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:
Imperial War Museum
Last updated: 06 November, 2022
From a battle of Britain Spitfire to the casing of the ‘Little Boy’ atomic bomb, and a journey through the trenches, this grand Victorian building houses exhibitions that paint a visceral picture of combat from the First World War to present-day peacekeeping missions.
The museum’s acclaimed Holocaust and Second World War galleries have been overhauled, with bold new exhibits and never-displayed-before artefacts. There are also plenty of specialist tours as Highlights of IWM, a journey through the Atrium, once the exercise courtyard of the infamous ‘Bedlam’ hospital, exploring over a century’s worth of conflict and the often moving stories behind the extraordinary collection of military aircraft, tanks, weapons, paintings, photography, clothing and more.
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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: 6+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
Lambeth North and Elephant and Castle Underground stations are a short walk away; bus routes 344 and 360 stop outside.
Note – certain exhibitions, including some Holocaust displays, are not recommended for those under 13 years of age.
When to do it
The museum is open all year round, Wednesday to Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday. The museum is busiest on weekends, from around the middle of the day to mid-afternoon.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Marriott County Hall
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.9 miles]
Get a front-row seat for the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and a sparkling stretch of the River Thames, at this Grade-II listed Westminster waterfront address. Right in the city center, it’s walking distance to the major sites.
Official star rating:
Sea Containers London
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.4 miles]
Right on the Thames, with views of St Pauls across the water, this cleverly-converted former shipping office has become one of the capital’s grandest and most glam hotels.
Official star rating:
The Savoy Hotel
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.8 miles]
This opulent Art Deco hotel, right in the buzzing West End, is discreet, elegant, and full of A-list stories.
Official star rating:
Shangri-La at the Shard
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.8 miles]
Housed in London’s newest landmark, the Shangri-La offers the best views in town, along with fine dining, innovative cocktails and a lofty infinity pool.
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
The London Dungeon
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1 miles]
A gallows humour romp through London’s most gruesome periods of history, encountering its shadiest characters, via live action, rides and special effects.
Best for ages: 12+ | £27
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.2 miles]
Watch Prime Minister’s Questions and tour the House of Lords within these neo-Gothic buildings by the Thames.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
National Theatre
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.3 miles]
From classic drama to musical comedy, the National’s three stages (the Olivier, Lyttleton and Dorfman) epitomise the best of British theatre. Boundary-pushing, and world-class quality.
Best for ages: 13+ | £45
Westminster Abbey
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.3 miles]
A thousand-year-old Gothic abbey, and the grand resting place of monarchs, politicians and poets.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1 miles]
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
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The London Eye
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.1 miles]
Sky-scraping observation wheel taking passengers on a stately ride, 450 feet above the Thames.
Best for ages: Any | £31 | 30 minutes
Experience
Somerset House
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.8 miles]
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
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Overview >
The View From The Shard
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.8 miles]
Step into Renzo Piano’s iconic Shard, and ride up to the 72nd floor, to stand 800ft above London for the loftiest views in the capital.
Best for ages: 10+ | £25