England’s story is written in stone and steam: Roman baths, medieval abbeys, Tudor fortresses, Georgian crescents, and the ever-evolving skyline of London. In one week, you can skim the best of it—royal ceremonies, theater nights, and markets bristling with aromas—then slow down amid Bath’s crescents and steamy rooftop spa.

London dazzles with grand museums (most free), the Thames’ riverside walks, and a dining scene where classic pubs sit comfortably beside Michelin darlings. Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city, pairs Roman archaeology with golden Georgian elegance, and puts you within easy reach of Stonehenge and postcard Cotswold villages.

Practical notes: Use contactless cards on the Tube and buses, pack layers for quick weather shifts, and book major attractions and West End shows ahead. Expect a 1 hour 15–30 minute train from London to Bath, and mind pub closing times (often 11 pm). Tipping in restaurants is commonly 10–12.5% when service isn’t included.

London

London is a capital of capitals—history at Westminster, jewels in the Tower, and modernity glittering in the City. Wander from ceremonial pageantry to street-food markets in minutes, then end the day with a West End standing ovation.

Neighborhoods offer distinct flavors: Soho’s late-night buzz, Covent Garden’s theaters and boutiques, South Bank’s riverside strolls, and Kensington’s museum mile.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace (exterior), St Paul’s Cathedral, British Museum, Tate Modern, Sky Garden.
• Eating and drinking: Borough Market bites, pasta at Padella or Bancone, steak at Flat Iron, Indian comfort at Dishoom, classic pints at The Harp or The Churchill Arms.
• Where to stay: Covent Garden or the South Bank for first-timers; Kensington for a quieter, museum-rich base.

Book stays: VRBO London | Hotels.com London

Getting in: Compare flights into Heathrow, Gatwick, or City Airport on Omio Flights (Europe). From airports, use the Tube, Elizabeth Line, or rail (Heathrow/Gatwick Express) with contactless payment.

Day 1: Arrival, South Bank Stroll, and a Cozy London Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a walk along the South Bank: start near the London Eye and amble toward Waterloo Bridge for skyline views of St Paul’s and the Shard. Grab a flat white at WatchHouse Somerset House or Monmouth Coffee in Covent Garden.

Evening: Dinner at Dishoom Covent Garden for bacon naan rolls (if early) or their house black daal and vinegar-chile lamb chops; the room evokes Irani cafés of old Bombay. Alternatively, Flat Iron Soho offers excellent steak without the price shock; finish with the complimentary salted caramel soft-serve. Nightcap at The Harp near Charing Cross—tiny, friendly, and serious about cask ales.

Day 2: Royal London—Westminster, Parks, and the West End

Morning: Tour Westminster Abbey (kings crowned since 1066). Step outside to view Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Coffee and a pastry at Café Nero by Parliament or the Abbey’s Kiosk to keep time on your side.

Afternoon: Walk St James’s Park’s lakeside paths to Buckingham Palace (exterior). If timing aligns, see the Changing of the Guard (usually late morning on select days; verify the schedule). Explore Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery’s masterpieces—free entry and manageable highlights in an hour.

Evening: Pre-theater dinner in Covent Garden: Bancone (silk handkerchief pasta with walnut butter is the signature) or The Ivy Market Grill for classic brasserie fare. Catch a West End show (musical or play). Celebrate after with a martini at Bar Termini in Soho or a pint at The Marquis on Chandos Place.

Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Market, Tate Modern, and Sky-High Views

Morning: Be at the Tower of London for opening to beat lines to the Crown Jewels. Pause at Tower Bridge for photos and learn how its bascules lift for ships.

Afternoon: Cross to Borough Market for lunch. Try Kappacasein’s famed molten raclette toastie, Bread Ahead’s filled doughnuts, or a sit-down at Padella (handmade pici cacio e pepe) or Arabica (Levantine small plates). Walk the Thames Path to Shakespeare’s Globe and Tate Modern; catch the Millennium Bridge view back to St Paul’s.

Evening: Time your free Sky Garden visit (book ahead) for sunset over the Thames. Dinner at Hawksmoor Borough for dry-aged British steak and sticky toffee pudding, or Wright Brothers for oysters. Post-dinner, duck into The George Inn, a galleried coaching inn with Dickensian charm.

Day 4: Museums and Neighborhoods—Kensington to Notting Hill (or Soho)

Morning: Choose your museum: the Victoria & Albert (design and decorative arts) or the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs to gemstones). The V&A café, housed in ornate Victorian halls, is an attraction itself for coffee or a light bite.

Afternoon: Stroll Kensington Gardens toward Notting Hill. If it’s Friday or Saturday, browse Portobello Road Market’s antiques and street food. Otherwise, head to Carnaby Street and Soho for indie shops. Lunch options: Dishoom Kensington, Eggslut at Notting Hill Gate for a quick brioche sandwich, or Bone Daddies Soho for ramen.

Evening: A Soho food crawl: Bao (gua bao and Taiwanese fried chicken), then Kiln (Thai grill; counter seats are part of the fun). Prefer British classics? Book at Rules in Covent Garden for game and puddings. End with a cocktail at Swift (famous for Irish coffee) or a quiet pint at The Churchill Arms in Kensington, festooned with flowers and Thai eats in the back.

Bath

Bath is a city made of honeyed stone and good manners, all crescents, colonnades, and Roman echoes. The Romans built a temple and baths around hot springs; Georgians later turned the city into an 18th-century wellness retreat.

It’s compact and walkable, with viewpoints over the Avon, bookshops and tea rooms, and the UK’s only natural thermal rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa.

• Top sights: Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, The Circus, Royal Crescent, Thermae Bath Spa, No. 1 Royal Crescent.
• Eating and drinking: Sally Lunn’s buns, The Scallop Shell for fish and chips, The Raven for pies, Beckford Bottle Shop for wine and small plates, Colonna & Small’s for specialty coffee.
• Day trips: Stonehenge, Lacock (filming village), and Cotswold gems like Castle Combe.

Book stays: VRBO Bath | Hotels.com Bath

Getting there from London: Morning trains from London Paddington to Bath Spa take about 1h15–1h30; advance singles are often £25–£60. Compare times and prices on Omio Trains (Europe); budget buses (about 3 hours) appear on Omio Buses.

Day 5: London to Bath, Roman Baths, Abbey, and Rooftop Spa

Morning: Depart London Paddington on a mid-morning train to Bath Spa (aim for around 9–10 am). Grab a seat on the river side for a green, rolling view. Check in and drop bags.

Afternoon: Lunch at Sally Lunn’s historic house—order a savory bun with smoked salmon or the cinnamon-butter classic. Tour the Roman Baths, with steam still rising from the Sacred Spring, then step into Bath Abbey to admire the fan vaulting. Coffee at Colonna & Small’s for some of the city’s best espresso.

Evening: Book a twilight session at Thermae Bath Spa; the open-air rooftop pool is magical at dusk. Dinner at The Scallop Shell (seasonal fish, triple-cooked chips, and tangy tartare sauce) or Beckford Bottle Shop for British cheeses, charcuterie, and small plates with a sharp wine list. End at The Canary gin bar for a Bath Gin and tonic.

Day 6: Stonehenge and the Cotswolds (from Bath)

Morning: Join a small-group tour that pairs an early Stonehenge visit (fewer crowds) with nearby villages. Your guide will untangle the monument’s 5,000-year story—rituals, solstices, and engineering feats.

Afternoon: Continue to Lacock (half-timbered streets; used in period films) or Castle Combe, often called one of England’s prettiest villages. Pub lunch ideas: The White Hart in Lacock (ale pies) or The Castle Inn in Castle Combe (seasonal British mains). Stroll mellow lanes, then ride back to Bath through the Cotswold hills.

Evening: Dinner at Noya’s Kitchen (bright, home-style Vietnamese—book ahead) or Clayton’s Kitchen for modern European plates using West Country produce. For a final Bath pub, pop into The Raven for steak-and-ale pie with rich gravy.

Day 7: Georgian Bath Morning, Then Depart

Morning: Breakfast at Society Café by the Guildhall (great bakes and specialty coffee). Walk the Georgian ensemble: The Circus to Royal Crescent, pausing at Royal Victoria Park for city views. If time allows, tour No. 1 Royal Crescent to peek into 18th-century life.

Afternoon: Head to your departure airport. Bath Spa to London Paddington is about 1h20; from Paddington, take the Elizabeth Line (~35–45 minutes) or Heathrow Express (~15 minutes) to Heathrow. Compare rail options on Omio Trains. If flying from Bristol, take the train to Bristol Temple Meads and the A1 Airport Flyer bus (check times on Omio Buses). Fly out using Omio Flights.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

London: For first-timers, Covent Garden/South Bank places you near theaters and the river; Kensington is quieter and near the V&A. Browse vetted options on VRBO London or compare hotels on Hotels.com London.

Bath: Stay within the historic core (near Pulteney Bridge or the Abbey) to walk everywhere. See apartments and townhouses on VRBO Bath or boutique hotels on Hotels.com Bath.

Eating and Coffee Cheatsheet

• London breakfast/coffee: Kaffeine (Fitzrovia), Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden), The Breakfast Club (Soho) for a hearty start.
• London lunch: Borough Market (Kappacasein toasties, Roast Hog porchetta rolls), Padella (pasta), Bao (Taiwanese).
• London dinner: Dishoom, Bancone, Kiln, Hawksmoor; pubs like The Harp or The Churchill Arms for pints.
• Bath breakfast/coffee: Society Café, Colonna & Small’s, Landrace Bakery for exceptional pastries.
• Bath lunch/dinner: The Scallop Shell, The Raven, Beckford Bottle Shop, Noya’s Kitchen, Clayton’s Kitchen.

Seven days in England will give you both dazzle and depth—London’s grand theaters and storied towers, Bath’s steamy springs and curved crescents, and that quiet moment in a Cotswold village green. You’ll leave with a camera roll full of icons and a palate tuned to Britain’s modern cuisine and classic pub comfort.