London Walking Route: How to See The Iconic Sights in One Day
London is, and always will be, one of my favourite cities to visit. Not only is it rich in culture and history, but there’s ALWAYS something going on in London – events, theatre shows, delicious foods to try and, of course, its iconic sights.
To be honest, the part of London that is least interesting to me is probably its famous sights – the London Eye, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square – but of course, I still wanted to see all of them on my first visit. And believe it or not, I visited them all in just half a day – and in this walking guide, I’ll show you how you can, too.
It’ll probably take you a bit longer if you want to explore some of the sights more thoroughly – so plan to spend the whole day exploring.
1. Start at the Tower of London
For this walk, your starting point will be at the Tower of London. To get here, take the London Underground (District or Circle Line) to Tower Hill.
If you plan on visiting the tower, buy tickets online beforehand. It’s a great spot if you’re interested in history.
In the tower, you’ll be able to see historic artifacts like the Crown Jewels, learn about the history of the fort, and visit its different parts – the White Tower, old royal living quarters, and the mysterious Bloody Tower.
2. Cross Tower Bridge
From the Tower of London, cross the bridge to get to the Southern side of the River Thames.
Most of your day will be spent on this side, where you’ll come across iconic London sights like the Tate Modern, the London Eye, and the Shakespeare Globe Theatre.
3. Walk along the Thames towards the Golden Hinde
The Golden Hinde is one of the more unique sights in London – a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s famous flagship, on which he sailed around the world from 1577 and 1560.
You can explore the Golden Hinde for a realistic look into life at sea in the 16th century.
Tickets are available at the door, but I’d always recommend booking online on the official website before your visit.
4. Stop by Borough Market
London is famous for its markets – Camden, Seven Dials, Spitalfields – and Borough market is one of my favourites.
There are tons of amazing food options (many of which have gone viral online), including ready-made meals like burgers and pasta, to high-quality local ingredients like a variety of cheeses, homemade preserves, and fresh produce.
Here are some great foods to try at Borough market:
- Risotto at Wild Mushroom Risotto
- Doughnuts at Bread Ahead
- Fresh Oysters at Richard Haward’s Oysters
- Tacos and tostadas at El Pastor
5. See the Shakespeare Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre is a reconstruction of the playhouse where many of Shakespeare’s famous plays were performed in the 17th century.
And yes, it is an active theatre, so you can see a play while you’re here. If you’re a Shakespeare fan, this is a must on your visit to London.
To buy tickets and to check which plays are on during your visit, check the website.
Alternatively, you can take a guided tour of the theatre, where you learn about Shakespeare and the history of the Globe Theatre.
6. Check out the Exhibits in the Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is another must-visit sight in London. It’s especially great for anyone interested in art, and the best part? It’s completely free (except for a few special exhibitions).
Check the Tate Modern website to find out which exhibitions are on while you’re visiting.
At the Tate Modern, you can see works by some of the world’s most famous artists, including Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney.
It took me about an hour to get through the main collection, but if you’re an art fanatic, it might take a bit longer.
7. Head towards the London Eye
One of the most popular things to do in London is to ride the London Eye, one of the city’s most famous sights.
This is definitely one ticket I’d buy in advance, because there’s always a REALLY long line at the London Eye.
There are different ticket options, so consider saving some money by buying a combination ticket, for example for a river cruise and the London Eye. Check the website for all options.
If you want to avoid the overcrowded tourist attraction and don’t care for going on the ferris wheel, but still want a ‘London Eye experience’, consider stopping by Tattershall Castle for a drink or lunch.
Tattershall Castle is a restaurant on a ship that is always docked on the Thames River, right across from the London Eye. So, you’ll get a great view of the landmark and a meal in one (probably for cheaper than a London Eye ticket).
8. See the London Dungeons
Though visiting the London Dungeons isn’t one of those must-do sights, it’s a really fun and unique experience to add to your itinerary.
If you like the vibe of Sweeney Todd, this one’s for you. It’s also great for anyone interested in the likes of Jack the Ripper.
The experience is 90 minutes long and features live performances of actors playing out historical events, with fun interactive scenes, dark humour and jump scares sprinkled in.
It’sa bit too scary for kids, but it’s nothing teens and adults can’t handle. So if you’re traveling with children, maybe skip this one.
9. Cross Westminster Bridge to get to Big Ben
Undoubtedly one of the most iconic sights in London, Big Ben is a must-see for anyone visiting the city for the first time. The clock tower houses the Great Bell at the Palace of Westminster. It chimes on the hour, every hour – try to time your visit well.
Until recently, touring the inside of Big Ben was restricted to UK residents, but luckily, international visitors from age 11 are now also allowed inside.
It is a very long climb – over 300 steps! – so wear comfortable shoes and drink water beforehand (you aren’t allowed to eat inside the tower.
Because it’s an insanely popular tourist attraction, you’ll need to buy tickets well in advance. Tickets are released every second Wednesday of the month at 10:00 (UK time) for the next 2 months – and they usually sell out very fast.
The tickets are only available on the UK Parliament website.
10. Admire Westminster Palace
Big Ben is part of Westminster Palace, which houses the UK Parliament. It is a great spot to visit if you’re interested in politics, history, or architecture.
Guided tours are available – only on the UK Parliament website.
There is also the possibility of watching debates and committee sessions from the public galleries. Entry is free, but space is limited, so be early if you want to snag a spot. You can find the Parliament schedule on the website here.
11. Stroll through St James’ Park and Green Park
From Westminster Palace, walk to St James’ Park. You can also explore Green Park, right next to it.
The parks make for the ideal spot to sit down for lunch. Grab something at a nearby shop or café.
In St James’ Park you can watch the resident pelicans and even see them being fed (around 2:30 p.m. daily).
In the middle of the two parks, you’ll find another one of London’s unmissable sights: Buckingham Palace.
12. Watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace
The palace is only open to public visitation during summer (July-September), so check the website for exact dates. Tickets can only be bought online and aren’t available at the door.
If you want to see the famous Changing of the Guard, plan to arrive at least half an hour earlier (to get a decent spot). Many people arrive over an hour beforehand, though.
The Changing of the Guard usually takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m., but the schedule is subject to change. Check the Household Division website before planning your visit.
13. Head to Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is probably the most famous public square in London.
The square has various statues and is particularly well-known for its fountains, which light up at night.
It’s a great spot to sit down with a snack or coffee.
Trafalgar Square also hosts many events, including the annual West End Live and the St Patrick’s Day Parade.
14. Get a late lunch in Chinatown
Chinatown in London is a hotspot for good food, so it’s the perfect place to grab a late lunch or dinner.
You’ll recognise it immediately by its red lanterns hanging above the streets and squares all year round.
The best thing to do is just to stroll around and try different foods from various restaurants. Most of them are take away style, so you can grab something and eat it while walking around, or you can sit down at the tables on the square.
You’ll find every kind of Asian food here, from a Chinese bakery to spots specialising in bao buns, dumplings, or dim sum.
15. End your day with a West End show
London has the second biggest musical theatre scene worldwide (after New York City) and Chinatown is right in the middle of the West End. So why not end the day with a show?
As someone who watches at least 3 shows every time she flies to London, I can only recommend it. I use the TodayTix website for the best prices and easiest booking process.
You can see some of the most famous musicals, like Wicked, Hamilton, and Les Misérables, but you’ll also find lesser known shows like Back to the Future and Oliver! the Musical.
Of course, some shows even originated in London, so it’s the perfect opportunity to see those – Matilda and SIX, for example – I’ve seen both and highly recommend them. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, check out Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Consider The Choir of Man for something more unique. This musical is made up of a cast of 9 guys and a pianist performing well-known pop songs – but in a pub.
If you’re not a fan of musical theatre, don’t worry! There are always original plays to see.
