London is a must-see. London has so much history, culture, and tons of fun things to do. Planning your vacation shouldn’t be a stressful experience, and that’s where the experts at Travel Modern, an experienced travel agency in Mountain Brook, come into the picture. Let our team plan the perfect itinerary for your perfect London getaway!

6 Days in London with Travel Modern

One of the first questions you may ask yourself when planning a trip to London is “How long should I plan my trip for?” Six days is plenty of time to explore England’s capital city, with enough time to adjust to the time difference and hit the highlights. 

The Travel Modern tip for exploring a big city like London is to plan for 1-2 attractions or tours per day. These generally last about two hours, and by the time you’ve completed both, that’s about half a day. Keep reading for our exclusive itinerary and top tips for visiting London! 

Day 1: Westminster

Westminster is a great place to start your exploration of London as it’s the political, cultural, and geographical center of the city. Westminster Abbey is a place you’re probably already familiar with from royal weddings and coronations throughout history. To really get the most out of your visit, be sure to plan a tour. Buckingham Palace should also be on your list while in Westminster and is open to the public for tours, but only for about 8 weeks of the year in August- September. If you visit around 11 am, you might be able to catch a Changing of the Guards ceremony, which usually lasts about 45 minutes. Other places to check out in Westminster include: 

• St. James’s Palace 
• The National Gallery 
• The Royal Mews 
• National Portrait Gallery 
• 10 Downing Street (Office of the Prime Minister) 
• Jewel Tower 
• Westminster Bridge 

Day 2: Central London Along The River Thames

For day 2, we suggest heading into Central London and hanging out along the River Thames, from Big Ben in the west to The London Bridge in the east. Everything on this tour is generally walkable, with the exception of the Churchill War Rooms. If you were planning on booking a Thames River Cruise, this would be the day to do it. The Tower of London has served many purposes over the years as a fortress, a prison, an execution site, and currently houses the Crown Jewels. The HMS Belfast is a historic warship that was used in both WWII and the Korean War before being decommissioned in 1963. If you like history, look into exploring the nine decks and interactive gaming room on board. Nearby are London’s two most famous bridges–London Bridge and Tower Bridge. If the weather is nice on this day, take a ride on the London Eye. On a clear day, it offers some of London’s best views as it’s Europe’s tallest observation wheel. Other popular stops include:

• Westminster Pier 
• London Dungeon 
• Borough Market 
• Millennium Bridge
• The Shard

Day 3: Central London along River Thames (cont’d)

If the weather forecast calls for rain, this day could be perfect for exploring some museums and indoor attractions. Plus, if you’ve got the London Pass, you can also make the most of bus tours or hop-on hop-off bus options.

The British Museum is the first stop on today’s itinerary. This museum houses over two million years of human history and culture. The best part? Tickets to view the permanent collection are completely free! The London Transportation Museum is another great museum telling the story of over 200 years of transportation in London. See everything from horse-drawn carriages to modern electric vehicles. St. Paul’s Cathedral is famously known for hosting the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Admission prices include an audio guide, or you can join a regular guided tour to get the full experience. Other popular stops along this route include: 

• Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
• Tate Modern 
• Covent Garden
• West End

Day 4: Take a Day Trip!

If you’d like to explore outside the city limits of London, we’ve built a day in the schedule to do so. There’s so much more to England than just the capital city, but only so much time available! 

• Stonehenge: The iconic rock formations! They’re located approximately an hour and 45 minutes outside of London.
• Oxford University: Walk around the campus and admire the architecture of the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Take the Tube, for a quick hour-and-a-half ride
• Windsor Castle: Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle, has quite a history. Founded by William the Conqueror back in the 11th century, it has been the residence of over 40 monarchs over the years. Getting there from London is a breeze with a quick train ride that involves just one exchange at Slough.
• Harry Potter Warner Brothers Tour: For Harry Potter fans, the Warner Brothers studio just outside the city is a must-visit. This is where they filmed all eight Harry Potter films and kept many original costumes, sets, and props. Take the Making of Harry Potter Tour to see The Great Hall, the railway station, and other famous spots from the movies. It’s a magical experience you won’t want to miss!

Day 5: Kensington

Kensington is a neighborhood in the west of London, famously known for being the home of Kensington Palace. What began as a humble royal residence in the 17th century has been expanded by the Royal family to be the stately mansion it is today. Most recently it is known as the residence of Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and Princes William and Harry. A 20-minute ride on the Tube will take you here from London.

Kensington is a hotspot for museums like the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. But it’s not just about museums; Kensington is a shopping paradise too. You’ve got iconic department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, and plenty of charming antique shops. It’s the ideal spot to pick up souvenirs for everyone on your list.

Day 6 in London: Greenwich

Greenwich is a neighborhood on the east side of London. It’s world-famous for its location on the Prime Meridian. Its most famous attraction is the Royal Observatory,  where you can get to know the stars at the Planetarium. The National Maritime Museum is free to visit and has interactive spaces for children and tons of fun for families. Greenwich Park is another popular destination, offering great views of the city and the perfect place for a picnic lunch.

Travel Modern: Your Partner in London Travel

When you’re ready to book your London getaway, the experts at Travel Modern are ready to help. While the itinerary is an important aspect of the trip, the travel arrangements, lodging, transportation, and restaurant reservations still need to be made. Let our team handle those, and we can even save you some money along the way. Contact us today to get started.