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:
Victoria and Albert Museum
Credit: cowardlion / Shutterstock.com
Last updated: 06 November, 2022
The world’s greatest collection of design objects and decorative arts has seven miles of galleries devoted to everything from ancient oriental rugs to Victorian fashion, rock’n’roll album art to iconic 1960s furnishings.
Its hallowed west London halls contain over four million items, running alongside which are some of the capital’s most cutting-edge temporary arts exhibitions – often celebrating the work and impact of a single artist or designer. The institution is also a major centre for study, home to the National Art Library and the RIBA Architecture Study room.
The V&A’s rich variety of exhibits includes the Great Bed of Ware, mentioned in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a Cold War era Egg Chair and an Ossie Clark jumpsuit worn by Mick Jagger. Temporary exhibitions might look at Sixties fashion, or the history of underwear.
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Overview >Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The nearest Underground station is South Kensington. It’s a short, signposted 5-minute walk from there.
Entry is free, though special exhibitions are charged. You can pay on the door, but it’s better to buy a ticket in advance from the website as capacities may be limited, and you can guarantee an entry time.
With so many galleries, it pays to choose what you want to see and map them with a museum plan (available from the information desk or online) before setting off. Pick a subject – photography, textiles, ceramics, fashion – or select an era, or artist. You can also sign up for guided tours.
There’s a nice section hidden on the website that lists the highlights of the collection. Worth a browse before you go.
When to do it
It’s open all year round, seven days a week, with a late opening on some Fridays.
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.
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Sydney House
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 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.
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Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.1 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.
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Artists Residence London
London, United Kingdom (UK)[2 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.
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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)[0.3 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
London Science Museum
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.3 miles]
The world’s largest science museum, with 40 galleries celebrating three centuries of major scientific advances.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Royal Albert Hall
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 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
Chelsea Flower Show
London, United Kingdom (UK)[1.4 miles]
The worlds’ most famous garden show, held for 5 days in May. Stunning modern garden designs, mind-boggling floral displays and visits by royalty.
Best for ages: 13+ | £107 | 5 days
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Royal Academy of Arts
London, United Kingdom (UK)[2.6 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)[3.2 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
Experience
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
London, United Kingdom (UK)[3.7 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)[3.7 miles]
Sky-scraping observation wheel taking passengers on a stately ride, 450 feet above the Thames.
Best for ages: Any | £31 | 30 minutes