London in a Day, Your Way

Big Ben & The Houses of Parliament Westminster, SW1A 0AA

Coming up the escalators at Westminster station gives an instant payoff — you step out onto the footpath and Big Ben is waiting for you right there. Now is an ideal time for photos of the world's most famous clock; years of scaffolding have finally been removed and Big Ben has never looked so well. And, somehow its iconic chimes now sound even better! Just a quick warning — if you try to grab your photos right there from Parliament Square, 75% of the tower will fall out of frame unless you have an ultra-wide lens. Your best bet is to take a short walk across the river via Westminster Bridge to get the whole building, including Parliament, perfectly in frame. Afterwards, wander straight up Whitehall — the famous street featuring huge government buildings — and have a peep through the security gates at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister.

To see inside the Houses of Parliament, guided tours run on Saturdays (starting at £40 for adults) and must be booked well in advance through the official website, and tours can take up to 90 minutes.

Westminster Abbey Westminster, SW1P 3PA

A four minute walk south from Parliament Square brings you to Westminster Abbey. The quintessential royal venue, hosting every single coronation since 1066. Even if you don't have the time or budget to go inside, doing a lap of the exterior will allow you to take in the sheer scale of it.

If you do make it inside, its well worth it — especially for history buffs. You'll walk past the tombs and memorials of over 3,000 people — from legendary kings and queens to world-famous scientists like Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin, as well the literary greats in Poets' Corner. Adult tickets are around £31 and include a multimedia guide. I've made the rookie mistake of going through without the guide, and only realised afterwards that I missed out on some of the site's famous graves. As it is still a functioning church, opening hours can vary a lot, so its always worth double-checking the Westminster Abbey website before you go.

Buckingham Palace & St James's Park St James's, SW1A 1AA

From Westminster Abbey, take a 15-minute stroll eastwards towards St James's Park, leading directly to the famous golden gates of Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, but unless you're there during the summer months, you'll have to make do with the view from the footpath through the gates. The State Rooms only open to the public from July to September; if you want to see the Throne Room and the Grand Staircase, it comes in at around £37 per person, and booking well in advance is advised. If you have time — St James's Park is right beside the palace, and it's one of the most-loved green spaces in the city.

Churchill War Rooms Westminster, SW1A 2AQ

Found beneath the streets of Westminster is the underground bunker where Winston Churchill and members his cabinet conducted operations during the Second World War. It remains exactly as it was when it was decommissioned in 1945, and stands today as an awe-inspiring time capsule. Book your tickets here...

It's open daily from 9:30am to 6pm, and adult tickets come in at around £33. Because it's underground and space is tight, they sell timed entry slots that sell out weeks in advance.

Horse Guards Parade Whitehall, SW1A 2AX

The more famous version of the Changing of the Guard happens at Buckingham Palace, but it is usually a fight to see anything through the crowds. For something more up-close and personal, head to Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall. You can stand just a few feet away from the mounted troopers and their horses without needing binoculars to see what's happening.

Entry to the courtyard is free, and you can catch the changeover every hour on the hour between 10am and 4pm. Entry to the Household Cavalry Museum is £12.

Camden Market Camden Town, NW1 8AF

From central London, take the Tube's Northern Line to Camden Town. This is a sprawling maze of market stalls built directly into the old canal. The area is most famous for its alternative punk heyday of the 1970s, nowadays it is known as a global hub for street food and vintage clothing.

To note: it can get loud and crowded, especially on weekends. The chaotic vibe makes a nice escape from the quiet museums, but it is not for the faint-hearted. The main draw here is the street food, delicious and diverse, with everything from Asian, European, and American cuisines made to order.

Borough Market Southwark, SE1 1TL

From central London, take the Tube's Northern Line to London Bridge. A short walk brings you to this historic market, first developed over 1,000 years ago at the foot of London Bridge. This is a real celebration of local produce and artisanal cuisine.

It has been in its current location since 1756, and prides itself on sustainable practises, supporting local farmers and producers, and the downright love of delicious grub. Saturdays are notoriously busy here, so if that's your only day in London, get there just as it opens. Otherwise, be prepared for long queues later in the day — shoulder-to-shoulder with some very hungry punters. Once you get your food, actually finding somewhere to sit can be a challenge; your best bet is to head towards Southwark Cathedral at the back of the market.

Portobello Road Market Notting Hill, W11 1LJ

Portobello Road is actually five separate markets rolled into one, covering everything from second-hand goods and fruit & veg to household items, antiques, and fashion. Saturday is the only day they all operate at the same time, making it the busiest day of the week by a mile. The main draw is the antiques, which turns the street into an absolute free-for-all as tourists flock in. Add in the famous pastel-coloured houses, and you'll spend half your visit dodging people stopping in the middle of the road for a photo.

Be aware, the main outdoor street stalls are full of mass-produced souvenirs, that can be bought in any other part of London. For the real deal, pop into the indoor arcades (like the Admiral Vernon).

Old Spitalfields Market & Brick Lane East End, E1 6EW

Heading towards the East End; Old Spitalfields is a charmingly restored and covered Victorian hall, which comes in handy if the London rains starts up. It is packed with slick independent boutiques and artisan stalls. If you want a totally different, more laidback vibe, just step around the corner onto Brick Lane.

Brick Lane is at its chaotic best on Sunday mornings, filling up with buskers, street food, and vintage clothing racks. Do yourself a favour and walk right past the guys trying to hustle you into the curry houses — they are almost entirely overpriced tourist traps. Stick to the actual market stalls, or explore the quiet side alleys to find the genuinely good food.

The National Gallery Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN

Sitting right on Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery is where you go to see the heavy hitters — Van Gogh, Da Vinci, and Rembrandt. The exterior is a spectacular piece of classical architecture, and once inside, be prepared to battle with school tour groups and other visitors for a clear view of the art.

The main collection is completely free, and if you're in the area on a Friday evening you're in luck. The gallery stays open until 9pm, when the daytime tour groups completely vanish. You can actually stand in front of your favourite art pieces for as long as you like — well, at least until they close.

Covent Garden Covent Garden, WC2E 8RF

Covent Garden is all about the vibe. Grab a coffee and watch the famous street performers in the piazza, or wander through the stalls in the covered Apple Market. It's incredibly relaxing whichever route you take, but some of the restaurants along the main square are notorious tourist traps with inflated prices.

Instead of eating in the square, slip down the side streets to find better value food. Tucked down a tiny alleyway is the hidden gem of Neal's Yard — a small courtyard with brightly painted brickwork, independent cafes, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Tate Modern South Bank, SE1 9TG

Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the Tate Modern in a massive former power station that's is worth going to just to see the sheer scale of the Turbine Hall alone. The permanent modern art collection (featuring everyone from Picasso to Pollock) is also free to enter.

That makes it a risk-free stop — even if modern art isn't your thing, you haven't lost a penny. And, if you don't have the time to take in the views from the Shard, head to Tate's Blavatnik Building. The open-air viewing terrace gives you a stunning, completely free 360-degree perspective of the London skyline.

The British Museum Bloomsbury, WC1B 3DG

This is the unmissable one. The British Museum houses the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and the Parthenon Sculptures under a dazzling glass roof. However, turning up without a plan is a guaranteed recipe for exhaustion. The walk-in queue will easily last over an hour on busy days.

Entry is free, but booking a timed slot online is highly recommended to bypass the worst of the lines. A piece of advice: Trying to see the whole thing in one day will leave you with a dislike for museums. Pick two wings (say Ancient Egypt and Greece), and head for the highlights.

The View from The Shard South Bank, SE1 9SG

Shoot up to the 72nd floor of Western Europe's tallest building. The View from The Shard offers a stunning 360-degree panorama from the glass viewing deck. At 244 metres (800 feet) above ground level, on a clear day, you can see past the edge of the city.

Tickets are on the pricey side (around £34) and booking online in advance is a must. A good way to pair the viewing from the Shard is with Borough Market. Grab a street food snack for an early lunch, then take a four minute walk to The Shard for a 2:00 PM timed slot.

Horizon 22 or Sky Garden City of London, EC2N 4AY

In the centre of London's financial district, Horizon 22 gives Europe's highest free view at 254 metres (833 feet) above ground level. Nearby is the Sky Garden, which houses a living jungle-like indoor garden, comes in slightly lower at 160 meters (525 feet), and both offer views that rival The Shard, for free!

There is a catch though, you'll have to book your free slot online weeks in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. Showing up and hoping to get in will inevitably end in disappointment.

The London Eye South Bank, SE1 7PB

The big wheel on the South Bank has become one of London's most iconic attractions. A 30-minute loop in one of its glass pods gives you a great view over the Thames and straight down over the Houses of Parliament. Pre-booking here is essential.

You can book your pod online, which come in at £29 for a standard adult ticket. Walking up without a ticket means that you'll stand in line for over an hour just to get on, and at a higher price.

Wembley Stadium Wembley, HA9 0WS

The "home of English football". The guided tour gets you into the England football team dressing room, through the players' tunnel that leads to the hallowed ground that is the Wembley pitch, and lets you walk up the famous 107 steps players take to the Royal Box, where you can lift the FA Cup! Albeit a replica version.

Tickets are £25 for adults and £18 for children. As Wembley is a working venue, booking tickets in advance is essential. And, even that won't guarantee entry as tours can be cancelled days in advance when preparation of the pitch for a game or concert is required.

Lord's Cricket Ground St John's Wood, NW8 8QN

Known globally as the "Home of Cricket," Lord's is essentially a living museum of upper-class British sporting culture. Even if you don't understand a single rule of the sport, like myself, the fascinating history and grandeur of the venue make it a worthwhile visit.

For around £32, the tour guides let you sit in the famous Long Room where members have watched matches since 1814. The biggest draw is found in the museum, where you can see the iconic Ashes Urn — coming in at an impressively tiny 10.5 cm (4.1 inches) tall. Book tickets via the Lord's website.

Emirates Stadium Holloway, N7 7AJ

An absolute necessity for fans of the greatest football team of all time, Arsenal (yes, I am a Gunner). The best part about a visit to the Emirates is that they don't herd you through in a rushed group, like most other stadium tours. You are handed an audio guide and basically left to it, meaning you can actually take your time pretending that you're Arsène Wenger in the dugout or having a look around the dressing rooms at your own pace.

The tour costs between £30 to £35 and includes entry to the Arsenal Museum.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tottenham, N17 0BX

Even Arsenal fans (local rivals located in the neighbouring borough of North London), through gritted teeth, will admit that Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is on a level of its own in English football terms. Completed in 2019 at an eye-watering cost of around £1.2 billion, this 62,850-capacity venue is home to football and NFL games, as well as concerts by international superstars.

The £30 guided tour gives you access to the entire stadium, from the dressing rooms to the manager's desk. Learn about the state-of-the-art engineering called "Divide and Slide" that sees the main grass pitch come away in three sections to reveal a permanent NFL field hidden underneath. Book the tour here.

Sir John Soane's Museum Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP

Sir John Soane's Museum is essentially the preserved home of a world-champion hoarder. Sir John Soane was an eccentric architect who lived here during the 19th-century. It's a cramped maze of mirrors, secret wall panels, ceiling-to-floor paintings and an endless variety of trinkets that he found interesting enough to keep.

In the basement, you'll find a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus originally made to entomb the Egyptian Pharaoh Seti I who died in 1279 BC. Sir John had expensive taste by the looks of things, you'll be asked to carry your bags and personal belongings in a clear plastic bag by your side, in case you accidentally knock over one of his many priceless keepsakes.

Leake Street Arches Waterloo, SE1 7NN

This 300-metre tunnel, found underneath Waterloo Station, is London's largest legal graffiti wall. Having been first made famous by renowned, anonymous street artist Banksy in 2008, when he created the brilliantly titled Cans Festival street art exhibition, it has since become a popular destination for street art fans and the curious alike.

Today, you can see artists spraying their latest works of art as you walk through. It's an immersive experience with a kinetic energy, and air filled with the smell of aerosol. The only rule here is that anyone can paint over anything, so the tunnel looks different each time you visit.

The Hunterian Museum Holborn, WC2A 3PE

If medical oddities pickled in glass jars are your thing, then look no further than the Hunterian Museum, hidden within the Royal College of Surgeons. This is a fascinating collection dating back to the 18th century.

If you're squeamish or travelling with young kids, this one is best avoided, otherwise it's truly worth the stop. As it is part of a working medical institution, expect a detailed security check at the entrance.