Updated June 2022
The Big Smoke
London is filled with history and royalty, and as an English-speaking country, most people choose London as the first city they travel to abroad! Its most famous nickname stems from London's large role in the Industrial Revolution and the smog that used to hang over the city.
Most of the attractions are very close to each other, but like most large cities, I’d recommend spending two days to get the full experience; however, it is possible to see most of the attractions within a day.
If you have an extra day, you can split up the plan into the City of London and the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens one day and the other walking around Westminster, West End, the British Museum, and Camden Town.
Most of the attractions are very close to each other, but like most large cities, I’d recommend spending two days to get the full experience; however, it is possible to see most of the attractions within a day.
If you have an extra day, you can split up the plan into the City of London and the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens one day and the other walking around Westminster, West End, the British Museum, and Camden Town.
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Tips
Getting Around
The airports and train stations are all easily accessible through public transit and it is quite easy to get around. Similar to New York City, London’s metro system allows for contactless payment on buses and on the Tube. London is also well-known for their double-decker buses and the bus system is quite expansive and fun to ride. The buses are a few pounds cheaper than the Tube.
Water
There are public drinking fountains (usually near parks), but it can be difficult to find places to fill up water bottles. There is a website where most of the drinking fountains throughout London are mapped on a MyMaps to overlay over Google Maps, but one's best bet would be to ask for water bottle refills at restaurants.
London Pass
While most of the museums in London are free, the tourist attractions are rather expensive. If one is planning to enter/see different attractions, I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing the London Pass to save money.
These are some of the major attractions included:
Note that the London Eye isn't included in this list.
These are some of the major attractions included:
- Tower of London
- Westminster Abbey
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Tower Bridge
- The Shard
- Kensington Palace
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour
- Monument to the Great Fire of London
Note that the London Eye isn't included in this list.
Westminster Morning Plan
Note that this schedule doesn't allow for much time to use up the London Pass and to visit the inside of each attraction. Highly recommend making reservations to places with an asterisk next to them.
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9:00 – 9:30 AM: Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch, Whitehall
Start at Trafalgar Square, considered the center of London. It is a beautiful public square with two fountains with mermaids, dolphins, and tritons. There is also a tall monument dedicated to Admiral Horatio Nelson after his victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. There are also other busts and statues all around the square. There are a lot of rallies and demonstrations held here on weekends.
Walk through the square and head around the roundabout to Admiralty Arch, a beautiful arch separating Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. Its name comes from the fact that it adjoins the Old Admiralty Building and was commissioned by King Edward VII for his mother, Queen Victoria. Within the inside wall of the northernmost arch at about 7 feet off the ground is a sculpture of a human nose protruding from the wall. It was placed by artist Rick Buckley in 1997 to revolt against "Big Brother" society. Head down Whitehall, which is a ceremonial route from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square. There are a lot of beautiful government departments, historical buildings, army statues, and memorials all along the path. Most well known is the Cenotaph, a memorial dedicated to honor those that gave their lives in WWI and WWII. In Greek, cenotaph means "empty tomb" since most of the dead were buried where they fell during the war, so the Cenotaph represents the absence of these tombs. |
Trafalgar Square
Admiralty Arch
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9:30 – 10:00 AM: Westminster
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Westminster Abbey
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Palace of Westminster
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Big Ben
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A Gothic abbey church, it has served as the traditional place of coronation since William the Conqueror's coronation in 1066, has hosted 16 royal weddings, and and a burial site for prominent British figures, including 16 monarchs and 8 prime ministers.
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The meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the UK Parliament, it started out as a royal residence during the middle ages. After the Magna Carta was signed, it became the Parliament building.
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Originally the name of the Great Bell inside the bell tower, Big Ben now refers to the tower, the clock, and the bell. Going up the 11 stories grants access to the clock face, the Belfry (where the Great Bell hangs), and the Ayrton Light, a lantern that shines over the Houses of Parliament.
NOTE: As of June 2022, Big Ben is closed. |
London Eye
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10:00 – 10:30 AM: London Eye, Queen's Walk, and Jubilee Park
Walk across the Westminster Bridge (the oldest road bridge in the center of the city spanning the Thames) and cross the Thames River to get to the London Eye.
London Eye
Also known as the Milllennium Wheel, it is Europe's tallest cantilevered observation wheel, opened in 2000. One can stand inside of each capsule and have a beautiful view of the Thames river and the surrounding attractions.
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Queen's Walk and Jubilee Park
Walk along the Queen's Walk, which was created as part of the Jubilee Walkway to mark the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. It is part of the Thames Path national trail through London. Along the way, one can take a walk through the Jubilee Gardens, which is a small park with nice fountains, lawns, and trees.
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Jubilee Park
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10:30 – 11:00 AM: St. James's Park
After walking across the Golden Jubilee Bridge, which is a cable-stayed pedestrian bridge opened to the public in 2002, one should head back towards Admiralty Arch.
If you're running short of time, head down the Mall straight towards Buckingham Palace. If not, take a stroll through St. James's Park. As one of the eight Royal Parks, it is most well known for the famous flower beds at the front of the Buckingham Palace. There is a small lake in the middle of the park that is worth the visit. |
11:00 – 11:30 AM: Buckingham Palace
On certain days, the Changing of the Guard or Guard Mounting occurs. At 10:43 AM, the Old Guard leaves St. James's Palace and at 10:57, the New Guard leaves Wellington Barrack. They arrive before Buckingham Palace around 11:00 AM. It is advised to get there beforehand to get a good vantage point; however, if one stands at the Victoria Memorial (monument dedicated to Queen Victoria) facing the Palace, one can see the guard performing until 11:30 AM. For the schedule of when this occurs, check out this website.
Generally, it occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from August to May, and daily June and July.
Buckingham Palace itself is the London royal residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch. Originally built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 and became the Queen's House for Queen Charlotte when King George III bought it in 1761. In 1837, the palace became the London residence of the British monarch once Queen Victoria ascended.
Generally, it occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from August to May, and daily June and July.
Buckingham Palace itself is the London royal residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch. Originally built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703 and became the Queen's House for Queen Charlotte when King George III bought it in 1761. In 1837, the palace became the London residence of the British monarch once Queen Victoria ascended.
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Changing of the Guard
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Buckingham Palace
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11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Hyde Park
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Canada Gate
Entrance to the Green Park, the gate was given to London by Canada as part of a Memorial scheme dedicated to Queen Victoria. It was built in the same style as those of Buckingham Palace and has coat of arms of six of the seven Canadian provinces at the time with the original coat of arms of Canada of 1868 in the center.
Green Park
One of the eight Royal Parks of London, it is known for having no lakes, playgrounds, or buildings (unlike the other parks around the area) with most of the flowers being natrualised narcissus.
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Wellington Arch
Known as the Constitution Arch or the Green Park Arch, it is a triumphal arch built in 1830 and moved to this location in 1883. It, along with the Marble Arch, was designed by George IV in 1825 to commemorate Britain's victory in the Napoleonic Wars. It originally had a statue of the 1st Duke of Wellington on a horse, but is now replaced by a bronze quadriga (ancient four-hourse chariot) atop.
Around the Wellington Arch, there are three notable memorials: the Australian War Memorial (dedicated in 2003 to the 102,000 Australian who gave their lives in WWI and WWII), the Royal Artillery Memorial (dedicated in 1925 to commemorate the 49,076 soldiers from the Royal Artillery killed in WWI), and the New Zealand War Memorial (dedicated in 2006 to the New Zealanders who fought in WWI and WWII) |
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Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
One of the largest Royal Parks, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are separated by the Serpentine and the Long Water lakes. Originally established in 1536 by Henry VIII as a hunting ground, it became popular for May Day parades. It has served as a place for duels, especially among nobility, and the Crystal Palace designed by Joseph Paxton in 1851 for the Great Exhibition. Throughout the 1800s, it has served as a place for demonstrations and protests. One can also visit the Serpentine Galleries to see contemporary art and architecture. Kensington Palace is also at the far end of the Kensington Gardens. It is a royal palace that has exhibits on past residents like Queen Victoria and Princess Diana.
Today, it is possible to go swimming in the Serpentine, rest at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, stroll through the Rose Garden, and find the Statue of Achilles. One option for lunch is to head to the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, where one can get a nice meal and drink while sitting beside the Serpentine.
Today, it is possible to go swimming in the Serpentine, rest at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, stroll through the Rose Garden, and find the Statue of Achilles. One option for lunch is to head to the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, where one can get a nice meal and drink while sitting beside the Serpentine.
View from the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen in Hyde Park
NOTE: One can also head towards Borough Market for lunch instead of eating in Hyde Park.
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Marble Arch
Another one of the marble-faced triumphal archs, this used to be the state entrance to the cour d'honneur of Buckingham Palace in 1827, it was relocated here in 1851. Back in the day, only membersof the Royal Family and the King's Troop and Royal Horse Artillery could pass through the arch.
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From the Marble Arch station, take the Central line to the Jubilee line (transferring at Bond Street station) and get off at the London Bridge station and walk for about 5 minutes to the market.
City of London Afternoon Plan
2:00 – 2:30 PM: Borough Market
Borough Market is a market hall that is one of the premier food markets in London, having started in the 12th century (or even earlier). There are a lot of specialty shops where one can grab a quick bite to eat or try Fish n Chips (recommend Fish!Kitchen). I would recommend The Turkish Deli, which sells Turkish Delight and supplied Turkish Delight on the set of the Narnia's film for Edmund.
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2:30 – 3:00 PM: Shakespeare's Legacy
One can visit the Site of the Original Globe Theatre, which first opened in 1599 and served as an Elizabethan playhouse in which William Shakespeare wrote and performed his plays. It burned down in the fire of 1613, rebuilt in 1614, then demolished in 1644. One can still see where the original Globe Theatre was located and the site discovered through excavation with 5% of the original foundation still there.
A reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Globe Theatre still hosts Shakespeare's plays and was open to the public starting in 1997. It was founded by Sam Wanamaker in 1970, who was an American actor and director and wanted to recreate a faithful reconstruction allowing people to stand and watch. One can buy tickets online. One can take a tour of the reconstruction of the Globe Theatre in the late morning (departing from 10 AM - 11 AM/12 PM). |
3:00 – 3:30 PM: St. Paul’s Cathedral
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Walk across the Millennium Bridge, a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians to cross the Thames that was built in 2000, hence the name "Millenium". It was nicknamed the "Wobbly Bridge" since it swayed on opening day and was closed for 2 years to ensure the bridge was stable.
Once one reaches the other side, head towards St. Paul's Cathedral, an Anglican cathedral that serves as the seat of the Bishop of London. The original Gothic cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire and rebuilt by 1710. For sightseeing, the Cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 4 PM. |
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*3:30 – 5:00 PM: Tower of London
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On the way to the Tower of London, check out the Monument to the Great Fire of London (more commonly referred to as the Monument, is a fluted Doric column and tallest isolated stone column in the world built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and celebrate the rebuilding of the city. One can walk up the 311 steps for a beautiful view), Sky Garden (London's highest public garden with 360-degree views of the city skyline, restaurants, observation decks, and an open-air terrace), and view the 30 St Mary Axe, a commercial skyscraper called the Gherkin which is a stunning sight from afar.
Officially Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, it is a historic castle founded as part of the Norman Conquest. The White Tower was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was considered a symbol of oppression by the ruling elite. It served as a prison from 1100 until 1952, but its main purpose was to serve as a royal residence. It has been a strong forretress with a moat and two concentric rings of defensive walls.
Over time, it has served as an armory, treasury, menagerie, home of the Royal mint, public record office, and houses the Crown Jewels of England. Today, most of these can still be found here and most people visit to view the armory, the Crown Jewels of England, Traitor's Gate, and Green Tower (which is where Anne Boleyn was beheaded). |
Tower Bridge from Tower of London
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*5:00 – 5:30 PM: Tower Bridge
Both a bascule/drawbridge and suspension bridge, the Tower Bridge was built from 1886 to 1894. Its design allowed sailing ships into the port facilities. It became the target for enemies as a major transport link during WWII, which is where the song "London Bridge is Falling Down" comes from, although Tower Bridge is often confused with the London Bridge, which is to the east and not as impressive.
One is also able to make one's way up to the top of the bridge's twin towers (by an elevator from the northern tower), where one can walk through a high-level walkway used as an exhibiton space. |
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*5:30 – 6:30 PM: The Shard
The Shard is a 72-story skyscraper completed in 2013 that is the tallest building in the UK with a privately operated observation deck. One can book tickets (with champagne) to ride the elevator up to the top for a beautiful view of the Thames river and the City of London.
Take the Tube from the London Bridge station along the Jubilee line to the Northern line (transferring at Waterloo station) and getting off at Leicester station.
West End Evening Plan
West End is a district of Central London known for tourist attractions, theatres and entertainment venues, and some of the best restaurants in London.
7:00 – 7:15 PM: Leicester Square
Leicester Square is an iconic square that used to be the Leicester Fields in 1670. Currently, there is a trail of Scenes in the Square created in February 2020 showcasing icons from a century of cinema. There are statues of Batman and Wonderman, Paddington and Mr. Bean, Mary Poppins and Gene Kelly, Bugs Bunny, and Clifford. By holding up one's phone to a black disc, one can listen to the audio tour around the square.
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7:15 - 7:30 PM: Chinatown
This Chinese enclave started in the 1950s, but the area served as a place for immigrants over the centuries. Starting in the 1950s, British soldiers after the war fell in love with Chinese cuisine and helped the Chinese community gain business and traction in the area. The area is beautiful to see, as there are red lanterns strung across all the pedestrian walkways and there are a variety of Chinese restaurants and bakeries to check out.
For a light snack, highly recommend Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream, which is an incredible ice cream shop with Filipino flavors and Five Friends Desserts for some more traditional Cantonese desserts. |
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7:30 – 8:30 PM: Regent Street
Head down to Piccadilly Circus, a road junction and public space that is surrounded by advertisements reminding me of Times Square in New York. There is a Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain to commemorate Lord Shaftesbury, who was a Victorian politician, philanthropist, and social reformer. The Memorial represents the Greek god Anteros, the god of unrequited love.
Walk north through Regent Street, a major shopping street named after the Prince Regent who became George IV. It is known for the Union Jack flags that hang across the street. The most infamous part is the Quadrant on Regent Street leading to Piccadilly Circus.
Along Regent Street, there are many well-known parallel streets with fashion retailers, mainly Carnaby Street and New Bond Street. Notable stores in this area include Liberty London, a luxury department store known for its floral print fabrcs and its beautiful exterior, and Selfridges, a chain of high-end department stores similar to Galeries-Lafayette in Paris.
Walk north through Regent Street, a major shopping street named after the Prince Regent who became George IV. It is known for the Union Jack flags that hang across the street. The most infamous part is the Quadrant on Regent Street leading to Piccadilly Circus.
Along Regent Street, there are many well-known parallel streets with fashion retailers, mainly Carnaby Street and New Bond Street. Notable stores in this area include Liberty London, a luxury department store known for its floral print fabrcs and its beautiful exterior, and Selfridges, a chain of high-end department stores similar to Galeries-Lafayette in Paris.
Feel free to grab a bite around Soho whenever one is hungry, but be forewarned that most of the stores close around 8/9 PM.
With more time, one can schedule some time to attend one of the many shows in the theatres around the area.
Museums
Filled with so much history, London is a museum-goers dream, as most the museums are free to enter. Ones with an asterisk are not free to enter.
The British Museum
A museum dedicated to human history, art, and culture. It is most famous for having the Rosetta Stone, Greek Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies. Its collection contains over eight million works and is the first public national museum in the world, having been established in 1753.
- The National Gallery: An art museum founded in 1824 that houses a collection of 2,300 paintings from the 1200s to 1900.
- Serpentine Galleries: Two contemporary art galleries (one in Hyde Park, the other in Kensington Gardens) that are separated by a 5-minute walk. There are rotating exhibits that are quite interesting to visit.
- London Transport Museum*: A museum dedicated to the 200 years of London's transportation. It provides information on the past and also on how future technologies will impact London.
- Charles Dickens Museum (closed on Mondays): Located within the famous author's only surviving house, it holds the largest Dickens collection in the world with over 100,000 items that once belonged to and inspired Charles Dickens.
- Tate Modern: A former power plant building transformed into a modern and contemporary art museum with artwork from artists across the world.
Hidden Gems
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Kew Royal Botanic Gardens are an incredible place to see and is perfect for getting out of the city. It is easily accessible along the District Tube line and offers some beautiful sights and contains the "largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world".
There are many different exhibits and attractions, and one can spend many hours admiring all the gardens, galleries, fountains, and labs. Some of the highlights I'd recommend are below:
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Primrose Hill is a neighborhood in Northern London known for its Victorian terraces and pastel-colored homes. There is also a park of the same name that provides views of the city skyline and where one can enjoy the sunset. One can also head to Camden Market, an outdoor market that was London’s first crafts and antiques market and continues to sell handmade goods.
Regent's Park: A Royal Park of London, it is most known for Queen Mary's Gardens, the London Zoo, and Regent's University. The idea of the park is attributed to the Prince Regent and was named after him, but the patronage came from James Burton, a well-off property developer
For all the Harry Potter fans, one can head to King's Cross station for Platform 9 3/4 and reenact the scene in which Hogwarts students run through a brick wall between platforms 9 and 10 by holding onto a luggage trolley embedded into the wall.
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Dining in London
London's dining scene has shifted significantly, as more diverse and ethnic cuisines have populated the city. However, there are still a few staple dishes that one can try, such as Fish n Chips, Beef Wellington (which is only served on Sundays as part of a “roast” menu), and a traditional English Breakfast. I remain partial to British cuisine, so most of my recommendations are for non-English restaurants:
- Dishoom Covent Garden: Indian cuisine with a wide variety of dishes. Their mango fennel lassi and jackfruit biryani were delicious.
- Hoppers Soho: Sri Lankan restaurant that has an incredible mutton kothu roti.
- Bill’s: English restaurant that serves great breakfast options. There are multiple locations throughout the city.
- Pane Cunzato - Italian Pizza Restaurant: VERY large Calzones and affordable pizzas.
- Fish!Kitchen: Fish and chips with differing types of fish found in Borough Market.
I also do want to note that London takes food allergies quite seriously. If one tells their server that they have allergies, restaurants will bring out a booklet noting all their dishes and the cross-contamination and ingredients used in it.
Afternoon tea remains a staple in London. There are many places that host these events that come with tea, finger sandwiches, scones (which can be impossibly dry), and other pastries. They can be rather pricey, so carry out good research before going, and expect on feeling quite full upon leaving.
