The Unknown Ahead

Heathrow Airport is a common stop when venturing to Europe. Why not stop, adjust to the time change, and get a whirlwind tour of the town? London is such an easy city to navigate thanks to the Tube. The trains are really reliable and each stop is aptly named so that even the most clueless tourist can’t get too lost. You can find a great color-coded map for all the Tube stops HERE.

We took a cab to our hotel, but you can certainly take the train as well. There are a ton of gorgeous hotels in London, but we opted for the Conrad London St. James. This 5-star hotel boasts large rooms and a great central location. It’s also a Hilton property if you’re the type who likes booking on points.

Stuck with a bunch of luggage? Check out Radical Storage for a place to stash those bags! There are a ton of locations in London, so you’re guaranteed to find a convenient location to pop your bags while you wait for check-in time.

We only have a short amount of time, so let’s get hustling! Here are some ideas for a quicky trip to London on a layover!

If you’d like to see all of these suggestions on my interactive Google Map, click HERE.

The Tower of London

Who can resist looking at the Crown Jewels? If you only have a short time in London, you should definitely put this UNESCO World Heritage site on your to-do list. This landmark is on the east side of the city near the Tower Bridge. There is a ferry stop nearby, so if the weather is nice, hop into the Thames and make your way to the Tower of London. You can reserve tickets online for £34.80 for adults and £17.40 for kids (children under 5 are free).

Let’s talk jewels first! There are 23,000 gemstones on display to marvel over including the coronation regalia. These pieces have been on display at the Tower of London since 1661. Even though you have tickets, there is still often a line to get into the jewels section of the exhibit. I recommend lining up (ahem, queue) right away if you want some time with that 105 carat diamond.

The White Tower was built in 1066 as a fortress. The area was also used as a prison and saw the executions of three Queens (including Anne Boleyn). You can certainly wander around on your own, but I suggest getting the audio tour so that you can soak up some of the history. There is a cool collection of armor and weapons that kids will love too.

There are plenty of buildings to wander in and out of, so I would budget about 2 hours here if you wanted to blitz through the whole thing at a quick pace. If you really want to read every plaque and digest the history, then you might want closer to 3 hours or even a full morning.

Thames River Cruise

There are a ton of ferries and river cruises offered down the Thames River. So many of the iconic London sites are viewable from the water, so it’s a great way to check things off your list without walking a hole into your shoes. If you started at the Tower of London, just walk to the Tower Bridge Quay and hop on a ferry heading west. This will give you great views of the bridges as well.

As you head west, check out the HMS Belfast. It’s a 9-deck World War II warship that has been turned into a museum. If you have the kids with you, this might be a good stop since it’s quite interactive.

Under the London Bridge you go! Hopefully it’s not falling down. Ah, I crack myself up. Next up, you pass the Golden Hinde which is a replica of the first English ship to circumnavigate the globe. It’s quite an ornate ship. It’s also a pretty cheap visit at £18 for a family of four. If you have kids that love canons and stories of explorers, it’s a neat stop.

Arguably one of the most iconic spots in London – Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is coming up next. It’s a replica, but really unique and easily seen from the River. We didn’t have time to see a show, but you absolutely should! You can see Shakespeare’s plays here from late March through October. If you don’t have time to see an actual performance, you can still take a tour of the space. Visit their website to see what’s playing while you’re in town.

As you round the South Bank, you get to see the London Eye aka the Ferris Wheel. This is one expensive ride, in my opinion. You can purchase tickets in advance for £30 per person or get walk-up tickets at £42 per person. A full rotation on the Eye is about 30 minutes. So, about $100 US for a 30-minute trip in a circle for just me and my husband? It’s a pass for me, but you do you! This is also where all of the super touristy things are kept – Madame Tussauds, SEA Life Aquarium, Shrek’s Adventure, London Dungeon, etc.

Just past the London Eye on the other side of the river is Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. You can pop off the ferry at Westminster Pier or carry on for one more stop to Millbank Millennium Pier to get good views of the Palace from the water. Congrats! You just saw a lot of London!

Palaces and Parks

Even if you aren’t passionate about the Royal Family, I feel like you should still make an effort to see some palaces. Honestly, they aren’t much to look at from the outside. These aren’t ornate castles like you can find in other European destinations, but who knows, maybe you’ll run into a famous figure from the Monarchy.

If you took the ferry down to Westminster, then you aren’t far from Buckingham Palace. Just stroll west past Big Ben on Birdcage Walk until you hit the palace. Check it out and wander around St. James’s Park. If you’re interested in a tour, get your tickets early because they sell out. You can purchase an “exclusive guided tour” in the winter and spring. The State Rooms can be seen in the summer months. Tickets are about £35 per person. Be mindful that the palace isn’t open to visitors every day, so check out the website and plan ahead. Also nearby are the Churchill War Rooms. If you’re a WWII buff, the war rooms and bunker are really fascinating.

Kensington Palace is about a 45 minute walk from Buckingham. You can book tours here too and check out a few State Rooms. I have to admit that I was really impressed with Hyde Park. It’s huge. There are lots of statues and gardens to see, so if the weather is nice, grab an ice cream cone and enjoy a leisurely stroll. If your kids are with you, visit the Diana Memorial Playground so they can run about and expel some energy.

Food and Pubs

You’re in London, so you must visit a pub or two..or three…no one’s judging. Here are some favorites for pubs and grubs:

• There is a really cool old pub on Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd, anyone?) called Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. This bar has a no cell phone policy that I love. Order a pint and chat with some strangers! It has dark wood paneling and is exactly what you envision when you say “English pub”. This place is super old too! This place has been a pub since 1538! It was rebuilt in 1667 after a fire, but is certainly full of history. If walls could talk…
• Also on Fleet Street is Ye Olde Cock Tavern. Admit it, it’s just fun to say Ye Olde Cock. This bar dates back to 1549 and is one of the narrowest pubs in London.
• Near the Tate Modern Art Museum and Shakespeare’s Globe is the Anchor Bankside. This Thameside pub is in a really fun area and dates back to 1615. They claim to be an old favorite of pirates back in the day. They have a great fish ‘n chips too!
• If you’re hungry, check out the Borough Market. This bustling area has been a market since 1756, but now has a major foodie vibe. Note that it is not open on Mondays.
• Near Kensington Palace, you’ll find The Churchill Arms. If you need something to post to Instagram, go here! The building is bursting with flowers and boasts some outdoor seating too.

Final Thoughts

If I’m being honest, London was never high on my list of places to go. Perhaps it’s because it didn’t seem different enough from the USA. After all, they speak English, the food is similar, it’s another big city full of everything that all big cities have (except for Royals, I suppose). But after visiting, I really wish we had more time to explore London! It’s a destination that I would like to explore again. We never made it to Portobello Road, didn’t do any Harry Potter tourism, I didn’t even have a spot of tea. It’s a huge and vibrant city that deserves more than a layover.

Until next time London! Cheerio!

Enjoy our interactive Google Map HERE to see everything mentioned in this post.