London 4–Day Itinerary

KEEP GOING

You are likely to arrive in London in the morning. Once you have dropped your luggage off at your hotel, it’s time to get going! Not only is there a lot to see in a short period of time, but being active and staying awake now will also help you adjust to the time zone. Have a cup of (caffeinated!) tea before heading out into the city.

GET AN OVERVIEW

Get an overview of London by choosing one or more of these activities:

• Hop on a hop-on hop-off bus or take a guided driving tour of the city in a traditional black taxi.

• Enjoy panoramic views of the city’s sites from the vantage of the Thames River on a relaxing river cruise.

• Get a bird’s eye view of London’s highlights from the iconic London Eye.

AFTERNOON TEA

Take a break and enjoy a traditional (or not-so-traditional) afternoon tea. There are endless afternoon tea options in London, but highlights include The Goring (classic), Art Afternoon Tea at the Mirror Room in the Rosewood Hotel (a fusion of art and cuisine) and Sketch (Instagram-worthy).

SHOPPING

Fend off sleep with a brisk walk along one of London’s chicest shopping streets, Oxford Street. This West End street lies at the borders of Fitzrovia, Marylebone, Soho and Mayfair. Be sure to peek into the iconic Selfridges and Liberty of London and the UK’s largest vintage store, Beyond Retro. If you have your second wind, you may want to explore the luxury stores on nearby Bond Street. Check out the shops of British designer Alexander McQueen; Asprey, which was founded in London in 1781; and the archetypal British fashion house, Burberry.

VIEW THE JEWELS

Beat the crowds with an early access tour at the Tower of London. See the famous Beefeaters during the tower’s opening ceremony and then ogle the crown jewels — which are still used regularly by the royal family — before the Tower opens to the public. Your tour will also include time to explore the rest of the Tower.

SEE THE PALACE

If you are lucky, you can book one of the rare guided tours of Buckingham Palace. Alternatively, you can take a self-guided tour of the Palace’s state rooms, when they are open to the public.

AFTERNOON TEA

Take advantage of being in England and enjoy another fabulous afternoon tea! Princess Diana enjoyed having tea at The Orangery at Kensington Palace, and so can you!

EVENSONG

It is a special experience to attend Evensong Services at Westminster Abbey, which are usually offered at 5 pm daily (3 pm on Sundays). Relax and enjoy listening to the choir while taking in the historic sights of the abbey, where 40 royal coronations have been held since the year 1066.

DINNER

Give yourself the royal treatment and book a table at one of London’s many Michelin-starred restaurants for dinner. Some highlights include Ormer Mayfair, which features modern British cuisine, The Clove Club in Shoreditch for seasonal, creative cuisine and Trishna for a sublime Indian dinner that won’t break the bank.

WAR HISTORY

Start your day with privileged early access to the Churchill War Rooms. Your guided tour gives you special access inside many of the otherwise glassed-off spaces, such as the Map Room.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY

Visit St. Paul's Cathedral to see the gorgeous interior followed by a climb (via the stairs!) up the dome to the three Dome Galleries, from where you will have fantastic views of the city.

HISTORIC LUNCH

Next, head to the nearby medieval St. Mary-le-Bow Church, originally built around 1080 as the London headquarters of the archbishops of Canterbury. Take the stairs down into the ancient crypt, and enjoy a unique and delicious lunch at Cafe Below.

ART HISTORY

The British Museum covers two million years of history and culture. The museum features the Rosetta Stone, the controversial Elgin Marbles and the Lewis Chessmen, the most famous chess set in the world. Be sure to check out the current special exhibit(s) and purchase timed tickets for any you wish to see.

BRITISH FOOD

Have dinner at a quintessentially British pub or a fish & chips restaurant — or a pub that serves fish & chips — to round out your busy day. Consider The Newman Arms or the hard-to-find Ye Olde Mitre pubs and the Golden Hind or Brockley's Rock — with vegan and gluten-free options — for fish & chips.

STREET ART

Head to the East End for a walking tour of some of the area’s street art and end your tour with a hands-on graffiti workshop.

ARTSY MARKET

After your workshop, grab a coffee and wander around the indie stall shops at Spitalfields Market.

MODERN ART

If you love modern art, you can’t miss a trip to the Tate Modern. Entry is free for this outstanding collection of modern and contemporary art from around the world.

RELAXING IN STYLE

Take a much-needed break from your whirlwind trip and enjoy one of London’s lovely green spaces. You can rent a chair (or a boat!), relax and enjoy the people-watching at several of London's royal parks, like Hyde Park, The Green Park and St. James Park.

TAKE IN A SHOW

No trip to London is complete without catching a show in Covent Gardens. Current hits include Mrs. Doubtfire, SIX, The Play That Goes Wrong, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Fawlty Towers.