London has been my home for seven years, and even after this long, I’ve still come across hidden gems and places I’ve never been before. This city is full of endless things to do!
So in this post, I’ll take you through a unique and surprising two-day London itinerary. You’ll not only see the iconic spots in London, but get a taste for some off-the-beaten-track places.
London two-day itinerary
Day one: Discover iconic London
10am – Westminster and Big Ben
Start your morning with a short walk from your hotel base at the Conrad London St James and head to Westminster Abbey. I highly recommend going inside, too, as it’s absolutely stunning!
Just behind Westminster Abbey, you’ll find Big Ben. This iconic tower is actually officially named the Elizabeth Tower, but the clock inside is known as Big Ben!
Pro-tip: head to the red phone booth as you walk from Westminster Abbey to Big Ben. You’ll get a wonderful photo of the phone booth and Big Ben just behind.
11.30am – Walk the Glass Floors at Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is one of the top attractions in London, but did you know you could actually go inside?
Head up to the walkways and you’ll find a glass floor, where you can literally look straight down at the cars and buses driving over the bridge. Plus, the views of the Thames and the city skyline are incredible from up here.
Don’t miss the engine rooms, too, where you can peek at the old machinery that used to lift the bridge. It’s included in your same ticket, but you have to exit the walkways and follow a blue line to reach the engine room.
Spend about an hour here, admiring all the views! There are two walkways, and the second one has mirrors on the ceiling, so you can get some really cool perspectives if you’re into photography!
12.30pm – Enjoy an afternoon tea
In your London two-day itinerary, having an afternoon tea is a must! Afternoon tea was invented when the Queen got hungry in the afternoon. So, she was served some finger sandwiches, scones and tea. Since then, it’s become a long tradition in England. Just about every hotel in London has an afternoon tea.
They can be quite expensive. If you’re looking for a more affordable experience, I’d recommend going to the Novotel London Tower Bridge hotel. Here, you and your companion can enjoy afternoon tea for two for £45. Or, as a single person, the price is £25. Most afternoon teas in London are easily £50 or more per person.
3pm – Stroll through Hyde Park and boat along the Serpentine Lake
Now, you’ll want to hop on London’s super easy public transit system, using the TfL website or app to plan the best journey.
Get off at Marble Arch or Hyde Park Corner and have a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park. It’s one of the many green spaces in London. London is made up of 47% green space!
Be sure to take the opportunity to hire a pedal boat and glide across the Serpentine Lake! You can rent these on the spot at the boating station in Hyde Park. The cost starts at £7 for half an hour.
I was surprised by how easy it was to ride the boat. The waters are pretty calm. We saw swans sharing the lake with us, other friendly boaters and soaked in all the views. It was honestly so relaxing and peaceful.
Who knew that in a city as large as London, you could find such a large, quiet space to relax. And right in the centre of London, too!
6pm – Dinner
London offers a wide range of international food options. Pick your craving and head to a local favourite.
My top picks would be The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St James, where you can find iconic views of London, Veeraswamy, which is London’s oldest Indian restaurant, or Hera for Mediterranean food. Hera is close to the ABBA Arena, where you might head next!
7.30pm – ABBA Voyage or a West End theatre show
End your first night on a really exciting note!
Join a West End theatre show or opt for a performance at the ABBA Arena.
ABBA Voyage is really trending in London right now. This is an occasion to wear sparkles if you fancy! The ABBA Voyage show is interactive and exciting – expect dazzling visuals, incredible sound and an upbeat atmosphere.
Just note: no filming or photos are allowed inside to keep the show a secret. They have both seated and standing options.
Day two: Exploring London off-the-beaten-track
10am – Frameless London
Start your second day with something unexpected and immersive at Frameless London, the UK’s largest permanent multi-sensory art experience.
Step into a world where masterpieces surround you on every wall, floor and ceiling. They are brought to life with cutting-edge projection and sound. It’s an inspiring and off-the-beaten-track way to experience art, and a perfect contrast to London’s more traditional galleries.
12pm – Lunch in Walthamstow
Next, head east to Walthamstow, a creative, community-driven neighbourhood that has an amazing food and drink scene. Once known mainly for its markets, today it’s a hub for makers, brewers and independent eateries. Take some time to explore the charming streets at Walthamstow Village.
For lunch, you’re spoiled for choice: sample local wines at Renegade, an urban winery producing bottles right on-site; discover bold new flavours at Burnt Faith, the UK’s first brandy distillery; or find a nice brunch spot like Dudley’s near Walthamstow Village.
Whichever you pick, it’s something you likely won’t find in the guidebooks.
2pm – Check out the neon signs at God’s Own Junkyard
.jpg?h=450&w=800&rev=8c7ebd8eaf3f4f2cbd102aad2c9fb1f0&hash=46E3E3CD524C28C317DDE592665A2B28 "God's Own Junkyard. Credit: Jou Jou Travels. Image courtesy of Jou Jou Travels.")
Head over to God’s Own Junkyard, a warehouse filled with neon signs, vintage lights and quirky artwork. It’s a fun, offbeat spot to wander around, and the atmosphere is unlike anywhere else in London.
Once you’ve had a look through the glowing displays, you can grab a drink at the cafe and relax in a cosy setting.
4pm – William Morris Gallery
In the afternoon, make your way to the William Morris Gallery, set in the designer’s former family home.
Morris was a leading figure in the arts and crafts movement, known for his beautiful patterns and strong ideas about art, design and society. Inside, you’ll find exhibits on his life and work, along with changing displays from contemporary artists.
Don’t miss the large mural of Morris outside the gallery, too.
6pm – Dinner
After all the exploring, you may be hungry. If you’d like to stay local, head to Slowburn, a relaxed, plant-forward restaurant set inside a converted denim factory.
The setting is cool and relaxed. It’s only open on the weekends as it shares a space with a live denim factory which operates on the weekdays. You can tour the factory which is in the back of the restaurant.
The food is great – I tried some standout dishes, including the cauliflower fritter and the carrots with ricotta cheese.
Alternatively, you can make your way back into central London for dinner, with plenty of great options: St James’s Market for a mix of choices, Market Halls Victoria for a casual foodhall vibe, El Pirata of Mayfair for authentic Spanish tapas, or one of Covent Garden’s many restaurants.
London surprises me even after feeling like I’ve explored its every corner. In just two days, you can take in the world-famous landmarks, enjoy British traditions like afternoon tea and still have time to discover creative neighbourhoods and hidden gems far from the usual tourist trail.
If you’re planning a longer trip, check out my four-day London itinerary on Jou Jou Travels for even more hidden gems, foodie spots and neighbourhoods to explore.
Hopefully, this itinerary inspires you to mix the iconic with a few hidden gems too!
Disclaimer: opening times vary by day and season. Check official websites for detailed information when planning your own itinerary to avoid disappointment.
How to get around
London has six major airports to choose from, with London Heathrow being the largest.
All airports are serviced by the London Underground, allowing you to easily get into the city centre by public transport. I recommend getting around by the fantastic TfL network, which includes an underground train system, commonly known as the Tube, the bus or biking.
You’d also be surprised by how walkable London is. Although it’s very large, many of the top attractions are within walking distance of one another. You can easily explore the highlights of seeing Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and more by walking.
Where to stay
One of the most convenient areas to stay, right in the middle of all the action, is St James’s Park at the Conrad London St James hotel.
This hotel is less than 10 minutes away from Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. It’s located directly across St. James’s Park Tube station, which will get you just about anywhere in London quickly.
The hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms for your two days in London. When I was there, the service was really good and welcoming. It has a breakfast buffet included in your stay each morning.
I’d highly recommend trying the afternoon tea, it’s one of my favourites in London! And if you’re hungry and don’t want to go too far, it has The Pem Restaurant, which offers British food and a large wine selection.
Plan your perfect trip to London with more London itineraries, whether you have 24 hours in London or are staying in London for seven days.