There is of course an endless amount to do in London, so if you’re staying a little longer, here are our suggestions for two easy days out. Our favourite museums are below too, and most of them are free!
Hyde Park, down to Buckingham Palace, through St James’s Park to Westminster, and the evening around Leicester Square.
Start here. Wander past the Serpentine lake, grab a coffee by the water, and on a sunny day hire a deckchair or a pedalo. It’s right next to Home House and Marble Arch, so it’s also perfect for a gentle morning after the party.
Walk down from Hyde Park through Green Park to the King’s London home. In late summer the State Rooms are usually open to visitors (book ahead), and it’s worth checking the Changing of the Guard schedule if you’d like to catch it.
Cut through St James’s Park (look out for the pelicans!) to Westminster for Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Cross Westminster Bridge for the classic photo back across the river.
End the day in the buzz of the West End. Catch a show (the TKTS booth on Leicester Square sells same-day discounted tickets), then wander through Covent Garden or Soho for dinner and drinks.
The Uber Boat along the Thames to Tower Bridge, a graze through Borough Market, and sunset at the Shard.
Hidden tip: to get from the West to the East, skip the Tube and hop on the Uber Boat from Westminster Pier. It’s a proper public river bus (you can tap in with contactless), and you glide past the London Eye, St Paul’s and the City before stepping off at Tower or London Bridge City pier. Sit outside at the back for the best views.
Walk across London’s most famous bridge. If you’re up for it, the high-level walkways have a glass floor looking down onto the traffic and the river. The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels are right next door.
A short stroll along the river from Tower Bridge. Come hungry: this is London’s most famous food market, perfect for grazing on everything from fresh oysters to bakery treats. It gets busy around lunchtime, especially at weekends.
End the day high above the city. Hidden tip: rather than buying a ticket for the viewing platform, book a table at one of the bars or restaurants on the upper floors and enjoy almost the same view with a cocktail in hand. Go around sunset!
Free to visit and home to the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the Egyptian mummies. It’s easy to lose a whole afternoon here, so pick a few galleries rather than trying to see it all.
Free, and our favourite for art, design and fashion. It’s just down the road from the church in Knightsbridge. Don’t miss the beautiful café rooms and the garden courtyard.
Modern and contemporary art in a huge former power station on the South Bank. The permanent collection is free, and it fits perfectly into Day 2, a short walk along the river from Borough Market. Head up to the viewing level for great views of St Paul’s.