Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After checking in, take an easy 30–45-minute leg-stretch around Merrion Square. The Georgian terraces and small park make a gentle first look at Dublin; the park is free and generally open during daylight hours, so keep this stop flexible if your flight is delayed or you arrive late.
Walk next door to the National Gallery of Ireland for a relaxed 1–1.5-hour visit. General admission is free, but check the gallery’s hours for your day: opening days and times vary, and it may be closed on some days. From there, it’s roughly a 15-minute walk south to St Stephen’s Green for an unhurried 45-minute loop among the gardens and ponds. Both stops are easy to shorten if travel fatigue catches up with you.
Head to The Winding Stair on Lower Ormond Quay for Irish cooking and a view over the Liffey. Book ahead for dinner, especially for a window table; budget about €25–€45 per person before drinks, and allow around 1.5 hours. It’s a pleasant walk from St Stephen’s Green through the city centre; if you’re tired, a short taxi ride is the easy alternative.
Start at Dublin Castle on Dame Street; allow about 1½–2 hours for the State Apartments and grounds. The castle is generally open daily, but hours and access can vary, so check the official visitor information and book ahead if timed admission is offered. Budget roughly €8–€12 per adult, depending on the ticket and any exhibitions. The castle sits right in the city centre, so you can continue on foot without needing transport.
Stay within the grounds for Chester Beatty, a standout collection of illuminated manuscripts, books and art. Admission is free, and 1–1½ hours is a good visit. Opening days and hours vary—Chester Beatty is generally closed Mondays, and Sunday hours are shorter—so check before setting out if your day falls near a change in schedule. Then walk about 10 minutes to Christ Church Cathedral on Christchurch Place. Allow around an hour; visitor access can be affected by services or events, and admission is typically around €10–€12, so check the day’s visiting hours and ticket details first.
Walk about 10–15 minutes to The Brazen Head on Bridge Street for dinner in a characterful old pub. Set aside roughly 1½ hours and €20–€40 per person for a main course and a drink; booking is sensible, especially for popular dinner times. It’s a relaxed finish after a day on foot, and the short walk back toward the city centre makes it easy to head to your accommodation afterward.
Allow roughly 5–6 hours door to door for your flight from Dublin, including getting to the airport, check-in, the flight, and the transfer into central London. Keep the afternoon flexible: the airport you land at and any delays will affect when you reach town. Once you’ve dropped your bags, head to Covent Garden for an easy 45-minute wander around the piazza and market halls. It’s a lively first taste of London, though the area can be crowded; nearby streets are a good place to pause if you want a quieter moment.
Walk about 10 minutes through Seven Dials to Neal’s Yard, a bright little courtyard for a drink or snack. Give yourselves 30–45 minutes, then continue to Dishoom Covent Garden for dinner. Allow around 1½ hours and budget roughly £20–£35 per person before drinks; it’s popular, so check current booking options and expect a wait if you arrive at peak dinner time. If travel leaves you tired, keep the evening to these nearby stops rather than adding another cross-city outing.
Start at Platform 9¾ inside King’s Cross Station for the trolley photo and a browse in the Harry Potter Shop. Allow 45–75 minutes; the photo queue can build, so go early if you can, and check the shop’s current hours before setting off. Then head to Euston—about a 15-minute walk or a short Tube ride—and take a train to Watford Junction. From there, the Studio Tour’s shuttle bus takes about 15 minutes; check its current timetable and ticket requirements. Leave roughly 1–1½ hours each way from central London, including connections.
At Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter in Leavesden, plan on 4–5 hours to explore the sets, costumes, and props without rushing. Timed admission must be booked in advance, and your day depends on securing a suitable entry time; check the official site for current prices and opening hours, which vary by date. Take your meal break at the Backlot Café during the visit—budget around £12–£25 per person—and leave time for the shop at the end.
Return to King’s Cross and settle in for dinner at a restaurant near your accommodation; allow 1–1½ hours and roughly £20–£40 per person. After a long studio day, book a table if you have a particular place in mind, but otherwise keep dinner flexible around your return time.
Go early to Tower of London for the Crown Jewels before queues build; allow 2½–3 hours for the highlights and the wider castle grounds. Book timed tickets in advance, and check the official site for that day’s hours and any access changes. Admission is typically around £35–£40 per adult. From central London, take the Tube to Tower Hill; the entrance is a short walk from the station.
Walk over to Tower Bridge—it’s right beside the Tower—and allow about 1–1½ hours to cross and, if you fancy it, visit the exhibition and glass walkways. Exhibition tickets are usually around £13–£15 per adult; check current hours and book ahead if you want to avoid a wait.
Head south to Borough Market for a casual grazing lunch. It’s about a 20-minute riverside walk from the bridge; market opening days and hours vary, so check before you set out, especially if you’re planning around a particular stall. Budget roughly £10–£25 per person, depending on how many bites you share. Then stroll a few minutes to The George Inn, a timber-framed coaching inn tucked just off Borough High Street. Settle in for a pub meal and a drink—allow about 1½ hours and roughly £20–£40 per person. Its courtyard is a lovely spot if the weather cooperates; check current serving hours and consider booking for dinner.
Allow 5–6 hours door to door for the trip and getting settled; after checking in, head to Princes Street Gardens for an easy, roughly 45-minute stroll among the lawns and views up toward the Old Town. The gardens are free and usually open during daylight, but their gates may close in the evening, so keep this stop flexible if your arrival runs late.
From the gardens, walk a few minutes along Princes Street to the Scott Monument. Admire the Gothic tower from outside, or climb its tight spiral staircase if you still have energy—allow 30–60 minutes, and check current opening hours and admission (often around £8) before going, as access can vary. If you’d rather save your legs, the views from the gardens are lovely without the climb.
For dinner, make your way to The Scran & Scallie in Stockbridge, a cosy gastropub known for Scottish comfort food; allow 1½–2 hours and budget roughly £25–£45 per person. It’s about a 25-minute uphill walk from the monument, or you can take a local bus toward Stockbridge. Book ahead if you can, especially for dinner, and keep the evening unhurried after the travel day.
Start early at Edinburgh Castle on Castlehill; allow 2–3 hours for the fortress, historic interiors and views across the city. Book timed entry in advance—popular slots can sell out—and check the castle’s current hours and last-entry time before you go. Tickets are roughly £20–£25 per adult. The approach is uphill over cobbles, so wear comfortable shoes; arrive a little before your slot to allow for the entrance queue.
From the castle, walk downhill through the Old Town to Victoria Street for about 45 minutes of browsing. Its curved, colorful shopfronts are often linked to the look and feel of the wizarding world, though the street isn’t an official Harry Potter attraction. Continue to the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street; plan 1½–2 hours for Scottish history and a sampling of its broad collections. General admission is free, and the museum is usually open daily, commonly 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; check for current hours or special exhibitions. You can walk between all three stops, but expect steep stretches and uneven paving.
Finish at The Witchery by the Castle on Castlehill for an atmospheric final dinner, allowing 1½–2 hours. Reserve ahead, especially for a preferred dinner time; budget about £60–£100 per person before drinks, with the final bill depending on your menu choices. It’s close to the castle, so you won’t need transport after dinner.
No packing list attached yet.