3 Days in London

thecozytravelers

Last August, we finally made it to London after planning the trip since the Pandemic. We spent 3 full days enjoying the city before we jetted off to the French Riviera. London is by far one of my favorite places to be, and I encourage everyone to go (and to spend more than 3 days!).

Here is our itinerary:

Sunday, August 28

  • Arrive at Heathrow at 8:10 am
  • Naps at the hotel
  • We walked around Westminister and then had dinner at a recommended pub, The White Swan.

Monday, August 29

  • Tower of London
    • Buy your tickets ahead of time to skip the line, and I highly suggest the audio tour.
  • Reservations at Sketch
    • Elevated Tea Time! We loved Sketch, and everyone we spoke to had only great things to say. This experience was more elevated than your typical tea time with more experimental-looking menu items, and the bathrooms were basically an art exhibit. Book in advance!
  • British Museum
    • The British Museum is top of my list because of all the fantastic artifacts like the Rosetta stone! It’s free to visit but make sure to reserve an entry time in advance.

Tuesday, August 30

  • Buckingham Palace
    • You can take a tour, but just seeing its splendor from the gates is worth stopping in for.
  • Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
    • This was okay. The food was not as great as going to a stationary tea time, and the sights were themed around shopping with some history and British Royalty. I suggest taking a regular double-decker bus tour. If you’d like a great regular tea time experience check out the Royal Quarter Cafe.
  • Westminster Abbey
    • Buy your tickets in advance because this is a very popular place to visit. I also highly suggest grabbing an audio tour to guide you through this historic Abbey. Take your time because there is so much to see! I also recommend soaking in Poet’s Corner.
  • House of Parliament
  • Big Ben (part of The House of Parliament)
  • Sky Garden for a restaurant idea

Other places of note:

  • Platform 9 3/4
    • This is located at Kings Cross Station. There is typically a line to get your photo with the sign. The “platform” is not actually on a platform but the experience is still cool. They also let you borrow a Hogwarts scarf for your photo.
  • The West End
    • London’s version of Broadway. They have great shows and you can typically catch celebrities on stage.
  • The London Eye and Tate Modern
    • Both are located on Riverside Bank within walking distance of Big Ben. The London Eye is a neat and very long ride around that gives you views of London. The Tate Modern features artists like Salvador Dali and the infamous “Fountain.”
  • The National Gallery
    • This expansive collection includes Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portrait as well as his sunflowers and field paintings.

The Tower of London

sketch London

sketch is located on Regent Street, so after your elevated tea time, you can walk the high-end shopping area to see flagship stores like Burberry! You’re also only 1/2 miles from Piccadilly Circus, compared to New York City’s Time Square.

House of Parlament/Big Ben/Westminister Abbey

Buckingham Palace and Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Tips for traveling around London:

  • Buy your Oyster Card before your trip
    • The Oyster Card is your ticket for the the Tube which is the most cost-effective way to get around. There are stations everywhere that are clean and easy to navigate. Don’t forget to Mind the Gap!
  • Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking a lot.
  • Bring layers
  • Buy tickets in advance and make reservations
  • Take a black cab at least once. It’s a cool experience!

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