Your 4-day London itinerary – for a superb short break

Planning on a four-day vacation in London? Good choice! More than a weekend but less than a week, four days in the UK capital hits the sweet spot of many travellers – not least when they’ve put together a good itinerary for their stay. Here are our suggestions for such a four-day plan in the Big Smoke… 

Day 1: Westminster and the Southbank

(Tube stations: begin at Westminster on the Jubilee line; end at Waterloo)

What better to start your four days in the capital than with perhaps the most iconic of all buildings in all London? The Houses of Parliament is a neogothic Victorian masterpiece, resplendent with its now spruced-up clockface atop the Elizabeth Tower (behind which sit the legendary ‘Big Ben’ bell).

From here, you’ll want to cross the road and then cross Westminster Bridge, so you end up on the terrific tourist-trap that’s the Southbank; a glorious view of the London Eye will now be right in front of you – and the Southbank itself will be, likewise, yawning ahead of you.

No question, the Southbank’s an excellent stretch not just for strolling but also sightseeing, having a meal or a snack and enjoying art, music, theatre and cinema. It’s simply overspilling with food trucks, trinket stalls, street entertainers, pop-up markets, book fayres, restaurants, pubs, bars and major entertainment venues.

As for the aforementioned London Eye, it’s a must-do if you’re either in a very touristy mood (no doubt while taking advantage of Paddington hotel special offers) or if you’d really like the chance to get to see the whole of the London skyline laid out beneath you, as far as your eyes can see. It’s quite the sight, for sure – day or night. Last chance to buy a ticket and board one the Eye’s revolving capsules is 30 minutes before sunset that day. 

Day 2: Central London and the Royal Parks

(Tube stations: begin at Queensway on the Central line; end at Russell Square on the Piccadilly line)

Be sure to pull on your walking shoes this morning, because today’s definitely going to be a walking day. You’ll want to head for the glorious green environs of Hyde Park, first, and take in its impressive Victorian monuments (including the celebrated bronze Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens) and gaze at Kensington Palace and visit the peaceful Diana Memorial Fountain. From here, you can cross over into another Royal Park, the spacious and fittingly-named Green Park – it’s always popular with sunbathers on warm day summer’s days and often filled with deck chairs.

Finally, how about finishing Day 2 by having a look around the West End, enjoying a meal and maybe seeing a show in the evening, before heading back to your accommodation Paddington London? The very centre of town (roughly the irresistible tourist-trap that’s Trafalgar Square) is within walking distance of Green Park – a route that, starting along the park’s southern border via Constitution Hill will take you right past toward Buckingham Palace. Pausing at the Palace for a pic and/ or selfie or two, head straight down The Mall, under Admiralty Arch and into Trafalgar Square. From here, walk up Charing Cross Road and, within moments, you’ll reach Shaftesbury Avenue and the heart of Theatreland. 

Day 3: Bankside and The City

(Tube stations: begin at London Bridge on the Jubilee/ Northern lines; end at St Paul’s on the Central line)

If for no other reason, this part of the city deserves visiting because, yes, it’s the oldest of all areas of London Town. You first stop should be Borough Market, the foodie’s paradise just moments away from London Bridge and its Tube station. The place usually opens in the late morning with most of the snack vendors – with all their delicious offerings – opening not much later. Obviously, this is the perfect place to visit for lunch (especially if you’ve worked up an appetite by travelling to here from hotels near Paddington Station London). Then, after lunch, why not take in the from View from the Shard? It’s pretty spectacular, for sure.

Following this, make your way to the Thames and walk east along the river; the view will be dominated by the iconic Tower Bridge. You can walk across this glorious Victorian bridge, or purchase admission to climb the two bridge towers and cross the span above street level. You can learn about the history of the tower and engineering feats that make it possible. Once you’re on the north side of the Thames, turn west and into the Tower of London. This major historical site dates all the way back to the Norman Conquest of 1066 – get a tour from one of the famous Beefeaters and see the Crown Jewels (be warned: you’ll definitely have to queue up to do the latter!).

Finally, head north from the Tower and enter the oldest area of the city, fittingly known as ‘The City’ (and for at least two centuries, now, recognised as its major financial district). Here, you’ll find the globally-renowned St Paul’s Cathedral. A visit to this glorious church is highly recommended for its famous dome; pay the fee to climb the 528 steps to the top – like from The Shard, it’ll afford you a fine panorama of the city and, of course. you’ll be able to see the dome up close. 

Day 4: Camden Town and Regent’s Park

(Tube station: Start at Mornington Crescent on the Northern line; end at Baker Street on the Bakerloo/ Hammersmith & City/ Jubilee lines)

Camden’s truly unlike anywhere else in the city; packed, as it is, with fascinating markets and shops that cater to the alternative crowd. Meanwhile, Regent’s Park (which you can enter on foot near to Mornington Crescent Tube station, itself at the southern end of Camden High Street) was historically one of the royal hunting grounds around the capital city (hence its name). This massive 197-hectare green space is located in the northwest part of London and is crisscrossed by walking paths. It’s a great way to spend part of the day with a coffee in hand strolling among the greenery.

Within Regent’s Park, The London Zoo is a great option for family travellers. It’s home to penguins, lions, tigers, giraffes and more. Plus, the glorious Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is the perfect venue for an evening’s entertainment (before you head back to The Chilworth hotel London); it hosts outstanding performances of everything from Shakespeare to much-loved musicals to family shows. Exit Regent’s Park at the southernmost point in the park and you’ll be right at the top of Baker Street.

Utterly synonymous with the legend of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation, the fictional super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes, Baker Street is where to go for the ‘museum’ that commemorates the world’s most famous detective – and deerstalker hat-wearer – which, although not actually located at 221B Baker Street, can be found just a few steps away from the universally-known address. Be prepared to queue again in order to gain access – you’ll have to pay but the gift shop is free, at least!