Classic London
Author: Emine Saner
Get ready to discover London’s iconic side. Where the striking landmarks of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben sit alongside the 200-year-old National Portrait Gallery and Tate Britain gallery. Enjoy cocktails up The Shard or wine down in the vaults of Gordon’s.
A first trip to historic London can seem a bit overwhelming – with well over 192 museums in London , the city alone contains four UNESCO World Heritage sites, but fear not. We’re here to help. Follow our guide to squeezing in the best bits of England’s capital into a whirlwind 48-hour trip. To make it easier, we’ve restricted everything to central London, so get your walking shoes on and let’s get exploring.
Friday
Evening
Is it your first time visiting? If so, it’s worth staying close to the main meat of the action so you can make the most of your visit – ideally that will be Zone 1. The capital’s transport fare zones are set out like concentric rings, with Zone 1 being the most central.
For this, why not book a classically luxurious break at Europe’s first grand hotel, The Langham? Its Palm Court restaurant kicked off the tradition of formal afternoon tea (you can now get vegan and children’s afternoon tea too). Alternatively, the four-star Rembrandt in Kensington is just opposite the intriguing V&A Museum, and is just a short stroll away from Harrods.
Once you’re checked in and freshened up, it’s time to get going. Take a stroll past Big Ben (the 13.7-tonne bell is Ben, and the tower itself is the Elizabeth Tower). You might be interested to know that if you stand at the base of the tower, you will hear the chimes one-sixth of a second after the bell is struck. Head over Westminster Bridge with its beautiful lamps – the bridge is painted green to match the interior of the House of Commons.
By now you’ll have spotted some real London favourites, including: The Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral. The cathedral boasts one of the biggest domes in the world, while you’ll be astonished at how far the quietest of voices can carry in its Whispering Gallery. You can book guided tours around some of these places too – well worth doing for the Houses of Parliament.
On the south side of the River Thames, head for the Royal Festival Hall – get there before 19:00 and you might catch the end of a free concert. Head to the third floor to the glamorous mid-century Skylon restaurant along with its centrepiece bar serving some pretty astonishing cocktails complete with views.
Not one for heights? Why not walk some 20 minutes, soak in the riverside views and take in a performance at nearby Shakespeare’s Globe. London hosted the first performance of Shakespeare at The Globe in 1599. Along with this, London boasts some 200 shows every day across a rich offering of theatres across the West End.
Get arty
The National Gallery was established in 1824 and is the seventh most visited museum in the world. The gallery is and has always been free to visit and some of the works of art on show include paintings by Turner, Constable and Cézanne.
A history lesson
The White Tower is the oldest part of the Tower of London, built during Norman times. The Tower was once a prison and before Elizabeth I became queen, she was imprisoned here by her half-sister, Queen Mary I. It's now home to the Crown Jewels, which are on display for visitors.
Saturday
08:45 – Tower power
Inject some bling into your morning and head to the Tower of London just before it opens at 09:00. If you get here in time, head straight for the Crown Jewels. This way you’ll dodge the crowds and still get to see the ravens (historic guardians of the ancient castle), the Beefeaters (officially, Yeoman Warders) and the jewels without being harried.
14:00 – High life
Walk over London Bridge – not to be confused with Tower Bridge to discover Borough Market. This is perhaps Europe’s finest foodie’s paradise. It’s rammed with artisan market stalls, so you’ll find anything from countless cheeses to cream-filled doughnuts to die for. There’s also sit-down places here from seafood paradise the Wright Brothers to carnivore-loving Black and Blue. Lots of pubs spill onto the pavements here too, including The Wheatsheaf and The Market Porter, while the East London Liquor Company bottles and distils small batches of rum and gin. If you want to make the best of the market’s free samples of food, get here before closing at 17:00.
After you’ve had your fill, it’s time to whizz up to the top of Western Europe’s tallest building to enjoy views from The Shard’s viewing platform, 800 feet above the city. Overall, this 1,020-foot-tall skyscraper is 95 levels tall, with floor 72 being offering London’s highest observation deck complete with wraparound views of the city’s skylines.
15:00 – Garden delights
Head to nearby London Bridge where you can catch a river bus service known as Thames Clippers to Embankment. From here it’s a short walk to Covent Garden. Spend some time wandering the quaint streets and shops, take in the Royal Opera House and the street entertainers and explore the cute, brightly coloured Neal’s Yard. Don’t forget to see the ornate market hall before walking west down Long Acre to Leicester Square to see if you can pick up last-minute discounted theatre tickets at the TKTS booth on the south side of the square.
17:00 – Art attack
From here, it’s a short walk to the 200-year-old National Gallery. You could spend weeks here, but as this is a flying visit, pick up an audio tour of artistic highlights, including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to Constable’s Hay Wain. Have a cup of tea and a cake in the beautiful cafe to keep you going, before you take your seats at a West End show.
21:30 – Post-theatre plates
J Sheekey, a fish and seafood restaurant tucked away on a little street near Leicester Square, is the unofficial canteen for London’s stage stars. Its pre-theatre slots are renowned for their slick service to get you to curtain-up on time. Go after the show and you may be dining with the actors themselves. Make sure you book ahead. The main restaurant is timeless, with wood panelled walls and crisp white tablecloths. For a bit of people watching, head straight for the bar.
Grand designs
The building that now houses The Wolseley started its life as a car showroom in 1921, before it was transformed into a bank. Its stately interior is now the setting for one of the most acclaimed restaurants in London.
Afternoon tea
The British custom of afternoon tea dates back to 1840 and was invented to satisfy hunger between lunch and dinner. Though there are many variations, afternoon tea usually consists of small finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and cakes.
Sunday
08:00 – Breakfast like a king
One of the best times to see London is early on a Sunday morning, when the streets are quieter. No time for lie-ins on this tour, head to The Wolseley for Eggs Benedict or its dreamy freshly baked pastries within its glittering Viennese-style glamorous grand cafe.
09:15 – Visit the King
Book the first slot of the day to see the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. The King's London home is a few minutes’ walk from The Wolseley through Green Park. If you’re early, take a turn around beautiful St James’s Park over the road. Take note of which flag is flying (if it’s the Royal Standard, the King is in the building ). Time it right and you should appear from the palace just in time for the changing of the guard ceremony from 10:30.
13:00 – Lunch at Dinner
It can take weeks to get an evening reservation at Heston Blumenthal’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge. It is, however, much easier to get a table at lunch. Blumenthal’s menu is influenced by British history, with dishes inspired by ancient recipes. Prepare to dig deep into your purse and you could be having the likes of octopus and lovage.
For a much more affordable option, head to the glorious cafe at the Victoria & Albert Museum – said to be the oldest museum cafe in the world. It serves from three beautiful rooms: one reflects the opulent and eclectic tastes of the Victorians and shouldn’t be missed.
15:00 – Angelic song
Most tourists take the full tour of Westminster Abbey but there’s a different way to experience one of the world’s most important and historic churches. As the site of 39 coronations since 1066, and the burial place of many kings and queens – as well as notable figures such as Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens, it has a historic pedigree that makes it popular. However, attend the Evensong service and you’ll get to imbibe the spirit of the place thanks to one of the world’s most expert choirs. Expect to be ushered quickly out afterwards, but it’ll be something you’ll remember.
16:00 – Clock work
Time to wander through Parliament Square. See the statues of Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln, and take in views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. You’re also close to loads of sights from Tate Britain to the UK Supreme Court, St James’s Park and the London Eye.
17:15 – Cream tea at The Savoy
Finish off the weekend with a pre-flight afternoon tea. The Savoy is known for its impeccable finger sandwiches, classic scones with jam and clotted cream, and some of the finest cakes in town. These wonderful snacks are served under the arresting glass-domed roof of the Thames Foyer. Booking is recommended (oh and come smart casual – no trainers or sportswear). But it’s worth it for a classic British ending to a classic London weekend.
Where to stay
Rembrandt
Just opposite the Victoria & Albert, the four-star Rembrandt offers a place to relax after active days out and about – unwind in the spa, then take afternoon tea in the lounge.
Amba Hotel Grosvenor
Take a break at the four-star Amba Hotel Grosvenor, close to many of London’s most iconic sights. Return after sightseeing days for a cocktail or glass of Champers in the Reunion bar.
The Langham
For a slice of luxury, choose to stay at The Langham – for its fabulous location, opulent spa and award-winning afternoon tea.