Mom and I are already planning for our (hopeful) trip to London and Southeast England in spring '26. She'll be early 70s, I'll be late 30s. We've both been to London a few times, seen many of the major sites (though there are always more), and I'd like the pace to be a bit more relaxed. The last time we were in England a few years ago, our London portion was jam-packed, and I don't want to repeat that experience. We're both in good shape, Mom is still active without any mobility issues, walks regularly, bikes, swims, etc. We'll probably be in London for about three days, potentially staying in the area around St. Paul's (that's the one thing Mom said she wants to see so far, since we didn't get to that part of the city on our last trip). I'm interested in your tips for a slower-paced itinerary where we can soak up the ambience, maybe hit a museum or enjoy afternoon tea, or other thoughts. We'll be starting in London before probably heading down to Canterbury/Dover and surrounding for a week or so. Thanks!
Posted by
United States
634 posts
Hi Linnea, this sounds like such a fun trip! My daughter and I tried to do the same slower paced trip to London in October. It was lovely. We spent some time in Camden, which has a completely different vibe from anything we had seen before. Went to Camden Market, went to the big Sainsburys there. Walked back and went to Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill. That was a really great day. In summer 2022, my two kids and I took a day trip from London down to the Seven Sisters area of SE England. Hiked the Seven Sisters from the Seven Sisters Country Park back to Birling Gap. It was phenomenal. I would gladly spend (and hope to one day) a week in that area to see more. Just a couple of suggestions! I'm sure the good folks on here will share many more!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17612 posts
The area around St. Paul’s is our favorite place to stay. We like Locke at Broken Wharf (studio apartments) but I don’t think they have any have any with 2 beds.
Other hotels in the area include Leonardo Royal St. Paul’s, Lost Property St. Paul’s London (yes, that is a boutique hotel, a Hilton Curio Collection I believe), Vintry and Mercer (another boutique hotel), a Westin, and the serviced apartments at Marlin Queen Street. The latter is on a quiet street very near St. Paul’s, and well worth a look—-they have studio and one-bedroom apartments in a hotel-like building with a reception desk, etc.
https://www.marlin.com/london-serviced-apartments/london-city-queen-street/
https://www.marlin.com/london-serviced-apartments/london-city-queen-street/rooms/studio-apartment/
You can easily this area from Heathrow by taking the Elizabeth Line to Liverpool Streete Station and taking a taxi from the taxi rank—-walk out the front of the station (south side, on Liverpool Street) and look to the left for the taxi queue.
Posted by
London
323 posts
Around St Paul's/the City you can experience all the oldest and most historic parts of London- there's lots you can see for free just walking, including parts of the old Roman city walls and many historic churches (like St Brides, All Hallows by the Tower, St Bartholomew the Great, and many half-standing post-WW2 damage like St Dunstan in the East...). The new London Museum is due to open in 2026 so could be open by the time you arrive, and it will be in the historic Smithfield Market which is also nearby. You'll also be just across the river from the south bank, which is great for walking, and near Borough Market which is great for walking and eating. There's also Spitalfields Market if you want to shop (and eat). I personally love walking around the City as it's got quite a different feel to the rest of London where you can really sense the history and get lost down little alleyways. One thing to note is much of it can get very quiet/shut at the weekend so you may want to plan around that. Good luck with the planning!
Posted by
United States
634 posts
CatVH, so right about it being quiet around there on the weekends, especially Sundays (even more so than the rest of London we thought).
Posted by
Narberth, PA
1307 posts
I want to do everything Cat VH said. I recently was in the City and enjoyed visiting St. Batholomew the Great as well as the Smithfield Market area where we enjoyed a tour by Eating Europe. You probably don't need a tour, but if in the area, get a bagel at Beigel Bake. I would like to return to this area - I would also visit House of Hackney, maybe try to locate the site of the Bethnal Green WW2 underground library, also revisit Borough Market. I love the idea of slow travel. I also want to avoid the super jam-packed locations, though sometimes that is difficult - for instance, Borough Market. Enjoy!!
Posted by
United States
634 posts
Another option for a Sunday is to take the bus from near St. Paul’s to the Columbia Road Flower Market. Really cool stalls and shops to explore. It was really busy when we went, but we loved it!
Posted by
Central Coast CA, USA
216 posts
To me, slow travel includes rambling walks and London is ideal for that. I enjoy the various parks and also hunting for blue plaques
Posted by
UK
961 posts
One thing you could do is to take the bus - just the ordinary double decker buses. When I’ve got spare time in London, I enjoy hopping on a route I haven’t done before and taking it to the end of the line (then using another form of transport back).
For example, I spent a fascinating morning taking the 453 from Marylebone. It took me all through central tourist London then across the river and through parts of south London that I’d never dreamed of setting foot in (and probably wouldn’t want to, but from the top deck of a bus it was fascinating - and a huge contrast!) Towards Deptford there were great views across to Canary Wharf, and then I hopped on the DLR to get back.
I wouldn’t necessarily endorse this particular route as the best, or anything, but it’s just such a fun thing to do. I do it quite a lot and always see something interesting.
Posted by
Land of La
9534 posts
Slo travel to me is flexibility.
You can have a list of must sees but sometimes you are prevented from access, etc.
Double check opening and closing times.
For St. Pauls consider a London Walk. …walks.com
https://www.walks.com/our-walks/secrets-and-spendours-of-st-pauls/
Very knowledgeable guides. Small groups. 25 people or less.
Near St Pauls is Ye Olde London pub. Good pub grub and atmosphere. From a practical POV a respite can provide access to the loo.
Posted by
Louisville, Ky
235 posts
I did the Rick Steves audio tour "Historic London: The City" the last time I was there, beginning near St Paul's. I learned history (a plus) and saw places I would have never even known to look for.
And with an audio tour, you're free to set the pace you want by stopping and starting.
I highly recommend this audio tour if you want to slow down and still see new places, and some you've already seen
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
4002 posts
Check out more of the London Walks, as mentioned by Claudia. They do great walks around London by neighborhood, plus day trips to Oxford, the Cotswolds, Cambridge, and more.
https://www.walks.com/
https://www.walks.com/day-trips-from-london/
For "Slow Travel" you can't do better than a day at a museum, working your way through the exhibits at your own pace, with lunch in their cafes, many of which serve afternoon tea.
The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert (V&A) would be at the top of my list.