In the present day I need to share my itinerary for six days in London with you. Slightly below every week is a perfect period of time to spend within the metropolis. You’ll be capable to get an summary of what the UK capital has to supply guests, see the highlights, and uncover locations that suit your private pursuits. You’ll even have time to take a day journey. Learn on for the official A Woman in London itinerary.
6 Days in London
One in every of my favourite issues about operating a journey weblog for a residing is that I get to assist individuals plan their journeys. Whether or not it’s by way of my weblog posts or my journey planning companies, I all the time like understanding my readers and followers have had a greater expertise in London or overseas after studying my posts.
I usually get requested tips on how to spend 6 days in London, so at present I need to share my itinerary. From sightseeing spots to native areas and nice locations to eat, drink, and store, it has quite a lot of issues to see and do within the metropolis.
I’ve created a variety of London itineraries, and I hope you’ll discover this one as useful as you’ve discovered the others. You too can check out my 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, 5-day, 7-day, 8-day, and 10-day itineraries for extra inspiration.
I’ve even developed itineraries for 36 hours, 48 hours, and a weekend in London.
One of the best factor is that there’s no proper or improper solution to spend your time within the metropolis. You may regulate my 6-day London itinerary to suit your journey fashion and private passions. No matter you find yourself doing, you’ll get a stable overview of what the UK capital has for guests.
You need to use my London journey information and my checklist of 51 issues to do in London in a 12 months to fill within the gaps or discover seasonal occasions which are happening if you’re visiting, too.
The place to Keep in London
Relating to the place to remain in London, you may have numerous selection. Whether or not you need to hire a flat or ebook a lodge room, the town has quite a lot of locations for each fashion, style, and funds.
Given London is large and the points of interest are widespread, I extremely advocate selecting someplace in or close to the town middle. You may try my weblog posts concerning the greatest space to remain in London, the greatest accommodations to your fashion, and quirky accommodations for concepts. I’ve even written about pubs with rooms.
You too can discover offers and ebook lodging in London right here. With so many nice locations to select from, you’re sure to seek out someplace you like.
How you can Pack for six Days in London
When you’ve determined when to come back, it’s a must to pack for London. Relying if you go to, that can imply various things.
I’ve written packing lists for summer season, autumn, winter, and spring that may aid you resolve what to put on in London. I’ve additionally created a basic checklist of issues to deliver all 12 months.
In case you’re flying to the town, you possibly can check out my long-haul packing checklist and my information to tips on how to pack with only a carry-on (I used to be interviewed by The New York Occasions concerning the latter).
Day 1 in London: Buckingham Palace & Westminster
When you’re on the town, you possibly can start the primary of your 6 days in London with espresso and meals. Whether or not you head to top-of-the-line espresso retailers in London or some of the scrumptious locations for breakfast, you’ll gasoline your self up nicely.
Afterwards you’ll be prepared for a enjoyable day of discovering the highlights of the UK capital. My favourite place to begin sightseeing in London is Westminster.
You may head to Buckingham Palace first. This well-known royal residence in London attracts individuals from all throughout the globe, and it’s a must-see on a first-time London itinerary.
In case you’d prefer to, you possibly can time your go to to coincide with the formal Altering the Guard ceremony. It takes place a number of days every week in entrance of the palace. If not, you possibly can admire the monarch’s London residence from exterior the gates.
In case you’re visiting the town in the course of the annual seasonal opening, you may as well tour Buckingham Palace. You’ll get an opportunity to undergo the state rooms, stroll across the gardens, and see the particular exhibition. You may ebook tickets right here.
After visiting the palace (or simply seeing it from exterior) you possibly can wander by way of St James’s Park and out to Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall.
From there it’s a brief stroll to Westminster’s Parliament Sq.. This place is residence to a number of the metropolis’s most beloved landmarks, together with Elizabeth Tower and its well-known bell, Massive Ben.
You’ll additionally see the Homes of Parliament and Westminster Abbey right here. If in case you have time, you possibly can tour parliament and the abbey. You may ebook tickets right here.
In case you’d prefer to, you possibly can go on my free self-guided Westminster stroll to find the world past the primary points of interest. The route will lead you to the quiet lanes and hidden areas locals love.
If you’re finished seeing Westminster, stroll throughout the Thames to get to the South Financial institution. It is a enjoyable space to meander round, browse the markets, and absorb the scene alongside the water.
You may trip the London Eye whilst you’re right here, too. It gives a number of the greatest views within the UK capital. You may ebook tickets right here (you’ll must ebook nicely upfront, because it sells out).
The South Financial institution is understood for its animated road performers, pop-ups, seasonal festivals, meals vans, and different leisure. It’s all the time a deal with to wander round and see what’s on if you’re within the space.
If you’ve completed discovering the South Financial institution, you possibly can stroll alongside the river to get to Tate Trendy and Borough Market. They’re two extra of the town’s best-known landmarks.
Tate Trendy is a world-class artwork museum. It gives free entry, so it’s straightforward to go inside for as lengthy (or as little) as you need to. There are nice views from the higher flooring as nicely.
Borough Market is one in every of my favourite locations to get one thing to eat for lunch. It’s all the time pleasant to weave your approach across the stalls and absorb the colours and smells as you browse.
After you’ve eaten lunch, you possibly can hop on the tube and trip it to Covent Backyard. If you get there, you possibly can stroll by way of the well-known piazza to see what’s on within the retailers and markets.
From there you possibly can discover the world round Seven Dials, Neal’s Yard, Mercer Stroll and St Martin’s Courtyard. There are many shops to duck into and enjoyable sights to encourage the senses.
After exploring Covent Backyard, you may make your approach by way of Trafalgar Sq., Leicester Sq., and Piccadilly Circus to get to Regent Road and Piccadilly. There’s nice buying right here, together with well-known London department shops like Fortnum & Mason and Liberty.
When the solar units, there are many locations you possibly can go for dinner in Mayfair, Soho, or Covent Backyard. These areas have a spread of choices for eating, from informal to formal.
You may see my suggestions for eating places and pubs in London in the event you need assistance discovering a spot to eat. I’ve included a range in any respect value factors.
After dinner you possibly can go on an open-top bus tour to get extra of a really feel for London. It’s a good way to see what the UK capital has to supply in a brief period of time. You may ebook tickets right here.
Day 2 in London: Bloomsbury, South Kensington, Royal Parks & West Finish
You can begin the second morning of your 6-day London itinerary with espresso or breakfast in Bloomsbury. From Retailer Road to Lamb’s Conduit Road, there’s no scarcity of enjoyable native spots right here.
After consuming you possibly can stroll over to the British Museum. It’s a treasure trove of antiquities from everywhere in the world, and morning is a perfect time to be right here as a result of there could be fewer crowds.
The British Museum is large, and it may take up a complete day of sightseeing in London. It’s a good suggestion to stay to the rooms you’re most excited by.
Entry is free, although, so you possibly can keep for so long as you want. In case you want some route, the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian rooms are musts for many first-time guests. The Parthenon Sculptures are standard, too.
If you’re completed seeing the components of the gathering that pique your curiosity, you possibly can head to the museum’s beautiful Nice Courtroom for a light-weight lunch within the cafe or restaurant.
In order for you one thing completely different, Charlotte Road in Fitzrovia has nice locations to eat. It’s in straightforward strolling distance of the museum, and it’s top-of-the-line locations to eat close to London’s prime points of interest.
Wherever you select to eat, proceed the second of your 6 days in London by getting on the tube and taking it to South Kensington. You will have two choices right here: head to a different museum or buy groceries.
In case you select the previous, there are three main museums on this a part of London. I like to recommend selecting one. All of them supply free entry, so you possibly can keep for as little or so long as you’d like.
I really like the Pure Historical past Museum for its lovely structure and larger-than-life shows, the V&A for its world-class artwork and design (to not point out its superb cafe and nice exhibitions), and the Science Museum for its stimulating reveals.
In case you don’t need to go to a museum, there are many retailers in and round South Kensington. You may try the boutiques on Brompton Highway and Fulham Highway, or stroll all the way down to the King’s Highway in Chelsea.
You too can head to Knightsbridge to go to well-known department shops like Harrods and Harvey Nichols whilst you’re right here. Harrods Meals Halls are value a go to in their very own proper.
If in case you have time, you possibly can even stroll down Sloane Road and head over to Belgravia. The spotlight of the world is Elizabeth Road, which is legendary for its floral facades.
After exploring a museum or going buying, you may make your approach as much as Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. The formal backyard by Kensington Palace is one in every of my favourite inexperienced areas within the metropolis, and with 6 days in London, strolling by way of its vine arches is a should.
The Serpentine lake in Hyde Park is all the time enjoyable to wander round, and the Diana Memorial Fountain is value seeing in the event you’re a fan of the late princess.
If you attain Hyde Park Nook, you’ll most likely be able to relaxation your legs. There’s no higher solution to do it than by treating your self to afternoon tea in London.
There are many good choices close to Hyde Park, so that you’ll don’t have any drawback discovering one which tempts your style buds (simply ensure to ebook nicely upfront).
From The Dorchester to The Lanesborough, The Berkeley to the Mandarin Oriental, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower to Claridge’s, The Halkin to The Goring, The Ritz, Brown’s, and Fortnum & Mason, this a part of the town has numerous choices for afternoon tea.
When night comes, proceed your itinerary for six days in London by heading to the West Finish to see a present. There are many performs, musicals, and comedy acts you may get tickets for on any given evening in London.
The UK capital has a world-class theater scene, so whether or not you’re up for going to a drama in Soho or a musical in Covent Backyard, there’s one thing thrilling you’ll take pleasure in.
In case you’re hungry after the present, you possibly can reap the benefits of the late opening hours of lots of the eating places within the West Finish. You may nonetheless be full from afternoon tea, although.
In case you’re within the temper for nightlife, you could find it on this a part of London. My favourite place is Cahoots, a travel-themed bar in Kingly Courtroom.
Different enjoyable locations embrace Ronnie Scott’s jazz membership, the pubs dotted all through the West Finish, and bars like Mr Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Backyard.
Day 3 in London: Day Journey
On the third of your 6 days in London, I like to recommend taking a day journey. There are many locations close to the town which are definitely worth the effort to go to, and so they’re straightforward to get to by practice, automobile, or on a guided tour.
If you wish to see well-known college cities, look no additional than Oxford and Cambridge. They’re two of the preferred locations to go on a time out from London.
If cathedral cities are your factor, my prime picks are Canterbury in Kent, York in Yorkshire, Norwich in Norfolk, St Albans in Hertfordshire, and Ely in Cambridgeshire. All of them have awe-inspiring church buildings and exquisite metropolis facilities.
If the seaside beckons, Brighton, Deal, and Hastings are my favourite locations to be by the water. All of them have loads of seashores, retailers, and eating places to take pleasure in. They’re straightforward day journeys from London by practice as nicely.
In case you dream of the English countryside, a day journey to the Cotswolds is simply the factor. You may go independently with or and not using a automobile, or on a guided day tour. You may see choices and ebook a tour right here.
There’s no scarcity of charming cities and villages within the Cotswolds to go to. My favorites embrace Painswick, Bibury, Higher Slaughter, and Fortress Combe, however it’s exhausting to go improper.
In case you love historical past, Winchester, Bathtub, Lewes, Canterbury and Dover, Hampton Courtroom Palace, Battle, Bletchley Park, and Amersham are for you. Amersham is so shut you possibly can even take the tube.
In case you’re into castles, there are many castles close to London you possibly can go to. From Windsor Fortress to Leeds Fortress, Hever Fortress, Scotney Fortress, Warwick Fortress, and Dover Fortress, there are heaps to select from. They’re a number of the greatest castles in England.
In case you like historic mansions, there’s no scarcity of stately properties close to London you possibly can go to. Downton Abbey followers will love touring Highclere Fortress, and royal lovers will take pleasure in Polesden Lacey.
Then there are lovely locations like Petworth Home, Burghley Home, Blenheim Palace, Knole in Sevenoaks, and Sissinghurst Fortress with its lovely gardens.
In case you’re feeling formidable, you possibly can take a day journey to Paris from London. There are different day journeys from London to Europe that make for excellent adventures, too. From Brussels to Lille and Amsterdam, you may have a number of good choices.
In case you’re on the lookout for seasonal journeys, you possibly can try my guides to spring, summer season, autumn, and winter day journeys from London for concepts.
Day 4 in London: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Metropolis & East Finish
Begin the subsequent morning of your 6-day London itinerary on the Tower of London. Relationship again to the eleventh century, this place amazes guests with its historical past.
Getting right here early will let you keep away from the large crowds that descend later within the day. I like to recommend taking a guided tour with an early-access ticket so you possibly can see the Crown Jewels and meet a Beefeater with out the large strains.
You’ll additionally be capable to tour the White Tower and go to the opposite beloved landmarks throughout the partitions. You may ebook your tickets right here.
After touring the Tower of London, stroll over to St Katharine Docks for a fast lunch at a spot like White Mulberries. This distinctive marina subsequent to Tower Bridge is a good place to take pleasure in an off-the-cuff meal on a day of sightseeing.
After lunch you possibly can stroll over to Tower Bridge. This inspiring feat of Victorian engineering is without doubt one of the hottest landmarks in London. You may stroll throughout it, then head as much as the highest on a self-guided tour if you wish to. You may ebook tickets right here.
If you go away Tower Bridge, you possibly can head over to the Metropolis of London. There’s heaps to see on this a part of the UK capital.
From the enduring dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to up to date viewing platforms just like the Sky Backyard and Horizon 22, this a part of the UK capital comprises numerous previous and new structure.
If you wish to see the highlights, you possibly can go on my self-guided Metropolis of London strolling tour. It would present you every thing from the well-known landmarks to the key lanes.
If you go away the Metropolis, you possibly can stroll or take public transport to Spitalfields. From the stalls at Outdated Spitalfields Market to the colourful classic retailers on Brick Lane and the eating places across the Outdated Truman Brewery, there’s so much to like on this a part of the East Finish.
After buying and exploring, you possibly can stroll as much as Shoreditch for the night. Right here you’ll be capable to absorb east London’s stylish hub.
From Shoreditch Excessive Road and Nice Jap Road to Rivington Road and Redchurch Road, there’s all the time one thing new to find on this hipster London neighborhood.
You’ll be in the best place for a enjoyable evening out, too. The East Finish is without doubt one of the metropolis’s greatest areas for nightlife, and there’s no scarcity of eating places, bars, pubs, speakeasies, and pop-ups to go to.
Whether or not you need to eat dinner at a hip new restaurant, an off-the-cuff place in Boxpark Shoreditch, or a historic pub, you may have a number of choices.
If in case you have power for going out after dinner, there are nice bars and golf equipment in and round this a part of the town. They’re thrilling locations to finish your evening in London.
Whether or not you go for Hoxton Sq., Hackney, Hackney Wick, Bethnal Inexperienced, or one other cool space within the East Finish, you’re sure to have enjoyable.
Day 5 in London: Native Space
On the subsequent of your 6 days in London, you possibly can stay like a neighborhood and discover one of many metropolis’s beloved neighborhoods. They’re what I really like most concerning the UK capital, and so they’re nice locations to get to know the aspect of London residents spend time in.
Whether or not you take pleasure in a village environment, a leafy park, a riverfront space, or a historic neighborhood, there’s a spot for you. I’ve listed a few of my favorites beneath to offer you concepts.
You may examine extra under-the-radar locations within the metropolis within the well-known ebook Secret London – An Uncommon Information. You may get it on Amazon right here.
Greenwich
Greenwich numbers amongst my favourite native London neighborhoods. In case you like historical past, it’s an awesome place to spend one in every of your 6 days in London.
Situated within the southeast of the town, Greenwich is greatest reached by boat from central London. The trip is a spotlight of spending a day right here, and it’s thrilling to soak up the views from the Thames. You may ebook tickets right here.
Greenwich is simply the spot for historical past lovers and stargazers. It has extra museums per sq. foot than seemingly every other a part of the town, and it’s residence to the Royal Observatory of Greenwich Imply Time fame.
This neighborhood is the right place so as to add to your 6-day London itinerary in the event you love digging into the previous, having fun with good views, or staring on the evening sky.
The buying right here is nice, too. Whether or not you’re into excessive road retailers or historic coated markets, Greenwich has one thing for everybody.
If that every one sounds good, you can begin your time out in Greenwich with the aforementioned boat trip. It would take you proper to the center of Maritime Greenwich.
From the river you possibly can take within the Cutty Sark, a Nineteenth-century British clipper ship. You may tour it if you wish to, or simply peer into it from the glass exterior.
From the Cutty Sark you possibly can stroll over to the Nationwide Maritime Museum. This place is filled with all issues British historical past, and its plethora of treasures and interactive reveals makes it enjoyable for guests of all ages. It gives free entry, so you possibly can keep for so long as you’d like.
Afterwards you possibly can go into the chapel of the Outdated Royal Naval School to see the well-known painted ceiling. This place has been used as a filming location for a lot of motion pictures and TV reveals set in London, so that you may acknowledge it.
The identical goes for the buildings that make up the Outdated Royal Naval School. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, they’re not solely lovely to see, but in addition standard filming websites.
From the Outdated Royal Naval School it’s a simple stroll to the Queen’s Home. This Seventeenth-century quantity is a high-quality instance of Palladian structure, and there’s a shocking spiral staircase inside. It gives free entry, too, so it’s straightforward to pop in and probe for a bit.
From the Queen’s Home you possibly can stroll to lunch on the coated market in Greenwich. This historic place has an abundance of stalls promoting every kind of ready meals, so that you’re positive to seek out one thing that appeals to your urge for food. There are candy treats as nicely.
After lunch, you possibly can stroll into Greenwich Park and head up the hill to the Royal Observatory. This place is thrilling to discover, particularly in the event you’re excited by all issues astronomy.
It’s a one-of-a-kind expertise to face with a foot on both aspect of the Prime Meridian. You’ll need to absorb the sweeping views of London from the crest of the hill in Greenwich Park, too.
If you’re finished taking within the panoramas, you possibly can head again down into Greenwich and discover the aspect streets with their colourful homes and doorways. There are many beautiful lanes round right here, and so they’re value discovering.
If you wish to see the very best of the world, my free self-guided Greenwich strolling tour will lead you to all of the locations I discussed above (and extra!).
When it’s dinner time, you may have a number of locations to select from. Greenwich has enjoyable pubs, together with the well-known Trafalgar Tavern. You may watch the waves splash towards the outer partitions right here when it’s excessive tide on the Thames.
After dinner you possibly can finish your day with a ship journey again into central London. It’s a enjoyable solution to see the sights at evening.
Notting Hill
An alternative choice is to proceed your 6 days in London by exploring Notting Hill. This well-known neighborhood is understood for its vibrant colours, enjoyable retailers, buzzing market, and exquisite mews.
If that appeals, you can begin your day in Notting Hill with a stroll by way of the well-known Portobello Highway Market (it’s busiest on Saturdays, so attempt to go then and arrive early).
If you’re finished strolling across the market, you possibly can eat lunch there or at one of many space’s many eating places and cafes. From informal locations to upscale ones, there’s a range round Portobello Highway and Westbourne Grove.
Within the afternoon you possibly can discover Notting Hill’s aspect streets and hidden mews. My free self-guided Notting Hill strolling tour is a good way to do it, as it should take you round to probably the most picturesque ones.
When night comes, you possibly can head to dinner at one of many neighborhood’s beloved pubs and take a look at the nightlife scene. There are many locations to exit right here, and it’s a enjoyable space to take pleasure in a meal and drinks on the finish of an enormous day.
Richmond
Within the southwest, Richmond is one other London neighborhood that’s value spending a day exploring. It’s straightforward to get right here by tube or practice from central London, and it makes vacation spot to your 6-day London itinerary.
Residence to a reasonably riverfront space, enjoyable retailers and eating places, and a park full of deer, Richmond is for you in the event you take pleasure in being open air and also you need to really feel like a neighborhood in London.
You can begin your time out in Richmond with breakfast or espresso at one of many space’s cafes. Whether or not you select a well-recognized chain or an impartial spot, there are many choices.
If you’re finished fueling up, you possibly can uncover the aspect streets. The lanes, walks, and courts that radiate from the excessive road are stuffed with little surprises (and well-known Ted Lasso filming places).
Richmond Inexperienced is picturesque, too. In case you’re fortunate, you may see a neighborhood cricket match happening whilst you’re right here. In case you want some route, my free self-guided Richmond strolling tour is simply the factor.
If you’re finished, you possibly can store on the excessive road. There are every kind of recognizable names and impartial boutiques on and across the neighborhood thoroughfare.
After buying, you possibly can eat lunch at a riverside pub. They’re excellent locations to absorb the solar and watch the boats go by on the water.
You may stroll alongside the river if you’ve completed lunch. Whether or not you need a brief stroll or an extended one, the Thames Path offers you choices.
You may even stroll all the way in which to Ham Home, a Nationwide Belief property in London. It’s value touring in the event you like historical past. The gardens and artwork assortment are spectacular, too.
After your stroll you possibly can head up the hill to Richmond Park. This place is without doubt one of the metropolis’s greatest and most spectacular inexperienced areas.
Richmond Park is legendary for its deer, so have your digicam prepared as you’re exploring. They’re superb to see up shut.
In order for you some route, you possibly can see routes without cost self-guided walks on my weblog put up about park walks in London.
When the solar begins to sink, you possibly can head again into the neighborhood for dinner at one of many eating places or pubs close to the excessive road, then hop on the tube or a practice again to central London.
Day 6 in London: Hampstead, Camden & King’s Cross
Start the final morning of your 6 days in London in Hampstead. This gorgeous north London neighborhood is one in every of my favourite locations within the metropolis. It appears like a rustic village.
With historic pubs, charming streets, and one of many UK capital’s largest parks, it’s the best place to discover. I lived right here for years and I nonetheless return any probability I get.
You may stroll round this London village by yourself, or take my free self-guided Hampstead stroll or one in every of my Hampstead Heath walks to find better of the world.
When lunch o’clock rolls round, you possibly can eat 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 strains could be gradual.
After consuming, you possibly can stroll or take the tube previous Belsize Park and Primrose Hill to get to Camden City. Right here you’ll discover Camden Excessive Road and markets like Camden Market, Hawley Wharf, and Buck Road Market.
You may absorb Camden’s funky facades and browse the market stalls whilst you’re right here. They’re excellent spots to choose up items and enjoyable issues to take residence as souvenirs.
You may keep in Camden till night units in. The market has a number of meals stalls the place you possibly can eat dinner, and the world has a legendary nightlife scene. It’s notably beloved for stay music.
From the Roundhouse to KOKO, there’s all the time a gig on. Iconic pubs like The World’s Finish have basement bars with stay reveals, too.
Alternatively, after Camden you possibly can stroll alongside the Regent’s Canal towpath to get to King’s Cross. The world round Granary Sq. and Coal Drops Yard is filled with retailers, eating places, bars, and cafes. It’s a enjoyable place to have dinner.
Earlier than or after you dine, you possibly can head all the way down to the world’s landmark practice stations. King’s Cross is legendary for its awe-inspiring inside structure and Harry Potter connections.
Whereas inside, you possibly can take an image on the Platform 9 3/4 signal and choose up a memento from the Harry Potter store proper subsequent to it.
Throughout the road from King’s Cross station, St Pancras Worldwide is understood for its beautiful exterior structure.
Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, it’s some of the beloved heritage buildings in London. There are nice retailers and eating places inside, too.
Coincidentally, St Pancras was additionally used as a filming location for one of many Harry Potter motion pictures. You’ll find out which one in my weblog put up with a Harry Potter stroll.
If you wish to exit after exploring and consuming, there’s a spread of pubs and bars round right here. From those on Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross to native spots in close by Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury, you’re spoiled for selection.
6 Days in London
I hope you’ve loved this 6-day London itinerary and that it’s given you good concepts for issues to do within the UK capital. There’s so much to see and expertise right here, and I’m positive you’ll go away wanting to come back again and discover extra.
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