Westminster and a West End evening, the Tower and the South Bank with dinner on Brick Lane, then the great free museums and Hyde Park. Westminster Abbey closes to sightseers on Sundays.
3 days, 19 stopsBalanced paceBest May to SepApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Westminster and the West End
The abbey, Parliament and the palace, lunch at Fortnum & Mason, the National Gallery, then dinner in Chinatown and a West End show.
Check the weekday. Westminster Abbey is closed on Sundays.
1
9:30 AMWestminster AbbeyBook ahead; closed to sightseers on Sundays. Allow about 2 hours for the nave, the tombs and the cloisters.About 2 hours here
11:30 AMHouses of Parliament and Big BenCross Westminster Bridge for the classic view of Big Ben.About 30 min here
Free to view from outside
Walk about 15 min through St. James's Park
3
12:15 PMBuckingham PalaceCheck the Changing the Guard schedule if you want to see it.About 30 min here
Summer 2027 adult, advance: £35 (about $47) · Summer 2027 adult, on the day: £39 (about $52) · Free to view outside. State Rooms prices below apply from July 8 to September 26, 2027.
1:00 PMFortnum & MasonLunch in one of its restaurants, or pick up a picnic in the food hall. Book ahead for afternoon tea.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 10 min
5
2:30 PMNational GalleryFree; pick a few rooms, such as the Impressionists, and allow about 2.5 hours.About 3 hours here
Free
Walk about 5 min
6
5:30 PMChinatownAn early dinner before the show: dim sum, roast duck or noodles on Gerrard Street.About 2 hours here
Pay as you go
Walk 2 min
7
7:30 PMOptionalLeicester SquareBook a West End show ahead, or try the TKTS booth on the square for same-day seats.
Free to visit
Before you go
Tap in with contactlessTap the same contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses. Daily fares are capped automatically, so there is no need to buy tickets.
Stand on the rightOn Tube escalators, stand on the right and walk on the left.
The big museums are freeThe British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum and Tate Modern are free; some exhibitions charge.
Check the bill before tippingRestaurants often add a service charge to the bill, so check before you tip. Nobody expects a tip at the bar in a pub.
Mind SundaysWestminster Abbey closes to sightseers on Sundays and St Paul's sightseeing runs Monday to Saturday, so don't start day 1 or 2 on a Sunday.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay in Covent Garden or Westminster: days 1 and 3 start on foot, and the Tube reaches the Tower in about 15 minutes.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
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