[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":503},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-london-5-days-travel-plan":3,"parent-dest-london":44},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"city":13,"citySlug":14,"country":15,"description":16,"draft":17,"excerpt":18,"extension":19,"image":18,"imageAlt":18,"imageAuthor":18,"imageAuthorUrl":18,"meta":20,"navigation":21,"path":22,"publishedAt":23,"sections":24,"seo":40,"stem":41,"type":42,"updatedAt":23,"__hash__":43},"destinationGuides\u002Fdestinations\u002Flondon\u002F5-days-travel-plan.md","London 5-Day Itinerary",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":9},"minimark",[],{"title":10,"searchDepth":11,"depth":11,"links":12},"",2,[],"London","london","United Kingdom","Plan your 5 days in London with this curated itinerary. Covers must-see highlights, food markets, museums, Greenwich, and a day trip to Windsor Castle — optimised for first-time visitors.",false,null,"md",{},true,"\u002Fdestinations\u002Flondon\u002F5-days-travel-plan","2026-07-21",[25,28,31,34,37],{"title":26,"description":27},"Day 1 — Westminster & the South Bank","Start at Westminster: the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. Book the Abbey in advance if you want to go inside — it's one of the busiest sights in the city. Walk through St James's Park to Buckingham Palace and catch the Changing of the Guard if the schedule lines up.\n\nCross to the South Bank and walk east from the London Eye to Tate Modern (free) and Shakespeare's Globe. Dinner around Borough Market or Bermondsey, which has a strong cluster of independent breweries and bars.\n",{"title":29,"description":30},"Day 2 — The Tower, the City & Shoreditch","Book the Tower of London for opening time to beat the queues. The Crown Jewels, the White Tower, and a Yeoman Warder tour are worth the full two hours. Walk Tower Bridge, then loop into the City to see St Paul's Cathedral and, if you're up for the climb, the views from the Whispering Gallery.\n\nAfternoon and evening: Shoreditch and Spitalfields. Brick Lane for curry and bagels, the street art around Shoreditch High Street, and one of the city's best concentrations of independent bars for the evening.\n",{"title":32,"description":33},"Day 3 — Museums & Notting Hill","Morning at the British Museum — free, and easily worth two to three hours for the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marbles, and the Egyptian galleries alone. If you have a second museum in you, the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square is a five-minute walk and equally free.\n\nAfternoon: Notting Hill. Portobello Road Market for antiques and vintage clothing, then a slow walk through the pastel-coloured residential streets south of the market. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are a short walk east if you want green space before dinner.\n",{"title":35,"description":36},"Day 4 — Greenwich & the River","Take a Thames Clipper boat from central London down to Greenwich — the most scenic way to get there and part of the experience in itself. Greenwich is compact and rewarding: stand on the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory, walk the deck of the Cutty Sark, and take in the view over the Old Royal Naval College from the top of Greenwich Park.\n\nGreenwich Market, in the middle of town, is smaller than Borough or Camden but excellent for lunch — a good mix of street food and craft stalls.\n\nReturn by boat as the light drops for a good view of Tower Bridge and the City skyline from the water. Evening free for whichever part of the city you've liked best so far.\n",{"title":38,"description":39},"Day 5 — Windsor Castle Day Trip","Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, is a straightforward half-day trip: trains run regularly from London Paddington (via Slough, roughly 40–50 minutes) or from London Waterloo direct to Windsor & Eton Riverside (about an hour). It's still an official royal residence, and the State Apartments, St George's Chapel (burial place of several monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II), and the Changing of the Guard ceremony inside the castle grounds are all open to visitors.\n\nThe town of Windsor itself is small and pleasant — a walk along the Thames, a look at Eton College across the river, and lunch in one of the pubs near the castle walls make for an easy, unhurried final day.\n\nReturn to London by early evening for a final dinner — Borough Market's restaurants, a Soho theatre district spot, or wherever in the city you've been drawn back to.\n",{"title":5,"description":16},"destinations\u002Flondon\u002F5-days-travel-plan","itinerary","qDnFoI3fsJa7OgYAiH6RADKN_-pPglxMYAP-BNmopYY",{"id":45,"title":13,"bestMonths":46,"body":47,"budgetLevel":457,"country":15,"currency":458,"description":459,"draft":17,"excerpt":18,"extension":19,"faq":460,"image":482,"imageAltText":483,"imageAuthor":484,"imageAuthorUrl":485,"keywords":486,"language":493,"latitude":494,"longitude":495,"meta":496,"navigation":21,"ogImage":18,"path":497,"publishedAt":498,"region":499,"seo":500,"stem":501,"updatedAt":498,"__hash__":502},"destinations\u002Fdestinations\u002Flondon.md","May–Sep",{"type":7,"value":48,"toc":436},[49,54,58,62,69,75,79,84,87,91,94,98,101,105,108,112,115,119,122,126,129,133,136,140,146,152,158,164,170,174,177,211,217,221,232,238,244,250,254,358,362,394,398],[50,51,53],"h2",{"id":52},"overview","Overview",[55,56,57],"p",{},"London defies summary. It's a Roman settlement, a medieval trading port, a Victorian imperial capital, and a 21st-century global city — all layered on top of each other. You could spend a lifetime here and still discover new corners. The secret is to pick a neighbourhood and go deep rather than trying to tick off every landmark. The real London is in its markets, pubs, parks, and side streets.",[50,59,61],{"id":60},"best-time-to-visit","Best Time to Visit",[55,63,64,68],{},[65,66,67],"strong",{},"May to September"," offers the warmest weather (18–25°C) and longest days — it doesn't get dark until 9pm in June. April and May bring blooming parks and fewer crowds than summer. October has golden autumn colours but shorter days. Winter (November–February) is cold and grey but prices drop, West End theatre is at its best, and Christmas lights across the city are spectacular.",[55,70,71,74],{},[65,72,73],{},"Key events:"," Notting Hill Carnival (August bank holiday — Europe's largest street party), Wimbledon (June–July), Chelsea Flower Show (May), Bonfire Night (November 5), New Year's Eve fireworks.",[50,76,78],{"id":77},"top-things-to-do","Top Things to Do",[80,81,83],"h3",{"id":82},"british-museum","British Museum",[55,85,86],{},"One of the world's greatest museums, and it's completely free. The Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, and Enlightenment Gallery are highlights. Budget at least 3 hours. Go first thing Thursday or Friday when it's open late.",[80,88,90],{"id":89},"south-bank-walk","South Bank Walk",[55,92,93],{},"Walk from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge along the Thames. You'll pass the London Eye, Southbank Centre, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and Borough Market. The whole stretch takes about an hour at a walking pace, longer with stops.",[80,95,97],{"id":96},"borough-market","Borough Market",[55,99,100],{},"London's oldest and best food market, tucked under railway arches near London Bridge. Open Wednesday–Saturday. The Saturday crowd is intense but the quality is unmatched — Kappacasein raclette, Bread Ahead doughnuts, Neal's Yard Dairy cheese.",[80,102,104],{"id":103},"tower-of-london","Tower of London",[55,106,107],{},"Nearly 1,000 years of history: Crown Jewels, Beefeater tours, the ravens, and the execution site. Book online and go early. The Yeoman Warder tours (included with entry) are entertaining and informative — don't skip them.",[80,109,111],{"id":110},"hyde-park-kensington-gardens","Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens",[55,113,114],{},"350 acres of green space in central London. Rent a deckchair by the Serpentine, visit the Diana Memorial Fountain, or walk through to Kensington Palace. The Italian Gardens at the north end are beautiful and often empty.",[80,116,118],{"id":117},"west-end-theatre","West End Theatre",[55,120,121],{},"London's theatre scene is world-class and more affordable than Broadway. TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells same-day discounted tickets. Matinees are cheaper than evening performances. Book direct from theatre websites for the best deals.",[80,123,125],{"id":124},"camden-market","Camden Market",[55,127,128],{},"Chaotic, colourful, and endlessly entertaining. Street food from every continent, vintage clothing, record shops, and live music venues. Go on a weekday to avoid the worst crowds. Walk along Regent's Canal to Little Venice for a quieter experience.",[80,130,132],{"id":131},"hampstead-heath","Hampstead Heath",[55,134,135],{},"Wild parkland on a hilltop in North London. The views from Parliament Hill across the entire city skyline are magnificent. The bathing ponds (separate for men, women, and mixed) are a genuinely unique London experience — bracing but unforgettable.",[50,137,139],{"id":138},"neighbourhoods-guide","Neighbourhoods Guide",[55,141,142,145],{},[65,143,144],{},"Shoreditch & Spitalfields"," — London's creative hub. Street art, independent coffee shops, vintage markets, and some of the city's best restaurants. Brick Lane for curry and bagels, Columbia Road for the Sunday flower market.",[55,147,148,151],{},[65,149,150],{},"Soho & Covent Garden"," — Central, buzzy, theatrical. Best for nightlife, restaurants, and the West End. Chinatown is here. Can feel overwhelming but it's the beating heart of the city.",[55,153,154,157],{},[65,155,156],{},"South Bank & Bermondsey"," — Arts, food, and the river. Tate Modern, National Theatre, and the growing Bermondsey beer mile. More spacious and walkable than the north side.",[55,159,160,163],{},[65,161,162],{},"Notting Hill"," — Pastel houses, Portobello Road Market, and a village feel despite being central. Saturday market is the main draw. The residential streets south of the market are Instagram-perfect.",[55,165,166,169],{},[65,167,168],{},"Greenwich"," — Worth the trip for the Royal Observatory (stand on the Prime Meridian), the Cutty Sark, and the views from the park. Take the Thames Clipper boat — it's the most scenic way to get there.",[50,171,173],{"id":172},"food-drink","Food & Drink",[55,175,176],{},"London's food scene is one of the best in the world, driven by its multiculturalism:",[178,179,180,187,193,199,205],"ul",{},[181,182,183,186],"li",{},[65,184,185],{},"Sunday roast"," — The quintessential British meal. Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, and gravy. Every pub does one; the best ones are worth booking ahead.",[181,188,189,192],{},[65,190,191],{},"Full English breakfast"," — Bacon, eggs, sausages, beans, toast, tomato, and mushrooms. The Regency Café in Westminster is a classic greasy spoon.",[181,194,195,198],{},[65,196,197],{},"Curry"," — Brick Lane is famous but inconsistent. For serious Indian food, try Dishoom (Bombay café style) or head to Tooting for South Indian, or Southall for Punjabi.",[181,200,201,204],{},[65,202,203],{},"Pie and mash"," — A traditional East End dish served with liquor (parsley sauce). M. Manze in Tower Bridge Road has been serving it since 1902.",[181,206,207,210],{},[65,208,209],{},"Pub culture"," — A proper pint in a proper pub is non-negotiable. Order a cask ale (try something from a local brewery), grab a table if you can, and settle in.",[55,212,213,216],{},[65,214,215],{},"Budget tip:"," Lunch deals are everywhere — Pret, Leon, and most restaurants offer set lunches for £8–15. Evening meals at the same places cost double. Markets are the best value for interesting food.",[50,218,220],{"id":219},"getting-around","Getting Around",[55,222,223,224,227,228,231],{},"The ",[65,225,226],{},"Tube"," (Underground) is the fastest way around, running 5am–midnight (24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays on select lines). Use a ",[65,229,230],{},"contactless bank card or phone"," — it's the same price as an Oyster card and caps daily\u002Fweekly spending automatically.",[55,233,234,237],{},[65,235,236],{},"Buses"," are slower but scenic — the top deck of a double-decker across central London is better than any tour bus. Routes 11, 15, and 24 hit major landmarks.",[55,239,240,243],{},[65,241,242],{},"Walking"," is essential in central London. The Tube map distorts distances — many stations are only 5–10 minutes apart on foot.",[55,245,246,249],{},[65,247,248],{},"Avoid:"," Taxis in rush hour. The Elizabeth Line is the quickest airport connection from Heathrow (30 minutes to central London, ~£12).",[50,251,253],{"id":252},"budget-guide","Budget Guide",[255,256,257,276],"table",{},[258,259,260],"thead",{},[261,262,263,267,270,273],"tr",{},[264,265,266],"th",{},"Category",[264,268,269],{},"Budget",[264,271,272],{},"Mid-range",[264,274,275],{},"Luxury",[277,278,279,294,308,322,336],"tbody",{},[261,280,281,285,288,291],{},[282,283,284],"td",{},"Accommodation",[282,286,287],{},"£25–50\u002Fnight (hostel)",[282,289,290],{},"£130–220\u002Fnight (hotel)",[282,292,293],{},"£350+\u002Fnight (luxury)",[261,295,296,299,302,305],{},[282,297,298],{},"Food",[282,300,301],{},"£20–30\u002Fday",[282,303,304],{},"£40–70\u002Fday",[282,306,307],{},"£100+\u002Fday",[261,309,310,313,316,319],{},[282,311,312],{},"Transport",[282,314,315],{},"£8–12\u002Fday",[282,317,318],{},"£12–18\u002Fday",[282,320,321],{},"£40+\u002Fday (taxi)",[261,323,324,327,330,333],{},[282,325,326],{},"Activities",[282,328,329],{},"£0–10\u002Fday (free museums!)",[282,331,332],{},"£20–40\u002Fday",[282,334,335],{},"£80+\u002Fday",[261,337,338,343,348,353],{},[282,339,340],{},[65,341,342],{},"Daily total",[282,344,345],{},[65,346,347],{},"£55–100",[282,349,350],{},[65,351,352],{},"£200–350",[282,354,355],{},[65,356,357],{},"£570+",[50,359,361],{"id":360},"day-trips","Day Trips",[178,363,364,370,376,382,388],{},[181,365,366,369],{},[65,367,368],{},"Stonehenge & Bath"," — Combine both in a day. Bath is one of England's most beautiful cities: Roman baths, Georgian architecture, and the Thermae spa. 1.5 hours by train to Bath.",[181,371,372,375],{},[65,373,374],{},"Oxford"," — Dreaming spires, ancient colleges, and the Bodleian Library. 1 hour by train. Walk is free; individual college entry is £3–5.",[181,377,378,381],{},[65,379,380],{},"Cambridge"," — Punting on the River Cam, King's College Chapel, and the Fitzwilliam Museum. 50 minutes by train.",[181,383,384,387],{},[65,385,386],{},"Brighton"," — Seaside town with a boho vibe, Royal Pavilion, and a long pebble beach. 1 hour by train. Great LGBTQ+ scene.",[181,389,390,393],{},[65,391,392],{},"Windsor"," — Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. 30 minutes by train from Paddington.",[50,395,397],{"id":396},"practical-info","Practical Info",[178,399,400,406,412,418,424,430],{},[181,401,402,405],{},[65,403,404],{},"Currency:"," British Pound (£). Cards and contactless are accepted virtually everywhere — some places no longer accept cash at all.",[181,407,408,411],{},[65,409,410],{},"Language:"," English. London is one of the most linguistically diverse cities on earth.",[181,413,414,417],{},[65,415,416],{},"Tipping:"," 10–12.5% at restaurants (often added automatically as \"service charge\" — check before tipping twice). Not expected in pubs.",[181,419,420,423],{},[65,421,422],{},"Safety:"," London is very safe by major city standards. Pickpocketing happens on the Tube and in crowds. Stay alert around Westminster, Oxford Circus, and major tourist spots.",[181,425,426,429],{},[65,427,428],{},"Weather:"," Always carry a light jacket or umbrella. London weather changes fast and rain can arrive without warning any month of the year.",[181,431,432,435],{},[65,433,434],{},"Plugs:"," UK uses Type G (three rectangular pins). Bring an adapter — EU and US plugs won't fit.",{"title":10,"searchDepth":11,"depth":11,"links":437},[438,439,440,451,452,453,454,455,456],{"id":52,"depth":11,"text":53},{"id":60,"depth":11,"text":61},{"id":77,"depth":11,"text":78,"children":441},[442,444,445,446,447,448,449,450],{"id":82,"depth":443,"text":83},3,{"id":89,"depth":443,"text":90},{"id":96,"depth":443,"text":97},{"id":103,"depth":443,"text":104},{"id":110,"depth":443,"text":111},{"id":117,"depth":443,"text":118},{"id":124,"depth":443,"text":125},{"id":131,"depth":443,"text":132},{"id":138,"depth":11,"text":139},{"id":172,"depth":11,"text":173},{"id":219,"depth":11,"text":220},{"id":252,"depth":11,"text":253},{"id":360,"depth":11,"text":361},{"id":396,"depth":11,"text":397},"€€€ Higher-end","GBP (£)","Plan your trip to London. Discover the best things to do, when to visit, where to stay, local food, and insider tips.",[461,464,467,470,473,476,479],{"question":462,"answer":463},"When is the best time to visit London?","May to September offers the best weather (18–25°C) and longest days. April brings blooming parks with fewer crowds. Winter is cold but cheaper, with great theatre and Christmas lights on Oxford Street.",{"question":465,"answer":466},"How many days do I need in London?","At least four days to scratch the surface. A week lets you explore several neighbourhoods properly. London rewards repeat visits — most people find two or three days is never enough.",{"question":468,"answer":469},"Is London safe for tourists?","London is generally safe. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded tourist spots and on the Tube. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas late at night. Most visitor areas are very safe.",{"question":471,"answer":472},"Do I need a visa to visit London?","The UK is outside the EU and Schengen. EU and EEA citizens can visit visa-free for up to 6 months. US, Canadian, and Australian citizens also enter visa-free for up to 6 months. Many other nationalities require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or visa — check UK government guidance.",{"question":474,"answer":475},"How expensive is London?","London is one of Europe's most expensive cities. Budget £15–25 for a pub meal, £6–8 for a pint, and £150–250 for a mid-range hotel. Many world-class museums (British Museum, National Gallery, V&A) are completely free.",{"question":477,"answer":478},"What is the best neighbourhood to stay in London?","South Kensington (near museums), Marylebone (central and elegant), or Shoreditch (creative and lively) are strong choices. Avoid staying too far from a Tube station — walking distances are greater than maps suggest.",{"question":480,"answer":481},"What is the one thing not to miss in London?","The South Bank walk from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. In 90 minutes you pass the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and Borough Market — the best free overview of the city.","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.unsplash.com\u002Fphoto-1513635269975-59663e0ac1ad","Tower Bridge and the London skyline at dusk","Benjamin Davies","https:\u002F\u002Funsplash.com\u002F@bendavisual",[487,488,489,490,491,492],"history","museums","theatre","pubs","parks","multicultural","English",51.5074,-0.1278,{},"\u002Fdestinations\u002Flondon","2026-05-16","Western Europe",{"title":13,"description":459},"destinations\u002Flondon","6GRcc-_yqqm3V-yXnbsksYcdEgXlX5lhkcN6XXh0ccQ",1787244582636]