A long weekend in London
The City and Bankside on day one, the big free museums and Hyde Park on day two, and a river boat to Greenwich on day three.
- Length: 3 days
- Pace: balanced
- Rough cost: £130–£230 pp
- Best for: A Friday-to-Sunday trip with a mix of history, museums and the river
The plan
Day 1 · The City and Bankside Tower Hill, Borough, St Paul’s, Bankside
- 09:00–11:45 Tower of LondonBook ahead
Crown Jewels first, then the White Tower and walls.
- 11:45–12:15 Tower Bridge
Walk across to the south bank.
- 12:30–13:30 Lunch at Borough Market
Street food and bakeries under the railway arches.
- 14:00–15:45 St Paul’s CathedralBook aheadIndoors
Climb to the Golden Gallery for the view (over 500 steps). Sightseeing Mon–Sat; last entry around 16:00.
- 15:50–16:10 Millennium Bridge
Footbridge straight to Tate Modern.
- 16:15–17:45 Tate ModernIndoors
Free. Take the lift to the Blavatnik viewing level.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner around Bankside
Riverside pubs or the streets behind the Globe.
Day 2 · South Kensington and Hyde Park South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park
- 10:00–12:15 Natural History MuseumIndoors
Free. Book a free slot in school holidays. Hintze Hall and the dinosaur gallery fill up first.
- 12:15–13:15 Lunch around Exhibition Road
Cafés on Exhibition Road or the V&A café.
- 13:15–15:30 Victoria and Albert MuseumIndoors
Free. Cast Courts, fashion and the jewellery rooms.
- 15:45–17:30 Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park
Albert Memorial, the Italian Gardens and the Serpentine.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner in South Kensington or Marylebone
Short Tube hop from Lancaster Gate if you want Marylebone.
Day 3 · Greenwich by river Westminster, Greenwich
- 09:30–10:00 Westminster and Big Ben
Quick look before the boat.
- 10:00–11:00 Uber Boat to Greenwich
Thames Clippers river bus; contactless works. Sit outside at the back for the view.
- 11:00–12:00 Cutty Sark and the Old Royal Naval College
The college grounds are free; the Painted Hall needs a ticket.
- 12:00–13:00 Lunch at Greenwich Market
Covered market with street food stalls.
- 13:15–15:15 Royal ObservatoryBook ahead
Stand on the meridian line; Flamsteed House and the view over Canary Wharf.
- 15:30–16:30 Greenwich Park and the Queen’s HouseIndoors
The Queen’s House art collection is free.
- 17:30–19:00 Early dinner in the City
Leadenhall Market area, or head back to your hotel.
Rough cost
Per person. Tower of London, St Paul’s and Royal Observatory tickets, three days of contactless fares including the river boat, mid-range meals. Not hotel.
Prices checked November 2026 against official and widely published 2026 rates; they change, so confirm before you pay.
Book ahead
- Tower of London — First slot of the day is the calmest.
- St Paul’s Cathedral — Online tickets are cheaper than at the door.
- Royal Observatory — Timed entry; weekends sell out in summer.
If it rains
- Instead of Hyde Park walk: Science Museum (free), next to the Natural History Museum
- Instead of Greenwich Park: National Maritime Museum (free), at the foot of the park
Good to know
- St Paul’s is closed to sightseers on Sundays — put day one on Friday or Saturday.
- The Uber Boat runs roughly every 20–30 minutes; check times on the Thames Clippers site.
- Museums in South Kensington are free, but special exhibitions charge.
Book it
- Tickets and tours in London (GetYourGuide)
- Hotels in London (Booking.com)
- UK train times and fares (Trainline)
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Want some fresh air after the city? Easy hikes in the Lake District (Roamglade).
