This plan balances London’s grand landmarks, historic neighbourhoods, museums and excellent food, with each day focused on nearby places. Travel times are approximate and assume walking or a short Tube ride; prices are per person in pounds sterling.
Budget
About £250–£400 per person for the listed activities and meals, excluding accommodation, local transport and any theatre ticket above the lower-price range.
Best time to visit
April–June or September–October for mild weather and long days; July and August are warmer but busier.
Westminster and the South Bank
See London’s best-known landmarks, then cross the river for a relaxed riverside walk and evening views.
Morning
See and Parliament Square
Allow time to admire and the surrounding landmarks; visits generally take about 1.5–2 hours. The walk from to Parliament Square is about 2 minutes.
About £30Morning
Walk around Parliament Square
See the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben from outside. It is about a 2-minute walk from .
FreeAfternoon
Take in the view from the
Cross Westminster Bridge to the in about 10 minutes, then enjoy the ’s panoramic views. Ride time is around 30 minutes, with queues varying by season.
About £39Afternoon
Stroll the
Walk the riverside promenade, browsing its street performers and views. The starts beside the , so it is only about a 3-minute walk to join the riverside path.
FreeEvening
Have dinner at
Walk east along the river for about 35 minutes, or take the Tube from Waterloo to London Bridge in roughly 15 minutes including a short walk. has a lively range of dinner options; many stalls close earlier than restaurants, so check opening hours.
About £15–£30
The City and Tower Bridge
Pair the historic with nearby riverside sights and finish among the City’s striking architecture.
Morning
Explore the
Give yourself at least 2–3 hours for the fortress, the Crown Jewels and the Yeoman Warder tours. Start the day here to get ahead of the busiest queues.
About £35Afternoon
Walk across
is about a 10-minute walk from the . For the glass walkways and exhibitions, book a ticket; otherwise, crossing the bridge is free.
About £13Afternoon
Visit
Walk about 20 minutes back across the river and into the City, or take a short taxi ride. This covered Victorian market is a lovely place to browse and stop for a drink.
FreeEvening
See
Walk about 15 minutes from to St Paul’s. Visit the cathedral interior if it is open to visitors, or enjoy the exterior and surrounding streets.
About £26
Bloomsbury and Covent Garden
Spend the day among world-class museum collections, then wander through a central neighbourhood made for an easy evening out.
Morning
Discover the British Museum
Plan a few hours for highlights including the Rosetta Stone and the Great Court. It is a short walk from Russell Square or Tottenham Court Road stations.
FreeAfternoon
Browse the shops and streets of
Walk about 15 minutes from the British Museum to Piazza. Explore the market buildings and nearby streets at an unhurried pace.
FreeEvening
Catch a West End show
Choose a nearby theatre and book ahead for the best choice of seats and prices. Many theatres are within a 5–15-minute walk of .
About £20–£150
Kensington museums and Hyde Park
Explore South Kensington’s celebrated museums, then unwind outdoors in the nearby park.
Morning
Visit the
Enjoy the building as much as its collections, from dinosaurs to the Hintze Hall blue whale. Allow around 2–3 hours; general admission is free, but special exhibitions may charge.
FreeAfternoon
Explore the
Walk about 5 minutes from the to the V&A. Its design and decorative arts collections are extensive, so choose a few galleries rather than trying to see everything.
FreeAfternoon
Take a break in
Walk about 20 minutes from the V&A to the gardens, or take a short Tube ride from South Kensington toward Queensway. Enjoy the paths and open lawns at a relaxed pace.
FreeEvening
Have dinner near
Walk about 15 minutes from to , where you will find plenty of restaurant choices. Set aside roughly £20–£35 for dinner.
About £20–£35
Notting Hill and Soho
Finish with colourful west London streets and market browsing, followed by an easy-going evening in lively .
Morning
Wander around
Explore the neighbourhood’s pastel terraces and independent shops. From Gate station, it is about a 10-minute walk to Portobello Road.
FreeAfternoon
Browse
Walk through the market stalls and antique shops; Saturday is usually the liveliest day. It is about a 10-minute walk from the heart of , and opening days and stall hours vary.
FreeEvening
Enjoy dinner and a drink in
Take the Tube from Gate to Tottenham Court Road in about 15 minutes, or allow around 35 minutes to walk. has options for everything from casual meals to special-occasion dining.
About £25–£50
Good to know
Getting around
Use a contactless bank card or an Oyster card for the Tube and buses. Tap in and out on the Tube, and tap in only on buses; daily fare caps can help control transport costs.
Booking ahead
Reserve timed entry for popular ticketed sights and book West End shows early if you have a particular performance in mind.
Markets and museum hours
Check current opening times before you go: markets can have limited trading days, and museums may close earlier than you expect.