With a history spanning nearly two millennia, London is a city of constant reinvention. A bustling, multicultural hub, it contrasts the old and the new, the stately and the subversive, the ceremonial and the spontaneous. The city comprises many neighbourhoods – a series of villages with their own distinct character – while dotted between them are a host of parks and open spaces. The River Thames, once key to its trading success, has now become a place for leisure, while its old docks are home to chic apartment blocks.
Art, music, theatre, architecture, exhibitions, festivals, markets, restaurants, bars, clubs, parks and sport – the list of what to do and what to see is endless. Three days can only scratch the surface of a city many consider to be one of the capitals of the world, but it’s worth giving it a try!
Day 1
Morning
A walk along the curve of the river is a great way to get your bearings and gives you a real sense of place – you'll certainly know you're in London and no other city. Start your day at Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, before crossing Westminster Bridge and following the South Bank towards the east to take in an array of iconic landmarks, including a close-up view of the London Eye.
Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster (© Vladislav Zolotov/iStock)
Lunch
A trip to London simply wouldn’t seem right without dining in a pub, so after passing the National Theatre, head away from the River Thames and towards The Anchor & Hope. For over 20 years the team here have been nourishing locals and tourists alike, and its menu provides a glimpse into how London’s pub culture has developed over time.
The Anchor & Hope (© Lucy Schofield/Anchor & Hope)
Afternoon
Set for the afternoon, you have a choice. Those who appreciate architecture should head over the Millennium Bridge to Sir Christopher Wren’s 17th century masterpiece, St. Paul’s Cathedral. Art enthusiasts, meanwhile, should make for the Tate Modern, one of the largest modern art museums in the world. Beside the Tate is Shakespeare’s Globe – an oak and thatch replica of the original Elizabethan theatre – and a little further on you’ll find Borough Market, one of the biggest and oldest food markets in London.
St. Paul's Cathedral viewed from the Millenium Bridge (© frankpeters/iStock)
Early Evening
Those with a head for heights should have pre-dinner drinks at the GŎNG Bar, which sits on the 52nd floor of the One Michelin Key Shangri-La The Shard hotel and offers spectacular views out over London’s ever-changing skyline. And if you really fancy splashing out, you can book a hotel room with a similarly spectacular view.
© Shangri-La The Shard London
Dinner
For dinner it’s off to Two Michelin Starred Story, where you'll be able to watch Chef Tom Sellers and his talented team working away in the open kitchen as they prepare the luxury ingredients that make up the stunning multi-course surprise menu. Settle in for the evening to enjoy a succession of intricate, beautifully composed dishes, which the chefs often deliver to the table themselves.
Two Michelin Starred Story (© Nathan Snoddon/Story)
Stay
Walk off dinner with a stroll over Tower Bridge and past the Tower of London, then head for the One Michelin Key NoMad London hotel and settle in for drinks in one of its bars. As the old Bow Magistrate’s Court and Police Station, the building has witnessed its fair share of history, including Oscar Wilde’s prosecution. It’s fitting, then, that it has a romantic, bohemian vibe. Rooms that once housed old offices and cells have been transformed into inviting, sunlit spaces filled with eclectic furnishings and objets d’art.
© NoMad London
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Day 2
Breakfast
Mount St. boasts the most extensive art collection of any restaurant in London. It also serves a fabulous breakfast. So start your day right by enjoying deliciously satisfying classics such as ‘London Rarebit’ or Omelette Arnold Bennett while admiring paintings from the likes of Lucian Freud and Henri Matisse.
Omelette Arnold Bennett at Mount St. (© John Carey/Mount St.)
Morning
After this, head on to Buckingham Palace. The State Rooms are open to the public between July and September, so book an early slot and then if it's a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday, head to The Mall for 11am to watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. From here, you are perfectly located to explore the Royal Parks. You can walk near-continuously from Kensington Gardens to St James’s Park, via The Green Park and Hyde Park, home to The Serpentine Lake.
Changing of the Guard (© ZambeziShark/iStock)
Lunch
Looking out over the latter is Two Michelin Starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, set inside the Three Michelin Key Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel; ask for a window seat and you might even see the guards going past on horseback. The sublimely flavoured dishes here take their inspiration from England’s oldest recipe books, yet they are decidedly creative and original in their construction. Opt for the three course ‘Luncheon’ menu for the best value, or choose one of their more renowned dishes from the à la carte.Top Tip: Lunch is often the best time to bag a deal at a Michelin-Starred restaurant. Check out all of London's cheapest Michelin Star menus, which start from just £35.
© Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Afternoon
A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without visiting some of its most famous department stores. Nearby, you’ll find both Harrods and Harvey Nichols but, if shopping's your thing, it’s also worth seeking out Selfridges, Liberty – with its iconic façade – and high-end food store Fortnum & Mason.
Harrods (© Vladislav Zolotov/iStock)
Evening
An evening at one of Shaftesbury Avenue’s many theatres is a must. Before the show, head for Cora Pearl, in the ever-bustling Covent Garden. With its cosy, buzzy atmosphere and fast-paced pre-theatre menus, it’s the perfect spot to start a night out in the West End – and it's good value too.If you're after something a little less mainstream and a little more intimate, consider smaller venues such as The Almeida, the Bridge Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse and the Hampstead Theatre – and in the summer months, be sure to check out the Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre too.
Shaftesbury Avenue (© Paolo Paradiso/iStock)
Stay
End your day in the plush bar of the Chateau Denmark London hotel. Once home to many music shops, recording studios and cafés frequented by the likes of David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John and The Rolling Stones, Denmark Street oozes history – and the hotel makes the most of this rock-and-roll heritage. Its lavishly themed bedrooms are spread over 16 buildings and decorated with musical references; one suite resides in the former home of the Sex Pistols and Johnny Rotten’s caricatures of the band adorn the walls. Every room is different, but all have a moody, over-the-top vibe.
© Chateau Denmark London
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Day 3
Morning
The morning means museums and London offers plenty of choice – many of which rely on optional donations rather than charging a compulsory fee. Some of the most popular include the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the design and architecture orientated Victoria & Albert Museum – all Kensington neighbours; while for art-lovers, there’s the National Portrait Gallery and The National Gallery, located next to each other in Trafalgar Square. The latter boasts over 2,300 paintings dating back as far as the 13th century.
Victoria and Albert Museum (© krblokhin/iStock)
Lunch
From here, head for the lively streets of Soho where, just off the colourful Carnaby Street, in Kingly Court, you’ll find Imad's Syrian Kitchen. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome at this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, which offers a great value menu full of enticing Middle Eastern dishes designed for sharing.If you've time to spare on your trip, check out our guide for a great night out in Soho.
© Imad's Syrian Kitchen
Afternoon
Fully sated, explore some of London’s markets – whether you’re after food, clothes, collectibles or antiques, you’ll be sure to find something that suits. Some open daily, such as the eclectic Camden Market, while others like Brick Lane Market open only on Sundays. If you find yourself in the right area during your trip, the Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill and Alfies Antique Market in Marylebone are worth checking – and if you’ve time free on a Sunday morning, then the Columbia Road Flower Market is a must.To help you choose, explore our guide to London's best markets.
Portobello Road Market (© giorgiogalano/iStock)
Evening
It’s now time to discover one of London’s trendiest quarters, Shoreditch, with its colourful street art, alternative culture and thriving nightlife. Set inside the 1930s Tea Building, Lyle’s is a perfect fit for the area with its laid-back, pared-down industrial look, while its menu of attractively presented dishes mirrors the area’s artsy vibe.For more recommendations in East London, check out our guide to the Borough of Hackney.
Lyle's (© Per-Anders Jorgensen/Lyle's)
And there you have it – three amazing days in London. A city whose cosmopolitan nature extends into its diverse culinary and hospitality scene, where traditional British pubs rub shoulders with restaurants offering every type of global cuisine, and quirkily themed hotels sit alongside those offering elegant luxury.
Be sure to check The MICHELIN Guide website or app regularly for more new adventures. Until then, happy travels.
Address Book
Alfies Antique Market, 13 - 25 Church St, London, NW8 8DTBorough Market, London, SE1 9AL
Brick Lane Market, 97-125 Sclater St, London, E1 6HR
Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
Camden Market, 54-56 Camden Lock Pl, London, NW1 8AF
Columbia Road Flower Market, Columbia Rd, London, E2 7RG
Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London, W1A 1ER
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, London, SW1X 7XL
Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RJ
Liberty London, Regent St., Carnaby, London, W1B 5AH
National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Pl, London, WC2H 0HE
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD
Portobello Road Market, London, W11 1LJ
Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD
Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, London, W1A 1AB
St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD
Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London, SW7 2RL
