Do you only have one day to visit London? Believe it or not, you can see several of the cities most iconic spots on foot in less than twelve hours. Mind you, however, the resulting itinerary isn't for the faint of heart!
With this guide, you'll be prepared to hit the bustling streets of one of the world's most beloved cities. From the majestic towers of Westminster to the timeless allure of Buckingham Palace, this walking itinerary unveils the must-see attractions that define the essence of London. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler seeking a whirlwind adventure, I'm here to help you navigate the vibrant neighborhoods and historic landmarks, ensuring you experience the best of London in just one unforgettable day.
Table of Contents
Trip Overview
Seeing the major sites in London on foot in just a day is no easy feat (nor is it easy on your feet!), but it is definitely doable. Keep in mind that this endeavor will require a LOT of walking. I mean it. A. Lot. Of. Walking.
On paper, the route I recommend is approximately 10 miles. This does not, however, include getting to the starting location, meandering around key stops, or returning to your accommodation for the evening. Seriously, by the time we were done, my husband and I had walked over 15 miles.
That said, it was amazing seeing so many of London's most famous attractions in such a short period. These include the following:
Kensington Palace and Gardens
Albert Memorial
Wellington Arch
Buckingham Palace
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben
London Eye
Trafalgar Square
Leicester Square
Chinatown
Shakespeare's Globe
London Bridge
All Hallows by the Tower
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
London Wall
This brings me to my next most important note - my itinerary does NOT allow time for going into any buildings. Much to my husband's chagrin, it hardly leaves time for lunch and dinner!
If you want to climb Big Ben, ride the London Eye, explore the Tower of London, or visit Tower Bridge - then this is not the guide for you. My recommended route will give you time for basic sightseeing and photography, but not much else.
That said, this was a great introduction to the city! It left us yearning to come back and also helped us determine exactly what we wanted to do (and not do) during future visits.
I also need to stress that the time of year matters. Since your goal is to see as much as possible, ideally you'll want to plan this London trip during the summer. This ensures you have plenty of daylight to work with.
What You'll Need
This is not a typical trip to London; as such, it requires a little preparation. Some of this we learned the hard way, but our oversights will be for your benefit!
Good Walking Shoes
As I said, my husband and I ended up walking 15 miles by the end of the day. This would have been impossible without proper footwear, so make sure you wear comfortable trainers or tennis shoes.
Note: Even if you want to dress up for the occasion, wear trainers. This is common in the city. I've seen ladies in stunning dresses paired with tennis shoes. They know the fancy footwear just isn't worth it!
You won't see these in any of the pictures because I purchased them afterward, but I wear them all the time now. The Karrimor Isla Ladies Weathertite brand is a good buy and has served me well on many of my travels.
Full Water Bottle
The second most important item to bring along is water! Since you'll be walking a lot, it's vital to stay hydrated - especially during the summer. The United Kingdom has been hit with a pretty significant heatwave every June/July for the past several years. Make sure you take all necessary precautions against overheating.
This trip was an eye-opener for my husband and I, as we did not have water with us. Lesson learned, though. We now bring at least one water bottle on all of our city excursions. While you can always purchase bottles of water along the route, this requires extra time and unnecessary spending. Ultimately, we've found it to be much more economical (and better for the environment) to bring our own.
The Super Sparrow sports bottle is a good option. It's available in various colors/sizes, all of which are thinly designed. This is a must-have for me, as I like to keep my bottle in the small pouch on the outside of my bag when traveling. I also like the handle.
Packed Lunch
This is something else my husband and I didn't plan for properly. Or rather, I didn't plan for properly. My expectation was that we'd find places to eat along the way, but it really didn't work out that way. Our schedule was full and I didn't want to stop anywhere for long, so we kept moving instead of eating.
This was silly, of course. You should definitely plan to eat! And the solution is very simple - bring packed lunches. We've started doing this on other trips to keep the expense of traveling down a little.
In London, bringing your own lunch will save you both money and time. Not to mention, there are so many wonderful places along the route to stop and eat. Who wouldn't want to enjoy a quick bite next to Westminster Abbey or Shakespeare's Globe? Stopping along the River Thames is also a great option.
In addition to packed lunch, I recommend bringing along some energy bars and/or easy-to-munch fruit. Apples make a fantastic travel snack!
Backpack or Other Bag
If you're bringing food and water, you'll need something to put it all in. I'm a huge fan of drawstring bags because they are light and easy to manage. I've had mine for years and use it regularly on day trips now.
If you're looking for something a little more substantial, consider purchasing this Berghaus backpack. It's truly unisex, as my husband and I both have one, and has become my go-to travel bag. The 25 litre option is also perfect for flying with Ryanair and I love that my water bottle fits in the side pockets.
Weather Appropriate Gear
The weather in England can be unpredictable and it often changes fast. The saying goes, "If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes."
Checking the weather a day before your visit can, however, help you prepare more properly. I recommend being ready to bring any of the following:
The above links will take you to my preferred purchases for each item. The hat, in particular, is a great buy. I have two different colors and rarely leave the house during the summer without one. I also love this particular rain jacket. It is easy to fold up and accompanies me on most of my trips.
Camera
Obviously, you're going to want to take a LOT of pictures. This route takes you passed some of the most iconic spots in London. While a smart phone may do for some, I regretted immensely that I left my better camera at home.
I use the Nikon D7000 digital SLR with either a 18-55mm lens or 55-200mm lens. If you're looking for something comparable but less expensive, check out this Nikon D5100 digital SLR camera with 18-55mm VR lens. It's renewed, but mine is too and I've never had an issue.
Buyers in the United States may want to consider this Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera, which comes with two lenses and a carry bag.
Itinerary
London Attraction | Estimated Walking Time to Next Stop |
Kensington Palace & Gardens | 10-15 minutes |
The Albert Memorial | 5 minutes |
Hyde Park | 30 minutes |
Wellington Arch | 10 minutes |
Buckingham Palace | 15 minutes |
Westminster Abbey | 5 minutes |
Sir Winston Churchill Statue | 2 minutes |
Big Ben / London Eye | 15 minutes |
Trafalgar Square | 5 minutes |
Leicester Square | 5 minutes |
Chinatown | 40 minutes |
Shakespeare's Globe | 15 minutes |
London Bridge | 10 minutes |
All Hallows by the Tower | 3 minutes |
Tower of London | 5 minutes |
Tower Bridge | 10 minutes |
London Wall | 1 minutes |
Tower Hill Underground |
*Please note that these estimated walking times assume a moderate level of fitness. Those capable of walking approximately a mile every 15-20 minutes will find them most accurate.
Key Sites
Kensington Palace
Kinsington Palace is the birthplace of Queen Victoria. Today, it serves as a residence for the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as other royals. Visitors can access to Victoria's re-imagined childhood rooms and the King and Queen State Apartments.
Summer Hours: Wednesday - Sunday from 10:00am - 6:00pm.
Adult Tickets: £24
Child 5-17 Tickets: £12
Pre-booking is advised. Historical Royal Palaces members enter for free.
The palace is close to two London Underground stations: Queensway and High Street Kensington. Both will result in approximately a 10-minute walk. Notting Hall Gate and Paddington stations are also nearby, but require 20-25 minutes of walking.
Kensington Palace Sunken Garden
The Sunken Garden was created in 1908 during King Edward VII's reign. It consists of an ornamental pond surrounded by areas of lawn, paving, ornamental flower beds, and statues. A key feature is the statue of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Summer Hours: Wednesday - Sunday from 10:00am - 6:00pm
Admittance: Free
Albert Memorial
Located on the southern boarder of the Kensington Palace Gardens, this monument was constructed in the 1870's. It is a famous memorial for Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is the largest Royal Park in central London, consisting of about 130 acres with a length of approximately 3 miles. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks along well-kept trails, relaxing in deck chairs, viewing historical monuments/memorials, boating excursions, tennis games, picnics, playgrounds, and various special events.
Summer Hours: Daily from 5:00am - midnight
Admittance: Free
Wellington Arch
Originally built as an entrance to Buckingham Palace, the Wellington Arch later became a victory monument commemorating the defeat of Napoleon. It boasts the largest bronze sculpture in Europe and provides a great view of London.
Summer Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10:00am - 5:00pm.
Peak Adult Tickets: £7.70
Child 5-17 Tickets: £4
Pre-booking is advised. English Heritage members enter for free. Read my article about whether these memberships are actually worth it here!
Buckingham Palace
Home of England's monarch, Buckingham Palace is a must-see when visiting London. Notably, the inside is only open to visitors during the summer.
Summer Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 9:30am - 6:00pm.
Adult Tickets: £32
Child 5-17 Tickets: £16
Young Person 18-24 Tickets: £20.50
*Above prices are for booking in advance online only
Pre-booking is advised. You can receive re-admission for a year by asking for your ticket to be treated as a donation.
Westminster Abbey
A royal church built in the Gothic style, Westminster Abbey has witnessed numerous famous coronations and weddings. The current building was built under King Henry III's direction in 1245, but the site has a religious history that spans back to 785. Services can be attended free of charge, but tourists must pay for admission.
Summer Hours: Monday - Wednesday and Friday from 9:30am - 3:30pm; Saturday from 9:00am - 3:00pm
Adult Tickets: £29
Child 6-17 Tickets: £13
Pre-booking is advised. Tickets include access to the Cloisters, College Garden, Chapter House, and the Pyx Chamber.
Notably, reserving tickets online via the official website allows you to upgrade to annual passes for free.
Sir Winston Churchill Statue
Located in Parliament Square, this bronze statue memorializes Sir Winston Churchill, who served as Prime Minster during the Second World War.
Big Ben
The Elizabeth Tower, better known as Big Ben, is the iconic clock tower attached to the Palace of Westminster. Tickets are released only periodically and sell out fast. Tours last approximately 90 minutes and include climbing 334 steps without assistance.
Summer Hours: Monday - Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm
Adult Tickets: £30
Child 11-17 Tickets: £15
*Children under 11 years old cannot participate in the tour
Pre-booking is necessary. Notably, UK residents are entitled to a free tour of Big Ben. This can be obtained by contacting a Member of the House of Commons or House of Lords directly.
London Eye
The London Eye sits on the River Thames. In addition to being an iconic part of the cityscape, this Ferris wheel offers spectacular views of the surrounding area to riders.
Summer Hours: Daily from 10:00am - 8:30pm
Adult Tickets: £33
Child 2-15 Tickets: £29
It's possible to book tickets on-site, but they tend to be much more expensive.
Trafalgar Square
This famous city square is surrounded by numerous London attractions, including museums, galleries, and historic buildings. It's become a social and political center of the city.
Nelson's Column
Located in Trafalgar Square, Nelson's Column commemorates the victory of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson over French and Spanish navies at the Battle of Trafalgar. Unfortunately, Nelson was killed during the combat.
Leicester Square
Leicester Square has been open to the public since 1750. During that time, it has become an important central hub in London. The area is full of theaters, cinemas, shops, and street performers. One of the most famous attractions is M&M World, which is one of the largest candy stores in Europe. There are also numerous film statues scattered around the area, offering numerous photo opportunities.
Chinatown
Chinatown is located in the heart of London, offering a huge variety of authentic East Asian cuisine. This cultural hotspot features bakeries, bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, health clinics, and even barbers!
Shakespeare's Globe
While the original Globe Theatre used by William Shakespeare burned down in 1613, a reconstruction stands in approximately the same location. It opened in 1997 and offers regular theatrical performances.
Shakespeare's Globe now offers two-hour walking tours through a new exhibition space and the Globe itself.
Summer Tour Hours: Vary
Adult Tickets: £26
Child 5-16 Tickets: £19
Booking in advance is essential; check the official website for tour dates and times. A list of currently scheduled performances is also available.
London Bridge
Commonly confused with Tower Bridge, London Bridge has a much more simple appearance. Although rebuilt numerous times throughout history, it is famous for being the oldest river crossing in London. The current rendition is unassuming, made of concrete and steel.
There's an urban legend that claims an American entrepreneur (Robert Paxton McCulloch) purchased an older version on the bridge by mistake. While he and his city's local council denied these claims, some said he thought he was buying the more visually captivating Tower Bridge. This older version of the London Bridge is now located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
All Hallows by the Tower
All Hallows by the Tower is the oldest church in London. It is open for public worship during the week but also welcomes visitors for virtual, audio, and guided tours.
Summer Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm; Saturday-Sunday from 10:00am - 5:00pm
Admission: Free
Booking in advance is not necessary, as standards admission is free. Guided tours are available most weekdays from 10:30am - 1:30pm and 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Departure times vary, however, depending on demand.
Tower of London
Home to England's Crown Jewels and Beefeaters, the Tower of London is a castle steeped in significant (albeit, often dark) history. Guests can visit various numerous buildings of significance, including the White Tower built by William the Conqueror. It's also where Anne Boleyn was publicly executed.
Summer Hours: Daily from 9:00am - 5:30pm
Adult Tickets: £34.80
Child 5-17 Tickets: £17.40
Pre-booking is advised. Historical Royal Palaces members enter for free.
Tower Bridge
Regularly mistaken as the London Bridge, Tower Bridge has become a defining landmark within the city. Although much younger than its famous neighbor, the bridge's unique architecture is a stunning aspect of London's skyline.
Summer Hours: Daily from 9:30am - 6:00pm
Adult Tickets: £12.30
Child 5-15 Tickets: £6.20
Pre-booking is advised. Tickets are for tours inside the bridge only. It's free to walk across.
London Wall
The London Wall is an English Heritage site that's free to visit. Built by the Romans, the surviving structure dates back to approximately 200AD when it was used for defensive purposes.
My Experience
Coming from Suffolk, England, my husband and I decided to drive to Stratford and take the train into London proper. We've done this many times and have found it to be a great way to get to the city.
We park at the Stratford International Multi-Story, which has 850 spots and very reasonable daily rates. You can pre-book from 6:00am - 11:00pm for £8.45, or park and pay prior to exiting.
Navigating to the London Underground can be a little tricky, as Google Maps is likely to direct you to the Stratford International Railway (which requires its own separate tickets). If you're like us and prefer the cheaper option, you'll need to find the Stratford Underground station.
To do this, turn left when exiting the multi-story and left again when you reach the Stratford International Railway Station. You'll see some stairs and an escalator. Go up these and enter the mall. Turn left again once inside and, when you get the chance, go down one floor using the escalator. Keep going in the same direction until you reach the end of the building, where you should see signs for the Stratford International Underground Station. At this point, simply follow the signs as directed to your desired train platform.
For this particular trip, we rode the Central Line to Lancaster Gate (12 stops). From there, we were able to cross the road and enter Hyde Park near the Italian Gardens.
There are many beautiful statues and monuments to see in Hyde Park and the Kensington Palace Gardens. These two areas are connected, but divided by the Serpentine River (also called the Long Water). Entering at the Italian Gardens made it easy for us to stop by the Peter Pan Statue on our way to the palace.
Once we arrived at Kensington Palace, we took some walking around and taking pictures. As I mentioned above, we didn't buy tickets to any attractions during this trip to London; it was purely a sightseeing adventure. But we did decide to stop by the Orangery restaurant for afternoon tea.
The Orangery restaurant is located directly next to Kensington Palace in the gardens. Although a little pricey, we were really excited to have tea "at a palace" in London. Silly, I know, but I loved it! We sat on the outside terrace, which allowed us to continue enjoying views of the palace and gardens.
The food was quite good and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was so elegant! That said, this is not a very budget-friendly stop. We splurged for the experience, but it would be much more cost-effective to grab a coffee and pastry at the Kensington Palace Café instead.
After our meal, we returned to exploring the gardens. There's a lot to see and it's easy to get lost in all the beautiful flowers, greenery, and statues. Some highlights include the Princess Diana Memorial Garden, Queen Victoria Statue, Round Pond, Diana Memorial Playground (especially for families with kids), Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, and Albert Memorial.
We wandered around the Kensington Palace Gardens relatively aimlessly, but luckily managed to stumble upon most of the top sites.
From the Albert Memorial, we followed the W. Carriage Drive until we crossed the Long Water and entered Hyde Park. Again, we didn't have much of a plan and simply walked about. My husband calls this "squirreling," as it often entails going to-and-fro without any real purpose.
We did stop by Henry Moore's Arch and spent quite some time admiring the water. There were so many swans!
While it took us a few hours to meander around the Kensington Palace Gardens and Hyde Park, this part of the day could be shortened if desired. There's a lot of flexibility, so make sure to base your visit on your personal preferences. That said, if there's something specific you want to see in the area, find out where it is beforehand to ensure you don't waste unnecessary time getting lost.
We exited Hyde Park at the south eastern corner, which is right next to the Wellington Arch. This structure is stunning. I was particularly fascinated by the massive gates underneath the archway.
Other highlights in the area include the Royal Artillery Memorial, Equestrian Statue of the Duke of Wellington, New Zealand War Memorial, and Machine Gun Corps Memorial.
Then it was off to Buckingham Palace! We walked directly there, although the route took us through the Green Park. As is to be expected, the area around the palace was bustling. This was less than ideal, but did offer many opportunities to ask other tourists for help with photos.
Honestly, I was more interested in looking at the Victoria Memorial than Buckingham Palace itself. While definitely iconic, the building exterior just didn't capture my attention for very long.
We didn't have time this trip, but I do want to give a quick recommendation for the Royal Mews. These are the royal horse stables associated with Buckingham Palace. You can visit and see many of the horses, as well as the various carriages used during processions and special ceremonies. It's definitely a treat, especially for those who like animals!
From Buckingham Palace, it was a fairly short walk to Westminster Abbey. This stunning gothic building is truly something to behold! The nearby streets were very busy, but I still managed to grab some nice photos.
Now, we didn't actually plan to see the Sir Winston Churchill statue. My husband and I came upon it accidently on our way to Big Ben. While I'm not particularly interested in war history, I know a lot of people who are. If this is an area that interests you, I do recommend taking a moment or two to stop here. It was a neat little find.
Big Ben, however, was definitely on our to-see list! Indeed, it was hard to miss! Unfortunately, our arrival at the tower didn't fall on the hour, so we missed the chiming. There is plenty to see in the area, however, if you want to wait.
On this particular trip, we decided to keep going instead of waiting. Walking a very short way towards the river, we saw the London Eye across the river. There were some better views along the route, but I was silly and didn't take any more photos of it.
Personally, I think the best views of the London Eye come from the water. We didn't book a River Thames boat tour on this trip, but I do highly recommend them. They are relaxing and offer many great views of top sights to see in London!
From there we headed to Trafalgar Square, where we got a good look at Nelson's Column and the other various monuments/architecture in the area. This is also where the London National Gallery is located. Entry is free and it's definitely worth visiting, but we were on a tight schedule!
We weren't looking for it, but we came upon Leicester Square on our way to Chinatown. The area is really lively, with numerous shops and restaurants. My husband and I didn't stop, but it would be a great place to sit down for a meal.
Alternatively, Chinatown has some amazing authentic cuisine to try!
While we didn't eat here during our walking tour, we've returned several times since to enjoy the delicious foods offered! I'm particularly fond of the Taiyaki! These fish-shaped waffle treats are often filled with custard or Nutella, but there are many variations available. I highly recommend them! We also stopped in several of the shops to peruse the many Asian products available.
Our next destination was Shakespeare's Globe. This portion of the walk was quite long, but totally worth it. The route crosses the River Thames and then continues along the water. There were so many great photo opportunities along the way!
I also really enjoyed walking next to the river. The area was lively, with so many things to see.
From the Globe, we crossed the River Thames again. While there are a couple bridges nearby, we opted to use the London Bridge. It isn't as visually stunning as Tower Bridge, but it's famous none-the-less and I wanted the experience of crossing it.
Afterward, we enjoyed another unexpected find. All Hallows by the Tower is the oldest church in the city. Situated within sight of the Tower of London, it makes for an interesting and easy stop along the route. It's also free to enter! As someone who loves old things, this was a delightful discovery.
From there we walked to the Tower of London, which is where the Crown Jewels are housed. Exploring this castle takes several hours, so we obviously didn't go in - but it's another part of London you simply shouldn't miss. I'd argue it's one of the most interesting attractions in the entire city.
We were also able to get some great views of Tower Bridge here!
Now, any sane person would probably call it a day at this point...but what fun is sanity, anyway? Besides, if we had headed home, we wouldn't have stumbled upon the London Wall. Roman in origin, this structure has been standing for over 1,800 years! I already mentioned liking old things, so it's no surprise that this thrilled me beyond belief!
The wall is very close to the Tower Hill Underground Station, which offers train connections to most destinations. We could have used it to return to Stratford International but, as a I said, I had other plans.
After spending the entire day walking over 15 miles, I booked a Jack the Ripper walking tour! There are a few tours of varying lengths to choose from.
This was a great finale to a wonderful walking tour of London! We found the information provided fascinating and have even gone on other similar guided experiences since.
Afterward, we caught a train back to the Stratford International Underground Station...and then we slept for a day while our feet recovered!
Please reach out with any questions or comments. I'm always happy to offer advice to others planning to visit the area!
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