London 3-day Itinerary
United Kingdom (UK)
Where to go and what to see in London to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
Bucket list experience:
Copyright RHS / Photo Georgi Mabee
Glastonbury for garden-lovers, this five-day flower show comes to West London each May, drawing crowds of plant, flower and landscaping enthusiasts to its displays in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Mini, themed gardens might imitate a Japanese garden or create a fairytale setting; stands for landscaping, furniture and accessory companies inspire ideas for your garden at home; and clouds of diverse flower varieties create a rainbow of blooms. The overall feel is Alice in Wonderland meets Gardeners’ World.
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United Kingdom (UK)
Where to go and what to see in London to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
United Kingdom (UK)
Where to go and what to see in London to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
United Kingdom (UK)
Where to go and what to see in London to get the most from your trip – 9 brilliant, bucket list-packed days recommended by destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
Tickets go on sale in November-December, and they do sell out, so book at least a couple of months in advance.
The show usually runs from Tuesday to Saturday on the third week of May; the first two days are only open to Royal Horticultural Society Members, who also enjoy discounts on tickets. Friday and Saturday are the busiest days.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
London, United Kingdom (UK)
An agreeably-priced boutique hotel filled with a dizzying variety of artworks, tucked away in a quiet corner of charming Pimlico. Away from the rush, but with excellent transport into the city centre.
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London, United Kingdom (UK)
A value-for-money Georgian townhouse hotel that offers a pleasingly tranquil feel, set on a refined residential street in the heart of Chelsea.
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London, United Kingdom (UK)
Dazzling design and local colour abound at this intimate, under-the-radar bolthole in a convenient, upmarket location.
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London, United Kingdom (UK)
A gloriously opulent Edwardian hotel, with Michelin-starred dining, a subterranean spa and a wonderful location overlooking Hyde Park – one of the capital’s most expensive, most luxurious addresses.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Greater London, United Kingdom (UK)
World-class culture, fashion, music, food and history – and a mind-boggling array of bucket list experiences – packed into one extraordinary, incomparable destination.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
London, United Kingdom (UK)
Step back to the golden age of rail travel, touring the British countryside on this glamorous 1920s vintage train while enjoying five-star food and drink.
Best for ages: 18+ | £350 | 4+ hours
London, United Kingdom (UK)
Known nationwide as ‘the V&A’, this museum focuses on the decorative arts, from fashion to furniture and interior design.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
London, United Kingdom (UK)
Dinosaur skeletons, blue whales and chunks of meteorite set in a Romanesque, cathedral-like building – the world’s biggest and best such museum is a treasure trove of natural history.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
London, United Kingdom (UK)
The world’s largest science museum, with 40 galleries celebrating three centuries of major scientific advances.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
London, United Kingdom (UK)
An 18th-century mansion of masterpieces sitting pretty on Piccadilly, home to one of Britain’s oldest collections of fine art and regular blockbuster exhibitions.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
London, United Kingdom (UK)
London’s impressive aquarium, set on the South Bank, home to hundreds of species of fish and a selection of sharks.
Best for ages: Any | £27
London, United Kingdom (UK)
Sky-scraping observation wheel taking passengers on a stately ride, 450 feet above the Thames.
Best for ages: Any | £31 | 30 minutes
London, United Kingdom (UK)
Famous for its picturesque alfresco ice rink in winter and the Edmund J Safra fountains in the summer, this elegant neoclassical building is also home to an art gallery and upscale restaurant.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free