As one of the most populated and cosmopolitan cities in the world, it seems all roads really do lead to London (well, a lot of them anyhow!). While many travellers have the luxury of time to soak up the city’s wealth of arts, culture and history, I’ve come across quite a few people who’ve found themselves there on just a brief overnight stopover.
It led me to wonder if it was actually possible to do this incredible city justice in such a short amount of time, and if you were to try, just what a well-spent 24 hours in the UK capital would look like.
Getting from the Airport to the City
When you fly into London, chances are you’ll arrive into either Heathrow or Gatwick airports. If you’ve only got a 24-hour stopover, time is of the essence, so although you can get into the city on public transport from both airports (Piccadilly Underground line from Heathrow or Gatwick Express to Victoria), you might want to consider booking a Heathrow or Gatwick airport transfer shuttle to simplify the journey. You can prebook the service and it means that you’ll have the choice of being dropped at your accommodation (if you’re staying overnight) or right on the doorstep of wherever you want to start your sightseeing.
Get Prepared
The wonderful (and surprising) thing about London is that if you take the time to study the basic lay of the land, you’ll discover that a lot of the main attractions are actually located within a reasonably compact area. Depending on just how energetic and adventurous you are, you can get around easily on foot with every Londoner’s flexible friend, an Oyster Card, which gives you access to the tube and bus network with just a swipe.
- A visitor Oyster Card can be purchased from the airport, by touchscreen machines in stations, or any small shops and newsagents. There’s a refundable £5 deposit and you can load it up with any amount – I suggest £20 minimum.
- You can pick up an Underground map free from any station. This is essential so you don’t waste time any more time than you have to on the tubes.
- Download a London map app for your smartphone.
- Make sure you have very comfortable walking shoes.
Tip for cyclists: If you’re confident enough, another excellent (and fun) way to get from A to B quickly around the centre of the city for the day is on a Boris Bike (nicknamed after the flamboyant London Mayor). Officially known as Santander Cycles, the self-service share scheme allows you to hire a bike for as little as £2. There are docking stations all over the city and all you need to do is swipe your bankcard or download the app and you’ve got wheels!
Head to Embankment
I’m starting at Embankment on the Thames, because not only is it easy to get to from everywhere (it’s on the Circle, District, Northern and Bakerloo lines and there’s also a Boris Bike docking station to pick up or drop off a bike), but also because it’s the point from which to experience my first two suggestions. You probably won’t have time for both, but either will offer you an excellent ‘big picture’ glimpse into the city landscape.
Ride the London Eye…
If you’re early enough to beat the queues (or are happy to pay a bit extra for fast track entry), walk across the Jubilee Bridge from Embankment station to take a 30-minute rotation on the city’s most-visited attraction, the London Eye. All the famous landmarks will be laid out below you like a Monopoly board, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard and many more.
(Open daily 10am-8.30pm, tickets from £21.20 and £31.50 fast track.)
…or Cruise the Thames
On the other side of the coin, a cruise up the Thames will give you a fish-eye rather than bird’s-eye view of the city! From Embankment station head down to Westminster Pier (about a 15-minute walk) to Westminster Pier – and keep your eye out for Big Ben when you get there. There are plenty of cruise options, including a 45-minute circular route between the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge taking in St Paul’s and Shakespeare’s Globe, among a host of other sights. (Sightseeing cruises depart every 30 minutes and start at around £9.75. Some offer discounts with your Oyster Card.)
The Icons of London and Lunch
After your cruise on the Thames or spin on the London Eye, head over to one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, Trafalgar Square. From Embankment it’s a straight walk up Northumberland Ave and in less than 15 minutes you’ll be gazing up at Nelson’s column and onto the façade of the National Gallery. If you’re artistically inclined, take a pit stop and a pay quick cultural homage to either the National Gallery or the smaller National Portrait Gallery just around the corner.
From Trafalgar Square walk up Charing Cross Road to Leicester Square then turn left and wander up to Piccadilly Circus (all within a 15-20 minute walk). Take a picture under the massive neon billboards or delve into the world of Ripley’s Believe it Or Not. If fashion is your passion, you can continue up Regent St to explore the charming area around historic Carnaby St.
When it’s time for lunch, jump on the tube or your Boris Bike (or if you’ve got the energy you can walk up Shaftesbury Avenue through Theatre-land and pick up a last minute ticket for a show in the evening) over to Covent Garden. Seek out the fabulously eclectic and colourful Neal’s Yard, for an organic feast and an amazing photo opportunity. While you’re in the area, a visit to the historic Covent Garden Markets is a must and another tick off the list.
British Museum or Oxford Street
Depending on where your preferences lie, where you go next can give you a very real glimpse into London culture – one place via the past and one very much through the present.
Take a tube to Great Russell Street (just a couple of stops on the Piccadilly line from Covent Garden) to the The British Museum. This is the definitive London museum if you’ve only got the chance to see one, housing a hugely important collection of artefacts from throughout history. It’s free, relatively queue free, and is far more relaxing to get around than some of the other high profile museums and galleries.
If you prefer culture with a more contemporary bent, Oxford St, London’s mind-boggling microcosm of fashion is also just a few tube stops away from Covent Garden (Piccadilly line then Bakerloo line). Stretching from Marble Arch (where you can catch a glimpse of Hyde Park) up to Tottenham Court Road, this world-famous retail strip welcomes around half a million visitors a day, and for dedicated shoppers it’s an experience not to be missed.
Theatre or a Pub Dinner
If you managed to nab tickets to a West End show it would make a wonderful finale to your whirlwind tour of London (although you’re far more likely to be successful if you opt for one of the smaller, out of the way theatres ‘off’ West End). However, if tickets aren’t available or you just want a quiet night, a pie and a pint (don’t forget the mushy peas) in one of the city’s cosy, historic pubs can be just as satisfying.
History, culture, art, fashion, fun and more than a handful of iconic landmarks – I faced up to the challenge of planning one fabulous London-flavoured day, and I think I might have pulled it off!
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