the city

Whether you’re after a seaside jaunt or a country retreat, here are the best trips from London we’re planning right now

Photograph: CBCK/Shutterstock.com

As much as we love London here at Time Out, we’re also partial to the odd daydream about a leisurely getaway to somewhere that’s not quite so big and busy. Microdose on that holiday vibe by taking a day trip to one of the many laidback, joy-inducing destinations just a few hours away from London, which pack in plenty; from historic cities and cute villages to sandy beaches and rolling countryside.

If you’re wanting a quick getaway, here are 17 of the Time Out team’s favourite day trips from London, complete with our recommendations of cute pubs and ace restaurants – all close enough to the city to get there and back in one sweet day. 

RECOMMENDED: ✨The best day trips from London 👪 The best  family day trips from London ☀️ The best  weekend trips from London 🏘️ The best  Airbnbs near London 🌳 The best  quirky Airbnbs in the UK

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Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Dreamy day trips from London

1.  st leonards-on-sea.

Famed for how many Londoners moved here during lockdown (it’s even been referred to as Dalston-on-Sea, which is cringe, we’ll admit), St Leonards-On-Sea is a cracking day out from the Big Smoke for beachside drinks and a tonne of great food spots. Head to food market Heist  (basically a much nicer version of Boxpark) for orange wine and street food, then sink pints at Goat Ledge , a vibesy, colourful shack right on the beach. If you fancy splashing out a little, book dinner at the fabulously old-school  St Clement’s for white tablecloths and delicious seafood. Plus you've got easy access to the rest of Hastings for its Old Town, pier and the Norman castle ruins.

How far? 58 miles

How to get there: A one hour 18 minute train from London Charing Cross

2.  Dungeness

Dungeness’s shingly, shipwreck-dotted beach is so spookily empty that it’s been described as Britain’s only desert (though the Met Office refuses to technically recognise it as such, the party poopers). It’s a beautifully eerie landscape, with the (disused) nuclear power station and two lighthouses looming over a motley mixture of weathered shacks, beached fishing boats and sleek, modernist bungalows – all clustered along a single in-and-out road.

But despite all that emptiness, there’s a surprising amount to do here. You could catch the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch steam train down the coast, and hop off in Dungeness for a walk and a pint at the lonely Britannia Inn. Grab a freshly-caught lunch at the famous Snack Shack: specialities include lobster or crab rolls and smoked cod chowder. And check out the galleries and open houses showcasing the work of the (surprisingly) many artists who have moved down here, including the shingle garden of the experimental filmmaker Derek Jarman, whose yellow-windowed Prospect Cottage is a major landmark here. Book in advance for a 40-minute tour inside.

If you’ve got time, head over to RSPB Dungeness nature reserve for a chance to glimpse glossy ibises and marsh harriers – plus the huge concrete ‘sound mirrors’, pre-radar experiments from WW1 that were designed to listen out for planes. (Look out on the RSPB site for news of the rare open days when you can get up close.) Finish off your day with dinner at the Pilot Inn; I’m willing to back the quality of their famous fish and chips, which were the thing that brought Derek Jarman here in the first place.

How far? 86 miles

Get there O ne hour  by train from St Pancras International to Folkestone, with a one-hour 30-minute bus ride to Dungeness. Or take a bus or taxi from Folkestone to Hythe station to board the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Alternatively, Dungeness is  around two hours from London by car.

3.  Stratford-upon-Avon

As a born-and-bred Midlander, I’ve spent many Saturdays traipsing around Stratford-upon-Avon’s lovely streets. With its half-timbered houses and canalside pubs, Stratford’s got just enough of the  small-town charm you’re craving on an escape from the Big Smoke, but unlike a small town, there’s actually loads to see and do.  

The Bard, of course, is the big draw here, and Shakespeare’s house, his wife Anne Hathaway’s cottage and the RSC’s famous theatre are all must-sees. But Stratford is more than just a Tudor Disneyland, we promise. Take a boat tour of the canal basin to find out more about the West Midlands waterways, refresh yourselves in the Grade II-listed Old Thatch Tavern and stop for a scoop of Eton mess ice cream at Hooray’s British Gelato Kitchen. 

How far? 104 miles

Get there T wo hours 15 minutes  by train from Marylebone; around two hours by car. 

4.  Whitstable

Don’t even think about thinking about it: Whitstable is far from overhyped. Sure, the secret is most definitely out about this fabulous little seaside town, but the vibes here are as great as they were 20 years ago. Grab brunch at Farm & Harper , fish and chips at Ossie’s and a glorious pint of craft at the Twelve Taps , and treat yourself to a dozen oysters to go at Wheelers Oyster Bar on the high street. Once you’ve walked the length of the beach and admired the beach huts, settle in at the famous pub-on-the-beach Old Neptune for a pint and wait for sunset to fall. Plus, Whitstable is so near, you’ll be back home before you can say ‘ another   bank holiday?’. But that’s if you don’t miss the last train.

How far? 50 miles

Get there One hour 15 minutes from St Pancras International, around two hours by car.

5.  Brighton

With its pebble beach, wall-to-wall live music venues and buzzing LGBTQ+ scene, there’s nowhere better for topping up your Vitamin Sea levels than Brighton . Start your day by dodging seagulls on the Palace Pier, then shop up a storm in the Lanes, which are packed with independent boutiques, record stores and vegan eateries. Sit down with a couple of pints in the Brighton Beer Dispensary, which champions small Sussex breweries like the Hand Brew Co.

How far?  A little over 50 miles

Get there One hour by train from Victoria, Blackfriars or London Bridge; around two hours by car. 

6.  The New Forest

A trip to the New Forest is about as close as you can get to going on safari without buying a plane ticket. As you make your way down dappled lanes and across the heather-covered heath you’ll be watched the famous ponies, which have grazed there for thousands of years, plus free-ranging Highland cattle and pigs hoovering up fallen acorns. Don’t fancy being stuck in the car all day? Hire a two-seater electric Twizzy buggy to explore in, or book a beginners’ hack at one of the stables. Don’t forget to make time for a proper ploughman’s lunch at the Royal Oak in Fritham.

How far? 90 miles

Get there  One hour 30 minutes by train from Waterloo to Brockenhurst; around two hours by car. Just remember that animals, not drivers, have right of way here.

7.  Rye

The antique shops and higgledy-piggledy cobbled lanes of Rye make it feel like a little slice of the Cotswolds on the coast. After you’ve satisfactorily browsed around the accurately named Tiny Book Store, treat yourself to a seafood lunch surrounded by lobster pots at Globe Inn Marsh, followed by Sussex real ale or a glass of local wine at The George. The Chapel Down vineyard is just up the road and well worth a visit if you want to know the ins and outs of wine-making – or simply enjoy a tipple with their signature wine tasting. Ten minutes away are the pillowy dunes of Camber Sands: roll your trousers up and splash through the shallows, take a kite for a spin or just park your towel and stretch out.

How far? 79 miles.

Get there  One hour 10 minutes by train from St Pancras International (with a change at Ashford); around two hours by car. 

8.  Box Hill

Biking to green and pleasant Surrey is a wheely nice way to spend a Sunday (sorry) – plus, Box Hill was part of the 2012 Olympic road-cycling route. Start in Richmond Park and pedal down past Hampton Court – it should take you about two hours. After a 1.6 mile climb and some hairpin bends (easier than it sounds!), you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the North Downs from the top of Box Hill. Grab a slice of cake from the National Trust café, and save space for lunch at The Tree, which serves homemade pies and crumbles. Your last stop is Box Hill and Westhumble station, where you can load your bikes on to a train back to Waterloo. Whew!

How far? 30 miles

Get there  Two hours by bike (obviously). Plan the route carefully before you set out, and take a map and a puncture repair kit, plus water and snacks.

9.  Bath

A glorious water-themed day awaits you in the city of Bath . Start as you mean to go on with a tour of the Romans baths (no paddling allowed, you’ve been warned), before making a splash in the Thermae Bath Spa – the rooftop pool has stunning views of the city. Once you’ve dried off, make like Jane Austen and stroll along the Royal Crescent. Peckish? Sally Lunn’s teahouse is home to the Sally Lunn Bun, a kind of sweet brioche bap – for a Bath take on the cream tea, order one toasted and spread with strawberry jam and clotted cream.

How far? 115 miles

Get there  One hour 30 minutes by train from Paddington; two hours 30 minutes by car. 

10.  Mersea Island

Attached to the mainland by a causeway that floods (and pub quizzers, take note: this is the UK’s most easterly inhabited island), Mersea feels properly remote at high tide. The big draw is The Company Shed, which serves seafood platters that pull in crowds from all over the country every weekend. It’s BYOB – bring your own bread – and they don’t take bookings, so get there before noon to make sure you can feast on prawns, smoked fish, oysters and dressed crab. Speaking of which, catch-and-release crabbing is encouraged – there are specially marked areas near the water, and shops selling the kit. Or you can book a boat trip around the bay.

How far? 69 miles

Get there  One hour by train from Liverpool Street to Colchester, then a 45-minute bus to Mersea Island; around two hours by car. D on’t forget to check the tide timetable before you set off...

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35 Fun Things To Do In London This Weekend

I t’s finally the weekend! How will you be spending it? Whether you’re in the mood for secret bars or exclusive pizzas, immersive exhibitions or pop-up experiences, there’s plenty going on in London to accommodate your desires. From new exhibitions to new activities ( pasta making anyone?), here’s what to do in London this weekend.

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What To Do In London This Weekend: 21–23 June 2024

1. cool off in a lido.

Summer has finally arrived in London – and what better way to celebrate than with a dip in one of the city’s lidos? If you’re a nature lover, try and nab a spot in Hampstead Ponds; if you’re keen to do some proper lengths Brockwell Lido will do the trick. Find our full list of suggestions here .

2. Have Drinks At Scott’s Secret Garden

On that note, sunshine calls for an al fresco drink or two. There are beer gardens everywhere you turn in the capital, but for something a bit fancier, head to the new summer terrace at Scott’s Richmond, perched by the riverside. Enjoy cocktails from Silent Pool Gin alongside the restaurant’s signature fish dishes amid a pretty floral setting.

Details: Book at scotts-richmond.com

Taran Wilkhu

3. AllBright’s Live Well Festival

Female-focused members’ club AllBright is hosting its inaugural Live Well Festival, taking place at its Mayfair townhouse this weekend. Spread across two days, the event will involve panel talks, pop-ups, fitness classes, workshops and more, with highlights including a talk from Africa Brooke on self-expression and authenticity. The ultimate enriching girls day out.

Details: 22 and 23 June 2024, book at eventbrite.co.uk

4. Making Connections At Peckham Rye Station

Peckham’s community arts festival is back in the Old Waiting Room, following the success of its debut back in December. A brand new series of free and affordable events are running until 14 July, including film screenings, large scale art installations, site specific theatre, talks, workshops and more – all injecting much needed love and life into a disused, closed-to-the-public space hidden above Peckham Rye station.

Details: 1 June–14 July at Peckham Rye Station (Station Way, London SE15 4RX). See the full lineup of events at losttextfoundspace.com

5. Visit The Bridgerton & Liberty Fabrics Experience

Bridgerton obsessed? So are we. If you’re fit to burst with excitement for part two of season three, quench your thirst at the new Bridgerton & Liberty Fabrics Experience, brimming with  Regency romance, whispers and scandal of the ‘Ton. Located on the Fourth Floor, browse the exclusive new botanical fabrics collection as well as iconic props and costumes from the series.

Details: The Bridgerton & Liberty Fabrics Experience runs 17 May–2 July 2024 at Liberty London (Fourth Floor, Regent St., Carnaby, London W1B 5AH). It’s totally free to visit and tickets are not required.

6. Try A Fully Edible Cocktail

Tony’s Chocolonely, Discarded Spirits Co. and The Alchemist have teamed up to present a delicious, 100 percent zero-waste Banana Split Cocktail, perfect for chocolate and rum lovers to have a taste of this weekend. Blending Discarded Spirits Co.’s award-winning Banana Peel Rum with Banana Liqueur, Strawberry Puree and Tony’s Chocolate Housemade Oat Milk, the cocktail is served in an edible Stroodle Cup and topped with vanilla cream foam, sea salt, a cherry and a banana-shaped Tony’s chocolate garnish made from broken chocolate segments.

Details: The cocktail is available at all 23 of The Alchemist’s sites until 30 June: Battersea, St Martin’s Lane, Victoria, Aldgate, Old Street and Canary Wharf. thealchemistbars.com

7. Livat Hammersmith Summer Market

Featuring everything from emerging artists and up-and-coming designers to sumptuous snacks and artisanal crafts, the Livat Hammersmith market is back for the summer following a successful Spring edition. Visit to shop a rotating roster of local traders, alongside pre-loved goodies and pop-up fun.

Details: 13 June–7 July 2024 at Livat Hammersmith (King St, London W6 9HW). livat.com

8. Immersive Scent Exhibition

Outernet’s first ever immersive scent immersion experience is kicking off this weekend, featuring digital floral displays, Insta-worthy photo moments and bespoke mood-boosting music, including fragrances from Comfort’s new Scent Booster Elixir range, inspired by high-end perfume notes such as rose and sandalwood.

Details: Botanical Bursts: A Next Level Fresh Experience runs 9–23 June 2024 at Outernet (Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 8LH). outernet.com

9. Nibble In The Heart Of Chelsea

Summer in Sloane Square has landed, and it’s the perfect spot for a nibble beneath the sun this weekend. Created in partnership with The Royal Court Theatre, The Botanist, Côte and Azzurra, surrounded by festoon lighting, guests are invited to tuck into a selection of delicious summer plates, sharing nibbles and exquisite cocktails in the heart of Chelsea.

Details: All summer at Sloane Square.

10. Visit The Goring’s Newly Refurbished Restaurant

The flagship Michelin starred restaurant at refined Belgravia hotel The Goring has finally reopened this week – so the weekend certainly begs a visit. Both the restaurant and the kitchen have had an overhaul at The Dining Room, with brand new interiors by Russell Sage Studio accompanied by a fresh seasonal menu for an all-round revived dining experience

Details: Open everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW. Book your table at thegoring.com

A New Lease Of Life For The Dining Room At The Goring

11. Visit A New Food Market

The latest street food market to hit London is Vauxhall’s Metropolis London, with 11 of the city’s best street food vendors taking over one of Albert Embankment’s railway arches, spanning loaded fries, Cal-Mex tacos and Sri Lankan food inspired by family recipes. The expansive space will also play host to up and coming talent, comedy nights, music and sports, open everyday from lunchtime until late.

Details: Metropolis London is now open at Albert Embankment Railway Arches (SE1 7TP) everyday of the week from 11am. metropolislondon.co.uk

12. See Bluets

Margaret Perry’s adaptation of Bluets by Maggie Nelson is now being performed at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs for a limited time. A story about depression and desire, pleasure and pain, and a person possessed by a lifelong obsession with the colour blue, directed by Katie Mitchell, House of the Dragon star Emma D’Arcy leads the cast, with Ben Whishaw and Kayla Meikle rounding out the trio.

Details: 17 May–29 June 2024 at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs. Performances start at 2.30pm and 7.30pm Monday–Friday and 1.30pm and 6.30pm on Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased at royalcourttheatre.com

© Rusne Draz

13. INKO NITO DJ Nights

Fancy starting the weekend with a bang? Every Friday, tucked away on Soho’s Broadwick Street, INKO NITO hosts vibrant and bustling DJ nights offering a mix of funk, soul, hip hop and deep house music alongside the unconventional Japanese robatayaki and sushi dishes that the restaurant is known for. Special dishes bespoke for DJ Nights will also be available, including Portobello mushrooms with smoked butter, sea bream with salsa rosa, Salmon teriyaki, and Kimchi rice.

Details: Every Friday at INKO NITO (55 Broadwick St, Carnaby, London W1F 9QS). inkonitorestaurant.com

14. Tuck Into West London’s Best Roast

Big words, but the Sunday roast at Chelsea’s No. 50 Cheyne is (rightly) the stuff of legend. Tucked away on Cheyne Walk – a stone’s throw from the River Thames and Albert Bridge with the King’s Road to the north – this light-filled brasserie is brimming with pretty flowers, bright interiors, and a buzzy atmosphere. Begin with a glass of fizz or treat yourself to a cocktail, before tucking into the legendary roast, choosing between 40 Day Aged Beef Sirloin, Roasted Cauliflower Heritage, Cumbrian Chicken or the restaurant’s prized 100 Day-Aged Belted Galloway Beef Rib Roast, with a limited quantity available. With Executive Chef Iain Smith inspired by a desire to first find and then cook London’s best roast, you’ll find all accompanied with perfectly roasted classic sides: roast potatoes (super crispy yet buttery soft in the middle, just as they should be), Yorkshire pudding (with a surprise stuffing ball nestled inside), huge glazed carrots and hispi cabbage, with a generous serving of gravy to boot. Divine. Best of all, this well-priced, in-demand roast is available on Saturdays as well as Sundays – but you’ll still need to be quick to cinch your table.

Details: Roasts are available every Saturday and Sunday at No. Fifty Cheyne (50 Cheyne Walk, London SW3 5LR), with prices starting at £25 on Saturdays and £28.30 on Sundays. Book your table at fiftycheyne.com

London’s Very Best Roasts

© Emma Pharaoh

15. Eat Viral Pancakes

Apple Butter is a buzzy all-day dining spot and home to some viral pancakes that are worth going out of your way for. There’s the original branch in Seven Dials, or head to the newly opened venue on Langham Place – a stone’s throw away from Oxford Circus – for all the goodness in a slightly more tranquil spot. There’s a full menu of delicious, middle eastern inspired plates, plus an extensive menu of hot and cold coffees and speciality lattes; the cinnamon roll latte is a real treat. But the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the pancakes. There’s a daily special flavour of uber fluffy pancakes, spanning the likes of strawberry cheesecake, lotus and white chocolate, hazelnut praline and, if you’re lucky, sticky toffee pudding – a rich, gooey marvel with dates and a sprinkling of sesame seeds. Divine.

Details: Find Apple Butter in Seven Dials (32-34 Monmouth St, London WC2H 9HA) and Langham Place (4-5 Langham Pl, London W1B 3DG). Tables are walk-in only. Good luck! applebuttercafe.com

Legless by James D Kelly

16. See A Secret Photography Exhibition

Tucked away in the speakeasy bar of Chelsea’s chic …At Sloane is an exclusive exhibition of 12 hedonistic black and white photographs by James D Kelly, hung in tandem with Photo London. While you’re there, sip on a delicious cocktail in cool surroundings, or rest your head in one of 30 bedrooms tucked away in art-filled corridors.

Details: Find the Bar …At Sloane at 2 Holbein Pl, London SW1W 8NP.

Roof East © Owen Billcliffe

17. Visit A Playground For Grownups

This is how Roof East is best described, featuring vibrant colours and sparkles that really shine when the sun finally shows up. Shoot up the elevator – or climb the many stairs – to the rooftop carpark, transformed into a fun haven featuring a beloved rooftop cinema, street food vendors, a Birdies mini golf course, Sluggers batting cages, Arrows archery and Glitter Bowls. Enjoy ice-cold cocktails, tuck into delicious street food, and challenge your friends to a round of giant jenga before snuggling up with a blanket for a movie.

Details: Roof East is officially open for 2024 at 7 & 8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, London E15 1XE. roofeast.com

18. Natural Face Lift, Anyone?

This is how HarSPA Richmond’s brand new HIIT Facial and Stretch Treatment is best described. A truly rejuvenating experience, enter the spa at Harbour Hotel Richmond’s den of tranquillity, and emerge renewed. Created with UK-based sustainable skin and body care brand, Proverb, this facial is less about layers of serums and more about energising the skin and facial muscles for natural brightness and lift – all elevated with Proverb’s  gender-neutral, clean and natural skincare. Launched by former pro rugby player Luke Sheriff and his partner Kirstie, Proverb draws on athletic performance, and this facial really is a workout. Thanks to proven facial techniques to lift, contour and tone the skin, your circulation will be boosted bringing nutrients to the surface, and you will also benefit from lymphatic drainage, removing any toxic and waste. (Gua sha fans, this is your dream come true.) Afterwards, wind down from your workout (yes) in HarSPA’s idyllic facilities: luscious relaxation rooms, bubbly Scandi hot tubs in the garden, and a wellbeing juice bar to fuel your skin with lots of nutrients. For more fuel, Harbour Hotel’s laid back restaurant, The Gate, is the perfect pitstop – and the carrot salad is perfect (and very delicious) for any health-conscious visitors.

Details: The Proverb HIIT Facial and Stretch Treatment is available at HarSPA (Richmond Hill, Richmond TW10 6RP). The treatment is £68, with an exclusive gift when you book your first treatment. The Gate is located in Harbour Hotel (152–158 Richmond Hill, Richmond TW10 6RP). harbourhotels.co.uk

19. Islington Square Saturday Market

Every Saturday, Islington Square is overtaken by a carefully curated weekly market in partnership with Urban Food Fest. Visit for mouth watering street food, unforgettable desserts and artisanal products alongside creative crafts for all the family.

Details: Every Saturday from 11am–5pm at Islington Square (116 Upper St, London N1 1AB).

20. Build A Terrarium

Bring some brightness to your living space with your very own beautiful (and low maintenance) terrarium. If you fancy making your own, join Katie and Lucas in Tottenham for guidance and all the materials you need to craft your very own oasis.

Details: Sessions take place on Saturdays in Tottenham, priced at £70 per person. See all of the details at wecandoo.uk

© David Parry/PA Wire.

21. See A Sculpture

With only 13 percent of known sculptures in London attributed to women, Brookfield Properties and its new partner, The Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA), has unveiled the first of two consecutive exhibitions by women sculptors, curated through a female lens and timed to coincide with Womens’ History Month. ‘Creating visibility for female artists and valuing them through a commissioning and exhibition platform is vital to continue progress towards gender equity,’ explains Sigrid Kirk, co-founder of AWITA. Crafted by Jodie Carey and curated by Eve Miller, Beyond the Matrix is on display now.

Details: ‘Beyond the Matrix’ can be seen at 100 Bishopsgate (London EC2M 1GT) until September 2024.

22. Learn To Make Gelato

Say hello to warmer days with a gelato making session. Join Elisa and Fabiano in Wandsworth to learn all about the art of gelato and sorbet making, before tucking into your creation – 500g of it, no less.

Details: Sessions take place on Wednesdays and Sundays in Wandsworth, priced at £65 per person. See all of the details at wecandoo.uk

23. Watch A Rooftop Film

Film lovers rejoice: Rooftop Film Club is back for 2024, herading rooftop season with it. Both the Peckham and Stratford venues will be screening a mixture of new releases and cult classics throughout Spring and Summer, from Anatomy of a Fall to About Time, Poor Things to Notting Hill. Meanwhile, nibble on pizza, popcorn and desserts, and sip on cocktails from the bar.

Details: Roof East (Rooftop Film Club Roof East, Great Eastern Rd, London E15 1BB) will be open from 18 April, while the Peckham venue (Roof A, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST) will open on 25 April. Book your tickets at rooftopfilmclub.com

Sgroppino cocktail

24. Celebrate Aperitivo Hour At Swift

With lighter evenings finally the norm once again, celebrate the weekend off in style with Aperitivo Hour cocktails at Swift. Order any cocktail before 6pm and get it for only £7.

Details: £7 cocktails are available everyday before 6pm at Swift Borough (66 Borough High St, London SE1 1XF; open from 3pm on Friday, 1pm on Saturday and close on Sundays) and Swift Shoreditch (91-93 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HZ; open from 3pm Friday–Sunday). Walk ins are very welcome, or secure your table at barswift.com

25. Skin Refresh For The Weekend

Skincare lover wondering what to do in London this weekend? Cult skin clinic Skin Laundry is pioneering the non-invasive laser facial, and we’d highly recommend it. With a limited number of services available, expect high quality, clinically proven treatments delivered by warm clinicians, many with no down time at all and some with instant glowy results. Unsure what to go for? Book a consultation and step into the calming studio ready for a candid conversation with one of the friendly clinicians regarding your skincare goals. They’ll guide you through the whole process, explaining why the lasers work, and what results you can expect. And even though ‘laser’ might sound daunting, don’t worry: it doesn’t hurt in the slightest. Already sold? Join the Skin Laundry club for multiple monthly facials and exclusive discounts on all services and products.

Details: Skin Laundry is open everyday in Chelsea (69A King’s Rd, London SW3 4NX), Soho (9 Newburgh St, Carnaby, London W1F 7RL) and Hampstead (68 Heath St, London NW3 1DN), 10am–8pm with reduced hours on Sundays. Book your appointment at skinlaundry.uk

Yoko Ono with Half-A-Room 1967 from HALF-A-WIND SHOW, Lisson Gallery, London, 1967. Photo © Clay Perry

26. See The Yoko Ono Exhibition

She may be best known for being married to John Lennon, but there’s a lot more to Yoko Ono than her Beatles connection. The Japanese musician and performance artist, now 90, has a fascinating body of work that spans over seven decades – which is being explored in an landmark exhibition at Tate Modern. The largest show Yoko Ono’s work yet, Music of the Mind will delve into some of the most talked about works of her career, from the 1950s to the modern day. Naturally, her London years (1966 – 1971) will be a point of intrigue: the period she became intertwined with a nonconformist network of artists and musicians, including Lennon. Her banned Film No. 4 (Bottoms) will be shown, and visitors will have the chance to participate in White Chess Set, a game with solely white chess pieces believed to symbolise Ono’s anti-war stance.

Details: 15 February–1 September at the Tate Modern (Bankside, London SE1 9TG). tate.org.uk

27. Visit The Immersive David Attenborough Experience

Nature fan looking for a new immersive experience in London? We’ve found the perfect thing for you to try this weekend in London: OTHERWORLD’s David Attenborough Immersive Anthology. A three-part immersive journey narrated by David Attenborough, this stunning 8K virtual reality casts nature’s beasts and beauties into sharp relief, featuring carnivorous flytraps, majestic butterflies and towering pterosaurs, all brought to life by state-of-the-art 3D cinematography and computer graphics, spatial audio and tactile bass technology.

Details: OTHERWORLD has two London venues: Victoria (85 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0QJ) and Hackney (336 Acton Mews, Haggerston, London E8 4EA). Tickets are £35 per person for the 70 minute experience, including a 15 minute interval, and can be purchased at other.world

28. Sip Cocktails In A Secret Bar

Sotto is London’s latest speakeasy bar opening, hidden beneath Soho’s buzzy Bocconcino. It’s all about classic Italian elegance, expressed through chic interiors, soft lighting, and a cool menu of unique savoury cocktails. Everything has an Italian twist: think an Old Fashioned infused with wild mushrooms, or the Avocado Amore blending the favourite fruit with Italian lemons, Calabrian chilli and basil foam, or the Velvet Corvina mixing corvina wine with peach purée, wine cordial, crème de cassis and blood orange. Enjoy alongside a selection of small plates for the perfect intimate date night spot. Cheers!

Details: Sotto is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm–2am at Bocconcino Soho (59 Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7JY). Book at bocconcinorestaurant.co.uk

29. Sound Healing At The Mandrake

Seeking some serenity? Experience the transformative combination of Reiki and Sound Healing every Saturday at The Mandrake Hotel, guided by skilled sound healer Maria Lodetoft. Expect Reiki healing amid the soothing soundscape of alchemy crystal singing bowls, producing tones and frequencies thought to align the chakras, calm the mind, and open the heart.

Details: Every Saturday at 11am at The Mandrake Hotel (20-21 Newman St, London W1T 1PG). Places cost £40 per person and can be booked at themandrake.com

30. The Leo Green Experience

Live music and jazz fans should flock to QT this weekend, where The Leo Green Experience celebrates the best sax solos centre stage, putting a high-energy sax twist on the biggest hits of the last 30 years. Featuring table service delivering an array of small plates and cocktails, there’s an old school vibe with an easy breezy air: think drinking, dancing and eating while Leo and his band raise the roof.

Details: Every Friday and Saturday evening from 7.30–9.15pm and 9.45pm–1am at QT (Middle Eight Hotel, 66 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5BX). Tickets are £25 for general admission, or £35 for seated table service. Book at middleeight.com

31. Dinner Break From Shopping

Going shopping in London this weekend? If you’re looking for a chic spot to fuel up after a busy day on your feet, Bar des Prés is the perfect answer. From acclaimed French chef Cyril Lignac, expect a thrilling blend of Franco-East Asian cuisines across meticulously crafted dishes, from California rolls to sashimi, gyoza to the signature Crunchy crab & avocado galette (you’ll see everyone ordering this; it tastes as beautiful as it looks). Sit barside for a front row seat to the cold kitchen show, plus watch the mixologists shaking up a storm, with a concise cocktail list catering to all tastes – the signatures are all delightful. There are some seasonal specials evoking perfect cosy vibes, from Beef Gyoza with Ginger and Soy to Miso Caramelised Aubergine to Roast Scallops with Potimarron Squash. But the signature dishes remain stunning as ever, including ever-delicious Black cod caramelised with miso, served with baby spinach (who knew spinach could be so delicious), plus perfect cubes of Wagyu and the ever-intriguing Vanilla wash (weird and wonderful). All this amid sophisticated, moody, intimate surrounds; if it’s just a cocktail you seek, venture downstairs for a subtly chic subterranean space.

Details: Bar des Prés (16 Albemarle St, London W1S 4HW) is open for dinner everyday from 6pm, closing at 11pm Monday–Saturday and 10pm on Sundays. bardespres.com

© Sam Harris

32. Live Music Bars

There’s only one thing better than live music: live music with a glass of something in your hand. London’s live music bar scene is thriving – it always has been – and from jazz clubs to hi-fi DJ venues, there are plenty to choose from. Our favourite this winter is Brilliant Corners, a vibrant yet moody spot tucked away in Dalston, serving natural wine, zingy cocktails and a delicious seasonal five-course set menu inspired by the izakaya of Japan.

Details: Brilliant Corners is open 5pm–1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays and 4pm–midnight on Sundays at 470 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AE. Book your table at brilliantcornerslondon.co.uk

London’s Best Bars For Live Music

33. Columbia Road Flower Market

Brighten the gloomy winter days with a trip to London’s premiere flower market this weekend: Columbia Road. Taking place every Sunday between Bethnal Green and Hoxton, it attracts people from far and wide in droves and for good reason, offering a glorious slice of unchanging London life, with reasonable prices across flowers and bulbs, succulents and houseplants. With a rainbow of vibrant colours, it’s hard to resist succumbing to the classic Instagram shots. Afterwards, head into Shoreditch, or grab a bagel on the ever-popular Brick Lane.

Details: Sundays, 8am–2pm at Columbia Road, Bethnal Green E2 7RG. columbiaroad.info

More Of London’s Gorgeous Flower Markets To Visit

34. Go Bowling

OK, OK, a generic weekend suggestion – but London’s bowling alleys are some of the nation’s best. Whether you’re looking to host a big birthday blowout, make plans with friends or you’re in need of new date ideas, you’ll bowl everyone over with these spots .

35. Learn To Make Pasta

Wondering what to do in London next weekend? Try your hand at the Italian art of pasta making at Pasta Evangelists’ Pasta Academy in Farringdon. Expect to learn all about the best ingredients and techniques, and eat your creation at the end, too. Read our review of the Beginners’ Class here .

Details: Pasta Evangelists’ Pasta Academy (62-63 Long Lane, Barbican, London EC1A 9EJ). These classes are extremely high-demand, so your weekend activity will inevitably be booking ahead for a future weekend. pastaevangelists.com

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• Travel Tips

The Best Time to Book a Flight for Domestic, International, and Summer Travel

Here are our best tips for booking travel in 2024.

When to Book Flights for Domestic Travel

When to book flights for international travel, when to book flights for summer 2024 travel, when to book flights for holiday 2024 travel.

Buying plane tickets is something of an art form. Ideally, you want to secure your spot months in advance to avoid the inevitable price spike as your travel dates get closer. But sometimes the best time to book a flight also depends on the destination and whether it's domestic or abroad. The trends are always changing, but experts say the sweet spot for booking domestic flights is 28 days, or 60 days for international flights.

Flights generally open for booking about a year ahead of time, and the airfare will change often between then and takeoff. Although you can book just a couple of weeks before the departure date in some cases, prices are likely to be astronomical. In other cases, when you want to go somewhere popular or during a big travel weekend, flights could fill up faster than normal. Our advice: Track flight prices on Google Flights or Hopper as early as possible so you can keep an eye on cost fluctuations. Read on for more advice about when to book flights from the pros.

According to Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks report , you should aim to book 28 days before your domestic flight. "Doing so can save travelers up to 24 percent compared to those who wait until the last minute, from zero to six days out," Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson tells Travel + Leisure.

For domestic trips, pricing is elevated when tickets are first released, about a year before the flight. Those prices will slowly creep downward, all the way to their lowest point in the prime booking window, after which you'll likely see a huge increase in cost for last-minute travel.

Meet the Expert

Christie Hudson is a travel expert at top booking site Expedia.

You're better off booking earlier rather than later for international travel, but the Expedia report says ideally no more than four months before your desired departure date. The sweet spot is around 60 days. "This is a big change from 2022 data, which showed the cheapest fares were secured when travelers booked four to six months out." Hudson says. "2023 data revealed that people who booked that far in advance actually paid more on average." The report says the least expensive day of the week to book is Sunday and the most expensive is Friday, for both domestic and international travel.

But there is some regional variance. Going , a platform that tracks flight prices and notifies members of good deals, has found the best months to book flights to Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Latin America, for travel about 60 days out. Here's what it says.

Africa: Book in May.

Asia: Book in August or October, followed by April or September.

Oceania: Book in November, January, or July.

Europe: Book in August, October, or November.

Latin America: Book in October.

The real trick to finding good deals on international airfare is to avoid booking your travel for peak times, which include summer and major holidays (don't forget — that includes holidays in your destination, too).

Summer is traditionally one of the most popular times of the year to travel, which means it can be tough to find a good deal on airfare. Ideally, you should book flights for summer travel as soon as possible, preferably at least six months in advance.

"The best time to book for peak season is … the opposite season," says Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. "While most of us are scrambling to focus on our winter holiday plans, we should also keep our eyes open for some great summer fares."

She notes that the booking window for peak season ranges between three and seven months for domestic flights and four to 10 months for international trips. "And if you do book something, keep that flight alert on," says Nastro. "If it drops again, depending on your ticket type, you can call to rebook and get a refund or travel credit back with the difference."

Katy Nastro is a travel expert at Going, a website that finds flight deals to more than 900 destinations around the world.

Around the winter holidays is the priciest time to travel, Nastro says. "Your best bet is to remember the Goldilocks zones: look to book between three to seven months ahead for domestic travel and four to 10 months ahead for international travel."

Hudson advises that at the very latest, your holiday travel should be booked by mid-October. "But the biggest holiday travel savings actually come from choosing the right dates," she says. "Avoiding the busiest days like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Friday and Saturday before Christmas will yield major savings."

Track flights and book your holiday tickets as soon as you find a decent deal, but make sure to book a fare that will give you a credit if you cancel (generally speaking, that means don't book basic economy). That way, if prices drop between the time of booking and your travel dates, you can cancel your original ticket and use the credit to book the cheaper fare. The only downside is you'll still have some remaining credit, but you can then use it to treat yourself to a future flight. Just don't let that credit expire.

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Most popular london flight and hotel deals, last minute holiday packages to london, search by stars, search by review score, search by board, search by price, search by freebies, when to book a holiday in london, tips for finding cheap holiday packages london.

• There are loads of types of holidays in London and the cost will depend on what type of trip you’re taking and for how long you’d like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travellers: Top holiday £261; Family holiday £270; Romantic holiday £318; Luxury holiday £318; Budget holiday £128.

Why should you book a holiday package to London?

A time and money saving holiday package is the smartest way to enjoy London. It's generally more expensive to reserve rooms and book flights separately, so doing so simultaneously means better rates. Plus, you won't waste time matching room availability to flight times when you opt for London holiday deals.

When should you book a holiday package to London?

You'll normally find the cheapest London packages between November and January when average temperatures range from 39.2 to 48.2F. Beat the crowds and save money by choosing May and catch events like the Chelsea Flower Show or the Museums at Night festival. Although it's peak season, good London travel deals can still be found from June until September. Plan your trip to coincide with top sporting events like Wimbledon or music festivals like BST Hyde Park.

Where should you stay in London during your holidays?

For any holiday type in london:.

Located in fashionable Clerkenwell, The Rookery is a smart choice for holidays in London. This chic but friendly hotel is under one hour from Heathrow by London Underground and well connected by train and bus to other main airports.

Try London Wembley International Hotel if you're looking for versatile London package deals. Ideally placed for music and sporting events at London's famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena, the hotel is also easily reached by taxi, bus or train from the main airports.

For family holidays in London:

The Premier Inn London Hampstead is just 2 minutes from Hampstead Heath, 10 minutes by tube from the West End and Oxford Circus, and easy to reach from all London airports. Take the tube to Hampstead from Heathrow or the overland train service to Paddington Station before completing your journey by taxi.

Little Bullocks Farm in Stansted, Essex enjoys a quiet rural setting and offers excellent four star service. Plus, it's just 6 minutes by taxi from Stansted Airport and easy to reach from central London via Liverpool Street Station.

For romantic holidays in London:

With its prime location on Piccadilly and opulent rooms and suites, the Ritz London is a great choice for couples searching for romantic London travel packages. Take a taxi from the airport to arrive in style or board trains at all four main airports.

Although it's located in the heart of London's vibrant West End, the Sanderson is a calm and tranquil base for couples. Noted for its luxurious decor and excellent services, the hotel is easy to reach from any London airport by rail or taxi.

For luxury holidays in London:

The Sheraton Grand is one of London's most elegant hotels. Located in upmarket Mayfair, the famous art deco building occupies a prime spot on Park Lane. Upon arrival at the airport you can take a taxi directly to the hotel or hop a train to central London.

Opt for trendy Chelsea and the stylish Sloane Square Hotel for a memorable London getaway. It's just a short walk from the famous Saatchi Gallery and is easy to reach by taxi or train from any of London's airports. Sloane Square station is nearby for those traveling via the underground from Heathrow Airport.

For budget holidays in London:

The Astor Museum Hostel is a friendly hostel right next to the British Museum. Just a few minutes walk from Oxford Street, the hotel can be reached by underground from Heathrow or by rail or bus from other London airports.

Looking for inexpensive London package deals? Try Villa Verde Gatwick, a friendly and comfortable hotel just a few minutes by taxi or shuttle bus from Gatwick Airport.

Where to stay in London

London holiday information, other popular package holiday destinations.

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13 day trips from London by train

• Lucy Roxburgh

If you want to discover somewhere new at the weekend, we've picked our 13 best day trips from London, all journeying by train and packed with foodie hotspots

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No car? No problem. Whether a quick 20-minute hop from London or an extra special trip, a new foodie destination awaits. Eat fish and chips by the seaside in Margate or Brighton, stroll through an English vineyard or explore the famous university towns of Oxford and Cambridge. We've picked the best restaurants, cafés and bars at each day trip destination to keep you fuelled all day long. Read on to discover our best day trips from London by train.

For more like this, check out our guide to the best small towns in the UK or the best spa hotels in the UK for a relaxing weekend away.

• Day trips under 1 hour from London
• Day trips under 2 hours from London
• Day trips over 2 hours from London

13 best day trips from London by train for foodies

Under 1 hour from london.

How to get there from London: take a train from St Pancras or Blackfriars, direct trains from 18 minutes.

So close to London that it's popular with commuters, St Albans is the easiest day trip from London, with direct trains from St Pancras getting you there in under 20 minutes. That leaves plenty of time to explore this city packed with history, taking in the famous cathedral, Roman wall remains and a walk around the lake in 100-acre Verulamium Park. Pick up huge takeaway banh mi and noodle salads from Taste of Vietnam for a picnic in the park. If it's not picnic weather, head to Lussmans – a sustainable neighbourhood restaurant you'll wish was in your town. The bright, modern space is a reflection of what to expect from the menu – clean, colourful plates of food, smartly presented without pretension.

More like this

Sweet tooths are spoilt for choice in St Albans. The Waffle House is a 10-minute walk from the city centre in a quaint 16th-century windmill – the prettiest spot to choose a loaded waffle, from savoury options topped with BBQ pork to sweet waffles loaded with everything from chocolate mousse to banana, flapjack and caramel sauce. Darlish , home of Persian ice cream, and the famous The Pudding Stop bakery will complete your sugar high – grab some doughnuts for the journey home. See our full foodie guide to St Albans for more.

How to get there from London: take a train from Kings Cross or Liverpool Street, direct trains from 48 minutes.

Head to this famous university town for punting down the river, exploring the many different colleges and climbing the Great St Mary's church tower for views over the city. Detour to Stem & Glory for excellent small sharing vegan plates, while meat-lovers should head to Steak & Honour for must-try burgers. The best gelato in Cambridge can be found at Jack's Gelato – the seasonal, regularly changing menu could include gooseberry sorbet, hazelnut cookie dough or Manuka honey and white miso. Order a scoop and sit on the wall outside King's College for some people-watching. Fitzbillies is a Cambridge institution: stop for afternoon tea or make sure to pick up an eclair for the train home.

If you're sticking around for dinner, book a table at Michelin-starred Midsummer House for fine dining or enjoy British classics at slightly more casual Parker's Tavern , a brasserie serving hearty dishes such as fishcakes, truffled eggs on toast and roast suckling pig. Get more recommendations at our full Cambridge foodie guide.

Denbies Vineyard

How to get there from London: take a train from Victoria Waterloo to Dorking, quick trains from 50 minutes.

Just a 20 minute walk from Dorking Station, a visit to Denbies Vineyard is the ideal day trip for wine lovers. Established in 1986, Denbies offers indoor and outdoor winery tours. The former explores the working winery along with a cellar tasting, while the latter takes you on a 50-minute toy train tour of the vineyard (book the sparkling wine tour to enjoy a glass of bubbly on the train), showing off panoramic views of the North Downs.

There are several dining options at the vineyard once you have finished exploring. The smart Gallery restaurant looks over the 265-acre vineyard. Order Sussex confit pork belly with savoy cabbage, pan-fried halibut with roasted romanesco, or, on a Sunday, the Surrey Farm roast beef with rosemary-roasted potatoes. The Conservatory restaurant serves classic afternoon teas, or grab quick refreshments al fresco at The Hatch on The Lawn.

See our full guide to the best UK vineyards to visit for more like this.

How to get there from London: take a train from Liverpool Street or Paddington, quick trains from 52 minutes.

Another famous university town to tick off your day trip list. Start your day with a coffee at Society Café , a vibrant space that acts as a hub for local creatives. Peruse an open counter laden with squidgy almond croissants, slabs of gooey peanut butter brownies and slices of cinnamon and walnut loaf while you decide on your coffee. All are labelled with tasting notes and made with Origin beans – which you can buy in bags to take away.

For food-fuelled exploring, wander down the aisles at Oxford Covered Market, where you can stock up on seasonal produce before heading to Teardrop , a tiny micropub (part of West Oxfordshire Church Hanbrewery) serving cask ales to drink in, as well as local draught and bottled beers to takeaway. Be sure to check out Objects of Use while you’re on Market Street, a treasure trove for cooks, too.

For a sit-down meal, cosy Pompette serves French classics with European influences, Spiced Roots is your go-to for Caribbean flair and pretty Cherwell Boathouse is the spot for lunch with a view. If you're visiting at the weekend, The Harcourt Arms does a splendid Sunday lunch.

How to get there from London: take a train from Victoria, London Bridge, Clapham Junction or Blackfriars, from 58 minutes.

One of the most popular day trips from London, the trains down to Brighton are guaranteed to be busy should there be a last-minute sunny bank holiday. The foodie scene in this buzzy south coast city is booming, with a diverse range of local independent restaurants making the most of seasonal Sussex produce. Start your day with brunch at Lost in the Lanes (dishes include an indulgent croque monsieur, smoky spiced beans or green eggs with a coriander and jalapeño salsa) – a great base to get lost exploring the independent shops of the Lanes. To fuel your afternoon, pick up a coffee from Loam or pause for a beer on the terrace at Unbarred . At lunch, soak up sea views and choose from an array of stands at the Shelter Hall food hall on Brighton promenade before a stroll along the beach. If you're visiting on a Sunday, join locals for a southern American spin on a British roast at Alberta's . The heated roof terrace at The Flint House is a perfect date night spot for dinner before you head home, or try Med-inspired small plates at Burnt Orange , one of the hottest seats in town.

Check out our full guide to the best restaurants in Brighton for lots more recommendations, including where to stay if you decide to make a weekend of it.

Under 2 hours

How to get there from London: take a train from Paddington, from 1 hour 15 minutes.

From matcha granola to agnolotti with smoked Winchester cheese and craft cocktails, there's a bumper crop of independent places to eat, drink, shop and sleep across this Somerset city (see all our Bath foodie recommendations here ). Once you've swum in the rooftop pool at Bath Spa and strolled the length of the famous royal crescent, it's time to tuck in. Go to The Scallop Shell for upmarket fish and chips in an unpretentious setting or be transported to Spain with impeccable tapas at Pintxo . For a memorable meal, book a table at Elder to enjoy wild game and sophisticated Sunday roasts. Dark wood floors, framed hunting paintings and terracotta-coloured leather banquettes add a lavish cosiness to this converted Georgian terrace.

For foodie souvenirs to take home, stop at Berdoulat . Over 50 spices from the jar, shelves of small-batch wines and a bakery concession can all be found at this impeccably restored grade II listed food emporium. Order a loose-leaf tea and fresh madeleine from Frome’s Rye Bakery concession and head up to the gallery where cookbooks sit alongside candles and aprons for sale. If you've still got space, hip Landrace Bakery is on a mission to promote high-quality grains grown in the UK and, specifically, the South West, which it stone-grinds locally to produce flours for its cakes and sourdough breads. Save your cinnamon bun for train snacking on the way home.

How to get there from London: take a train from St Pancras or Victoria, quick trains from 1 hour 18 minutes.

The seaside town of Whitstable has plenty to offer foodies, from Michelin-starred gastropubs to long-standing oyster bars and kitsch ice cream parlours. Each July it even hosts a whole festival dedicated to local Whitstable oysters . You've got to have oysters whilst visiting – candy floss pink-fronted Wheelers has been dishing up oysters in its parlour-sized dining room since 1856. Kids will enjoy the classic fish and chips from V.C. Jones .

If it's a special occasion, book Michelin-starred gastropub The Sportsman in Seasalter for lunch. Take a taxi out to it for lunch then enjoy a leisurely walk back along the coast to walk off any excess. Bookings need to be made quite far in advance, but it's worth it.

Broadstairs

How to get there from London: take a train from St Pancras, quick trains from 1 hour 23 minutes.

If you've already visited Margate and Whitstable, Broadstairs is an underrated seaside day trip with plenty to offer foodies. Before heading to the beach or harbour, don't miss the Samworth & Mee bistro for comfort food, fresh seafood and excellent breakfasts (the French toast with berries and maple syrup is particularly good). If the crab sandwich with chips is on the menu, order it. As with most places in the area, fish and seafood is provided by local fisherman Jason Llewellyn and his shop, Fruits de Mer along The Broadway (the high street). Stop off here on the way home if you want to take a slice of the seaside home with you. On sunny days, Morelli's is a must-visit for ice cream lovers along the north Kent coast. This branch has been here since 1932 and sells gelato in myriad flavours, from vanilla to pistachio to nocciola.

It's not all British seaside classics. Making serious culinary waves is tiny, spartan Stark . As the name suggests, you don’t come here for plush surroundings but for “good food, laid bare” – serving a frequently changing, seasonal, six-course tasting menu. For something more relaxed, Osteria Pizzeria Posillipo has been providing locals with real-deal Italian food (think rustic vibes and charming Italian service) for over 20 years. The decked terrace draws in a lingering summer crowd who are happy to sip wine while grazing on antipasti and watching seagulls on the beach, a stone’s throw away.

Moreton-in-Marsh

How to get there from London: take a direct train from Paddington, taking 1 hour 25 minutes.

The Cotswolds may feel like an area you can only explore by car, but trains from Paddington to the pretty village of Moreton-in-Marsh (set in the Evenlode Valley, within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) mean it's easy to get a feel of the region as a foodie day trip. The main street is lined with handsome stone buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, many of them shops, tea rooms, pubs and places to eat. The main public building is the Redesdale Hall which holds antiques and craft fairs, and there’s a weekly Tuesday street market.

When it comes to eating out, Henne is highly regarded by the locals with its inventive and sustainably driven menu using hyper-local produce. If it’s artisan bread and patisserie you’re after, Otis & Belle bakery is exceptional and The Cotswold Cheese Company sells countless local cheeses.

How to get there from London: take a train from St Pancras, quick trains from 1 hour 27 minutes.

While foodies still love Whitstable, Deal is the buzzy new kid on the block. Find everything from Kent’s favourite chippie, Middle Street Fish Bar (take down to the beach with you) to date-night-dining at Victuals & Co , perfect for a smart lunch or final stop for dinner. Expect beef brisket tacos to start, a short menu of changing seasonal mains and decadent desserts.

The Deal Dining Club is an institution and, if you can get a late train home, its Friday and Saturday night set-menu feasts always sell out. Typical events include a Taste of Kent, with a menu boasting Canterbury cheese puffs, Kentish brown shrimp, local pigeon, home-smoked haddock and rhubarb crème brûlée. It’s BYOB so pick up a bottle beforehand at Le Pinardier , a French wine bar and shop with an array of predominantly natural wines.

How to get there from London: take a train from St Pancras or Victoria, quick trains from 1 hour 29 minutes.

This cool coastal town is bursting with foodie hotspots. When you arrive off the train, walk to Forts Cafe, a popular place always bustling with local creatives catching up over some of the best brunch dishes in town. The focaccia sandwiches are legendary on the Margate food scene. For seafood, head to Angela's . Plump Whitstable rock oysters, mussels with cider and garlic, whole roasted plaice and thornback ray with brown butter are just some of the reasons why Angela’s is still in rude health after more than half a century.

Ask locals where you can get the best fish and chips in Margate, and they’ll point you in the direction of Peter’s Fish Factory , overlooking the seafront. There will be queues, but the salty, crisp and golden chips, waft of malt vinegar and perfectly cooked cod is more than worth the wait. Follow up with a visit to Oast , a bakery with must-try buns. See our full guide to Margate for lots more recommendations including the best wine bar and Italian picks.

How to get there from London: take a train from St Pancras, quick trains from 1 hour 30 minutes.

A slightly longer day trip but still doable, a quirky and undeniably Bristolian beat pulses through this city’s food and drink scene that makes it very much worth the journey. Hart's Bakery is conveniently set under the arches at Bristol Temple Meads railway station and the queues snaking out the door tell you all you need to know. Swing by for epic sausage rolls and Saturday bread to rejuvenate you post-train.

Take your pick of European classics for lunch: a signature carbonara at Italian Cotto , special Spanish small plates at Paco Tapas or hearty, regional French dishes at littlefrench . For a meal in a memorable location, head to Bristol Lido . Do a few lengths in the restored Victorian pool to sharpen your appetite then enjoy a two-course poolside lunch at the restaurant. Round off the day with a cocktail at Hyde & Co , Bristol’s prohibition-style bar. We recommend a 'Stroll in the Grounds'; Somerset cider brandy shaken with sloe gin and lavender sherbet, topped with Camel Valley fizz.

Over 2 hours

How to get there from London: take a train from St Pancras International, quick trains from 2 hours 17 minutes.

Push the boat out for a day of romance and head to Paris for a decadent day trip. You'll have to make an early start, but brunch at Les Enfant Perdus can be your reward. Sink into squishy white cushions in the bistro’s conservatory room and enjoy an excellent value (£27 for three courses) brunch menu. For a classic French experience, reserve a gingham-clothed table at Aux Bons Crus for hearty bistro dishes: steak frites with delightfully gloopy bearnaise, Lyonnaise-style quenelles de brochet or tender tête de veau.

Pick up picnic supplies at Maison Plisson . The locally sourced produce, cold-pressed juices and array of breads make this a local favourite. Grab a crunchy country loaf and some tapenade to create your own sandwich, then take to the Jardin du Luxembourg for people-watching while you snack. Get a coffee at KB Coffee Shop to fuel your afternoon, or pause for pastries at Mamiche . After a day of classic French, switch it up for dinner and head to Boubalé where the menu combines Mediterranean and Eastern European flavours. Expect generous chicken schnitzel, cheesy risotto and a top-notch bread selection. Don't miss the signature 'benimousse' dessert of chocolate mousse, olive oil and Maldon salt.

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M25 to close for full weekend in July causing summer holiday hell

The M25 is to shut for a full weekend for the third time in history next month - with chaos on the roads expected at the height of summer.

The key motorway around London will close between junctions 10 and 11 from July 12 to 15, as work on the £317million Junction 10 improvement scheme continues.

Drivers are warned to expect delays and are urged to “only travel if necessary”.

“Local residents, holidaymakers, concertgoers and sports fans should plan their journeys in advance and make sure they allow extra time or make alternative travel arrangements,” said National Highways as it announced the closure on Monday morning.

The five-mile stretch will close at 9pm on Friday July 12 and will remain shut in both directions until 6am on Monday July 15.

It will mark the third of five full weekend closures of the M25 to take place, with a further two due later this year on dates that are yet to be announced. National Highways  made the unprecedented move of closing the motorway between junctions 10 and 11 in March , to demolish a bridge and install a gantry, bringing chaos to nearby roads.

This was followed by a second closure between junctions 9 and 10 across the weekend of May 10 to May 13.

July’s closure will come on a busy weekend for summer events, including the Henley Royal Regatta and Wireless Festival, and as tens of thousands of people are expected to take to the roads to head on summer holidays.

National Highways and Balfour Beatty Atkins say they are working with emergency services, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports, and Surrey County Council in the run-up to the closure.

The closure will allow the installation of a bridge on the western gyratory of the roundabout at Junction 10m. The previous closure in May saw identical work being carried out on the eastern gyratory.

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Jonathan Wade, National Highways Senior Project Manager, said: “The previous two closures have gone well with significant progress being made during both.

“We would urge all drivers to follow the official diversion route as this is the best chance of reaching your destination in good time. Please ignore your satnavs and follow our diversion route instead.”

Diversion routes

Junction 10 - Junction 11: exit the M25 at J10 and take the 3rd exit to the north bound A3 to the A245 Painshill Junction, A245 towards Woking, and Byfleet, then at the Six Crossroads Roundabout take the 5th exit to the A320 continuing to M25 Junction 11 where the diversion will end. 

Junction 11 - Junction 10: exit the M25 at J11 and take the 3rd exit to the A320 south towards Woking, then at the Six Crossroads Roundabout take the A245 towards Byfleet, continue on the A245 to the A3 Painshill junction, then take the 3rd exit to the southbound A3 to Junction 10 where the diversion will end.  

For more information about the closure and the project visit the National Highways website .

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Expat issues ‘complicated’ travel warning for Brits holidaying to Spain this summer

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If you’re counting down the days to your summer holiday to Spain , you might want to mark down a few dates on your calender.

From Barcelona to the Costa del Sol, we all know Spain is much loved fly and flop destination for Brits – a staggering 17.8 million UK tourists flocked to the country in 2023.

However, one cultural difference could catch unsuspecting travelers off guard: bank holidays.

While bank holidays in the UK are mostly on Mondays (with a few exceptions such as Good Friday and Christmas ) Spain has them across various days of the week.

Yep, Spaniards aren’t always given the gift of a long weekend, as supermarkets, restaurants and clubs shut their doors for numerous celebrated days across the year that occur on any and all weekdays.

This fact caught Stephanie Saint Remy , a YouTube content creator, off guard, when she moved to the country. The revelation led her to her share the knowledge with those planning to travel like her.

Stephanie remarked that ‘the amount of times I’ve gone into a supermarket on a Wednesday only to find that it was closed, is incredible.’

Far from ideal if you’re looking to pick up those all-important holiday snacks (Lays crisps anyone?)

Stephanie also warned that tourists and residents alike may also be caught out by the fact that not all bank holidays are the same across Spain, with certain events only happening in one or two communities.

She said the situation can be particularly ‘complicated’ because it’s hard to find much information on the internet. Thankfully she’s come up with a solution: ‘If I go into my local supermarket they’ll have their monthly opening hours printed.’ This indicates which days are bank holidays. Genius.

Stephanie also suggests creating a timetable for the events occurring during your stay in Spain to keep yourself in the loop.

Prime holiday season is rapidly approaching, so what events should you note down if you’re travelling in the coming months? Fear not, for the hard work has been done for you.

Here are the public holidays across Spain for July and August (although like Stephanie says, these vary from region to region):

• Thursday 25th July – Both the National Day of Galicia and St. James’s Day, impacting Galicia, Basque Country, Cantabria, Madrid and Navarre.
• Monday 5th August – Our Lady of Africa, taking place in Ceuta.
• Thursday 15th August – The Assumption of Mary, a national bank holiday.

For those travelling in the later months of the year to escape the floods of other tourists and the chill settling in over the UK, all dates can be found online .

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What can you expect to do on these holidays within your holiday? Research into the individual events and how they are celebrated as you might find yourself in the midst of a street party.

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Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and advice. Let us know your thoughts on any of the topics we're covering using the comments box below.

Friday 28 June 2024 10:00, UK

• UK's economic growth better than thought
• 10 million homes have days to check energy meter reading to avoid paying too much
• Fuel shock could be on the way - as sports shop hit by Nike downgrade

Essential reads

• Save 105 teaspoons of sugar (and money) by switching to classic ice cream
• A week when probable future of mortgage rates became clearer
• Savings Guide: What to look for with 5% rates still available on easy access accounts
• Women in Business : How accident in cafe and £400 turned into a genius business idea that's about to go global
• Money Problem : 'I bought a new car but it's been back six times with same fault - what can I do?'
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

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A major bank has apologised to its customers for IT issues.

In a post on X just before 9.30am, HSBC said: "We’re really sorry that some customers are having issues accessing personal online and mobile banking. 

"Our IT teams are working hard to get these services back to normal. 

"You can still authorise online card purchases via SMS."

Forget the bank of mum and dad, the bank of gran and grandad is coming into play as parents struggle to afford school trips.

Some 23% of parents say they have had to make cutbacks - even to essentials - to fund them, while 10% said grandparents had paid for the trip and 8% said an aunt or uncle had chipped in.

The research, undertaken by public sector insurer Zurich Municipal, found one in five financially pinched parents felt embarrassed about struggling to pay for trips.

"School trips bring a plethora of benefits to young lives, it's heartbreaking to see so many could miss out due to cost," said Tilden Watson, head of education at Zurich Municipal.

"These trips can also expose some children to new places and experiences that they wouldn't necessarily get to enjoy with their families so they really do offer a window to the world they otherwise wouldn't see."

OnePoll surveyed 1,000 parents of children aged five to 16 across the UK in May.

More than a third (35%) of parents believed school trips are critical to their child's education.

By  James Sillars , business reporter

The FTSE 100 is on course to end the week on a positive note, opening 0.4% up at 8,211.

Energy stocks are leading a march north following a rough few days for shares generally.

The reason, however, is not great news for us consumers.

Resurgent oil prices are driving the performance, with Shell and BP among the early winners.

The Brent crude contract for August delivery is currently trading just below $87 a barrel, leaving oil costs on track for a third week of gains in a row.

There are a wealth of reasons for the surge but analysts are crediting hopes of a US interest rate cut for the latest lift.

Meanwhile, on the high street, shares in JD Sports are among those dragging.

Its stock opened more than 4% lower after Nike flagged yesterday a downgrade in its own revenue expectations for the current year.

That saw 12% wiped from Nike's price on Wall Street.

Almost 10 million households need to read their energy meters this week to make the most of the energy price cap change on 1 July.

Missing the first week's worth of cheaper energy would cost them £30m collectively, according to Uswitch.

From 1 July to 30 September 2024, the annual energy price cap will be set at £1,568 for the average household - £122 lower than it is at present.

"Households should be adding 'read my energy meter' to their to-do-list this weekend if they want to take full advantage of lower energy prices from July," said Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.

MoneySavingExpert's Martin Lewis has issued a similar warning.

Without an accurate meter reading, households on standard variable tariffs without a smart meter will be charged estimated ones.

The difference between a week's worth of energy at June's rates compared to July's is £2.78 for the typical household.

Mr Gallizzi said now is also the time to check if you can get a better energy tariff before expected price hikes in October.

Industry analysts suggest energy rates will rise again by 12% to £1,761.

The UK's economy grew slightly more than expected between January and March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has just announced.

It was previously estimated that it grew by 0.6% during this three-month period.

But the ONS has revised that figure up - ever so slightly - to 0.7%.

Chances are, that won't change how most people feel about their personal finances.

The change could be a talking point in the ongoing election campaign, though.

Follow the latest on the race for Number 10 in our politics blog:

It can be hard to balance the demands of eating well without spending a lot.

In this series, we try to find the healthiest options in the supermarket for the best value - and have enlisted the help of  Sunna Van Kampen , founder of Tonic Health, who went viral on social media for reviewing food in the search of healthier choices. We also speak to dieticians each week.

It's important to note from the outset that in this series, we don't try to find the outright healthiest option, but help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

With the weather finally getting warmer, this week we're looking at ice cream. 

"With so many options out there, how do you fancy a 63% reduction in your sugar consumption and some savings for your wallet too?" says Sunna. 

What's in our ice creams? 

"Technically speaking, ice cream is just frozen milk and cream with a bit of added sweetness," Sunna says. 

But as time has gone on, we've progressed to less and less cream and more and more sugar.

"To give you an example, Mars Bar Ice Cream is only 31% milk and cream, while the traditional Mackie's ice cream is 81% milk and cream," Sunna says. 

"When you remove the cream, quite clearly you lose a lot of the creaminess and smooth texture, so manufacturers have turned to gums (like guar gum, locust bean gum, tara gum) to give the creaminess while lowering cost," he adds.

"The problem is some of these gums have demonstrated to be gut disruptive and hard to digest."

How much sugar can we eat?

The NHS recommends adults have 30g of sugar a day, with that decreasing to 24g for seven to 10-year-olds and 19g a day for four to six-year-olds. 

"A cut in sugar is not just good news for our waistlines, but also for our overall health, contributing to a balanced diet without the same spikes in blood sugar levels," Sunna says.

Those spikes can cause sudden drops in energy, spates of hunger and potentially lead to type two diabetes. 

How much sugar is in ice cream?

Let's look at some popular examples to compare the sugar content and the impact on your wallet... 

• Cadbury Flake 99: £4.25 for 4x125ml and 22.9g sugar per ice cream (5.5 teaspoons)
• Magnum: £3.25 for 3x100ml - 20g of sugar per ice cream (five teaspoons)
• Solero Exotic: £2.75 for 3x90ml - 12g of sugar per ice cream (three teaspoons)
• Mars Ice Cream Bars: £2.75 for 4 x 49.5ml - 12g of sugar per ice cream (three teaspoons)
• Cornetto Classic: £3.50 for 6x90ml - 10g of sugar per ice cream (2.5 teaspoons)
• Milk Choc Ices: £1.60 for 6x70ml - 7.3g of sugar per ice cream (under two teaspoons)

"Assuming you have one ice cream a day across, hopefully, 30 days of sunny weather this summer, and you'll find yourself saving over 105 teaspoons of sugar from your diet this summer if you choose a Choc Ice over a Cadbury Flake 99," Sunna says. 

That's a decent saving for your health - but what about your wallet? 

"Choc Ice is firmly in the category of win-win, as it's 65% cheaper than a standard Magnum," he adds.

That's a considerable £24.30 saving over 30 ice creams.

The nutritionist's view - from Nichola Ludlam-Raine, dietitian at  nicsnutrition.com ...

"Shop-bought ice cream isn't a product that I recommend having daily, and luckily for the UK population this isn't something that is too hard to stick to, given the distinct lack of sunny, warm weather.

"I recently had a Mars ice cream and although I really enjoyed it. I needed two to feel satisfied, as they were so small - which doubled my sugar intake (to 24g). 

"The good news, though, is not all the sugar quoted on the label is free or added sugar (and under 30g a day of this is acceptable within the context of a healthy balanced diet), as some sugar will be naturally occurring in the milk.

"Choosing ice creams where milk is the first ingredient is always preferable - or plant-based/fruit-based alternatives if you have a milk intolerance or allergy.

"The evidence regarding thickeners and emulsifiers on gut health is still in its infancy, and most of the studies are small and have been done on rodents, with relatively large amounts of the additives being used. 

"Some emulsifiers may also confer benefits due to their prebiotic effects - but with gut health, the key is to add in more fibre, natural colour and plants."

Read more from this series... 

Every week we take an overview of the mortgage market with industry experts, while the guys at Moneyfactscompare  round up the best rates...

We start this week with the exclusive interview Sky News' Ian King conducted with the chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group - the UK's biggest lender.

Charlie Nunn warned homeowners not to expect a return to the ultra-low interest rates seen for most of the last 16 years.

"We've just come off a decade where mortgages have been in the 1.5-2.5% range," he told King.

"The expectations the market have is that interest rates probably won't get below 3.5%. And that means mortgages, or the new normal for mortgages, will be in that 3.5-4.5% range, not 1.5-2.5%."

Mr Nunn's comments earned applause from brokers and mortgage experts, with the industry news service Newspage speaking to a range of voices...

"I agree with Charlie Nunn: ultra-low interest rates are history. The public is adjusting to the new normal of 3.5% to 4.5% mortgage rates. Nunn's comments highlight market reality and urge borrowers to adapt now." Ranald Mitchell, from Charwin Private Clients

"If you're a first-time buyer, you may not see ultra-low interest rates in your mortgage lifetime. But that doesn't mean a return to good interest rates isn't possible. We should see rates beginning with a 3 or even a 2 in the not-too-distant future, especially for those with good deposits or equity." Ben Perks, from Orchard Financial Advisers

For now, the focus of many mortgage holders has been on when the Bank of England will start easing rates from the current 16-year high of 5.25%.

June had been touted but this month's meeting came and went without a change - and the delay means more people coming off mortgages secured in the ultra-low era are facing significant hikes.

About three million UK households are still set to witness hikes in their mortgage repayments over the next two years, the Bank has said this week.

Its Financial Policy Committee (FPC) added there were likely to be "very large increases" of more than 50% for the mortgages of around 400,000 households.

At the moment, around 35% of households with mortgages, or more than three million, are paying below 3% for a range of reasons - like existing deals which pre-dated the recent crisis - and are expected to see an increase between now and the end of 2026.

A typical household rolling off a fixed-rate mortgage before the end of 2026 is due to face a jump of around £180 a month, the committee said.

There has been some good news for borrowers this week though, with a handful of major lenders cutting rates in response to falling swap rates (these dictate how much it costs lenders to lend).

"Fixed rate mortgage reductions from prominent lenders such as Barclays and HSBC dominated coverage this week, as last week’s inflation announcement continued to prompt speculation of an imminent cut to base rate," says Caitlyn Eastell from Moneyfacts.

Turning to the best deals currently on the market, Ms Eastell says the lowest two-year fix for first time buyers with a 5% deposit comes from Halifax. 

Priced at 5.63%, this deal has a £999 arrangement fee and offers a £250 Green Home cashback incentive to those purchasing eligible properties. 

Moneyfacts also rounds up the best overall deals - looking beyond just the headline rate.

Ms Eastell adds: "As a first time buyer, every penny counts and you may have already exhausted your savings building up a 5% deposit, as well as covering legal fees and removal costs. 

"It's important to consider the true cost of any deal you commit to, so if you are looking to save on the upfront cost of your mortgage, then a Best Buy mortgage may be a more cost-effective choice.

"This week, Hanley Economic BS takes one of the top spots of our Best Buy tables for a two-year mortgage. Priced at 5.69%, it offers a free valuation and £250 cashback incentive."

There could be good news on the horizon for borrowers, as an economist says the Bank of England is likely to cut interest rates in August.

Michael Saunders, a former member of the Monetary Police Committee (MPC), said the Bank has "clearly signalled" it wants to cut rates soon "if data are okay".

He told the Reuters Global Markets Forum that inflation and wage figures would need to align with the MPC's forecasts back in May.

"If so, I would expect the rest of the internal [members of the MPC] to move as a bloc to vote for a cut," he said, saying that markets had been given enough warning.

The BoE  held interest rates  at 5.25% for the seventh time in a row last week despite inflation falling to its target of 2%.

Mr Saunders predicted that the Bank would slash rates seven times in increments of 25 points by the end of next year, bringing the headline rate "close" to what he calls a neutral rate of 3.5%.

"I expect two to three cuts this year, the rest next year - again, depends a bit on the monthly data," he said.

The government has accredited three new forms of ID for purchasing restricted goods and services.

Lloyds Bank Smart ID, Post Office EasyID and Yoti ID can now be used to watch age-restricted films in cinemas, enter gambling premises, or pay for tattoos and tanning salons.

They cannot be used to buy alcoholic drinks in pubs and shops, but are recognised when buying alcohol online, along with tobacco, vapes, lottery tickets and fireworks.

"More UK businesses can now accept our Digital IDs to reduce the risk of fake IDs, increase compliance and improve the customer experience," said Robin Tombs, CEO of Yoti.

He said more than four million people have already downloaded a Digital ID app. 

"This is a strong sign that people are ready to embrace reusable Digital IDs and want a more secure, private and convenient way to prove who they are."

Each of the Digital ID apps includes the approved PASS hologram.

Most of us know the feeling of rushing back to your car when you realise your ticket is about to run out.

The good news is, new rules mean you won't have to race back quite as breathlessly in future.

Drivers are to get a 10-minute grace period when their time runs out at private car parks.

The changes are coming in after industry bodies the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) published a new code of conduct.

However, the AA said it still leaves room for drivers to be ripped off because it misses out "desperately needed" measures such as a cap on charges.

Read the full story below...

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