London's best: free museums, royal sights and real markets

4 days United Kingdom 4 min read

London is a city of villages stitched together by the Underground, and the best way to enjoy it is to pick a few areas each day rather than crossing town repeatedly. Royal palaces, free national museums, old markets and large parks sit within a few stops of each other, and the river gives a sense of direction when the streets do not.

Four days lets you cover the classic sights without rushing, add a market and a couple of neighbourhoods, and still leave time for a long walk along the Thames. Most of the big museums are free, so you can dip in for an hour rather than committing a whole afternoon.

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Plan 4 days in London

Top places to see

1
Tower of London
A Norman fortress, royal palace and prison on the north bank of the Thames, home to the Crown Jewels and the ravens. The Yeoman Warder tours are included and worth joining for the stories. Book a timed ticket online, arrive at opening and go straight to the jewels before the queue builds, then see the White Tower and the walls afterwards.
2
British Museum
One of the great museums of the world, with the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies and the Sutton Hoo treasure. Entry is free, though booking a time slot online is encouraged. It is impossible to see everything, so pick two or three galleries. The Great Court under its glass roof is a good place to pause.
3
Westminster Abbey
The coronation church of English monarchs for nearly a thousand years, with the tombs of kings, poets and scientists. The nave, the Lady Chapel and Poets Corner are the highlights. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are across the road, and St James's Park is a five minute walk, so this corner fills a morning. Book ahead and use the audio guide.
4
Borough Market
London's oldest food market, under the railway arches beside Southwark Cathedral. Stalls sell cheese, bread, fruit, cured meats and hot food from all over the world. It is best on a weekday morning or before noon on Saturday, when it is still possible to move. From here the river walk west passes Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern.
5
Hyde Park
One of the royal parks, large enough to lose the city entirely in its middle. Walk along the Serpentine lake, past Speakers Corner at the north east entrance, and into Kensington Gardens for the Italian Gardens and Kensington Palace. Hiring one of the rowing boats is a pleasant hour on a warm day. The Diana Memorial Fountain is near the south side.
6
Greenwich
Take a river boat or the DLR to Greenwich for the Cutty Sark, the Old Royal Naval College and the National Maritime Museum. The climb through Greenwich Park to the Royal Observatory brings you to the Prime Meridian line and a wide view over Canary Wharf and the river. Allow most of a day and go by boat at least one way.
7
Camden Market
A cluster of markets along Regent's Canal, with vintage clothes, crafts and a huge range of street food around the old stables. Weekends are heaving, so a weekday visit is calmer. From Camden Lock you can walk the canal towpath west to Regent's Park and on to Little Venice in about an hour, which is one of the nicer walks in the city.
8
Notting Hill
A neighbourhood of pastel terraces and leafy squares in west London, best known for Portobello Road Market. The antiques stalls set up on Saturdays, while fruit, vegetables and vintage stands run through the week. Explore the side streets around Westbourne Grove and Ladbroke Grove, and finish in Holland Park, where the Kyoto Garden is a quiet corner.

Good to know

Tap a contactless bank card or phone on the Underground and buses instead of buying tickets. Fares are capped daily and weekly, and the same card works on river boats run by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
Stand on the right on escalators, let people off the train before boarding, and expect to queue for almost everything. These small habits make a noticeable difference to how locals respond.
The big national museums are free, but special exhibitions and the Tower, the Abbey and St Paul's need tickets. Book popular sites a few days ahead, especially in summer and school holidays.
Weather changes several times a day. Carry a light rain layer in every season, and plan an indoor option for each afternoon so a shower does not cost you half a day.

Best time to visit

Late spring and early autumn, from May to June and September to early October, bring mild temperatures, long daylight and parks at their best. July and August are busiest and can be warm. Winter is dark by late afternoon but the museums are quiet and the Christmas lights run from mid November.

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Plan 4 days in London

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