Just finished a week in London with this Itinerary: Thoughts, recommendations and comments
About a week ago I posted here to ask for advice for planning my trip. After a week full of tourism, pints and careful planning, I will give comments for each day and what I would have changed.
Extra time was defined as time to go for a pint with my friends who live there, and also joined me for much of the tourism as well.
This is the itinerary I went into it the vacation with:
Thursday 24th - Central London Day
AM:
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben
Buckingham Palace
St James Park
Downing Street
PM:
British Museum
Evening:
Extra Time
Comments:
This day was great, really accomplished everything in the Westminster walk which I think was super beautiful, did not go into Westminster Abbey and downing street is a total 3 minute walk by.
Entered Buckingham palace state rooms that were absolutely incredible. Had the afternoon tea box in their cafe which I really enjoyed.
I did not go to the British museum that day as a result of poor phone battery management. Ended up going to Victoria Station, sitting there to charge for an hour and absorbing the train station atmosphere was quite fun in the end.
I went to Churchill was rooms instead after that which was not in the intinerary and yet was one of the things I wanted to see most. Ended up being a brilliant improvisation because it was very close and a terrific museum.
Friday 25th - North London Day
AM:
Kings Cross Station (Harry Potter)
Camden Market
Regent's Park
Abbey Road Crossing
PM:
National Art Gallery
Trafalgar Square
Leicester Square
Evening:
Les Miserables, Sondheim Theatre 19:30
Comments:
Kings cross harry potter shop is terrific. Don't stand in the line for the cart picture in my opinion. Camden market was underwhelming, regent's park is beautiful and abbey road is cool of course and it is totally worth it to recreate the pose imo.
The squares are really nice, ended up walking by trafalgar the day before, and came back there just for the museum, which was great and I did have enough time for. Leicester square was a perfect little exploration of lego and m&m just before les mis.
Les Mis is life changing and I absolute recommend it. Go watch a west end musical.
Saturday 26th - West London Day
AM:
Notting Hill
Portobello Road Market
Kensington Palace
Hyde Park
PM:
Natural History Museum
V&A Museum
Drive to Wembley 18:00
Evening:
Football Game 19:45
Comments:
Did not have end up going to Portobello Market (and Notting Hill as well) as it is only really worth to go early and I didn't wake up early enough.
Hyde Park is just a blast to walk in and Kensington Palace is nice and I did not go in.
Natural history museum is absolutely terrific and ended up spending hours there, so I didn't have time for V&A and actually missed it entirely. Poor planning that day.
The football game was insane - the energy, the Wembley experience, the pints before, if you can get tickets for a football game, prem or nations league, do it.
Sunday 27th - Birthday (Improvised + Chill)
AM:
Full English Breakfast
Imperial War Museum
PM:
Battersea Power Station (Pink Floyd)
Evening:
EXTRA TIME
Comments:
Had to try a Full English at least once, it also takes a while to enjoy with the tea which is why I considered it a full activity.
Imperial war museum was great but a little far from everything.
Battersea was great as a Pink Floyd fan, had to try and recreate the photo. Found a corner underneath Grosvenor Bridge that was pretty solid to recreate. Nice area with nice atmosphere, a lot of restaurants.
Monday 28th - East London Day
AM:
St Paul's Cathedral
Leadenhall Market
Tower of London
PM:
St Katharine Docks
Tower Bridge
HMS Belfast
Evening:
EXTRA TIME
Comments:
Went into St Paul's, stunning. Climbed all the way up which was incredible views, awesome London eye alternative in my opinion. Leadenhall was cute but just a very short walkthrough. City of London is a nice area to walk if you like formal attire. Lots of people with nice suits, watches, which is something I like. Tower of London was great (tickets were pricey). Definitely go to a Yeoman tour. The White Tower is terrific and the crown jewels are absolutely worth it. Went on a Monday which meant it was not busy at all, and I could look at for as long as I wanted, and believe me you will want to. Try to align this day on a weekday.
St Katharine Docks were a nothing burger, I don't know why I went there. Tower Bridge is beautiful and HMS Belfast was incredible and one of the best museums I went to in my life.
Tuesday 29th - Harry Potter Studio Tour Day and Misc
AM:
Extra Time
Drive to Watford 14:00
PM:
Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour 15:30
Evening:
EXTRA TIME
Comments:
Ended up fitting some shopping and The British Museum into that morning. Shopping was always fun and I really likes Oxford street for that. British Museum was way too rushed and unfortunately I did not get to experience it properly.
Harry Potter tour was incredible as a superfan. Definitely do not take their shuttle from central London, just from Watford Junction is enough, and head there an hour and a half before your time. Entered a little earlier and spent the whole time there until closing at 20. I got to see absolutely everything no rush, had the time to wait in the extra lines that were not that bad, experience the shop (bought a lot of stuff too), and have a 30 minute Butterbeer sharing flight break.
Wednesday 30th - Greenwich Day
Check out morning but keep suitcases
AM:
Royal Observatory
Cutty Sark
Maritime Museum
Queen’s House
PM:
Chill until flight
17:00 Drive to Luton
Comments:
This day went completely off course. I did not end up going to Greenwich and unfortunately missed it entirely. Stressed me too much to do this before the flight. A reason to come back :)
Spent it shopping for gifts instead, having a bunch of pints and good food. Went to Covent Garden which was a nice area and worth it, ended up chilling and important before a flight.
If you have any questions, feel free :)