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Accept cookies and close this message.Enjoy a wealth of world-class entertainment and the city’s rich culture at an array of museums and galleries on London holidays.
From street food to unmissable sights, Instagrammer and travel blogger, Jess Parr, gives us her take on how to spend 48 hours in London.
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City breaks in London can be as energetic or relaxed as you want them to be. Combine culture and history, or see a new side to the British capital – and uncover the many different customs and lifestyles each neighbourhood depicts.
London has everything, from deluxe designer shopping and grandiose museums in the heart of the city to bustling markets and lazy park strolls in West London. Our fascinating history is laid bare, so visit the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, or walk along The Mall to Buckingham Palace. Alternatively, see a more contemporary side to London – visit Camden Lock, head east to discover Hackney’s hip bar scene or pick up a bargain at Spitalfields Market. Dine on fantastic food from Michelin-starred bistros in plush hotels in London, get a full English breakfast in a greasy spoon, or join locals for lunch at a gastropub. The choice is yours.
Our week-by-week guide gives you the lowdown on great things to see and do if you’re visiting the UK capital.
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Tick off the top sights and experiences on a whistle-stop weekend tour of London. Pop on some comfortable shoes and a waterproof, grab a map and prepare to clock up those steps.
First call of the day is South Kensington, which is home to three of London’s best (and free) museums. You’ll be spoilt for choice, with the fantastic Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum competing for your attention. Afterwards take a walk through Hyde Park (home to Kensington Palace) to Notting Hill Gate. From here you can pretty much follow the crowds to the iconic Portobello Market, one of the world’s largest antiques markets and a must-do if you’re visiting at the weekend. Next, hop on a red bus (another thing ticked off the list) to Hyde Park Corner, where it’s only a short walk to some of London’s most iconic attractions. Walk through Green Park to Buckingham Palace. Then continue through St. James Park to Westminster, for a glimpse of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament – make sure to peer down Downing Street (home to the Prime Minister). Walk up Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square, where you can take a photograph with Nelson’s Column and the famous lion statues. End your day in Covent Garden, for dinner and drinks.
On Sunday venture into East London, to mingle with the hipsters. Get the Overground to Hoxton and start your day at Columbia Road flower market (Sunday’s only). Absorb the early morning buzz, as people laden with beautiful flowers flood by. Fight the crowds to get to the tiny shops that line the street. Walk on to the top of Brick Lane, for its Sunday market. Browse wares old and new and pick up delicious street food or unique trinkets from the stalls. Move on to the famous Spitalfields area, which now offers a more upmarket vibe. In the afternoon, get the tube (another must-do London experience) to Baker Street, made famous by fictional detective Sherlock Holmes and home to The Sherlock Holmes Museum. Just beyond here, you’ll discover the sprawling greenery of Regent’s Park. Spend some time exploring, hire a rowboat on the lake or go to London Zoo. To finish off, find a pub that serves a traditional Sunday roast – the perfect end to your day.
Monday begins at the Tate Modern, where you can see a collection of London’s best contemporary art. Afterwards, enjoy a quick sit down with an incredible view at the restaurant on level 6. Or pop to Borough Market - a foodie’s favourite - for lunch. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the picturesque South Bank, pass the Globe Theatre, gaze up at The Shard and see the historic HMS Belfast. Next, walk over Tower Bridge and make your way to the Tower of London. If you go inside, make sure you wait for the Beefeater guided tour. Enjoy a trip along the river from Tower Pier to Embankment, then hop on the tube to Oxford Circus (you’ll exit on the corner of Oxford Street and Regent Street). Nearby you’ll find famous London stores Hamleys and Liberty’s, as well as Carnaby Street – which was iconic in the 1960s. Weave your way to Piccadilly Circus – stopping for a photograph in front of the dazzling lights. Stroll to Leicester Square, which is always abuzz with tourists. Then nip up to China Town for a delicious dinner.
Find out why our Destination Manager Robyn Anderson loves London.
Borough Market is without a doubt my favourite place to spend a Saturday morning in London. Get there early (as the chefs do), as by lunchtime it is full of tourists. Start with a coffee from Monmouth Coffee Company before heading under cover to the main market halls. Here you'll find colourful fruit and vegetable stalls, seafood, meat, real ales, amazing cakes (be sure to try some of the Portuguese egg custards) cheeses and breads. Once you are ready for lunch join the queue at Brindisa for the best chorizo, rocket and roasted pepper sandwich.
The Shard, is just a short stroll from the market. On a clear day 'The View' is well worth a visit, it's fun trying to spot some of London's greatest landmarks – the River Thames, the Olympic Park, Canary Wharf, the Coco-Cola London Eye, The City, St Paul’s and Wembley can all be seen from the top. From this vantage point you really appreciate all that London has become and how big it is. On the way back down, why not pop into Aqua Shard for a glass of Champagne and the chance to rest your feet.
A walk along the South Bank is a perfect way to see the River Thames and to mingle amongst the tourists and locals alike. Pop into the Globe Theatre or the Tate Modern before heading across the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s Cathedral. Whether you decide to go in the Cathedral or not, it is still a sight to behold. It has held many of London’s key events, including state weddings, funerals and more recently the Diamond Jubilee service.
Join the many Londoners, who now get around on the famous Boris Bikes, and take a cycle along the canal. It's a total contrast to the more well-known tourist areas of London, and offers a chance to see the rejuvenation that has taken place in this area over recent years. Collect your bike from one of the many docking stations over the city and see where you end up.
Made famous by the film of the same name, as well as the world-renowned carnival which takes place every August, Notting Hill has something for everyone. Whether it's a traditional pub, coffee shop or trendy restaurant you're looking for, you'll find it in Notting Hill. The Churchill Arms on Kensington Church Street (between Notting Hill Gate tube and High Street Kensington) is hard to miss with its mass of flowers growing all over the building, and once inside it is just as bizarre a scene. The front half of the pub is very traditional, but at the back there is a Thai restaurant, where the flower theme continues, and you can have some of the best priced Thai food in London – some of the tastiest too.
A trip to London would not be complete without a walk around the West End, with all its sights and sounds. If you have time it really is worth taking in one of the many shows. From traditional favourites like The Phantom of the Opera, to new independent productions, the West End is sure to entertain.
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