15-Day Relaxation Itinerary for London

  • Day 1: Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park
    30 minutes (4 miles) from Heathrow Airport

    Start your relaxing vacation by visiting the nearby Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Stroll through the scenic gardens and enjoy the boating lake and Italian garden. You can also visit the Serpentine Gallery, which hosts temporary art exhibitions.

  • Day 2: The British Museum
    15 minutes (2 miles) from Kensington Gardens

    Spend the day exploring The British Museum, that houses more than 8 million artifacts from all over the world. From Egyptian mummies to the Rosetta Stone, it has something for everyone.

  • Day 3: Oxford Street & Soho
    20 minutes (3 miles) from The British Museum

    Head to Oxford Street for some shopping and then explore nearby Soho, where you can find many independent shops and restaurants. Take a break at a coffee shop or a pub and watch the world go by.

  • Day 4: Portobello Road Market & Notting Hill
    30 minutes (5 miles) from Soho

    Discover the vibrant colors and unique stalls at Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill. Take a leisurely stroll through the quaint streets of the area and snap some photos of the famous pastel-colored houses.

  • Day 5: Kensington Palace & Gardens
    20 minutes (3 miles) from Notting Hill

    Visit Kensington Palace and its magnificent gardens. This royal palace was home to Queen Victoria and Princess Diana, and you can explore the lavishly decorated rooms and halls of the palace. After your palace tour, take a leisurely walk around the palace’s surrounding gardens.

  • Day 6: The National Gallery
    15 minutes (2 miles) from Kensington Palace

    Spend the day at The National Gallery, which boasts more than 2,300 paintings dating from the Mid-13th century to 1900. Get a chance to see some of the greatest works of art ever created, from Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to Botticelli’s Venus and Mars.

  • Day 7: St. James Park & Buckingham Palace
    25 minutes (3 miles) from The National Gallery

    Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a walk in St. James Park. Then head to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

  • Day 8: The Shard & Thames River Cruise
    20 minutes (3 miles) from Buckingham Palace

    Visit The Shard, one of the tallest buildings in Western Europe, and enjoy the fantastic view of London. Then take a Thames River Cruise to enjoy the view of the city from the river. Enjoy lunch or dinner on the cruise while taking in the beauty of the city.

  • Day 9: Camden Market
    30 minutes (5 miles) from The Shard

    Get into the vibrant spirit of London by visiting Camden Market. It is a heaven for foodies and shoppers who can find a range of delicious cuisine and funky clothes stalls. Head to Lock Market for real London style!

  • Day 10: Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour
    45 minutes (20 miles) from Camden Market

    Take a break from the city and treat yourself to the magical world of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. You can explore the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Harry Potter film series and get a chance to see the legendary wizarding world.

  • Day 11: Kew Gardens
    30 minutes (5 miles) from Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour

    Take a day trip to Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can explore the extensive gardens and glasshouses, which boast the largest collection of living plants in the world.

  • Day 12: Food Tour in East London
    40 minutes (6 miles) from Kew Gardens

    Take a food tour in East London, a bustling hub of different cultures and cuisines. Try some international flavors and discover hidden restaurants and foodie gems around the area.

  • Day 13: Tate Modern Museum
    30 minutes (4 miles) from East London

    Visit the Tate Modern Museum, the most visited modern art gallery in the world. Enjoy the dynamic collection of modern and contemporary art and exhibitions that change throughout the year.

  • Day 14: Richmond Park
    30 minutes (5 miles) from Tate Modern Museum

    Visit Richmond Park, one of the largest parks in London. Enjoy a leisurely walk or cycle while taking in the stunning views of the park’s wildlife and natural beauty.

  • Day 15: Afternoon Tea & Thames River Cruise
    20 minutes (3 miles) from Richmond Park

    End your trip on a high note and treat yourself to an afternoon tea and Thames River Cruise. Indulge in classic scones, sandwiches, and a variety of teas while enjoying the view of London from the river.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Kensington Palace (2 hours, £18)
  • The British Museum (3 hours, free)
  • Camden Market (2 hours, free)
  • Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour (4 hours, £47)
  • Oxford Street & Soho (4 hours, £100)
  • Food Tour in East London (3 hours, £50)
  • The Shard & Thames River Cruise (3 hours, £70)
  • The National Gallery (3 hours, free)
  • Tate Modern Museum (3 hours, free)
  • Afternoon Tea & Thames River Cruise (2 hours, £70)

  • Total Estimated Costs: £423

Transportation

To travel around London, you can use the Oyster Card which allows you to use the buses, underground, and overground trains. It saves money and time compared to buying tickets directly. Taxis and Ubers are readily available throughout the city, but they can be costly. If you prefer organized tours, you can choose from various options with different prices and themes.

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, you can explore some of London’s nearby towns such as Bath, Stonehenge, or Oxford. If you have fewer days, prioritize your itinerary based on your interests. You can also consider buying tickets in advance to avoid long queues at popular tourist attractions.

Airports

London has six airports, but the main two are Heathrow (LHR), which is 14 miles (23 km) from the city center, and Gatwick Airport (LGW), which is 28 miles (45 km) away. Other airports include Luton Airport (LTN), London City Airport (LCY), Southend Airport (SEN), and Stansted Airport (STN).

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