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:
Science Museum, London
© Science Museum Group
Last updated: 27 May, 2023
Interactive, innovative and packed with wow-factor exhibits, this vast, seven-floor museum is traditionally seen as the preserve of school groups – but grown-ups overlook this at your peril.
Come here for treasures such as the command module from the Apollo 10 spacecraft, astronaut’s space suits, early computers and thrilling flight simulators. The Flight Gallery, complete with full-size craft from the beginnings of aviation, will make even the most museum-jaded traveller’s heart soar.
The museum is adored by families for its lower floors, which focus entirely on stimulating mini-scientists: the spectacular Wonderlab is spread across seven zones, offering the chance to interact with scientific phenomena, see live science shows and demonstrations and get hands-on with experiments and displays.
Don't miss
The giant, in-tact fossil skeleton of a stegosaurus. You can’t miss it really, it’s in the entrance hall.
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Destination Guide >Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The nearest Underground station is South Kensington (Piccadilly, District and Circle lines). Entry is free.
When to do it
The museum is open all year round, seven days a week during school holidays. It closes on Mondays and Tuesday during school term time. Visit first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the big groups.
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Overview >Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Number Sixteen
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 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
Natural History Museum
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.1 miles]
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
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)[0.4 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)[1.1 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
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Harrods
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1 miles]
The world’s most famous department store – touristy, yes, but also glamorous, glitzy, and unmissable.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
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Royal Court Theatre
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.5 miles]
London’s best-known platform for new playwrights. Effortlessly cool, intellectual, and influential, this is theatre at its most exciting.
Best for ages: 18+ | £12 | Varies
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Design Museum London
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.7 miles]
The UK’s leading museum of contemporary design and architecture holds a collection covering a wide range of design disciplines, from fashion to furniture, and showcases the work of established and emerging designers from around the world. Look out for excellent temporary exhibitions, and a great shop packed with design products.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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National Army Museum
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.7 miles]
This interesting museum delves into the history, heritage, and impact of the British Army. With a vast collection of artefacts, artworks, and interactive exhibits, the museum offers sometimes sobering insights into the soldiers’ lives, battles, and innovations that shaped the army’s evolution over the centuries.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free
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