At this time I need to share my London itinerary for 9 days with you. This can be a nice period of time to see the highlights of the UK capital and discover a couple of locations additional afield. No matter you’re focused on or captivated with, you’ll discover no scarcity of the way to fill your time in London and expertise every little thing from the large points of interest to the locations locals love spending time in.
London Itinerary for 9 Days
One in all my favourite issues about being knowledgeable journey blogger helps folks plan their journeys. Whether or not it’s by my weblog posts or my journey planning companies, it brings me pleasure to know my readers and followers could have a richer expertise in London or overseas.
Lots of people ask me “is 9 days in London sufficient?”, and the reply is sure. At this time I need to share the official A Girl in London itinerary for 1 week and a pair of days within the UK capital.
I’ve shared plenty of London itineraries earlier than, and I hope you’ll discover this one as useful as you’ve discovered the others. You possibly can check out my 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, 5-day, 6-day, 7-day, 1 week, 8-day, and 10-day itineraries for extra inspiration.
There’s no proper or flawed solution to spend your time within the metropolis. My journey itinerary has a mixture of the key London landmarks and the spots locals frequent.
You possibly can tailor the itinerary to suit your private model, however I hope it offers you overview of what the UK capital has to supply guests. You should utilize my London journey information to fill in any gaps and discover issues on your particular pursuits as properly.
You possibly can see further itineraries and discover additional particulars in Frommer’s London Day-by-Day. You possibly can get it on Amazon right here. It has detailed each day guides and plenty of pictures. It’s sufficiently small to slot in your pocket, too.
The place to Keep in London
If you happen to want a spot to remain when you’re on the town, there are many choices for lodging in London. Whether or not you need to base your self in a lodge or house, the town has an abundance of locations on provide.
Given the town is gigantic, I like to recommend selecting a location in or close to Zone 1. You possibly can see my weblog posts concerning the greatest space to remain in London, the greatest inns on your model, and quirky inns for concepts. I’ve even written about pubs with rooms.
You too can discover offers and e-book lodging in London right here. With so many decisions, you’re positive to discover a place you’re keen on.
Pack for 9 Days in London
When you’ve determined when to return, you must pack for London. Relying what time of 12 months you go to, that may imply various things.
I’ve written packing lists for summer season, autumn, winter, and spring that may allow you to determine what to put on in London. I’ve additionally created a normal packing record of issues to carry all 12 months.
If you happen to’re flying to the town, you possibly can check out my long-haul packing record and my information to how one can pack with only a carry-on for extra ideas (I used to be interviewed by The New York Occasions concerning the latter).
Day 1 in London: Buckingham Palace & Westminster
After you’ve arrived and settled into your lodging, there’s no higher place to begin a visit to the UK capital than Buckingham Palace.
You possibly can time your go to to coincide with the Altering the Guard ceremony (you possibly can see the calendar right here), or simply admire the monarch’s London residence from the large gates.
In case your journey takes place in the course of the seasonal opening, you possibly can tour Buckingham Palace. It’s a good way to see the state rooms and gardens when you’re in London. You possibly can e-book tickets right here (you’ll have to e-book properly prematurely).
After visiting the palace (or seeing it from outdoors) you possibly can meander by St James’s Park. The park is beautiful with its gardens and fountain, and there are nice views from the bridge over the water.
From there it’s a brief stroll by Horse Guards Parade to Whitehall and Parliament Sq. in Westminster. This place is house to a few of the metropolis’s most beloved landmarks, together with Elizabeth Tower and its bell, Massive Ben.
You’ll additionally discover the Homes of Parliament and Westminster Abbey right here. If in case you have time and inclination, you possibly can tour the abbey and parliament. You possibly can e-book tickets right here.
You too can go on my free self-guided Westminster stroll if you wish to see the realm past the massive points of interest. It’ll take you to a few of the aspect streets and hidden areas locals spend time in.
When night comes, I like to recommend having an off-the-cuff dinner close to the place you’re staying. If you happen to’re feeling jet lagged otherwise you needed to get up early to journey, you’ll probably be drained.
You possibly can see my suggestions for eating places in London when you need assistance discovering a spot.
If you happen to do have power left, you possibly can take an open-top bus tour to get a really feel for the town’s sights. It’s a enjoyable solution to get an summary of what London has to supply as you kick off your journey. You possibly can e-book tickets right here.
Day 2 in London: South Financial institution & the Metropolis
The subsequent morning you possibly can proceed your London itinerary for 9 days by exploring the South Financial institution. Proper on the Thames, it’s the best spot to walk round, browse the markets, and take in the scene alongside the water.
You possibly can journey the London Eye when you’re right here as properly. It gives a few of the greatest views within the UK capital. You possibly can e-book tickets right here (you’ll have to e-book properly prematurely, because it sells out).
There are all the time pop-ups, avenue performers, and different leisure right here, so it’s enjoyable to meander alongside the Thames and see what’s on when you’re on the town.
As you make your means from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, you’ll move Tate Fashionable. This well-known artwork museum is a well-liked place to go to, and the truth that it’s free means it’s simple to go in for as lengthy or little as you need to. There are spectacular views from the upper flooring as properly.
Not far-off, you’ll discover Borough Market. London’s most well-known meals market, it’s the best spot to seek out culinary inspiration and get one thing for lunch. It’s enjoyable to stroll round and take in the colours and smells of the stalls earlier than making a choice.
After lunch on the market, you possibly can walks throughout London Bridge to get to the Metropolis of London. Don’t miss the views of Tower Bridge on the way in which.
From the eye-catching dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to up to date viewing platforms just like the Sky Backyard and Horizon 22, this a part of the UK capital accommodates numerous previous and new structure.
If you wish to, you possibly can go on my free self-guided Metropolis of London stroll to see the highlights. It’ll take you round to see the hidden historic streets and locations like Temple.
If not, make your means over to the Tower of London. You possibly can take a tour to see the White Tower and the crown jewels when you’d prefer to, or simply admire the fortress from the surface. You possibly can e-book Tower of London tickets right here.
Afterwards you possibly can stroll over to Tower Bridge. This inspiring feat of Victorian engineering is likely one of the hottest landmarks in London. You possibly can stroll throughout it, or head as much as the highest on a self-guided tour. You possibly can e-book tickets right here.
For dinner, I like to recommend persevering with your stroll throughout Tower Bridge and going to Bermondsey Avenue. This can be a native favourite, and there are many nice pubs and eating places to select from. Whether or not you need tapas or fish and chips, yow will discover it right here.
Day 3 in London: Belgravia, Chelsea, Knightsbridge & South Kensington
Begin the third of your 9 days in London in Belgravia. This elegant neighborhood is stuffed with cafes and outlets, significantly these on Elizabeth Avenue.
You possibly can go on my free self-guided Belgravia strolling tour to see the highlights of the realm, or simply stroll across the leafy squares and hidden mews. Highlights embody Pimlico Highway (there’s a market right here on Saturdays), Motcomb Avenue, and Belgrave Sq..
From Belgravia, stroll over to Sloane Sq. and the King’s Highway in Chelsea. This can be a good spot to buy and eat, and yow will discover lunch at any variety of eating places within the space.
If it’s a Saturday, the meals market in Duke of York Sq. is a should. If it’s not, there’s nonetheless rather a lot to do right here. The King’s Highway is likely one of the greatest purchasing streets in London, in spite of everything.
If you wish to, you possibly can go on my free self-guided Chelsea stroll to see extra of the realm’s aspect streets and riverfront.
From Chelsea, you can also make your means as much as Knightsbridge for some purchasing at iconic shops like Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Alternatively, you possibly can stroll over to South Kensington to discover the museums.
The Pure Historical past Museum, V&A, and Science Museum are proper subsequent to one another. All of them provide free entry, so you possibly can spend as a lot or as little time exploring them as you’d prefer to. They’re all enormous, so ensure that to tempo your self.
Within the night you possibly can have dinner at one of many eating places outdoors the South Kensington tube station. There are many completely different cuisines to select from, so that you’re certain to seek out one thing that appeals.
If you wish to finish your day in model, there’s enjoyable nightlife round Walton Avenue and the King’s Highway. From pubs to bars and golf equipment, you’ve numerous choices.
Day 4 in London: Notting Hill, Royal Parks & the West Finish
The subsequent morning you possibly can proceed your London itinerary for 9 days with a visit to Notting Hill. This west London neighborhood is stuffed with shade. You’ll discover every little thing from the boutiques to the mews pleasant.
If it’s a Saturday, you’ll be capable of expertise the well-known Portobello Highway Market in all its glory. I like to recommend arriving early to keep away from the crowds.
If it’s not a Saturday, I nonetheless suggest going and testing the market stalls and outlets which are open whenever you go to. There’s some type of market occurring right here nearly day-after-day of the week.
Past the market, my free self-guided Notting Hill stroll is a good way to see the highlights of the realm. It’ll take you round to see every little thing from the excessive streets to the hidden corners.
You possibly can have lunch in Notting Hill, then stroll down into Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park for the afternoon. There’s a lot to see and do right here, from Kensington Palace to the Serpentine lake and the artwork galleries.
When the solar begins to sink, you possibly can take the tube or stroll by Mayfair to get to Soho and Covent Backyard. They’re a few of the most enjoyable locations in central London, they usually come alive within the evenings.
There are many good choices for consuming and ingesting right here, and Trafalgar Sq., Piccadilly Circus, the Covent Backyard Piazza, and Leicester Sq. are all the time enjoyable locations to be in London at night time.
You possibly can have dinner within the West Finish earlier than or after going to see a present. Whether or not you dine at a beloved restaurant like Guidelines or at one of many many new ones opening on a regular basis, you possibly can’t go flawed on this a part of London.
There are all the time loads of performs and musicals on, and seeing one is a enjoyable solution to cap off a day of exploring the UK capital. From dramas to comedies and farces, you’ll be spoiled for alternative in the case of choices.
If you happen to’re up for going out afterwards, there’s any variety of bars and pubs in Soho and Covent Backyard you possibly can go to. They’re splendid methods to expertise London’s thrilling nightlife scene.
My favourite is Cahoots, a London Underground-themed speakeasy simply off Carnaby Avenue. It’s considered one of my prime picks for travel-themed bars within the metropolis.
Day 5 in London: Day Journey
I like to recommend taking a day journey from London on the fifth of your 9 days in London. There are a great deal of locations close to the town which are value visiting, they usually’re simple to get to by practice, automotive, or on a guided tour.
If you wish to see basic college cities, my prime picks are Oxford and Cambridge. They’re two of the most well-liked days out from London.
If the seaside beckons, Brighton, Hastings, and Deal are my favourite locations to be by the water. All of them have loads of seashores, eating places, and outlets to take pleasure in. They’re simple day journeys from London by practice as properly.
If you happen to’re into castles, there are many castles close to London you possibly can go to. From Windsor Citadel to Leeds Citadel, Scotney Citadel, Warwick Citadel, Hever Citadel, and Dover Citadel, there are a lot to select from. They’re a few of the greatest castles in England.
If you wish to tour historic mansions, there are many stately properties close to London you possibly can go to. Downton Abbey followers will love touring Highclere Citadel, and royal lovers will take pleasure in Polesden Lacey.
Then there are spectacular locations like Blenheim Palace, Petworth Home, Burghley Home, Knole in Sevenoaks, and Sissinghurst Citadel with its well-known gardens.
If you happen to’re a historical past buff, Winchester, Tub, Canterbury and Dover, Hampton Court docket Palace, Lewes, Battle, Bletchley Park, and Amersham are for you. Amersham is so shut you possibly can even get there on the tube.
If you happen to dream of visiting the English countryside, a day journey to the Cotswolds is simply the factor. You possibly can go independently with or and not using a automotive, or on a guided day tour. You possibly can see choices and e-book a tour right here.
There’s no scarcity of fairly cities and villages within the Cotswolds to go to. My favorites embody Painswick, Bibury, Higher Slaughter, and Citadel Combe, but it surely’s exhausting to go flawed right here.
If cathedral cities pique your curiosity, my prime picks are Canterbury in Kent, Norwich in Norfolk, York in Yorkshire, St Albans in Hertfordshire, and Ely in Cambridgeshire. All of them have historic church buildings and exquisite metropolis facilities.
If you happen to’re feeling bold, you possibly can take a day journey to Paris from London. There are different day journeys from London to Europe that make for enjoyable adventures as properly. From Brussels to Lille and Amsterdam, you’ve plenty of decisions.
If you happen to’re searching for seasonal journeys, you possibly can check out my guides to spring, summer season, autumn, and winter day journeys from London for concepts.
Day 6 in London: Hampstead, Camden City & King’s Cross
The subsequent morning you possibly can proceed your London itinerary for 9 days with a visit to Hampstead. This north London neighborhood is my favourite place within the UK capital, not least as a result of it seems like a village within the metropolis.
With impossibly lovely streets, historic pubs, and one of many metropolis’s largest parks, it’s an thrilling place to discover. I lived right here for years and I nonetheless return as usually as I can.
When you’re right here you possibly can stroll across the village by yourself, or go on my free self-guided Hampstead stroll or considered one of my Hampstead Heath walks.
I like to recommend having lunch at one of many native pubs or a restaurant on Hampstead Excessive Avenue. My favorites embody the Holly Bush, Villa Bianca, and Jin Kichi. The crepe stands are enjoyable, too, however the traces may be lengthy and sluggish.
After lunch, you possibly can stroll or take the tube down the hill to Camden City. This place is house to numerous markets, together with Camden Market, Buck Avenue Market, and Hawley Wharf.
You possibly can browse the stalls when you’re right here. They’re good locations to purchase items and different issues to take house as souvenirs.
After the market, it’s enjoyable to stroll alongside Regent’s Canal to get to King’s Cross. The realm round Granary Sq. is full of cool outlets, eating places, bars, and cafes. It’s place to get dinner.
If in case you have time earlier than or after you eat, you possibly can stroll all the way down to the realm’s beloved practice stations. King’s Cross is legendary for its beautiful inside structure and Harry Potter connections.
As soon as inside, you possibly can take footage and movies on the Platform 9 3/4 signal or decide up a memento from the Harry Potter store proper subsequent to it.
Throughout the road from King’s Cross station you’ll discover St Pancras Worldwide. This place is understood for its attractive exterior structure.
Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, it’s one of the lovely heritage buildings in London. There are nice outlets and eating places inside, too.
Coincidentally, St Pancras was additionally used as a filming location for one of many Harry Potter films. Yow will discover out which one in my weblog submit a couple of Harry Potter strolling tour.
If you wish to exit after exploring and consuming, there are many pubs and bars round right here. From those on Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross to native spots in close by Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia, you’re spoiled for alternative.
Day 7 in London: St James’s, Mayfair & Marylebone
Begin the seventh of your 9 days in London in St James’s. This conventional a part of the town is understood for its royal palace, males’s outlets, luxurious inns, and members’ golf equipment.
When you’re right here, you possibly can stroll down Jermyn Avenue and Piccadilly, admire the historic facade of St James’s Palace, and pop into iconic shops like Fortnum & Mason.
Whenever you’ve completed exploring, stroll throughout Piccadilly to get to Mayfair. This upscale space is house to luxurious items outlets, fine-dining eating places, and the enduring curve of Regent Avenue (house of the well-known Liberty London). You possibly can go on my free Mayfair stroll if you wish to discover the realm in depth.
Mayfair is a enjoyable place to have a meal or afternoon tea. Whether or not you go to an off-the-cuff spot on Heddon Avenue or spring for a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant, you possibly can’t go flawed for lunch.
In the case of tea and cake, I like Brown’s Resort afternoon tea and the wonderful yellow room at Sketch.
After consuming, you possibly can head throughout Oxford Avenue to Marylebone. That is one other of my favourite London neighborhoods, not least as a result of it has one of many greatest excessive streets in London.
There are many enjoyable outlets on Marylebone Excessive Avenue, Marylebone Lane, and St Christopher’s Place, they usually’re enjoyable locations to get into London’s retail scene.
From boutiques to family names, you’re spoiled for alternative. My favourite place to store in Marylebone is Daunt Books. It’s the most effective (and most lovely) unbiased bookshops in London.
If you wish to, you should use my free self-guided Marylebone stroll to see extra of the neighborhood. It’ll take you round to hidden mews, aspect streets, grand squares, and gardens.
After you’ve seen Marylebone, make your means north to Regent’s Park. This is likely one of the greatest inexperienced areas in London, and it’s a enjoyable place to stroll round. If it’s summer season, don’t miss the colourful rose gardens.
When sundown approaches, you possibly can head again to Marylebone Excessive Avenue for dinner, or go away by way of one of many different exits of the park and eat in fairly Primrose Hill, enjoyable Camden City, or basic Fitzrovia.
Day 8 in London: Greenwich or Day Journey
On the eighth of your 9 days in London I like to recommend both hopping on a ship to Greenwich or taking one other day journey.
If you happen to select the previous, you possibly can e-book boat tickets right here. After seeing London’s landmarks alongside the river, you’ll be capable of dive into the town’s maritime previous, see standard filming areas, tour a historic royal residence, and uncover the house of Greenwich Imply Time.
You’ll additionally be capable of benefit from the space’s outlets, cafes, and eating places. Greenwich Market has enjoyable souvenirs and scrumptious meals, and there are nice riverfront pubs within the space. The Trafalgar Tavern will get splashed with waves at excessive tide.
Greenwich is house to the Nationwide Maritime Museum the Queen’s Home, each of which supply free entry. The previous has world-class displays and exhibitions, and the latter is a historic royal residence with an artwork assortment and a shocking staircase.
Greenwich Park is legendary for having the most effective views in London. You possibly can see by the 2 towers of the Outdated Royal Naval Faculty to the skyscrapers in Canary Wharf on the opposite aspect of the river.
The park will not be solely a wonderful place to stroll, but in addition the situation of two essential landmarks. The primary is the Royal Observatory, the place you possibly can stand with one foot on both aspect of the Prime Meridian. You possibly can e-book tickets right here.
The second is Ranger’s Home, an English Heritage web site and museum that’s identified for being a filming location for the TV present Bridgerton (it’s used because the entrance of the Bridgerton household’s home).
If you wish to see the aspect streets and hidden lanes, you possibly can go on my free self-guided Greenwich stroll. It’ll take you round to see the highlights of the neighborhood.
Within the night, you possibly can have dinner at one of many many eating places and pubs in Greenwich earlier than heading again to central London on the practice, DLR, or boat.
Day 9 in London: Bloomsbury, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Hackney
I like to recommend spending the final day of your 9-day London itinerary exploring extra of the town heart and the East Finish.
Bloomsbury is an effective place to begin. You possibly can go to the enduring British Museum or simply stroll round taking within the leafy squares. My free self-guided Bloomsbury stroll will help you see one of the best of the realm.
From there it’s a brief stroll to Clerkenwell. That is London’s design district, and it’s house to locations like Exmouth Market and St John Avenue. Each are nice locations to get one thing for lunch.
St John restaurant is a favourite of mine, as is the Fox & Anchor pub, which is simply across the nook.
You are able to do my Clerkenwell strolling tour if you wish to as properly. It’ll take you across the neighborhood and to locations like Smithfield and Holborn.
Clerkenwell is a brief stroll from Outdated Avenue, the place you’ll quickly end up in Shoreditch. This hip space in east London is legendary for its nightlife scene, so when you can time your arrival for dinner-and-drinks o’clock, you’ll get to see the neighborhood at its greatest.
If in case you have time beforehand, you are able to do considered one of my free self-guided Shoreditch walks or try the road artwork the realm is understood for. My favourite is on New Inn Yard.
If in case you have power left later, head to Hackney. This is likely one of the coolest neighborhoods in London, and it has a enjoyable nightlife scene. The identical goes for close by Hackney Wick, which is likely one of the most hipster areas within the metropolis.
London Itinerary for 9 Days
I hope you’ve loved my 9-day London itinerary. That is a tremendous metropolis, and there’s a lot to find right here. I’ve spent years dwelling within the UK capital, and I nonetheless don’t really feel like I’ve seen all of it.
If you need further inspiration, there’s much more about issues to do within the metropolis in Secret London – An Uncommon Information. You possibly can get it on Amazon right here.
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