See London in four days
Day one
What you will see:The most important political sights, the most important royal sights, three London parks
We will begin all four days in the centre of the city – once heading west, then north, east and finally south along the river.
Trafalgar Square is home to Nelson’s Column and two huge galleries – the National Portrait Gallery Opening times: 10–6 (Mon–Tue, Thu–Sun) 10–9 (Wed). Cost: Free., and National Gallery Opening times: 10–6 (Mon–Tue, Thu–Sun) 10–9 (Wed). Cost: Free..
Now head down Whitehall to Parliament Square. Some of the sites along the way include Banqueting House, Horse Guards Parade, the Cenotaph and Downing Street.
At the end of Whitehall you’ll find Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Once you have taken a reel of photos, walk across the square to Westminster Abbey.
Westminster Abbey is London’s most prestigious religious building – the setting for coronations, state funerals, and the burial place of some of our greatest kings and queens. Opening times: 9.30–2. Cost: Adults £10.00; Children £7.00 (under-16); Family ticket £24.00.
Now head northeast towards St. James’s Park, where you’ll come across the Cabinet War Rooms – home to Winston Churchill during the dark days of World War II.
Skirt the southside of the lake until you come across the bridge in the middle. This will give you one of the most celebrated views of Buckingham Palace.
As you walk along the Mall keep an eye out for St. James’s Palace and Clarence House – still used by the Royals today.
We then suggest you take a stroll up Constitution Hill to Wellington Arch. This commemorates the Duke of Wellington’s victories. His impressive mansion is just across road – Apsley House.
Walk east towards Knightsbridge until you get to the world’s most famous department store – Harrods. Opening times: 10–8 (Mon–Sat); noon–6 (Sun).
If you carry on down the Brompton Road you’ll come across three world-class museums – the V&A Opening times: 10–5.45 (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun); 10–10 (Fri). Cost: Free., the Natural History Museum Opening times: 10–5.50. Cost: Free. and the Science Museum Opening times: 10–6. Cost: Free..
A walk up Exhibition Road will take you past another famous landmark – Royal Albert Hall. Head north into the park and you’ll come across the Albert Memorial.
A short stroll through Kensington Gardens will take you to Kensington Palace. Opening times: 10–5. Cost: Adults £12.30; Children £6.15 (under-16); Family ticket £34.00.
Day two
What you will see:The best of central London – Soho, Mayfair, Marylebone, Regent’s Park
Starting off in Trafalgar Square again, this time we will head north to Leicester Square and London’s West End district.
Keep going past the square until you get to Gerrard Street and Chinatown, then head east down Shaftesury Avenue. This will bring you out to Piccadilly Circus – a favourite photospot for tourists.
A stroll down Piccadilly will take you past Fortnum & Mason and the Royal Academy of Arts. Head down the famous Burlington Arcade until you come out the other side.
We will now head back the way we came to Regent Street. As you head north you can spend a little money in Hamleys, Liberty and Carnaby Street.
When you get to Hanover Street turn west, and walk past Mayfair’s residential mansions. Mayfair is one of richest districts in London – home to the US Embassy at Grosvenor Square.
If you carry on heading west you will eventually reach Hyde Park, at which point we will turn north along Park Lane to Marble Arch and the world-famous Speaker’s Corner.
Turn east down Oxford Street, and north when your reach Baker Street. You are now heading into Marylebone.
Baker Street is famous for the Sherlock Holmes Museum at No. 221b, but we will head east towards one of London’s most famous attractions – Madame Tussauds. Opening times: 9.30–5.30. Cost: Adults £20.00; Children £16.00 (under-16).
We will now cut through London’s loveliest open space – Regent’s Park – to another popular attraction – London Zoo. Opening times: 10–5.30 (Mar–late Oct); 10–4.30 (Nov–Feb). Cost: Adults £14.50; Children £11.50 (3–15); Infants free (under-3); Family ticket £47.00.
Day three
What you will see:The ancient heart of the city, the financial district, Covent Garden
Starting off in Trafalgar Square again, this time we will head east down the Strand. This will take you past a few famous theatres.
Covent Garden is one London’s most popular districts, home to a host of street entertainers. It also has some great attractions like the Royal Opera House and London Transport Museum.
The piazza is famous for its shops and stalls, and you can take a peaceful break in the grounds of St. Paul’s church.
A short walk north will take you to the British Museum. You could easily spend a whole day exploring its six million exhibits from ancient Egypt, Greece, Italy, Africa and the Orient. Opening times: Galleries - 10–5.30 (Mon–Wed, Sat–Sun); 10–8.30 (Thu–Fri); Great Court - 9–6 (Mon–Wed, Sun); 9–11 (Thu–Sat). Cost: Free.
We will then head back the way we came towards the Strand, and head east into the heart of the City. Some of the sights along the way include Somerset House and St. Clement Danes.
Other old churches to look out for include St. Mary-le-Strand and St. Dunstan-in-the-West.
When you get to the Royal Courts of Justice keep an eye out for Temple Bar – the old entrance to the ancient City.
Look out for the way in to Temple Church on the right. This is one of London’s most historic sights and well worth a visit – home to the Knights Templar. Opening times: 2–4 (Wed–Sun). Cost: Free.
Keep on walking up Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill until you get to St. Paul’s Cathedral. No trip would be complete without looking around Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. Opening times: Cathedral - 8.30–4 (Mon–Sat); Galleries, crypt and ambulatory - 9.30–3.45 (Mon–Sat). Cost: Adults £10.00; Children £3.50 (7–16); Infants free (under-6); Family ticket £23.50.
We will then head north towards the Barbican Centre. This is home to some of London’s best music and theatre shows. It also houses the Museum of London. Opening times: 10–5.50 (Mon–Sat); noon–5.50 (Sun). Cost: Free.
If you head back to Cheapside a short walk will take you into the heart of the financial district. Some of the sights include the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange and Lord Mayor’s home – Mansion House
Head south down King William Street until you get to the Monument, and then walk down Eastcheap. If you look to the right then you can smake out Pudding Lane – where the Great Fire of London began in 1666.
Day four
What you will see:The theatres and galleries on Southbank, Southwark, Tower Bridge, Tower of London
Starting off in Trafalgar Square again, this time we will head across the river to Southbank.
Before you cross the Thames take a quick left down Victoria Embankment. This will take you past the oldest monument in London – Cleopatra’s Needle.
The Southbank Centre is home to the National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall are the two most important, but others include the Hayward Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Hall.
A little further down the river is the London Aquarium and world-famous London Eye.
This is the largest observation wheel in the world and takes about 30 minutes to revolve. It is well worth the wait if the queues aren’t too heavy. Opening times: 10–8 (Oct-May); 10–9 (Jun, Sep); 10–9.30 (Jul–Aug). Cost: Adults £14.50; Children £7.25 (5–15); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £38.50.
A walk east along the Thames will take you to Williams Shakespeare’s celebrated Globe Theatre and Tate Modern art gallery.
We thoroughly recommend a look around the Tate, as the views from the roof are worth admission alone. Opening times: 10–6 (Sun–Thu); 10–10 (Fri–Sat). Cost: Free.
Keep going and you will reach Southwark Cathedral and the London Dungeon. If you have some kids with you then its well worth a visit.
Walking past HMS Belfast and City Hall, you can cross the river on one of London’s best-loved landmarks – Tower Bridge. Opening times: 10–6.30 (Apr–Sep); 9.30–6 (Oct–Mar). Cost: Adults £6.00; Children £3.00 (5–15); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £14.00.
The tour ends at the Tower of London. This was originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th-century and is now one of London’s two World Heritage Sites. Opening times: 10–5.30 (Sun–Mon); 9–5.30 (Tue–Sat). Cost: Adults £16.50; Children £9.50 (5–15); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £46.00.