London is among the biggest cities on Earth. It is full of historical past, tradition, structure, and trendy developments that come collectively to make a sprawling, magic, metropolis. To actually absorb all the things London has to supply you could spend weeks there, however you possibly can nonetheless cram so much right into a single day.
Here’s what to do in case you have a 1-day layover, or are planning a day journey from elsewhere within the nation.
The Rules
To see all the things (or as a lot as potential, let’s be sincere) in a single day, listed here are the foundations:
- You can’t go in any points of interest, solely see them from the surface (that is okay although, most look higher from the surface)
- You want to make use of all the general public transport (buses, trains, DLR, and cable vehicles)
- You want comfy, supportive footwear and loads of water
- Don’t cease lengthy for lunch
- Use an Oyster or contactless card to save lots of time
Start – Westminster
If you enter London from Heathrow, on the Eurostar, or on a National Rail practice from the north you’ll arrive near a Piccadilly or Victoria Line Underground Station (both Heathrow, Kings Cross St Pancras or Euston). Start right here and head to Green Park.
This will deliver you out in Green Park; from right here stroll south and also you’ll arrive at Buckingham Palace. Spend a while admiring the structure, the gates, the fountain exterior, and the lengthy Mall lined with Union Jacks.
Then, stroll by St. James’s Park (the one with the massive lake that’s the opposite facet of the street to Green Park). Here, you’ll arrive on the Palace of Westminster and the well-known Big Ben. Check out the statues in Parliament Square, and shortly jump over the street to take a look at Westminster Abbey.
Head again to Big Ben, stroll half means over the bridge to get a have a look at the Thames and the London Eye. After a selfie or two, stroll again the best way you got here and take the second proper to move north up Parliament Street.
In the center of the street you’ll see the Cenotaph the place poppies are laid each November, and on the left you’ll attain Downing Street, the well-known road the place the Prime Minister lives.
Keep strolling north and also you’ll end up at Trafalgar Square. Look as much as admire Nelson’s Column and take a look at the lion statues that guard the fountains.
Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery within the again
Piccadilly Circus to Covent Garden
After trying on the National Gallery constructing, observe the street that’s on its left and head to Piccadilly Circus. Once you’ve checked out the wall of screens, stroll East alongside Coventry Street and also you’ll arrive at Leicester Square, the situation of movie premieres within the capital. Once you’re completed right here, hold heading alongside the identical street (it modifications its title to Cranbourn Street), till you attain Covent Garden.
As you stroll alongside right here, you should definitely look out for a number of the unbelievable structure, together with:
- The Hippodrome, positioned in Westminster on the nook of Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street. It was initially used for circus and selection present performances, however is now a on line casino that’s house to roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and three card poker (a quicker variation that’s just like many different standard variations), a steakhouse, and the resident Magic Mike present. There’s no time for going inside although, simply admire the Grade II listed structure from the surface
- Chinatown, which has some lovely oriental themed structure together with the Chinatown Gate
- M&Ms World, which has the M&M characters recreating the well-known cowl of the Beatles album, Abbey Road
Covent Garden to Hyde Park
After testing Covent Garden, soar on the tube and use the Piccadilly line to get to Hyde Park Corner. Get off and admire the huge greenery proper within the centre of the town. Take a brief stroll in should you like till you attain the lake, the place you’ll seemingly discover swans, geese and geese.
Then head south, crossing the street and heading down a facet road till you attain a street referred to as “Knightsbridge.” Around right here you’ll discover a number of lovely buildings and also you’ll seemingly see loads of luxurious and even supercars on the streets.
Walk southwest till you attain the well-known Harrods division retailer. Take a fast journey inside should you like, though don’t spend too lengthy trying on the worth tags which can be greater than your telephone quantity.
When you’re completed right here, depart and switch left. Keep heading south west. You’ll then attain the Natural History and Victoria and Albert Museums. Again, you possibly can take a fast peek inside (particularly the Natural History Museum if you wish to take a look at the large corridor and the whale skeleton).
Kensington Palace
From right here, head north again in direction of Hyde Park. Before you get there, you’ll discover the Royal Albert Hall, and the Albert Memorial throughout the street, then head west after which north to get to Kensington Palace.
Once you’re completed right here, head north once more till you come out on the opposite facet of the park. Enter the Queensway underground station and head one cease to Notting Hill Gate. Here you’ll discover some distinctive trying homes, the outsides of which are sometimes utilized in films set in London.
Notting Hill to St Paul’s
Go again to Notting Hill Gate station and take the Central Line for round 15 to twenty minutes. Get off and also you’ll end up within the metropolis of London and proper exterior the legendary St Paul’s Cathedral. The London Stock Exchange constructing can be right here.
Your subsequent possibility is both to stroll, get a bus, or the tube to Bank station. Get off right here and take a look at the stone constructing of The Bank of England.
Head southeast alongside King William Street and also you’ll arrive on the Monument to the Great Fire of London. If your ft aren’t hurting and you want a problem, you possibly can pay £5 to climb the steps to the highest; be warned although, it’s steep.
Tower Bridge, London
Next, you possibly can stroll, get the bus, or take the tube from Monument to Tower Hill. Head out, and that is the place you’ll discover the Tower of London and the well-known Tower Bridge. You’ll additionally see HMS Belfast, which is completely docked within the River Thames, and the Shard (the triangle formed skyscraper).
The DLR & Emirates Airline
Next, head north to Tower Gateway DLR station. There aren’t any boundaries, so ensure to faucet in along with your Oyster/contactless card. Head to Canary Wharf. If you’re fortunate, you possibly can sit within the entrance on a DLR practice.
Admire the tall skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, and head again to the DLR. Head to Royal Victoria. From right here, get off and stroll to the Emirates Airline. Use your Oyster/contactless card to get in, and admire the view over the town as you go over the river in a cable automotive.
O2 to Cutty Sark
Walk by the grounds of the O2 area, constructed initially to have fun the brand new millennium. Then get a bus over to the Royal Observatory. Times and routes can fluctuate, however the 129 and 188 take round quarter-hour, so sit on the highest deck and revel in trying down on Greenwich.
Take a photograph of your self standing both facet of the Prime Meridian, after which stroll north once more to Cutty Sark, an outdated clipper ship as soon as used to move items around the globe.
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Before the London Underground was constructed, some foot tunnels had been dug below the town. One is subsequent to Cutty Sark; take the elevate or steps underground and stroll below the river. When you emerge on the opposite facet, you possibly can benefit from the view from Island Gardens, after which take the quick stroll north to the DLR station.
From right here, head to wherever you could go, the airport, your resort, or house. Congratulations, you’ve simply seen all the main sights of London is a single day. Now go put your ft up.