Your Guide to a Long Weekend in London

3 days isn’t very long to spend in any city, but with so much to see and do in London, it is absolutely crucial that you plan your itinerary in advance, to ensure you make the most of every minute, of every hour that you have in this spectacular city. It’s wise to group your daily activities into areas, to ensure you cover as much sight-seeing ground as efficiently possible, and to avoid a mad rush across the city, when visiting an attraction in the north-east, and realising you have dinner reservations in the south-west! Highlighted below is an itinerary of the very best attractions not to be missed, the landmarks that it would be a crime not to visit, and recommended places to eat and drink. 

Friday - So you have managed to catch an early morning flight into one of the many airports accessible to central London, and have just arrived at your accommodation via public transport (as renting a car simply isn’t the best way to get around). Excited and eager to explore the British culture, your first day is probably the best to visit some of London’s iconic landmarks. 

Walk over Westminster Bridge for the finest photo opportunities of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Spin around for great views of the London Eye, although perhaps the most impressive, can be captured during an evening’s stroll along the South Bank, where it is beautifully illuminated within the London skyline. Nearby is the Horse Guard’s Parade, where at 11am, the Changing of the Guard occurs. Stroll down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, where if the flag is flying you will know the Queen is home.

Spend an hour or so in Hyde Park, before heading to the area of Kensington, to visit one of London’s treasures for retail therapy – Harrods. South Kensington is also home to many of London’s free museums, including The Science Museum and the Natural History Museum, which are worth a look if you have the time. Just south of Knightsbridge is Sloane Square, where you will find a selection of trendy bars, restaurants and nightclubs, for a lively evening to kick-start your weekend.

Saturday–London’s Oxford Street is the famous shopping district, where you will find every high street brand possible, plus designer stores and boutiques. Get there as early as possible, as Saturday’s are notoriously busy. After a few hours of retail therapy, take the Underground to Charing Cross, and walk into Trafalgar Square, where you can visit the National Gallery.

Walk up to Leicester Square – London’s entertainment district, before moving on to Covent Garden to be dazzled by street performers, charming cobbled streets and old buildings. The glass-ceiling building, once home to the old vegetable market, now has small boutiques and old-fashioned pubs, including the Punch and Judy. A trip to the theatre is an absolute must on your trip to London, with the areas of Covent Garden and Aldwych providing a variety of performances to suit all preferences and budgets. The Lion King and Wicked are absolutely fantastic, with evening performances starting at 7.30pm. The theatre district has an abundance of restaurants and bars for pre or post performance dining; however it is advisable to book as most theatre goers tend to have the same idea.

Sunday - Make the most of your last day in the city and visit the Tower of London, where you will discover the history behind this ancient fortress. Stroll over the spectacular Tower Bridge to begin your journey down the South Bank where you can stop off at Borough Market or the Tate Gallery, if time permits. The South Bank stretches all the way down to Waterloo and the London Eye, where your amazing trip to London began and now ends after 3 days of non-stop action. If you’re planning a weekend break or long stay in London, why not choose a London holiday apartment, which gives you the freedom and flexibility of self-catering accommodation, whilst providing the facilities and support of a hotel.