Kew

3 Days in London – The Perfect Itinerary

By Lee Dales

Spending three days in London is an exciting prospect for anyone lucky enough to visit. But choosing what to see and do is a challenge when you consider just how many amazing attractions London town has to offer. On the one hand, there’s a dizzying range of essential sights like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. On the other, there’s endless fun to be had in the city streets, stuffed with delicious restaurants, must-see museums and world-class theatres. There’s also many a hidden wonder to dig out and explore, from peaceful parks and stately homes.

It could easily take you a lifetime to take it all in. But for those of you with only three days at your disposal, don’t fear. We’ve got you covered with our super-sweet capsule guide to the perfect three-day itinerary.

3 days in London - our must-see sights:

  • Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
  • Buckingham Palace
  • River Thames Cruise
  • The Greenwich Observatory & Cutty Sark
  • Curzon Soho
  • Kew Gardens
  • Hampton Court Palace
Image of Housing, House, Clock Tower, Tower, Bus,

Day 1 – historic London landmarks

Houses of Parliament

Your first-stop sight should be the imposing Palace of Westminster, an instantly recognisable building that will take your breath away. Big Ben, its grand Gothic clocktower is perhaps its most famous feature, best viewed in the subtle morning light from the scenic viewpoint of Westminster Bridge. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll see it on a cloudless sunny day where you can take postcard-perfect pictures of the building as the sun turns it a mellow shade of yellow-gold. Perfect for that Insta-worthy snap!

Buckingham Palace and Banqueting House

From Westminster Bridge, head along Birdcage Walk with St James’s Park on your right and you’ll be rewarded with views of Buckingham Palace - a magnificent façade complete with grand neoclassical columns. The opulent State Rooms are also open to visitors for 10 weeks each summer, so check these out if you can. Nearby, in London’s Whitehall, don’t miss Banqueting House, another extravagant architectural gem featuring a spectacular oil-painted ceiling of Royal figures being carried to heaven.

Image of Boat, Vehicle, Bridge,

Day 2 – on the river

Thames River Cruise

After this action-packed day, you’ll need a well-deserved break and the River Thames offers the perfect sanctuary. A hop-on, hop-off Thames River Cruise is a great way to take in the river’s landmark sights while travelling at a more leisurely pace. If you hop on at the Westminster pier, you can drift down the river past world-renowned landmarks like Tower Bridge, a Victorian masterpiece and the famous Tower of London fortress. Exit at Tower Pier to explore these attractions or continue to Greenwich Pier for a welcome breather from the hustle and bustle of inner-city London.

Greenwich Observatory

When you land at Greenwich, you’ll be instantly seduced by a comparatively tranquil vibe. Explore the manicured green spaces at the peaceful Greenwich park, or grab a coffee in one of the cute independent cafes at the quaint but bustling Greenwich market. Next, head over to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the home of Greenwich Mean Time, where astronomy and science come to life through permanent exhibitions at this historic venue. Learn how time was standardized, how the first telescope was created and how science and astronomy have changed across the ages. While in the area, you should also stop by the Cutty Sark, a stunningly well-preserved 19th-century tea clipper that was built to carry tea all the way from China to England. Board the boat and tour the sailor’s quarters while enjoying beautiful views up and down the Thames – the perfect way to round-off a laid-back day by the river.

Day 3 – offbeat attractions

Use your final day as a chance to take in some of London’s less explored attractions that aren’t always on the standard tourist trail. Broaden your horizons by looking to locations on the outskirts of the city, like Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens, both free to enter with the Go London pass.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

This unusual UNESCO World Heritage Site in South West London is an absolute joy to explore. Discover an exotic wonderland of plants from around the world across 121 hectares of landscaped gardens. The Palm House greenhouse, built in 1884, is a real highlight. Containing a diverse abundance of tropical plant species including orchids, cocoa palms and rubber trees, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into the depths of the Amazon. You might need a cool-down after, so head to the Pavilion Bar and Grill for some much-needed refreshments with a fine view – located in the heart of Kew’s Arboretum, you can sit outside among the trees while enjoying a glimpse of the garden’s fantastic Great Pagoda in the background.

Image of Person, Castle, Fortress,

Hampton Court Palace

If grandiose stately homes are more your thing, then the Hampton Court Palace should suffice. Also located in South West London, this magnificent Tudor mansion will transport you to the medieval times of King Henry VIII. This palace was his favorite royal hangout and you can see why when you tour the breathtaking interiors replete with priceless paintings, fine tapestries and gold just about everywhere. You can also see the exquisitely designed gardens while getting lost in the palace’s world-famous hedge maze.

Curzon Soho

All this adventure could leave you a little exhausted. But the Curzon Soho cinema in London’s West End is a perfect place to wind down your day in style. This edgy avant-garde cinema has a quirky and informal vibe that’s just perfect for a peaceful end to a long day of sightseeing. Catch an independent film at one of its three cinema screens, or lounge at its breezy underground bar, or cool café, where you can gorge on artisan pastries or yummy small plates. It really is the ideal haven to complete your busy three-day London tour.

Save on London attractions year-round

Whenever you’re making your trip to London, be sure to bring a Go London pass with you. Save on admission to the city’s best attractions. With something that’s perfect for any time of year, we’re sure you’ll make the most of this money-saving pass.

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March is a good time to head to London's parks
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What to do in London in March

London in March welcomes the spring – announcing itself with a flurry of flowerheads and chirruping of bird song. Brighter, sunnier skies begin to hint at the months ahead and the return of British Summer Time means evenings are lighter for longer. All the better for enjoying London’s many attractions and events, including the St Patrick’s Day celebrations and the University Boat Race. What is the weather like in London in March? Don’t be fooled by the sudden addition of color to the streets of London in March, the start of the month can still be chilly. March 1 will usually see daytime temperatures of around 8°C, before they begin to steadily increase as the month goes on. By its end, they’ve jumped by roughly a third to about 13°C. Putting this into context, it’s just 3°C below temperatures frequently recorded at the height of summer. On occasion they can jump still further – the March all-time record stands at no less than 23°C. Given this fact, snow is – perhaps unbelievably – still an outside possibility. However, your main concern will be rain showers, which can sweep in at any time to break up the growing periods of sun. On the plus side, dusk creeps back day after day, providing visitors to London with longer daylight hours to spend amidst the treasures of the British capital. Enjoy London’s parks The grass turns a fresh shade of green, the flower beds erupt in blooms and the sun – hopefully – shines. This makes March in London a good month for getting outside and exploring the city’s many parks, gardens and green spaces. A visit to the gates of Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony can easily be combined with time in the capital’s Royal Parks. St James’s, Green and Hyde Parks form a near-continuous expanse of greenery from the River Thames to Notting Hill. More than just parklands, they contain various monuments, lakes and even an art gallery – The Serpentine. Not all that far away in Lambeth is the Garden Museum. The only museum of its kind in the country, it uses its base of a converted church dated to the Norman Conquest to record the history of the garden in the UK psyche. Get ready to party The color green is also an integral part of one of March’s main events. He may not be the capital’s patron saint (that’s Saint Paul) but this doesn’t stop Londoners from celebrating St Patrick’s Day on March 17. The main festivities generally take place on the weekend nearest the date, and kick off on Piccadilly Circus. It’s from here a parade of floats, performers and marching bands take over the streets on route to Trafalgar Square. But the festivities don’t stop there. The statue of Nelson atop its column looks down on a specially-constructed stage that sees performances from a wealth of acts with a connection to the Emerald Isle. Pall Mall hosts a range of family zone activities suitable for younger visitors. It’s the banks of the Thames that are the location for The University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge. First fought in 1829, somewhere in the region of a quarter of a million people line the winding 4.2 mile west London course each year to cheer on the rowing eights. The finish line at Chiswick Bridge is a favored vantage point for obvious reasons. Refresh your wardrobe Browsing the new season trends is on many people’s lists of things to do in London in March, and for good reason. The British capital’s range of retail opportunities is well-known, offering everything from off the peg items to department stores holding royal warrants to supply the Queen and Prince of Wales. Whilst it’s Oxford Street where you’ll find many household names, neighboring Regent’s Street blends high-end couture with an independent streak sometimes missing from the streets of the capital. Children’s eyes will bulge wide at the very sight of Hamleys’, whose seven stories make it the biggest toyshop in the world. Meanwhile, adults are sure to find something that delights at Liberty’s, whose mock-Tudor edifice stretches from Kingly Street to the boutique stores of Carnaby Street, and has championed designers from William Morris to Manolo Blahnik. The seven streets that together form, surprise-surprise, Seven Dials, between Soho and Covent Garden is perhaps easier on the wallet but certainly doesn’t hold back on the cool. Playing host to almost 150 stores and places to eat, it’s a good place to head whether you’re looking for a new pair of jeans or a block of locally-produced cheese. If there’s a bookworm in the family, a trip to the secondhand bookshops of Charing Cross Road will be in order. Explore the wider world Amid the splendor of the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House, Greenwich, stand the masts of the last remaining tea clipper, the Cutty Sark. A simply stunning addition to the east London skyline under the clear skies of March, she was built in 1869 and moored at the Thames as a museum ship in 1954. Visitors are able to discover the cramped conditions crew sailing between China and England had to endure below deck. Since a major restoration project, it’s now also possible to walk beneath the hull to view its original planking and ironwork, before admiring the world’s largest collection of ship’s figureheads. Containing one of the largest collections of living creatures in the UK, ZSL London Zoo has been educating the public and conserving the world’s wildlife for nearly two centuries. Amongst its 20,000 individual animals are 650 species including lions, lemurs and Komodo dragons. Each live in enclosures attempting to mimic their natural habitats as closely as possible, to the extent that many include other species from the same region. Save on March London attraction admission The start of spring ensures there are a huge array of things to do in London in March. But seeing so many attractions can soon get expensive. Go City helps ease the burden by including reduced admission to many of London’s top attractions, whilst doing away with paper ticketing but not the flexibility you’ll want on a visit to the British capital.
Ian Packham
Visit the statue of Eros in London in February
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Why you should visit London in February

The spring blooms of London’s parks and the warm summer nights of July and August may still be a while away, but London in February still merits consideration. The sporting calendar is as packed as always, whilst you can channel your inner Anna Wintour at London Fashion Week or enjoy a romantic meal on Valentine’s Day. Pick your travel dates carefully, and you can take advantage of some of the best hotel deals of the year too. Discover what it takes to be London’s next supermodel February in London is undoubtedly a month to show off the full glory of your winter wardrobe. Average daily temperatures of 3 – 7°C mean woolens will become your best friend, with a hat, scarf and gloves must have items. An umbrella will likely be more than an accessory – the months when an umbrella isn’t needed in London are few and far between. Helping to brighten up the sometimes-dark days of February is London Fashion Week Festival, one of the Big Four fashion events alongside Paris, Milan and New York. Hot on the heels of an industry get-together of the same name, its publicly-accessible events include catwalk shows presenting the latest collections from roughly 100 of the country’s top designers. Known to attract the global glitterati, previous editions have even included an appearance by Queen Elizabeth II, though as guest of honor rather than one of the models. If it gets you into the mood for some retail therapy, you’re only ever a Tube ride away from an afternoon tea at Harrods or the chance of bumping into royalty on the floors of Fortnum & Mason, a Piccadilly institution since 1707. Whatever your style and budget, Oxford Street is also hard to beat for the fashion conscious. Head to west London Once described as a thug’s game played by gentlemen, encounters on the field of the Six Nations Championships can be bruising, with national pride at stake. Taking place in February and March, it is an annual Rugby Union competition held between England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy. London’s Twickenham Stadium plays a central role, as well as being guardian of treasures like the Calcutta Cup, the oldest international sporting trophy in the world. Alternatively, you can absorb the atmosphere of an England game from one of London’s many pubs. When a big match is on, it’s not normally necessary to head to a sports bar, with almost everyone broadcasting the build-up. But watch out for kick-off times clashing with those of London’s first love – soccer. If sport isn’t your bag, then nearby Kew Gardens may be more up your street. The depths of winter may sound like a strange time to visit, however February sees it host its Orchid Festival in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, bringing a little tropical cheer to this corner of west London. So will the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust’s London Wetland Centre – the place to spot London’s native species. The 100-acre site provides winter habitats for birds including bittern and kingfishers as well as ring-necked parakeets, which have been part of the London skyline since the 1920s. Get all loved up (or relish in a little me-time) Beneath their frosty exterior, Londoners are as romantic as any other, as you’re sure to see if you’re lucky (or clever) enough to coincide your trip with Valentine’s Day. The most romantic day of the year can be enjoyed with a huge array of classic itineraries, from hotel spa days to candle-lit dinners at London’s many restaurants. The romantic gestures don’t need to stop there. Central London has plenty of spots to gaze into one another’s eyes, from the green beneath Big Ben’s clock faces, to the pods of the London Eye and the 800 foot (250 m) high View from The Shard observation deck. At twice the height of almost any other public space, its 360° views can extend 40 miles. For something a little different, you could hire a rowing boat on Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake for an hour or two. Meanwhile if you need a ring to pop the big question, Hatton Garden should be your destination of choice due to its range of high-end jewelers and diamond dealers. Don’t fret if you’re a lone traveler on February 14 though. Not only are there an increasing number of events dedicated to singletons, but it gives you the opportunity to do whatever you fancy, whenever you fancy it. Why not slip into a seat at Curzon Soho Cinema to watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster, for instance? Celebrate Chinese New Year Taking place at the very end of January or first half of February, the new lunar year takes its name from one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The event is a great time to sample festive foods such as dumplings and longevity noodles at the restaurants and food stalls of Chinatown, located off the theater district’s Shaftesbury Avenue. Decked out in Chinese lanterns and the lucky color of red, attractions include large-scale forms of each of the zodiac’s creatures. Traditional lion dancers stun the crowds with their acrobatic moves, before attention turns to the multi-talented performers of Trafalgar Square and the family-focused fun of Leicester Square. Here children can try their hand at Chinese calligraphy or head for the dressing up box. Whether you plan to spend the whole afternoon celebrating or just pop by, anything goes at this free event. If it’s raining, a better bet is one of London’s shows. Attracting some of stage and screens top talent, previous productions having drafted in Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Helen Mirren and Sir Ian McKellen to list just three well-known names. Save on London February attraction admission One of the cheapest times of year to visit, London in February still has a calendar of events that would have most cities blushing in embarrassment. Come prepared for the chilly weather and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy them all. Like a singleton on Valentine’s Day (and we’ve all been in that boat) Go City helps you do what you want when you want to do it, whilst making savings on both tours and attractions around the city.
Ian Packham
A row of red telephone boxes covered in snow
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Visiting London in January

January is London’s quietest month when it comes to visitor numbers, meaning there are usually some great flight and hotel deals to be had. What many people don’t realize is that London in January remains a hive of activity. Not only is it still possible to experience the Christmas festivities, but also to grab a bargain in the January sales and celebrate Spring Festival with the capital’s Chinese community. Weather in London in January London in January is typified by short days and cloudy skies. Whilst milder than most other capitals in northern Europe, temperatures struggle to hit double figures, with top daytime temperatures reaching eight or nine degrees Celsius. Rain can be expected at almost any time, although significant rainfall is limited to about a third of the month. Snow in the heart of the capital is rare, and deep snow falls even rarer. If weather forecasts hint at the possibility of a sprinkling of snow, the best places to enjoy the spectacle are attractions on the city’s outskirts such as Richmond Park or the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. When it comes to staying warm, be sure to pack plenty of layers, a trustworthy pair of waterproof boots and some thick socks. Then you’ll be ready for anything the unruly British weather might throw at you whilst exploring all that London vaunts, from New Year partying to renowned museums. New Year in London London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are beamed live across the globe. Even so, there’s nothing quite like being there in person. The countdown begins long before the midnight fireworks light up the skies above the London Eye, with restaurants booking up way in advance. The fireworks are followed by a New Year's Day Parade. One of London’s newest traditions – having first taken place in the late 1980s – the spectacle starts at noon in upmarket Piccadilly before passing through Trafalgar Square on route to the Houses of Parliament. The 10,000 participants form an eclectic mix of dancers, musicians and performers from every continent, alongside the homegrown delights of London’s Pearly Kings and Queens. But that’s certainly not the end of the seasonal festivities. Christmas in London doesn’t conclude until Twelfth Night (Epiphany) on January 6. Only then are the Christmas lights switched off, window displays removed, and Christmas trees taken down. The day is marked on the banks of the Thames at Shakespeare’s Globe by the appearance of the Holly Man. A character from pre-Christian folklore akin to the Green Giant, he symbolizes new life and is welcomed by suitably-clad dignitaries before wassailing (blessing) the river and the city. Grab a bargain As shopping destinations go, London in January has got to be up there with the best of them. By the start of the month the biggest sales of the year are already in full swing. Few stores want to miss out on the action, with Harrods and Selfridges among the well-known names slashing prices. Although the crowds tend to form at the start of this period, many of the best discounts are to be had when the sales are wrapping up in the middle of the month. They are swiftly followed by more shopping opportunities at the London Art Fair. Collating works from over 100 of London’s independent galleries, the fair has become one of the best places to scrutinize the capital’s up-and-coming artistic talent in close quarters. And whilst all the works of painting, sculpture and photography are for sale, browsers are also very welcome. Discover major cultural events Not content with one lot of New Year’s celebrations, the end of January (or start of February) sees another moment of feasting, this time for Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. Shifting on an annual basis with the new moon, the largest commemorations outside of Asia begin with a street parade in Chinatown containing a series of finely-decorated floats. Firecrackers then echo across Trafalgar Square to launch a day-long festival of lion dances, musical performances and a plentiful supply of authentic street food. It’s a Spring Festival tradition to mark the new year from high-up, with The View from The Shard and ArcelorMittal Orbit the perfect way to do this. January’s other big event is Burns Night on January 25. Scotland’s unofficial national day, restaurants across the capital join in with honoring the poetry of Robert Burns, author of Auld Lang Syne. Expect Scottish salmon to make an appearance, alongside haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes) rounded off with a portion of whisky-dosed cranachan. Or you could forgo this raspberry and cream concoction and jump straight to a whisky tasting at one of London’s cocktail bars. Tick off a museum or two January’s rainier days are just the excuse you’ve been looking for to jump headlong into London’s museums and galleries. Whatever your interests, you can pretty much guarantee there’s a collection somewhere in the capital that suits. For an overview of two million years of humanity look no further than the British Museum, whose riches include the Rosetta Stone and the Anglo-Saxon treasures of the Sutton Hoo ship burial. Less celebrated but still worth any amount of time you can dedicate to them are Kensington Palace and the Royal Greenwich Observatory. The palace in Hyde Park was the birthplace of Queen Victoria and is presently the home of Prince William and his young family. Meanwhile, the Royal Greenwich Observatory has been leading the way in mapping and timekeeping for four centuries. Pierced by the prime meridian, it’s one of the most photogenic places on Earth to have your photo taken with one leg in the eastern hemisphere and the other in the western. Whilst in the area, take a turn at some of Greenwich’s additional attractions, including the Cutty Sark, the last tea clipper sailing ship to be built before steam power took over. Capable of conducting the journey between Chinese ports and the southeast of England in a record-breaking three months, this elegant masted vessel kept Londoners’ obsession with tea fed for just eight years before swapping to a role in the wool trade. Don’t miss your chance to save with Go City There’s plenty to see and do in London in January. Many of the capital’s top attractions welcome Explorer Pass holders, allowing you to save on standard admission costs. So, if you’re considering January in London because of the deals available, don’t forget to add Go City to your list of budget-stretching buys.
Ian Packham

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