London is a storybook made of stone and glass. Romans laid the first pages, Tudors turned them, Victorians gilded the margins, and today’s Londoners write in neon, startup code, and street art. Over seven days, you’ll trace this layered capital from royal Westminster to the medieval City, from the South Bank’s skyline to village-like Notting Hill.

Expect blockbuster sights (Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s), globally loved museums (the V&A, Natural History), and food that jumps continents in a single Tube ride. Markets hum, pubs glow, and theatres raise curtains night after night in the West End. You’ll also step beyond the city for England-in-a-day countryside drama at Stonehenge, Windsor, and Bath.

Practicalities are easy: tap your contactless card on the Tube and buses, pack layers for changeable weather, and book big-ticket attractions ahead. For flights and trains, see the links below; for sleep, we’ve included London hotels at every budget plus VRBO apartments in favorite neighborhoods.

London

Capital of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s great cities, London is equal parts living museum and cutting-edge creative lab. Grand palaces and Gothic spires share airspace with glassy skyscrapers nicknamed the Gherkin and the Shard; 2,000 years of history sit above a lattice of Underground lines.

Neighborhoods feel distinct: Westminster is ceremonial and stately; the City is medieval lanes and finance; the South Bank is riverfront culture; Shoreditch crackles with street art and indie dining; Notting Hill is pastel terraces and Saturday market bustle.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, British Museum, Tate Modern, Sky Garden, Camden and Borough Markets.
• Fun facts: London’s 8.9 million residents speak 300+ languages; the Tube is the world’s oldest metro (1863); the City of London (the Square Mile) has its own Lord Mayor.
• How to get here: From Europe, compare flights and Eurostar on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). From outside Europe, search long-haul fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Heathrow–central by Tube is ~45–60 min (~£5–£6 off-peak), Heathrow Express ~15 min (£25–£37), Gatwick Express ~30 min (£19–£23), Stansted Express ~47 min (£21–£25).

Where to stay: Browse neighborhoods and vacation rentals on VRBO London or compare hotels on Hotels.com London. Standout picks:

• The Savoy (iconic old-school glamour on the Strand): Book The Savoy
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (pool, spa, steps from Big Ben): Book Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
• Novotel London Tower Bridge (great for Tower/City sightseeing): Book Novotel London Tower Bridge
• Premier Inn London County Hall (value next to the London Eye): Book Premier Inn County Hall
• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (budget, efficient rooms): Book Point A Kings Cross
• YHA London Central (social, budget-friendly): Book YHA London Central
• YHA London St Pancras (across from Eurostar): Book YHA London St Pancras

Day 1: Arrive, South Bank Stroll, and a Thames Welcome

Afternoon: Land in London and check in. Shake off the flight with an easy South Bank walk: start at Westminster Bridge for postcard views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then follow the Thames past street performers, the Southbank Centre, and Gabriel’s Wharf.

Evening: Grab an early dinner around Borough Market (open most days; liveliest Wed–Sat). Try Padella for hand-rolled pici cacio e pepe, Wright Brothers for oysters, or Hawksmoor Borough for a superb British steak. For craft cocktails with river views, Lyaness at Sea Containers mixes inventive, seasonally themed drinks.

Night: If you still have energy, amble to the illuminated Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral for a serene first-night photo op.

Day 2: Royal Westminster, Abbey Secrets, and a West End Night

Morning: Fuel up at Regency Café (art deco, filmed in Layer Cake) or The Wolseley (grand European brasserie). Then join this guide-led royal circuit for priority insight and storytelling:

Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London

Trace Britain’s monarchy through poets’ tombs, royal coronations, and the Changing of the Guard (on scheduled days), with a Blue Badge guide bringing the area to life.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Cinnamon Club (contemporary Indian in the old Westminster Library) or The Red Lion (historic pub, political haunt). Visit the Churchill War Rooms—intimate, gripping exhibits of Britain’s WWII nerve center—then decompress in St James’s Park with pelicans and palace views.

Evening: Pre-theatre bites in Soho: The Palomar (vibrant Jerusalem-Meets-London plates), Barrafina (top-tier Spanish tapas at the counter), or J Sheekey (seafood, great for oysters). See a West End show, then toast the night at Swift Soho (famed for Irish Coffee and aperitivo-style cocktails).

Day 3: Tower of London, City Skylines, and Shoreditch Vibes

Morning: Coffee at WatchHouse Tower Bridge, then be at the Tower of London for opening to meet the Yeoman Warders and beat the queues for the Crown Jewels:

Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Walk the battlements, hear tales of ravens and intrigue, and cross the glass-floored walkway of Tower Bridge for a different angle on the Thames.

Afternoon: Lunch at St. JOHN Bread and Wine (nose-to-tail British; book ahead) or wander Leadenhall Market (a Victorian gem with Harry Potter film cred). Visit St Paul’s Cathedral—climb to the Whispering Gallery and Stone/Golden Galleries for skyline views—and pop into the free-to-book Sky Garden for a lush, panoramic oasis above the City.

Evening: Explore Shoreditch street art around Redchurch Street. Dinner at Dishoom Shoreditch (Bombay comfort classics), Smokestak (smoked brisket, sticky toffee pud), or Manteca (handmade pastas, whole-animal cooking). For a speakeasy nightcap, Nightjar shakes Prohibition-era cocktails with live jazz.

Day 4: South Kensington Museums, Hyde Park, and Notting Hill

Morning: Start with a flat white at Gail’s South Kensington or Brown & Rosie on Exhibition Road. Choose your museum: the Natural History Museum (dinosaur hall, Hintze blue whale) or the V&A (design, fashion, sculpture). Both are world-class and free to enter.

Afternoon: Stroll Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park—peek at Kensington Palace’s exterior—then drift north to Notting Hill. Lunch at CERU (Levantine small plates), Ottolenghi Notting Hill (salads and pastries as art), or Honest Burgers (British beef, rosemary chips). Browse Portobello Road Market (best Fri–Sat), and pause for coffee at Farm Girl or cardamom buns at Fabrique.

Evening: Pub stop at The Churchill Arms (Thai kitchen inside an explosion of flowers). For dinner, Gold Notting Hill (wood-fired seasonal plates) or, for a splurge, The Ledbury (inventive tasting menus). End with a quiet wander along pastel Westbourne Park terraces.

Day 5: The Wizarding World Comes Alive

Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour with Superior Transport from London

Step onto the Great Hall set, prowl Diagon Alley, and examine costumes, animatronics, and filmmaking secrets. This experience typically takes 6–7 hours door to door with luxury coach transport from central London; sip Butterbeer and grab lunch at the Backlot Café between set pieces.

Back in town, linger in Covent Garden’s piazza with buskers and boutiques. Dinner at The Oystermen (briny platters, daily catch), Bancone (silk handkerchief pasta, walnut butter), or Flat Iron (great-value steaks). For a playful finale, Mr Fogg’s Tavern pours gin-laced Victorian whimsy.

Day 6: England in a Day — Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath

Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London

Make an early start for a classic day trip that ties together royal pageantry, prehistoric mystery, and Georgian elegance. Wander Windsor’s cobbles and State Apartments (when open), contemplate the standing stones on Salisbury Plain, and explore Bath’s crescents and Roman Baths. Expect 11–12 hours with a comfortable coach and expert guide.

Quick bites en route: in Bath, try The Raven for proper pies or a historic bun at Sally Lunn’s. Back in London (evening), celebrate with chops at Blacklock Soho, Sri Lankan hoppers at Hoppers, or bao buns at BAO—then descend to Gordon’s Wine Bar by Embankment for candlelit, cave-like charm.

Day 7: Greenwich Perspectives and Farewell

Morning: Ride the DLR or a Thames boat to Maritime Greenwich. Step aboard the Cutty Sark, climb Greenwich Park to the Royal Observatory for a hilltop panorama, and straddle the Prime Meridian—London spreads dramatically in every direction.

Lunch: Graze your way through Greenwich Market (handmade bites from bao to brownies) or sit down at Goddards for classic pie, mash, and liquor. Head back toward your hotel to collect bags.

Departure: Aim to leave for the airport 3–4 hours before an international flight: Heathrow by Tube (45–60 min) or Heathrow Express (15 min), Gatwick Express to Victoria (~30 min), Stansted Express to Liverpool Street (~47 min). The Tube and buses cap daily fares when you tap with the same contactless card—no need to buy a separate transit pass.

Extra Tips

• When crowds swell: Book timed tickets for Westminster Abbey, the Tower, Sky Garden, and major exhibitions. Early slots are quieter.
• Eating smart: London’s food scene is vast—book popular spots (Dishoom, Barrafina, The Palomar, The Ledbury) 2–4 weeks ahead; arrive early for walk-in counters.
• Sunday roasts: If your trip includes Sunday, try a roast at Hawksmoor, Blacklock, or The Harwood Arms (venison Scotch egg legend).
• Cashless comfort: Most places accept cards; 12.5% service is often added—if it is, extra tipping is optional.

Getting around: Use the Tube for speed, buses for views, and your feet for discovering the details—blue plaques, mews streets, hidden gardens. A compact brolly (umbrella) is never a bad idea.

Book travel: Europe flights and trains on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). Long-haul fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Hotels on Hotels.com and apartments on VRBO.

Optional alternative activities if you want to swap a day: a Thames sightseeing cruise from Westminster to Greenwich; Camden Market and Regent’s Canal; Kew Gardens for glasshouse botany; or a black cab tour for bespoke storytelling.

In one week, you’ll have met London’s royalty and rebels, strolled riverside and rooftops, and tasted around the world without leaving Zone 1. This itinerary balances big names and local gems so you depart with both the highlights and the hidden corners stitched into your memory.