Three Days in London...what do you do?

what time of the year, age ranges, mobility issues, and most importantly, what interests you? When you chose London what appealed?

Is this your first trip to London? Will you have been in Europe prior, or will you be getting off a jetlag inducing overnight flight from somewhere?

As a near local I take day trips into London but probably do different things to you. But with decades of experience doing that if I had a clue as to what might interest you I would have suggestions.

Have you read a good guidebook yet to get an idea of what might appeal to you? As Nigel said, without knowing you and your abilities, etc., we can’t be as much help. Reading a guide to London would help you develop a list of desirables sites to research and winnow down.

Here are three helpful links: Rick Steves London Guidebook and Rick Steves (TV Show) London: Historic & Dynamic and Rick Steves (TV Show) London: Mod and Trad.

London has very many sights suitable for those interested in history, art and architecture. What periods interest you the most? That will help responders give more-targeted suggestions. It's probably impossible to beat the British Museum for historical artifacts. The problem is that three days isn't enough to see the whole thing, even if you do nothing else.

On a short trip for a first timer, i say don't miss The Churchill War Rooms, the "treasures" collection in The British Library, and a tour of Westminster Abbey.

Spend the rest of your time walking in neighborhoods like Notting Hill, Kensington Gardens. Visit a pub, for a drink if not a meal. Find an Indian restaurant. Go see a play at a West End Theater.

Your question is too open-ended because you both have general interests so look at multiple London travel books like Rick Steves and Fodors to see what grabs each of you. Then go online and look at the websites of places you found in these travel books for more detailed current information. You both may realize that since you only have 3 days, you may want to do your own thing depending upon specific interests and then meet at the end of the day for cocktails! Do what you can not to travel the week before Easter or Easter week because Heathrow will be a madhouse of horrifically long queues.

This is where the library for guidebooks and travel DVDs becomes your friend. Use it. Then come back with specific questions that we can respond to with a couple paragraphs of typing. We cannot write a guidebook for you.

As far as history goes, my top two are the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace-Henry VIII's house. You could make a case for 'neat' architecture at Hampton Court as there is the original building and an added Georgian wing.

Very historical city.

1.) Book tickets for the Churchill War Rooms
2.) Visit Westminster Abbey
3.) Visit the rooftop garden at the Post Building
4.) Book early entrance to the Tower of London. Afterwards walk up towards the Gherkin and Lloyds of London bldg to Leadenhall market. Last covered glass market in central London. Also the door to the Leaky Cauldron if Harry Potter fans.
5.) Tube to Shoreditch to see the wall murals
6.) Visit Spitafields
7.) check the Wilton Musical Hall webpage
8.) see theatre
9.) Walk along the Thames path
10.) Have a pub lunch. A gorgeous pub is the Old Bank of England on Fleet Street. If you want a riverside pub try the White Cross or the Dove.
11.) Enjoy evensong. See if St Brides still has one. Or maybe Temple chuch
12..Visit Granary Square, dine at Dishoom then walk the Regent’s canal path ( past Gasholder park to Camden Lock Market. ) Pretty sure you’ll enjoy seeing the conversion of the gas tanks into condo buildings.
13.) Have coffee in a converted public urinal called Attendant on Foley Street. Then visit the British Museum or walk up to Regent’s park. Nice spot to picnic and stroll about.
14.) check the lift schedule for Tower Bridge
15.) Definitely visit the Design District by the O2 arena. There’s a food court and lots of new Architecure.

Many non touristy spots to enjoy and explore:
Kyoto Gardens
Crystal Park Dinosaurs
Alexander Fleming Museum

The Line Art Walk

Been visiting London for decades. Never fails to intrigue.

Lastly, research, research, research. The Londonist, London x London and TimeOut are good sites to peruse.

Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, you go to Churchill war rooms and your wife goes to National Gallery.
My next priority would be the British Museum-Elgin marbles from Parthenon

Claudia, when we were there in late May, the Alexander Fleming Museum was still closed.

Guidebooks have suggested itineraries of different lengths. And then if you look at tour companies, they do as well. I'm holding Rick's London book and his suggestions are on page 10.

And if I may, do NOT go to the library for a guidebook. Rick may be a generous man but he won't be able to survive if you don't plunk down your $25 and buy his book once in a while. It will be the best investment in your trip you will ever make.

Westminster Abbey
British Museum
St. Paul's
Hampton Court Palace

Rick's (very long) list of top sights in London is available right on this very website: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/england/london. Click on At a Glance.

I have worked in London for years and never visited the Churchill War Rooms. It seems to appeal to people on this forum, but I only know a few Brits that have visited.

You need to be selective about what you see at The British Museum and stick to that list. Allow half a day max. Pick either St Paul’s or Westminster Abbey. Walk past or go in Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. Start one day at the Tower of London. Look at Tower Bridge.

If you venture out of central London such as Windsor or Hampton Court, you need to factor in how long you are going to spend in transit and whether it’s worth it to you.

Most of the museums and galleries are free, thanks to the generous U.K. tax payers. I always try and visit at least one place which is a bit quirkier than the predictable top spots - I like the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden for great social history.

For architecture, head to the RIBA HQ - the Royal Institute of British Architects - on Portland Place just north of Oxford Circus. They have a good cafe and usually have free architecture exhibitions.

Buy theatre tickets at the booth in Leicester Square.

If I were going to London for the first time, and had only 3 days, my priorities would be:
Tower of London
Westminster Abbey
British Museum
Walk by of Buckingham Palace, houses of Parliament, Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower)

I love the Sir John Soane Museum, and go every time I'm in London. I also enjoy the Treasures room at the British Library.

Take a London Walks tour, especially the Famous Square Mile or Hampstead Village tour if they happen while you're there. I saw lots of different architecture and things that are very London on both.

Take a bus ride from end to end and look at the buildings. I would recommend this for a longer trip.

If you want to see a play and buy tickets at a discount you no longer have to go to the TKTS booth and stand in line. You can buy them online. The tickets go on sale at midnight and the early bird has the best selection. We got tickets for Come From Away last month and had great seats. We return to London on Thursday for 9 nights and I plan to get tickets for at least one other show this way. We are going to see Hamilton on Friday and I had to buy those tickets in advance. I think I got them 2-3 weeks ago.

https://officiallondontheatre.com/tkts/

OP The architecture of the pub referenced below and surrounding buildings should please your better half.

Andrea, you’ll love Hamilton and the theatre where its produced. If looking for a spot to eat before or after try the gorgeous Windsor Castle pub at 23 Francis Street. About 10 minutes from the theatre.

Cheers.

If you like history, another vote here for the Churchill War rooms (make reservations ahead of time) and the British Museum. I regret not revisiting Westminster Abbey on my visit earlier this year.

If you're interested in the Churchill Museum component of the Churchill War Rooms, you'll need many hours at that site. I was there for well over half a day.