So you’ve only got one day in London? It’s too big, they say? You’ll never make it, you heard? What can you really expect to cover in a day?
Don’t believe the naysayers. London is big, there’s no question. But, all of our big hitters are located within walking distance of our very well-connected Tube network. And if walking is your thing, then that’s immensely doable too.
Arguably, most of London’s most interesting, impressive, and iconic monuments can be found near the river Thames. An energetic stroll down the banks of the river will give you ample photoshoot opportunities as well as optional gallery visits, glamorous cocktail spots, and if the mood takes you, a little sunset river cruise just to get a fresh new perspective,
If the hustle and bustle of an ever-changing cosmopolitan city is more up your street, with some iconic shopping haunts, restaurants, and cocktails with a view thrown in, then we’ve got you covered. The two itineraries below will surely whet your appetite and have you planning your return trip to London before you get back to the hotel at the end of the night.
Let’s get started!
Itinerary 1: Riverside Delights
Morning: 9am -1pm
Take the Tube to London Bridge (Jubilee or Northern Line) and take the Borough Market exit.
Borough Market is one of London’s oldest and now most iconic food markets. Fresh, organic produce abounds, but it’s the gourmet stalls and mouth-watering street food that really pulls people in. I recommend going in the morning for breakfast (or a second breakfast): don’t think about the calories. Think of it as walking fuel; you’ll need it! Soak up the atmosphere over a coffee and a pastry from Monmouth Coffee.
Next to Borough Market is Southwark Cathedral, attended back in the day by William Shakespeare himself! Nearby, you’ll walk past a real-life 16th-century galleon (big old wooden ship) captained by Francis Drake and taken all around the world. Immerse yourself in London’s cobblestoned back alley history, before emerging by the river again and next to The Anchor; a characterful pub dating back to 1615.
Press on along the river and take in Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern (a huge repurposed power station, with great views from the top floor). Tate Modern is well worth a visit, even if you’re unable to stay for too long. It’s free to enter, so once you’ve covered the main floors, head over to Level 10 (the bizarrely shaped brick building behind the main ex-power station structure), and take the lift up to the viewing platform. It’s absolutely worth your while!
When you come out, keep walking along the river (the view behind you of St Paul’s Cathedral and the myriad of new glass creations engulfing it is always a sight to behold), until you get to Waterloo Bridge. To your left will be a series of cube-like, concrete brutalist structures. They all belong to the National Theatre. There will be a little book market under the bridge before you come out again beneath another cultural haven known as the Southbank Centre. The complex is made up of the Royal Festival Hall, various galleries, and smaller music venues. It’s full of cafes and restaurants and this is the recommended lunch spot.
2:30pm – 4:30pm
After lunch, cross Hungerford Bridge (the side from which you can see Big Ben and Westminster) over to Embankment and walk up to Trafalgar Square. Great for classic shots of Nelson’s Column, red phone boxes, and the beautiful neoclassical National Gallery behind.
Walk down The Mall from Trafalgar Square, which will take you to St James’ Park, beautiful in its own right arriving at Buckingham Palace at the end.
Do a loop of the park, walking down Birdcage Walk, until you arrive at St George’s Street which will take you to Parliament Square. Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Parliament (known more generally as Westminster) will all loom before you. You haven’t really been to London until you’ve seen Big Ben, right?
Once you’re happy with all your photos, head back to the river. Cross the road from the Houses of Parliament and below the statue of Boudicca you’ll find Westminster Pier. It’s cruise time! (There are a couple of big-name coffee places by the Tube station opposite Big Ben if you want a quick afternoon pick me up en route).
4:30pm-7pm Westminster to Greenwich
At Westminster Pier, board a riverbus, known as the Thames Clipper which these days are operated by Uber. You pay for your ride just as you would on the Tube or the bus; simply tap your contactless credit card. Alternatively, you can buy your ticket straight from your Uber app.
This functional form of river transportation doubles up as a budget sightseeing tour. Relax your feet for a while and retrace your steps back past the London Eye, Waterloo Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, the globe, and the Tate Modern. At dusk, as the city lights are switched on, everything takes on a new charm.
Marvel at how impressive Tower Bridge is from up close as you’re taken under it and notice how the river suddenly widens out and the river bus picks up speed.
One round the bend (the Thames is deceptively serpentine in shape), you’ll see the twinkling lights of Canary Wharf, London’s second financial district. Skyscrapers and modernity, worlds and centuries apart from the back streets of London Bridge where you began your day.
Get off at Greenwich (it’s about a 40-minute journey), and if it’s late spring, you’ll arrive just in time for sunset; a delightful stroll up a small hill just behind Greenwich Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory (where the river bus leaves you), will reward you with stellar views of the capital and all the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. If it’s summer, you’ll enjoy a hopefully balmy and romantic late evening, arriving just in time for golden hour!
Make your way back down the hill and head to Greenwich station on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway).
Take the DLR to Canary Wharf and change for the Jubilee Line (the silver one). Take the Jubilee back to Waterloo for dinner.
7:30pm
Depending on your itinerary and how much time you’ve got left, return to Waterloo and the Southbank in general for dinner. It takes on a lively character in the evening with theatergoers, romantic strollers, skaters, and everyone in between. Gabriel’s Wharf, just after the National Theatre (and before the Globe), is an attractive spot and my recommended area for dinner. There will be lots to choose from, but a surefire crowd-pleaser is Gourmet Pizza Co. They’ve got the carbs you’ll be craving after all that walking.
Late
Still want more? Cocktails at one of the bars/restaurants at the OXO Tower bar, offering fantastic views of the river and St Paul’s Cathedral at night. But you’ve got a plane to catch!
Itinerary 2: Shop til you drop, From West End to East End
West End Wonders
Oxford Circus – Regent’s Street – Carnaby Street – Soho – Chinatown – Piccadilly Circus – Piccadilly – Old Bond Street – Selfridges
Morning: 9am – 1pm
Start: Arrive at Oxford Circus. Saunter down Regent’s Street and turn left into Carnaby Street.
Don’t miss Liberty’s; a giant Tudor building and high-end department store. It’s worth going in for the sumptuous displays and the creaking wooden floorboards, almost like you’re aboard an old ship! If you’re shopping for kids, Hamley’s is on Regent’s Street just a few minutes away.
From there, delve into Soho. Take time exploring here. Berwick Street still runs an active market on weekdays, with boutiques and coffee shops along the way. Old Compton Street is another winner, coming alive at night but still vibrant in the daytime. Look out for Bar Italia and Ronnie Scott’s- the latter, a legendary jazz bar. A walk down Dean Street will take you to Shaftesbury Avenue; the heart of London’s Theatreland. Cross over and arrive at Chinatown.
London’s Chinatown is quaint by North American Standards, but very much alive and firmly established, going as far back as the 18th century! Worth a short visit and if you’re peckish, an 11am steamed bun is absolutely what the doctor ordered.
Walk back down Shaftesbury Avenue and get to Piccadilly Circus for your mandatory shot of the Statue of Eros and all the red double-decker buses.
Walk down Piccadilly. Here you’ll find Fortnum & Mason’s; an obligatory stop for luxury English tea and biscuits sold in gorgeous tins. More shopping to be had on the upper levels too (or browsing at the very least).
Cross Piccadilly and walk through Burlington Arcade; a charming Victorian indoor shopping street. At the other end, you’ll arrive at Old Bond Street. Boutiques galore! Even if you can’t quite stretch the budget that far, you can admire the displays and the people at the very least. At Christmas time, the decorations are especially magical.
At the end of Old Bond Street is Oxford Street. If you’ve still got it in you, head into Selfridges across the road; one of London’s oldest department stores, its grand entrance will lure you in even if the hordes of people eventually chase you out. But fans of designer wares will be happy to endure.
Once you’re done, head to Bond Street Tube, and hop on the Central Line for a short trip to Holborn (or Tottenham Court Road) for a well-earned lunch break!
Lunchtime 1pm-2:30pm
Option 1: Tottenham Court Road
Din Tai Fung at Centre Point (right above the Tube Station) is a world-renowned Taiwanese restaurant chain that does not disappoint. If you’re a fan of dumplings in general, this will be an absolute treat, especially if you don’t know the brand.
Alternatively, there are many options to choose from in the area, including well-known fast-food chains. If you don’t have it in your city, retail behemoth Primark is just opposite also (in case you want more shopping).
Option 2: Holborn
For something a little more serene, head to the Hoxton Hotel in Holborn. They offer laid-back fine dining, with a focus on local produce and British dishes done well.
Afternoon: East End Adventure 2:30pm – 5:00pm
Take the Central Line to Bank and take a short walk to Philpot Lane- location of one of London’s most unusually shaped skyscrapers (nicknamed the Walkie Talkie for reasons which will become obvious as you approach it) and the *Sky Garden; London’s highest indoor garden and public viewing space.
Book your tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment! You can chance it on the day if you go there early afternoon without a booking. It’s free to get in before 6pm, but spaces are limited so booking in advance is 100% advised.
*If an afternoon spot isn’t available to book on your chosen day, try booking a table at the bar in the evening. They like to have people book in advance for bar reservations, so it’s a great option for a drink with killer views.
5-7pm
From the Sky Garden, it’s a short five-minute walk to Leadenhall Market – a beautiful indoor Victorian Market Harry Potter fans will recognise as Diagon Alley.
At this time, it will be full of boisterous bankers and other City workers, all huddled together outside the pubs, pints in hands. It’s quite a scene and perfectly represents British “after-work pint” culture.
Exit Leadenhall Market to take the number 8 bus from Leadenhall Street to Brick Lane (it will be headed towards Bow).
Get off at Brick Lane and enjoy a whole universe of street food, street art, vintage clothing stores. The bottom half of the street is home almost exclusively to Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants. Nearby is Spitalfields Market specialising in more artisanal objects, clothes, jewellery and yet more restaurants. for more market stalls.
7:30pm – 9pm Feeling peckish
The areas surrounding Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market will more than have you covered. But if you missed out on the Sky Garden and really felt like saying goodbye to London with a bang, head over to the Heron Tower, opposite Liverpool Street Station. The 43-storey building is home to Sushi Samba – the international chain boasting Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine, but also in this case, incredible views over the city. On the 40th floor is Duck and Waffle offering food and cocktails 24/7 (if you were looking to make it a late one).
Alternatively, for some reassuring carb-based Italian food (and/or a well-made Spritz thrown in the mix), head over to food hall and market Eataly – a gourmet Italian food lover’s dream.
9:30pm – 12pm Make it a night to remember
There are dozens of places to go in Shoreditch – just take a walk or a short bus ride down to Shoreditch High Street and beyond and you’ll find bars aplenty.
For a truly alternative end to your day in London, why not pack in a sesh of crazy golf at Junkyard Golf Club, where their motto is “Get Weird or Go Home”. Quite. It’s incredibly creative, bizarre and wacky neon-lit mini golf courses – with crazy cocktails thrown in too.
So there you have it!
Top tips:
Transport:
TFL (Transport for London) is 100% cashless.
Use your contactless credit card to pay for Tube, Bus, River Bus and Overground Train.
If you are travelling with Zones 1 and 2 (and chances are these are the only zones you will visit; they cover central London and a large section of the rest of the city too), there’s a daily cap of £8.10.
This means that provided you always remember to touch IN and OUT (on the Tube and Train, but not the bus), the maximum you will be charged for usage in a 24-hour period is £8.10. So there’s no need to worry about getting a one-day travel card as it wouldn’t save you any money.
Download Citymapper for accurate travel routes. The TFL app (TFL Go) is also very useful for up-to-date information on any disruptions.
Uber works well in London, as does their other main competitor Bolt. Alternatively, take a ride in one of London’s famous and iconic black cabs, where card payment is also possible.
Paying by card
Be advised that many of London’s theatres and museums have now also gone 100% cashless, so do make sure you bring a card that works in the UK. American Express is not always accepted.