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.
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Overview >Bucket list experience:
Natural History Museum
Credit: cowardlion / Shutterstock.com
Last updated: 06 November, 2022
From the 25m blue whale skeleton that hovers over the central atrium to the theatrically-lit Earth Hall, exploring the natural forces behind our planet’s existence, the NHM is a spectacle from start to finish.
Adults and kids alike will be entranced by the elegantly-arranged collection spread over 43 galleries. Its treasures – everything from dinosaur fossils to diamonds and Martian meteorites – entice Londoners back for multiple visits.
Designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1873, the museum is an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture, its facade designed with delicate columns, articulated arches and carvings of plants and animals.
While you’re there
Spare a bit of time to visit the state-of-the-art Darwin Centre with its cocoon building. You’ll get the chance to watch scientists at work in the lab and see the science behind nature using interactive displays.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
London 5-day Itinerary
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.
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Overview >
London 9-day Itinerary
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.
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Overview >Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The nearest Underground station is South Kensington (District, Circle, Piccadilly lines). It’s a short walk from there. Entry is free and there is no pre-booking for general museum admission.
There are a number of different themed tour options available, including the museums’ zoology collection preserved in glass jars – see the ‘What’s on’ section on the website.
When to do it
The museum is open all year-round, seven days a week. Arrive early (before 11am) or late (after 3pm) to avoid the school-trips crush.
During mid-October you can see the superb annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition – displaying 100 or more eye-popping wildlife photographs.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Natural History Museum London - Private Guided Museum Tour
London
From the largest dinosaurs to the tiniest gemstones, the Natural History Museum’s display of over 80 million specimens needs no introduction...
€94 | Rating 4.95 / 5 [60 ratings]
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Tour supplied by:
The Natural History Museum London Guided Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max
London
From the largest dinosaurs to the tiniest gemstones, the Natural History Museum’s display of over 80 million specimens needs no introduction...
€94 | Rating 4.96 / 5 [28 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
London Natural History Museum Dinosaur Discovery Family Tour
London
Journey back in time and explore planet Earth before the days of mankind on a family-friendly dinosaur discovery tour of London's amazing Na...
€204 | Rating 4.16 / 5 [6 ratings]
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Tour supplied by:
Kid-Friendly Natural History Museum & Dinosaurs Private Guided Tour in London
London
The Natural History Museum is a must see if you are visiting London with your children!
In our 2.5 hour family friendly tour we will take y...
€269 | Rating 5 / 5 [6 ratings]
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Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Number Sixteen
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.4 miles]
Dazzling design and local colour abound at this intimate, under-the-radar bolthole in a convenient, upmarket location.
Official star rating:
Sydney House
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]
A value-for-money Georgian townhouse hotel that offers a pleasingly tranquil feel, set on a refined residential street in the heart of Chelsea.
Official star rating:
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.3 miles]
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.
Official star rating:
Artists Residence London
London, United Kingdom (UK)[2.3 miles]
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.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
London
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.
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Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
London Science Museum
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.1 miles]
The world’s largest science museum, with 40 galleries celebrating three centuries of major scientific advances.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Victoria and Albert Museum
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.3 miles]
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
Royal Albert Hall
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]
London’s premier venue, this iconic circular Victorian concert hall hosts everything from circus acts to classical music, with perfectly-crafted acoustics.
Best for ages: 13+ | £15 | 1+ hours
Kensington Palace
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.2 miles]
Birthplace of Queen Victoria, this regal 18th-century palace in Hyde Park is now the official residence of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children.
Best for ages: 13+ | £17
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Royal Academy of Arts
London, United Kingdom (UK)[2.9 miles]
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
Madame Tussauds
London, United Kingdom (UK)[3.3 miles]
Meet the queen, get a selfie with Stormzy and take the controls of the Millennium Falcon with Chewbacca at the world’s leading and original wax museum.
Best for ages: 8+ | £30
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
London, United Kingdom (UK)[3.8 miles]
A magical leafy setting that’s as memorable as the shows themselves, Regent’s Park Outdoor Theatre is one of London’s must-do entertainment experiences.
Best for ages: 18+ | £25 | 1-3 hours
The London Eye
London, United Kingdom (UK)[4 miles]
Sky-scraping observation wheel taking passengers on a stately ride, 450 feet above the Thames.
Best for ages: Any | £31 | 30 minutes
