See London in a day 

Arriving into Waterloo?

What you will see: Lots of major landmarks, the most important royal sites, the most important political sites

> Talk about days out in London

If you only have one day to explore the city then it’s best to arrive into Waterloo station – you’ll be a lot closer to the sights.

When you come out of the station follow the directions to the river, where you’ll see the Royal Festival Hall. Skip past that and head left towards the London Eye.

The London Eye is the largest observation wheel in the world, taking about 30 minutes to revolve. It is well worth the wait if the queues aren’t too heavy. Opening times: 10 AM to 8.30 PM (Jan–Mar), 10 AM to 9 PM (Apr–Jun), 10 AM to 9.30 PM (Jul–Aug), 10 AM to 8.30 PM (Sep–Dec). Cost: Adults £18.60; Children £9.54 (4–15); Infants free (under-4); Family ticket £56.28. 

A quick stroll past County Hall and the London Aquarium will take you onto Westminster Bridge. This boasts one of the best views in the city – Big Ben across the river.

A stroll past the clock tower will take you to Parliament Square 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 many celebrated kings and queens. It is well worth a visit if you have got the time. Opening times: 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri), 9.30 PM to 7 PM (Wed), 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM (Sat); Last admission 1 hour before closing time. Cost: Adults £16.00; Children £6.00 (11–16); Infants free (under-16); Family ticket £32.00. 

Then we suggest you head north-east towards St. James’s Park. A stroll up the righthand side will take you past the Cabinet War Rooms and the backend of Downing Street.

If you then skirt the southside of the lake, you can cross the bridge in the middle. This will give you one of the most celebrated views of Buckingham Palace.

A walk down the Mall past St. James’s Palace will have you facing the balcony, from where you can take some photos of the guards.

We then suggest you head across Green Park to Piccadilly, where you can do a spot of shopping. Walk east towards Piccadilly Circus – and take your photo in front of Eros.

A quick stroll down Regent Street will bring you out onto Pall Mall, from where you can head east into Trafalgar Square. This is home to one of London’s most famous landmarks – Nelson’s Column.

We heartily recommend that you spend some time exploring the National Gallery, before heading east across Hungerford Bridge to Waterloo. Opening times: Gallery: 10 AM to 6 PM (Sat–Thu), 10 AM to 9 PM (Fri); Tours: 11.30 AM, 2.30 PM (daily) and 7 PM (Fri) . Cost: Free. 

Arriving into King’s Cross?

What you will see: The ancient heart of the city, the financial district, some of the city’s greatest landmarks

To be honest, King’s Cross isn’t the greatest place to start a one day tour of the capital, but we’ll make the most of it with a walking tour of its historic centre – Londinium.

A quick stroll down Euston Road will take you past the Gothic-style Pancras Chambers and British Library. Head south down Upper Woburn Place until you get to Russell Square.

Cross the square and enter the British Museum. (Alternatively, you could just get a 10, 73 or 390 bus from King’s Cross.) 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 AM to 5.30 PM (Sat to Wed), 10 AM to 8:30 (Thu, Fri); Last admission 10 minutes before closing time. Cost: Free. 

From there, head south towards Covent Garden where you will see some great street entertainers and Royal Opera House.

The get onto the Strand, and walk east past Somerset House and the Royal Courts of Justice.

Look out for the entrance to Temple Church on the right. This is one of London’s most historic sights – home to the Knights Templar. Cost: Adults £3.00. 

Keep on walking up Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill until you get to St. Paul’s Cathedral. No trip to London would be complete without looking around Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. Opening times: 8.30 AM to 4.30 PM (Mon–Sat); Last admission 4 PM; Galleries open from 9.30 AM; Last admission to the galleries 4.15 PM. Cost: Adults £15.00; Children £6.00 (6–17); Infants free (5 and under); Family ticket £36.00. 

A walk up Cheapside will take you into the heart of the financial district. Some of the sights on offer 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 walk towards the bridge. You can now have a very pleasant stroll along the river.

The Tower of London was originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th-century. If you have the time, then we thoroughly recommend a tour. Opening times: 9 AM to 5.30 PM (Tue–Sat, Mar–Oct), 10 AM to 5.30 PM (Sun, Mon, Mar–Oct), 9 AM to 4.30 PM (Tue–Sat, Nov–Feb), 10 AM to 4.30 PM (Sun, Mon, Nov–Feb); Last admission 30 minutes before closing time. Cost: Adults £19.80; Children £10.45 (5–16); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £55.00. 

You can finish your long day sprawled out in front of one of London’s best-loved landmarks – Tower Bridge. Opening times: 9.30 AM to 6 PM (daily, Oct–Mar), 10 AM to 6.30 PM (daily, Apr–Sep); Last admission 1 hour before closing time. Cost: Adults £8.00; Children £3.40 (5–15); Infants free (under-5); Family ticket £18.00.