Thinking of visiting London?
You might be wondering how you can maximize your time on your trip. With so much to see and do, you might feel a little overwhelmed.
So, we put together the perfect plan to see everything you should see if you have three days there.
Day 1
- 1. Visit Westminster first. This is where you’ll find Buckingham Palace where you’ll want to experience The Changing of the Guard.
Don’t forget to visit Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
Walk to Trafalgar Square which is known for its noteworthy architecture and excellent views of Big Ben down Whitehall.
If you have time, visit the National Gallery to see its exceptional European paintings.
2. After Westminster, we recommend crossing the Thames to the South Bank.
Here you’ll find local markets worth checking out (especially good book shops) plus the famous London Eye.
- 3. From the South Bank, walk over to Tate Modern and Borough Market.
Tate Modern is a must-see museum that happens to be free as well.
Borough Market has an excellent selection of food for lunch time.
- 4. Using London Bridge, we’ll enter the city. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and then take the Underground (their subway) to Notting Hill.
You’ll find Portobello Market as well which has hundreds of antique and specialist shops and stalls.
You are bound to find something to buy here that will be a perfect souvenir of your trip.
- 5. If you’d like, you can stay close by and see a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.
Day 2
1. Visit Tower of London located in London’s Square Mile financial district. There, you’ll find the Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom (originally known as the Crown Jewels of England) are 140 royal ceremonial objects including the regalia and vestments British kings and queens wore at their coronations.
Afterward, go see the Tower Bridge from the banks of the Thames or through the glass floors of the walkways connecting the two towers.
2. Visit the British Museum. This museum is fairly large so you’ll need to pick a few portions to enjoy.
We highly recommend making time to see the Rosetta Stone and you should purchase an audio tour if you can to help you make the most of your time there. Have lunch right on the premises at the Great Court.
- 3. Use the Underground to get to South Kensington where there are three museums you can choose from: The Natural History Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Science Museum. You can’t go wrong visiting any of these.
The Victoria & Albert Museum is known for its must-see art collection and its incredibly intricate décor. You’ll find chandeliers, beautiful carved columns, and stained-glass windows which make the visit feel that much more enjoyable.
If you are looking to do more shopping on this trip, the world-famous Harrod’s department store is close by on Old Brompton Road.
4. Relax with a walk to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Kensington Gardens covered 270 acres and was once one of the private gardens of Kensington Palace.
Kensington Gardens was originally a part of Hyde Park, which had been created by Henry VIII in 1536 to for hunting purposes. Queen Caroline later separated from the remainder of Hyde Park in 1728.
- 5. Take some time to relax back at your hotel room before heading out to the West End. Here, you’ll find musicals and shows that are worth the trip to see.
Day 3
1. Visit Kew Gardens. Also known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Gardens was founded in the 18th century and has the largest collection of plants in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beyond the walking paths that feature its beautiful flowers and plants, there are several buildings and features that make Kew so special. You could easily spend a day here.
- 2. Make sure to visit the Pagoda. Built in 1762, this Chinese pagoda is almost 165 tall and is still vibrant with color. You’ll find a traditional Japanese garden nearby as well that is worth taking a look.
- 3. Treetop Walkway: This is a special part of Kew Gardens that you won’t want to miss and it’s especially fun for anyone with kids. It is 59 feet high and has a 656-foot elevated walkway.
- 4. Keep your eyes open for wildlife. You’ll find ducks, squirrels and other animals throughout the gardens.
- 5. The Gardens feature a large lake that has a bridge called Sackler Crossing that you’ll want to see for yourself.
- 6. Kew Palace: This is the smallest of the royal palaces and was built in 1631. George II and Queen Caroline lived there and it was used as a place to live a more private and domestic life. Later, when George II became very ill (and thought to have gone mad), he stayed there.
- 7. Kew Museum: This is known as “The Museum” or “Museum No. 1” and holds the Kew Gardens’ Economic Botany Collection. You’ll find tools, ornaments, clothing, food and medicines. It was created to show the importance of plants for our own wellness and survival.
- 8. Plant Houses: Kew is known for several unique plant houses. The Palm House, the Temperate House, Princess of Wales Conservatory, the Alpine House and Bonsai House are all popular.
After Kew Gardens, you can use the Underground to go to Knightsbridge where you can be back near the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum. Since you only saw one of these yesterday, you could swing by again and see another one before ending your time in London.
After a busy day of roaming the gardens and seeing one more museum, you’ll be ready for dinner at any of the local pubs in the area before heading back to your hotel.
Ready to see London for yourself? Whether you’ve been there before and want to see it again or you’ve never been, you’ll want to take advantage of some amazing deals we have available.
Just contact us at 1-877-530-5560 or complete our Contact Form and we’ll put together the perfect travel arrangements and itinerary for you!
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