Curator’s statement
London, the vibrant and dynamic capital city of England, blends history and modernity, the traditional and the contemporary, all while showcasing diverse cultural influences from all over the world. Given the numerous historical sites, cultural institutions, entertainment venues, culinary options and beautiful natural spaces, a London 4–day itinerary isn't enough time to fully experience this magical city. What should a visitor to London see and do if they only have a 4-day stay in the city? For travelers with limited time, prioritizing key attractions, while also enjoying some of the city's hidden gems, is essential for any London 4–day itinerary.
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Where to stay
Kimpton Fitzroy London
Upscale property overlooking Russell Square with sophisticated rooms and suites.
Fora Perks
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$100 hotel / resort credit.
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Welcome amenities.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.
Flemings Mayfair
An iconic London hotel with glamorous 1930s sensibilities and a Michelin-Starred restaurant.
Fora Perks
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$50 food / beverage credit.
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Welcome amenity.
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Breakfast daily.
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One-way Heathrow Airport transfer
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
Refined London experience with award-winning, en-suite views of Hyde Park, rooftop spa and al fresco terrace.
Fora Perks
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When you book Four Seasons through Fora, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits. Your advisor will be pleased to give you more details.
Charlotte Street Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
Modern B&B in the heart of London with 52 individually designed, inviting rooms and suites.
Fora Perks
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Welcome amenities.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
The Prince Akatoki London
Immerse yourself in Japanese hospitality and elegance at this boutique hotel, where tranquil luxury meets contemporary comfort in the heart of London.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Unlock perks by contacting Jennifer to book your trip.
Day 1: Arrive in London
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.
Day 2: Royal London
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.
Day 3: All things English
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.
Day 4: Art, entertainment & leisure
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.
Need to know
If you can snag a reservation and squeeze one more tour into your itinerary, try to book a guided tour at Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben). The lucky few will get to climb the 334-step spiral staircase to the belfry where "Big Ben," the bell, has hung since 1859.
![Advisor - Jennifer Lopez](https://media.foratravel.com/image/upload/v1711119623/contentful-migration/advisors/image/24aec32dc4fc-Fora2.jpg)
Travel Advisor
Jennifer Lopez
Get in touch with Jennifer
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This itinerary is part of our ongoing series on travel to London. For more travel inspiration, check out Cameron & Justin Tempest's guide, An Insider's Guide to Shopping in London.