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One Day in London – What to Do in London in A Day

Last updated: April 20, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 72 Comments

Planning on spending just one day in London? Sure, it’s not very long, but you’ll be able to see a lot of London’s highlights even in such a short space of time.

In this post, we’re going to help you plan your perfect day in London. We’re going to take a look at some of our favourite sights in London, capital of the UK and a spot I was thrilled to call home for a couple of years before I set off on my travels.

This guide to what to do in London in a day makes for the perfect day exploring London. It would make for a great way to start a longer trip around the UK , or to see some of London’s top sights if you have a few hours stopover in one of London’s airports .

This itinerary would also help someone planning a general European adventure – take a look at our 2 week Europe itinerary for a suggestion of how to plan something like that.

One Day in London - What to Do in London in A Day

This post is set up to help you see all of these key London sights in one day and I’ve ordered them in the way that I’d recommend you go about doing that.

1 Day London Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick overview of what this plan has you doing, for quick reference

The Tower of London & Tower Bridge
The South Bank and London Eye, Shard or St. Paul’s Cathedral
The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
Buckingham Palace
Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and the West End
Traditional London Pub

Now, let’s see how that looks in our detailed guide to what to do in London for a day.

One Day In London: What to Do in London for A Day

Below is a detailed guide to what to do in London if you only have a day, in the order that makes the most sense in terms of getting around and minimizing transport.

Ideally, you’ll start the day at opening time of the first attraction (between 9am and 10am, depending on the day of the week), and keep going until you’ve seen everything!

1. The Tower of London

History! If you like the TV show Game of Thrones (and who doesn’t?), then you’ll love the Tower of London . This place was home to so much plotting, scheming, death and betrayals that it almost makes George’s epic tale of Westeros seem pale in comparison.

Queens, princes and archbishops died here, and history was literally made on the grass underfoot.

One Day in London - What to Do in London in A Day - Tower of London

Admittedly, there are less dragons in London.

Expect to spend a least two hours here, exploring all there is to see, from the tower, to the execution block, to the crown jewels themselves. You can see full ticket pricing information here . It’s free for holders of the London Pass .

Otherwise, you will want to buy tickets in advance of your visit to ensure you are able to visit. You can do so via GetYourGuide here , who we normally use for ticketing at attractions around the world. You can also check prices on the official website here , where you can also see opening times. Note that tickets bought via GetYourGuide normally include free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance of your visit (although do check the ticket description prior to purchase to be sure).

While you’re at the Tower of London, you might as well take the opportunity to pop across the Thames on Tower Bridge, easily the most famous of London’s bridges, and for good reason!

You can also actually go inside this bridge and learn all about how it works by visiting the Tower Bridge Exhibition, which is often a place we love to take friends and family when we show them around the city as it’s quite a unique experience.

1 day in London Itinerary - Tower bridge london

2. The South Bank and London Eye

Once you’ve crossed over Tower Bridge, you’ll find yourself on the South Bank, cunningly named because it’s on the south bank of the river Thames.

As you walk west along this lovely bit of pedestrianized riverway you’ll find yourself passing such sights as HMS Belfast (one of our favourite military museums in London ) and London’s City Hall.

You’ll also be walking past the recreation of Shakespeare’s famous Globe theatre, the Shard (Western Europe’s tallest building), the Millennium Bridge which leads to St. Paul’s cathedral and the quite magnificent Tate Modern Art Gallery, all of which are likely to tempt you in. Go on, I won’t tell anyone.

Once you’ve made it past all these attractions, and maybe grabbed a bite to eat at Borough Market just behind London Bridge, you’ll find yourself coming around the corner, with the Houses of Parliament swinging into view and the giant Ferris wheel known as the London Eye looming large.

If you want a spectacular view of London, take a spin in the wheel, and marvel as the city unfurls beneath you.

For tickets, it’s cheaper to book in advance than in person. You can book tickets and check prices on the official site here . It’s also included on the London Pass, which you can buy here .

We also have a complete guide to the London Eye here with lots more information to help you plan a visit.

Another option is to visit the Shard, which also offers spectacular views from a higher vantage point. The Shard has better views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, whilst the London Eye gets you close to the Houses of Parliament.

You can book tickets for the Shard in advance on Tiqets here (book online in advance for the best prices). It’s also included on the London Pass.

If you’d prefer not to walk from Tower Bridge to the Houses of Parliament, you can also take a river “bus” from either Tower Pier or London Bridge City Pier all the way down the river to Westminster Pier.

It’s a nice way to see London from the water, and prices for the river bus are pretty good value. See our guide to getting around London for tips on the different public transport options in the city.

3. The Houses of Parliament

After your London Eye ride, walk or boat ride (whichever you opt for!), you’ll want to pop across the river to take in the Houses of Parliament, home to the English lawmakers and the bell known as Big Ben.

This is one attraction that is easy to see from the outside, but not many people know that you can also drop inside if you want to, and go on a guided tour.

House2Bof2BParliament2Bexterior_by_Laurence2BNorah255B3255D

Tours aren’t quite “turn up and go in”, as they only run-on certain days, but with a bit of research and forward planning (and by visiting this site ), you should be able to visit the English home of power and authority without too much trouble. You can also book a guided tour of both Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament here .

If it is too much trouble though, fear not. The building is very impressive from the outside, and you can sate your thirst for history quite easily by popping to Westminster Abbey, which happens to be just behind the Houses of Parliament.

Westminster Abbey has played host to some of the most important historical events of the last thousand years in the UK, hosting 16 royal weddings, around 50 coronations and a host of memorial services, including that of Diana, Princess of Wales.

It is also home to some of Britain’s most famous dead, including Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, notable royals, and many more. Very much worth a visit and free for holders of the London Pass. Full details on pricing and opening hours here . You can also book your tickets online in advance here .

4. Buckingham Palace

Ah, the Queen. Depending on you who you talk to in the UK, she’s either a lovely old dear who the country needs, or a tragic waste of taxpayers’ money.

Whichever, she does happen to have a number of rather lovely houses to live in, the most famous of which is of course Buckingham Palace. Here you can peer through the railings to watch the changing of the guard and wonder as to how the other half live, and wave frantically at the windows on the off-chance that someone waves back.

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On our itinerary, you’ll likely miss the Changing of the Guard (see when that happens here ), so you would need to move things around if that happens to be a priority for your visit. Missing it isn’t the end of the world though, as it gets really crowded at that time of day.

You can also visit and actually go inside Buckingham Palace in very narrow windows of opening during the summer, with full details of pricing and opening hours available on this website.

Of course, whilst you’re at Buckingham Palace, you should probably take a moment to explore some of the other local attractions.

A quick stroll down the Mall will take you past the pretty St James’s Park, home to a number of pelicans. Then you can head out onto Trafalgar Square, where you can enjoy seeing the lions, Nelson’s famous column and sate your art appetite at the excellent, and free, National Gallery .

Note if art and museums is more your thing, you might want to schedule a visit to the British Museum in this itinerary. From Trafalgar Square it’s a 20 minute walk or a 12 minute tube ride to one of London’s most famous (and free) museums.

5. Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and the West End

From Buckingham Palace you could either stroll up the Mall, or head back towards Westminster Abbey, and go up Whitehall. I’d advise the latter, and not least because one of the Harry Potter London locations is nearby .

Nelsons2BColumn2BLondon_by_Laurence2BNorah255B3255D

Going up Whitehall takes you through the heart of government in Britain, and you’ll pass right by 10 Downing Street. Don’t be upset if you miss it though, you can’t actually see the famous door from the street.

As you walk along Whitehall you’ll find yourself passing the Cenotaph, one of Britain’s most well-known war memorials . You’ll also pass the Horse Guards, where you can get photos of the, well, Horse Guards atop their horses, before finally arriving at Trafalgar Square.

This is home to Nelson’s Monument and the National Gallery, and a photo with one of the lions is pretty much mandatory. From here, you’re an easy walk to the West End, home to the famous covered market of Covent Garden and a number of London’s most well-known theatres.

If you have time, you might now consider visiting the excellent Transport Museum in Covent Garden, where you can learn all about the history of London’s transport system. Alternatively, you can just take in a free show from one of the street entertainers here.

This is also where you’ll find Leicester Square, which is famous as where major films are first shown in the UK.

Here you might want to take in a show to round off your day in London – we can recommend the Mousetrap , the world’s longest running stage show in the world!

6. Visit a Decent London Pub

It’s not all hard work and sightseeing, you know. When you’re in London, you really should take the time to experience a truly British experience – a pub.

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Enjoy a pint of something exotically named hand-pulled from a wooden handle, and marvel as to how the decor is likely not to have changed for a good couple of hundred years.

If you’re hungry, try out an English classic like fish and chips or steak and ale pie, and rejoice at how much of London you were able to see in one day.

If you’ve gotten to this point and think the idea of focusing on the pubs of London is more your scene, check out this walking tour which does just that.

Map of 1 Day London Itinerary

To help you visualise the above we’ve put it into a map, which you can also see on Google Maps here .

Getting Around and Saving Money in London

For the day in London as described above, getting around by foot is entirely feasible – contrary to public opinion, central London is perfectly walkable. If you’re not so into walking though, then London is very well served by public transport.

The cheapest way to use that is with an Oyster card, a pre-pay system which works out much cheaper than paying for tickets, and available at nearly every transport hub. You can also use a contactless credit card or a device which supports contactless payments.

We have a detailed guide to using the London transport network here which covers all your options.

In terms of visiting attractions, a number of London sights are free, including some of the top museums like the Tate Modern.

However, places like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, and St. Pauls Cathedral aren’t free, and if you think you’re going to be visiting a few sights, then you have a couple of options for saving money.

First is the London Pass , a sight-seeing pass that gives you access to over 80 top attractions across the city.

From those listed on this page, the London Pass includes the Tower of London, Tower Bridge Exhibition, View from the Shard, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Transport Museum.

If you plan on visiting all those attractions (we’d suggest either the London Eye or the Shard rather than both though), the entry fees as of April 2024 would be around £153 per person (assuming you pick either the Shard or the London Eye, it would be even more if you visited both!).

A 1 day London Pass currently costs £114, so that would save you around £39 per person. It also saves you the hassle of having to book separate tickets for each attraction or joining long ticket lines on site.

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Check our full review and guide to the London Pass to see if it’s for you.

The second option we recommend is the GoCity London Explorer Pass . This lets you pick and choose from a set of attractions. You can choose to go to 2, 3, 5 or 7 attractions from the selection of over 60 attractions.

We think that both of these passes can save you money in London, the difference is largely down to which attractions you want to see, and how many attractions you want to see.

Get your London Pass online from the official site here .

What about a walking tour of London?

If you’d prefer to have a guide for all or part of your day in London, who can share with you some of the history of this city as well as more local knowledge and insights, then we can recommend this London in a Day tour .

This tour covers nearly everything we have in our one-day London itinerary, including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Changing of the Guard, and Westminster Abbey.

It’s a full day tour, but we think is one of the better options if you would prefer an escorted experience and the input of a guide.

We’ve used the tour company “ Take Walks ” for walking tours around the world, and have always had a positive experience, and are happy to recommend this tour . They also have a number of other tours in London that are worth checking out.

Another option we suggest are these tours by City Wonders , they offer a wide range of tours in London, from introductory tours through to more detailed and specific tours.

They also offer attraction entry to most of the attractions in this list if you want to book items individually. Definitely a good one-stop shop for your London trip planning.

Harry Potter fans will want to check out this guided tour of Harry Potter filming locations in London .

We have a full guide to some of the best walking tours in London , which is also worth reviewing if you are interested in a walking tour while you are in the city.

Where to Go After Your Day in London – Day Trips & More

We’re often asked where to head to from London after this itinerary is over, or just for suggestions on good day trips from London.

We’ve done quite a few day trips from London, including a day trip to Oxford and a day trip to Stonehenge from London , and we wanted to share some ideas, for both day trips from the city and longer trips to see more of the country.

Stonehenge, Bath and the Cotswolds are really popular destinations, and you can easily do these together as part of a day trip from London. This tour features all of those destinations, as well as Windsor Castle. It even includes lunch!
Lovers of Downton Abbey will want to visit Highclere Castle where the show was filmed. See our guide to visiting Highclere Castle , which includes tips for visiting as a day trip from London, then check out this tour .
A tour of Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford . Three popular destinations from London that you can visit as part of a day trip. Also see my guide to visiting Oxford from London for more ideas.
A private tour down to Portsmouth . This is a good tour for those of you with an interest in naval history and/or visiting a lovely English seaside city. Also see our guide to things to do in Portsmouth for more ideas.
For a longer trip, check out my 10 day UK itinerary by public transport , which starts with a couple of days in London, but then has you touring some highlights of the rest of the country. We also have 1 week and 2 week self drive itineraries .
Visiting Paris as a day trip from London is a popular option as well, and with the Eurostar train direct from central London to Paris in around 2 hours, this can even be done as a day trip. You can either do this yourself, booking train tickets here , or you can take a day tour like this one . See our guide to spending a day in Paris for sightseeing tips.
If you want to take a longer guided tour from London and see more of the UK, we recommend this small group tour , which takes eight days to take you from London to Edinburgh.

Hopefully these give you a starting point for the next stage in your trip!

Where to Stay in London

If you’re planning on spending the night in London, you have no shortage of accommodation options, from hostels to luxury five star properties.

For this itinerary, we’d suggest placing yourself fairly centrally if you can, to minimise travel time. For a short stay like this, we’d definitely recommend using booking.com to book your property – whilst we love apartment rentals, we think they are less sensible for a whistle stop visit.

For examples of properties at different price points that are centrally located, here are some options:

The Walrus Bar and Hostel – A well reviewed centrally located hostel
The Z hotel in Shoreditch – excellent value in a lively and popular part of London with great dining options
Lime Tree Hotel – A well reviewed boutique hotel, around nine minutes walk from London Victoria
The Resident Victoria Hotel – a well reviewed and centrally located hotel offering excellent value for money
The Savoy – true luxury as close to the city centre as you can get!

Generally when searching for somewhere to stay our first choice is booking.com. They’re easy to use, usually have the best prices, and have everything from hotels to hostels , guest-houses and even apartments . Try them for London and see!

If you prefer an apartment, then we recommend either Plum Guide or Vrbo .

Plum Guide doesn’t have quite so many choices, but they carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points. We’ve stayed at a number of their properties around the world, and you can see our review of the Plum Guide here . See their listings for London here .

If you can’t find what you want from the above choices, or you want some new options to try out, we wrote a whole post on the best alternatives to AirBnB which you should check out!

Between these options, you should find the best prices and places to stay for your trip, as well as a good selection of reviews and feedback to help you make an informed decision.

We also have a complete guide to where to stay in London . That has over 60 recommendations for where to stay across a number of areas in London for all budgets. It also has tips on which neighbourhoods to stay in and things to know before booking a property. Well worth a read.

Practicalities for Visiting London

Electricity in London is of the 220v standard, with a three pin plug that isn’t found in too many other countries. Travellers from most of the rest of the world, including mainland Europe and the US will need an adapter like this .

In addition, US travellers will need to check their equipment supports the 220v standard – it will be written clearly on the power adapter.

As a general rule, we have found that laptops, phone and camera chargers and other small electronics are universal, whilst larger devices like hair dryers and hair straighteners are not.

See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters .

London uses the British pound, which is accepted across the British Isles. You can get Pounds from ATM’s, banks and currency exchanges, although credit cards are widely accepted, and there is no need to carry large quantities of currency.

If you do use a credit or debit card, just make sure it doesn’t charge foreign exchange fees or have a poor currency conversion rate. There are a number of excellent credit cards for travellers, and it’s always worth checking to be sure you have a good deal before travelling and racking up unexpected fees.

Internet Access

Internet access is widely available in the form of WiFi all around the city, including in hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online. You can also pick up local SIM cards if you have an unlocked phone. These are usually excellent value as data rates in the UK are very competitive.

For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options. We also have a guide to picking the best travel router , which can help you extend a weak WiFi network and share it across multiple devices.

Water

The water in the taps in London is safe to drink unless otherwise indicated. If you don’t like the taste, bottled water is widely available. We usually recommend you travel with a re-usable water bottle like this to save on having to buy water bottles.

London is a safe city in our experience, although as with any major city, of course you need to keep your wits about you – keep your possessions in view all the time, keep your wallet or phone in a front pocket (with a zip if possible), and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do at home. If you’re going to use a taxi, make sure you use a licensed operator such as a black cab.

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Leeroy Jenkins says

22nd August 2023 at 8:11 am

This is the best guide I’ve found in looking for how to hoof it around London in a day. Exactly the itinerary I was looking for and practical guidance and helpful tips. Thank you, we are there tomorrow!

Laurence Norah says

22nd August 2023 at 8:52 am

Thanks very much Leeroy! Have a great time and remember, stick with your team and watch out for dragons 😉

Ajitabh Gupta says

1st January 2023 at 10:26 pm

Hi there , this is a fantastic itinerary. Thanks for putting this together . We have a 12 hour layover at Heathrow and we are planning to book a private car for the entire duration. We land at 9 am on Sunday with return flight at 8:55 pm same Day. Will you suggest any changes to the itinerary since we will have a private taxi for the entire duration, if so , what ? Thanks in advance

3rd January 2023 at 4:39 pm

Hi Ajitabh,

It’s my pleasure! So I think you should have plenty of time with a vehicle. Traffic into and around London can be a bit slow, I’d estimate you’re looking at around an hour each way from Heathrow conservatively. But this should give you time to see the highlights as described. The only recommendation I might have it to do the itinerary in reverse. Depending on the day and how long it takes you to clear customs, you might make it to Buckingham Palace in time to see the Changing of the Guard in the morning. Then you can work your way through the sights in reverse and finish at the Tower of London. I believe it is still recommended to book timed entry for the Tower of London, so if you do that for the afternoon you don’t need to worry about getting there by a certain time in the morning, which could be stressful. I’d also recommend booking a timeslot for the London Eye / Shard if you plan on visiting one of those.

Other than that though, have a great trip!

Kelly Powell-Smith says

15th August 2022 at 6:27 pm

These are great tips! Thank you for posting them. My daughter and I will have a full day in London (plus the afternoon we arrive) and are looking at this one day itinerary and it seems perfect. High on our list of things to do are Tower of London, London Eye, and Westminster Abbey. I think we will start at the Tower of London when it opens at 9 am. Estimating about 2 hours there as you suggest. If we take the walking route shown, about how long might it be before we arrive at the London Eye? Trying to buy tickets in advance so trying to guess arrival time. Same for the Abbey. Thinking we’d do the latest afternoon tour and then stay for Evensong since there will be one of those services on that day. Thank you for any tips you can share.

16th August 2022 at 9:13 am

Thanks very much! So if you take the route I suggest, which crosses Tower Bridge and follows the South Bank, it’s about a 55 minute walk. However, you are going to see quite a few things along the way, including Tower Bridge from various angles, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern and the Golden Hind ship. These will probably all have you stopping and taking photos, so I’d suggest planning for a 1.5 hour trip just to be on the safe side.

Then from the Eye to Westminster Abbey is a 15 minute walk, but again, you’ll be going past the Houses of Parliament, so I’d recommend planning for 30 minutes.

I hope this helps! Have a great trip and let me know if you have any more questions, I’m happy to help 🙂

27th September 2021 at 4:50 pm

Wow, you’re quick! Thank you Laurence, I appreciate your help.

We (my mom and me) fly to London Stansted around midnight and from there have a transfer to Victoria. We’re not staying at any hotel, but have an evening flight back, so have to transfer back to the airport from Victoria around 4pm, so basically we have 15 hours or so to spare. Unfortunately most of it is at night 🙁 We have only our backpacks, no other baggage, so that’s good. I’m so afraid we’re not going to see much and walk in circles or be late for the transfer back to the airport.

I thought we could first go from Victoria to walk around Soho and China town, then maybe to St Paul’s Cathedral and through Tower Bridge toward Tate Modern – but it opens at 10, so we have several hours to get there… After that I was thinking London Eye & Big Ben and, since it would be after 10am – The National Gallery, Buckingham Palace and back to Victoria.

What do you think?

27th September 2021 at 6:39 pm

It’s my pleasure 🙂

Ok, so that sounds pretty full on! Unfortunately, yes, London is going to be mostly closed. Obviously late night bars and clubs will be open, but other than that the sights will be closed. SoHo will be pretty lively I expect as there are a lot of bars and things there. Overall your plan sounds pretty good, as long as you don’t mind spending a fair amount of time with not too much open. You will at least see a side of London that is less seen, especially in the early hours of the morning! Should be an experience 😀

Let me know if I can help any more! I think you’ll have more than enough time to do everything you want 🙂

27th September 2021 at 11:45 am

Hi! How are you?

What free attractions do you recommend? And what could I see at night? I’m arriving at Victoria Coach Station at midnight and go back home from the same station around 4PM, so I have some time to sightsee but I don’t really know how to schedule all that 🙁 I would really appreciate your help!

Thank you so so much in advance

27th September 2021 at 12:59 pm

Good to hear from you! So I’m not sure from your message if you are planning to sleep somewhere or just sightsee. At midnight pretty much all the attractions will be closed in London until the following morning, although you can of course see the outside of all the sights. So I’d probably suggest sleeping until the morning and then getting up quite early and sightseeing. I’d suggest staying near the coach station so you can get to and from your accommodation, and ensure to pick somewhere that lets you store any bags you have as well as one which has late check in.

From the Victoria Coach station area you could easily follow our route in reverse if you just wanted to see sights from the outside. So that could include Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Covent Garden, London Eye, South Bank, Shakespeare’s Globe, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Tower of London.

In terms of free attractions, it depends on your interests. I like the science museum, V&A museum and Natural History Museum, which are all close to each other in Kensington. The Tate Modern is good if you like modern art, and the Museum of London is awesome to learn about the history of the city.

I hope this helps a bit, let me know if I can provide any more input! Have a great trip!

David Bunting says

22nd September 2021 at 11:12 pm

Hi me and my wife are coming down to London in October we are trying to plan a good tour to see the sights I’ve just seen your walking tour in one day and it’s just what we are looking for we are staying in kings cross and would get the tube to the start point and walk it to finish up in convent garden area we are not planning on spending much but may do London eye or shard we may do a river cruise but we like to walk and take in the sights how far from start to finish is your walk if we start between 10 and 11 taking it steady calling for a couple of drinks and maybe the attractions I’ve mentioned would we be round for mid afternoon maybe or would it take longer we may not use the attractions we may just take the sights on foot we enjoy just walking your walk plan I think is ideal for us I think we will see all we want in the walk I hope you can help me it will be much appreciated. Cheers. David

23rd September 2021 at 9:50 am

So the total walking time you are looking at on this route is about 2 hours. I’d also recommend when you get to the Tate Modern, to cross over the millenium bridge and take a look at St. Pauls Cathedral. It only adds five minutes walk to the trip but is well worth the detour.

Obviously, depending on how long you stop to look at attractions / have a drink or two, the journey will take longer, but I’d say if you started around 10am you’d definitely be able to do this by mid-afternoon.

Have a great time in London, let me know if you have any more questions!

Deana Rasberry says

7th January 2020 at 4:09 am

I have been reading all your lovely suggestions and that is great information to have. I am planning a first time trip to London in May and arriving at 0900 in Heathrow and staying at Accor hotel right near that airport. My question is I have the full day from arriving to 7:30 where I booked tickets to see WICKED at Apollo Victoria Theatre, but in terms of sites to see in which order would you recommend with that event in mind? The morning after I fly ( on 16th) back to States. Its just one full day in London after 3 weeks around Europe, I am departing out of Heathrow so decided to arrive one day before. Thanks for your time in advance and look forward to suggestions. I already down loaded the LONDON city mapper for trans options….. wanted to see much as possible including Piccadilly and maybe Abbey Road studios.

7th January 2020 at 3:16 pm

I would actually say that the order in the itinerary should work just fine for you. The only change I might make would be to switch the last two stops around, but only if you don’t want to go inside Westminster Abbey. This is because the abbey closes fairly early, so if you get here late you will only be able to enjoy the outside (which is also magnificent). Otherwise, the rest of the itinerary should work fine in the order it is in, as the theatre is near Westminster Abbey 🙂

Let me know if I can be of any more help, and have a lovely time in London,

7th January 2020 at 5:14 pm

Osum!! Thank you For all the advice. I appreciate them. Deana

8th January 2020 at 11:56 am

My pleasure!

1st January 2020 at 7:15 pm

Such a helpful overview of 1-day in London! And one short ‘day’ is all we have. To make the most of our time I’m wondering if you can help fine tune our itinerary plan.

We arrive at Heathrow at 8pm on a Sat night in Sept, and fly out on Sun at 5pm. Given the relatively late arrival we’re wondering which neighbourhood we should stay in. We’re looking for something that would put us in good position to launch into the walking tour the next morning and at the end, be in a good position for picking up the luggage and whisking back to the airport. Accomodation-wise, we’re look for something moderate meaning charm and comfort but not luxury.

Also, are there any parts of the tour or off-tour suggestions that would be conducive to squeezing in 10pm-midnight on Saturday?

Look forward to any further advice you have for us!

Karen & Carla

1st January 2020 at 8:29 pm

Hi Karen & Carla,

Great to hear from you, and thanks very much.

So I would personally suggest staying at a hotel near Paddington train station. We stayed at this one a couple of weeks ago, which was just a five minute walk from the train station, and they held our luggage on our last day with no problem. It’s also a short walk to nearby tube, from where you can easily get to the start of your day. There are quite a few in the area. From Paddington, you can get the Tfl rail service direct to Heathrow for around £10 per person each way, and it takes around 30 minutes. There’s also the Heathrow Express, which is twice as fast and costs twice as much, so it’s up to you!

In terms of what you could squeeze in, obviously most indoor attractions will be closed at the time. However, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square are pleasant to walk at night, and I always love walking across the Thames Bridges near the London Eye at night as it is so pretty and lit up.

I hope this helps – have a wonderful trip, and do let me know if I can be of any further assistance!

All the best, and Happy New Year,

2nd January 2020 at 1:06 am

Happy New Year to you as well, Laurence, and wishes for many more happy travels. Thanks for the advice. We’re booked and ready to go. 🙂

2nd January 2020 at 11:20 am

My pleasure – have a great time!

Vijay Patel says

3rd September 2019 at 6:10 am

It’s my dream to visit London for once in my life as I am very fond of places to visit in London. especially, the London Eye. The list of places and other things to do in London is just amazing. London is such an amazing place to reside and visit hence I will be definitely sharing this great blog with my friends and family. I am glad I came across this and thanks for investing time and sharing this informative post with us.

3rd September 2019 at 9:45 am

My pleasure Vijay, thanks for your comment 🙂

7th August 2019 at 11:41 am

These are some fantastic tips which I will definitely be going to follow on my next one day trip to London. And please suggest any of the budget hotels in North London which have all the necessary facilities and close to these attractions. Thanks

7th August 2019 at 8:52 pm

Thanks Ammy!

So the two properties in our list we’d suggest based on your criteria would be:

The Walrus Bar and Hostel – A well reviewed centrally located hostel
The Z hotel in Shoreditch – excellent value in a lively and popular part of London with great dining options

If those don’t work, the linked site should have plenty more options for you 🙂

21st March 2019 at 6:38 am

Hello Laurence, I stumbled upon your posts in Google, I found very helpful tips from your website. I’m thankful for such detailed, well-done posts. It will by our first time in London, I’m nervous because I’m bring my parents and will be there for only a day. Taking Euro Star train from Paris we will arrive Monday May 13, 2019 at St. Pancras @ 8AM and leaving same day at 8PM. Knowing that we won’t have a lot of time and afraid to get lost, your posts have eased somewhat my anxiety.

I’ve been watching other channels on YouTube but yours is the best by far and have met my needs. I saw your 1 day London itinerary & map. London has comes alive to me, I was so happy because I’ve been trying to study the map, city mapper, bus routes…and was so overwhelmed.

We’re on a budget so we’ll take public transportation and will do sightseeing only.

I was planning to take public bus but since you mentioned taking the Tube & River Boat/Bus will save some times from and back to St. Pancras is a great idea.

Is there any way you can give more details of how to take the Tube, bus numbers/routes efficiently for our trip?

I plan to go directly to Buckingham from St. Pancras to watch the changing of the guards then head to Sky Garden and Borough market for lunch. I’m excited to take River Boat and walk to some of your suggested sites as time allows before we head back to St. Pancreas.

Not to be greedy but do you think we can stop by and check out Little Niece on the way back to the train station and call off the day? Hopefully we can visit British Museum as well. .So sad already…

Lastly, will we have trouble of finding public toilets there?

Thanks so much again for your time & people like you to help out others via Internet of travel needs. Annie N.

21st March 2019 at 11:12 am

Thanks for your comment (and e-mail!).

So you have quite a lot of time – 12 hours should give you plenty of time to explore.

In terms of your route, the easiest way to plan a route in London, in my opinion, is just to use Google Maps. It has all the transportation options that you need and will pick the fastest route. Even if you don’t have data, there’s free WiFi available throughout London to help you.

It’s hard to give you an exact route plan as I’m not sure of your overall itinerary. However, from St. Pancras to Buckingham Palace, the best option is going to be the Victoria line ( https://goo.gl/maps/w9C3mATLCHu ).

From there to the Sky Garden you can take the Circle and District Line ( https://goo.gl/maps/nPLm5VNNi1q )

I would definitely advise downloading London as an offline Google Map to your phone, then you will be able to find your way around the streets.

I’m not familiar with Little Niece – where is that?

There are some public toilets in London, so you should be able to find them without too much trouble 🙂

Have a great trip, let me know if I can help any more!

22nd March 2019 at 5:44 am

Thank you Laurence for your quick reply! Sorry I meant Little Venice not Little Niece.

22nd March 2019 at 9:57 am

Ah, that makes sense. So you could try and squeeze that in, although you would be cutting it quite fine with everything else as well 🙂

22nd March 2019 at 6:50 pm

Thanks! One more question please, if we follow your suggested routes and start from St.Pancras to Towel of London…will we make it to watch the changing of the guard in time?

22nd March 2019 at 6:55 pm

The Changing of the Guard usually takes place from 10.45 – 11.30am. From St. Pancras to Buckingham Palace shouldn’t take you more than half an hour. So if you arrive into St. Pancras at 8am you will have more than enough time 🙂 I’d suggest seeing something else on the way. Unfortunately many attractions do not open until 10am, however you could explore Covent Garden and see Trafalgar Square in the meantime.

2nd March 2019 at 8:56 am

Hi, myself, husband and two teens (16 and 17) are visiting London in June for one day. Our first time visiting and feeling anxious. We would like to maybe visit some free places but also do a couple of paid sites. what would you recommend for us, and of interest to the teens. Is your itinerary doable by foot and how far between each site to walk? Thanks in advance

2nd March 2019 at 9:03 am

I understand the anxious feeling of wanting to see everything! I guess I would say that it is definitely possible to see many of the highlights in a day, but not to worry too much about trying to see everything London has to offer in just one day, as it’s a big city with hundreds of attractions! I’d try and focus on a few big items that you really want to see. My suggestions would be things like Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, which are some of the more iconic landmarks in the city.

The itinerary as I have laid it out is do-able on foot yes. You’re probably looking at a total of 2 hours of actual walking, but obviously you will take a lot more time as you’ll be taking pictures and looking at the sights. You’ll also need to get from wherever you are staying to the start and end point.

In terms of paid sites, I would definitely recommend the Tower of London. It’s home to the Crown Jewels and one of the oldest castles in the UK, and there is so much history to learn about here. After that, many of the attractions can be enjoyed from the outside, like the Tower of London and the south bank. You could also pop across the Millenium Bridge from the Tate Modern to visit St. Pauls. Even if you’re not into Modern Art, I can recommend a visit to the Tate Modern as there’s a great view from the balcony.

I hope this helps – do let me know if I can be of any more assistance 🙂

Melissa says

20th January 2019 at 12:52 am

Hello, I’m visiting in March for one day coming in on the Eurostar. What should be my first stop on your list ? And how can i get to it ? Thanks so much

20th January 2019 at 12:07 pm

Hi Melissa!

So the Eurostar arrives at St. Pancras. My suggestion is to follow this itinerary in the order it’s laid out, so your first point of call will be the Tower of London. This is easy to get to from St. Pancras, you just take the Underground. Specifically, you’ll want to take the Circle line (Yellow colour) from St. Pancras in the direction of Liverpool Street, and get off at Tower Hill. It’ll take around 10 minutes.

I hope this helps! I have a using the London transport network here which might be useful too 🙂

Have a great trip!

Kathleen Trakas says

27th January 2019 at 4:10 pm

Hello! My Husband & I also are in Paris for our 3rd trip in December & want to take the Eurostar to London for the day. Reading your suggestions we feel confident we can do your itinerary in just one day- we’re early birds so with this itinerary what train times do you suggest would give us a relaxing but full day? We can catch the 6am train and how long would this all take to get back to the train station without worry?

27th January 2019 at 4:38 pm

Hi Kathleen!

So it’s around a two hour trip to London from Paris, meaning the 6am train will get you in at just after 8am. The only thing to bear in mind is that many of the attractions in London don’t open until after 9am.

To make the most of your time therefore, you might want to reorder the day. I’d suggest starting with some of the outdoor sights like Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and the Houses of Parliament first, and then Buckingham Palace. You can then make your way along the south bank past the London Eye, Tate Modern, Golden Hind and HMS Belfast before getting to Tower Bridge, and then seeing the Tower of London.

From the tower of London you can then hop on the tube for the ten minute ride back to St. Pancras, for the train. I’d advise giving yourselves plenty of time for all that, as you’ll likely want to eat at some point as well and not feel rushed, so a train at around 6 or 7pm would be my suggestion.

I hope this helps!

28th January 2019 at 4:55 pm

Thanks so much! Pretty excited to be Headed to London for a day! Cheers!

Helena says

20th December 2018 at 4:28 pm

Heey, I’m going to London with a friend inJanuary. He are arriving sunday at 9am at Gatwick and sleeping somewhere in Enfield and going to Southampton the next day. I enjoyed looking your guide for one day and i would like to ask your opinion on what to do in one day, knowing that the tickets are kinda expensives and we love nature and high-views. Thank you! And good work!

20th December 2018 at 4:39 pm

So are you asking for advice in London? I will assume so 🙂

For views, I would recommend the Sky Garden. It’s free to visit, but you do need to book a timeslot in advance which you can do on their website here . Tickets are released on a Monday for the following week, and they alway go very quickly, so you’ll want to set a calendar reminder. Another good viewpoint can be had in the Tate Modern museum, which is also free 🙂

In terms of more sightseeing, many of the sights and attractions in London are free, such as watching Changing of the Guard, and looking at the outside of the major buildings like Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and so on. So I would advise you to basically follow this itinerary fairly closely, but just to skip any attractions you don’t want to pay to see if budget is a key concern.

For nature, you will likely enjoy a visit to some of the parks, like Hyde Park or Green Park, which are just near Buckingham Palace / Trafalgar Square.

I hope this helps! Have a great trip

Kadeer says

13th December 2018 at 10:12 pm

Hello my family and I are traveling and have one day in London, we fly in to Gatwick at 12 pm and out of Gatwick the next morning at 7 am. We are staying at a hotel close to the airport…. would you recommend any changes or advice for us (kids ages are 11/13/15). I am not sure if we should take uber, train, the express train, or taxi. Also while in London should we do the hop on and off bus?

14th December 2018 at 2:47 pm

So from Gatwick one of the easiest ways to get into London is to take the train (see my full guide to getting to central London from all the airports here ). You can take the Gatwick Express, but these tickets are usually £20 per person each way, so if budget is a consideration i would instead suggest taking the normal train, which has tickets starting at £9.90. You can check ticket prices and times here – it’s always cheaper to buy in advance online, just make sure you get on the train that you buy the ticket for.

In terms of the itinerary, you will definitely have to reduce the sight seeing a bit as you only really have half a day. My suggestion would be to visit Tower Bridge and look at the Tower of London from the outside, then take the tube to Westminster where you can see Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

I hope this helps – have a great time in London!

3rd December 2018 at 1:07 am

family of 4 person , visiting london for one day what tips you suggest for us. thanks alot

3rd December 2018 at 11:05 am

My advice would be to follow the itinerary, but to perhaps slow it down depending on the age and stamina of your family. Certainly, everything is do-able, but in hearing feedback from family travellers, travelling as a family will require you to take things a bit slower (depending on age).

Have a great time!

Amanda says

4th November 2018 at 7:16 am

Your itinerary sounds perfect everything I would love to see! I’ve been so anxious just thinking of how to plan my ONE day in London. Could you provide some tips on where to start the day? I will be arriving in London in the morning about 9 at Heathrow. My departure will be about 11 that evening from Gatwick. I’ll be using your itinerary as my guide. But need tips on how to use my time as efficiently as possible. I also want to make sure I make my flight that evening. Please help!

4th November 2018 at 9:04 am

Hi Amanda! Sounds like you have lots of time to see all the things on my itinerary, but I would suggest in a different order to make it more efficient based on your airport arrival and departure. 🙂 So from Heathrow the cheapest option is to take the tube, you could take this to Leicester Square. From here you can get out and see Trafalgar Square, then walk to the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace – you should be in time to see the Changing of the Guard. From here you can then walk along the south bank of the river, from the London Eye all the way around, past Shakespeare’s Globe and HMS Belfast, the Tate Modern, the Golden Hind etc. You’ll finish near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Then, when you are done you can take the train from London Bridge train station which goes direct to London Gatwick airport 🙂

Hope this helps – have a great day out!

Nandini says

11th August 2018 at 11:55 am

Hi Laurence and Jessica! Thanks so much for the post! Most certainly, It gives a pretty good idea to plan a one-day trip! I will go to London from Birmingham on 31st August and leave on 2nd September. That gives me 1 evening and 1 full day and 1 morning to explore London! Would you please give me any particular suggestion so that I can utilize my stay to the best extent?

13th August 2018 at 9:23 pm

Hey Nandini!

Sounds like a fun trip 🙂 So, it’s a bit hard to give specific advice without knowing your interests, but our general advice would be to figure out what you really want to see, and try to plan your time so you can see them as efficiently as possible. So for example, if you have an evening in London, some attractions such as the London Eye or the Shard are open later, so you can go to them on your first day perhaps. Or you could catch a show. Essentially, try to make the best use of your time as possible whilst you are there 🙂 Hopefully this helps!

Talva Walker says

2nd August 2018 at 8:12 pm

Hi, I’ve been enjoying your post. Very insightful. I’m planning a trip to Paris Aug 31-Sept 5, arriving CDG at 7:20am on Sept 1, staying at the Mercure Paris Alesia. I am planning a day trip to London via EuroRail. Can you please suggest the best travel and sightseeing routes from Paris to London so I can get the most out of my day while in London. Thanks

2nd August 2018 at 8:21 pm

HI Talva, thanks for your comment. Could you just elaborate for me what you need – as you say you are taking the Eurail train, which will put you right in central London, are you looking for a tour guide or a suggested itinerary? There’s only one train option as far as I know, you just have to pick a time that works for you 🙂

8th August 2018 at 9:24 pm

Hi Laurence, thanks for your response. I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I’m looking to find the best way to spend my day in London allowing time to/from the Eurorail. Is this doable.

9th August 2018 at 2:41 pm

Hey Talva! Well, that makes more sense. This itinerary is definitely do-able in a day but it does depend on what time your train gets in and leaves. If you are looking for the highlights, I’d suggest the Tower of London, walking across Tower Bridge, the London Eye or The Shard for great views, the exterior of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. That should all be very achievable in a day 🙂

11th July 2018 at 4:52 am

Hi, We are planning a trip to England and visit to Scotland and/or Ireland in early August. This may be too optimistic coverage but we have 12 full days. Our flight lands in Gatwick and we come back via Shannon. What is your recommendation? I plan to rent a car after spending 3 days in London.

11th July 2018 at 9:46 am

My advice would be to check out our 2 week UK itinerary: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/two-weeks-in-ukmy-perfect-itinerary/ and adjust it slightly to meet your time-frame and particular interests 🙂 We also have 1 week and 10 day UK itineraries, as well as loads of other content on travelling in the UK. So I am sure you will find the answers you need, but I’m always happy to provide further information as well.

Camilla says

1st July 2018 at 6:45 pm

I love the tips! We will be staying in a hotel near Covent Garden and will follow this! Any recommendations for places to eat around the area? I will be travelling with my in-lawsmy parents and my husband, we are not picky with food and we want to try where the locals eat.

3rd July 2018 at 10:30 am

Hey Camilla! Thanks very much 🙂 To be honest, we rarely recommend restaurants as recommendations can go out of date very quickly. Our advice would be to ask at the hotel reception when you get in, or look on Yelp / Google for nearby restaurants or pubs that have good ratings. A good pub meal is a must when visiting London. I would also add that there is a huge volume of visitors to London, as well as a very multi-cultural feel to the city, so most venues will cater to both locals and visitors 🙂

Beccare says

19th May 2018 at 10:38 am

Hello there, I will be heading into the Uk at the ending of this year and I have a list of places I would like to see in one day but not very sure how to see them all. I only have one day for sight seeing unfortunately. I plan on purchasing a one day london pass, the places are: British Museum, St Paul Cathedral, London motor museum, Charles Dickens museum, Globe Theater, Kensington Palace, London Zoo, London Bridge, West Minister Abbey, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, The view from the shard.

19th May 2018 at 7:09 pm

Hi Beccare!

I will be honest with you, I think you will struggle to see all of those locations in one day. I think you should be able to see a lot of them, but not all. My suggestion would be to start at the Tower of London, then Tower Bridge, Globe Theater, St. Paul’s cathedral, London Motor Museum and Westminster Abbey. Then head to the shard as that is open later. I think that would be achievable, but still you will have to go quite quickly. Otherwise you will rush so much you won’t see anything so well. I hope this works!

Alma J Saad says

16th May 2018 at 5:05 am

Excellent photographs. particularly the one of the Routemaster transport. Notwithstanding the 9 appeared, one additionally keeps running on the 15 (Heritage) course, which takes guests past numerous traveler spots (Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and so forth.) an incredible method to see London and considerably less expensive than a visitor transport!

17th May 2018 at 9:12 am

Thanks very much Alma!

Mohamed Haikel says

30th March 2018 at 3:35 pm

Im planning a honeymoon trip to europe and london is one of my stops and this article/post has been very helpful in narrowing down my list of places to visit. ill have a full day for sightseeing. Im staying at the Novotel Wembley in London. Any advice or recomendation on where i should start my sightseeing?

30th March 2018 at 3:48 pm

Hi Mohamed! Congratulations on your wedding 🙂 The easiest way to get around London is to take public transport, so my suggestion would be to take the tube (also known as the underground) from near your hotel. There are two easy options. First would be to take the Metropolitan line from Wembley Park Station to Aldgate Station, and then walk to the Tower of London. Alternatively, and I think my preferred option, would be to take the Jubilee Line from Wembley Park Station to London Bridge Underground Station, and then walk from there. It’s a prettier walk from the latter.

If you need information on getting around London, I have two posts to help, one on how to use the public transport system in London: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/guide-public-transport-london/

And one on paying for transport in London: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/pay-public-transport-london-oyster-contactless-best/

Andrea Heys says

26th March 2018 at 6:34 pm

Wow, This is really helpful, thank you. We are 4 ladies (3 Canadians and 1 Brit) staying around the Gatwick area at the end of April 2018. We have one full day and evening to see everything. We would love to see as much as possible (1 lady can’t walk a long way at a time but can rest for a few minutes and then carry on). The Canadians are leaving it up to me, the Brit (but from the North) to show them around. They want to sight-see and then take in a west end show in the evening. Can you recommend a route that can accommodate not too much walking?

26th March 2018 at 6:44 pm

Hi Andrea – delighted that you found the post useful 🙂 I’ll do my best to help out!

From Gatwick (I’m assuming the airport), my advice would be to take the train into central London – specifically London Bridge. This will put you almost directly across the river from the Tower of London, as well as a number of other great London sights (HMS Belfast, St. Pauls Cathedral & Tower Bridge). So a good place to start.

I’d then suggest after seeing all that you want in that area, that you take the River Bus service from either Tower Pier or London Bridge City Pier, and go to Westminster Pier. It’s pretty cost effective, and is a good way to see London from the water 🙂 Then you’ll be in the heart of Westminster, right next to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, the Churchill War Rooms, and whatever else you want to see in that area. You could also do the London Eye quite easily. Then, from Westminster it’s a short walk up Whitehall past 10 Downing St to Trafalgar Square, from where you have your pick of the shows.

Hopefully that all makes sense! I wouldn’t advise doing everything in the comment, obviously pick and choose what you’re interested in. IF you are interested in going in a few of the different attractions, definitely check out the London Pass (linked in the post) to see if the cost savings make it a benefit to you.

Have an amazing time – do pop back and let me know how it went!

29th March 2018 at 3:37 pm

Thank you so much for your reply. I’ll definitely let you know what we chose. This is great information and I heard about the London pass so we’ll check it out. This is a fantastic website that I’ll be recommending to all I know in Canada. Great information about London. Thank you again ?

29th March 2018 at 4:19 pm

My pleasure Andrea – and thanks very much!

Dale Fisher says

25th March 2018 at 2:50 pm

Your itinerary sounds perfect since we are staying for one day. We, husband and two daughters 21 & 23, leave in a few days and I will use your itinerary. We are staying at the London Arch so should I still start my day at the Tower of London? What if I begin at Westminster Pier and take the River Cruise to the Tower? I have pre booked tickets to the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. I plan to do it all walking. I value any opinions. Thank you!! Dale

25th March 2018 at 3:02 pm

Glad to be of help! It’s really up to you. From Marble Arch, it would probably make the most sense to go in the following order:

Buckingham Palace Westminster Abbey / Houses of Parliament River cruise or walk along south bank to Tower of London Tower of London Then you could either take public transport back or the river cruise again.

Alternatively you could take public transport to the Tower of London, and then the itinerary would finish near Buckingham Palace and be quite close to where you are staying 🙂

25th March 2018 at 3:23 pm

Thank you!! This was extremely helpful! We arrive the day before and have the evening free, any suggestions to make the most of our evening? All the best, Dale

25th March 2018 at 4:08 pm

My pleasure! There are a few options, you could try one of the following;

Take in a West End London Show (there are many to choose from, we know the Lion King is very popular!) Take a ride on the London Eye at sunset or head up the Shard for great views Pop out for a meal or a drink – there are so many dining and drinking options we don’t think you’ll struggle to find somewhere

simon harding says

26th November 2015 at 9:00 am

beautiful photos. especially the one of the routemaster bus. In addition to the 9 shown, one also runs on the 15 (Heritage) route, which takes visitors past many tourist spots (Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral etc.) a great way to see London and much cheaper than a tourist bus!

Claudia Luxembourg says

6th August 2015 at 11:43 am

You got it covered! I know London so well that whenever people visit me I take them on my very personal walking tour. I usually start in Covent Garden, walk to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, then head to Trafalgar Square where we stop at the National Gallery. Keep on to Buckingham Palace and then continue to Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster. Then I go to the British Museum too. I taylor it depending on what people are interested in. But it usually works fine. It is an amazing city. I also love Chiswick. Perhaps my fav. part of London!!

Laurence says

7th September 2015 at 9:11 am

That’s one of my favourite routes 😀 I lived in Covent Garden for a couple of years, love that part of town!

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Savvy Travel Advice

London Walking Tours: See the Highlights of London in 1 Day

Last updated: March 26, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 20 Comments

If you are trying to see as many highlights as you can in London in one day, you might consider taking a full day London walking tour. These walking tours take you through the heart of the capital city with a knowledgeable local guide and give you a chance to see and learn about London’s most famous sites.

During my first visit to London, Laurence and I did a full-day London walking tour to get a good orientation of the city and see some of the most iconic sites. In one day, we saw so many recognizable landmarks, including the Tower of London , Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament.

In addition to seeing all these iconic London sights, we also got to visit and partake in some fun London experiences, including a visit to the Tower of London before the crowds, a short boat ride on the River Thames, and witnessing the Changing of the Guard in front of Buckingham Palace.

If you are interested in seeing the highlights of London and only have a short time in the city, a half day or full day London walking tour may be the best option to make the most of your visit. You get a knowledgeable guide, pre-booked entrance tickets to a couple of London’s most iconic landmarks, and a wonder around the most popular area of central London.

We’ll share what we saw and did during our Best of London walking tour and share some photos and descriptions of the main places we visited. We’ll also tell you everything you need to know to choose and book your own full day London tour to see the highlights of London in one day.

full day best of london walking tour with city wonders

Table of Contents:

Choosing a London Walking Tour

It can be difficult to choose the best London walking tour for your specific visit, needs, and time in the city. We’ll tell you the things to look for to help you evaluate various tours and also provide a list of London walking tours that we personally can recommend.

Tips for Choosing the Best London Walking Tour

Below are some questions to ask to help you choose the best London walking tour for you.

How long is the London walking tour?

Be sure to check to see how long the tours lasts, and check the starting time and ending time. Most tours have breaks in the afternoon for lunch so a 7.5 hour walking tour may be 9 hours if you include the lunch break.

Depending on how much time you have and how much you want to see, choose a tour that aligns well with your available time. Note that tours may run a bit long so be sure to plan so you are not rushed to make a train or flight.

Also be sure you are up for the amount of walking needed to take the tour. Are you OK with 6 to 8 hours of walking and standing with a break for lunch? The walking on all of these tours is mainly on flat even ground but there will be some steps and uneven pavement.

If you (or a member of your group) is concerned about the amount of walking, consider a tour that includes a driver and air-conditioned coach to reduce some of the walking time such as this popular tour .

These tours are long so may not be well-suited for those with younger children who may need more breaks and may get bored after a few hours. Consider a half day walking tour or a private tour designed for families with children in mind.

Most group tours in London are not recommended for those in wheelchairs or with reduced mobility. Those with special needs or concerns should consider a private tour like this one , which can be modified to suit the needs of almost any traveler.

Also be sure you know where it starts and ends so you can plan ahead. Most tours start and end in different places. But almost all end near major attractions with good public transit connections.

What London attractions are visited?

Make sure you check to see what attractions are included on the tour and which attractions and museums you will be allowed to actually go inside and visit. For instance does the tour go inside the Tower of London or just take a look from the outside?

If there are any must-see attractions you definitely want to see (e.g., Tower Bridge or Big Ben) be sure to make sure it is on the list of places seen on the tour.

What tickets are included in the tour price?

Most tours will include the entrance fees for the attractions that are visited on the tour, but not always. We recommend booking tours that include your pre-booked tickets and entrance fees if possible.

What sections are guided?

Although all the tours we recommend include a licensed tour guide, some sections of the tours may not be fully guided. For instance, some attractions do not allow tour guide visitors inside or only allow Blue Badge tour guides to guide inside.

The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey are two of these attractions. If your guide is not able to accompany you, you should be provided with an overview from your tour guide, entrance tickets, audioguide (if applicable), and given tips to make the most of your visit by your guide.

Is a meal included?

Generally, a meal is not included in most walking tours of London. But normally tours over 6 hours include a break for lunch that is at your own expense. These breaks are normally between 1 and 2 hours and the guide will provide suggestions for places to eat nearby.

So be sure to check and bring money for food and drinks on the walk if meals are not included.

What are the reviews like for the tour?

What do past customers say about the tour? Are the reviews overwhelmingly positive or are there a number of negative ones?

Negative reviews don’t necessarily mean a tour is terrible as people may leave negative review for a variety of reasons, but if you see a lot of them for a particular tour (especially if they say something similar), I’d choose another tour with more positive reviews. We give some of our own recommendations in the next section.

Total cost of the tour?

If you are deciding between multiple tours that sound good, price may help you decide. Be sure to consider the total cost of the tours if there will be additional costs during the tour (lunch, transport, entrance fees).

Leaving a gratuity for your guide is not obligatory on these walking tours in London, but it is common and most people do leave a tip at the end. But you should feel free to tip whatever amount you feel comfortable with if you enjoyed the tour.

Our Recommended Full Day London Walking Tours

There are numerous full day London walking tours that include a number of the city’s highlights. However, we recommend checking out the ones below, which are all with companies we have personally used and can recommend for walking tours in London.

This well-rated 8-hour full day walking tour by Take Walks with a Blue Badge guide includes early morning entry to Westminster Abbey and a visit to the Tower of London, viewing the Changing of the Guard ceremony (and/or King’s Life Guard), a Thames river cruise, a walk across Tower Bridge, and views of many of London’s landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament (Big Ben), Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard. Includes a break for lunch on your own. We love the walking tours by Take Walks and this tour consistently is rated 5/5 by customers.
This full day guided tour includes early morning access to the Tower of London, a short boat ride on the Thames, the Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace (or King’s Life Guard), and a view of the highlights of Westminster, including the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament Square, and Downing Street. Includes a break in afternoon for lunch on your own. I did this tour by City Wonders on my first visit to London in 2015 and it provides a great jam-packed introduction!
This half day tour is essentially the morning part of the above described tour and includes early morning access to the Tower of London, Thames river shuttle, walking tour of Westminster, and Changing of the Guard ceremony. At only 4 hours, it is a good option for those who don’t have a full day but still want to see some of London’s top highlights and royal attractions.
This 8-hour private tour (for up to 8 people) with Context Travel includes a private Blue Badge guide with visits to the Tower of London, Borough Market (lunch break here), and Westminster Abbey. It also includes seeing famous spots like the Houses of Parliament, The Shard, Tower Bridge, and St. Pau’s Cathedral. A car service can be added if desired. Since it is a private tour, small modifications can be made to the itinerary in advance to suit the group.

**Note that if you are thinking about a private tour with Context Travel, all Independent Travel Cats readers receive a 10% discount on any Context Travel tour when you book using our link: 10% OFF Context Travel tours Please let us know if you have any difficulty receiving your discount upon checkout.**

Our Best of London Walking Tour Experience

Surprisingly, my first visit to London took place only in Spring 2015! Laurence had grown up in the United Kingdom and lived in London for a couple of years, but for me it was my first time experiencing this famous capital. We thought it would be a great idea to do a London walking tour so that I could get my bearings of this large city and see some of the highlights.

Note: the tour we booked is no longer available, but our experience should be fairly similar to most full day tours. If you are looking for a similar tour, we recommend this 8-hour full day walking tour by Take Walks.

After we had booked the tour, we received a confirmation voucher via email with the tour information and meeting time and place. Laurence and I arrived around 8:15am outside the ticket office for the Tower of London. We were greeted by our friendly tour guide named Shabby who we quickly learned was quite the entertaining character, and we were also joined by two young coffee-toting American ladies.

Admittedly, the weather was not great during the morning (cloudy, grey, and drizzly) but we felt very lucky to have such a small group of only four people. Expect larger groups unless you are traveling out of season.

Our tour began promptly at 8:30 with an introduction to the day’s itinerary and more about the history of the infamous Tower of London which was the first place we visited.

Given that our tour was almost 7 hours long over the course of 9 hours, I will spare you all the details and share only our highlights from this tour below:

full day London walking tour with City Wonders

Tower of London

The Tower of London was the start of our London walking tour with City Wonders and probably the highlight of the tour for us. This is one of London’s UNESCO world heritage sites and it has served as a fortress, prison, armory, Royal Mint, and place of execution among other uses during its long history. It currently holds the Crown Jewels which have been housed in the Tower of London for centuries.

Our group was among the first people let into the Tower of London that morning which is a special feature of this tour. Shabby, our guide, did not accompany us into the fortress but gave us information about the Tower outside and then gave us tips to guide our visit inside since people had different priorities in what they wanted to see.

Laurence and I were the first to see the Crown Jewels that morning which usually require a patient wait behind a long line of people. So that was a great feature of this particular tour. The Crown Jewels are definitely the most popular thing to see at the Tower of London, but you could spend all day visiting the various exhibits, buildings, and museums within the complex.

For instance the White Tower (oldest part of the complex) built by William the Conqueror is a must-see place for many. You can also see and learn about the Tower’s famous ravens, visit the Medieval Palace, take a short guided tour (free with entry) with one of the Yeomen Warders (Beefeaters), walk sections of the medieval walls, learn more about the executions at the Tower, or visit the Fusilier Museum which provides the history of the British infantry regiment.

Obviously, you won’t have time to do all these things as part of a walking tour, but you can choose a couple that are most appealing. We chose to see the Crown Jewels, visit the White Tower, and see the Tower Green and execution site during our time.

This was a great overview of the Tower of London, but it is definitely a place I’d like to return to again!

Boat Ride on the River Thames

After our visit to the Tower of London, we walked a short distance to catch one of the boat shuttles that goes up and down the River Thames. We also had a great view of the famous Tower Bridge from here.

The cruise was about 30 minutes long and took us from the Tower of London to Westminster. Although it was a relatively short boat ride, it gave us some time to relax and we had time to get a tea or coffee. During the cruise, Shabby pointed out notable sights along the way to our next destination like the HMS Belfast, the Shard, London Bridge, and Shakespeare’s Globe.

During our Thames ride Shabby explained to us that we would be spending our time in Westminster, which is a distinct section of London that constitutes its own city: the City of Westminster . Westminster contains many of the most famous London tourist attractions, including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Hyde Park.

Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard

Probably the most famous place in the United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace serves as the current primary London workplace and residence for the reigning sovereign of the United Kingdom. It was originally built as a private residence by the Duke of Buckingham (hence the name) in the early 18th century, but was later acquired by British royalty and expanded over time.

During our visit Queen Elizabeth II was not in residence, as indicated by the flying of the Union Flag instead of the Royal Standard above the palace. However, we were not able to actually visit Buckingham Palace during our time in London as the palace is only open for public visits for about 8 to 10 weeks per year (generally August and September).

If you are visiting London while the palace is open to the public and you want to visit later in your trip, be sure to book your tickets well in advance as they often sell out.

Depending on the walking tour you book and the day you book the tour (as well as weather and security conditions) you will likely see either the Changing of the King’s Guard at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace and/or the changing of the King’s Life Guard at the Horse Guards Parade.

If you want the best chance to see the Changing of the Guard, I’d book your tour for a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday.

The space in front of Buckingham Palace is always crowded during the time of the Changing of the Guard and so Shabby took us to a spot in front of St. James’ Palace where we got very close to some of the regiments, including the Nepalese Brigade of Gurkhas that were part of the Changing of the Guard ceremony that day.

After the changing of the guard ceremony, we were able to get a much closer look at the palace and then we had a break for lunch. Shabby gave recommendations for lunch and pointed out where to meet after our lunch break.

Laurence and I decided to use our break time to visit the Royal Mews (royal collection of historic carriages and coaches) next door on our own since we had a 2-day London Pass (read our detailed London Pass review to find out if it worth buying for your trip). Then we just grabbed sandwiches to eat before heading back to the meet-up point to rejoin our group.

Trafalgar Square & Nelson’s Column

The second half of our tour began with a walk to Trafalgar Square. This famous public square contains Nelson’s Column, built to commemorate Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson who died at the Battle of Trafalgar, at its center which is guarded by the four famous bronze lion statues.

We then took off down Whitehall street, learning about the famous former Whitehall Palace along the way. The Palace of Whitehall was the largest palace in Europe until it was destroyed by a fire in 1698. Only a small portion of it still survives.

Along the walk, we made brief stop to look at the Horse Guards, the Cenotaph (national war memorial), and to take in the official residence of the British Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. Unfortunately there is not much to see through the gate at Downing Street except for a fairly unimpressive facade and a door.

At the end of the walk down Whitehall street, we reached Parliament Square.

Parliament Square

Perhaps the most famous square in London, this green square is surrounded by a number of iconic sites as well as a number of administrative buildings, including Westminster Abbey, the Palace of Westminster, the Supreme Court, and many government buildings of Whitehall.

The Palace of Westminster , also known as the Houses of Parliament, is the meeting place for the British Parliament (both the House of Commons and the House of Lords) and is most recognizable for its famous Elizabeth Tower, often referred to as as Big Ben.

Few visitors know that Big Ben is actually the name originally given only to the large bell within the clock tower while the tower itself is officially known as Elizabeth Tower. There are great views of the Houses of Parliament from the square as well as along the Thames River nearby.

Parliament Square also contains a number of statues of famous people, including Winston Churchill , Abraham Lincoln, and Nelson Mandela.

Westminster Abbey

Many London walking tours either begin or end with a visit to (or at least a good look at) Westminster Abbey . It is definitely worth a look inside if you have the time while in London. It is one of several UNESCO World Heritage sites in London .

Westminster Abby is one of the most important historical and religious sites in London and has been used for all English and British coronations since William the Conqueror in 1066. In addition to coronations, it has been used for over a dozen royal weddings, including Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. It is also the final resting place of lots of famous people, from royalty to notable scientists.

Highlights here include the nave, quire, high altar, coronation chair, Lady’s Chapel, Poet’s Corner, and the many shrines and graves. There are also other areas such as the Chapter House and cloisters that are worth checking out, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries.

If you are visiting with a guide, they’ll take you to all the highlights, but if not, the audioguides here are excellent. Walking tours led by abbey staff, called vergers, and are available several times a day for a small additional fee.

Note that Westminster Abbey is closed to visitors and tour groups on Sundays and certain holidays.

Overall Thoughts on our Best of London Walking Tour

The full-day Best of London walking tour with City Wonders definitely delivered on showing us the highlights of London. We saw so many of the most famous landmarks and sights in central London, from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey.

A highlight for us both was touring the Tower of London and it was great to have early entry since it can get quite crowded there, especially around the Crown Jewels. It was also great to have the experience of doing the short boat ride on the Thames and seeing the changing of the guard. The break in the middle was also nice.

Our guide, Shabby, was quirky, knowledgeable, and friendly and she definitely made the history of the places we saw come alive. She was also quick to answer our questions when she could and give us additional tips for our time in London.

Our visit inside the Tower of London was great but it was not guided by our tour guide during our time inside as she was not a Blue Badge guide and therefore unable to provide guiding here. This did not matter to us as it allowed us to more easily cover the places we wanted to visit separately from the group, but it is something to consider.

Note that this walking tour also did not include an interior visit to Westminster Abbey. If you wish to also have a visit to Westminster Abbey included as part of the tour and wanted a guided tour of both the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey we’d recommend considering this group tour or this private tour instead which are both led by Blue Badge guides.

Overall, we both really enjoyed this tour and I think it is a great tour for any first-time visitor to London as it gives you a great overview of central London and a look at so many of London’s iconic attractions. I can’t wait to return to London to spend more time inside the Tower and do a guided tour inside Buckingham Palace!

So as you can see, you can see a lot of the city highlights on a London walking tour! Hope this article has helped give you a sense of what to look for in London walking tours, how to choose the best London walking tour for yourself, and what to expect on a full day London walking tour.

If you are planning your own trip to London in the future and are thinking about taking a London walking tour, you may want to PIN this article to Pinterest to find it again easily in the future:

A London walking tour is a great way to see as many highlights as you can in London in one day. These walking tours take you through the heart of the capital city with a knowledgeable local guide and give you a chance to see London's most famous sites, including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament. We'll help you choose the best London walking tour for you. #London #Londontravel #travel #walkingtour #Londontour

If you are planning a trip to London, feel free to ask us any questions about London walking tours or anything else related to visiting London. Just leave us your questions in the Comments section below.

**Disclosure: We were invited to go on a complimentary tour by City Wonders in order to review their tours and provide feedback; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. We were not financially compensated for this post.**

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Daniela Post author

June 10, 2023 at 2:20 pm

I have purchased the London Pass for five days. Is there a limit to how many visits I can do?

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

June 14, 2023 at 7:29 am

Hi Daniela,

Glad that you are visiting London and decided to get a London Pass. Generally if you are planning to visit London for 5 days and visit several of the bigger attractions you’ll save money with the pass. We also find it nice to be able to visit smaller attractions we may have never considered without worrying about the cost of just popping in.

So there is no specific limit on the number of visits, although you can only visit each attraction once. So for example you can’t visit Westminster Abbey on Tuesday and then try to visit it again on Wednesday.

The only restriction is that there is a set value for the pass in terms of the amount of credit or purse value of your pass. So the current purse value or credit limit on a 5-day London Pass is £595 for an adult or £430 on a child pass. That means you can visit as many of the included attractions until the entrance costs reach £595. In our experience, people rarely get to or exceed that limit, especially on a 5-day pass, so it is not really something I’d worry about. But if you are worried you are getting near it when using it in London, you can call or contact London Pass for your credit balance.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any other questions as you plan your trip to London!

Best, Jessica

Paula Post author

April 10, 2023 at 6:06 pm

I love your walking tours advise- I am not sure if I did the 8 hour walking tour with ‘Walks’ – I am kind of double dipping if I bought a London Pass. I want to be able to enter sites- maybe the one without entry to Westminister you recommend and then entry to Westminister is a cheaper option if I come back and enter with pass???

April 13, 2023 at 10:06 am

Love that you have found some London walks that you like. So I think it will depend on where the specific walk goes and visits, and what you really want to see. You’ll want to do the math on it to see if it still makes sense since the main tour already includes a guided tour of the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and a boat tour. But all three of those are included on London Pass.

But yes, if you choose a tour without Westminster Abbey then that might make sense if you prefer to visit the abbey on your own. I would make sure to do the math to see if a London Pass makes more sense than just booking individual tickets depending on what is included in your tour.

Also just note if planning to visit Westminster Abbey soon, it will be completely closed from April 25th to May 14th. Many other popular attractions will be closed the day (and sometimes for a couple of days) around the Coronation.

Anyway, hope that helps and just let us know if you have more questions as you plan your trip.

Dale Fisher Post author

March 25, 2018 at 6:48 am

March 25, 2018 at 7:27 am

Hi Dale, I think that sounds like a good plan as long as the river cruise from Westminster leaves early enough to get you to the pier next to the Tower of London before your entrance time. Visiting the Tower of London early in the morning is a good ideas as parts of it can get really crowded by late morning/early afternoon. If you are planning to mainly stay within the Westminster section of London, it is an easy area of London to walk around and there is plenty to keep you busy. I hope you enjoy your family trip to London! Jessica

Dr. Aurélio Post author

June 21, 2017 at 8:26 am

Very good list of options that make me want to know London because I have not yet had the opportunity. The impression I have is that it is a very cold country I am not talking about climate, but about people

June 21, 2017 at 10:27 am

Hi Dr. Aurélio, Yes, there is so much to see and do in London and this gives you an idea of some of the highlights you could see in just one full day with a concentration on Westminster and royal London sites. But London is easily a place you could spend a week or more and not run out of interesting things to do on a trip. We have not found the people in London to be “cold” but of course many are busy working people like in any other major city of the world. But generally people will take a couple of minutes to help someone or give directions or advice. Best, Jessica

John Quincy Post author

March 11, 2017 at 9:00 pm

Hey, We are planning to go in a couple of months for a weekend and are looking for options ourselves. About the City Wonders tours, do you know how accessible it is for people in wheelchairs?

March 12, 2017 at 2:44 pm

Hi John, It really depends on the specific City Wonders tour – often they can’t accommodate people in wheelchairs or others with mobility issues on their group tours because of various constraints, but they almost always can if you book a private tour. But in any case, I would definitely call ahead and explain the situation and which tours you are interested in and see if it is possible. I hope you find a good option! ~ Jessica

Kristy Post author

January 12, 2017 at 2:45 am

That is timely! Thank you for sharing your experience about visiting London. We are planning to go in a couple of months for a weekend and are looking for options ourselves. About the City Wonders tours, do you know how accessible it is for people in wheelchairs? Thanks again 🙂

January 12, 2017 at 3:06 am

Hi Kristy, I don’t know for sure and I would recommend giving them a call (or any other company you are considering). This particular tour involved a lot of walking as well as entry into The Tower of London, the Thames boat, and a hotel for afternoon tea. I couldn’t find any specific information on their website. I would go through and make a list of the London tours you are most interested in and then give them a call to discuss the accessibility of each – they should be able to recommend the most accessible tours to you. Have a great trip to London! Bet, Jessica

Emily Post author

February 16, 2016 at 3:50 am

Oh these are some great tidbits on London :)! Excellent quality pictures also. My favourite spot is Waterstones on Piccadilly Circus. The best bookstore ever!!! Thanks for sharing!

travelcats Post author

February 16, 2016 at 4:15 am

Hi Emily, Thanks, glad you found our London tips helpful! I have not been to Waterstones yet but I believe it is the largest bookstore in Europe, right?! I will have to check it out as we are now based in the UK. Daunt Books, an independent bookstore with a focus on travel, is currently on the top of the list for me to visit as far as bookstores in London go! ~ Jessica

Aaron Jade Post author

October 16, 2015 at 4:32 am

Great list of options for us to check out when we hit London. can’t beat wander around a big city and getting absorbed into it all. Excellent quality pictures also. Thanks

November 2, 2015 at 5:51 am

Thanks Aaron, yes, London is one of those cities where you can wander around for a long time! Great to have some places in mind to visit and save the rest for the next visit! ~ Jessica

Jared Post author

October 15, 2015 at 2:39 pm

Great review – I hope to get some free time to explore London when I’m there for WTM in November. Have never really done the tourist thing there, so this is a handy guide, thanks!

Cheers, Jared

November 2, 2015 at 5:50 am

Hi Jared, Thanks, hope you enjoy your time in London and have some free time to explore the city. Enjoy WTM! ~ Jessica

AwesomelyOZ Post author

October 14, 2015 at 4:56 am

Oh these are some great tidbits on London 🙂 I hope to go sometime in my lifetime but we’ll see when! 🙂 I’d love to have some afternoon tea, I’m a sucker for tea! Thanks for sharing, I love the photo of Buckingham Palace and the guard! Have a great one Jessica -Iva

October 15, 2015 at 2:11 am

I think you’d enjoy London, so much to do and so many great free things to do! I am also a sucker for afternoon teas. I’ll be moving to the UK in January so will have much more time to explore this city in the future. ~ Jessica

London 1-Day Tours and Itineraries

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London in a Day | 13 Best Things to Do on a Tight Schedule

L ondon is a bustling city. It’s busy, it’s beautiful, and it’s so fun! Can you already tell how much we love it? Full of history, culture, diversity, and entertainment, the capital city of England is an ideal destination for travelers looking to explore a new place. But with so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming to try and fit everything into just one day in London.

So, if you have limited time or are on a tight schedule, careful planning and prioritizing are a must if you want to see the highlights of London in a day.

From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this 1 day in London itinerary provides a realistic look at the top things to do in London for a day.

Where to stay in London

Where you stay in London for a day depends on how you are arriving in England’s capital. Mainly, are you flying into Heathrow International Airport or are you arriving by train from another European city like Paris , Amsterdam , or Brussels ?

If arriving by train with luggage, it is a good idea to stay somewhere near Kings Cross / St. Pancras Station so you can drop your luggage off when you arrive and hit the ground running, so you don’t waste any time during your one day in London.

For those arriving by train, we have personally stayed at the Megaro Hotel , which is less than a block from Kings Cross / St. Pancras and loved it!

Other options located in Central London near Covent Garden and within walking distance to many of the main attractions include Radisson Blu Edwardian Kenilworth Hotel or the Z Hotel Strand .

Realistic London Itinerary for 1 day

To truly appreciate this incredible city, you typically need about 4 days in London , but for those passing through on a stopover with limited time, this one-day London itinerary can help you plan your adventure.

Many of the attractions in London are included in the London Pass, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge experience, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the hop-on hop-off bus and Thames River Cruise. So, it can save you money on admission to purchase the London Pass .

However, if you choose to pick and choose your experiences highlighted in this one day in London itinerary, we’ve also included links to the ticket information for each attraction which requires an admission charge or ticket.

One thing to note about this London itinerary – if you are the type of person who likes to take your time when visiting an historic site or stop into a pub because it looks cool, you will need to cut HALF of this itinerary or spread it over 2 days.

9:00 AM – St. Paul’s Cathedral
10:00AM – Tower of London
11:30AM – London Bridge
12:30PM – River Thames Cruise
Lunch at a food stall near the London Eye
1:30 PM – The London Eye
2:45 PM – Big Ben
3:00 PM – Westminster Abbey
4:00 PM -Buckingham Palace
4:30PM – Trafalgar Square
5:00PM – The National Gallery
7:00PM – Piccadilly Circus
7:30PM – Walk through Chinatown
8:00PM – Late Dinner and drinks Covent Garden

Best things to do during one day in London

Now that you have a general (albeit jam-packed) itinerary to follow, here is a look at what you will see during your one-day London tour.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a beautiful Anglican cathedral located about 25 minutes away from the Tower of London, on foot but it is a stop on the hop-on hop-off tours, as well. So, start your day at the church then either walk or take the hop-on hop-off bus to your next stop.

The famous European cathedral is renowned for its magnificent dome, which stands more than 111 meters tall. The interior of the cathedral is equally impressive, with intricate mosaics, stunning stained-glass windows, and ornate carvings.

It has been the site of many important events in British history, including the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.

Buy an entry ticket to St. Paul’s Cathedral

Tower of London

The Tower of London is a historic fortress situated on the north bank of the River Thames in Central London. Since it was constructed in the early 11th century, it has played a prominent role in English history and has served multiple purposes.

The tower was once a royal palace, prison, armory, and now is a popular tourist museum.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is best known for its use as a prison during the 16th and 17th centuries when it held many high-profile prisoners, including Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth I.

Today, the Tower Museum is home to the Crown Jewels of England, a collection of valuable ceremonial objects used by the monarchs of England at coronations and other important state occasions.

The line or queue to see the Crown Jewels can become lengthy, but it is shorter in the morning, so plan your visit for 10 a.m. when the Tower of London opens for the day. You could spend hours at the Tower of London , but in the interest of time, plan to spend about 2 1/2 hours between the Tower of London and the connecting Tower Bridge.

Book tickets to Tower of London in advance

Tower Bridge

The Tower Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Europe – if not the entire world.

Visitors can actually tour the Tower Bridge original steam engine rooms which once powered the bridge and walk over the glass walkway which extends across the iconic London landmark.

The ticketed tour takes visitors through the Tower Bridge Exhibition, where they can learn about the bridge’s construction and design, as well as its role in London’s transportation history.

But for many, the highlight of the tour is walking across the high-level walkways, which offer breathtaking views of the city skyline and the Thames River. With its fascinating exhibits, stunning views, and rich history, the Tower Bridge tour is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting London.

Buy your entry ticket to the Tower Bridge experience

The London Eye

Your next stop on this London in a day itinerary is The London Eye, but it can be a fairly long walk. So, with limited time in London you will want to take the 40-minute River Thames Hop-On Hop-Off Cruise from Tower Bridge to The London Eye Pier.

The London Eye is another one of those extremely recognizable landmarks. The massive observation wheel located on the South Bank of the River Thames stands 135 meters tall, making it one of the tallest observation wheels in the world.

From inside each of the 32 capsules, visitors get stunning panoramic views of the city’s skyline and other attractions like Big Ben and Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The London Eye moves ever so slowly around in the giant circle taking approximately 30 minutes to complete a full rotation.

Something to note, the line or queue to board the London Eye can get quite long since it is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions. For this reason, you may want to consider buying tickets in advance and booking the fast-track option to skip the queue.

Buy your London Eye tickets (with an option for a fast-track pass)

Across the Thames in walking distance to the London Eye, Big Ben is a prominent clock tower – and perhaps one of the most notable clocks in the world.

Big Ben is the nickname for the largest bell in the Great Clock of Westminster, although many people refer to the iconic 96-meter-tall tower itself as Big Ben.

Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, where the two houses of Parliament meet, the clock tower is famous for its accurate timekeeping and the distinct sound of its bell, which chimes on the hour.

The tower was completed in 1859 and has since become a symbol of London and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a historic church located by the Westminster Palace and Parliament building.

The abbey has been the site of coronations and royal weddings since the 11th century and is the final resting place of many monarchs and notable figures in British history.

Originally built in the 7th century, the church has undergone many renovations and additions over the years, resulting in a mix of architectural styles.

The interior of the abbey is adorned with intricate carvings and stained-glass windows. But the most fascinating things to see in Westminster Abbey are the memorials and tombs of famous figures such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and William Shakespeare.

Be sure to get an audio guide, which is included with your Westminster Abbey tour ticket, so you don’t miss any of the famous tombs tucked away in the church.

Book your Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket (Audio guide included)

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. The palace has been the home of the British monarchs since 1837 and is often used for official ceremonies and state occasions.

While you can’t tour the palace and its 775 rooms, it’s worth stopping by after your visit to Westminster. It’s a lovely stroll through a beautiful garden from the church to the palace.

Outside the palace at 10:45 am every day during June and July and every other day from August through May, visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

This royal ceremony draws crowds, so if you want to experience it, you will want to be in place at 10 a.m. to catch the parade and guard change.

However, if you are planning to see London in a day, skip the changing of the guards. While it is unique, you will spend a lot of time waiting around to watch British guards’ march.

Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery

Trafalgar Square is one of the most well-known public squares in London.

The square is a popular gathering place and is often used for public events and celebrations. At the north end of the square is the National Gallery, one of the world’s most renowned art museums.

The gallery houses a vast collection of over 2,300 paintings, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet. Although free to visit, you will need to book a ticket . Doing so in advance will save you time, which is necessary if you only have one day in London.

Be sure to get to the National Gallery before 6 p.m. when it closes. Our itinerary gets you to the National Gallery at 5 p.m., which will give you one hour to see some of the gallery’s famous works.

Piccadilly Circus

Another famous public square in London, Piccadilly Circus is like London’s version of Time Square in New York City. It is known for its iconic neon signs and billboards, which light up the area at night and a prominent central fountain where people tend to hang out.

A major commercial hub and a popular tourist destination, you’ll find lots of shops, theaters, and restaurants in the surrounding area.

You can easily walk to Piccadilly Circus from Trafalgar or directly from Buckingham Palace, but there are several bus and metro stations that will take you directly to the famous square, also.

Located in the center of the square, a statue of Eros graces the top of a prominent fountain. This vibrant area truly captures the energy and unique atmosphere of London.

Chinatown is another fun and busy area in the heart of the city. Just a few blocks from Piccadilly Circus, around the streets of Gerrard, Lisle, and Wardour, Chinatown is a hub for Chinese culture, cuisine, and commerce.

It is characterized by its colorful decorations, hanging red lanterns, and traditional arches. Here you’ll find a variety of authentic Chinese restaurants and shops selling goods and souvenirs.

Although you don’t have to spend much time, it is worth walking through Chinatown on your way to Covent Garden. It is a unique cultural experience and a great place to grab a quick bite to eat if you are craving Chinese cuisine.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is one of our personal favorite neighborhoods in London. Located in the heart of the West End, Covent Garden is the perfect place to end your one day in London.

It is home to a range of restaurants, cafes, and bars, offering a diverse range of cuisine. So, find a restaurant that suits your fancy, grab a table and enjoy a relaxing dinner and a cold pint.

The neighborhood is characterized by its elegant architecture and cobbled streets. You’ll find colorful courtyards like Neal’s Yard, and major attractions like the Covent Garden Market, Royal Opera House, and London Transport Museum located in the area.

It is a fun mix of historical and contemporary experiences that makes it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring London in a day.

Getting Around London

London is an easy city to get around. It is well connected by public transport, and some – although not all – of the main things on this London in a day itinerary – are close enough that you can walk between them.

Tube (London Underground)

The London Underground, also called the Tube, is the city’s metro system. It connects all of London and is fairly easy to navigate for those who are accustomed to using a metro.

You can tap your credit card on the stall to enter and tap again when you exit, and it will calculate the cost without you having to buy a metro ticket.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

The hop-on hop-off bus tour is one of the most popular ways to see London in a day. The recognizable red, double-decker buses stop at all London’s most popular sites, letting you get on and off at any stop along the way.

While onboard, the tour guides provide fun and engaging commentary. The buses stop at each attraction every 20 minutes, so it is a quick way to see the city, and you are never waiting very long.

Private Tours

Finally, if you prefer a completely organized private tour guide, this is also an option. You can hire a taxi to drive you to all of London’s top attractions. Of course, while convenient it is also the most expensive way to see London in a day.

FAQs about visiting London in a Day

If you are visiting London on a day trip or passing through on the way to another destination, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting the popular Bristish city.

Is 1 day in London enough?

Shortest answer: No. While one day in London is not enough to see everything in the famous city, you can still have a great time exploring some of the city’s top attractions and landmarks in that short amount of time.

London is a massive city with countless attractions, so it’s difficult to see everything in just one day. However, if you are only in London for a day, you can still get a taste of the city’s history, culture, and landmarks like Big Ben, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace.

However, you may not make it to all of London’s famous neighborhoods like Notting Hill, Camden, and SoHo. You also won’t have time to stop for an impromptu carousel ride or stop in for a pint at a British pub. Those are the things that truly make London special.

Still, you can see a fair amount of London’s top sites in one day because London has an excellent public transportation system, including buses and the famous Underground (also known as the Tube), which can make it easy to get around the city quickly.

Is it worth going to London for one day?

Although one day in London isn’t enough time to truly experience this incredible city, if you are nearby and only have a day, then yes, it is definitely worth going to London. If for no other reason, you’ll get to see some of Europe’s most famous churches and even one of the most iconic bridges in Europe .

If the city’s popular landmarks don’t interest you, there are plenty of cultural experiences like museums, theaters, and great restaurants and English pubs to visit.

Or, for Harry Potter fanatics, you can book a walking tour of some of the Harry Potter filming sites or spend a day at the Harry Potter Studios .

Can you visit London on a long layover at Heathrow?

Heathrow airport is well-connected to central London by public transportation, such as the London Underground (Piccadilly line and Elizabeth Line), which takes approximately 50 minutes to reach central London. There are also other options such as taxis or private transfers, which may be quicker but more expensive.

With that said, Heathrow is a busy airport and you have to account for the amount of time it takes you to go through customs. We’ve flown through Heathrow, gotten to the airport 3 hours early and still barely made our flight.

Personally, we wouldn’t recommend trying to visit London on a long layover at Heathrow. Instead, plan to visit somewhere closer to the airport, like a day tour of Windsor Castle .

Do you need a car for one day in London?

You do not need a car if you want to visit London. You can easily explore the city on foot and using public transportation. The hop-on hop-off bus is also an option to get to the tourist attractions quicker.

However, if you plan to take a day trip to the Cotswolds and see some of the most beautiful Cotswolds villages like Bibury or Castle Combe , you will need to rent or hire a car to do so.

Additionally, if you want to venture to the English coast to explore places like Dover or Margate , a car is beneficial.

What is the best time to visit London?

Although London can be a beautiful winter wonderland , the winter season can get quite cold and a bit dreary. The city is also known to be rainy and cloudy quiet frequently, so for the best weather, visit London in summer.

Keep in mind though, summer is the peak tourism season, so it is the most expensive and most crowded time to visit.

I tend to think London is magical year-round though, so if you do happen to visit in winter, especially around the holidays, you’ll find the city is one of the best Christmas destinations in Europe !

Have a question or comment about any of the attractions on this London in a day itinerary? We’d love to hear from you! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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London 1-day itinerary: how to spend one day in london.

For a city as big and rich in things to do as London, one day to explore it might not feel like enough.

However spending one day in London will give you the opportunity to scratch the surface of this beautiful city, get a feel for the London lifestyle and soak in the atmosphere.

Whether it’s for a long flight layover, if you’re visiting a friend, you’re only doing a quick stop as part of a longer trip; London has plenty to offer and is sure to keep you busy.

In this London 1-day itinerary I’ve put together a walking route that will take you to all the main attractions in London, as well as some hidden local spots.

It’s the perfect way to spend a day in London for any first time visitor, and really experience the city.

In this guide:

1 Best way to see London in a day
2.1 Covent Garden
2.2 Leicester Square
2.3 Piccadilly Circus
2.4 Buckingham Palace
2.5 Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
2.6 London Eye
2.7 South Bank
2.8 Borough Market
2.9 Tower Bridge
2.10 Tower of London
2.11 Sky Garden
3 London in a day route map

How well do you know London?

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Best way to see London in a day

Personally, if you have 24 hours (or less) in London, I think the best way to get around London is on foot.

While you’re walking you will be able to see all the little side streets and corners that you would otherwise miss from behind a car window, as well as really soaking in the London atmosphere.

Also in central London the traffic can get pretty hectic, it’s often faster to walk short distances than doing them by bus or taxi! This London 1-day itinerary is a walking itinerary, built around showing you as much as possible of London in one day.

If you don’t want to or can’t walk you can also take Uber, buses or the tube for the longer distances. An alternative option if you don’t want to walk is also doing a hop-on hop-off bus tour .

Yes they may be very touristy, but they drive routes specifically designed to show you all the highlights of London. You also get an audio guide that will explain to you what you’re seeing.

Enjoying the sunset over the Thames and Tower Bridge

My one day in London itinerary

I recommend starting your day in London in Covent Garden . This is one of the most central spots in the city, easy to reach from any neighbourhood you’re staying in and with plenty of fun things to get you started.

In Covent Garden you will find loads of shops, bars , restaurants and market stalls, as well as some unique architecture. Besides the famous Apple Market there are also lots of cute side streets around Covent Garden.

Neal’s Yard is one the most colourful and prettiest streets in London , and is a short 3-minute walk away from Covent Garden.

You can start your day by having brunch at one of the many cafes in Covent Garden, maybe do a little souvenir shopping and then hit the road for your next stop!

The Apple Market in Covent Garden decorated for Christmas

Leicester Square

From Covent Garden you can easily walk over to Leicester Square. Leicester Square is a pedestrian area with cinemas and theatres dotted all around it. This is the very heart of London, and you will find plenty of fun shops, bars and restaurants.

Parallel to Leicester Square you will also find Chinatown. This is a fairly big area of London, which would take up quite a big of time to explore properly, however from Leicester Square you can easily stop by Chinatown Gate.

This marks the “entrance” to Chinatown. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in London and definitely worth checking out.

The Chinatown Gate at the start of Wardour Street

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is the London equivalent of Times Square in New York City. With its colourful billboards and busy streets, it’s one of the most iconic spots in London . In Piccadilly Circus you can really appreciate the chaos and busy city life of London.

If you’re a shopping fan before continuing with this itinerary you can pop over to Carnaby Street or Oxford Street to check out some shops.

They are both within short walking distance of Piccadilly Circus, and are some of the most famous shopping avenues in Europe.

Buckingham Palace

If you only have one day in London, you have to pay Buckingham Palace a visit. Buckingham Palace is the London residence of the royal family, as well as the administrative headquarters of the monarchy.

If you time your day right, you might even be able to see the Changing of the Guard. It happens every day at 10:45AM and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London.

You will want to be there a bit earlier so you can get a spot with a good view.

You can also visit the State Rooms inside Buckingham Palace if you’re interested, but given that you only have one day I would just admire it from outside and then power ahead with your itinerary.

Click here to book your Buckingham Palace tour!

Exploring Buckingham Palace on my first weekend when I moved to London

Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

Is there anything more iconic in London than Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament? If you’re walking from Buckingham Palace you will first come across Westminster Abbey, another must-see in any London itinerary.

From there just walk on and you will soon see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. If you’re a history lover you might want to pop in for a visit, however I have personally never been in Westminster Abbey or the Houses of Parliament.

Given that you only have one day in London, I think admiring the beautiful architecture from outside will be enough.

If you do want to visit the inside make sure to book your tickets online beforehand so that you don’t waste time queuing or having to buy tickets on the day.

Click here to book your visit to Westminster Abbey!

The London Eye is just across the river from Westminster. After admiring the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, just walk over Westminster Bridge and you will find yourself under the London Eye.

If you want to ride the London Eye you should definitely book tickets beforehand , as the queue can get pretty big. You only have one day in London, you don’t want to waste it in a queue!

Riding the London Eye might be a touristy activity, but it’s without a doubt one of the best views in London .

Book your fast track London Eye entrance here!

View over Westminster from the top of the London Eye

After visiting the London Eye I recommend you walk along the River Thames and explore South Bank.

This is one of my favourite parts of London, especially on a sunny day. Regardless of the time of year you visit, there is always something going on along South Bank.

At Christmas time you will find Southbank Christmas Market just a few minutes walk after the London Eye. In summer the same space gets used as an outdoors bar and street food area.

As you walk along the riverside you will come across some iconic London landmarks, such as Shakespeare’s Globe, Millennium Bridge (one of the most Instagrammable places in London in my opinion) the Tate Modern, and you will be able to see the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral and the skyscrapers of the City from across the river.

Given that you are only in London for one day I don’t recommend going inside the Tate Modern or Shakespeare’s Globe, as it would take up too much time. However that is obviously entirely dependent on your personal travel preferences and interests.

This London 1-day itinerary is maximised to show you as much as possible of the beautiful British capital in 24 hours, but feel free to edit as appropriate!

Millennium Bridge with the dome of St Paul's in the back, one of the iconic spots you will see walking along South Bank

Borough Market

After all this walking, you’re probably getting a little hungry! Time for a food stop at Borough Market. Borough Market is one of my favourite street food markets in London.

It’s one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, and you find also many normal market stalls such as fresh fruit, vegetables and bread.

On top of that there are loads of ethnic street food stalls, selling delicacies from all over the world such as pad thai, curry, pasta but also some British classics like pie and scotch eggs.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Borough Market (@boroughmarket)

Tower Bridge

After enjoying the tasty food at Borough Market it’s time for another London icon; Tower Bridge!

The walk from Borough Market to Tower Bridge will take you past Hay’s Galleria, a lovely indoor shopping area, and More London Place, a cool outdoor area where you can sit in the sun, and a bit of a picnic while you enjoy the view over Tower Bridge and the City. It’s one of my favourite Londoner local gems .

Tower Bridge is famous for the two iconic towers that distinguish it from all other bridges in London. You can cross the bridge for free both on foot or by car, as well as visiting the inside.

Like everything else on this list, I recommend purchasing tickets beforehand if you want to visit Tower Bridge, so that you can save some time.

Tower Bridge as seen from More London Place, from the south side of the river

Tower of London

After crossing Tower Bridge you will find yourself next to the Tower of London. The Tower of London is a historic castle, which was used as prison for over 800 years and where the Crown Jewels are now held.

It’s one of the most famous and visited attractions in London. Here you can learn about this secure fortress, castle and prison, as well as lots of interesting history and facts about London and British culture.

If you’re visiting in winter they also set up an ice skating rink by the Tower of London, so that you can pair a fun activity with sightseeing!

Click here to book your visit to Tower of London and the Crown Jewels!

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge at golden hour

I know it’s been a packed day so far, but just one little extra push and you can end your day at one of the coolest rooftop bars and most Instagram-worthy restaurants in London .

Sky Garden isn’t only a bar, it’s also an indoor garden (as the name might suggest) with restaurants, bars, a viewing platform and they also host cool events such as sunrise yoga.

Entry is free but you have to book a timeslot online. If you visit after 7PM it’s walk in and you can just go in without reservation, although you might have to queue a little bit. Sky Garden has incredible views over the river Thames and the London skyline.

Here you can have a drink (cocktails are priced at around £15, which is pricey but not unreasonable for the venue), enjoy the sunset over London and watch the skyline light up as it gets dark. The perfect ending to your day in London!

Enjoying the sunset over London from Sky Garden

London in a day route map

I’ve put together a map of the walking route I suggest in this London itinerary. As you can see it adds up to around 2 hours of walking, on a pretty level terrain and always on normal streets.

Taking into account breaks for photo moments, food, and just in general to appreciate the beauty of London, this walking itinerary will take up the whole day.

Final thoughts on what to do in 1 day in London

Have longer in London? Check out this London 5-day itinerary !

There you have it, the ultimate 1-day London itinerary, suggested by a Londoner! While one day isn’t enough to really appreciate this beautiful city, it will give you the opportunity to see all the main highlights and get a feel for the London vibe.

I hope you find this itinerary useful in planning your day in London! If you have any questions or suggestions for spots not mentioned in this itinerary, let me know in the comments below!

Spending longer in London? Check out these extra resources:

How to spend 2 days in London
Best areas to stay in London
The ultimate London bucket list
What to pack for a trip to London

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Greta Omoboni is a full time blogger based in London. After 3.5 years of blogging about destinations all over the world on her main site, Greta's Travels, she decided to start a new site, dedicated to her second home and favourite city; London!

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21 best london tours of 2024.

From exploring Harry Potter movie sets to cruising on the River Thames, these are the best tours of London.

The Best London Tours

Courtesy of Secret Food Tours

If you're looking for the best things to do in London but unsure where to begin, consider a guided tour of the city. Many sightseeing excursions cover the highlights (think Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge), while other London tours focus on Harry Potter, Jack the Ripper and day trips to Stonehenge. Read on to discover a variety of well-rated tours in London.

Secret Food Tours – London Bridge

Price: Adults from 79 pounds (about $100); kids from 69 pounds (about $88) Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours

British food often gets a bad reputation, but this tour will change your mind. You'll visit seven different eateries, sampling everything from sausage rolls to sticky toffee pudding.

The tour begins at bustling Borough Market, where you'll snack on a bacon and egg bap (the U.K. version of a breakfast sandwich) as your guide tells you about the history of the market, as well as an overview of the city's history and culture. Other stops include a historic pub for a cheese tasting paired with English cider. And – as is standard on a Secret Food Tour – there will be a secret dish offered somewhere along the way. As you eat your way through London, you'll also enjoy great views of the city skyline, London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Past participants appreciate the quantity and quality of food provided, as well as the entertaining guides.

Tours depart several times a day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Secret Food Tours also offers tours of the Shoreditch district, among other areas.

Check prices & availability on:

BrakeAway Bike Tours – The Secret London Bike Tour

Price: Adults from 32 pounds (about $41); kids from 26 pounds (about $33) Duration: 3.5 hours

This London bike tour leads riders past famous sights, such as the Tower of London and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, but also explores lesser-known features of the city, including its street art and secret passageways. It also includes a 20-minute stop at Brick Lane. Reviewers extol the fun guides and say the tour is ideal if you want a break from the tourist crowds. Plus, they say it's a great value for the money.

Tours are offered daily from late March through October at 3 p.m. Tour prices include bikes, helmets and rain ponchos. Children 9 and younger are not permitted on the tour, and groups are capped at 12 participants. For a more traditional tour of London, consider the company's Grand London Bike Tour.

Liquid History Tours – Drink London Tour

Price: From 25 pounds (about $32) Duration: 3 to 4 hours

If the idea of walking – and drinking – in the footsteps of literary luminaries like Shakespeare and Dickens appeals, this is the tour for you. On the Drink London Tour, you'll walk along the "Street of Shame" (Fleet Street) for approximately 2 miles and stop in at least four historic pubs, some centuries old. You'll stroll by St. Paul's Cathedral, peek into secluded courtyards and listen to tales about Sweeney Todd. Travelers love the stories the guides share just as much as they enjoy drinking the local brews.

Note that the cost of drinks is not included, and reservations are required for this tour. Participants must be at least 18 years old. If you're traveling with a group, consider one of Liquid History Tours' private excursions.

The Ghost Bus Tours

Price: Adults from 25 pounds (about $32); kids from 17 pounds (about $22) Duration: 75 minutes

Ride a vintage double-decker bus for a spooky peek into London's lesser-known history with Ghost Bus Tours. Mixing horror with a fair bit of comedy – an aspect reviewers love – the actors-turned-guides describe the haunted history of top attractions, such as the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, among other famous landmarks. Both visitors and locals value the obscure stories guides share.

Tours last approximately 75 minutes and run several times each evening, though departure times vary by day.

London Bicycle Tour Company – The Classic Tour

Price: Adults from 33.95 pounds (about $43); kids from 24.95 pounds (about $32) Duration: 3 hours

Travelers consistently give the London Bicycle Tour Company high marks for its fun guides who are vigilant about ensuring riders' safety. On the Classic Tour – which travels about 8 miles – you'll breeze past Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Banksy Tunnel (where you'll likely witness artists at work) and other local landmarks. Your tour guide will offer commentary and give you plenty of time to stop and take photos. Children need to be at least 10 years old and stable riders to participate.

Tours are offered daily at 10:30 a.m. To admire the city lights at night, consider the company's daily sunset ride.

Courtesy of Alternative London

Alternative London – Street Art Walking Tour

Price: Adults from 20 pounds ($25); kids from 14 pounds (about $18) Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours

Promising to show you things London guidebooks don't cover, Alternative London's walking tour takes you to East London, where guides showcase the area's street art and discuss its culture and history. The company employs street artists and other creative types as guides so you get an insider's look into the community, something travelers say makes the tour unique. No two tours are alike because every guide has their favorite route and spots to highlight. Past tourgoers say the tour is fun and full of interesting insights.

Tours run at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays, as well as 2 p.m. on Fridays. Outings are limited to 20 people. Looking to explore more of London's hidden spots? Alternative London offers a bike tour that emphasizes street art.

The English Bus – Stonehenge, Bath & A Secret Place Tour

Price: From 134 pounds (about $170) Duration: 12 hours

After you've had your fill of London's hustle, take a day trip to the countryside for a tour of Stonehenge . On this small tour of 16 people or fewer, you'll depart London in a Mercedes minibus and head to both Stonehenge and Bath. At Stonehenge, you'll have time to walk around the ancient stones and marvel at their enormity. In Bath, you'll have time to stop for lunch and either explore on your own or take a guided tour. The twist to this tour is that you'll also visit a secret spot on the way back to London, which is only revealed when you arrive.

The English Bus's vehicle, with panoramic windows and a glass roof, is small enough to go down back roads and through the countryside – a feature travelers love. Reviewers are also complimentary of the guides, who they describe as friendly, educational and well-versed in British history.

Tours depart daily at 8:45 a.m. and return to central London around 8:30 p.m. Tickets do not include food, drinks or admission to Stonehenge. The English Bus also operates daylong trips to the Cotswolds, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, among other destinations.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Price: Adults from 53.50 pounds ($68); kids from 43 pounds ($55) Duration: 3.5 to 7 hours

If you're a fan of Harry Potter, you already know that this London tour is a must – and previous tourgoers confirm it lives up to the hype. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter offers a behind-the-scenes look at sets, props and costumes used in the film franchise. Walk through the Great Hall – which is set for dinner – and explore Diagon Alley and Platform 9 3/4. Other exhibits include Creature Effects, where you can see how characters like Buckbeak the Hippogriff and Aragog were brought to life. You can even enjoy a butterbeer in the Backlot Café. Special exhibits are also displayed throughout the year and around the holidays.

Plan to spend at least half a day to fully experience the collection and discover its intricate details. Themed packages and add-on experiences are also available. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

City Experiences – Evening Cruise on the River Thames

Price: From 30 pounds (about $38) Duration: 2 hours

City Experiences offers evening cruises on the River Thames, a lovely way to end your day in London. Upon boarding, a server greets you with a complimentary glass of prosecco, and hors d'oeuvres are served throughout the two-hour cruise. You'll enjoy live background music as you take in the sights from your seat on the open-air upstairs deck or inside the saloon with picture windows. Previous travelers say they enjoyed the cruise, noting it is relaxing and affords spectacular views for photos.

In the warm weather months, cruises run daily at 6:30 p.m.; beginning in October, cruises are available Thursday through Sunday only. Patrons must be age 13 or older to join the tour. Other London river cruises offered by City Experiences include a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing cruise.

Courtesy of Jack the Ripper Tour

The Jack the Ripper Tour With Ripper-Vision

Price: Adults from 18 pounds (about $23); kids from 10 pounds (about $13) Duration: 2 hours

This offbeat Jack the Ripper tour has a unique spin: the company uses what it calls "Ripper-Vision" to tell the story of the notorious murderer. A hand-held projector, "Ripper-Vision" displays pictures on walls and sides of buildings throughout the tour, allowing the guides to show (and tell) all about the infamous serial killer. You'll visit the actual murder sites where Jack the Ripper commited his crimes, and will get a glimpse of what London was like in the late 1800s. Tourgoers say guides are informative, entertaining and skilled at retelling the stories of Jack the Ripper's escapades.

Tours are offered nightly at 7:30 p.m., with an additional 5 p.m. tour on select days. The company also offers Jack the Ripper pub tours.

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Eating Europe – East End Food Tour

Price: Adults from 85 pounds (about $108); kids from 70 pounds (about $89) Duration: 3.5 hours

Eating Europe's East End food tour is a 3.5-hour exploration of one of London's most diverse and interesting neighborhoods. Participants will enjoy food at six restaurants, pubs, markets, bakeries and shops. Along with classic (and award-winning) fish and chips, you'll also sample some of the city's best curry, bagels and pastries. Reviewers rave about the delicious and varied offerings on this tour and encourage future participants to pace themselves so they can enjoy every bite.

Tours run throughout the day, every day, beginning at 11 a.m. There is a maximum of 12 people per tour. Eating Europe also offers tours of Soho and Borough Market.

Fat Tire Tours – Royal London Bike Tour

Price: Adults from 35 pounds (about $44); kids from 29 pounds (about $37) Duration: 4 hours

Fascinated with the monarchy? On this approximately four-hour cycling excursion from Fat Tire Tours, expert guides lead you to spots like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Kensington Palace, all while sharing intrigue and stories about British royalty. Midway through the tour, there is a half-hour lunch break near Trafalgar Square (at your own expense). Bikers say the tour provides a great way to see iconic sights and describe guides as informative and friendly.

Rides are offered daily at 10:30 a.m.; an additional 3:30 p.m. tour may also be available depending on the day and month. Schedules vary during the winter. Travelers should note reservations are required for this tour, and helmets are provided. Fat Tire Tours also offers cycling tours along the Thames, bike rentals and private tours.

Evan Evans Tours – Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath

Price: Adults from 95 pounds (about $121); kids from 85 pounds (about $108) Duration: 11 hours

The first stop on this day trip from London is Windsor Castle – the largest occupied castle in the world. Here, you'll have time to stroll the immaculate grounds and pay a visit to St George's Chapel, the location of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2018 nuptials. From there, you'll head to the city of Bath, England – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to the world-famous Roman Baths. The last stop of the day is Stonehenge. In all, the tour lasts about 11 hours. Reviewers rave about the entertaining, passionate guides, but some do bemoan the pace of the tour, saying certain parts felt rushed. However, all agree this is a great way to cross some must-see landmarks off your bucket list.

Tours depart Victoria Coach Station daily at 8 a.m. Evan Evans Tours also operates a similar tour that stops in Oxford instead of Bath.

Brigit's Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour in London

Courtesy of Brigit's Bakery's Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Brigit's Bakery London – Classic Afternoon Tea Bus London Tour

Price: Adults from 45 pounds (about $57); kids from 35 pounds (about $44) Duration: 1.5 hours

Offering a unique twist on a bus tour and afternoon tea, Brigit's Bakery London's Classic Afternoon Tea Bus London Tour combines the two for a tasty outing. During the tour, you'll ride on a vintage double-decker Routemaster bus through central London, passing by Big Ben, Hyde Park, Downing Street and more. As you sightsee, servers pour tea and offer sandwiches, cakes and pastries. In addition to the tour's novelty, visitors find the prerecorded commentary entertaining and informative, and most say they enjoyed the food.

Tours, which last about 90 minutes, run several times daily and depart from either Northumberland Avenue or Victoria Coach Station. The tour accommodates several dietary restrictions, though these options may have an additional fee. Children ages 4 and younger are not permitted. Prefer gin to tea? The company also offers a Gin Lovers Afternoon Tea Bus Tour, among other options.

Tally Ho! – Landmarks and Gems Royal London Bike Tour

Price: From 55 pounds (about $70) Duration: 3.5 hours

On the London Landmarks & Gems cycling tour, Tally Ho! leads visitors to the city's major sights, while expert guides offer their insights and informative commentary – a point of praise for many reviewers. Other highlights include seeing the royal guards (and possibly the changing of the guard ceremony), spray painting in the Leake Street tunnel and grabbing a pint at a pub. The tour covers about 5 miles and travels at a leisurely pace, with time for photo stops.

Tours ride twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., though times may vary seasonally. There may only be an afternoon ride during the fall and winter months, and an additional tour at 9:30 a.m. runs during the summer months. There is a maximum of 12 people per tour. A helmet or tweed flat cap and spray paint are provided to bikers. Tally Ho! offers a variety of cycling and walking tours, including a gin "safari."

Premium Tours – Full Day London Tour

Price: Adults from 123 pounds (about $156); kids from 113 pounds (about $144) Duration: 9 hours

On Premium Tours' daylong excursion, which lasts about nine hours, you'll take a guided tour of St. Paul's Cathedral and then hopefully catch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (if the timing and weather are right). After you refuel with lunch (at your own expense), you'll journey to the Tower of London to view the crown jewels. Your day ends with a cruise down the Thames and an optional ride on the London Eye. Tour-takers are chauffeured to each landmark in a comfortable bus. While it is a long day, visitors say it is a great way to cover a lot of ground. Plus, they say guides are knowledgeable, humorous and friendly.

Premium Tours also offers a Magic of London tour with a similar itinerary; however, you'll stop for a cream tea at Harrods instead of a ride on the London Eye.

Thames Rockets – Ultimate London Adventure

Price: From 49.95 pounds ($63) Duration: 50 minutes

The 50-minute Ultimate London Adventure tour is a sightseeing cruise like no other. As your actor-turned-guide narrates your trip, you'll take in iconic sights along the Thames, such as the Tate Modern, the Gherkin and the Houses of Parliament. Once you get under the Tower Bridge, the speedboat captain ramps up to speeds of 30 knots (35 mph) and takes you on a thrilling ride as the music blasts and passengers shriek. Tourgoers describe it as an exhilarating, fantastic experience.

Tours depart several times daily. Keep in mind: From November through January tours are only offered Thursday through Sunday. Thames Rockets also offers adults-only evening rides, as well as longer 80-minute cruises, among other options.

Courtesy of Tour for Muggles

Tour for Muggles

Price: Adults from 17 pounds (about $22); kids from 15 pounds (about $19) Duration: 2 hours

One of the best Harry Potter tours in London , this option garners rave reviews from witches, wizards, Muggles and Squibs who appreciate both the knowledgeable tour guides and seeing their favorite "Harry Potter" locations in real life. Tour for Muggles takes visitors through London for approximately two hours to see locations where the movies were shot, as well as places that inspired author J.K. Rowling.

Tours are limited to 20 people and run several times a day Tuesday through Sunday.

Gin Journey London

Price: From 75 pounds (about $95) Duration: 4.5 hours

If you enjoy imbibing in gin, you'll love taking a tour with Gin Journey, where your expert "gin guardian" takes you to five different venues in London in a chauffeur-driven minibus. During the 4.5-hour tour, you'll sample five different gins, enjoy five gin cocktails, visit a distillery and learn all about this spirit and why it's having a modern renaissance. Reviewers praise the guides, the drinks and the tour's great organization.

Gin Journeys can be booked in different neighborhoods, including Hackney and Soho. Tours, which are capped at 20 people, are offered every Saturday at 1 or 2 p.m., depending on which neighborhood you choose to book. Ticket discounts may be available for early bookings.

Strawberry Tours – Free Soho Tour London

Price: Free Duration: 2 hours

Since the mid-19th century, Soho has been a haven for musicians, writers and bohemians. Learn about the neighborhood's famous residents and much more on this free two-hour London walking tour. Your guide will talk about famous bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and their connection to the area. You'll also learn about the history of Soho's sex industry, a topic not always discussed on tours. Guides will take you by the Old Red Light District, Carnaby Street, the West End Theatre District and more. Tourgoers rave about the expert guides and are awestruck by the history of the area.

As its name suggests, the tour is free, but at the end of tour, you can pay your guide what you wish. This tour runs Wednesday through Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Tickets must be reserved in advance. Strawberry Tours offers other free excursions around London, such as street art-themed tours and several London landmarks tours.

Check availability on:

Free Tours by Foot – World War Two Tour of London

On this two-hour walking tour of London, you'll learn about London during the Blitz, hear tales of how the city was rebuilt after the war and walk past landmarks that survived the bombings, such as St. Paul's Cathedral. Tour-takers value the engaging guides and the amount of history shared on the tour. They also say guides tailor the tour to participants' interests.

Visitors can name their own price, paying what they think the tour was worth at the excursion's conclusion. Tours operate Thursday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Reservations are required to guarantee a spot. Free Tours by Foot offers a variety of walking and food tours, including tours of Westminster and London street art, among many others.

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17 Absolute Best Day Trips from London (+ How to Visit, Top Tours & Map)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 10, 2024

17 Absolute Best Day Trips from London (+ How to Visit, Top Tours & Map)

London is an amazing city with so much to offer that you could spend weeks and still not see it all. But in addition to all the top sights and attractions in the city itself , there are also so many beautiful places near London, many of which can easily be visited as a day trip from London.

However, with such an array of possibilities, how do you choose the very best day trips from London that are worth your time the most?

In this article, we feature the absolute best places that you can visit as a one-day trip from London, England . This guide includes all the ‘musts’, the very best day trip destinations near London for first-time visitors, but also for local travelers who want to (re)discover some of the most popular sights near London.

In addition, for each place, we include recommendations on how to visit on your own and also the best day tours from London . Because even though you can visit many of these places by train, often, you will be able to see so much more if you go on an organized tour.

Many tours combine several major landmarks in one day, allowing you to make the most of your time and see a lot in a short time. Furthermore, going with a local guide is a great opportunity to explore deeper, scratch beneath the surface, and discover things you didn’t even know existed…

Good to know: At the bottom of this article, you can find a map indicating all the places that you can easily visit as a day trip from London mentioned in this guide. It will give you a better idea of where everything is.

Best London day trips and most popular day tours from London

TIP: If you don’t have the time to read the entire article and are looking for the best day trips from London, here are the 4 most popular day tours among our readers:

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath (also in combination with Roman Baths that you can add when booking).
Cotswolds .
Harry Potter Studio (also in combination with Oxford).
Seven Sisters & South Downs .

Interesting to know: Overall, the most-visited day trip destinations from London are Windsor Castle and Harry Potter Studios.

These are the best & most popular day trips from London:

1. Windsor Castle

If you visit just one place outside of London city, make it Windsor Castle ! Located just 20 miles (32 km) from the city center, a day trip to Windsor is a must on any London bucket list!

The spectacular Windsor Castle is one of the queen’s official residences and has been home to the royal family for 900 years! Kings and queens have been buried here, including the infamous Henry VIII and Jayne Seymour, his third wife. Most recently, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is also buried at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

An excellent example of church architecture in medieval times, Windsor Castle is still used for royal receptions and state occasions. In recent years it has been the venue of the weddings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.

Open all year round, Windsor Castle is a great way to explore royal history, from touring the Castle Precincts to viewing the lavish staterooms and apartments. The Castle Grounds are both beautiful and peaceful and from there you can observe the iconic Changing of the Guard, which normally happens at 11 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from April until the end of July.

Good to know. At the moment, Windsor Castle is open daily except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Because it’s a working royal palace, sometimes parts of the castle or even the entire castle can get closed on short notice. Below, you can find all the practical information for your visit. Read on!

Windsor Castle is one of the best places to visit as a day trip from London

How to visit. You can easily get to Windsor by train from London. There’s a direct train from London Waterloo Station and it takes about 1 hour. From Windsor & Eton Riverside station, it’s just a short walk to the castle. Be sure to book your Windsor Castle tickets online in advance ! This is the best option for those who prefer to take their time and explore the castle at their own pace.

If you come here for a day, be sure to check out Windsor and Eton towns as well! The best way to do this is by taking a hop-on hop-off bus in Windsor . Another nice thing to do is take a boat tour and enjoy different views of the castle from the river.

Good to know: Entry to Windsor Palace is also included with the London Pass , which offers good value if you spend more time in London and plan on visiting many popular tourist attractions and museums.

Best tours from London. Windsor Castle is the most popular day trip destination near London, so there are many tours that can bring you here as well. Most tours that visit the castle also include one or several other nice places nearby – perfect for those who are short on time and want to make the most of their day.

Here are the most popular day tours from London that visit Windsor Castle:

Windsor Castle only – this is a convenient bus transfer from/ to London that also includes the tickets to the castle. This tour takes about 4 hours in total – the fastest way to visit Windsor Castle from London.
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford – the most popular full-day tour from London.
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath – with an option to visit Roman Baths.

Inside the Royal Windsor Castle - London Day Trips UK

2. Stonehenge

Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments and another extremely popular destination for London day trips. Built almost 5000 years ago by farmers in the Neolithic period, this is a spiritual and architectural wonder that many people consider an absolute must-see in the UK!

Historians still debate its original purpose, although most agree that it was probably built for spiritual reasons. Meanwhile, engineers marvel at the extraordinary skill and size of the construction project, which must have involved hundreds of workers given the very simple tools they had available at the time.

Whilst the main attraction at this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the mystical Stone Circle itself, you can also view the 5 on-site Neolithic houses. Their design was based on the remains of houses from this period that were discovered during a nearby excavation in 2006.

You can step through the doors of these houses to see just how the builders of Stonehenge might have lived thousands of years ago, with each house equipped with replica axes, pottery, and artifacts.

Stonehenge is one of the most popular places to visit near London

How to visit . Stonehenge is located about 90 miles (145 km) from London. There are no direct trains to Stonehenge, but you can take a train to Salisbury train station and then take The Stonehenge Tour Bus service from there. The easiest way to get here from London is either by car or by tour. If you drive, prepare for very busy traffic and count at least 2 hours one way. If you go without a tour, be sure to book your admission tickets online in advance !

Best tours from London. Since Stonehenge is quite a drive from the city, but it doesn’t require that much time to visit, it’s usually included as one of the sights of some of the most popular day tours from London.

Here are the most popular tours that visit Stonehenge from London:

Stonehenge only – a very popular half-day tour (morning or afternoon) that includes transportation and entrance tickets. It takes about 6 hours and is the fastest way to visit Stonehenge from London.
Stonehenge & Bath – the most relaxing full-day tour.
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath – a very complete tour that also includes an entry to the Roman Baths.

Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK and the most popular town that you can easily visit as a day trip from London. This picturesque historic city is filled with stunning examples of honey-colored Georgian architecture and some of the most photographed buildings in the world.

Perhaps the most famous feature of this UNESCO World Heritage City is the ancient Roman Baths built around thermal springs and supplying water for over 2,000 years. Whilst the Baths are open for you to view, no bathing has been allowed there since 1978. Instead, the much more modern Thermae Bath Spa was opened in 2006, containing the only natural hot spring in England in which you are allowed to bathe.

In the city stands the magnificent Bath Abbey , with its unique ‘ladder of angels’ on the west front. This feature was inspired by Bath’s Bishop at that time, who saw angels ascending and descending in a dream. You will also see the iconic ‘Royal Crescent’ – 30 Grade I listed terraced houses built in the late 18th century, arranged in a crescent around a verdant lawn overlooking Royal Victoria Park.

Another architectural gem is the Circus , also built in the latter half of the 18th century. This historic street of large townhouses forms a circle, which is how it got its name (Circus is Latin for a ring, circle, or oval).

And perhaps most beautiful of all is the romantic Pulteney Bridge , with its small, leaded domes, pilasters, and pediments. The bridge was named after the wife of William Johnstone Pulteney, an important figure in Bath at that time and owner of much of the surrounding land. A popular thing to do in Bath is to take a short boat trip on River Avon – it allows you to easily see some of the main sights of Bath in a short time.

How to visit. Bath is about 120 miles (195 km), about 2.5 hours drive from London. If you drive, be sure to stop at Stonehenge along the way! The fastest way to get to Bath from London is by train – it takes less than 1.5 hours. And there are also many tours that visit Bath from London, usually in combination with other beautiful places nearby.

TIP. If you visit Bath on your own, you may want to take a walking tour of the city. It’s the best way to see a lot in a short time – you’ll be sure not to miss any important places, but it also gives you a better insight into the history and architecture of this unique town.

Best tours from London. Since Bath is so close to Stonehenge, most tours from London visit both of these places together. In addition, some tours also include one or several other places nearby.

Here are the most popular day tours from London to Bath:

Stonehenge & Bath .
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath .
Stonehenge and Bath Tour with Secret Site – a very highly rated small group tour.

Pulteney Bridge over River Avon in Bath UK

One of the UK’s most famous university towns, Oxford is also a place that you can easily visit as a day trip from London.

Oxford University was established in the 12th century and is one of the oldest universities in the world. The university is composed of 38 separate college buildings, whose architecture inspired the poet Matthew Arnold to name it the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ (see the picture of the All Souls College below, and you’ll understand where the name comes from).

Some scenes in the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Oxford, so it can be fun to try and spot them as you tour the city. Harry Potter fans can also opt for this popular walking tour of the filming locations .

In the heart of the city center is Christ Church College , home to the magnificent Hall and Christ Church Cathedral with its landmark spire and Tom Tower. The gardens of the 12th-century Cathedral inspired Lewis Carroll to write ‘Alice in Wonderland’. You can hunt for features of the story, such as the Alice in Wonderland motives in one of the large windows in the Great Dining Hall.

The Cathedral also contains the shrine and tomb of Saint Frideswide, the patron saint of Oxford. Christ Church College – one of Oxford University’s largest colleges – has lots more for visitors to see, from the famous Bodley Tower to the stunning Meadow Building.

There are two main museums that are well worth seeing during a visit to Oxford. Founded in 1683, the Ashmolean Museum is Oxford University’s museum of art and archaeology. Free to enter, it’s a great place to learn all about human culture and societies across the world and throughout time, with its collections including everything from Egyptian mummies to contemporary works of art.

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History , meanwhile, houses a captivating collection of natural specimens, covering everything from Earth’s beginnings to a look inside an active beehive!

Connecting two parts of Hertford College is the Hertford Bridge , popularly known as the ‘Bridge of Sighs’. Named after its resemblance to Venice’s Bridge of Sighs , this particular bridge is a skyway that allows students to travel from one building to another. Designed by Sir Thomas Jackson and completed in 1914, this photo-worthy bridge is best viewed from the steps of the University’s Bodleian Library (another must-see in Oxford).

How to visit. Oxford is just 60 miles (95 km), 1.5 hours drive from London. There are also direct trains from London and the journey takes about 1 hour – this is the best way to visit Oxford on your own. There are also organized tours that visit Oxford from London – usually in combination with one or two other places nearby.

TIP: If you visit Oxford for a day, consider this walking tour . It takes just 1.5 hours and is a great way to learn more about the city and the university. River cruises are also very popular and are a fun way to explore Oxford!

Best tours from London. While you could easily fill an entire day in Oxford, most one-day tours from London only spend a few hours here and combine a visit here with several other places.

Here are the most popular tours that visit Oxford from London:

Harry Potter Studio Tour & Oxford – a bucket list day trip for all Harry Potter fans!
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford – see three of the most popular locations in one day.
Oxford, Stratford, and Cotswolds – this is a great tour for those who want to see the English countryside. It’s also a nice addition to the popular Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath tours mentioned above. If you do two of these tours, you get to see most of the nicest day trip destinations near London in just two days.

5. Cotswolds

The scenic traditional towns and stone villages of the Cotswolds is one of the most popular London day trips for those who want to experience the true English countryside. This area is so picturesque! Below, you can find an overview of the most beautiful places not to miss.

Minster Lovell village is the home of Minster Lovell Hall and Dovecote, which sits on the banks of the River Windrush. This 15th-century Oxfordshire manor house was built by William, Baron of Lovell and Holand – one of England’s richest men at the time. The house was eventually abandoned and now only the substantial ruins remain, giving lots of wonderful photographic opportunities against their beautiful rural backdrop.

A Cotswold village of outstanding beauty is Bibury , with its gorgeous stone buildings that run along the banks of the River Coln. Here you can see the iconic Arlington Row – a series of buildings that were originally built as a monastic wool store but were later converted into cottages. Now owned by the National Trust, Arlington Row is considered to be so quintessentially English that its image appears on the inside cover of UK passports.

Another village well worth visiting is Buford , with its 3 arched medieval bridges across the River Windrush. Famous for its High Street which runs down toward the river, Buford is popular for antique shopping and boasts lots of good restaurants, pubs, and tea rooms. It’s also home to a hotel in which King Charles dined with his mistress, Nell Gwynne.

Whilst there are many contenders for the title, most people will agree that Bourton-on-the-Water is the prettiest village in England. Also known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, this ‘must-see’ village is named for the many beautiful bridges that cross its river at the center. Located in a small valley, Bourton-on-the-Water has many charming tea rooms and restaurants, plus a range of eclectic shops including pottery and the Cotswold Perfumery. Don’t miss the popular model village, which is a 1/9th scale replica of the entire center of the village.

If you are lucky enough to be visiting on the afternoon of the August Bank Holiday Monday, you’ll witness one of the village’s more curious traditions, in which a local team plays a full game of football right in the River Windrush. This bizarre game of soccer has been filmed and reported all over the world!

If you have more time in this area, here are some more really nice villages to see in the Cotswolds: Castle Combe, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cirencester, Chipping Campden, Blockley, and Stanton .

How to visit. The Cotswolds are about 30 minutes drive west of Oxford and about 2 hours drive from London. Since the main attractions of the Cotswolds are its various villages, the best way to visit here is either by car or with a tour.

Best tours from London. The beautiful Cotswolds region is just a short drive from Oxford, so many tours combine the two places. There are also popular Downton Abbey filming location tours that combine a visit here to that of the Highclere Castle, but because of time restraints, you usually only see one village on these tours.

Here is an overview of the most popular Cotswolds tours from London:

Cotswolds only – this is the best tour for those who want to explore the Cotswolds deeper as it visits several of the nicest villages and allows you more time to experience this beautiful area.
Oxford, Stratford, and Cotswolds – the most popular day tour.
Oxford and Cotswolds Villages – the best small-group tour.
Stonehenge, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Bath, and Cotswolds – this tour is packed, but well organized and you get to see some of the best places in a very short time.

Castle Combe village in Cotswolds UK - London day trips

6. Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small medieval market town and also a very popular place to see near London. The birthplace of William Shakespeare is probably at the top of most people’s must-see lists and the main reason to visit here.

The timber-framed house on Henley Street is where Shakespeare not only spent part of his childhood but also the first 5 years of his marriage after his father’s death in 1601. Live presentations from guides dressed in period costumes and the carefully restored Tudor rooms bring history to life.

In the many Tudor-style buildings of Stratford, you’ll also find 3 theatres owned by The Royal Shakespeare Company. They perform plays by Shakespeare, his contemporaries, and other, later writers. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Avon, panoramic views of which can be enjoyed from the theatre’s tower.

Also on the River Avon is the Swan Theatre , built on the side of the Royal Theatre and offering a more intimate atmosphere. The third theatre – the Other Place – is smaller and used as a center for performing arts.

For a taste of old-fashioned romance, pay a visit to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage a bit outside of town. This beautiful 500-year-old building was originally a farmhouse and was where William Shakespeare courted Anne, his future wife. Incredibly picturesque, the cottage still contains original features and furnishings and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Another must-see is the Hall’s Croft , the house of Shakespeare’s daughter, with stunning gardens. Inside, you can find original 16-17th-century furniture, paintings, and other items.

How to visit. Stratford-upon-Avon is about 100 miles (160 km), 2 hours drive from London. If you don’t have a car, the easiest way to visit here on a day trip from London is by joining a tour.

Best tours from London. Most tours visiting Stratford-upon-Avon from London combine it with other places nearby and only spend a few hours here. They usually include a guided walk in the town center and sometimes a visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace.

Here is a small selection of the best day tours from London:

Shakespeare’s Stratford & Cotswolds – this is one of the few tours that spend more time in Stratford and also visits Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. It also brings you to three villages in the Cotswolds.
Oxford, Stratford, & Cotswolds – this popular tour spends about 2 hours in Stratford and covers more ground in a day.

7. Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Fans of Harry Potter – and even those who have yet to experience the wizardly wonder of the movies – will enjoy a visit to the fascinating Warner Bros. studio near London . It’s one of the most popular day tours from London (after Windsor Castle), and a must if visiting London with kids .

Here, you can see firsthand some of the amazing sets used in the film’s production, including the Great Hall of Hogwarts (which went on to be used in 6 more films) and the Forbidden Forest filled with 19 trees, each with a diameter of over 12 feet. You can even see The Hogwarts Express locomotive at the elusive Platform 9¾.

There are prop rooms where you can take a close-up look at look at the elaborate props used in the Harry Potter movies. There are almost 2,000 potion jars and memory vials, all with labels hand-designed by the Graphics Department. You can also see Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, which took 3 months to build and was intended to look as much as possible as a real 18th-century storefront.

If you have an interest in the making of movies, you will enjoy other parts of the studio as well. The Special and Visual Effects section reveals how some of the more incredible scenes were created, including how Harry and his friends were made invisible by the Invisibility Cloak and how they appeared to fly! Even more captivating is the Creature Effects section, where you can learn how the magical creatures in the Harry Potter films were created and brought to life.

A visit to the Making of Harry Potter Studio provides a magical and educational experience for adults and children alike. If you are looking for a fun relaxing day trip near London, this is a great option for the whole family!

Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio near London

How to visit. Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio is located in Leavesden, Watford, about 20 miles from London city center. But because of the busy traffic, it’s quite a long drive. There’s a train from London to Watford, from where you’ll have to take a bus to the studios – the journey will take you over 1 hour not counting the time to get to the station. There are also several companies offering bus transfers from London – see below.

Best tours from London. The easiest way to get to Harry Potter Studios is by booking a transfer or a tour from London. That way you don’t have to worry about the tickets either.

This highly-rated Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio Tour departs from Victoria Station, close to Westminster Catedral in the city center. There is also a popular tour that departs from King’s Cross . The prices are usually the same and include a bus transfer and tickets. You’ll need about 7-8 hours in total for this day trip.

PRO TIP: One of the most popular tours from London is this popular tour that includes a visit to the studios and also visits Oxford . It’s a truly magical day trip as Oxford is one of the places where Harry Potter movies were filmed.

Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour London

8. Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace , one of the Tudor Palaces, was the former royal residence of King Henry VIII. In addition to Windsor, this is another really nice place to visit near London, especially if you are a fan of royal history.

Hampton Court is a huge, impressive baroque-style palace located at the River Thames and surrounded by stunning gardens and parkland . If you visit in spring, you can see the magnificent tulip festival. But the gardens have something nice to offer in every season, and there are various events at the Palace throughout the year.

The interior of the castle gives you a chance to take a glimpse into the daily life of royals in the 16-17th centuries. You can visit the impressive State Rooms and private apartments of William III . Also, don’t miss the kitchens of Henry VIII , where over 200 people worked in the past, cooking and serving more than 800 meals per day.

Another highlight is the magnificent Great Hall that was originally a dining room, but afterwards became a sort of theatre that was used for entertainment, plays, and dances. Back in the day, William Shakespeare performed his plays here. The highlights here include a series of tapestries showing scenes from the Book of Genesis and the impressive timber roof with Anne Bollaine’s coat-of-arms.

This is also a very nice place to visit for families, with a maze in the garden, fantastic play areas for children, and plenty of places for a picnic. When the weather is nice, you could easily spend an entire day just exploring the gardens.

How to visit. Hampton Court Palace is located on the outskirts of London, about 15 miles southwest of the city center. You can easily visit Hampton Court Palace from London by train. There is a train from London Waterloo Station to Surbiton Station, and from there to Hampton Court. It takes about 40 minutes.

In addition, there are also several tours – see below.

Good to know: Hampton Court Palace entry is included with the London Pass .

Tours from London. Because Hampton Court is quite easy to get to and explore on your own, there aren’t many organized tours. The best ones are private tours like this one ; it combines a visit to Hampton Court Palace with that of Windsor Castle. That way, you get to see two of the most impressive royal palaces near London in one day.

There are also some nice bike tours or boat tours that explore the surroundings of Hampton, starting from different locations nearby.

Hampton Court Palace (inside) - London day trips

9. Brighton & Seven Sisters

If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of London and see some of the stunning nature of England, then definitely consider a day trip to the white cliffs of Seven Sisters and South Downs . At the same time, you can also visit one of the UK’s nicest coastal cities – Brighton .

Brighton is worth a trip in its own right, with all the little pleasures that a lively seaside resort has to offer. If you have some time to spare, check out the Royal Pavilion , an Asian-style palace that looks like it belongs in an Indian fairytale…

But for a sightseeing day trip from London, you can also opt for something slightly different and explore some of the beautiful nature outside of town as well.

The rolling hills of the South Downs offer so much to explore and enjoy, with spectacular views and popular spots with their own unique legends. One of the most famous is that of the Devil’s Dyke , a v-shaped dry valley whose creation was attributed to the work of the devil himself (although, as you will see, it’s far too beautiful for that!). The South Downs is also home to the Long Man of Wilmington – a 235 ft tall chalk figure on the side of a grassy hill and one of only two human hill figures in England.

Be sure to check out Beachy Head , which – at 535 feet – is the highest chalk cliff on the southern coast of England. From the top, you can see miles of coastline in either direction, plus the candy-striped lighthouse that sits just out to sea. Nearby is the Birling Gap – one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline on the south coast. Here you can see coastal erosion firsthand, with the cliffs eroding up to a meter a year at certain points.

Another highlight of any visit to the South Downs is the Seven Sisters – an undulating line of white chalk cliffs, each hill with its own name. They are best viewed from Seaford Head , where you can see evidence of an 8th hill beginning to form from the erosion of the sea.

TIP: Any visit to the Downs must include a visit to the popular Middle Farm , which offers such delicacies as local cheese, sparkling wines, and traditional Sussex cider.

White cliffs of Seven Sisters in southern England

How to visit. South Downs and the Seven Sisters are located near Brighton in south England. While you can easily get to Brighton by train from London, you’ll need a car for the other places. The best way to visit is with a tour – see below.

Best tours from London. There are just a few tours from London that visit this area. The best option is this highly-rated tour that includes a train ticket from London to Brighton and a small-group minibus tour of the sights along the coast. If you prefer to make your own way to Brighton, you can also book the same tour starting in Brighton .

TIP: If you rather book a private tour, there is one tour that offers a pick-up in your hotel in London and covers all these sights in and around Brighton.

10. Cambridge

Less than an hour by train from London, Cambridge is another beautiful town to visit for a day. Just as Oxford, it’s probably best known for its centuries-old University, and this beautiful town has lots of well-preserved historic buildings. But this medieval city is also a student town and has a very nice, relaxed atmosphere.

Don’t miss the King’s College Chapel , Queen’s College , Trinity College, and Wren Library . You can also climb to the top of the tower of Great St Mary’s Church for nice views over the city.

In addition to exploring the many colleges in the city (there are 31! of them), be sure to walk along the River Cam ! Also Cambridge has its own Bridge of Sighs . This covered bridge at St John’s College spans over the river and is a favorite photo spot for weddings as well as tourists visiting the town.

Other nice bridges worth seeing in Cambridge are the Mathematical Bridge , Clare College Bridge , King’s College Bridge , and there are many others.

A great way to explore the beautiful river, see the bridges, the town, and the surroundings is a punt tour . This traditional boat ride is a very typical thing to do in Cambridge – don’t miss it!

How to visit. Cambridge is just over 60 miles (95 km) north of London, and the easiest way to visit is by taking a direct train from King’s Cross Station in London. It takes less than 50 minutes, so you can easily visit Cambridge on your own, without a tour.

Once in Cambridge, you can take a walking tour with a local or explore on your own. The earlier mentioned punt tours on the river are also not to be missed.

Best tours from London. If you rather visit Cambridge with a tour from London, there are several options as well. We recommend this 2-in-1 tour that visits Cambridge and Oxford . That way, you get to see two university towns in one day.

King's College in Cambridge - London day trips

11. Canterbury Cathedral & Leeds Castle

While Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral are over 20 miles apart, these two landmarks don’t require that much time and so are usually visited on the same day. In fact, they are usually combined with a short visit to Dover too, but more about it further below.

After a visit to Leeds Castle , you will not be able to help but agree with Lord Conway, who described it as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’. With a romantic, fairy-tale appearance, this 12th-century gem was built in the center of a natural lake, surrounded by 500 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland.

Leeds Castle was once used as a palace by Henry VIII and the private property of six medieval queens. Its rooms have been beautifully restored and give you the opportunity to learn all about its long and fascinating history.

In addition to the Lady Baillie Garden, which gives stunning views across the lake, the grounds also hold one of Kent’s most popular mazes, with 2,400 yew trees. Once you reach the maze’s center, a fascinating underground grotto takes you back to the real world!

Leeds Castle is a popular day trip destination near London

One of the most famous and picturesque Christian buildings in England, Canterbury Cathedral was founded in 597, then extensively rebuilt from 1070 to 1077. It is the Cathedral of the leader of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and is still used for active worship.

The Cathedral contains the shrine of Archbishop Thomas Becket and you can stand on the spot upon which he was murdered, as told in Geoffrey Chaucer’s famous ‘Canterbury Tales’.

Also the medieval town center of Canterbury, with its cobbled streets and timber-framed houses, is a nice place to see if you have more time. It’s a popular day trip from London for locals. Also here, you can take traditional boat tours on the river.

How to visit. Unless you have a car, the easiest way to visit Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral is by taking a tour. If you just visit one of these places, you could also get there by public transport. For Leeds Castle, you have to take a train to Ashford, followed by a bus trip to the castle. For Canterbury, there’s a direct train from London, and you can make a nice relaxing day trip by visiting this picturesque town.

Best tours from London. There are several tours from London that visit these places. You can find them here and they are all quite similar in terms of itinerary.

Canterbury Cathedral and Canterbury town aerial view

12. White Cliffs of Dover & Dover Castle

“There’ll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover” went the words to the popular wartime song – and if you’re familiar with the song then it’s quite incredible to see the inspiring white cliffs for yourself. If you are looking for something different to see near London than historic towns and villages, Dover is a wonderful place to visit!

Composed of chalk, Dover’s cliffs are 350 ft high and stretch for 8 miles. They were on the front line of both world wars and were a critical part of England’s defenses at that time. Now, they provide wonderful views across the surrounding countryside and the English Channel. On clear days you can even look across and see France!

The unique chalky grassland habitat of the cliffs means that they are abundant in wildlife and you can see all sorts of flowers, butterflies, and birds as you walk, including the rarely spotted peregrine falcon.

You can either spend your visit simply enjoying the cliff-top views, or take a short trip to see Dover Castle too. Dover Castle is one of England’s biggest castles and was built in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Ironically, he built it to stop anyone from invading the country using the way in which he’d invaded it himself!

A visit to the Castle includes exploration of the tunnels that go deep into the cliffs, where you can learn all about the dramatic evacuation from Dunkirk and see the Underground Hospital that was used to treat injured soldiers in WWII.

How to visit. Dover is about 80 miles southeast of London. You can take a direct train to Dover from London and visit the town and the castle, and take a walk along the shore from where you can admire the beautiful white cliffs. Alternatively, you can also visit here with some day tours from London – see below.

Best tours from London. There are several tours that visit Dover from London, usually in combination with a few other places and Dover is often not more than a short photo stop. Here are the most popular day tours:

Dover, Leeds Castle & Canterbury Cathedral – the most popular and best price/quality tour from London.
Dover, Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral & Greenwich – quite a full day, but you get to see a lot in a short time.

13. Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is a very impressive country house in Woodstock, about 65 miles northwest of London. This is England’s only non-royal country house that actually holds the title of a palace.

The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill currently the home of the 12th Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is a stunning example of 18th-century Baroque architecture. During your visit, you will see the magnificent staterooms, which are filled with priceless works of art and beautiful tapestries. A grade I listed building and World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace also contains the finest collection of antiques to be found anywhere in Europe.

The gardens – set within over 754 hectares of land – are particularly wonderful to explore. Designed by the English landscape architect Capability Brown, there are several formal gardens to enjoy. Don’t miss the Rose Garden, the exquisite Water Terraces, the Secret Gardens, and the family-friendly Pleasure Gardens.

Historical monuments can be seen throughout, including the Column of Victory (built to commemorate the Duke of Marlborough’s military successes), the Grand Bridge which spans the two lakes and The Temple of Diana, where Sir Winston Churchill proposed to his future wife.

There are also a few recommended walks to take. Possibly the most beautiful is The Lake and Grand Cascade walk, which gives you breathtaking views of the countryside.

Good to know: The Palace and the grounds are so big and have so much to offer that you can easily spend an entire day here. In fact, many people find that one day isn’t even enough and many locals get a yearly pass for the Palace. However, many tours only spend a few hours here and just cover the main highlights. So how to visit depends on what you want to see and do here.

How to visit. The easiest way to visit Blenheim Palace is by car or with a tour, but you can also get here by public transport. From London Paddington Station, take a train to Hanborough (a bit over 1 hour), and from there, take a bus to the palace (it takes 7-10 minutes). If you want to spend an entire day at the palace, this is the best way to visit on a day trip from London.

Best tours from London. There are several tours that shortly visit Blenheim Palace from London. The best tour that spends more time at Palace is this Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey Village & the Cotswolds tour. This tour also includes a few short photo stops at other popular locations nearby.

14. Downton Abbey Filming Locations

Downton Abbey filming locations close to Oxford and the Cotswolds make another popular day trip destination from London. There are two main places that you’ll want to see here – Bampton village and Highclere Castle .

Highclere Castle is a beautiful building and another fine example of luxurious life in the English countryside. It has been used for various film sets but became hugely popular since the filming of the TV series Downton Abbey . It’s now a very popular place to visit from Oxford or from London. The castle belongs to the Carnarvon family and is kept as it is, without turning it into a ‘theme park’ like some other castles in the area.

Another must-see for Downton Abbey fans is the beautiful village of Bampton . You’ll recognize many of the buildings here from the series, and it’s great fun to try to spot them during your visit!

Be sure to locate the home of Isobel Crawley, the church (actually named St. Mary’s), two fictional pubs – the Grantham Arms and the Dog and Duck – plus the Downton Cottage Hospital. The building used for the hospital is, in reality, the Bampton Community Archive, which houses a collection of old photos of the village and its people.

Bampton is a lovely village to visit in its own right. It is mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086 and was already a large settlement during the era of the Norman Conquest. On the other hand, it’s so small that you don’t need much time here.

Highclere Castle is a popular London day trip for Downtown Abbey fans

How to visit. Highclere Castle is located about 65 miles (105 km) west of London, whereas Bampton village is about 30-40 miles from here, very close to Oxford. The best way to visit these places is either by car or by taking a tour.

Best tours from London. There are several tours visiting Downton Abbey filming locations from London. Some of the tours also visit Oxford, some others pass several villages of Cotswolds as well. This tour has the most complete itinerary covering most of the Downton Abbey filming locations.

Bampton village in the UK (one of Downton Abbey filming locations)

The picturesque village of Lacock in rural Wiltshire near Bath is another place often visited on day tours from London. It’s a small village and you don’t need much time here, but it’s well worth a stop if touring the area.

The historic village of Lacock looks much as it did two centuries ago. Founded in the Saxon era, Lacock’s buildings originally made up part of a monastery complex (be sure to visit Lacock Abbey !). In the 19th century, it lost its main source of income from the wool industry, so very little development has taken place since then.

This means that this unspoiled little village gives an authentic look into days gone by. In fact, you can still see an old workhouse and medieval tithe barn in addition to the traditional stone cottages, with classic English pubs dotted throughout.

The village’s beauty makes it a popular choice as a TV and film location. Scenes from Pride and Prejudice were filmed here and Lacock Abbey was also used to film parts of Harry Potter.

Lacock was also used in Downtown Abbey, but because of its location, it’s usually a place you’d visit in combination with Bath and Stonehenge and not together with Highclere castle or Bampton. Unless you drive – in that case, you could make your own tour covering all three.

How to visit. Because of its rural location, Lacock is best visited by car or with a tour.

Best tours from London. There are many tours that stop in Lacock, usually in combination with a visit to Bath, Stonehenge, sometimes also with Windsor Castle. This is the most popular tour that also brings you to Lacock (in addition to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath).

16. Warwick Castle

If you want to visit a real medieval castle near London, consider a day trip to Warwick Castle . With a history that goes back over 1000 years, a visit here takes you on a journey back in time, to a world of historic myths and battles for the English throne, but also lavish banquets, and royal splendor.

The castle was originally built as a wooden fort in 1068 and was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. As you arrive, you enter over the footbridge and find an impressive medieval castle with ramparts and towers. You can climb the stairs of the castle walls and explore this impressive castle inside out.

A visit to Warwick Castle is very different than the others mentioned in this guide – it has something of a theme park feel if you like. There are various events, shows, attractions, archery and sword lessons, and lots of other fun experiences all year round.

This is one of those places where locals visit with their children during weekends and school holidays, but it’s also fun and entertaining for tourists. Even more so if you are traveling with a family.

Medieval knights jousting at Warwick Castle

How to visit. Warwick Castle is located about 100 miles (160km), 2 hours drive from London. If you want to spend more time at the castle, by far the easiest way to visit Warwick from London for a day is by train.

There are direct trains from London Marylebone Station to Warwick Railway Station, the journey takes about 1.5 hours. From the station, it’s about 20-30 minutes walk to the castle. Be sure to check the official website of the castle for more info and book your tickets in advance!

Best tours from London. Most tours from London that visit Warwick Castle do this in combination with Oxford and Stratford. Some also stop at one or two villages in the Cotswolds. Here you can find a selection of tours that include a visit to Warwick Castle .

17. Liverpool & The Beatles

While not exactly next door, we feel that Liverpool also deserves a mention as a place that you can visit on a day trip from London. If you are a fan of The Beatles , a visit here is a bucket-list experience and well worth the journey.

A visit to Liverpool gives a fascinating look into the lives and times of 4 local lads who formed what would become one of the most famous bands in the world. A good starting point from which to enjoy this vibrant Victorian city is the Royal Albert Dock, which is made up of refurbished dock warehouses and is now packed with restaurants, cafes, and many attractions.

The Beatles Story is an award-winning, permanent exhibition totally devoted to the Fab Four! Located on the Dock, it contains lots of authentic memorabilia and provides an immersive experience for visitors. Even children are catered for in the Exhibitions Discovery Zone. Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance !

Another interesting part of the visit for die-hard Beatles fans is the Magical Mystery Tour , which you take via a colorful tour bus that sets off from the Royal Albert Dock. In addition to the birthplaces, homes, schools, and original workplaces of the Beatles, you will also see the places that inspired some of their greatest hits, including Penny Lane and Strawberry Field.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Liverpool

How to visit. The best way to visit Liverpool as a day trip from London is by taking a train (going by car would be about 4 hours one way). The journey by train takes 2 – 2.5 hours and there are many trains throughout the day, but be sure to book in advance and start your day as early as possible!

Once in Liverpool, you can take the earlier-mentioned Magical Mystery bus tour. Definitely visit the Beatles Story exhibition as well!

TIP: If you find it overwhelming to arrange everything yourself, you can also book a day tour to Liverpool from London. Most of these ‘tours’ are actually individual trips where everything from train tickets to all activities is pre-arranged for you. See below.

Best tours from London. This Liverpool and The Beatles day tour is the most popular and probably the best option. It includes reserved train seats, an entry to the Beatles Story exhibition, and also a ticket to the 2-hour Magical Mystery Tour!

Good to know: The above-mentioned tour from London to Liverpool starts at Euston Station in London and is normally available every day except Sundays. You’ll have to meet their representative at the station at 6.30 AM, so prepare for this to be a long day!

LEARN MORE: How to Plan a Day Trip to Liverpool from London

Map of the best places to visit as a day trip from London & practical info

To give you a better idea of where all these places are located, we created a map indicating all the best day trip destinations from London mentioned in this guide. You can click on the map below in order to see it on Google Maps.

Good to know: As already mentioned, many of the most popular day trip destinations from London can be visited with organized tours or by train .

We don’t recommend renting a car if you are staying in London – the traffic is so busy in and around the city that it would be a nightmare for someone who’s not used to it. Renting a car would only make sense if you are planning a longer road trip, outside of the cities.

For organized tours , we recommend booking via the GetYourGuide website . They have a great selection of tours at the most competitive rates and the best cancelation policy and customer service out there. We personally book all tickets and tours via this website when we travel anywhere in the world.

Map of best places to visit as day trip from London

So, this is our guide to some of the most popular day trips and tours from London. I hope that this helps you choose a few nice places to visit near London and make your trip even more memorable.

For more travel inspiration for London and the UK, please see our featured articles below. Check it out!

More travel tips and inspiration for London:

Must-see in London: Top London Attractions
Hidden Gems of London
Camden Market
What to See in Camden Town
Best Views in London
London Travel Tips
Where to Stay in London
1 Day in London
2-day London Itinerary
London with Kids
Family Afternoon Tea in London
Best Things to Do in Greenwich
Painted Hall
Queen’s House and Tulip Stairs

READ ALSO: Traditional British Food & Where to Try It in the UK

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Best UK day trips near London, tours, and info on how to visit

More travel tips and inspiration for all over the UK:

Cities: Best Cities to Visit in the UK
Cornwall: Best Places to Visit in Cornwall & Where to Stay in Cornwall
Yorkshire: Yorkshire Day Trips
Liverpool: Best Things to Do in Liverpool & The Beatles in Liverpool
Manchester: Best Things to Do in Manchester & 1-day Manchester Itinerary
Scotland: Isle of Skye Itinerary & Scotland Whisky Tour
Edinburgh: Top Places to See in Edinburgh & One Day in Edinburgh & Tips for Visiting Edinburgh
Glasgow: One Day in Glasgow
Seaside: Best Things to Do in Blackpool & Blackpool Travel Tips & Places to See Near Blackpool
…for more destinations, check our UK travel guide .
Read also: How to Plan a Trip to Europe

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Lacinda Mena

Tuesday 2nd of May 2023

I am traveling with a group of six. We would like to depart London on September 4 and view Stonehedge, Windsor, and Bath on our way to Southampton. Do you know of any tours that would offer this service?

Hi Lacinda, no, I don't personally know any tours that offer this kind of service. I found this private tour that visits all the places that you mentioned from London. It's one of the cheapest and best-rated tours in its kind. However, I'm not sure if they wouldn't mind dropping you off somewhere else. You could probably book it and then contact them and ask what is possible. If it's not what you are looking for, you can cancel it. I see that the tour has free cancelation, so that's how I would do it. Otherwise, try to search the internet for private drivers and ask for a quote. Good luck!

Wednesday 26th of April 2023

Amazing blog! Was looking for something like this for my trip to London in a few days, and this has been really useful information; the detail with which you describe are amazing. Plus the alternatives to get there and the map, loved it all! Thanks for taking the time.

Thursday 27th of April 2023

Glad to help and thanks a lot for taking the time to leave this kind feedback, Alex! Have a great trip!

Wednesday 15th of February 2023

Awesome! Thanks for the info!

Saturday 4th of February 2023

This was great information. Thanks

Monday 6th of February 2023

Glad to help. Have a great time in the UK!

Thursday 15th of December 2022

Love this blog!!! I am planning a trip to London with my son in February! This is exactly the information we are looking for! Super helpful!!

Friday 16th of December 2022

Glad to help, Holley. Have a great time in London!

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The 21 Best Day Trips From London

By Condé Nast Traveller and Anna Prendergast

London ’s hustle and bustle can become overwhelming, even for the most dedicated locals—but its handy location means that day trips from London are easy for anyone who needs a quick escape, whether it be for a country walk, a seaside jaunt, or a cultural getaway. Most of our selection of the best day trips from London can be reached by train , within less than two hours—and many couldn’t be further from the busy streets and crammed schedules of the capital. Whether you’re looking for fresh air, delicious eateries or a new selection of shops, these easy-to-plan day trips should slot nicely into your schedule.

Below are 21 of our favorite day trips from London, in no particular order.

Read our complete London travel guide here .

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

Canterbury, Kent

The best day trip from London for: a colorful, food-fuelled history lesson in the garden of England How to get there from London: The direct train from London St Pancras to Canterbury West can take as little as 53 minutes

Prehistoric settlements have been uncovered in this corner of Kent, and it was a popular haunt of the Romans, who surrounded the early city by constructing an earth bank and fortified walls around 130 acres of land. The story of Canterbury that schoolchildren learn, however, comes from the medieval period, courtesy of Chaucer.

The city is home to one of the UK’s most spectacular cathedrals. Pilgrims have navigated the route to this ethereal site for many centuries, and it’s here that Thomas Becket was infamously slaughtered at the order of Henry II–although this series of events has been contested by countless historians. From the cathedral, scan the selection of novels through the crooked door of the Catching Lives Charity Bookshop, before soaking up the sun in one of the city’s hidden pub gardens–The Dolphin and The Parrot are some of our favorites.

Stroll along the remnant of the ancient wall that is still accessible, or settle in for a lazy afternoon on the colorful banks of the River Stour after collecting treats from The Goods Shed. Historic river tours of the river are touristy but not overly expensive, so well worth booking ahead of a visit to uncover the secrets of these romantic, cobblestone streets.– Connor Sturges

If you decide to stay over: Parts of The Falstaff Hotel date to the 13th century, and original features such as fireplaces and oak beams are a nod to the city’s medieval history. The city’s main attractions are within walking distance, and comfortable beds, craft cocktails, and a signature afternoon tea await once you are back in the cosy setting.

Elmley Nature Reserve

The best day trip from London for: getting fully immersed in nature How to get there from London: The train from London St Pancras International to Swale takes 1 hour 50 minutes and then it’s a short taxi ride to Elmley Nature Reserve

Think of day trips to Kent and you’ll probably skip straight over the Isle of Sheppey. Just off the northern coast of Kent next to the Thames Estuary, Sheppey is an unglamorous largely industrial island that initially lacks the tourist appeal of some of its Kentish neighbours. But there’s a secret gem here right off the mainland–the bucolic Elmley Nature Reserve, 3,300 acres of wetlands and wilderness. This family-run estate is a true wildlife conservation haven and is the perfect trip for birdwatchers and nature lovers. With over forty varieties of birds raising their young at Elmley each year, there are some beautiful walking trails to spot them all, plus the other resident hares, frogs, dragonflies, cows, voles, bees and more. As soon as your taxi turns onto the long entry drive, it’s easy to see elegant birds such as egrets, lapwings and redshank happily frolicking on the flat marshlands and that’s before you’ve even started exploring. Open Wednesday to Sunday, the entry fee is £6 and that gets you access to the beautiful open landscape for a self-guided wander (although you have to stay on the paths!); they also arrange organised tours at dusk and dawn for £29.50 if you want an expert to help you spot marsh harriers, long-eared owls, sparrowhawk and peregrine falcons. It might be only 40 miles from London but it feels like another world. As well as an incredible place for a day out in nature, there’s also a lovely barn restaurant to get cosy in for toasties at lunch and more hearty evening meals, plus an impressive range of smart places to stay dotted across the reserve if you want to extend your visit.– Sonya Barber

If you decide to stay over: From decked-out shepherd’s huts with outside baths to four poster beds in the grand 18th-century main house, there’s a wide range of places to stay – all with stunning views over the nature reserve.

Great Garden Escape, The Newt in Somerset

The best day trip from London for: a VIP experience How to get there: The train from London Paddington takes about 1 hour 25 minutes

If you’re not the planning type, The Newt in Somerset’s Great Garden Escape is a fun-filled organized day trip that shows off the best of the British countryside and its charming traditions. With a jam-packed schedule starting at Paddington station, day trippers travel First Class with breakfast served on-board. On arrival, they’ll be given a tour of the gardens at The Newt, which have been landscaped over hundreds of years and are now home to wildlife including deer and newts–of course. There's even an opportunity to explore the grounds with experts, along with a dive into the history and traditions of Somerset. Plus, a stopover at the incredible Roman Villa Experience.

Lunch leads into a cider tasting, made on-site using apples grown in local orchards, where you’ll undoubtedly be swayed into picking up a bottle or two to take home. When you’ve breathed in just enough country air, the train journey home serves up afternoon tea, depositing you back in the city just in time for sundowners. The whirlwind tour is the ideal tonic for shaking off burnout and reminding yourself of the beauty on your doorstep.– Abigail Malbon

If you decide to stay over : Should you choose to forego the train ride home in favor of waking up somewhere new, The Newt is a Jane Austen dream, whether you choose a room in the Georgian house or the converted outbuildings, barns and stables. Bedrooms are simple and beautiful, with a focus on relaxation, but those with a view are truly exceptional. In the morning, wake up early and treat yourself to a swim in the spa pool as the sun comes up – you’ll return to London feeling like a new person.

Clifton, Bristol

The best day trip from London for : packing a lot in How to get there from London: The train from London Paddington takes about 1 hour 35 minutes.

After hopping off the train at Bristol Temple Meads, take a stroll to Clifton–the city’s most beautiful leafy suburb. Quiet residential streets are lined with pretty Georgian townhouses, spots of greenery to wander through off the cobbled streets and an eclectic mix of independent cafés, restaurants and shops.

Start with a gander around Clifton Arcade in the heart of Clifton Village, where the 17 boutiques are filled with knick-knacks and intriguing antiques. It’s not a true shopping experience without a pit stop for coffee and cake – try one of Bristol’s top coffee spots, Spicer + Cole, or–for a 100-per-cent plant-based menu–refuel with a slice of rose and vanilla loaf and a superfood latte at East Village Café.

Pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables from the local greengrocers and head to Clifton bridge for fabulous views across the River Avon. It's one of the oldest surviving iron suspension bridges in the world. Learn about its history at the Visitor Centre, stopping off for a pint of traditional Somerset cider at the White Lion by its side. Continue the historical tour by walking up to Clifton Observatory, which has a museum featuring a Victorian-era Camera Obscura and a mythical Giant’s Cave, alongside its own rooftop café serving up breathtaking views. And don’t miss out on a walk down Royal York Crescent–one of the most expensive streets in Bristol, which was also once reputed to be the longest terrace in Europe.

Next, spend time at Bristol Lido, a restored Victorian swimming bath from the 1800s surrounded by a spa and poolside bar for the ultimate in pampering. Round off the day with a cozy pub meal at The Albion, an Indian fine-dining experience at Nutmeg or a hearty pizza at Bosco around the corner on Whiteladies Road.– Cordelia Aspinall

If you decide to stay over: Book a room at the recently refurbished Number 38 boutique hotel for a peaceful stay overlooking the Clifton Downs, perfect for your morning stroll.

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Bath, Somerset

The best day trip from London for: soaking up history How to get there from London: The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour 20 minutes.

Bath is known for its history, but among the buttery-hued Georgian architecture and ancient thermal springs there’s a fresh independent spirit. When the weather is good, there are a couple of brilliant walking routes to try: the six-mile Bath Skyline, for example, is a short stroll from the city centre and tramps through woodland, meadows and orchards with views of the buildings below.

The Somerset city’s literary heritage is well documented–Jane Austen is probably the most famous one-time resident–and there’s still a thriving network of bookshops and literature festivals here, including at bookworm magnet Topping and Company, which stocks more than 55,000 titles. Restaurants are driven by excellent local produce and seasonal ingredients. Grab a traditional lunch at The Circus (we recommend the Wiltshire lamb two ways) or order bun cha at Vietnamese spot Noya’s Kitchen. After a bite, shop at clever concept stores such as Nām, which sells antique furniture and homeware curated by owner Sharan Kaur, and Found, where you can buy clothes from niche global brands, or spend an afternoon at wine bar Corkage, where about 70 bottles are available to sample by the glass.– Sarah James

If you decide to stay over: Small hotel Eight lives up to its name; there are just eight rooms, and the ground-floor restaurant always has eight dishes on the menu.

Read more about the best things to do in Bath, Somerset

The New Forest, Hampshire

The best day trip from London for : woodland walks and long pub lunches How to get there from London: The train from London Waterloo usually takes about 1 hour 45 minutes

With its purple carpets of heather, ancient woodland and England-of-yore villages, the New Forest has long been a release valve for Londoners eager to clear the cobwebs and the cortisol. The apex of its beauty has to be autumn, when its rich hues cut through morning mists and dazzle in the afternoon sun. It's best enjoyed during a long ramble, where you’re likely to meet free-roaming New Forest ponies, cattle and even pigs, followed by a hearty pub lunch with local ale and a warming log fire.

Take the train from Waterloo to Beaulieu Road station and fuel your hike with a pint of real ale at the Drift Inn. If independent shops, cafés and beaches are on the agenda, it’s best to head to Lymington instead, as this one-and-a-half-hour loop around the pub on the edge of the New Forest is blissfully rugged and remote. Having traipsed through a mixed mosaic of woodland and absorbed the silence and sweeping views across the heathland, hunker down at the Drift Inn for a Hampshire beef burger, ale-battered haddock or the pie of the day (invariably something along the lines of mud pie with mash and gravy).– Rosalyn Wikeley

If you decide to stay over : Those seeking the quintessential heather-and-wild-ponies New Forest should bed down at The Pig hotel in Brockenhurst or Limewood near Lyndhurst (about five minutes from the Drift Inn). However, the trusted favorite among New Forest devotees, Chewton Glen continues to lure weary urbanites with its coveted position – wedged between woodland and the coast – and commitment to the good, old-fashioned service and comforts of a country club. You’ll find few zeitgeisty design details or next-gen touches here. Instead, antiques, thick carpets and mahogany furniture keep this 18th-century manor house sure of its identity – save a few fun treehouse bedrooms, should privacy or the 21st century fall into your criteria. Don’t miss the fresh salads and fish lunches once you’ve been pummeled in the spa or worked up an appetite in the Grecian-style pool. The gardens are also glorious for afternoon tea after visiting Highcliffe beach.

Hertford, Hertfordshire

The best day trip from London for : pub-crawling and country walks How to get there from London: The train from Finsbury Park takes 35 minutes

With its higgledy-piggledy, pastel-colored buildings and cobbled streets, this county town serves up a slice of English antiquity that’s postcard-pretty enough to satisfy both shiny-eyed visitors from further afield and weary Londoners searching for fresher air, shorter queues and somewhere different to look at for the day. With trains running every half hour, it’s possible to find yourself marching around its 15th-century castle grounds (check ahead for cinema screenings, talks and events), net fishing from a sandy cove in Hartham Common or wandering about its dinky museum within the hour. Alternatively, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can cycle from London along the River Lea towpath.

On arrival, dip into its handful of local shops – The Women's Society Boutique has an imposing exterior but is a real treasure trove–before stopping at one of the many independent cafés and restaurants. Popular deli-bar Giambrone’s serves authentic Italian plates, while Hertford Coffee Lab makes for a cool pit-stop, and Georgian townhouse and B&B Number One Port Hill hosts occasional pop-up suppers. Plus, the artsy Dog and Whistle, once a pop-up café, has blossomed into a hipster foodie pub and music venue with rooms. Indeed, Hertford – quiet market town by day and more bustling nightspot come evening – specializes in pubs, particularly old-world ones. There's The Salisbury Arms Hotel, said to have been the place where Oliver Cromwell stayed during the Civil War and home to a number of ghosts; the 16th-century White Horse; the 17th-century Blackbirds; and the riverside Old Barge (exact age unknown, but 'old' is part of the name…). If you have time, go on the three-mile walk to Ware alongside the River Lea towpath–the neighboring town also has a plethora of pubs – and catch the train back to London from there.– Becky Lucas

If you decide to stay over: Hertford House Hotel took over the former local newspaper’s offices in pretty Parliament Square in 2006 and hasn’t stopped evolving since, with its latest restaurant and bar renovation completed in autumn 2020. Don’t miss out on brunch in the secret garden, a locally sourced roast in the restaurant and a pint in smart sister pub The Quiet Man.

The best day trip from London for: an under-the-radar getaway How to get there from London: The fast train from St Pancras International takes 1 hour 22 minutes

This hillside scribble of Georgian streets tucked behind the Kent coast really hit our radar in 2018. Nicknamed ‘Margate’s little sister’, it’s a much cosier, countryside version of its arty neighbour. And that’s exactly its appeal. Deal is less shouty than Margate, but there’s still an exciting slew of shops, cafés and galleries that have arrived over the past few years. The Saturday Market stalls are worth a rummage, but it’s the food that brings the locals back each weekend. For more of a sit-down lunch we love Frog and Scot where the chef, previously of The Sportsman in Seasalter, cooks up a daily changing menu based on hyper-local produce. Founder of Smugglers Records Will Greenham (ex singer and guitarist of the band Cocos Lovers, who’ve supported Mumford & Sons on tour) is at the heart of the town’s music scene, and in terms of art, Linden Hall Studio is a contemporary gallery in a converted chapel that wouldn’t look out of place in Mayfair.– Tabitha Joyce

If you decide to stay over: The Rose was revamped in 2018 and now there are eight cute bedrooms splashed in bold colors and filled with vintage finds. The restaurant is looked after by Rachel O’Sullivan (previously of East London’s Towpath Café) who dishes up Scandi-inspired breakfast plates of smoked salmon, avocado, soft-boiled egg, dill and whipped cream cheese.

Whitstable, Kent

The best day trip from London for: oysters on the beach How to get there from London : The train from from St Pancras takes 1hr 13 minutes

This little town on the north Kent coast isn’t quite the sort-of-secret it was back in the 1990s, when DFLs (local jargon for Londoners) rediscovered it, arriving at weekends for seafood at Wheelers on the high street and pints of Kentish ale at the beach-side Old Neptune pub. But it’s still an atmospheric place to head for a hit of vitamin B12 – via a dozen or so oysters – then a scrunch along the shingle shore, spotting Second World War sea forts across the waves and seals in the harbour. There are plenty of places to eat: avoid the overpriced Royal Native Oyster Stores and head instead to JoJo’s, just down the road in Tankerton, for mackerel fillets and Med-inspired small plates. Or Samphire, a Whitstable bistro with cuttlefish risotto and Romney Marsh lamb on the menu. There’s also a thriving micropub scene here, with The Handsome Sam, The Black Dog, and the larger Twelve Taps for hoppy experimentation. But our favorite pastime is picking up a pot of cockles and whelks from the quayside, or fish and chips and oysters from The Forge shack, and devouring them in the shade of a wooden groyne on the beach, preferably with a bottle of English fizz to hand.– Rick Jordan

If you decide to stay over: The Victorian fisherman’s huts on the beach are the best place in which to hole up, the sound of waves and boat masts jangling in the wind outside, and can be booked via Hotel Continental. Along the coast in Seasalter is the Driftwood Beach House B&B .

Rye, East Sussex

The best day trip from London for : a bracingly fresh seaside getaway How to get there from London: The train from St Pancras International takes about 1 hour 10 minutes with a change at Ashford International.

Rye is home to what might just be Britain’s prettiest (and most prettily named) street, and a wave of newcomers have moved in alongside the quaint old-timers in Mermaid Street and beyond, opening smart interiors stores and artisan bakeries next to unironically vintage tea rooms and souvenir shops. After breakfast at Whitehouse Rye–order the halloumi hash–pick up a new read at The Tiny Book Store (the clue’s in the name) and window shop for that fantasy mansion at striking antiques shop Strand House Interiors. The blustery dunes and invigorating waters of Camber Sands, one of the best beach near London , are a 15 minute ride away on the local bus, but head back in time for a rustic supper at Tuscan Rye, where fresh pasta (ricotta ravioli with brown-butter sauce, potato and thyme tortellini in a rich ragu) draws loyal locals.– Sarah James

If you decide to stay over: Book a room at the lively George in Rye , which welcomes A-list guests (George Clooney and Helena Bonham Carter have both checked in for sleepovers) and smart locals in the same breath.

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Margate, Kent

The best day trip from London for : a cultural day out How to get there from London: the fast train from London St Pancras takes 1 hour 25 minutes.

It’s no secret that this Victorian seaside town has had quite the hipster renaissance in recent years, sparked mostly by the arrival of the Turner Contemporary gallery in 2011 and spurred on by a slew of new openings and a wave of Londoners upping sticks and moving down to the Kent coast. For a cultural outing, the waterside Turner Contemporary is still a must. Entry is free so it’s worth popping in even if you’ve never heard of the artists on show, and the shop has some nice local products. For more contemporary art head to Crate, an artist-led project space in an old printworks. If you’d prefer something older–much older–wander over to the most ancient building in town, the Tudor House, a Grade II-listed 16th-century timber-framed house on King Street. It’s on your route from the seafront to the mysterious Shell Grotto, a spooky set of underground tunnels covered in more than four million shells.

A trip to Margate isn’t complete without a few hours in Dreamland, whether it’s for some spins on the rides or to see one of the amusement park’s impressive line-up of gigs in the evenings. Do take a stroll around town to hit up the vintage shops selling retro clothes, furniture and homewares, where you can still find some decent bargains. And don’t forget to head over to Cliff Terrace to visit the flagship store of cult natural skincare brand Haeckels, which makes divine-smelling beauty products using seaweed gathered on the beach nearby. Speaking of the beach, if you want to go swimming walk along the coast to Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, a man-made sea lagoon where you can find calm waters and steps for easier access. If you arrive early (or stay the night), tuck into cracking breakfast at Storeroom coffee shop or at Cliffs, where there’s also a record shop, a hair salon and a yoga studio. In fact, the whole up-and-coming area of Cliftonville is worth exploring. After all that roaming, great seafood can be found for dinner at either Angela’s or Hantverk & Found–reserve a table in advance though, as both get booked up. – Sonya Barber

If you decide to stay over: The best beds in town are at The Reading Rooms , a boutique b&b in a restored Georgian townhouse a few minutes’ walk from the seafront. Be sure you don’t have to rush off in the morning as they’ll bring breakfast to your room so you can eat it overlooking the leafy square.

Read more about Margate's best things to do

Eastbourne, East Sussex

The best day trip from London for : fair-weather walkers How to get there from London : The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour 30 minutes.

Eastbourne is an old-timey British seaside town with a Victorian pier, a pebble beach, and a much-loved bandstand where tribute acts reign: ‘Queen’, ‘ABBA’, ‘Frank Sinatra’ and ‘Lady Gaga’ have all played. You could spend the day taking in the town’s thriving art galleries, with plenty of opportunities for refueling stops along the way (our favorite is the stripped-back-trendy Nelson Coffee Co opposite the station) but the real draw here is enjoying the great outdoors at Beachy Head, where you’ll find the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. A hike with seriously impressive views out to sea runs across the top. Wander all the way along to neighboring Seaford or make one of the secret beaches tucked away at the foot of the cliffs your way point. It’s a steep climb down, but Falling Sands Beach is quiet and sandy and well worth the adventure. Eastbourne often makes the list of the sunniest places in the UK, so don’t forget your sunglasses.– Olivia Holborow

If you decide to stay over: Book into the Beachy Head holiday cottages –there’s a choice of 8, all set around a rambling walled garden with fruit and vegetables you can help yourself to.

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Brighton, East Sussex

The best day trip from London for : blasting the cobwebs away by the sea How to get there from London : The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour 34 minutes.

Brighton is a brilliant mish-mash of retro, seaside fun and progressive culture. Book in advance and you can get return tickets from London for as little as £10. A maze of bunting-lined streets, The Lanes bursts at the seams with vintage shops–don’t miss Beyond Retro and Dirty Harry, and our two favorite independent boutiques, Our Daily Edit and Peggs & Son, as well as retro memorabilia (navigate the turnstile at Snoopers Paradise for collectors’ items, vinyl, and furniture). Time your day trip to include breakfast at Kensingtons – grab a table on the balcony for giant plates piled high with eggs, toast and beans. It’s not the easiest spot to find, so look out for a shop called Artemis on Kensington Gardens, which overflows with sheepskin rugs and pelts – the café is on the left; follow the smell of bacon up the stairs. Later, reserve a table at Food for Friends, a superb veggie restaurant with award-winning flavours and presentation. A short walk away is the huge 8km pebbly beach–the section near the Palace Pier is dotted with stripy deckchairs and usually buzzing from spring to autumn (and often absolutely crammed in summer). There’s something terribly British about layering up and enjoying a windswept walk in the winter months, too. Reward yourself with a bag of hot, sugary donuts from the pier.

If you decide to stay over : Walk along the seafront to The Ginger Pig, a restaurant-with-rooms with pre-mixed cocktails in the minibars and Cowshed bottles by the standalone bathtubs.

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Lewes, Sussex

The best day trip from London for : history buffs and vintage hunters How to get there from London : The train from London Victoria takes just over 1 hour.

Lewes: the market town in the South Downs that sits against a backdrop of chalk hills and green peaks. Cobblestoned 'twittens' (narrow streets), hand-painted shop signs and crumbling tiles from the 1960s make it feel like a town time forgot, and its slower rhythm makes for a reinvigorating gear-change. The Needlemakers on West Street is home to a range of small, independent shops that sell local craftsmanship, from jewelry to books–Alexis Dove is a favorite for delicate silverware and Susie Petrou has an eye for vintage blouses and Romanian embroidery. There’s an incongruous well at the bottom by the vintage shops – throw in a penny for good luck before you start hunting through piles of clothes and bags. Lewes Flea Market is an alluring source for antique furniture and quirky homeware, and is open daily (not to be confused with the outdoor Sunday market, which is also worth a visit). At the other end of town, at the bottom of Cliffe High Street, you can find Bill Collison’s very first Bill’s restaurant, a European deli-turned-eatery, where you can get hearty dishes such as pumpkin, fig and chestnut roast, or a beef, bacon and camembert burger. After lunch, ponder the paperbacks at the Fifteenth Century Bookshop, which has been carefully restored in recent years but remains as much of a landmark as Lewes Castle. Finish the day with a pint; Harvey’s Brewery is the only independent brewery in Sussex and provides the John Harvey Tavern over the road with local cask ales (download the self-titled app to find out where you can get it in London).

If you decide to stay over : Head to Firle for a night at The Ram Inn , and enjoy crisp linen and generous breakfasts served by an open fire.

Folkestone, Kent

The best day trip from London for: a coastal up-and-comer How to get there from London : The fast train from London St Pancras to Ashford takes 40 minutes, where you can change for Folkestone Central.

The seaside town of Folkestone is mid-makeover, which is the ideal time to visit – before everything gets priced up and the place’s quirks glossed over. The appeal of Sunny Sands beach is self-explanatory – this tiny, windswept slip of sand is one of the best beaches in Kent and the ideal spot to kick off your day (unsurprisingly, it fills up with families wielding buckets and spades, sticky with sunscreen, too). A trio of swashbuckling pubs and restaurants–The Ship Inn, The Mariner, and The Captain’s Table–lines the seafront, but the real treasure can be found in the Creative Quarter. At the bottom of The Old High Street is Bounce Vintage, an open space with rails full of retro sportswear, French chore jackets and Aloha shirts. If you exchange smiles and pleasantries with the rosy-cheeked owners, they might just offer you an espresso on the house. Failing that, further up the road, Steep Street sells specialty coffee, homemade cake and books . Floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall shelves of hardbacks tower over fat leather armchairs and blackboard tables that you can doodle on in chalk. There are endless places to eat and drink around town: Rocksalt for a smart menu and sea views; Papas for old-fashioned fish’n’chips ; Beano’s for veggies; La Casa Del Bello Gelato for ice cream Follies for pizza and The Pullman for pints. The Harbour Arm, though, is where Folkestone’s own folk go – the Champagne bar hidden in the lighthouse at the end is rustic, romantic, and completely charming.

If you decide to stay over : Book a room at the Linen Shed , a dove-grey, weatherboarded house on the old Roman road to Canterbury.

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Oxford, Oxfordshire

The best day trip from London for : a traditional slice of British culture How to get there from London : The Oxford Tube coach service takes 1 hour 30 minutes and runs until 3am; trains also run from Paddington and Marylebone stations and take 1 hour.

In one of the most quintessentially English cities in the UK (and the most expensive to live in outside London), cream tea is not just a rite of passage – it’s a requirement. And there’s only one place to take it – The Vaults & Garden Café, signposted by the presence of an antique bicycle with a flowerbed in its basket, is a gorgeous 14th-century building surrounded by colleges (Oriel, Brasenose, Murton, All Souls), where scones come loaded with clotted cream and seasonal homemade jam (the café has serious sustainability credentials, too). Architecture is a major draw in Oxford ; the libraries, bridges and even cinemas feature Palladian domes, Norman design, ziggurat influences and listed buildings which make this a city to see on foot (Radcliffe Square is a must, and it’s worth paying £4 to climb the tower at the Church of St Mary The Virgin for the best view of Oxford). If you’re taking kids, the Pitt Rivers Museum is packed with bizarre artefacts and stories they’ll tell their friends about, and The Story Museum welcomes you through a wardrobe into Narnia and other fictional worlds of wonder. If you booked a babysitter, however, grab a drink at the brilliant Freud bar in Jericho–a stained-glass church-turned-cool-cocktail-bar that is grown-up enough to feel sophisticated but student-y enough to have plenty of atmosphere and frivolity in the air (or perhaps it’s something in the drinks).

If you decide to stay over : There are plenty of lovely hotels in the Cotswolds , such as The Wild Rabbit –the latest outpost from eco-queen Carole Bamford of Daylesford Organic fame.

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

The best day trip from London for : people-watching and scenery How to get there from London : The train from London King’s Cross takes 45 minutes.

Like cycling in Amsterdam or taking trams in San Francisco , punting really is the most sophisticated way to see the city of Cambridge and the university grounds. Scudamore’s is the oldest ‘chauffeur’ company and offers a more traditional tour, but board a boat from the Garret Hostel Bridge for a younger, more humorous experience (ask your punter why the GHB is also known as Orgasm Bridge). For lunch, foodPark is a top hawker convoy of Sri Lankan curries, wood-fired pizza and open-wide burgers that sets up from 12pm until 2pm in varying locations around Cambridge from Wednesday to Friday. For something more upscale, book one of Galleria’s terrace tables on the south side of the Magdalene Bridge, with British fusion food and views of the River Cam (your gluten- and dairy-free friends will thank you, as there are two separate menus specifically catering to their diets). In the autumn, the leaf-covered colleges are particularly picturesque as they turn red and rust, and in spring, Parker’s Piece is a scenic stretch of greenery from which to navigate (spot the lamppost that supposedly inspired the post in CS Lewis’ Narnia). From here, find eccentric English shop Bowes & Co, Fitzbillies for iced buns, Aromi for Italian nibbles, Kettle’s Yard art gallery and G David for antique books. Finish your day with the choral evensong at King’s College Chapel around 5.30pm: goosebumps guaranteed. For more ideas, see our guide to the best things to do in Cambridge .

If you decide to stay over : It doesn’t get much better than the iconic University Arms hotel , reopened in 2018 after a serious reboot.

Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

The best day trip from London for: welly-wielding outdoorsy types How to get there from London : The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour to East Grinstead (a 15-minute drive from Forest Row).

AA Milne famously wrote the stories of Winnie the Pooh while living just north of Ashdown Forest. Known as 100 Acre Wood in Pooh’s world, the forest is home to the spellbinding stories and is an enchanting place to stretch your legs for a day, easily accessible via East Grinstead station. Stretches of open heathland give way to leafy walkways and carpets of bluebells in spring, where the woods teem with wildlife (spot fallow deer, badgers and the odd friendly pheasant–no honey-eating bears, though), and the only noise is birdsong. You can even visit Pooh Bridge (for a game of Poohsticks, naturally), but be warned, it’s a prominent tourist spot. Pooh was a big fan of having ‘a little smackerel of something’, and nearby village Forest Row has plenty of places for elevenses. Taffels deli is a family-run café and much-loved lunch spot (there is nothing skinny about the skinny chips; they are double-fried and divine) and caters to all dietary requirements, while Java & Jazz serves huge hot chocolates cakes and crispy-crusted pizza. For proper pub food, the cosy Hatch Inn (one of our favorite country pubs near London) is known for roasts with all the trimmings and offers plenty of dog-patting opportunities. If you’re not in a hurry to get home, head to Linton’s car park–locally known as ‘the viewpoint’–for sunset.

If you decide to stay over : Gravetye Manor is a very English Elizabethan country-house classic and one of our favorite weekend breaks in the UK .

Dungeness, Kent

The best day trip from London for : nature enthusiasts How to get there from London : The drive to Romney Marsh via the A20 and M20 takes 2 hours.

Arriving in Dungeness from London feels a little like stepping out of a Tardis into a different time zone, where a recent apocalypse has left the landscape barren, the wildlife overrun, the buildings flattened, and the population dramatically compromised (in fact, the Dungeness Power Station appeared in Doctor Who in 1971). Unofficially known as ‘Britain’s only desert’, Dungeness has a unique environment–single-story buildings appear to have been swallowed by the shingle and plants let loose with little regard for human-imposed order. The beach resembles a mass shipwreck; abandoned fishing boats, crumbling shacks, winches and forgotten tractors coated in decades of rust sit, untouched, unmoved and as mysterious as a Russell T Davies plot. There’s not a whole lot to do here – but there’s so much to see, and so much to pique your curiosity that you’ll spend the journey back Googling the area. Kids will love the sheer strangeness of it all, and it’s impossible to resist the childlike urge to climb and run and play. Few places so close to London feel like such an adventure; the journey can take less than two hours and, if you time it right, you can order the catch of the day for lunch from roadside hut the Snack Shack, which does the freshest fish, lobster rolls and ice-cold cans of San Pellegrino.

If you decide to stay over : You’ll have to venture out of Dungeness–try The Rose in Deal , a grown-up bolthole splashed with bold colors and covetable vintage finds.

The best day trip from London for : switching off How to get there from London: The train from London Waterloo to Dorking takes 50 minutes.

Surrey’s proximity to London makes the journey a breeze–and it’s an especially astute pick if you’re likely to be coming with a car full of little ones. At Henry VIII’s home Hampton Court Palace, there are family-friendly events such as beast quests and ghost tours, as well as the famous giant hedge maze, where adventurous kids can lead the troops. In winter, an ice rink is set against the historic backdrop of the palace, a building whose grandiose architecture is shaped by both the Tudor and Baroque periods. If you’re escaping the city (and the kids), however, check in at Grayshott Health Spa, a traditional country home with cutting-edge treatments. Surrounded by 47 acres of flowering gardens, it’s a peaceful place to step back and take stock. Connect with nature at Kew, too, where the Royal Botanic Gardens are open to the public all year round. The winter light show is particularly mesmerizing, when the sun starts to sink earlier and earlier. Be sure to take cash for mince pies and mulled wine as you wander through the grounds. Having been awarded a Michelin star, Steve Drake’s restaurant Sorrel in Dorking (a market town with chocolate-box charm) is currently the county’s hottest restaurant with the most exciting ‘discovery menu’.

If you decide to stay over : Surrey is home to some of the best spas near London, such as Grayshott, where the Manor House rooms offer faded charm.

Hastings and St Leonards

The best day trip from London for: old-school seaside charm How to get there from London: The fast train from London St Pancras International takes 1 hour 32 minutes with a change at Ashford International

There’s almost too much to fit into a one-day visit to Hastings, especially if you want to pop over to the neighbouring town of St Leonards. Over the last few years, these two East Sussex enclaves have become a popular bolthole for burnt-out Londoners looking for a bohemian seaside escape. To see what all the fuss is about, head straight to explore Hasting’s quaint Old Town, a picturesque maze of streets sandwiched between two dramatic cliffs. Pedestrianised scenic George Street is where most of the action happens, with a thrum of cafés, shops and pubs, but it’s worth wandering the surrounding streets too. Seek out AG Hendy & Co on the High Street for well-curated vintage homewares and stop into The Crown for cozy pub grub made with excellent local produce. If you’re up for a wander, get the funicular up and walk along to the cliff to Fairlight Glen, a beautiful secluded beach where clothing is optional. Or if that sounds a bit much, stay in the Old Town and explore the dramatic black fisherman’s huts on Rock-A-Nore beach where there’s Hastings Contemporary art gallery, a tiny shipwreck museum, fresh seafood stalls and a very cute miniature railway. Next up, take the 40-minute amble along the beach past the pier to St Leonards and stop off for food at the fabulous seafront café, Goat Ledge. It’s worth the trip for their crispy panko fish baps and katsu curry sauce chips alone. Nearby, there are great independent shops selling everything from candles to kimonos on Norman Road and King’s Road where you can easily spend a few hours happily browsing and café hopping before settling into dinner at Michelin-recommended pub The Royal. Sonya Barber

If you decide to stay over: Book into The Old Rectory , a bijou b&b in Hasting’s Old Town with treatment rooms and a walled garden.

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London & Cambridge in 3 Days: A Tale of Two Cities

April 22, 2024 · 2 min read

Embark on a captivating 3-day journey through the historic streets of London and the prestigious pathways of Cambridge. Your adventure begins at the world-renowned University of Cambridge, where you'll spend a full day immersed in the scholarly atmosphere of this prestigious institution. Stroll across the picturesque Bridge of Sighs, a brief 15-minute interlude, and soak in the architectural beauty. Day two shifts to the bustling city of London, starting with the awe-inspiring St. Paul's Cathedral, followed by a deep dive into history at the Tower of London. Cap off the day with a visit to the iconic Tower Bridge, with an hour to appreciate its engineering marvel. Your final day is a blend of panoramic views and cultural enrichment; start with a half-hour ride on the London Eye, offering a bird's-eye view of the city, before dedicating the remainder of your day to the treasures within The British Museum. This itinerary is designed to create a tapestry of experiences, from academic heritage to modern wonders, ensuring memories that will last a lifetime.

Day 1: Academic Ambiance and Iconic Architecture

University of Cambridge

Kicking off our Cambridge adventure, we begin at the prestigious University of Cambridge, a cornerstone of academic excellence and a beacon of knowledge. Spend your day wandering through the historic colleges, each with its own unique charm and story. The university's rich heritage is palpable in the grandeur of its buildings and the tranquil beauty of its gardens. As you meander through the courtyards, take a moment to appreciate the blend of medieval and modern architecture that encapsulates the spirit of intellectual pursuit.

Attraction Info

The Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN, United Kingdom
Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day

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Bridge of Sighs

Just a short stroll from the hallowed halls of academia, find yourself at the Bridge of Sighs, an architectural marvel in its own right. Named after the Venetian Ponte dei Sospiri, this bridge is a favorite among photographers and romantics alike. Although your visit here may be brief, the bridge's elegant stone structure and the serene river it crosses are sure to leave a lasting impression. It's the perfect spot to pause and reflect on the day's journey before continuing your exploration of Cambridge.

St John's College, St John's St, Cambridge CB2 1TP, United Kingdom
Suggested tour duration: 15-30 minutes
Open from 10:00am-5:00pm

Where to Stay Tonight

The varsity hotel & spa, west court - cambridge - campus accommodation.

Day 2: Historic Marvels of London

St. Paul's Cathedral

Kicking off the second day with spiritual splendor, St. Paul's Cathedral stands as a beacon of faith and history in the heart of London. With its iconic dome dominating the skyline, this architectural masterpiece invites visitors to explore its awe-inspiring interior for an hour. The cathedral not only serves as a place of worship but also as a treasure trove of art and history, making it a must-visit on your London journey.

St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom
Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
Open on Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat,8:30am-4:30pm;Open on Wed,10:00am-4:30pm;Closed on Sun，Opening and closing times are subject to change, so it is recommended to visit the official website to check the dates you will be attending.

Tower of London

Next on the agenda is a deep dive into the past at the Tower of London, a historic castle that has stood guard over the city for centuries. Allotting three hours to this UNESCO World Heritage Site allows ample time to uncover its many layers of history, from royal palace to prison and even a zoo. The Crown Jewels housed here are a dazzling highlight, while the Yeoman Warders provide captivating tales that bring the Tower's rich history to life.

St Katharine's & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB
Suggested tour duration: 3-5 hour
Open from 01/06-02/09,Mon, Sun,10:00am-4:30pm;Open from 01/06-02/09,Tue-Sat,9:00am-4:30pm;Open from 02/10-02/18,9:00am-4:30pm;Open from 02/19-02/29,Mon, Sun,10:00am-4:30pm;Open from 02/19-02/29,Tue-Sat,9:00am-4:30pm;Open from 03/01-03/28,Mon, Sun,10:00am-5:30pm;Open from 03/01-03/28,Tue-Sat,9:00am-5:30pm;Open from 03/29-04/14,9:00am-5:30pm;Open from 04/15-05/05,Mon, Sun,10:00am-5:30pm;Open from 04/15-05/05,Tue-Sat,9:00am-5:30pm;Open 9:00am-5:30pm on 05/06;Open from 05/07-05/24,Mon, Sun,10:00am-5:30pm;Open from 05/07-05/24,Tue-Sat,9:00am-5:30pm;Open from 05/25-06/02,9:00am-5:30pm;Open from 06/03-07/19,Mon, Sun,10:00am-5:30pm;Open from 06/03-07/19,Tue-Sat,9:00am-5:30pm;Open from 07/20-09/01,9:00am-5:30pm;Open from 09/02-09/30,Mon, Sun,10:00am-5:30pm;Open from 09/02-09/30,Tue-Sat,9:00am-5:30pm

Tower Bridge

Concluding the day's exploration is a stroll to the nearby Tower Bridge, an engineering marvel and one of London's most recognizable landmarks. Spend an hour marveling at the bridge's Victorian Gothic design and the panoramic views it offers of the city. Visitors can also experience the Tower Bridge Exhibition, which reveals the inner workings of the bridge and its storied history.

Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, United Kingdom
Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
Open from 9:30am-6:00pm，The scenic area is closed during Christmas from December 24 to 26 each year.

The Tower Hotel

The lalit london.

Day 3: Iconic Views and Historic Museums

Kickstart your final day with a morning spin on the iconic London Eye, a majestic Ferris wheel that offers unparalleled views of the city's skyline. As the first stop of the day, it's a chance to see London from a different perspective, with each rotation bringing a new vista into sight. Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye stands tall as a modern symbol of the city. The 30-minute ride is a serene experience, allowing you to soak in panoramic views of landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, and on a clear day, even Windsor Castle in the distance. It's a perfect encapsulation of London's grandeur, all before lunchtime.

Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB
Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
Closed all day on 12/25;Open from 12/26-12/30,10:00am-8:30pm;Open 10:00am-3:00pm on 12/31;Open from 01/01-01/07,Mon-Tue, Sat-Sun,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 01/01-01/07,Wed-Fri,11:00am-6:00pm;Closed from 01/08-02/04;Open from 02/05-02/09,Mon-Fri,11:00am-6:00pm;Open from 02/10-02/18,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 02/19-02/28,Mon-Fri,11:00am-6:00pm;Open from 02/24-02/25,Sat-Sun,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 03/01-03/22,Mon-Fri,11:00am-6:00pm;Open from 03/01-03/24,Sat-Sun,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 03/25-03/28,Mon-Thu,11:00am-6:00pm;Open from 03/29-04/14,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 04/15-04/28,Mon-Fri,11:00am-6:00pm;Open from 04/15-04/28,Sat-Sun,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 04/29-05/26,Mon-Fri,11:00am-6:00pm;Open from 05/01-05/26,Sat-Sun,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 05/27-09/01,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 09/02-10/27,Mon-Fri,11:00am-6:00pm;Open from 09/02-10/27,Sat-Sun,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 10/28-11/03,10:00am-8:45pm;Open from 11/04-12/19,Mon-Fri,11:00am-6:00pm;Open from 11/04-12/19,Sat-Sun,10:00am-8:30pm;Open from 12/20-12/23,Mon, Fri-Sun,10:00am-8:30pm;Open 10:00am-5:30pm on 12/24

The British Museum

After descending from the heights of the London Eye, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history and culture at The British Museum. As the second and final stop on your itinerary, this world-renowned museum is a treasure trove of artifacts and exhibits that span over two million years of human history. Spend your day wandering through vast galleries that house the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and countless other antiquities. With its impressive collection of over eight million works, The British Museum is not just a national landmark, but a cultural pilgrimage for visitors from around the globe. It's the perfect finale to your three-day exploration of London and Cambridge, leaving you with a profound sense of the past and its connection to the present.

Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
Open from 01/01-12/23,Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 01/01-12/23,Fri,10:00am-8:30pm;Closed from 12/24-12/26;Open 10:00am-8:30pm on 12/27,Fri;Open from 12/28-12/31,10:00am-5:00pm;Closed during Christmas Eve,Christmas

The Montague on the Gardens

Gresham hotel bloomsbury.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Rooftops view of Turin on a sunny winter day.

My four-day rail and ferry adventure from the UK to Albania

From London to Tirana, via Chambéry’s medieval streets, bustling Bari and Albania’s dynamic capital, this trip across Europe has treats at every turn

M y overriding memories of crossing countries by train, on a trip from London to Albania, are of half-empty carriages and countryside sweeping past windows bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset. I remember cypress trees, red-roofed villages with square churches, farmland in neat strips and row upon row of vineyards.

On my London-Paris-Chambéry-Turin-Bari-Tirana journey over land and sea, there was, for long stretches, little to do. The wifi was patchy. It took a while to adapt to having so much time to simply watch the world go by, travelling through landscapes without having to navigate them.

The biggest stress happened long before I set off, when a landslide not far from the French border with Italy blocked the rail line between Chambéry and Turin, forcing a closure that continues today. Byway, the no-fly operator I had booked with, offered to reroute me through Nice and on to Turin via the Vermenagna valley (with changes in Tende and Cuneo), or book me on the FlixBus service over part of the Mont Blanc massif. I was keen to see Chambéry and the Alps, so I chose the bus.

The writer leans out of the train door. She is wearing a long denim coat and sandals and looks excited.

People seemed surprised when I told them I was travelling overland to Albania. As I gushed about the romance of slow travel by train and sleeper ferry, and my excitement about Tirana, I got comments about being “brave”. I didn’t feel especially brave: all the planning, tickets and hotel bookings were done for me, and friendly help was a WhatsApp call away if needed.

I just had to download the Rail Planner app for my Interrail pass and make sure I was at the right station at the right time (Turin was the biggest challenge: it has four main railway stations and taxis scream between them bearing anxious-looking passengers).

The entire journey took four days. If I did it all again, I’d stay longer in Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot – and remember to buy my Paris Métro ticket from the cafe on the Eurostar.

Day one: London to Chamb éry

A street with pale pink classical buildings and a statue on a plinth.

First to Paris’s Gare du Nord, then the metro to Gare de Lyon, where I make a beeline for a cafe opposite the station. Noise pervades the pavement tables of Café Terminus, but the cacophony is delightful – an atmospheric place for a citron pressé .

I’m in plenty of time for the train to Chambéry and, excitingly, am on the upper deck. Soon, we break free from the suburbs to trace huge stands of forest. Beyond Lyon begins a ripple of hills, lazy rivers and thickly forested slopes. As evening approaches, it’s all Alpine scenery. I arrive at an almost-empty station and walk to the boutique Hotel des Princes in Chambéry’s old town.

Chambéry has an Italian feel – it was the seat of the House of Savoy before the dynasty moved on to Turin – and its medieval alleys, cathedral and pastel-coloured townhouses are quietly impressive. The 1838 Fontaine des Éléphants sits in the middle of the closest square to the old town, and peeking from the end of every street are the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges. My stay is peaceful and easy.

Day two: Chamb éry to Turin

From Chambéry, the train to Turin would take about 2½ hours, but the bus takes double this. I’m on the top deck again, which is worth it for the sight of misty fingers of early morning light breaking across the mountain ridge. Snoozing backpackers rouse themselves to snap pictures of remote Mont Blanc peaks, before slumbering once more through the tunnel to Italy. In Turin there’s perfume in the air from the blossom-covered trees.

Turin’s grid of long, straight boulevards is testament to its development by the Romans – the redbrick Palatine Gate is another Roman relic – and its grand piazzas, royal palaces and graffitied colonnades date from the city’s Savoy heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the number one attraction is the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum).

My favourite moments? Ricotta and fig ice-cream on Piazza San Carlo, an aperitivo on off-the-beaten-path Via Sant’Agostino and the towering neoclassical Mole Antonelliana (national museum of cinema). I eat Turin’s famous doughy pizza al padellino (pan pizza) and spend a comfortable night in the eaves of Hotel Urbani in 19th-century residential streets close to the grand Porta Nuova train station.

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Day three: Turin to Bari

A rolling mountain range with cumulus clouds in the sky.

The views from my next train are of cinematic Tuscan scenes. Scorched fields, vines and Italian cypress trees. Neat red roofs and shabby-chic farmhouses. Fluffy clouds cling to hills that Google Maps tells me are the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. After hours of soothing golden landscapes, the opal-blue Adriatic wallops into view just north of Ancona. Beach bars whip by and cypress trees are replaced with palm trees: I’ve arrived in the south of Italy.

Bari is hands down my favourite stop. The noise, heat and energy as we step off the train in the early evening are joyous. After Chambéry and Turin, Bari feels brash, a little rough around the edges even; a proper port city. The labyrinthine alleyways of the whitewashed old town are almost cliched in their cuteness. Despite the troupes of tightly packed headphone-wearing Americans following guided tours, it somehow manages to retain a tranquil atmosphere.

An elegant old building presides over the port, with its little fishing boats, on a sunny day.

Old ladies yawn from the shade as tourists surreptitiously snap pictures and laundry flutters from balconies. I could stay for ever, but after 24 hours (which includes a lot of pasta, a stroll along the posh promenade to the not-so-posh city beach and a night in an elegant aparthotel, Residence Zodiacus , halfway between the station and the old town), it’s time to board the night ferry to Albania.

Day (and night) four: Bari to Tirana

The mosque is lit in evening sunlight, with mountains in the background.

I arrive at the ferry on foot and am escorted through the car deck to jokes about going in the wrong direction (to Albania, instead of from it). In the early morning I spot a pink sky through the cracked window of my comfy en suite cabin, and head to the top deck to see the sun rise over the distant outline of Albania. Disembarking in the port of Durrës is a bit of a scrum and there’s a bus to the capital waiting, but I opt instead for a five-minute taxi ride to the centre of town and breakfast of pastries and espresso on a dazzling white road lined with boutiques and palm trees. I later regret this though, as the aircon on the grubby public bus I eventually take to Tirana is more tired than I am, and drops me in an urban sprawl miles from the centre.

Tirana itself is a revelation. My hotel, Padam Boutique , is a grand villa with handsome rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s striking new skyward architecture on every nearby street. A short stroll away is the landmark Pyramid of Tirana , which stands as a symbol and monument to change (and is fun to climb at sunset). Skanderbeg Square – a jumble of buildings erected on a roundabout at the time of the celebrations to mark the fall of communism in 1992 – is now a pedestrianised, glossy public space. There are nods to Albania’s recent, wretched history behind the iron curtain, of course – the Bunk’Art and Bunk’Art 2 museums, in nuclear bunkers are unmissable – but Tirana and the country are more than just the last century. My journey is done, but it feels like Tirana is just getting into its stride.

The trip was provided by Byway , which offers sustainable travel and accommodation packages across the UK and Europe. Its Alps to Albania trip costs from £679pp

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The 21 Best Day Trips From London
The best day trip from London for: blasting the cobwebs away by the sea. How to get there from London: The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour 34 minutes. Brighton is a brilliant mish-mash of ...
London & Cambridge in 3 Days: A Tale of Two Cities
Concluding the day's exploration is a stroll to the nearby Tower Bridge, an engineering marvel and one of London's most recognizable landmarks. Spend an hour marveling at the bridge's Victorian Gothic design and the panoramic views it offers of the city. ... Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day; Open from 01/01-12/23,Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun,10:00am-5 ...
My four-day rail and ferry adventure from the UK to Albania
From London to Tirana, via Chambéry's medieval streets, bustling Bari and Albania's dynamic capital, this trip across Europe has treats at every turn Rachel Mills Sat 27 Apr 2024 06.00 EDT
Global Travel Collection Announces 2024 Elevate Connections
Now structured as a series of one-day events, the annual conference will take place in New York City, Los Angeles and London this year. Global Travel Collection's annual conference is returning ...

The BEST Full Day London Tours

London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey and Tower of London

Small Group Day Tour of Bath, Windsor Castle, and Stonehenge from London

Private London in a Day Tour

Harry Potter Studio & Oxford from London: Magic Behind the Scenes

Semi-Private Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter

From London: Warner Bros Studios & Walking Tour of Oxford in a Small Group

Windsor, Stonehenge, & Bath Full-Day Tour with Lacock Pub Lunch from London

Things to do in London

All Destinations

Most Popular Tours

Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour through the Gladiator's Gate

Ultimate Palace of Versailles Tour from Paris

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Secrets of the Louvre Museum Tour with Mona Lisa

Semi-Private Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

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One Day in London – What to Do in London in A Day

1 Day London Itinerary Overview

One Day In London: What to Do in London for A Day

1. The Tower of London

2. The South Bank and London Eye

3. The Houses of Parliament

4. Buckingham Palace

5. Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and the West End

6. Visit a Decent London Pub

Map of 1 Day London Itinerary

Getting Around and Saving Money in London

What about a walking tour of London?

Where to Go After Your Day in London – Day Trips & More

Where to Stay in London

Practicalities for Visiting London

Internet Access

Water

Further Reading on Visiting London

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London In One Day Private tour with separate Tour Guide

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

River Cruise*

What's Included

PRICES VARY FROM 1 TO 6 PEOPLE

London Walking Tours: See the Highlights of London in 1 Day

Choosing a London Walking Tour

Tips for Choosing the Best London Walking Tour

How long is the London walking tour?

What London attractions are visited?

What tickets are included in the tour price?

What sections are guided?

Is a meal included?

What are the reviews like for the tour?

Total cost of the tour?

Our Recommended Full Day London Walking Tours

Our Best of London Walking Tour Experience

Tower of London

Boat Ride on the River Thames

Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard

Trafalgar Square & Nelson’s Column

Parliament Square

Westminster Abbey

Overall Thoughts on our Best of London Walking Tour

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London 1-Day Tours and Itineraries

13 Trips in London

The Gold Classic London Tour

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Beatles Tour of London in a British Classic

London Historic Pub Tour

8 hours Ride in a British Classic Car

London History / Tourist Private Walking Tour

Winston Churchill Walking Tour and War Roooms

Mini Love Private Tour of London in a Mini

Harry Potter Film Locations Tour in a Mini

The Italian Job Experience in a classic Mini

Sherlock Private Walking Tour

London Landmarks in a British Classic Car

Jack The Ripper Walking Tour

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