As one of the densest, most populated cities in the world, the number of activities and sights to see and do in London can be intimidating for any tourist and adventurer. You could live in this vast metropolis your entire life and still not have time to visit everywhere. Never fear however, as we have compiled a full one day London Itinerarywha. With this, you can see the most spectacular parts of London that cannot be missed.

This is your ultimate one day London itinerary, including all the information you need for your next visit to the capital, such as where to stay, what to pack and the best sights to see.

 

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Below is a summary of the one day London itinerary, all of which will be discussed in greater detail later in the article.

• Tower Bridge
• London Bridge
• Southbank and the London Eye
• Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
• Trafalgar Square
• Covent Gardens
• Camden Markets
• Little Venice
• Hyde Park
• Cahoots Bar and Kingly Court

 

 

Join us as we explore the best sights in London and see the city for yourself! Also make sure you subscribe to our Youtube channel for more adventures by clicking right here.

 

 

 

Day Out in London – The Ultimate One Day London Itinerary

 

In our close to two years living in the capital city of London, we have steadily crossed activities off our bucket list. In addition to this, we have discovered a few of our own secret sights and activities. With so many beautiful parts to the city, trying to narrow down our favourite sights to London was a difficult task.

With all of this in mind, we have put together the following full days itinerary that will take you through the most impressive, historical and cultural parts of this incredible city.

Before you set off, this day out is very heavily focused on walking so make sure you have on the comfiest, smart casual shoes you own. The night will end at a very swanky and unique bar, so also dress for the occasion, jeans and a nice shirt or a simple dress will suffice.

Also pack a reusable water bottle and coffee cup to keep hydrated without wasteful plastics! Now set your alarm nice and early and get a good night sleep, there is a long and unforgettable day ahead.

 

 

Day Trips from London

This itinerary is all about the best sights in the city of London itself, however, if you are in the mood to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, there are loads of day trips you can make from London. Explore the beautiful countryside of Kent, visit the famous Harry Potter world, or if you have a couple of days to spare, visit the surfing capital of Cornwall.

 

 

One Day London Itinerary

Tower Bridge

The day starts off at London’s most famous and iconic bridge, Tower Bridge. Situated beside the Tower of London, this is a hotspot for picturesque views of London’s most famous sights such as the Shard, Tower Bridge and the Tower itself. Try to arrive at Tower Gateway station for sunrise for incredible views of the bridge and its surrounding as the city comes to life.

From here cross the bridge and walk along the south side of the Thames, past the HMS Belfast to London Bridge and the Shard. On this bank of the Thames there is usually early morning keep fit classes and a swathe of photographers ready to capture the sunrise. The atmosphere is already lively and buzzing, perfect to set you up for a busy day.

 

 

London Bridge

As you walk to London Bridge, you will pass dozens of cafes and restaurants in the centre of London that may or may not be opening their doors for the day. Any one of these will be a perfect spot to fuel up with a big breakfast and waken up with a coffee, however we recommend walking all the way to the Borough Markets and stopping at the Breakfast Club for some classic breakfast options.

A huge plate of pancakes, bacon, eggs, potatoes and syrup with a bottomless coffee will cost just £15. Chow down here and take your time as there is no rush.

 

 

Also Read – Street Feast – East London’s Foodie Day Out

 

 

Southbank and the London Eye

With a full belly you will now be ready to take the day on. Keep walking along the south bank of the Thames and admire the incredible views of the Millennium Bridge, the Tate Modern and St Pauls Cathedral across the water.

Eventually you will reach the ITV studio which (if it is a weekday) will be busy filming This Morning, so smile and wave as you walk past! Continue round until you reach the London Eye and stop for a photo or two.

 

 

 

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Head over the Westminster Bridge and cross the water while admiring the splendour of the famous London icon, Big Ben. Before you feel underwhelmed by the size of it (I was expecting it to be much bigger), remember that it is over 150 years old!

Now it’s time to pay a visit to the Prime Minister, so take the second right after the bridge and head along past Downing Street, if you’re lucky you might see some famous faces.

 

 

 

Trafalgar Square

Continue along this road until you reach Trafalgar Square and cross the busy road junctions to the centre. Perfect opportunity for some photos as it should still be relatively quiet and peaceful. If you fancy a quick stop, head into the National Gallery that sits at the top of the square.

Admission here is free so don’t be afraid to soak up the culture. Once you are done here start to walk east towards Covent Gardens for a quick perusal around the classier side of London.

 

 

 

Covent Gardens

Covent Gardens is a rather special place, the perfect mix between beautiful buildings, classy shops and quaint market stalls. Have a wander around the surrounding buildings for an hour and take in the culture of the area.

If you are an avid tea and coffee drinker, we recommend heading inside the main building and visiting the Whittard of Chelsea Tea Bar. In the downstairs area there are a large selection of samples and cute tea making equipment, perfect for a mid-morning refreshment.

After this you can head out to the main area of the building and admire the beautiful live music that is played here most days.

 

 

Camden Markets

It is now time to experience the joys of the underground as we head north to Camden town and its famous markets. Walk along to Leicester Square station and get the Northern line to Camden. From here you can walk up the high street and check out the deals and bargains of the markets.

Once you reach the bridge, turn left into the food market and be amazed by the range of foods there are on offer. Stop here for some lunch and soak up the busy, bustling vibes of the lock and the other market goers.

Food from here will cost between £6-10 for an on-the-go portion, just make sure you ask for wooden cutlery!

 

 

 

Little Venice

One of London’s lesser known gems is the astounding network of canals it possesses. An afternoon stroll along the Regent canal can transport you to a completely different city, resembling more Amsterdam than London.

From Camden head west to the London zoo, using either maps or street signs, and find the starting point of your canal adventure. From London zoo you will join the Regent canal and follow it all the way to Little Venice, a quaintly named area full of cafes and culture.

This route has spectacular views of the incredibly extravagant houses situated along the banks of the canals, as well as the community of canal boat dwellers that are parked here all year round.

 

 

Once you reach Little Venice, continue to follow the canal along until you get to our favourite little coffee shop in the area, Beany Green. Relax and enjoy a coffee here, taking in the scenery and culture of this little group of shops and bars.

 

 

Hyde Park

From here Hyde Park is a 30-minute walk south, or you can catch the tube to Green Park if you want a rest. Coming into the late afternoon on a summer day, Hyde Park is a beautiful place to wander through and relax on the grass.

Head to the Serpentine Lake that dominates the centre of it and find the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen for an evening meal once the sun starts to set. In the summer you will find a large outdoor seating area with BBQs and plenty of hustle and bustle. Toast to a successful day out in the capital and enjoy the scenery as the sun sets over the lake.

 

 

Cahoots Bar and Kingly Court

The final stop of the evening is a favourite hidden gem of ours, Cahoots bar situated in Kingly Court. This unique and quirky bar was originally an abandoned underground station that was rediscovered during the construction of Kingly Court. Lose yourself in time in this themed bar dedicated to the prohibition years of the First World War, with décor, drink names and even costumed servers from the early 20^th century.

Bookings are mandatory and are required fairly in advance due to the demand of this funky night out. Drinks prices are sure to make your eyes water, however the quality of the cocktails and atmosphere of the night will more than make up for it.

Simply buy one drink and enjoy the two hours that your booking gives you. This place is a definite highlight of London to us!

 

 

 

Before You Leave for London

Before you set off on your trip to the big city, there are a number of things you will need to know before you go to London. There are also a number of things you will need to arrange, such as how to get around, where to stay, and what insurance to use. All of this is discussed in the section below.

 

How to Get Around London

Public transport around London is really simple and easy to use. The cheapest way of doing this is by either using your bank card or purchasing an Oyster card. Both work the same of these work the same, giving a hugely discounted rate compared with paper tickets, however, the “daily cap” for the Oyster Card is slightly lower, making it the best option.

The Oyster card can be purchased at any station for a refundable deposit on return. To use this or your “contactless” bank card, you must swipe it at the designated machines at the station. You must swipe on and off the underground, overground and the train, however, you only need to swipe it once when you get onto the bus.

Some of the machines can be easy to miss at stations without a turnstile, so make sure you don’t forget to swipe or you could be in for a hefty fine!

 

 

What is the Best Travel Insurance for London

I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. The extortionate medical bills could ruin your trip if you are not covered.

To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using World Nomads, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support.

Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered.

 

 

What to Pack for London

What you need to pack for London will rely highly on when you make your trip to the capital. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and freezing rain.

The temperatures generally vary from 10 oC to 25 oC during these months, with a mixture between cold, northerly winds and warmer southerlies. There is a small amount of rain, with maybe 1 in 7 days receiving rainfall, which makes it perfect for days out exploring the beautiful city.

During the Summer months in London, temperatures tend to range from 20oC to 30oC, with some days topping 35oC. Summer days in London are perfect for the beach, with many locals and travellers alike sending their day soaking up the sun and playing in the sea. When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in London can be strong, especially in the summer months.

 

If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.

 

Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in London, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.

You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.

 

 

 

Where to Stay in London

Accommodation in London is not cheap, especially if you are looking to stay in the city centre. We can recommend that you use booking.com to find your accommodation and we have suggested one for each budget below.

Luxury – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Tower of London is the perfect luxury stay, located in the heart of the city centre.

Book your stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Tower of London here.

 

Mid-Range – The Premier Inn London County Hall is situated beside the London Eye and is the perfect central location for your one day in London.

Book your stay at The Premier Inn London County Hall here.

 

Budget – For a cheap and cheerful stay that isn’t a night in a hostel dorm, Brick Lane Deluxe Guest Room is a great location for your one day in London.

Book your stay at Brick Lane Deluxe Guest Room here.

 

If hostels are more your scene, you can check out the hostels available in London here.

 

 

 

So there you have it, your ultimate one day London Itinerary. If you have recently visited London yourself, let us know about your trip in the comments section below. Where was your favourite place? What was your favourite food?  Let us know in the comments below.

If you are planning a trip to London, be sure to check out the rest of our England content to plan your trip to the fullest. We will gladly answer any questions you have with regards to your trip, so either DM us or send us an email.

Also remember that sharing is caring, so be sure to share this with all of your friends and family and show them the beauty of London. Catch up with us on social media to see where we currently are and tag us in your own London pictures so we can share them with our community of fellow adventurers.

 

 

Read Now:

• 15 Reasons to Visit London
• Street Feast – East Londons Foodie Day Out
• Our Time in London – Best Pictures

 

 

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