Visiting the UK capital and want to pack as much you can into one day? While those who regularly visit this city might be able to plan activities for future visits, those who rarely visit London will likely want to squeeze as much as they can into this trip. Below is a full day itinerary that could be worth considering (with a few alternative activity options for each part of the day).
Morning: Visit the Tower of London
The Tower of London is an attraction on most people’s bucket list. Centuries of exciting history can be found in its walls – over the last 1000 years it’s been a palace, a prison, a zoo, an armoury, a mint and now a museum. Beefeaters can take you on guided tours around the Tower to learn all about its past and many stories. Don’t forget to visit the Crown Jewels while you are here. The Tower of London opens at 9am on Tuesday to Saturday (10am Sunday to Monday) – this is the best time to visit because it’s less crowded.
Alternative morning activities:
- Ride the London Eye: The morning is the quietest time to visit the London Eye. One full rotation takes about 30 minutes, in which you’ll be able to take in incredible views of the city.
- Enjoy a top-rated fry-up: Haven’t had time for breakfast? Some of these are more reasonably priced than you may think.
- See the Buckingham Palace changing of the guard: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11am, the ‘Changing of the Guard’ ceremony takes place at Buckingham Palace. It’s free to watch – get there early for a good view. Consider using luggage storage London Victoria nearby if you haven’t yet checked into your hotel.
Midday: Take a sightseeing Thames lunch cruise
Want to see all the major London sights along the Thames including the Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and The London Eye? A lunch cruise down the Thames could be the perfect opportunity to do this – plus you can enjoy some food while seeing the sights. This is something you’ll need to book in advance as tickets can sell fast.
Alternative midday activities:
- Have a browse around Borough Market: Another option if you’re feeling hungry could be to take a browse of some of the stalls around Borough Market. You can enjoy tasty street foods here from around the world without spending too much money.
- Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park: Midday could be a good time to stroll through Hyde Park.
Afternoon: See a show at the West End
The evening isn’t the only time to catch a West End show. Many theatres have mid-afternoon ‘matinee’ shows. Tickets to these shows are often cheaper than evening shows, and you may have a better chance of getting last minute tickets. Just be sure to check when the Thames lunch cruise ends and when the theatre show begins – you don’t want to cut it too fine and end up missing the beginning of the show.
Alternative afternoon activities:
- Walk from Tower Bridge to Westminster: A walk from Tower Bridge to Westminster could allow you to see many of the famous sights by foot. There’s also many bars to pop into for a drink and lots of interesting street entertainment. On weekdays, this can be one of the least busy times of the day to explore this area (although still expect a lot of people).
- Take in views from The Shard: For spectacular views, consider a trip to the top of the UK’s tallest skyscraper: The Shard. This is typically the quietest time to visit on a weekday and you may be able to buy tickets on the door (although it’s still generally safest to buy tickets in advance).
Evening: Enjoy a night at the museum
London’s museums are internationally renowned. You might not think there’s time for a museum trip given all the other activities you’ve already packed into the day so far, but depending on when you visit the capital, there could be the option of a ‘museum late’. These are days when the museums open a little longer – in some cases until 9pm or 10pm. While some of these museums are free during the day, you may have to pay extra for evening access. The upside of this? Some museums also sell drinks or host live music during these events.
- Go on a bar crawl in Camden or Shoreditch: Experience London’s lively pub culture by planning a bar crawl in Camden or Shoreditch. These locations also have plenty of restaurants (make sure to line your stomach first!).
- Go shopping in Oxford Street: Many of Oxford Street’s shops are open until 8pm or 9pm between Monday and Saturday. If you’re not too tired, why not end the day with some late night shopping on this iconic street?
- Try a ghost/Jack the Ripper tour: A few night tours can be booked throughout London, including spooky and macabre options such as ghost tours and Jack the Ripper tours. A thrilling and equally educational end to your day!
