Guest post by edwyer
Map tips: each color represents a different day. Click a marker to learn more about the spot, and click the star in the map header to save the entire map under Your Places in Google Maps.
Everyone knows about the main, touristy things so this is my list of stuff off the beaten path. I lived there for 6 months and have been back several times. If it’s your first time or you have limited time, of course see Big Ben, Westminster Abby, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, etc.
Easiest way to get into town is taxi, but it’s expensive. Can take the Heathrow Express Train, takes you to Paddington Station and then you can get to the Tube from there.
Day 1
- Hyde Park
- Kensington Gardens
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Leicester Square
Start at Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens. Mellow way to start the trip. Lots of things to do, can go to Kensington Palace and take a tour, view the gardens, feed the birds. Also an art gallery.
Victoria and Albert Museum – free, ton of different kinds of art and you can just go to the areas you’re interested in. Not overwhelming/too big. Also in the area are the Natural History Museum (might recognize it from the movie Paddington) and the Science Museum.
Head further west for a play in Leicester Square for the evening.
Day 2
- Notting Hill
- Granger and Co.
- Biscuiteers Boutique and Icing Cafe
Spend the day in the Notting Hill area. Very easy to get to on the Tube, very cute and scenic area. Walk down Portabello Road. On the weekends there is a market.
Lunch at Granger & Co.
Stop at Biscuiteers – excellent biscuits/cookies. Also have baking classes.
Day 3
- Oxford Circus
- Selfridges London
- Carnaby Street
Oxford Circus for shopping. It’s busy and crazy, but try to go during the week. All the big department stores are here and everything else you can imagine.
Lunch at Selfridges, any kind of food you can want. I think it’s better than Harrod’s, which is too expensive. Selfridges does have pricey items but much more affordable options too.
Carnaby Street – heavily 60s influenced. If you’re craving American food, great place called The Diner. Boozie milkshakes.
Traveled in May 2016
Leave a reply