Please sign in to post.

London itinerary by borough

Posted by on

I've finally finished my London itinerary. This was the product of months of research, relying primarily, of course, on my Rick Steves London guidebook. I know I've omitted a lot of great sights, but this is narrowed down to the things my partner and I most want to see and do. I expect things will happen and we may not get to do everything on the list. If we do most of it, I'll be thrilled. Some of the days are pretty packed. We're both vigorous sightseers, though, and I've also worked meal and rest times into our itinerary. I don't know if I'm looking for advice or just want to share my hard work.

DAY 1 (Soho & Chinatown)
Trafalgar Square
Leicester Square
Chinatown

DAY 2 (Westminster)
Westminster Abbey
Tate Britain
National Gallery
West End for a play

DAY 3 (The City & Southwark)
Tower of London
Tower Bridge (no tour, just standing on it)
Monument to the Great Fire of London
Rick Steves Bankside walk
Borough Market (part of RS walk)
St. Paul’s Cathedral (no climbing)
Jubilee Walkway (Millenium Bridge to Big Ben)
Big Ben guided tour (lots of climbing)

DAY 4 (Camden)
Highgate Cemetery
Camden shopping
Warner Brothers studio tour

DAY 5 (Westminster & Bloomsbury)
Royal Mews
St. James's Park
Churchill War Rooms
Charles Dickens walking tour
British Museum

DAY 6 (Greenwich)
Cutty Sark
Royal Observatory
Greenwich Market
Tate Modern
Ceremony of the Keys

DAY 7 (Richmond)
Kew Gardens
Ted Lasso tour

DAY 8 (Day trip)
Downton Abbey filming locations all-day tour

DAY 9 (Kensington)
Kensal Green Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery
Victoria & Albert Museum

Posted by
311 posts

This is a very impressive and packed list! If I may boldly make a few suggestions:

-Move National Gallery to Day 1- it's in Trafalgar Square and seeing those actual squares won't take much time- and gives you more time for the other things on Day 2
-I don't know if you can do Warner Brothers tour on the same day as other things. Highgate Cemetery takes a bit of time to get to from central London so I would allow half a day for that.
-If you don't have a lot of time for the British Museum consider taking one of the highlights tours
-For Day 6, if you want to fit in Tate Modern after a day of sightseeing in Greenwich, you would have to leave Greenwich in the early afternoon- I would consider moving that to another day

Well done on all the research and good luck with your trip!

Posted by
1260 posts

Isn't London fun to plan! We've done most of the sites on your list. Last time we were in London we stayed in Richmond; long before Ted Lasso. Since you'll be there, Richmond Park is quite marvelous; seeing the legacy red and fallow deer of Charles I in 1637. Also stroll along the Thames and grab a pint at White Cross.

As for West End theatre, if budget permits, enjoy pre-theatre dinner at The Ivy. Reservations required.

Have a marvelous time!

Posted by
35 posts

@Cat VH, I thought about visiting the National Gallery on Day 1 and may still do so. We’re arriving that day, so I didn’t want to schedule any must-sees for that day in case anything happens with our flight or in case we really need a nap. Day 1 is mostly a “we’ll see how we feel when we get there” day.

For Warner Brothers, we don’t have to be there until 2:30, but I may rethink Highgate nonetheless. Camden, then off to Warner Brothers from Euston Station is probably a safer plan.

I allocated three hours for the British Museum. I definitely want to be able to savor that one.

On your advice, I’ll see where I can re-schedule the Tate Modern. We’re taking a boat tour to Greenwich and so won’t get there until eleven, which will only leave about three hours for strolling around.

Posted by
35 posts

@KD I love planning! We’re going to spend the whole day in Richmond, so I’ll be sure to stroll through the park.

For the theater, we’re having a pre-show dinner at Bancone. I love freshly made pasta and the restaurant has a Michelin star. I couldn’t resist. I did look at The Ivy’s menu out of curiosity. Wow, does that look amazing. There are so many great dining options in London. Planning our meals was a fun project.

Posted by
311 posts

Bancone is one of my favourites! Also great for pre theatre as they are pretty quick.

If you're spending the day walking around Richmond, my favourite place is Stein's, where you can sit outside right on the river and enjoy a stein (or less) of beer (or your chosen beverage) and Bavarian food: https://www.stein-s.com/richmond

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.