In the present day I need to deliver you my 8-day London itinerary. Per week and a day is a perfect period of time to see the perfect the UK capital has to supply and discover additional afield. Wherever your pursuits lie, yow will discover loads of methods to fill your time in London, see the perfect of the town, and expertise locations locals love.
8-Day London Itinerary
Some of the thrilling issues about being a journey blogger helps individuals plan journeys. Whether or not it’s via my weblog posts or my journey planning providers, I all the time love serving to others get pleasure from a fuller expertise in London or overseas.
Folks typically ask me the way to spend 8 days in London, so I need to share the official A Girl in London itinerary for every week and a day within the UK capital with you immediately.
For those who’re an everyday reader, you’ll know I’ve shared many London itineraries on the weblog prior to now. I hope you’ll get pleasure from this one as a lot as you’ve preferred the others.
You too can 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 unsuitable strategy to spend your time within the metropolis. There’s a lot to do and see right here that you possibly can spend a lifetime exploring. There’s one thing for each style and curiosity, too.
My 8-day London itinerary accommodates a mixture of the massive sights and the locations native Londoners love.
Whether or not you need to see Massive Ben and the Tower of London, graze your means via Borough Market, or delve into the town’s Harry Potter websites, there’s one thing for everybody.
You may tailor the itinerary to match your private pursuits and magnificence. Higher but, you should use my London journey information to search out issues to do to your particular passions and fill in any gaps.
If you need extra inspiration, there’s much more concerning the metropolis in Secret London – An Uncommon Information. For those who’re within the UK, you possibly can get it right here. For those who’re within the US, you possibly can get it right here.
The place to Keep in London
There are many good choices for lodging in London. Whether or not you need to e-book your self a keep at a lodge or in an condominium, the town has an abundance of locations to select from.
Given the large measurement of London, I like to recommend basing your self in or close to the town middle. You may see my weblog posts concerning the greatest space to remain in London and the greatest motels to your type to get concepts and proposals.
For those who’re on the lookout for one thing enjoyable and weird, my guides to quirky motels in London and themed London motels have solutions, too.
If you wish to do a search, you possibly can 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 type and finances.
Day 1 in London: Buckingham Palace & Westminster
When you’ve arrived and settled into your lodge or condominium, there’s no higher place to begin a visit to the UK capital than Buckingham Palace.
You may 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 every week), or simply admire the monarch’s London residence from the massive gates.
For those who’re on the town throughout the palace’s seasonal opening, you can even take a tour of Buckingham Palace. It’s a enjoyable strategy to see the state rooms and gardens. You may e-book tickets right here (you’ll have to e-book properly prematurely).
From Buckingham Palace you possibly can stroll via St James’s Park to get to Horse Guards Parade and Westminster. The latter is house to among the most recognizable London landmarks. It’s what many individuals consider after they hear the phrase “London”.
Westminster Abbey is inspiring to see, the Homes of Parliament are stunning, and Massive Ben (Elizabeth Tower) is a should on any London itinerary. When you’ve got time, you possibly can tour the abbey and parliament. You may e-book tickets right here.
If you wish to see extra of the realm past the massive sights, you can even do my free self-guided Westminster stroll. It can lead you to among 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. For those who’re a bit jet lagged otherwise you needed to get up actually early to journey, you’re most likely going to be exhausted.
You may see my suggestions for eating places in London when you need assistance discovering a spot to eat. My interactive London neighborhoods map will even present you my space guides, which have restaurant suggestions.
For those who’re working on adrenaline or you’ve got power left, I like to recommend taking an open-top bus tour to get an outline of the town. It’s a simple strategy to get a really feel for what London has to supply at the beginning of your journey. You may 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 soak up 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 have to buy them properly prematurely).
There are all the time pop-ups, avenue performers, meals distributors, and different sorts of leisure occurring right here. You may even take a river cruise from Westminster Pier if you wish to see the town from the Thames. You may e-book tickets right here.
As you’re employed your means from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, you’ll go by Tate Fashionable 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 possibly can go in for as lengthy or little as you need. Even when 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 inside 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 possibly can head throughout London Bridge to get into the Metropolis of London. For those who stroll on the east facet, you possibly can 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 all the time 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 perfect of the realm.
If not, stroll or take the tube to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. You may tour the tower and the bridge if you wish to, or simply admire them from the Thames. You may e-book Tower of London tickets right here.
When you’ve got time afterwards, you possibly can discover St Katharine Docks. This marina is among the most unusual locations in London, and it’s enjoyable to stroll round and take within the scene. There’s an amazing riverside pub right here, too.
For dinner, I like to recommend strolling throughout Tower Bridge and heading to Bermondsey Road. It is a favourite amongst locals, and there are many pubs and eating places right here. Whether or not you need tapas or fish and chips, yow 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 a number 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 every little thing from the retailers to the mews streets to your liking.
If it’s a Saturday, you’ll be capable of expertise the well-known Portobello Street 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 possibly can nonetheless head to Portobello Street and take a look at the market stalls and retailers which might be open once you go to. There’s some type of market right here virtually every single day of the week.
Past the stalls and distributors, my free self-guided Notting Hill stroll is the proper strategy to get an outline of the neighborhood. It can present you every little thing from the excessive streets to the hidden lanes.
Whether or not you are taking the stroll or not, you possibly can have lunch in Notting Hill earlier than heading down into Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
There’s loads 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 via Mayfair to get to the West Finish’s Soho and Covent Backyard. They’re among the most enjoyable locations in central London within the evenings.
There’s no scarcity of tempting choices for food and drinks round right here, and Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Sq., the Covent Backyard Piazza, and Leicester Sq. are all the time enjoyable locations to go in London at evening.
You may have dinner within the West Finish earlier than going to a present. Whether or not you eat at a conventional restaurant like Guidelines or at one of many many new ones opening on a regular basis, you possibly can’t go unsuitable on this a part of London.
There are all the time loads of performs, musicals, and comedy reveals on, and so they’re entertaining methods to cap off a day of discovering London. From dramas to farces, you’ve got 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 possibly can 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 Court docket. It’s considered one of 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, notably these on and round Elizabeth Road.
You may go on my free self-guided Belgravia strolling tour to see the perfect of the neighborhood, or simply stroll across the squares and mews. Highlights embrace Pimlico Street, Motcomb Road, and Belgrave Sq..
From Belgravia, make your strategy to Sloane Sq. and the King’s Street 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 loads to do right here. The King’s Street is among the greatest buying streets in London, and it’s an amazing place to bask in some retail remedy.
If you wish to, you possibly can go on my free self-guided Chelsea stroll to see the facet streets and riverfront space on this a part of west London. You may even pop throughout the Thames to take a look at the retailers and eating places in Battersea Energy Station.
From Chelsea, you possibly can both head as much as Knightsbridge to buy at iconic London malls like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, or make your strategy 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 Street. All of them provide free entry, so you possibly can spend as a lot or as little time seeing their collections and exhibitions as you’d wish to.
Whether or not you go to the retailers or the museums, within the night you possibly can have dinner at one of many eating places exterior the South Kensington tube station. There are many completely different cuisines to select from, and the realm has nice ambiance.
If you wish to proceed your day in type, there’s enjoyable nightlife round Walton Road and the King’s Street. From bars to pubs and golf equipment, you’ve got 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 loads to maintain you busy within the metropolis, there are loads of superb locations to find round it.
For those who love the English countryside, my prime decide is a day journey to the Cotswolds. You may journey independently with or and not using a automobile, or take a day tour. You may e-book my favourite tour right here.
There are many fairly cities and villages to select from within the Cotswolds. My prime 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 possibly can 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.
For those who’re a fan of castles, you possibly can take a day journey to Windsor Citadel, Hever Citadel, Scotney Citadel, Leeds Citadel, Warwick Citadel, Sissinghurst Citadel, or any variety of different historic fortresses close to London.
For those who love the seaside, there are extra nice day journeys you possibly can take. Brighton, Deal, and Hastings are my favorites. Every one has nice seashores and a great deal of retailers and eating places to get pleasure from.
If you wish to discover one other nation, you possibly can 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 properly.
For those who’re on the lookout for the perfect journeys to take at a selected time of 12 months, my seasonal guides to spring, summer season, autumn, and winter day journeys from London will help.
If you get again to the town, I like to recommend going to drinks or dinner (or each) at The Shard. This well-known skyscraper has among the greatest views of the UK capital, and taking them in from a desk by a window is a enjoyable strategy 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 considered one of my favourite locations within the metropolis, principally owing to the truth that it seems like a captivating nation village.
With fairly streets, nice pubs, and one of many metropolis’s greatest parks, it’s the proper place to discover. I lived right here for years and I nonetheless return any likelihood I get.
You may stroll round this London village by yourself, or go on my free self-guided Hampstead stroll or considered one of my Hampstead Heath walks to see better of the realm.
If you get hungry, you possibly can 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 possibly can stroll or take the tube previous Belsize Park and Primrose Hill to get to Camden City. It’s house to the well-known Camden Excessive Road and markets like Camden Market, Buck Road Market, and Hawley Wharf.
You may spend time taking within the colourful facades and searching the stalls when you’re right here. They’re ideally suited spots to select up presents and enjoyable finds to take house as souvenirs.
You may keep in Camden till the solar goes down. The market has a number of meals stalls the place yow will discover dinner, and the realm has nice nightlife. It’s notably well-known for its reside music scene.
From KOKO to the Roundhouse, there’s all the time a gig on. Well-known pubs like The World’s Finish have basement bars with reside performances, too.
Alternatively, after exploring Camden you possibly can 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 retailers, eating places, bars, and cafes. It’s a superb place to get dinner.
Earlier than or after you eat, you possibly can stroll all the way down to the realm’s prepare stations. King’s Cross is known for its beautiful inside structure and Harry Potter connections.
When you’re right here, you possibly can 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 retailers and eating places. Designed by designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, it’s some of the eye-catching historic buildings in London.
Coincidentally, it was additionally used as a filming location for one of many Harry Potter films. You’ll find out which one in my weblog submit 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 alternative.
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 be capable of go to the British Museum (free entry) or simply wander round to soak up the realm’s many leafy squares. My free self-guided Bloomsbury stroll will present you the native highlights.
Afterwards it’s a simple stroll to Clerkenwell. Right here you possibly can 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 would like, too. It can take you across the space and to locations like Holborn and Smithfield.
Clerkenwell is a simple stroll from Previous Road, the place you’ll end up in hip Shoreditch. This space is known for its nightlife scene, so when you can time your arrival for the onset of the night, you’ll get to see the neighborhood in its component.
When you’ve got time or inclination, you possibly can go on considered one of 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 may have dinner in Shoreditch earlier than heading to Hackney. This is among the coolest neighborhoods in London, and it has an amazing 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 retailers, luxurious motels, and members’ golf equipment.
If you arrive, you possibly can stroll down roads like Jermyn Road and Piccadilly, and store at iconic malls like Fortnum & Mason.
If you’re executed discovering St James’s, cross Piccadilly to get to Mayfair. This chi chi space is house to luxurious items retailers, fine-dining eating places, and the gorgeous curving stretch of Regent Road.
You may 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 possibly can’t go unsuitable for lunch on this space.
In relation to tea, I like Brown’s Resort afternoon tea and the jaw-dropping yellow room at Sketch. The previous is all British custom, whereas the latter is up to date and trendy.
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 top-of-the-line excessive streets in London.
There are many boutiques, eating places, pubs, cafes, and retailers 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 prime (and most spectacular) impartial bookshops in London.
If you wish to, you possibly can go on my free self-guided Marylebone stroll to discover the neighborhood. It can take you round to some fairly mews and native gardens.
If you’re executed 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 season, ensure that to take a look at the beautiful rose gardens.
When the day begins to fade, head again to Marylebone Excessive Road for dinner or go away through one of many different exits of the park and eat in fairly Primrose Hill, enjoyable Camden (when you didn’t spend a night right here earlier than), or basic Fitzrovia.
When you’ve got additional 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 when 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 loads 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 every little thing it has to supply. Joyful travels!
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