London 3 Day Itinerary: Summer Edit

Let’s start our London 3 day itinerary in Westminster. Look up to admire Big Ben, a symbol among symbols in a city of symbols. It sticks up from the Palace of Westminster like a thoughtful, interruptive index finger, primed to make a salient political point about something or other. Of course, Big Ben is actually the name of the bell, not the tower. But everyone calls the tower Big Ben anyway. Still, it’s good to know the facts. Tell your travelling companion. If travelling alone, tell a complete stranger. They might not thank you for it, but they will pass it on as their own fact sooner or later. Head into Westminster Abbey, entry to which is included with The London Pass. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Westminster Abbey has been the traditional coronation church of the British monarchy since the 11th Century. It was also used as the venue for Kate and William’s wedding. Learn the history of the abbey using the multimedia guide, and get to know the life and work of the famous Brits commemorated there. It’s best to go early in the morning, as it gets pretty crowded later on. It also closes relatively early, at 3.30pm on most days.

It’s summer, so we need to cool off. A boat cruise on the River Thames may seem like the kind of treat only accessible to the super rich, but not so. Your London Pass gives you access to a 24 hour ticket on City Cruises’ Thames River Boat Cruise. That means you can head up and down the Thames as much as you like during that 24 hour period. So we’re hopping on at Westminster Pier, heading east along the river, trying to catch some breeze if we can. The breeze may not be a certainty, but catching sight after sight of London’s biggest landmarks is. Ahoy there, London Eye! Hello, Tate Modern! Lovely to meet you, St Paul’s Cathedral. Greetings, Tower Pier. Right, let’s hop off here at Tower Pier.

Just as you’re getting your legs adjusted to being back on dry land, we’re here. The Tower of London. London’s most famous fortress. London’s most popular prison. It was even a zoo for a period. Now it’s one of London’s top attractions and it’s included with The London Pass. It houses a museum that covers every stage of its history, and has an impressive number of gates, rooms and towers open to the public. We used to only be allowed in the prison bit. See the famous resident ravens, get jealous looking at the Crown Jewels and say hello to the Beefeaters. You could spend much of your day here. But we need some food, we need some sun, we need to keep moving. We’ve only got 85% off this London 3 day itinerary left.

And here we are at the end of all our wanderings. The Wooden O. Shakespeare’s spiritual home in the capital. The perfect way to round off the first day of our London 3 day itinerary. Join the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour at the Guided Tours entrance. They run every half hour and transport you back to the Elizabethan era, when Shakespeare was riding high in the charts and this spot on the south bank saw the debuts of plays that would change the course of English literature, the English language and the National Curriculum forever. It’s summer season at Shakespeare’s Globe, so Shakespeare classics are played out on the outdoor stage every day. Grab yourself a ticket for standing (requires some degree of stamina) or sitting (requires only the usual amount of stamina one uses during a Shakespeare production) and let the magic in. Head back to your hotel reciting your favourite lines, speaking in iambic pentameter, satisfied. Treat yourself to a glass of wine and some food close to where you’re staying. Then get some rest. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow.

Let’s begin Day Two of our London 3 day itinerary nice and early. Head to Buckingham Palace for 9.30am, having booked your tickets in advance. Tour the famous residence of the British Monarchy, taking in the grandeur and history of the State Rooms and the palatial magnificence of the gardens. Buckingham Palace is only open to the public during summer, so it’s a great summery thing to do during your London 3 day itinerary. Get down the area in front of the palace for 11am for the Changing of the Guard. This traditional ceremony—when the Queen’s household guards swap in and out of their duties to protect the palace—is a must-see for those coming to London. It’s all pomp and ceremony and a symbol of Britain, the Royal Family and London.

Camden Market is a great place to be in the summertime. Pop yourself down at a canal-side beer garden, go shopping for retro clothes and souvenirs, and indulge in some of the best street food the city has to offer. Grab a ludicrously cheesy toasty from The Cheese Bar; pick up some deep fried treats at Oli Baba’s (the home of halloumi fries); or enjoy a superlative stuffed pitta at Magic Falafel.

Nearby London Zoo is a treat whatever the weather, but it’s particularly enjoyable when the sun’s out. Just show your London Pass at the door for entry. Once inside, it’s really down to you and the creatures that float your ark. Daily afternoon events include Penguin Beach Live, the Pygmy Hippo Hot Tub and the Tropical Bird Tour. Outside of these allotted events, just enjoy strolling in the sunshine and saying hello to all the residents.

It’s the final day of this London 3 day itinerary. So what have we missed? Well, we’re pretty sure there’s no better way to start your day than a trip to Kew Gardens. This historic botanical garden is a true London treasure, beautifully sculpted, rich in flowers and plants from across the planet, different wonderfully curated zones and a number of walking routes. So let’s start our final summertime day in London at Kew, soaking up the sunshine, getting the names of all the plants wrong, skipping on the grass. Dip into the onsite cafe for some seasonal lunch, or a sublimely refreshing cup of tea and a slice of cake. Entry to Kew Gardens is included with The London Pass. Find out more below.

We need a vantage point from which to look over all we’ve done during this London 3 day itinerary. There is no higher vantage point in the capital than The View From the Shard. Let’s head up the super fast lift, perhaps take a glass of something bubbly from the bar and admire the sun as it sets on this London vacation. You can see all the landmarks and highlights of your London 3 day itinerary from this privileged perch high in the sky. And entry is—you guessed it—included with The London Pass.