Take a morning Great Western Railway train from Plymouth to London Paddington, allowing roughly 3–4 hours. A departure around 8:00–9:00 gives you a useful arrival window for lunch, though check the live timetable before leaving because Sunday engineering works can affect services. Reserve seats and keep your luggage compact; the train is usually comfortable, but space near the doors fills quickly. If driving to Plymouth station, allow extra time for long-stay parking and transferring bags. From Paddington, use the Elizabeth line toward central London where practical, or take a black cab if you have festival luggage and want a simpler door-to-door arrival.
After dropping bags at your accommodation, head to Borough Market in Southwark for a late lunch. It is an easy journey from central London via the Underground to London Bridge, followed by a short walk. Allow about an hour and £12–25 per person for a generous meal from the stalls—look for the day’s best-looking queue rather than trying to cover the whole market. Sunday trading hours can vary by stall, and the market is generally quieter toward late afternoon, so aim to arrive around 1:30–2:00 pm. Keep valuables secure in the crowds and bring a reusable water bottle.
Walk west along the river to Tate Modern, passing the riverside terraces and Shakespeare’s Globe on the way. The main collection is free, while special exhibitions are ticketed; allow around 1½ hours, with the vast Turbine Hall and upper-floor views particularly worthwhile. Continue outside to Millennium Bridge for a short Thames crossing toward St Paul’s Cathedral. The bridge takes only about 10 minutes to cross, but allow half an hour for photographs and river views—late afternoon light is excellent, and the cathedral’s dome frames the northern end. Wear comfortable shoes, as this first day involves more walking than the distances suggest.
From St Paul’s, take the Central line from St Paul’s to Oxford Circus, then walk through Soho to Dishoom Carnaby—roughly 20–25 minutes in total. Book ahead if possible, especially for a Sunday evening; expect about £25–40 per person with drinks. Settle in for a relaxed Bombay-style dinner rather than rushing through it, and leave time afterward for a gentle wander around Carnaby Street and Kingly Court before heading back to your accommodation. Tomorrow’s festival will be a long day, so make this an early night and confirm your route to All Points East before turning in.
Head to Victoria Park via Hackney Wick and arrive around 11:00–11:30, giving yourself time to settle into the area before the crowds build. From central London, the quickest route is usually the Elizabeth line to Stratford, then the London Overground one stop to Hackney Wick; allow about 30–40 minutes, plus walking and entrance queues. Take a relaxed hour through the park, keeping your festival ticket and photo ID easily accessible. Festival entry arrangements can change, so check the official All Points East app or website before setting out; avoid bringing large bags, glass, or anything on the prohibited-items list.
Make your way to the festival area within Victoria Park and allow plenty of time for security, ticket scanning, and finding the stages. With six to eight hours here, resist trying to cross the site for every set—choose a good base, keep your phone charged, and arrange a meeting point in case the signal becomes unreliable. Bring a refillable bottle if permitted, use the festival’s water stations, and wear comfortable shoes: the park can become dusty in dry weather or muddy after rain. Most importantly, check the running order and final entry time shortly before leaving, as stage times and access details can change.
Eat from the festival food and drink stalls between performances rather than waiting for the busiest period. Budget roughly £15–30 per person for a meal and drinks, with queues typically easing during the opening minutes of a major act. If you still have energy after the final performance, take a short Hackney Wick canal walk along the waterways for 30–45 minutes, staying on the lit, busier stretches near White Post Lane and the station. Keep it brief if the area feels too quiet or crowded: late-night London Overground services and station arrangements can vary, so check the TfL app before leaving and head straight back to Hackney Wick or Stratford for your onward journey.
Begin at Columbia Road Flower Market, arriving around 9:00–9:30 before the narrow street becomes intensely busy. Stalls usually trade from about 8:00 until 2:00 on Sundays, although flowers sell out and sellers begin packing up earlier, so an hour is plenty for browsing. Grab coffee and something small at The Approach Tavern or one of the cafés on Columbia Road, then take a taxi or walk roughly 20 minutes to Spitalfields Market via Brick Lane; allow longer if you stop to browse vintage shops and street art.
Spend late morning at Spitalfields Market, where independent stalls are good for last-minute gifts, clothing and snacks. Allow about an hour, with lunch typically costing £10–20 per person. The market is generally open from late morning, but individual traders vary; keep your bags compact, as you will still be travelling. From here, take the Central line from Liverpool Street to Bank, then walk around 10 minutes to Sky Garden. Your reserved entry slot is essential—arrive 15 minutes early with photo ID, as security and queues can take time. The visit is free with a booking and lasts roughly an hour; the views across the City of London are especially good in clear weather.
After Sky Garden, make your way to Paddington Basin by taking the Circle or Hammersmith & City line from Liverpool Street to Paddington, then walking about 10 minutes. Take a relaxed 30-minute waterside break around the canals and bridges, perhaps picking up a drink before heading into London Paddington. Aim to be at the station 20–30 minutes before your reserved Great Western Railway departure, especially with luggage. A mid-to-late-afternoon train to Plymouth generally takes around 3–4 hours; reserve seats in advance and check the live service, as summer engineering works can alter routes or timings. If you have time, buy snacks at the station rather than relying on the onboard trolley, then settle in for the direct journey west.