One Weekend In London: What To Do?
Thanks to my carefully planned schedule I was able to visit 8 Landmarks + one market in London, in two days!
I've done all the homework with information and tips to make your quick trip to London, easy breezy.
Day 1
1. Kensington Palace
2. Natural History Museum
3. Buckingham Palace
4. Big Ben
5. London Eye
Don't Forget: At the train station, make sure to pick up the travel brochure! There are "Buy one get one FREE" pull out tickets that you can fill in. It saved me lots of money!
1) Kensington Palace
Cost: £16.50 for adults / £15.40 online.
Address: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, United Kingdom
How to get there: Use District or Circle lines to High Street Kensington (10 - 15 minutes walking time to the palace).
To check in your coats (free of charge), simply present your ticket to the front desk host. This was an amazing exhibit if you're interested in learning more about Queen Victoria.The exhibit was quite large and there were plenty of things to see and do. I spent about an hour here.
Bonus Tip: Don't forget to take a photo next to the King's staircase!
2) Natural History Museum
Cost: Free admission!
Address:Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
How to get there by tube: the Museum is in walking distance of South Kensington station on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines.
This was my favorite landmark to visit! The museum is HUGE, it took me about two hours to walk around and see everything. Hang up your coats (£3) if you're feeling hot. There are plenty of cafes littered around the museum so if you're feeling parched or hungry - don't worry, the food is reasonably priced. The most popular exhibit is the "Dinosaur exhibit."
3) Buckingham Palace
Address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
Cost: £20.50 for a tour
How to get there by underground: Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner.
Stop by and see the Queen at Buckingham Palace! I didn't go inside but instead posed for pictures outside the gates. As this doesn't take up too much time, I would recommend just to stop here after visiting Hyde Park.
4) Big Ben
Address: Big Ben, Parliament Square, Westminster, St Margaret Street, London SW1A 0AA
How to get there: Go to Westminster underground station, take exit 4 (Bridge st).
Of course, we had to stop by Big Ben after visiting Buckingham palace.
5) The London Eye
Cost: £20.95 / £18.85 (online pricing)
Address: London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
How to get there: Waterloo is the closest tube station to the London Eye. Waterloo is about five minutes walking distance. Exit the station following signs for the South Bank.
Bonus Tip: Takes 30 minutes to fully rotate., so plan ahead!
The largest ferris wheel I have ever seen! If you're looking for a unique experience, then I would recommend this - though I got bored after the first 5 minutes because it took forever to get back down.
Day 2 Itinerary:
6. Bourough market
7. Tower Bridge Exhibit
8. St. Paul's Cathedral
9. Platform 3/4 quarters
6) Borough Market
Cost: Free admission into the market
Address: 8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL, England (London Bridge)
How to get here by Tube: Exit London Bridge Station and follow the signs.
I stumbled upon Borough Market by accident and wished I came here earlier. It has an amazing selection of food, drinks, and cheese! Everything was so reasonably priced.
Bonus Tip: I found a stall that sold exotic meats such as: Kangaroo, Zebra, and even reindeer meat. The chef's special beef burger was delicious.
7) Tower Bridge Exhibit
Cost: £9 per person
Address: Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP, United Kingdom
How to get there:
a. By Bus: take buses 15, 42, 78,100, RV1
b. By Tube: "London Bridge station crosses the Northern and Jubilee lines and brings you to the south bank of the River Thames with Tower Bridge just a short walk away."
For 9 pounds, you are able to walk along the tower bridge. This exhibit was pretty short, but it was a cool experience. Surprisingly, there weren't that many people doing the tour but I wouldn't recommend it if you're short on time.
7) St. Paul's Cathedral
Address: St Paul's Cathedral, St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD
How to get here by underground: St. Paul's 2 minute walk to Central Line
Price :£17.00
We didn't get a chance to go inside the cathedral so we just admired it from outside. Be sure to take plenty of pictures as it is so wonderful and lovely.
8) Platform 9 3/4
Cost: Free
Address: King's Cross Station, London, England
How to get there by Tube: exit King's Cross Station
Bonus Tip: Be sure to ask for assistance because if you enter the train platform, you will not be able to leave.
If you're a Harry Potter you need to visit! You are even able to choose from a scar from either Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. There was a cheerful attendant who let me hold a wand and wrapped the scarf around my neck and held it up for my photo. Ascendio!
NOTES:
- Next time in London, I'm planning to visit Trafalgar Square, and the Royal Albert Hall.
- Plan your itinerary depending on where you're staying, I was staying at a little cottage outside of London, 1 hour by train so I'd leave by 9am at the latest.
- If you want to avoid tourist season and better airfare and accommodation deals, you need to go in the fall and winter seasons but beware, it will be pretty chilly, prrrrr!
- BeFunky is a great travel companion to edit your photos on the go!
More of Diana's Adventures on:
www.dianasadventures.
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