This is one of the more daunting blog posts I’ve ever written. After living in London for a while last year, it quickly became my favorite city in the world. So how do I even begin to tell what to do when you visit?
In short, I quickly realized that I'll need to put together several London guides: the best restaurants, what to do at Christmas time, a breakdown of all the neighborhoods, and dozens others I just haven’t gotten around to tackling quite yet. But since lots of people that I know spend only a few short days in every destination they visit in Europe, I figured the best place to start was giving you "A Weekend in London" guide.
Let me caveat that London is the most diverse, multi-cultural, fascinating and wonderful city I’ve ever been to, but it is also a city of subtleties. Destinations like Italy or France will wildly romance you straight away with in-your-face culture that you can't miss. They're whimsical and feel so different from anything we have in America. But London doesn’t pack a punch in quite the same way. While I always liked it right from the moment I arrived, it wasn't until I spent an extended period of time there that I fell completely head over heels in love. But even if you can only stay a few days, I still believe that no matter who you are, there is plenty to love about London. The question is, who are you and what do you love? Because if you don’t know what to look for, chances are you’ll miss the opportunity to see the best of this amazing city.
I've made a list of recommendations that are purely based on my personal London favorites. When I travel, I love blending a mix of popular attractions with a taste of life as a local, along with some fantastic food and beautiful architecture. If that sounds like something you also enjoy, then I'd highly recommend doing as much of the following as you can. But before we dive into the itinerary, here are a few things to know about how to get around the city.
GETTING AROUND
The route I've mapped out below is strategically planned so you can use your time wisely and not waste too much of it in a cab or on the Underground. But nevertheless, there are still a few things you should know:
Black Cabs (while fun) get expensive quickly, and depending on the driver/ time of day, some claim they don’t accept card. Uber/Lyft/ViaVan are much cheaper alternatives should you want to take a car (but check the transport time- often the tube is a quicker option!)
The Underground (or more commonly referred to as the tube) is your friend and incredibly easy to use- especially if you download CityMapper to navigate where you want to get to and from. You’ll need to head to a kiosk at any Underground station to purchase and Oyster card (which obviously, is all in English and is pretty self explanatory). I’d suggest starting with £20, as you can always add more (or “top up” as the English say) if you need more funds.
Pack good walking shoes (I wrote a blog about the best shoes to bring to Europe here) and a rain jacket (I never used an umbrella as it usually only spits, but that can happen any given hour). Walking is entirely unavoidable in London and most of my itinerary will have you walking anywhere from 5-7 miles a day. It’s flat and there are plenty of stops for breaks so I find it to be easy, but consider yourself warned.
I could write an entire blog about transportation, about places to stay, and many other details you should know to plan a trip. But given the fact that I have more knowledge about London than any other destination, I've got to stay focused here if I ever want to get anything posted. So again, the point of this post is to lay out the top things to see and do in a quick weekend trip. So now that we've got all that sorted, let's dive into the 3 day itinerary:
DAY 1
Any day that you first arrive in a new city usually involves jet-lag, getting checked into where you're staying, and other time consuming factors you don't initially consider. So let's talk from the afternoon on. Hop on the tube and take the Piccadilly or Bakerloo line to Piccadilly Circus (Exit 1 at the station). Don’t worry- you won’t stay here long. This is arguably the most touristy bit in all of London so look around and take it all in, but it’s not what you’re there to see. Head straight down Sherwood St. until you hit Beak St, hang an immediate left and an immediate right and you’ll find yourself in Carnaby. "From being the birthplace of Swinging London in the 1960’s, the home of Mods, Punks and New Romantics to the street style tribes of today. Carnaby has and always will be the epicentre of culture and lifestyle in London’s West End". This is one of my favorite little areas in London- even though today, it’s highly commercial. I used to work from Joe & the Juice (an upscale Danish juice + coffee bar) most days that I lived there, so it’s a bit nostalgic for me. No matter what time of year it is, Carnaby St. is always lit up at night and feels magical every time you visit.
While you're here, be sure to visit Liberty London, a posh department store with more than two centuries of sourcing incredible textiles. Liberty is more of a London institution, really. I always load up on greeting cards for all occasions whenever I’m here (and be sure to walk to their Great Marlborough St. entrance if you’re there during the day to see the most beautiful flower displays you’ve ever seen.)
Also around Carnaby, you'll find tons of places to eat or grab a drink (Kingly Court is an idyllic open air courtyard with twinkle lights overhead). But where you need to eat is Dishoom: my favorite curry house in all of London.
Most tourists think they have to eat fish and chips in London and while you certainly can, locals will tell you what you really should try is the curry.
London been said to now have more Indian restaurants than Mumbai or Delhi, and their hole-in-the-wall curry establishments (especially on Brick Lane in Shoreditch) are incredible. Considering you’re only here a few days, I'd advise dining at Dishoom, which was voted Britain's favorite eatery. While it’s definitely a much more posh experience than the hole-in-the-wall spots on Brick Lane, it's certainly made waves in London and it seems everyone wants to eat here (I'd definitely advise you make an early booking in advance to avoid extensive waiting.) If you don't have a booking, try to go early to put your name on the list and then head to The Clachan: one of my favorite pubs in London (no real reason- just nostalgic I suppose) for a pint while you wait.
After dinner, go to the theatre! London has so many amazing shows, whether you choose to partake in a West End performance, The Royal National Theatre, The Globe- you can’t go wrong. I’ve seen several shows in London including Wicked, The Lion King, Matilda, Aladdin and my absolute favorite of all time Les Misérables (I highly recommend this one).
Still not ready for bed after the show? Head to Archer Street in Soho to close out your evening. I came here for the first time for a friend's birthday and was told that it's where theatre recruiters often come to scout talent (the staff all appear to be talented performers and often hop on a make-shift stage to sing and dance). Most of the entertainment throughout the night is a DJ, but they always play songs that are shamelessly fun to sing along to. I've been back a few times since and have never not had a blast.
DAY 2
Whitehall Gardens | Photo by Joel Smedley
Wear your walking shoes- today is going to be a doozie. Wake up and head to Borough Market straight away (you can easily get there by the Jubilee or Northern line on the Tube- getting off at the London Bridge station). This is one of my very favorite parts of London. (Fair warning, it’s only open from Monday-Saturday and has a limited market on Monday and Tuesday, so ideally you can go on a Wednesday through Saturday). As I’ve said before, London is such a global city that’s comprised of nationalities from all over the world, so this isn’t any farmers market: it's London's oldest food market and most of the stallholders are the producers themselves (including amazing food from all over Europe).
While you're here, let yourself completely pig out. Just walk around and nibble on anything that appeals to you- it's seriously one of my favorite things to do in the world because they literally have every kind of food you could ever want. It's also a great place to sample fish and chips (Fish! has been voted one of the best fish + chip shops in London by Esquire) if that's on your list, just don't let it be the only thing you try here!
If it’s chilly out, get a cup of mulled wine to warm up. And if it’s warm? Go for a Pimm's. Either way, I can't recommend this place enough (I daydream about it on a regular basis when I'm not in London).
Once you can’t fit anymore in your stomach and your bag is too full to purchase anything else, head for the Thames. You’ll likely come out somewhere in-between London and Southwark Bridge, which means immediately to your right, you’ll see Tower Bridge (not to be confused with London Bridge- which many people often call it). If you want you can walk across it, but I’d argue this is a plenty good view (and you truly have so much more you should do).
Tower Bridge
Snap a picture or two and start walking along the South Bank in the opposite direction of Tower Bridge. This route (while a bit long) certainly doesn’t feel like it and takes you by some of London’s most historic landmarks. You’ll see The Globe theatre, St. Paul's Cathedral, Millennium Bridge (the one the Death Eaters destroyed for all you Harry Potter fans), Tate Modern Art etc. Assuming you’re there on the weekend, there are street performers, musicians and all other kinds of entertainment to make the stroll an enjoyable one (plus you won’t be alone, tourists and Londoners alike enjoy this route). Once you reach the London Eye (which I'd skip riding if you're only there a few days- more important things to do!) don’t take your Big Ben pictures just yet. Keep walking under Westminster Bridge and you'll come to another one of my favorite spots in the city.
Big Ben
For whatever reason, tourists don’t seem to come to this side. It’s much more tranquil, offers a more direct shot of Big Ben, and you can even sit and enjoy the views with a drink (although you have to BYOB if you choose to partake- that's what Haley and I always do!). Once you’ve taken it all in, head back up the steps and walk across Westminster Bridge toward Big Ben. You’ll likely want to take lots more photos along the way...
Big Ben
Big Ben | Photo by Joel Smedley
Big Ben
Once you reach the other side of Parliament, up ahead on the left you’ll see Westminster Abbey. They do offer tours, but again- I’d argue you don’t have time in a short weekend (unless it’s really important to you). Take some photos and then head to your next stop(s) just around the corner: 10 Downing St. (home to Prime Minister Theresa May) and Horse Guards Parade (a ceremonial parade ground with British pomp and pageantry).
Horse Guards Parade
Once you've seen both of these, stroll through St. James’s Park: one of the most prominent parks in central London. Head to St. James's Cafe for a drink or snack (and take it outside to sit in the grass if the weather is nice. After resting your legs, walk through the park toward Buckingham Palace. You certainly can time it with the changing of the guard if you like. I personally never watched it myself because I didn't care enough about it to fight the crowds. Regardless of whether or not you watch the guard change, you should at least pop by Buckingham Palace to see it in person (and if the Royal flag is flying, that means the Queen is in the building).
St. James's Park | Photo by Joel Smedley
As previously mentioned, this guide doesn't consider where you may be staying, so take breaks at your own discretion. But this would be a great time to head back to your hotel/ flat to rest and freshen up for dinner. When you're ready to explore again, head to Oxford Circus, at the other end of Regent St. from Piccadilly Circus and head south. You don’t need to spend much time here- chances are most of the shopping you can find wherever you live (and do you really want to spend your few short days in London shopping for high street fashion?) But you still need to see the iconic architecture as the double decker buses and Black Cabs go by. After browsing a bit, head to the gallery at sketch for dinner. Sketch is a gastro-brasserie that's a destination for food, drinks, art and music and is comprised of multiple restaurants. Each is a uniquely-designed concept (but the gallery is my personal favorite). Again, you'll want to make a booking in advance or you likely won't be able to get a table for the evening. If there were ever a place you want to use the toilets, it's here. Just trust me on this one...
The gallery at sketch
Looking for a fun place to get drinks after dinner? You can always pop into a local pub (although I find these to be more fun just after work rather than later in the evening). I'd advise walking just 10 minutes to Fitzrovia where you'll find Berner’s Tavern: an upmarket Modern British restaurant in the London Edition Hotel. I came here on my first trip to London and fell in love with the beautiful decor, fantastic drinks and overall incredible ambiance. Chances are that you're exhausted, by now but if you still want to grab more drinks after that, I'd head to The Ivy Soho Brassiere.
DAY 3
Another big day so put those walking shoes back on! Head straight to Notting Hill (Notting Hill Station on the Central, District or Circle line) for Sunday Roast (that is, assuming Day 3 for you is on a Sunday) at The Ladbroke Arms. If you're wondering what Sunday Roast is, basically it's a traditional British meal that is typically served on Sunday (hence the name), and consists of roasted meat, roast potato, and accompaniments such as Yorkshire pudding, sausages, stuffing, vegetables and gravy. It's fun to experience and is a very "British" thing to do. We actually went to The Ladbroke Arms for dinner but it's a lovely atmosphere and right on the way to your next activity: Portobello Road- the world’s largest antiques market with over 1,000 dealers selling every kind of antique and collectible. Unfortunately, the market itself is actually closed on Sundays (Saturday is the main day to go) but unless you're big into antique collectables, I believe you can actually see more of Notting Hill without the crazy crowds if you go on a Sunday. And even still, there are tons of shops and darling cafes that will still be open (be sure to visit Biscuiteers and Farm Girl- two of my favorites). But the main reason I love wandering through Notting Hill is the bright pops of color that are unique to this area. Most of the buildings in London are traditional white flats or red brick. Notting Hill, however, boasts a rainbow assortment of every color imaginable.
Portobello Road, Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill
After letting yourself get lost in this idyllic neighborhood, walk about 20 minutes to the west end of Hyde Park. Call and make a booking in advance so you can have a proper English afternoon tea at The Orangery (right next door to Kensington Palace). We did this on our initial trip to London and had the best time (and after doing several other high-tea experiences in the city, this one is still my favorite).
High Tea at The Orangery
After tea, take your time strolling through Hyde Park. This is arguably one of the greatest parks in the world and hosts countless concerts and events throughout the year (if you're there at Christmas, be sure to visit Winter Wonderland!) But even when nothing is going on, it's a great place to see tourists and locals alike soaking up one of London's many green spaces.
Take the road that cuts Hyde Park and half and head south. You'll exit onto Exhibition Road, which will guide you directly into South Kensington: a posh London neighborhood that's home to the V&A and Natural History Museum. London museums are all free (they do have a donation box at the front which recommends a contribution) so I'd advise taking advantage of this and popping into both briefly if you have time (if you can only pick one, do the V&A- it's my favorite!)
*Also, should you want to try a church while you're in London, HTB (Brompton Road) is where I went and is also in this neighborhood. They have several services throughout the day so you can try to squeeze it into whatever makes the most sense for your schedule.
South Kensington
Victoria
For dinner on your final night in London, head to Sky Garden for the most spectacular views of the city. Sky Garden has a few different restaurants depending on your budget and culinary preferences, but just be sure to make a booking well in advance as this is a very popular destination (for good reason- these views are seriously incredible).
Skygarden
If you still want to have another drink after dinner, I'd recommend Duck and Waffle nearby for more great views of the city, One New Change for stunning views of St. Paul's Cathedral, or Bronte in Trafalgar Square if you want to head back closer to the city center.
One New Change
Again, there is still so much I have to say about London, but I need to draw the line somewhere (and I'm not sure you can fit much more into your schedule in such a short time to be honest!) I hope this itinerary gives you a taste of why this is my favorite place in the world and that you fall in love with it yourself!
Still have questions about London that I didn't answer? Let me know in the comments below so I can incorporate it into another one of the posts that I have coming.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope everyone has a great rest of the week. Stay tuned on Insta-stories next week... I'm heading somewhere incredibly fun (hint: I went there last October too). Can't wait to share!
xx
Whitney
