London, England: known for its Roman history and iconic landmarks, there’s just so much to see and do. It’s large, busy and bustling with a unique, exciting vibe. There are always several events going on at once.
In the words, you could never get bored. But, you might get overwhelmed, especially if you’re heading there soon and you only have a couple of days to soak up the culture. What should you prioritise? What should you leave out?
Not to worry, I’ve got you covered with this guide on how to spend a weekend in London.
How to Get There
First things first, getting to London is pretty straightforward from anywhere in the UK.
You can book a train with National Rail, fly from a large airport like Manchester or even drive (if you’re feeling adventurous!).
Usually, going on the train is your best bet in terms of quickness and affordability.
How to Get Around
Don’t get me wrong, visiting London is always fun. However, I find it rather exhausting if I go for longer than a couple of days at a time. This is because the city is incredibly spread out!
To get around, you can rely on one or a combination of the following:
- London Underground
- Trains
- Buses
- Uber
- Taxis (and the famous black cabs)
- Walking
Trust me though, it’s worth the pain! (And a heck of a good workout, right?)
How to Spend a Weekend in London
If you want to enjoy exploring the Big Smoke in a short amount of time, here’s how to spend a weekend in London.
1. Sit Out in the Sunshine at Trafalgar Square
How to spend a weekend in London 101: check out the top tourist attractions, such as Trafalgar Square.
During the warmer and drier months, people tend to sit on the edge of the fountains to take in the statues and surrounding buildings.
Why? Well, because the view is simply divine.
2. Visit the National Gallery
Following on from my previous point, Trafalgar Square is home to The National Gallery, which is a must-see if you’re an art lover like myself.
Not only does it have over 2,300 paintings, but it’s supposedly one of the greatest collections in the whole entire world. Monet, Picasso, you name ’em – you can find all the famous artists here.
Oh, and did I mention that it’s free to enter? Win-win!
3. Eat Breakfast at The Bluebird in Chelsea
If you’re a bit of a Made In Chelsea fan, the MIC gang are always at The Bluebird Cafe.
My boyfriend and I had breakfast there on our first full day and it was absolutely yummy. They also have a pretty little terrace where you can sit out in the morning sunshine, soak up the atmosphere and people-watch until your heart’s content.
And in terms of budget, it’s more affordable than you think.
4. Wander Around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus
It’s also a good idea to check out Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus while you’re in London, especially if this is your first time.
Sure, it’s always busy, but it’s fun to explore the many bars, shops, cafes and restaurants on offer.
Arguably, this area is even better at night when it’s all lit up. Therefore, try and see both viewpoints if you can.
5. Stay at the Holiday Inn at Kensington Forum
Kensington is a gorgeous area of London that is great to stay in for travellers who don’t mind paying a little bit extra to be right amongst the action.
Having said that, we found that the business suites at the Holiday Inn at Kensington Forum hotel were on a special deal during our dates and just had to lock one down for our 2-night stay! Not only was the room spacious with a king size bed, but we also got access to the Executive Lounge throughout the entire duration of our stay.
(You’ve got to love a bargain – right?)
Another plus point about this hotel is that it’s right next to Gloucester Road tube station, which made getting around so much easier.
6. Go Shopping on Oxford Street and Regent Street
When it comes to how to a spend a weekend in London shopping-wise, I just have to recommend both Oxford Street and Regent Street to my fellow fashionistas.
There’s just so much choice on offer, whether you’re looking for high street bargains or luxury designer goods.
This means you can easily lose a day of your trip in this area, but your wardrobe will thank you for it. (I can’t say the same about your bank balance.)
7. Eat Dinner at Olives Restaurant in Kensington
Finally, are you a foodie? If so, another thing you can do in terms of how to spend a weekend in London is eat at Olives restaurant in Kensington.
Not only does the restaurant specialise in amazing Italian food (my favourite), but it was only a two-minute walk from our hotel!
In fact, I’d love to go again the next time I’m in London. The food was that incredible.
Making the Most of How to Spend a Weekend in London
In summary, there’s so much to do and see in London that you’ll never get bored, no matter whether you’ve been there five or fifty times.
As a result, you’ll probably find that your trip flies. But that’s okay – it just means that you’ve had a wonderful time. In this case, you can always return at a later date to cover more ground.
Do you have any tips in terms of how to spend a weekend in London? Let me know in the comments!
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