At the moment I wish to carry you my 8-day London itinerary. Per week and a day is a perfect period of time to see the most effective the UK capital has to supply and discover additional afield. Wherever your pursuits lie, you will discover loads of methods to fill your time in London, see the most effective of town, and expertise locations locals love.
8-Day London Itinerary
One of the vital thrilling issues about being a journey blogger helps folks plan journeys. Whether or not it’s by way of my weblog posts or my journey planning companies, I at all times love serving to others take pleasure in a fuller expertise in London or overseas.
Folks usually ask me easy methods to spend 8 days in London, so I wish to share the official A Woman in London itinerary for per week and a day within the UK capital with you right this moment.
When you’re a daily reader, you’ll know I’ve shared many London itineraries on the weblog prior to now. I hope you’ll take pleasure in this one as a lot as you’ve appreciated the others.
You can too check out my 1-day, 36-hour, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, 5-day, 6-day, 7-day, 1 week, and 10-day itinerary for extra concepts.
The advantage of visiting London is that there’s no proper or fallacious option to spend your time within the metropolis. There’s a lot to do and see right here that you would spend a lifetime exploring. There’s one thing for each style and curiosity, too.
My 8-day London itinerary comprises a mix of the massive sights and the locations native Londoners love.
Whether or not you wish to see Huge Ben and the Tower of London, graze your approach by way of Borough Market, or delve into town’s Harry Potter websites, there’s one thing for everybody.
You’ll be able to tailor the itinerary to match your private pursuits and elegance. Higher but, you need to use my London journey information to search out issues to do to your particular passions and fill in any gaps.
If you’d like extra inspiration, there’s much more in regards to the metropolis in Secret London – An Uncommon Information. When you’re within the UK, you may get it right here. When you’re within the US, you may get it right here.
The place to Keep in London
There are many good choices for lodging in London. Whether or not you wish to e-book your self a keep at a lodge or in an residence, town has an abundance of locations to select from.
Given the big dimension of London, I like to recommend basing your self in or close to town middle. You’ll be able to see my weblog posts in regards to the finest space to remain in London and the finest inns to your model to get concepts and proposals.
When you’re in search of one thing enjoyable and weird, my guides to quirky inns in London and themed London inns have strategies, too.
If you wish to do a search, you may discover offers and e-book lodging in London right here. With so many choices, you’re certain to discover a place that matches your journey model and finances.
Day 1 in London: Buckingham Palace & Westminster
When you’ve arrived and settled into your lodge or residence, there’s no higher place to start out a visit to the UK capital than Buckingham Palace.
You’ll be able to time your go to so that you’ll get to observe the well-known Altering the Guard ceremony (it takes place a number of days per week), or simply admire the monarch’s London residence from the massive gates.
When you’re on the town in the course of the palace’s seasonal opening, you can too take a tour of Buckingham Palace. It’s a enjoyable option to see the state rooms and gardens. You’ll be able to e-book tickets right here (you’ll must e-book effectively upfront).
From Buckingham Palace you may stroll by way of St James’s Park to get to Horse Guards Parade and Westminster. The latter is residence to a few of the most recognizable London landmarks. It’s what many individuals consider once they hear the phrase “London”.
Westminster Abbey is inspiring to see, the Homes of Parliament are lovely, and Huge Ben (Elizabeth Tower) is a should on any London itinerary. In case you have time, you may tour the abbey and parliament. You’ll be able to e-book tickets right here.
If you wish to see extra of the realm past the massive sights, you can too do my free self-guided Westminster stroll. It can lead you to a few of the facet streets and hidden locations locals love within the space.
When night comes, I like to recommend having an off-the-cuff dinner close to the place you’re staying. When you’re a bit jet lagged otherwise you needed to get up actually early to journey, you’re in all probability going to be exhausted.
You’ll be able to see my suggestions for eating places in London should you need assistance discovering a spot to eat. My interactive London neighborhoods map will even present you my space guides, which have restaurant suggestions.
When you’re operating on adrenaline or you will have vitality left, I like to recommend taking an open-top bus tour to get an outline of town. It’s a straightforward option to get a really feel for what London has to supply in the beginning of your journey. You’ll be able to e-book your tickets right here.
Day 2 in London: South Financial institution & the Metropolis
On the second morning of your 8-day London itinerary, begin by exploring the South Financial institution.
Proper on the Thames, this space is simply the spot to absorb the views from the London Eye, try the e-book market, or absorb the scene alongside the river. You will get London Eye tickets right here (you’ll must buy them effectively upfront).
There are at all times pop-ups, avenue performers, meals distributors, and different sorts of leisure happening right here. You’ll be able to even take a river cruise from Westminster Pier if you wish to see town from the Thames. You’ll be able to e-book tickets right here.
As you’re employed your approach from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, you’ll go by Tate Trendy and Borough Market, two extra of essentially the most well-known locations within the metropolis.
The museum is world-class, and the truth that it’s free means you may go in for as lengthy or little as you need. Even should you’re not into artwork, there are sweeping views from the highest of the Blavatnik Constructing.
Not distant, Borough Market is a enjoyable place to channel your internal meals lover and eat one thing scrumptious for lunch. It’s nice to stroll round and absorb the scents and colours of the stalls earlier than deciding on one thing.
After Borough Market you may head throughout London Bridge to get into the Metropolis of London. When you stroll on the east facet, you may take within the views of Tower Bridge as you go.
From the historic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the arches of Leadenhall Market, the Metropolis of London at all times awes me with its wealthy architectural historical past. You are able to do my self-guided Metropolis of London stroll if you wish to see the most effective of the realm.
If not, stroll or take the tube to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. You’ll be able to tour the tower and the bridge if you wish to, or simply admire them from the Thames. You’ll be able to e-book Tower of London tickets right here.
In case you have time afterwards, you may discover St Katharine Docks. This marina is among the most original locations in London, and it’s enjoyable to stroll round and take within the scene. There’s an ideal riverside pub right here, too.
For dinner, I like to recommend strolling throughout Tower Bridge and heading to Bermondsey Road. This can be a favourite amongst locals, and there are many pubs and eating places right here. Whether or not you need tapas or fish and chips, you will discover it.
Alternatively, Brick Lane isn’t removed from St Katharine Docks and the Tower of London. This well-known avenue in Spitalfields has plenty of cool eating places, pubs, and bars. It’s a enjoyable place to spend an evening out within the metropolis.
Day 3 in London: Notting Hill & the West Finish
Begin the third morning of your 8-day London itinerary in Notting Hill. This west London neighborhood is among the most colourful locations within the metropolis. You’ll discover all the things from the outlets to the mews streets to your liking.
If it’s a Saturday, you’ll have the ability to expertise the well-known Portobello Highway Market in all its glory. Simply attempt to arrive early to keep away from the crowds, particularly within the excessive season.
If it’s not a Saturday, you may nonetheless head to Portobello Highway and take a look at the market stalls and outlets which might be open whenever you go to. There’s some type of market right here virtually each day of the week.
Past the stalls and distributors, my free self-guided Notting Hill stroll is the proper option to get an outline of the neighborhood. It can present you all the things from the excessive streets to the hidden lanes.
Whether or not you’re taking the stroll or not, you may have lunch in Notting Hill earlier than heading down into Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
There’s lots to see and do right here for a day, from paddle boating on the Serpentine to visiting the artwork galleries (free entry) and touring Kensington Palace.
As night approaches, take the tube or stroll by way of Mayfair to get to the West Finish’s Soho and Covent Backyard. They’re a few of the most fun locations in central London within the evenings.
There’s no scarcity of tempting choices for foods and drinks round right here, and Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Sq., the Covent Backyard Piazza, and Leicester Sq. are at all times enjoyable locations to go in London at night time.
You’ll be able to have dinner within the West Finish earlier than going to a present. Whether or not you eat at a standard restaurant like Guidelines or at one of many many new ones opening on a regular basis, you may’t go fallacious on this a part of London.
There are at all times loads of performs, musicals, and comedy exhibits on, they usually’re entertaining methods to cap off a day of discovering London. From dramas to farces, you will have a great deal of choices.
If you wish to exit after seeing a present, there’s any variety of bars, pubs, and golf equipment in Covent Backyard and Soho you may select from. They’re nice methods to get into central London’s nightlife scene.
My favourite is Cahoots, a London Underground-themed speakeasy simply off Carnaby Road in Kingly Courtroom. It’s one among my favourite travel-themed bars within the UK capital.
Day 4 in London: Belgravia, Chelsea, Knightsbridge & South Kensington
Kick off the fourth morning of your 8-day London itinerary in Belgravia. This luxury space is stuffed with cute cafes and candy boutiques, significantly these on and round Elizabeth Road.
You’ll be able to go on my free self-guided Belgravia strolling tour to see the most effective of the neighborhood, or simply stroll across the squares and mews. Highlights embody Pimlico Highway, Motcomb Road, and Belgrave Sq..
From Belgravia, make your option to Sloane Sq. and the King’s Highway in Chelsea. That is the proper place to buy and eat, and also you’ll discover a vary of eating places to select from for lunch right here.
If it’s a Saturday, don’t miss the scrumptious meals market in Duke of York Sq.. If it’s not, there’s nonetheless lots to do right here. The King’s Highway is among the finest buying streets in London, and it’s an ideal place to take pleasure in some retail remedy.
If you wish to, you may go on my free self-guided Chelsea stroll to see the facet streets and riverfront space on this a part of west London. You’ll be able to even pop throughout the Thames to take a look at the outlets and eating places in Battersea Energy Station.
From Chelsea, you may both head as much as Knightsbridge to buy at iconic London department shops like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, or make your option to South Kensington to see the museums.
The Pure Historical past Museum, V&A, and Science Museum are proper subsequent to one another on and round Cromwell Highway. All of them supply free entry, so you may spend as a lot or as little time seeing their collections and exhibitions as you’d prefer to.
Whether or not you go to the outlets or the museums, within the night you may have dinner at one of many eating places outdoors the South Kensington tube station. There are many totally different cuisines to select from, and the realm has nice environment.
If you wish to proceed your day in model, there’s enjoyable nightlife round Walton Road and the King’s Highway. From bars to pubs and golf equipment, you will have loads of choices.
Day 5 in London: Day Journey
On the fifth of your 8 days within the UK capital, I like to recommend taking a day journey from London. Whereas there’s lots to maintain you busy within the metropolis, there are loads of wonderful locations to find round it.
When you love the English countryside, my high decide is a day journey to the Cotswolds. You’ll be able to journey independently with or with no automotive, or take a day tour. You’ll be able to e-book my favourite tour right here.
There are many fairly cities and villages to select from within the Cotswolds. My high picks are Painswick, Bibury, Burford, Kingham, and Higher Slaughter.
If historical past is your cup of tea, Winchester, Canterbury and Dover, Tub, Lewes, and Amersham are nice. Amersham is so shut you may take the tube from central London to get there.
If college cities are your factor, Oxford and Cambridge are classics. They’re a few of my favourite brief jaunts from the UK capital, and I’ve been to each numerous instances.
When you’re a fan of castles, you may take a day journey to Windsor Fortress, Hever Fortress, Scotney Fortress, Leeds Fortress, Warwick Fortress, Sissinghurst Fortress, or any variety of different historic fortresses close to London.
When you love the seaside, there are extra nice day journeys you may take. Brighton, Deal, and Hastings are my favorites. Every one has nice seashores and a great deal of outlets and eating places to take pleasure in.
If you wish to discover one other nation, you may even take a day journey to Paris from London. There are different day journeys from London to Europe that make for enjoyable days out as effectively.
When you’re in search of the most effective journeys to take at a specific time of yr, my seasonal guides to spring, summer time, autumn, and winter day journeys from London may help.
Once you get again to town, I like to recommend going to drinks or dinner (or each) at The Shard. This well-known skyscraper has a few of the finest views of the UK capital, and taking them in from a desk by a window is a enjoyable option to finish a night.
Day 6 in London: Hampstead, Camden & King’s Cross
Start the sixth morning of your 8-day London itinerary in Hampstead. This north London neighborhood is one among my favourite locations within the metropolis, principally owing to the truth that it appears like an enthralling nation village.
With fairly streets, nice pubs, and one of many metropolis’s largest parks, it’s the proper place to discover. I lived right here for years and I nonetheless return any probability I get.
You’ll be able to stroll round this London village by yourself, or go on my free self-guided Hampstead stroll or one among my Hampstead Heath walks to see better of the realm.
Once you get hungry, you may have lunch at one of many native pubs or a restaurant on Hampstead Excessive Road. My favorites are the Holly Bush, Jin Kichi, and Villa Bianca. The crepe stands are enjoyable, too, however the traces can transfer very slowly.
After lunch, you may stroll or take the tube previous Belsize Park and Primrose Hill to get to Camden City. It’s residence to the well-known Camden Excessive Road and markets like Camden Market, Buck Road Market, and Hawley Wharf.
You’ll be able to spend time taking within the colourful facades and looking the stalls whilst you’re right here. They’re superb spots to choose up items and enjoyable finds to take residence as souvenirs.
You’ll be able to keep in Camden till the solar goes down. The market has plenty of meals stalls the place you will discover dinner, and the realm has nice nightlife. It’s significantly well-known for its reside music scene.
From KOKO to the Roundhouse, there’s at all times a gig on. Well-known pubs like The World’s Finish have basement bars with reside performances, too.
Alternatively, after exploring Camden you may stroll alongside the Regent’s Canal towpath to get to King’s Cross. The realm round Granary Sq. and Coal Drops Yard is full of outlets, eating places, bars, and cafes. It’s place to get dinner.
Earlier than or after you eat, you may stroll all the way down to the realm’s practice stations. King’s Cross is known for its beautiful inside structure and Harry Potter connections.
Whilst you’re right here, you may take an image on the Platform 9 3/4 signal and decide up a memento from the Harry Potter store subsequent to it.
St Pancras Worldwide is understood for its exterior structure and enjoyable outlets and eating places. Designed by designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, it’s probably the most eye-catching historic buildings in London.
Coincidentally, it was additionally used as a filming location for one of many Harry Potter motion pictures. Yow will discover out which one in my weblog put up a few Harry Potter strolling tour.
If you wish to exit afterwards, there are many bars and pubs within the space. From those on Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross to native spots in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia, you’re spoiled for selection.
Day 7 in London: Bloomsbury, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Hackney
Spend the seventh of your 8 days in London exploring a number of extra enjoyable locations within the metropolis middle and the East Finish.
You can begin in Bloomsbury, the place you’ll have the ability to go to the British Museum (free entry) or simply wander round to absorb the realm’s many leafy squares. My free self-guided Bloomsbury stroll will present you the native highlights.
Afterwards it’s a straightforward stroll to Clerkenwell. Right here you may uncover London’s design district and discover locations like St John Road or Exmouth Market. Each are good spots to have lunch at one of many neighborhood’s beloved eating places.
St John restaurant is a favourite of mine, as is the Fox & Anchor pub, which is correct across the nook by Charterhouse Sq..
You are able to do my free self-guided Clerkenwell strolling tour if you need, too. It can take you across the space and to locations like Holborn and Smithfield.
Clerkenwell is a straightforward stroll from Previous Road, the place you’ll end up in hip Shoreditch. This space is known for its nightlife scene, so should you can time your arrival for the onset of the night, you’ll get to see the neighborhood in its component.
In case you have time or inclination, you may go on one among my free self-guided Shoreditch walks or stroll round to see the road artwork this east London neighborhood is understood for. My favourite place to see it right here is New Inn Yard.
You’ll be able to have dinner in Shoreditch earlier than heading to Hackney. This is among the coolest neighborhoods in London, and it has an ideal nightlife scene. The identical goes for close by Hackney Wick, which is among the most hipster locations within the metropolis.
Day 8 in London: St James’s, Mayfair & Marylebone
Begin the final morning of your 8-day London itinerary in St James’s. This conventional a part of the UK capital is known for its royal palace, males’s outlets, luxurious inns, and members’ golf equipment.
Once you arrive, you may stroll down roads like Jermyn Road and Piccadilly, and store at iconic department shops like Fortnum & Mason.
Once you’re finished discovering St James’s, cross Piccadilly to get to Mayfair. This chi chi space is residence to luxurious items outlets, fine-dining eating places, and the gorgeous curving stretch of Regent Road.
You’ll be able to go on my free Mayfair stroll if you wish to see the highlights. It can take you round to hidden mews, fairly gardens, and delightful facet streets locals love.
Mayfair is a perfect place to cease for a meal or afternoon tea, too. Whether or not you eat at an off-the-cuff cafe on Heddon Road, dine at a tucked-away place in Shepherd Market, or go all-out on a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant, you may’t go fallacious for lunch on this space.
With regards to tea, I like Brown’s Lodge afternoon tea and the jaw-dropping yellow room at Sketch. The previous is all British custom, whereas the latter is up to date and classy.
After lunch or tea, cross Oxford Road to get to Marylebone. That is one other of my favourite London neighborhoods, not least as a result of it has the most effective excessive streets in London.
There are many boutiques, eating places, pubs, cafes, and outlets on Marylebone Excessive Road. They’re nice locations to get into London’s culinary and retail remedy scenes.
From stylish boutiques to recognizable excessive avenue names, there’s one thing for everybody right here. My favourite place to store in Marylebone is Daunt Books. It’s one of many high (and most spectacular) unbiased bookshops in London.
If you wish to, you may go on my free self-guided Marylebone stroll to discover the neighborhood. It can take you round to some fairly mews and native gardens.
Once you’re finished in Marylebone, head over to Regent’s Park. This is among the grandest inexperienced areas in London, and it’s a enjoyable place for a stroll. If it’s summer time, be sure to take a look at the beautiful rose gardens.
When the day begins to fade, head again to Marylebone Excessive Road for dinner or depart by way of one of many different exits of the park and eat in fairly Primrose Hill, enjoyable Camden (should you didn’t spend a night right here earlier than), or traditional Fitzrovia.
In case you have further time in your final day in London, I like to recommend doing any last-minute buying you didn’t have time to do or filling in any gaps in your itinerary.
Likelihood is you’ll have heard about some extra locations whilst you’re on the town, and this can be a good alternative to go to them. Whether or not it’s a museum or an area market, there’s lots to maintain you busy earlier than your departure.
8-Day London Itinerary
I hope you’ve loved my 8-day London itinerary. That is a tremendous metropolis, and there’s a lot to do and see right here. I’ve spent years residing within the UK capital, and I nonetheless don’t really feel like I’ve skilled all the things it has to supply. Blissful travels!
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