London is a city that rewards curiosity—from Roman walls to glassy financial towers, royal parks to edgy street art. During BETT week, the action centers on ExCeL London in the Royal Docks, giving you an easy launchpad for Greenwich history, Canary Wharf dining, and Thames-side walks.

Founded by the Romans as Londinium, the city has weathered fires, plagues, blitzes, and booms. Today’s skyline blends Wren’s St. Paul’s with the Shard, while neighborhoods like Shoreditch and Bermondsey buzz with creative energy. You’ll taste it all: classic pies, silky pasta, Indian small plates, and flaky pastries that fuel long days on the exhibition floor.

Practical notes: Tap in and out with a contactless card for pay-as-you-go fares across the Tube, DLR, and Elizabeth line (daily caps keep costs predictable). ExCeL’s BETT Show is served by Custom House station (Elizabeth line) and Prince Regent (DLR). Pack for variable weather and bring comfortable shoes—you’ll walk more than you think.

London

Base yourself near ExCeL, Canary Wharf, or Greenwich for the quickest commutes to the BETT Show and easy access to the Thames Path. The area’s modern skyline hides great pubs, waterfront cafes, and some of the city’s best new restaurants.

• Why you’ll love it: Fast connections on the Elizabeth line and DLR; riverside views; green spaces in Greenwich Park; markets, museums, and a quick hop into the West End.
• Top sights near your base: Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian, Cutty Sark, Museum of London Docklands, Sky Garden, Tower of London, Tate Modern, Borough Market.
• Where to stay (search and compare): Apartments and townhouses on VRBO London, hotels on Hotels.com London. Look at Aloft London ExCeL (walkable to ExCeL), Good Hotel London (floating, great views), Sunborn London Yacht Hotel (moored beside ExCeL), or Canary Wharf options for more dining variety.
• Getting in and around: From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line to Custom House is about 55–60 minutes (often direct to the Abbey Wood branch). From Gatwick, Thameslink to Farringdon then Elizabeth line to Custom House is roughly 60–70 minutes. Flying from or within Europe? Compare fares on Omio flights (Europe). Trains in Europe that connect to London (e.g., via Brussels/Paris) are on Omio trains; coaches on Omio buses. Long-haul fares are easy to compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1 (Optional pre-day if you arrive Monday): Docklands warm-up

Morning: Fly in, check in near ExCeL or Canary Wharf. Grab coffee and a cardamom bun at Ole & Steen (Canary Wharf) or a flat white at Notes Coffee (Canary Wharf).

Afternoon: Stretch your legs along the Royal Victoria Dock footbridge for skyline views. If you want a museum close by, the Museum of London Docklands offers a compact dive into the Thames’ trading past.

Evening: Settle into the neighborhood with tapas at Tapa Tapa (by ExCeL) or handmade pasta at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta (Canary Wharf, silky pappardelle recommended). Nightcap on the terrace of the Sunborn London Yacht Hotel overlooking the water.

Day 2 (Tuesday): Classic London welcome

Morning: Breakfast near your hotel—Gail’s Bakery (Canary Wharf) for croissants or porridge; or a full English at The Windjammer (Royal Wharf) if you’re hungry.

Afternoon: Head to Westminster for London icons: Big Ben, Parliament, and a stroll through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. Continue via Trafalgar Square to Covent Garden’s arcades and buskers.

Evening: Dinner in Covent Garden: Dishoom for smoky grilled kebabs and black daal, or Flat Iron for excellent-value steak. Post-dinner, try The Harp (real-ale pub near Trafalgar Square) or Bar Termini (Soho) for a pitch-perfect Negroni. Early night recommended before BETT.

Day 3 (Wednesday): BETT Show + Greenwich

Morning: BETT at ExCeL London. Enter via Custom House (Elizabeth line) or Prince Regent (DLR) to beat crowds. Prioritize keynotes and the zones most relevant to your work; mid-morning is quieter at big stands.

Afternoon: Lunch steps from the halls: Zero Sette (solid Roman-style pasta) or The Fox @ ExCeL (pub classics). Then DLR to Cutty Sark for Greenwich: tour the tea clipper, browse Greenwich Market’s crafts, and hike up to the Royal Observatory for sweeping city views along the Prime Meridian.

Evening: Riverside dinner at Trafalgar Tavern (1840s pub, order the fish pie or steak-and-ale). Alternatively return to Canary Wharf for Hawksmoor Wood Wharf (ethically sourced steaks) or Humble Grape (wine bar with small plates). Fun option for teams: an app-led scavenger hunt to spark friendly competition—example listing below (concept is portable and great for city exploration).
A Remarkable Scavenger Hunt: Exploring Forest City

Day 4 (Thursday): BETT Show + Tower and City vistas

Morning: BETT sessions and meetings. Coffee refuel inside the venue mid-morning; schedule quick stand visits during keynote overlap when aisles thin out.

Afternoon: Ride the Elizabeth line or DLR to Tower Gateway/Tower Hill. Walk the Tower of London’s moat path and cross Tower Bridge; if time allows, visit the Victorian Engine Rooms to see its inner workings. Swing by Leadenhall Market’s ornate arcades.

Evening: Pre-book a free sunset slot at Sky Garden for panoramic views (walk-ins sometimes available off-peak). Dinner nearby: Padella (Shoreditch) for hand-rolled pasta, Blacklock City for expertly grilled chops, or Barrafina (Soho, if you head west) for counter-seat tapas.

Day 5 (Friday): BETT Show + South Bank and Borough Market

Morning: Final push at BETT: catch that last demo, close conversations, and photograph stand details for follow-up. Consider a light breakfast at Gail’s or Notes to keep energy steady.

Afternoon: Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road, then walk the South Bank from the Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern (free entry to the permanent collection). Continue to Borough Market for a tasting lunch—try Kappacasein’s molten cheese toastie, Padella’s cacio e pepe, and Bread Ahead doughnuts.

Evening: West End show night: musicals range from Les Misérables to Hamilton—choose a theater near your dinner. Pre-theatre options include Hoppers (Sri Lankan dosas and short eats), The Palomar (modern Jerusalem plates), or Flat Iron Covent Garden. As a foodie team-builder idea for another evening, here’s an example of a guided tasting walk format that works brilliantly in city centers:
Downtown London Walking Food Tour

Day 6 (Saturday): Shoreditch, Spitalfields, and departure

Morning: Brunch at Dishoom Shoreditch (bacon naan roll and house chai) or the old-school café E. Pellicci (since 1900, legendary fry-ups). Stroll Shoreditch street art alleys and browse Old Spitalfields Market for design-forward stalls.

Afternoon: Quick bites before you go: Beigel Bake on Brick Lane (salt beef on a warm beigel) or Lahpet Shoreditch (Burmese tea leaf salad) if you’ve time for a sit-down. Head to your airport or rail station—Elizabeth line is usually the fastest to Heathrow and connects easily across central London.

Evening: Travel home. If you have extra hours, decompress along the Regent’s Canal near Hoxton or with a calming walk through Postman’s Park (moving memorial to everyday heroism).

Practical tips for BETT week

• Arrivals and transfers: For Europe-based flights, compare on Omio. For long-haul, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Within Europe, trains and buses are on Omio trains and Omio buses.
• Commute to ExCeL: Custom House (Elizabeth line) is the smoothest. Prince Regent (DLR) drops you closer to the eastern halls. City Airport is 7–10 minutes away on the DLR.
• Food near ExCeL: The Fox @ ExCeL for pub fare and post-show pints; Zero Sette for pasta; Yi-Ban by Royal Albert Dock for Cantonese and dim sum; Emilia’s Crafted Pasta or Hawksmoor in nearby Canary Wharf for celebratory dinners.
• Time-savers: Book popular viewpoints (e.g., Sky Garden) in advance; travel off-peak when possible; use contactless for quick taps and daily caps.

Note on dates: If you’re arriving Tuesday and departing Saturday, simply begin at Day 2 and continue through Day 6. Day 1 is an optional “bonus” pre-day for travelers arriving a day early.

Bonus idea for team fun (example formats that translate well to city centers):

• Scavenger Hunt Adventure in London by Zombie Scavengers

  

Wherever you base yourself, keep an eye on the river: rides, views, and neighborhoods unfold along the Thames like chapters. With BETT at ExCeL as your anchor, this itinerary balances productive show days with iconic sights, good food, and easy transport—so London feels effortless and inspiring.