Exploring London
For things to see and do, visitors to London are spoiled for choice. Whether you’re here for a short stay or you just want a flavor of this great city, you need to make the most of your time. Here are some ideas for two and four days of sightseeing in London.
Two Days in London
Day 1
Take a Beefeater tour of the Tower of London, then visit St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Cross Millennium Bridge, for a panorama of the Thames River. Explore Tate Modern then catch a play at Shakespeare’s Globe (21 New Globe Walk).
Shakespeare’s Globe is a replica of the original Globe Theatre.
Day 2
Begin at Buckingham Palace and, if it’s August or September, tour the State Rooms. Afterward, head to Westminster Abbey to see the monuments of English monarchs.
After lunch, spend 2 hours at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Then take a “flight” on the London Eye.
Trafalgar Square, London’s central point, is beautifully lit up at night.
Four Days in London
Day 1
Start with a full morning exploring the Tower of London, then cross imposing Tower Bridge and stroll along the river past HMS Belfast (The Queen’s Walk).
Tower Bridge is a flamboyant piece of Victorian engineering.
Take lunch at Borough Market (8 Southwark St.), just around the corner from the towering Shard. Roam Tate Modern then catch a play at Shakespeare’s Globe (21 New Globe Walk).
Day 2
Begin in Notting Hill, with a morning turn around Portobello Road market. Walk south from there through the stately expanse of Kensington Gardens.
Exit the park into South Kensington’s museum quarter, for an afternoon exploring the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Day 3
Choose between the London Eye or Westminster Abbey. Not far away is Trafalgar Square, where you can admire Nelson’s Column before taking in the old masters at the National Gallery.
Meander through St. James’s Park before enjoying afternoon tea at St. James’s Café. Peek through the gates at Buckingham Palace, then hit fashionable St. James’s for dinner and cocktails.
St. James’s Park, in the heart of London, is popular for its well-groomed flower beds and great views.
Day 4
Start at the British Museum, a two-million-year trove of human endeavor, then head down to Covent Garden for a leisurely stroll around the Apple Market and to marvel at the performances of the street acrobats.
St. Paul’s Cathedral is a short way by Tube. In the evening, return west to Leicester Square, where the bright lights of London’s theater district await.
