Four Days in London Itinerary
Four Days in London Itinerary
London is my favorite place in the entire world. A four-day stay is the perfect amount of time to absorb a lot of what the city has to offer. So if you are looking for a four days in London itinerary, this is it!
They say that when you’re tired of London, you are tired of life and I could not agree more! I lived in London for over 10 years and miss it every day. I still say that even if you’re alone in London, you’re never really lonely.
If you need help planning your visit to London, please reach out for a complimentary vacation consultation. As a Virtuoso travel advisor, I can really upgrade your trip and make it seamless for you. You can read more about me here.
If you are into history and culture and want to see all the sites, here is my suggestion for a four days in London itinerary.
The Tower of London, the first stop on our four days in London itinerary.
Day 1: Tower of London, the Thames, the London Eye, and Westminster Abbey
Start your day at The Tower of London. I recommend getting there early so you get a guaranteed spot on a Beefeater’s Tour. The Beefeaters are A Beefeater, officially known as a Yeoman Warder, is a ceremonial guardian of the Tower of London. The origin of the term "Beefeater" is believed to stem from the fact that these guards were historically given a daily ration of beef as part of their payment, although the exact origin of the name remains uncertain.
Beefeaters are responsible for the security of the Tower, as well as the Crown Jewels, which are housed there. In addition to their protective roles, they act as tour guides, sharing the rich history and fascinating stories of the Tower with visitors. Becoming a Beefeater requires at least 22 years of service in the armed forces and the rank of a warrant officer.
After touring the tower, hop on one of the boats that are right there in front of the Tower. (Be just like a London officer worker and pick up a coffee at Pret a Manager just outside the Tower first.) There is really no better way to see London than by water. On your cruise down the Thames, you’ll pass St. Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Tate Modern.
Exit your cruise at the stop for the London Eye. Your boat may stop at Westminster (the north side of the Thames) or at the London Eye pier (the south side of the Thames).
From the river cruise, head over to Westminster Abbey and pick up an audio guide. Westminster Abbey is the final resting place for many prominent figures in British history. For example, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Darwin, and William Shakespeare are all buried at Westminster Abbey.
Then, after bidding goodbye to Westminster Abbey, head across the bridge for the London Eye. After purchasing your tickets, take a 30 minute spin around the wheel. This is a great way to see London from above and get a feel for the city on your first day.
After finishing up on the London Eye, I recommend walking east back towards the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe. This is a lovely walk on a nice day. You can even cross the Millennium Bridge for a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
This has been a very full first day in your four days in London itinerary so enjoy the rest of your day at leisure!
Windsor Castle, our first stop on day two of your four day London itinerary.
Day 2: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath
On your second day in London, take a trip out of town to see Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. The English countryside is really so green and beautiful, so I really do recommend getting outside the city if you can.
Windsor Castle is one of the oldest and largest inhabited castles in the world, Explore the State Apartments, which showcase stunning art collections and exquisite furnishings. The Round Tower, a defining feature of the castle, provides breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and the charming town of Windsor. Queen Elizabeth is buried at Windsor Castle.
Stonehenge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, estimated to be over 5,000 years old. The remarkable stone circle, composed of massive sarsen stones and smaller bluestones, prompts questions about the engineering skills of its creators and their purpose. Many visitors come to witness the alignment of the stones with astronomical events, such as the summer solstice, highlighting ancient civilizations’ deep understanding of the cosmos. This is such a weirdly beautiful place.
Bath, England, is renowned for its rich Roman history and stunning Georgian architecture. Visit the Roman Baths, a well-preserved Roman site for public bathing. You can also check out all the beautiful Georgian terraced houses and the Jane Austen Centre. Visiting Bath with my family a few years ago was really such a great experience. We still talk about the Roman Lost & Found at the baths! (Lost: One red cloak!)
Note that this can be a long day so I don’t recommend making any plans for the evening.
The iconic main gallery at The British Museum, the first stop on Day 3 of our suggested four days in London itinerary.
Day 3: The British Museum, Covent Garden, Chinatown, and The National Gallery
After a long day outside of London, let’s do a day with no set schedule. You haven’t been to a museum yet so today, we recommend starting off your morning with a trip to The British Museum to see the Rosetta Stone, the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphs. The Rosetta Stone features inscriptions in three scripts: Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphics. Also check out the Elgin Marbles, a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures that once adorned the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens. (Amal Clooney has been working on returning the Elgin Marbles to Greece for quite some time.)
After the museum, we recommend walking over to Covent Garden to check out the shops and the street performers. (Hah, and the Apple Store.) I really enjoy The London Transport Museum — and their fab giftshop — so consider that as well. The London Transport Museum offers an extensive collection of historical London vehicles, including buses, trains, and trams. The museum showcases the significant role of transport in shaping London’s growth, urban development, and social change. The gift shop has some great classic London transport posters that you can buy as souvenirs.
After exploring Covent Garden, stop by Chinatown for some lunch — there are a ton of great options to choose from — before ending your day at The National Gallery. The National Gallery in London is home to an impressive collection of masterpieces including The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck (1434), The Fighting Temeraire by J.M.W. Turner (1839), and Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh (1888). You might also enjoy The National Portrait Gallery around the corner, which houses paintings of many famous British people…including Mick Jagger!
Tonight, consider catching a West End show! There are so many amazing theatre opportunities in London.
The iconic Changing of the Guard in London, one of the stops in this four days in London itinerary.
Day 4: Changing of The Guard at Buckingham Palace, Fortnum & Mason, Kensington Palace, and Harrod’s
On your last day in London, head over to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of The Guard. The Changing of the Guard is a formal ceremony that takes place daily during the summer months and every other day in the winter. There is often a marching band playing a combination of classical melodies and contemporary tunes. The elaborate uniforms of the guards are a significant draw. The traditional red tunics and the towering bearskin hats are iconic symbols of British heritage.
Buckingham Palace is closed to visitors most of the year. When they do accept visitors, tickets must be booked in advance.
After this morning of pageantry, I suggest walking over to the iconic Fortnum & Mason to pick up some very British souvenirs. Fortnum & Mason is an iconic luxury department store located in Piccadilly, London, known for its gourmet food offerings and rich history. Explore the extensive selection of exceptional food products, including artisanal chocolates, preserves, and fine teas. You can even enjoy afternoon tea in one of the elegantly appointed tea rooms.
Now that you are refreshed, I suggest making your way over to Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Diana. Explore the State Apartments, which showcase baroque interiors that once served as royal living quarters. The palace grounds, including the beautiful gardens and the recently restored Sunken Garden, are also a highlight.
Then, end your day at the department store, Harrod’s. Find the Dodi & Diana statue before making your way to the iconic food hall for some snacks. This iconic department store, established in 1834, is not just a shopping destination; it is an experience in itself. The store features over 300 departments, making it a one-stop shop for luxury brands and products, catering to every taste and preference. Visiting Harrods is also a great opportunity for people-watching!
(As I note above, Changing of the Guard doesn’t take place every day year round. So you may need to swap Day 3 and Day 4 to make sure you can experience the Changing of the Guard.)
Where to Stay for Your Four Days in London Itinerary
Here are a few of my favorite hotels. As a Virtuoso travel advisor, I can VIP your stay at many of these properties. If you are traveling with kids and are struggling to find a hotel room big enough for everyone, please check out my blog post on London hotels with two Queen beds in one room.
The Langham, Marylebone. I love how central The Langham is. This is definitely a 5 star option. I love the location and how convenient it is to shopping. If you want to be close to everything, this is a great option. I am a Langham Couture advisor and can VIP your stay.
Antidote Travel VIP Amenities at The Langham London
Welcome amenity
Breakfast for two
$100 hotel credit
Priority for upgrade
Early check-in/late check-out based on availability
St. Ermin’s Hotel, St. James, This is a Marriott Stars & Luminous property where I can VIP your stay This is a superb location for sightseeing at Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
Antidote Travel VIP Amenities at The St. Ermin’s Hotel, St. James
Welcome amenity
Breakfast for two
$100 hotel credit
Priority for upgrade
Early check-in/late check-out based on availability
The Stafford: The Stafford London is situated in the heart of St. James‘s/Piccadilly area with direct access to Green Park, making it a great hotel choice for your four days in London itinerary. It’s a quick walk away from Buckingham Palace, St. James's Park, London's theatre district and iconic shopping destinations like Fortnum and Mason, Bond Street and Jermyn Street. This is a Virtuoso hotel so I can really VIP your stay.
Antidote Travel VIP Perks at The Stafford
Daily Full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
Complimentary lunch or dinner for two people/room, once during stay, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities
Complimentary bottle of Champagne
Stays of 5+ nights will also receive:
An additional complimentary lunch or dinner for two guests/room, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities (for a total of two complimentary meals during the stay)
Early check-In/late check-out, subject to availability
Summary of Four Days in London Itinerary
After living in London for over ten years, I have all sorts of tips and tricks on how to make your stay four days in London itinerary comfortable, while fitting in all the sightseeing. I have all sorts of hotel partners in London and private and small group touring options. If I can VIP your trip, please get in touch!
About Krista
I’m a Notre Dame grad and a Chicago Booth MBA based in Palm Beach, Florida. But I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England, selling financial data. My career and personal travel have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others at a Virtuoso travel advisor. Let me make your next vacation seamless for you.
Like my page on Facebook for more travel inspiration.
Sign up for travel insurance through my partner, Travel Insured. (US residents only.)
Do you like to DIY? Book directly using my links here.
