4 Days in London: A (Mostly) Walkable Itinerary + Map

Our 4-day itinerary for London covers the top sights, cultural attractions, and local neighbourhoods. This is our hometown, and it’s one of our favourite cities in the world.

While putting this guide together, we realised just how much there is to do in London.

As long-time residents, we know the city well. We see many of the attractions we’ve included in this guide on a daily basis. Yet, even writing this post created a tinge of excitement, as if we were visiting for the first time.

This itinerary is about exactly that.

It focuses on the main attractions you’ll want to see as a first-time visitor, but also includes some of our favourite local hangouts.  

It’s primarily designed as a walking itinerary, with the sights mapped out in an order that allows you to see them all on foot. However, London is also very easy to navigate by public transport, so you can always hop on the Tube or a bus.

At the end, we’ve included some practical tips for your visit.

If you’re visiting during the festive period, you may find our London winter itinerary useful.

ABOUT THIS ITINERARY

This itinerary is primarily for first-time visitors to London.

We’ve put together a plan that allows you to see the top sights in London, along with some of our favourite local spots – the places that make the city such a diverse and interesting destination.

We have organised this itinerary so you can see things in the right order. Each day is mapped out to minimise the time spent getting between places.

That means this is essentially a walking itinerary of London. We honestly think this is the best way to see London. There’s so much to hold your attention that you’ll hardly notice the steps you’re putting in.

Therefore, if you follow our itinerary, you won’t need to buy a Travelcard. On the few occasions when we suggest public transport, it will be cheaper for you to use a contactless card. We have more information in the “Getting Around” section below.

ORIENTATION & WALKING ROUTE

London is a large city, but many of its main tourist attractions are concentrated in a relatively small area in central London. (Not to be confused with the City of London, which is the financial area – not somewhere we recommend basing yourself.)

We’ve put all sights and attractions we cover in the guide on the map below, with the walking route for each day.

We suggest booking a place to stay in the highlighted section on this map. This area is central, and there are several Underground stations if you need to use public transport.

We have more information in the “Where To Stay” section below, but here are a few hotel recommendations to get you started:

• ££££ | Sea Containers London – This smart hotel is in a prime location on the Southbank, close to the Tate Modern. Decorated by award-winning designer Tom Dixon to resemble a 1920s transatlantic cruise liner, it’s a luxury stay in London.
• £££ | The Zetter Marylebone – Georgian boutique hotel with colourful rooms full of antiques, making you feel like you’re living with your Downton Abbey relatives.
• ££ | The Z Hotel Strand – A well-designed hotel right in the heart of the West End’s theatre district. This is the perfect option if you want a central location but you don’t plan on spending all your time in your hotel room.

4-DAY LONDON ITINERARY

DAY 1: WESTMINSTER, SOUTH BANK & THE WEST END

We suggest visiting the main tourist attractions around Westminster to start your London itinerary. This will give you a great feel for the city while seeing some of the most impressive royal and political sites in London.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE (9 AM)

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the UK sovereign and the working headquarters of King Charles.

The palace is in the heart of central London, with St James’s Park and Green Park on its edges. To get here, take the underground to St James’s Park Station on the Circle and District Lines, or Green Park Station on the Jubilee and Victoria Lines. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to the front of the palace from both stations.

State Rooms – For most of the year, you’ll just be admiring the facade, but you can visit the State Rooms between mid-July and late-September.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD // If you want to see the changing of the guard, it leaves St James’s Palace at 10:43 am and marches up The Mall to Buckingham Palace on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

ST JAMES’S PARK & HORSE GUARDS PARADE (10 AM)

After visiting Buckingham Palace (if you didn’t do the State Room tour), walk through the beautiful St James’s Park to Horse Guards Parade.

St James’s Park is the oldest of the 8 royal parks in London. From the Blue Bridge, you can capture an iconic picture of Buckingham Palace. Facing the other direction, you’ll get Horseguards Parade and Whitehall, which is what we captured in the photo below.

If you want to see more of regal London, have a look at our Royal Parks & Palaces walk, which includes 4 royal parks and 4 palaces.

Horseguards Parade is a ceremonial parade ground and one of the largest open spaces in London.

Two mounted cavalry troopers of The King’s Lifeguard are posted outside from 10 am to 4 pm daily. You are welcome to take photos, but make sure you maintain a respectable distance.

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS (11 AM)

After Horse Guards Parade, we highly recommend Churchill War Rooms, the underground operation centre used by Winston Churchill to direct the Second World War.

The maze of rooms in the secret bunker provides a fascinating insight into what it would have been like to live and work beneath the streets of London during the war.

In the Cabinet War Room, where Churchill met with his advisors, you can still see his scratch marks on the chair behind his desk. Don’t miss the map in this room, which has Britain far bigger than it actually is.

Officers from the British Navy, Army, and Air Force staffed the Map Room. This is where they produced daily briefs for the king and the prime minister. Check out the huge map, covered with pin holes representing the movement of convoys across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Transatlantic Telephone Room is a small room disguised as a toilet, where Churchill would speak to President Roosevelt in secret. You can listen to recordings of their conversations, which is fascinating.

Entry Tickets – You can book tickets in advance, but tickets are generally available on the day. The museum is open from 9:30 AM to 4 PM every day.

GUIDED TOUR // This excellent WWII walking tour of Westminster includes entry to the Churchill War Rooms, plus a guided tour of other sites impacted by the war. Perfect for history buffs.

WHITEHALL & DOWNING STREET (1 PM)

After the Churchill War Rooms, head back through Horse Guards Parade and turn right at Whitehall to have a quick walk past Downing Street.

Downing Street is the home of the British Prime Minister. You can’t get very close, but you can peer between the gates and almost make out the famous number 10 on the black door.  

LUNCH (1:30 PM)

You should be ready for lunch now, and we recommend a proper British experience for your first full day in the capital.

• Red Lion (£££) – A traditional British pub, popular with politicians, with a grand Victorian interior and a menu of pub classics.
• Westminster Arms (££) – A classic English pub full of history and atmosphere.
• Regency Cafe (£) – A little further away, but worth the walk, Regency Cafe is a traditional greasy spoon with Art Deco interiors. The old-school interiors have appeared in several films and TV programmes.
• Buckingham Arms (££) – Another traditional London pub with classic British pub food and craft beers.

After lunch, you have 2 options to choose from: a tour of the Palace of Westminster or Westminster Abbey. You can only go inside the Palace of Westminster on a self-guided audio tour, and the last entry is 4:15 PM. It’s also only open to the public on Saturdays or during the week when parliament is not sitting. You can check available times here.

The last entry at Westminster Abbey is 3:30 PM.

So, you’ll only have time for one this afternoon, okay? Unless you are particularly interested in the workings of the British Parliament, we’d recommend Westminster Abbey for most people.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY (OPTION 1: 3 PM)

After lunch, head across Westminster Square and check out the statues of Churchill and other great leaders. The square also has great views of Westminster Palace and Big Ben.

Then it’s time to visit Westminster Abbey.

The building was originally constructed on this site in the 11^th century by Edward the Confessor, who wanted a royal burial church for himself. In a supreme act of good timing, it was consecrated on December 28, 1065, one week before his death.

Rebuilding commenced under Henry III in the 13^th century and continued throughout the years until Sir Christopher Wren was appointed to restore the exterior in the 17^th century.

Here are some of the highlights inside:

• The tombs of Henry VII, Elizabeth I, and her sister Mary – possibly the most important figures in British royal history.
• Poets’ Corner, where you’ll find graves or memorials to famous writers, including William Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
• The Coronation Chair, which has been used for over 700 years, is also worth locating.
• King Henry VII Lady Chapel – one of the most beautiful spaces in the abbey.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY TICKETS // Timed entry tickets need to be booked in advance for Westminster Abbey to avoid the long queues.

PALACE OF WESTMINSTER & BIG BEN (OPTION 2: 3 PM)

Option 2 for the afternoon is Westminster Palace, home of the British Parliament.

It’s a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture with intricate details and towering spires, built on the banks of the Thames. Of course, the crowning glory is Big Ben, officially known as the Elizabeth Tower.

The guided or self-guided tours of the Palace of Westminster provide a fascinating insight into the inner workings of British democracy. We have done the tour twice now, and it’s something we highly recommend, but only if you are interested in British politics.

WESTMINSTER PALACE TOURS // The guided or self-guided tours of the Palace of Westminster take around 90 minutes and need to be booked well in advance.

SOUTH BANK (5 PM)

Once you’ve soaked up British history at either Westminster Palace or Westminster Abbey, head over Westminster Bridge to explore the South Bank.

The bridge itself is a great spot to photograph Big Ben. You can also take a small detour by turning right at the end of the bridge and taking the steps down to the waterfront.

Here, you’ll find the National COVID Memorial Wall and the best vantage point to photograph Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

There are plenty of things to do south of the river, but a good place to start might be our South Bank self-guided walk. This includes the main attractions along the river, allowing you to choose which ones to see.

You could also just stroll along and enjoy the atmosphere.

LONDON EYE // On the walk from the Southbank to Soho, you’ll pass the London Eye. It’s very touristy, expensive, and the queues can be astonishing. If it’s something you want to do, the fast-track ticket allows you to avoid some of the queues, but the standard ticket is around £20 cheaper.

SOHO & A WEST END SHOW (6 PM)

For the rest of the evening, we suggest you finish up on the South Bank, then make your way across the Golden Jubilee Bridge and into Soho and the West End.

Soho has a rich bohemian heritage with everything from vintage shops to Michelin-starred restaurants. Small streets are packed with traditional pubs, cafes and restaurants which spill onto the street in the summer months.

Navigate around Carnaby Street, Berwick Street, and Old Compton Street, and you can’t go wrong.

If you plan on seeing a West End Show, performances usually start at 7:30 PM. Ticketmaster has a comprehensive list of what’s on.

We spend a lot of time in Soho and consider it our local area. So here are the restaurants we recommend in Soho (from a lot of choices):

• Barrafina (££££) – Authentic Spanish tapas in a contemporary setting. Whenever people ask about our favourite restaurant in London, Barrafina is always the first place to spring to mind.
• Yauatcha (££££)- Cantonese-style teahouse in a cool, dimly-lit vibe. The dim sum is excellent, as is the cocktail list.
• Yalla Yalla (££) – Lebanese street food in a home-style setting. The food is delicious and comforting, and it’s one of our go-to places.
• Bob Bob Ricard (£££££) – Famous for the “Press for Champagne” button at every booth. They do stylish dishes served in a glamorous setting.
• Kiln (££££) – A Thai barbecue restaurant with an open kitchen and counter seating, specialising in northern Thai flavours. Their claypot noodles are superb.
• Berner’s Tavern (£££££) – Superb British cooking, using high-quality seasonal produce in a grand dining hall. This is a high-end night out.

DAY 2: BRITISH MUSEUM, OXFORD STREET, COVENT GARDEN

On your second day in London, start at the British Museum, then explore the area around Oxford Street and Regent Street, and then on to Covent Garden.

BRITISH MUSEUM (10 AM)

The British Museum was the world’s first national museum open to the public. It contains important artefacts of human history and culture dating back to the last 2 million years. 

Highlights include the Egyptian mummies, the Parthenon Sculptures and the Rosetta Stone.

The museum is free to enter; however, the entry queue directs you to payment terminals, allowing you to leave a voluntary donation if you wish. It’s a sneaky way to get a donation, but rest assured, the museum is free.

We highly recommend visiting this museum on a tour. There’s so much to see, and you’ll have a much better experience with a knowledgeable guide selecting a few key items to explain in detail.

The museum holds regular tours throughout the day for different interests. Many are free, but some require a fee. There is a board at the information desk displaying the day’s times and sessions.

This tour of the British Museum, led by a qualified art historian, provides a fascinating and in-depth walk through the museum. The guide gave a balanced take on the controversies surrounding the museum and its collection, which was interesting to hear.

Both Viator and Get Your Guide have more affordable tours. However, both of them, disgracefully, offer paid entry tickets. Again, you do not need to pay to enter the museum. You only need to pay for a private tour if you choose to do so.

OXFORD STREET & PICADILLY CIRCUS (12:30 PM)

After leaving the British Museum, make your way down to Tottenham Court Road (a 6-minute walk) to explore Oxford Street.

Head down Oxford Street towards Oxford Circus, and have a slow walk past the shops. Then turn left onto Regent Street to explore one of the most iconic streets in London.

MAYFAIR (1:30 PM)

To the west of Regent Street, you’ll be in Mayfair. This is the most stylish neighbourhood in London, with upmarket boutiques, fine dining and beautiful squares lined with Georgian architecture.

We suggest you navigate towards:

• New Bond Street – Main shopping strip with luxury brands.
• Mount Street – High-end boutiques and Georgian architecture.
• Burlington Arcade – London’s most beautiful covered arcade.
• Savile Row – Home to traditional bespoke tailoring.

LUNCH SOHO OR CHINA TOWN (2:30 PM)

Soho, where we finished last night, is south of Oxford Street and east of Regent Street. It’s basically the area between Picadilly Circus, Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road Tube Stations.

Chinatown is just over Shaftesbury Avenue from Soho.

Having got your initial bearing last night, Soho is also great to explore during the day. It’s full of interesting lunch spots, great cafes, and plenty of opportunities for people-watching.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Koya Soho (££) – Our favourite undon noodle bar in the city. You’ll need to queue, but it’s well worth it.
• Brasserie Zédel (£££) – Traditional lunch in a beautiful French brasserie.
• Nessa Soho (££££) – Modern British cooking in a refined atmosphere. This is good for a longer, boozier lunch.
• Lanzhou Lamian Noodle Bar (£) – Famous for their hand-pulled noodles, the beef brisket soup is excellent.

The French House is a bit of an institution in Soho. It’s a historic pub that only served half-pints.

We love the coffee at Hideaway Cafe, located in a tiny, hidden square, and Rapha London, which is also a bike shop.

NATIONAL GALLERY OR NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY (4 PM)

After lunch, head over to either the National Gallery or the National Portrait Gallery, both of which are in Trafalgar Square, one of the most iconic public squares in London. It’s also a must-visit spot for Christmas in London.

The National Gallery has an extensive collection of European art from the 13^th to the 19^th centuries. It recently reopened after a revamp and rehang, with the collection reorganised in a way that is unique to national collections. It’s had mixed reviews, but we were back recently, and I’m not sure we understood the intention behind the layout; but it still worked for us.

Some of the most famous pieces are:

• Sunflowers – Vincent van Gogh
• Venus and Mars– Sandro Botticelli
• The Virgin of the Rocks – Leonardo da Vinci
• Madonna of the Pinks – Raphael
• The Fighting Temeraire – J.M.W. Turner

Just around the corner, the National Portrait Gallery is our favourite gallery in London. As a free museum, we often pop in when we’re in the area just to see what’s on.

The collection celebrates British history through portraits and has recently reopened after a big facelift.

They have around 11,000 portraits in total, with around 4,000 on display at any given time. Subjects range from contemporary photography to paintings spanning centuries.

Here are some of the standouts for us:

• The Chandos Portrait – The most famous portrait believed to depict Shakespeare.
• Sir Winston Churchill by Graham Sutherland – Churchill had this destroyed because it wasn’t flattering; what you see today is a reproduction.
• Diana, Princess of Wales by Mario Testino – A colllection of 1997 photographs.
• Self-Portrait by David Hockney – Hockney’s minimalist self-portrait.

TRAFALGAR SQUARE (6 PM)

Finish up the day by having a quick look around Trafalgar Square before you head over to Covent Garden.

The square is named after the Battle of Trafalgar, which took place in 1805. Lord Horatio Nelson, who was killed in the battle, is remembered with Nelson’s Column, the centrepiece of the square.

Each corner of Trafalgar Square is adorned with a statue of notable names from British history, except the northwest corner. Known as the Fourth Plinth, it was left empty when it was built in 1844 because the funds had run out.

If you happen to be visiting during the festive season, there’s always a lot happening over Christmas at Trafalgar Square.

COVENT GARDEN (6:30 PM)

Covent Garden is one of those rare places that somehow manages to be extremely touristy yet great for locals as well.

It’s the heart of London’s West End and a great place to spend the evening. It’s one of our favourite areas to hang out in.

There’s so much to do in Covent Garden that it would take a whole other guide to cover, which we should get onto. But here are some suggestions:

• The Barbary Next Door—Enjoy North African / Spanish-inspired food in an intimate wine bar setting.
• Seven Dials Market—Although it can get a bit crowded and messy, Seven Dials Market has a wide selection of international food.
• St Paul’s Church – Attend one of the free concerts and events at St Paul’s Church, also known as the Actor’s Church, for the shows performed by West End stars.
• See a West End show—If there’s something on during your visit, we highly recommend seeing something at the Donmar Warehouse.
• Blind Spot – This cool speakeasy in the St Martin’s Lane Hotel has a fantastic selection of cocktails.
• Stereo – This dimly lit basement has a great menu of late-night snacks with American / French influences, with regular musician or DJ sets.

DAY 3: CITY OF LONDON, BOROUGH & SHOREDITCH

For your third day in London, we suggest exploring a bit more of the South Bank and the City of London. We finish up with an evening in the very cool East End.

TOWER OF LONDON (9 AM)

The Tower of London is an imposing fortress on the North Bank of the Thames, which has played a pivotal role in British history.

Over the centuries, the tower has served as a fortress, a palace, a prison and even a zoo. It’s probably most famous for incarcerating and executing Queen Anne Boleyn.

The highlight is the Treasury, which contains the Crown Jewels, some of the world’s most valuable and historic royal jewellery and regalia.

There is a lot to see at the Tower of London, and it can be a bit overwhelming, so you might want to consider the audio guide, which is an extra charge (£5 over the ticket price). However, information is on boards throughout the exhibitions, and the Yeoman will be happy to answer any questions.

If you decide to get a guided tour, keep in mind that only Accredited Guides or Blue Badge guides are allowed inside the tower.

TOWER OF LONDON TICKETS // It’s a good idea to book timed tickets in advance, which allows you to skip the line at the ticket desk. However, there may still be a queue to get through security, so it’s a good idea to go as early as possible.

TOWER BRIDGE TO BOROUGH MARKET (11:30 AM)

After the Tower of London, walk over Tower Bridge to Borough Market, the oldest and largest market in London.

Borough started as a medieval market around 1,000 years ago. Today, it celebrates sustainable food production, short supply chains, and top-quality food.

There are also plenty of restaurants and food stalls dotted around the market, which could be a good option for lunch on this day of the itinerary. Some of our favourites are:

• Arabica Bar & Kitchen – Sample Middle Eastern small plates and mezze.
• Padella – Amazing hand-rolled pasta.
• Berenjak – Persian stews, kebabs and sharing dishes.  
• Mallow – Excellent plant-based restaurant.  
• BAO Borough – Taiwanese street food.

You certainly won’t have Borough Market to yourself, but it’s one of those London experiences we think is worth putting up with the crowds for. Borough Market is closed on Monday.

SHAKESPEARE GLOBE (1:30 PM)

After Borough Market, walk along the South Bank, picking off some of the sights on this great promenade. Our South Bank London guide, which includes additional stops along the way, has more information.

Weave through the backstreets behind Borough Market (use our map above) to get to Bankside, the pedestrianised footpath along the banks of the Thames.

One of the first landmarks you’ll encounter is the Shakespeare Globe. This is a realistic recreation of the Globe Theatre, which was built in 1599 and housed many of Shakespeare’s original plays.

For this itinerary, you’ll probably just be admiring it from the outside, but if you are keen on seeing a production, visit the Shakespeare Globe website.

TATE MODERN (2:00 PM)

If you are interested in modern art, the Tate Modern Art Gallery is definitely somewhere you’ll want to visit while exploring the South Bank.

It houses the UK’s national collection of modern and contemporary art in the converted Bankside Power Station.

Here is a quick walking itinerary through the Tate Modern that will allow you to see some of the gallery’s most famous pieces, working from the ground floor up.

• Start in the Turbine Hall to see the current installation.
• Walk up to the first floor (Boiler House) to see the Seagram Murals by Mark Rothko and Fountain by Marcel Duchamp. (Gallery 3).
• Go up to the second floor to see Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso (Gallery 5) and Metamorphosis of Narcissus by Salvador Dalí (Gallery 6).
• Still on level 2, see Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol (Gallery 9) and A Bigger Splash by David Hockney (Gallery 10).
• Cross the bridge on level 2 to enter the Blavatnik Building to see Cubi XVIII by David Smith.
• Finally, head up to the Level 10 viewing terrace for a wonderful view over London.

Tate Modern is completely free to enter.

ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL (3:30 PM)

Now head across the River Thames on the Millennium Bridge to go to St Paul’s Cathedral.

The beautiful interior is filled with monuments to key figures in British history and artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and mosaics. If you plan to go inside, the last entry is at 4 pm, so you’ll need to head here quickly after leaving the Tate.

The Crypt contains the tombs of Sir Christopher Wren and Nelson, as well as a memorial to Florence Nightingale.

If you are able, it’s well worth climbing the 528 steps to the top of the dome and the Golden Gallery, a small viewing platform at the very top, which is probably the best I’ve seen in London.

ST PAUL’S TICKETS // We suggest booking tickets ahead of time to avoid the queues. Tickets include a multimedia guide, and you can book a guided tour or talk on arrival.

If you decide not to go inside St Paul’s you can admire the remarkable building from the outside and explore the area, taking a slower walk towards the Sky Garden.

Here are some notable buildings on the way:

• Bank of England – The impressive building is the heart of London’s financial district.
• Royal Exchange – A luxury shopping arcade and historical trading hub.
• Leadenhall Market – Beautiful Victorian covered market.

SKY GARDEN (5:30 PM)

The Sky Garden is one of the best views of London, and it’s free to visit (closes at 6pm Mon-Thurs, 9pm Fri-Sun).

Located at the top of the Walkie-Talkie, also known as the Fenchurch Building, Sky Garden is a lush indoor garden featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a 360° view of London.

The views of the Thames stretching off into the distance from the 43^rd floor are simply spectacular.

SKY GARDEN TICKETS // The Sky Garden is free to visit, but you need to book a timed ticket in advance for entry.

BRICK LANE & SHOREDITCH (7 PM)

After Sky Garden, head over to Brick Lane to enjoy an evening in one of London’s most colourful neighbourhoods.

Throughout most of its history, the area around Brick Lane has been one of the most deprived parts of London. But migrant groups over the years have bestowed a unique cultural fingerprint on the area, which makes it what it is today.

If you’re planning to have dinner, Brick Lane is famous for its curry houses. The best approach is to pick one you think has the energy you’re looking for and go for it.

There are plenty of other great things to do around Brick Lane and Shoreditch in the evening. Here are a few suggestions:

• Shoreditch Street Art — Our self-guided walk showcases the best of the area’s street art, giving you a good sense of the overall neighbourhood.
• Spitalfields Market — This wonderful market near Shoreditch is great for vintage clothes, jewellery, and gourmet food.
• Cheshire Street — For more vintage shopping, check out the area around Cheshire Street.
• Cocktails — The Discount Suit Company is one of our favourite cocktail bars in London. Found is another with dark cosy nooks, great service and excellent cocktails.
• Pride of Spitalfields – For a more traditional pub, you can’t go past the Pride of Spitalfields.
• Princess of Shoreditch – We’ve always loved the food and atmosphere at this classy pub.

SHOREDITCH BY BUS // Sky Garden to Brick Lane is one journey you may want to take by bus. The best way is to check the journey on Google Maps, which will give you all the bus options. Otherwise, take the Tube on the District Line from Monument to Aldgate East.

DAY 4: NOTTING HILL, HYDE PARK & KENSINGTON

For your final day in London, we suggest heading to Notting Hill and grabbing brunch in this colourful neighbourhood. Then, exploring Hyde Park and Kensington.

NOTTING HILL (9:30 AM)

Notting Hill is a vibrant neighbourhood in West London, offering a great place to experience the city’s diverse personalities.

You’ll find high-end boutiques, colourful houses, a wonderful street market and some cool independent shops.

A good way to get your bearings is to start with our Notting Hill self-guided walk. The walk takes 2 to 3 hours if you explore at a leisurely pace.

Notting Hill also has some great breakfast options, which we have summarised in our Notting Hill brunch guide.

GETTING TO NOTTING HILL // To get to Notting Hill, take the tube to Notting Hill Gate station, which is on the Central, Circle and District Lines.

PORTOBELLO MARKET (11 AM)

Depending on the day of the week you are visiting Notting Hill, you’ll want to check out Portobello Road Market.

There’s something happening every day of the week, but the whole market operates on Friday and Saturday. Generally, Fridays are slightly less busy, making it the best day to visit.

The market is closed on Sunday.

We have more ideas for what to do in the area in our guide to visiting Notting Hill.

HYDE PARK (12:30 PM)

After exploring Notting Hill, walk through Hyde Park, Britain’s largest royal park, making your way to Kensington.

Stop off at Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Dianna, and have a stroll around the Round Pond just in front of the palace.

We’ve allowed a fair amount of time in Hyde Park, so you’ll also have time to head down to the Italian Gardens, a formal water garden featuring statues and fountains, a gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria.

Navigate towards Royal Albert Hall, taking as many paths as you like through the gardens.

ROYAL ALBERT HALL (1:30 PM)

Have a quick stop at Royal Albert Hall to admire the unique round building and the adjacent Prince Albert Memorial.

If there happens to be something you want to see, you could also come back in the evening after visiting the museums in Kensington (which is next).

If you are planning to visit London over the festive period, read our London winter itinerary, which includes the Christmas shows at Royal Albert Hall.

VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM, OR NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (2 PM)

Next, take the short walk to South Kensington to visit one of the museums.

The Victoria & Albert Museum is a celebration of human creativity with a vast collection spanning 5,000 years.

Some of the most famous items include:

• The Raphael Cartoons – The 7 huge paintings by Raphael were designed for tapestries to hang in the Sistine Chapel.
• Tipoo’s Tiger – A sculpture of a tiger mauling a soldier, which also contains an organ that can be operated by turning a handle.
• Cast Courts – Housed in a 25-metre-high hall, these incredible plaster and electrotype reproductions include a copy of Michelangelo’s David and Trajan’s Column, which needed to be cut in half to fit.
• Glass Chandelier – The huge chandelier by Dale Chihuly makes a grand statement in the Cromwell Road entrance. 

The Natural History Museum is a fantastic exhibition showcasing all aspects of the natural world.

There are literally millions of objects on display. A good place to start is the Treasures Gallery, which features just 22 items, each carefully selected for its remarkable scientific or cultural significance.

It’s free to enter; however, you need to pay for special exhibitions, such as the excellent Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM QUEUE // Although it’s free, the queues can be very long. We strongly suggest booking a free time slot in advance, which will allow you to skip the queue.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE (4:30 PM)

After the museums, you’re in the right spot to enjoy some of the best shopping London has to offer. Alternatively, it’s a great part of town for some good old-fashioned window shopping.

Harrods is around a 20-minute walk from the museums. You’ll be walking through one of London’s most exclusive neighbourhoods to get to this slice of British retail therapy. There are 330 departments in Harrods, but Mark and I generally make a beeline for the food hall.

You could also pop into Harvey Nichols, a British luxury department store chain founded in 1831. The flagship department store houses seven floors of exclusive fashion and beauty brands.

The 5th floor is a famous dining destination in London.

THE BERKELEY HOTEL ROOFTOP (6:30 PM)

A classy way to finish this itinerary would be to have cocktails inspired by the Italian Riviera at the Berkeley Hotel Rooftop Bar. It has wonderful views of London and is open to the public over the summer.

If the rooftop bar is not open during your visit, the Berkeley Bar & Terrace is a great alternative.

PLANNING & LOGISTICS

WHERE TO STAY

We have a complete guide to the different neighbourhoods of London, which includes recommendations on where to stay. But here is a summary of the main areas:

WESTMINSTER

Westminster is a great option for first-time visitors as it’s right in the centre of the main tourist attractions. It lacks the neighbourhood feel of other areas, but you can find some surprisingly good hotels.

Read our guide to staying in Westminster for the details, but here are a few suggestions:

• Luna & Simone Hotel (£) – This modern, clean, and comfortable family-run hotel is conveniently located near Victoria bus and train stations.
• The Guardsman (££) – This boutique hotel feels like a sophisticated private members’ club on the edge of St James’s Park.
• The Goring (£££) – The Goring has an elegant style with a large private garden, smartly decked doormen and a Michelin-star restaurant.

SOHO

Soho has a bohemian feel and excellent bars, cafes, and restaurants. It’s a great base if you plan on enjoying London’s nightlife and want to be in the centre of the action.

Read our guide for staying in Soho, but here are a few suggestions:

• Z Hotel Strand (£) – It’s not easy to find decent-value hotels near the West End, but Z Hotels has a few, with the pick being on The Strand.
• Hazlitt’s (££) – In the heart of Soho, I’ve walked past this hotel many times and never knew it was there. It oozes old-world charm across four Georgian townhouses with a wood-panelled library, leather-bound books, and antique furniture.
• L’Oscar (£££)—Located on the north-eastern corner of Covent Garden, this exquisitely designed boutique hotel is opulently decorated in a style that evokes 1920s glam and Studio 54. 

PADDINGTON

Paddington is slightly out of the centre, but it has excellent transport links. You can be in Soho within 15 minutes, and you’ll find some of the best value accommodation here.  

• Kensington Gardens Hotel (£) – There are lots of good-value hotels near Paddington, but this 2-star hotel is one of the best.
• The Hayden (££) – A cool pub with well-priced rooms just a few minutes’ walk from Hyde Park and the boutiques of Westbourne Grove.

GETTING AROUND

Many of the best attractions are located in a compact area of central London, and we have designed this itinerary to allow you to walk between the sights.

Nevertheless, to see everything, you’ll need to use public transport or taxis. Here is a quick rundown on how to use public transport in London.

LONDON UNDERGROUND

The London Underground (also known as the Tube) is a very extensive and excellent way to get around. In central areas, tube stations are rarely more than ten minutes’ walk apart, and tubes run every 2 or 3 minutes.

You can simply pay with contactless as you walk through the gates or buy a prepaid Travelcard. (More about this later).

The tube runs from around 5 AM to just after midnight. There is a 24-hour service on Friday and Saturday nights on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines.

TFL GO APP // Download the Transport for London GO App, which has a handy tube map and journey planner.

LONDON BUSES

London Buses are slower than the tube for getting around, but the views are great, especially if you nab the front seat on the top deck.

Buses are convenient to use in areas where underground stations are a bit further away. In this itinerary, buses are only really needed to get to Brick Lane, but you could also use them to cut down a bit of walking.

Use the TFL Go App to plan your bus journey, or simply use Google Maps.

You can pay with contactless on all London buses. Just tap the card reader when you get on.

PAY-AS-YOU-GO CAPS & TRAVELCARDS

The best way to pay for public transport in London is to use Contactless. You pay by tapping a physical card or phone to the barriers, and the gates will open automatically.

Contactless payment is available on all London buses and Underground Stations.

Contactless payments are automatically capped daily and weekly. So, no matter how many trips you make, you’ll pay a maximum of £8.90 per day or £44.70 per week, whichever is cheaper.

If you only use buses, the daily cap is £5.25.

The other way to pay is via a Travelcard. Travelcards need to be purchased in advance for the zones you want to travel on. For this itinerary, you only need Zones 1 and Zones 2.  

However, due to the daily price caps, the Travelcard is more expensive than using Contactless. A 1-Day Travelcard for Zones 1 and 2 is currently £16.60, compared with £8.90 for Contactless.

A weekly Travelcard for zones 1 and 2 is £44.70, so even if you met your Contactless cap daily for a week, Contactless would still be the same price or cheaper.

BIKES & E-BIKES

There are shared bikes all across London, which can be a convenient and fun way to travel short distances.

Forest—Forest is the cheapest e-bike and the only one with a zero-emissions fleet. It offers 10 minutes free every day, then 19p per minute after that.

Santander Bikes—This is the official bike provider from Transport for London. They have hundreds of docking stations all over the city. A day pass gives you an unlimited number of 30-minute journeys for £3, or you can hire them for £1.65 for 30 minutes.

TAXI & UBER

Yes, Uber is still a thing in London. In our experience, it’s not as reliable as it once was, but it’s still much more cost-effective than getting a black cab.  

Black cabs are more expensive, but they’re an iconic way to travel in London. You can hail a black cab from the street and expect to put the world to rights on your journey.

We rarely get a taxi or Uber in London these days. We would only bother if we were coming home after midnight, or there was a tube strike!

GETTING TO LONDON FROM THE AIRPORT

London has three main airports serving the city for transatlantic arrivals, Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

Each has an express train service to get you into central London swiftly, so it doesn’t really matter which one you use, but Heathrow is the closest to central London.

FROM HEATHROW

From Heathrow, you can take the Heathrow Express.

It’s one of the most expensive train journeys in the UK, but it only takes 15 minutes. If you book up to 60 days in advance, you get a discount, and it’s also cheaper if you book multiple tickets.

You can purchase tickets on the train, but it’s cheaper to book online, even if you do so on your phone when you get to the airport.

The other and more affordable option from Heathrow is to catch the Elizabeth Line. Currently, the Elizabeth Line’s fare from Heathrow to London Paddington is £12.80. You can pay using contactless.

The cheapest way to travel from Heathrow to Central London is via the Piccadilly Line. The journey takes around 55 minutes, and the fare is £5.50 if you use contactless payment.

To be honest, we never use the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow anymore. The Elizabeth Line is quicker, much more spacious, and comfortable. It’s well worth the extra £7.

HEATHROW TERMINALS // There are 5 terminals at Heathrow. You can use the free train service to get between them.

FROM GATWICK

The most convenient way to travel from Gatwick to London is by taking the Gatwick Express, which takes approximately 30 minutes to reach London Victoria.

Like the Heathrow Express, it’s one of the pricier options, but you get discounts for booking in advance and multiple tickets. You can purchase tickets on the train, but it’s cheaper to book online.

FROM STANSTED

From Stansted, the fastest option is the Stansted Express. This takes around 35-50 minutes to reach Liverpool Street Station. It’s expensive but direct, and like other airport express services, you get discounts for advance booking and multiple tickets.

The budget-friendly alternative is the National Express bus service to Victoria Coach Station. The journey takes around 55-75 minutes, depending on traffic, but it’s significantly cheaper than the train. You can pay contactless or book online.

MORE GUIDES TO PLAN YOUR LONDON TRIP

• To get an idea of what you might like to do, read our guide to the best things to do in London.
• Our London Itinerary helps you plan 3 or 4 amazing days in the city.
• Find your perfect accommodation with our Where To Stay in London guide which includes a review of the best areas.
• A great neighbourhood to explore is Notting Hill – this guide covers the highlights.
• For a completely different area, take our Shoreditch Street Art walk.
• Read our Hackney neighbourhood guide for all the best things to do in this East London area.
• Our guide to accommodation in Soho includes our hotel recommendations and things to do.
• Get out and about with our top walks in London – each with a detailed map.