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Looking to do a London Getaway? Here is the best destinations to see on a 2-day trip to England’s Best City!
I was thrilled to get away, and per usual, I slept on the flight so I could hit the ground running so we didn’t waste a moment of daylight.
Our flight arrived very early in the morning, which allowed us to drop our bags at the hotel concierge and make use of a full day.
London Getaway Begins at Westminster Abbey
First stop of the day, Westminster Abbey! One of the most recognized religious buildings in the world, it also is the burial place for over 3,000 people.
These people include the highest royalty figures, and In addition to royals, Westminster Abbey has a famed Poets’ Corner, which includes burial crypts and memorials for legendary writers and artists including William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Laurence Olivier, Lewis Carrol, Oscar Wilde, and Charles Dickens. I had been here years ago, and one of my all time favorites if you are history buff.
It was recommended to arrive early, and I got there at 9:30am, and there was already a long line.  It took us about 1.5 hours or longer to see Abbey. There is a Westminster Abbey App that provides the self-guided tour that I found useful.
10 Downing Street & Buckingham Palace Tour
Next walk around Big Ben and then down to 10 Downing Street, which is a 7-minute walk. From there you can walk to Buckingham Palace, which is an 18-minute walk. If you don’t mind stretching your legs, this is a beautiful leisurely walk.
Don’t forget traffic comes from the opposite direction. In London, there are helpful hints to remind pedestrians to look the other way. But, I still forgot! I luckily had someone pull me away from a bus before I stepped in front of it.
As scheduled and booked in advance, we arrived at 1:30pm for our Royal Day Out Tour at Buckingham Palace. They recommended to arrive 30 minutes prior to make it through security points. This tour took us through portions of the palace state rooms, and then a detailed tour of the stables.
The palace itself was comparable and not as glamorous as some I have seen. However, by far, the most extravagant horse carriages I have ever seen. I did enjoy the tour and felt it was worth seeing.
After the Buckingham Palace tour, we relaxed in St. James Park which is nearby. If you are looking for a longer walk, go see Kensington Palace through Hyde Park.
We then grabbed dinner, and later went to Noel Coward Theater for a recommended show.
London Getaway Day 2 – Tower of London
After breakfast, we headed to Tower of London which is open on Sunday (Westminster Abbey is closed).
I saw the jewels first since I heard there could be a long line. By the way, they are spectacular!
The grounds, the stories of Henry the VIII, and the architecture are iconic. You can purchase tickets online via their website here. We spent approximately 2-3 hours seeing this destination.
British Museum & National Gallery
After going to a late lunch, we then headed to one of my favorite museums, The British Museum.
The British Museum in London is one of the world’s largest and most important museums of human history and culture. It has more than seven million objects and amazing works like The Rosetta Stone. I love that it is FREE for everyone, and you can book tickets in advance.
Here is their website for hours and other details. This museum is one that you can only touch the tip of the iceberg, so pace yourself and see your favorite sections this visit. We spent the majority of our day here.
Go for a stroll on nearby Carnaby Street. This colorful and multicultural shopping street has over 100+ shops and restaurants. Don’t miss some of the key spots to see by utilizing the Carnaby Street Ultimate Guide.
Then, head to the National Gallery. I usually try not to see two museums on the same day. But if you are an art geek like me, this is a must-see before leaving London. This museum is also FREE and details can be found here.
See Trafalgar’s Square & Piccadilly Circus since your schedule allows. Both are extremely well-known and are worth at least a quick visit on this London getaway.
London Weekend Getaway – Other Articles
This is the end of our 2-day weekend London Getaway!
If you liked this article, you may want to check out my other London Weekend Getaway to the Amalfi Coast found here.
