London 4-Day In-Depth Itinerary
London · 4 days · 21 places
Day 1 · From Buckingham Palace to Covent Garden Westminster & Trafalgar
- 1. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace (UK: ) is the official residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom in London, England. Wikipedia
Best time: Ceremony morning · Admission: Free outside · State Rooms paid (summer only) — The Changing of the Guard doesn't run daily — check the official schedule / Get a spot 30 minutes early - 2. Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. Wikipedia
Best time: At opening · Admission: Paid — No sightseeing on Sundays (services only) / Site of royal coronations and weddings; audio guide included - 3. Big Ben Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Free (outside) — Best seen from across Westminster Bridge / Tower tours are very limited - 4. London Eye
The London Eye, originally the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset · Admission: Paid · usually cheaper online — One rotation takes about 30 minutes / Fast-track tickets exist for long lines - 5. The National Gallery
The National Gallery is an art museum in Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, in Central London, England. Wikipedia
Best time: Morning · Admission: Free (special exhibitions paid) — Masterpieces like Van Gogh's Sunflowers — plan the rooms you want / On Trafalgar Square - 6. Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London, on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. Wikipedia
Best time: Afternoon to evening · Admission: Free to browse — Street performers in the piazza / Near many theatres — good for a pre-show dinner
Day 2 · From the British Museum to Tower Bridge Bloomsbury, the City & South Bank
- 1. The British Museum
The British Museum is a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Wikipedia
Best time: At opening · Admission: Free (timed booking recommended) — The Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures draw crowds — go there first / It would take days to see it all — pick your highlights - 2. St. Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Paul in London, is an Anglican cathedral in London, England, the seat of the Bishop of London. Wikipedia
Best time: Morning · Admission: Paid (services free) — About 500 steps up the dome galleries for a city view / Try the Whispering Gallery - 3. Tate Modern
Tate Modern is an art gallery in London, housing the United Kingdom's national collection of international modern and contemporary art (created from or after 1900). Wikipedia
Best time: Afternoon · Admission: Collection free · exhibitions paid — A former power station — the free top-floor viewing level faces St Paul's / Linked to St Paul's by the Millennium Bridge - 4. Borough Market
Borough Market is a wholesale and retail market hall in Southwark, London, England. Wikipedia
Best time: Weekday lunch · Admission: Free to browse — London's oldest food market — very crowded on Saturdays / Many traders don't open every day — check - 5. Tower of London
The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic citadel and castle on the north bank of the River Thames in London, England. Wikipedia
Best time: At opening · Admission: Paid — Head straight to the Crown Jewels — afternoon lines are long / The free Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tours are great - 6. Tower Bridge Wikipedia
Best time: Sunset to night · Admission: Crossing free · glass-floor exhibition paid — Bridge-lift times are posted on the official site / Best photos from the south bank of the Thames
Day 3 · From Notting Hill to the Kensington museums Notting Hill, Kensington & South Kensington
- 1. Portobello Road Market
Best time: Saturday morning · Admission: Free to browse — The antiques market is biggest on Saturdays / Wander Notting Hill's colourful houses too - 2. Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence situated within Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. Wikipedia
Best time: Morning · Admission: Paid — Where Princess Diana lived / The Sunken Garden and Kensington Gardens are free - 3. Hyde Park
Best time: Afternoon · Admission: Free — Rent a pedalo on the Serpentine / Winter Wonderland festival in winter - 4. Natural History Museum
Best time: At opening · Admission: Free (timed booking available) — The blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall is the highlight / Long entry lines on weekends and school holidays - 5. Victoria and Albert Museum Wikipedia
Best time: Afternoon · Admission: Free (exhibitions paid) — A design, fashion and craft museum with a lovely garden café / Right next to the Natural History Museum
Day 4 · Sky Garden, Greenwich and an evening in Camden The City, Greenwich & Camden
- 1. Sky Garden
Best time: Sunset (booked slot) · Admission: Free · advance booking required — Free tickets are released a few weeks ahead and go fast / Booking the bar or restaurant is another way in - 2. Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market is a covered market in London, England, located on Gracechurch Street. Wikipedia
Best time: Weekday daytime · Admission: Free — A Victorian covered market known from the Harry Potter films / Most shops close at weekends - 3. Royal Observatory Greenwich
Best time: Morning · Admission: Paid (park free) — There's a line to photograph yourself on the Prime Meridian / The hilltop park has a skyline view of London - 4. Camden Market Wikipedia
Best time: Afternoon · Admission: Free to browse — Vintage clothes and street food from around the world / Very busy at weekends
Sources
These courses are compiled from public sources. Hours, prices, and closing days can change — check official info before you go.