This one day itinerary is completely walkable and hits top London sights from the British Museum to the West End theatre district. Along the way, there are recommendations for where to grab a bite to eat and indulge in some British souvenir shopping.
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Know Before You Go: London
🛎️ Top Hotel Pick: For a central, walkable base, I recommend the Radisson Blu Mercer Street. It’s right between Covent Garden and Soho, with excellent Tube access and easy walks to major sights.
🚶♀️Best London Walking Tour: London is full of stories. One of my favorite ways to experience the city in-depth is by joining an expert guided walking tour. Try the Secrets of Old London tour for an entertaining look at London’s medieval and Tudor past.
🎭 West End theatre tickets: I find the best prices and show availability with London Theatre Direct.
📱 Phone data: Check maps, send messages and utilize your phone apps without surprise charges with an Airalo e-sim.
One Day in London Itinerary: British Museum, Covent Garden and West End Theatre District
Start your day at Fortitude Bakehouse for delicious pastries and a caffeine fix. The beignets are the most popular item, but everything here tastes delicious. I like to take my treats from here to Russell Square for a mini picnic.
Next, walk to the British Museum (free to visit, but pre-book your entry time). My must-sees here are the Rosetta Stone and the gorgeous collection in Room 1.
Travel Tip: The British Museum is huge. I’ve never visited every room on a single visit. Stop by the excellent welcome desks in the Great Court atrium for help pinpointing the best route for your interests. They also have fun adventure packs for young visitors.
Walk to colorful Neal’s Yard in the nearby Seven Dials neighborhood. Stop at Homeslice for an incredible pizza lunch. The restaurant does not take reservations so you may have a wait at peak lunch hours.
Explore the Seven Dials and the Covent Garden Apple Market piazza. This is a fun area to shop and enjoy street performers. I like to find my favorite British scents at the Penhaligon’s shop – these perfumes make a fantastic souvenir.
Travel Tip: If shopping isn’t your thing, go check out the costumes on display in the lobby of nearby Theatre Royal Drury Lane. It’s the oldest continuously running theatre in the world and a lovely spot to explore. They occasionally run really entertaining tours, so ask at the reception for what’s on.
When you’re ready to move on, continue walking to Somerset House. Don’t miss walking through the stunning courtyard here and enjoying the view of the Thames from the terrace.
Travel Tip: Somerset House hosts rotating art exhibits, but there is no fee or booking required to walk through the courtyard and terrace. WatchHouse serves coffee and light meals in a corner of the courtyard.
A little further down the Strand you can see the elaborate Royal Courts of Justice. Pop into the original Twinings shop across the street to find your perfect brew. If there’s time for a pint, the Old Bank of England is a bit further down and well worth a stop too.
Book a West End show for your evening entertainment. I use London Theatre Direct to see what’s on and find the best show ticket prices.
Travel Tip: Many of the Covent Garden restaurants offer discounted pre-theatre menus. I really like the prix fixe options at Balthazar.
How Many Days Should You Spend in London?
I recommend spending at least three days in London, but if you’re anything like me London will keep pulling you back for more.
If you’re trying to make the most of limited time and want to see the highlights of the UK in a week, don’t miss my London and Edinburgh one week itinerary.
If you are not a city person at heart and just want to see the top sights, then spend one or two days in London and follow my three day Cotswolds itinerary to explore the English countryside.
No matter how long you spend in London, make sure you leave yourself some time to wander. The most memorable charms of this city are the ones you find by accident.
Where to Stay in London
This day is a perfect addition to your London trip, but it’s important to pick a good area to stay that matches your interests and how long you’ll be in the city.
1-3 Days in London: Covent Garden, Westminster or Southbank
These neighborhoods are right in the middle of the places high on bucket lists for a short visit to London.
- Covent Garden is the heart of the West End.
- Westminster keeps you close to Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
- Southbank is near Shakespeare’s Globe and is often the best budget area for central London.
👉 1-3 Days Top Hotel Recommendation: Radisson Blu Mercer Street, Covent Garden
4-6 Days in London: Marylebone, Shoreditch or Hampstead
Each of these neighborhoods are slightly further from the tourist crowds, but still only a short hop from the major sights.
- Marylebone is a posh central district with unique and fashionable shops.
- Shoreditch is trendy and artsy with a younger feel.
- Hampstead borders the beautiful Hampstead Heath and feels like a small English village.
👉 4-6 Days Top Hotel Recommendation: Oak & Poppy, Hampstead
7+ Days in London: Richmond, Greenwich, Wimbledon
These neighborhoods are more suburban and require over 30 minutes to travel to central tourist sights. Each offers charm and a quiet reprieve from the central districts.
- Richmond was the film home for Ted Lasso and offers beautiful walks along the Thames and deer spotting in Richmond Park.
- Greenwich is home to a fantastic market and bonus sights like the Old Royal Naval College and Royal Observatory.
- Wimbledon is a leafy suburb that is also home to the famous annual tennis tournament sharing the same name.
👉 7+ Days Hotel Recommendation: Elegant Plus Luxury Apartments, Greenwich
More London Trip Planning Resources
Check out these guides for more help planning an unforgettable trip to London.
Complete 7 Day London Itinerary
