Don’t Overthink It. London Can Be Simple.
This is what I did in 4 days.
If you don’t live in London or the UK, planning a trip to this great city IS a big deal. For some, it could be considered the centre of the European universe. (I’m sure that Amsterdam, Paris, or Rome might argue.) We all know that New York and Los Angeles seem to fight for that title in North America. And don’t get me started on where Toronto or Ottawa fit in.
But if you are planning that trip to London, where do you start?
Some say you must include Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Big Ben and Harrods in the itinerary. But what else? Indeed, with a history as long as it is in London, there is so much more.
Let me tell you how you can have a wonderful time in London without following the crowds or breaking the bank. You can see and do many things in just four days, as I did on my recent trip.
Here’s how I planned my itinerary and what I enjoyed the most.
Day 1: Explore the Royalty and the West End
After a hearty breakfast at The Mad Hatter, (Read my review here) we and walked toward some of the most iconic London attractions: the London Eye and Big Ben. It was a 15-minute walk from our hotel through an accessible urban area to get to the waterfront. Streets are well-marked and easy to navigate. We knew that although the London Eye was a major attraction, we did not want to spend the roughly two hours it would take to participate in this ride. Perhaps we would visit later in the day or on a different day if time would allow it.
As we walked along the waterfront admiring the views of Big Ben on the other side of the river, we took our fair share of photos of this historical landmark. But we did not want to take too long, as we had a goal for the day and we were under a time constraint. Further examination of Big Ben would wait.
Our goal for this day was to see the Royal State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. Our tickets had a specific time, and we allowed ourselves plenty of time to get there with a wander through St James Park. However, on the way there, we realized that the Changing of the Guard Ceremony would take place before our timed visit. For us, this was important to see since my husband did a similar changing of the guard ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in the 1980s.
While we wandered through the park, we noticed a significant crowd starting to gather the closer we got to Buckingham Palace. Crowd fencing had been erected on the sides of the street, and Mounted Police were managing the crowd. While we had every intention to see the ceremony, there was no way in Hell we could get anywhere close to it. (It should be noted that the ceremony is not held every day during the winter but in mid-July, several thousand people will gather for this event.) You will not see the ceremony unless you arrive many hours early to get a spot by the fence. However, we saw the band march down The Mall towards the Palace.
Following the crowded, disappointing non-ceremony, we made our way to the designated entrance for the State Room Experience. You will be well-advised that there are no restroom facilities inside the Palace and that heightened security is in place before entry. There is also no photography permitted once inside. This is strongly enforced.
Our visit to the State rooms was as expected, with plenty of grandeur and opulence. My favorite part was the corridor full of celebrated works of art. There are benches in here if you need to sit.
The tour itself is self-guided, using a multi-lingual listening device. You should plan on spending about 1.5 hours. Much longer, and you will be encouraged to move on.
Following our visit inside the Palace, we strolled around the entrance to view the gold-ornamented gates while we made our way down The Mall. At the opposite end of this magnificent boulevard lies Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a naval victory of the British over the French and Spanish in 1805. It is also a popular venue for political demonstrations, cultural events, and community gatherings.
Buskers and local musicians provide entertainment for locals and tourists alike. Several restaurants nearby with patios open in the summer make Trafalgar Square an excellent place for lunch.
After lunch, we headed to Covent Gardens and the West End, which is the heart of London’s entertainment and cultural scene. This is where you can find some of the city’s best theatres, museums, galleries, restaurants and shops. We had high hopes of getting a great deal on a matinee or evening show, but alas, many were sold out or abhorrently high priced for our meager wallets.
The last time I was in London, my daughter and I walked up to the box office 45 minutes prior to the show and managed to obtain front-row seats to Mamma Mia for £20. With four of us at 3:00PM, that plan was never going to work!
We spent the remaining afternoon and early evening taking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant neighborhood before walking back across the bridge to our hotel. We had already decided it would be an early night since we were still exhausted from our previous trip to Luxembourg.
Day 2 - Bridges, Dungeons, and an Overview of Central London
The second day of our London itinerary commenced with a cruise on the Thames. We boarded a Thames River Cruise Vessel from Westminster Bridge that took us along the historic waterway and offered stunning views of London's landmarks. We saw the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and the Shard. The cruise also provided a live commentary and interesting facts about the city.
The cruise ended at Tower Pier, where we disembarked and visited the Tower of London, one of London’s most famous and notorious attractions.
The Tower of London is a medieval fortress that has served as a royal palace, a prison, a treasury, a zoo, and an execution site. It is also home to the Crown Jewels, the priceless collection of royal regalia that includes the coronation crown, sceptre, and sword. You can explore the Tower of London with a guided tour by a Yeoman Warder (also known as a Beefeater) or at your own pace with an audio guide. I would highly recommend taking the tour with the Yeoman! If you want to see the Crown Jewels, be aware that lines can be 1.5 hours long in the summer.
After visiting the Tower of London, we walked over Tower Bridge, one of the most recognizable bridges in the world. Tower Bridge is a bascule bridge that can open to allow ships to pass through. It also has two high-level walkways that offer panoramic views of the city and an exhibition that tells the history and engineering of the bridge.
We walked up the street from Tower Bridge and caught a Hop-on / Hop-off bus that let us explore more of London. You can choose from different routes and stops that cover the main attractions and areas of the city. You can also enjoy live or recorded commentary on board and learn more about London's culture and history.
In the evening, we took an evening city tour that showed us London in a different light. You can see how the city transforms after dark and admire its illuminated monuments and buildings. Depending on where you get off, you can experience some of London's nightlife and entertainment options.
To end our day, we walked through the Borough Markets, one of the London’s oldest and largest food markets. Here, you can find a variety of stalls selling fresh produce, baked goods, cheese, meat, fish, spices, drinks, and more. You can also sample some delicious street food from different cuisines and cultures.
On a final stop before returning to our hotel, we stopped for late-night drinks at the Distillery Bar.
Day 3 - History, Shopping, and a Whole Lot of Walking
Since we had a multi-day pass on the Hop-on / Hop-off bus, we used it as our mode of transportation. If you have been to London before, just use The Tube. For first timers, a bus pass like this gives you an overview of the city.
We started our day by visiting the British Museum, one of the world’s most famous and impressive museums. It has a huge collection of artifacts from different civilizations and periods of history, such as ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and more. We spent about three hours there, admiring the highlights such as the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and the mummies. If you have been to Egypt, seeing these artifacts here makes them seem out of place. If you have not seen them in situ, viewing them and learning their history is a great opportunity. If you are interested in reading more about Egypt travel, I have several articles here.
After a fascinating visit to the British Museum, we decided to explore the shops of Oxford Street, and I was amazed by the variety and quality of the products on display, from fashion to food. We found had at a wonderful Italian restaurant in this area.
With full bellies, we hopped back on the bus and headed to Harrods, a world-famous department store known for its high quality, exclusivity, and customer service. It offers various products and services, from luxury fashion and jewelry to gourmet food and homeware. The day we were there, we witnessed a well-dressed man with his young son (matching suits) and their valet carrying their bags walking, two steps behind. You don’t see that every day!
With a limited budget, Harrods was a quick stop before we were on our way back towards Covent Garden again. We enjoyed watching some of the acts and browsing the stalls selling crafts, antiques, and souvenirs.
If you want to explore the theatre district further, Leicester Square, the hub of London’s cinema industry, is not far away. There are many shows to choose from, from classics like Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera to newer ones like Hamilton and The Book of Mormon. There are always premieres and events, so you might spot some celebrities if you’re lucky. If you want to see a show, booking ahead is the best bet.
We ended our third day by having dinner at a pub near my hotel. There are plenty of pubs in London that serve traditional British food and drinks, such as fish and chips, pies and ale. It was a cozy and satisfying way to end the day.
Day 4 - Take a Day Trip
On the fourth day in London, I suggest taking a day trip to an attraction outside the city. On this trip, we could not complete this fourth day as planned because our flights were changed. But, on a previous visit, we did take a day trip to Stonehenge. Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument that consists of a ring of large stones, some of which are topped by horizontal lintels. It is believed that Stonehenge was built in several stages from around 3100 BCE to 1600 BCE, and it may have been used for religious ceremonies, astronomical observations, or as a burial site.
Other day trips could include Windsor Castle, Bath and the Cotswold’s.
In Summary -
Planning a fulfilling four-day itinerary in London doesn't have to be overwhelming. By prioritizing your interests and utilizing resources like hop-on/hop-off buses, you can cover a lot of ground while enjoying the city's rich history, culture, and entertainment.
From exploring iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London to immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Covent Garden and Leicester Square, there's something for everyone in this dynamic metropolis.
And if you have an extra day, consider venturing outside the city for a day trip to destinations like Stonehenge or Windsor Castle. Ultimately, with flexibility and curiosity, London can be a simple yet incredibly rewarding travel experience.
So don't overthink it—embrace the adventure and enjoy all that this remarkable city offers.
Thanks for this excellent summary. I would like to add that The Science Museum in Kensington usually works very well for families with young children or prospective scientists.
London is a spectacular place to visit. There is something extra special about Stonehenge that I think is just worth the trek of you have time.
Excellent summary in your piece and good tips.