A few days in London

[NeverHadANickname]

I'm after a bit of help please.

We are planning possibly four days in London in March. I have been to London once for a day and was a bit overwhelmed.

We love hop on hop off busses for a general overview of things and to see lots in one go so I think we'll do that. What else would people recommended? What's worth just seeing in passing and what's worth spending more time with on?

We aren't in to shopping, would like to see some touristy stuff. Thinking about staying at the travel lodge at Battersea.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Happy to help but would be easier with a few pointers perhaps as there is a lot to see.
Is it adults? Kids? (ages?) Any particular interests?- art, science, music, history, royalty, clubbing, theatre, architecture etc?

Oops sorry. Two adults. Mainly day time things, thinking tower of London, big Ben, borough market. We want to do the Harry Potter tour too but know that's in Watford so we'll need to travel over there. Not sure I'd want to see a show. Don't think it'd be worth the money for me.

I personally wouldn't stay in Battersea as I don't think it has great connection links to the rest of London like on the Tube etc, especially if you want to spend most of your time more central. You may be able to find a good deal on Airbnb - if you want to save money and not stay super-central, I'd prioritise staying somewhere with good tube/travel links and walking distance to a tube station.

One of my absolute favourite places in London is St James' Park, super central - views of Buckingham Palace and London Eye, but also just a nice place to relax away from the chaos of central London!

St James' park sounds good. We'll probably arrive mid to late afternoon so that might be nice to get us started on our first day. Fiance is flying in so will be nice to relax first.

You can get to lots of the famous sights within a walk of each other..... Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Westminster Abby, Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street (although there isn't anything to really 'see' there since Downing Street itself has been closed off, Horseguards Parade, etc.
Well woth spending a few hours just walking, and seeing the outside of all those places.
I really enjoyed London Eye when I went on it many years ago.
If you are going to Tower of London, you certainly used to be able to get 1/2 price entry if you travel by train (?worth looking in to). When you go in, go to the Crown Jewels first, as a queue starts to build up as the day goes on.

Depending on what your budget is but we really liked the Novotel by Tower Bridge tube. We live in Kent but sometimes do mini breaks to London .

From Tower of London you could go across the Tower Bridge and you have the option either turn right or left. If you turn right, you will walk past the Mayor of London office, along the river line with lots of restaurants, pubs, historical tidbits etc and eventually you will reach the Oxo Tower, Gabriel's Wharf (lovely little enclave of shops) and eventually the South Bank. It's a really easy and lovely walk even though it sounds long. I think Big Ben is now under a tarpaulin as it's gone under maintenance for few years.

Westminster Bridge is also absolutely packed these days, you are better off observing houses of parliament from the South Bank.

If you decide to turn left from going across Tower Bridge, you will arrive to Butlers Wharf which is where I'd love to live! It's an old dock area with flats, river side restaurants, narrow streets where you can almost smell cinnamon infused in the brick walls from the old dock days and just fabulous views over the river.

Thank you, this is all great, especially the walking bits.

I had forgotten about big Ben but thinking about it I didn't realise it'd be so covered up.

I like the idea of borough market but I'm not sure why, probably because I like food 😂

Borough Market is fab, definitely worth a visit. I use to work near by and loved popping in there during my lunch break.

It's on the river so along the walking route I described earlier.

Good to know it won't be a waste of time. I love walking and taking everything in.

We are looking at the London pass because for what we want to do it will save us money.

Anywhere recommended to eat? I know that's a broad question. Probably lower end of budget. We like most things. Maybe something more traditionally British? Could be incorporated in to our trips I suppose like near the shard or London eye etc.

If you are going to Borough Market then Padella really is amazing if you like pasta (and is cheap!). To avoid the understandable queues go for a late lunch (after 2:30 at least!)! If you can’t get in Lobos nearby is a great little tapas bar.

Apart from St John - I would avoid anywhere advertising itself as ‘traditionally british’ (as likely terrible fish & chips!)

If you are walking over Tower Bridge from Tower of London, then you'll come to Southwark Cathedral which used to have a lovely eatery when I last went there.

I'd really recommend booking the sky garden. It's free but must book and the views across the city are amazing. You can get a coffee or food or a drink while you are there.

It's also quite central, walking distance of all the other things help mentioned.

Love pasta and tapas, not keen on bad fish and chips 😂

I'll look in to everything mention. Thank you all so much.

If you are doing Harry Potter studios you need to book in advance. Other options:

• Tower of London and Tower Bridge and Borough Market.
• Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral, London eye.
• St James Park, Buckingham Palace and musical or show in the West end and dinner in Covent Garden
• Harry Potter Studios, that will probably be a whole day trip

That's your 4 days.

For food have a look at opentable - you can set budget, cuisine type, location and it often has deals and you can often find a great table really last minute - or far in advance.

Thanks user that looks similar to what we were thinking so thanks for the groupings.

That sounds useful thegood thank you.

Museums great too but you may not have time eg Natural History, V & A, Science museum. I used to like wandering around on the South Bank. Also like Greenwich but it might be a bit far out.

Have brunch in the Shard. Delicious and great views but very pricey.

One of my best trips to London we walked a lot. Started at borough market and walked along the Thames to the London eye then up to Buckingham palace then through the park and up to the Diana memorial it was lovely