Southwark · Food browsing
Browse British cheeses and prepared-food stalls beneath the railway arches.
United Kingdom · River walks, free galleries and a very good lunch
London
London rewards days planned around a stretch of river rather than a checklist. Pair the South Bank with Borough Market, then leave another afternoon for Greenwich’s maritime buildings and hilltop park.
When to go: May, June and September offer comfortable park walks and useful daylight without relying on midsummer weather.
What to pack for London
Water-resistant walking shoes
Pavements between Bankside sights may stay wet long after the rain stops.
Light fleece
Greenwich’s hill and exposed river piers can feel cooler than central streets.
Small gallery bag
A light bag is easier to manage through museum checks and crowded rooms.
- Any brand
Type G plug adapter
UK sockets differ from those in continental Europe.
- Any brand
Power bank
Mobile tickets and transport navigation can occupy your phone all day.
- Any brand
Contactless payment card
Keep a reliable card ready for London’s tap-in transport system.
Blister dressings
Distances inside the British Museum add to the walking between sights.
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Things to do in London
Bankside · Wet-weather art
Break a riverside walk with modern art in a former power station.
Bloomsbury · Ancient history
Choose a few collection rooms rather than attempting the entire museum.
Tower Hill · Royal history
Explore the fortress and Crown Jewels with an advance booking.
City of London · Skyline views
Reserve ahead for an elevated view across the Thames.
Greenwich · Park afternoon
Walk uphill for the view over the maritime district.
Spitalfields · Shopping and snacks
Combine covered independent stalls with an East End lunch.
Notting Hill · Weekend browsing
Browse antiques along Notting Hill’s long market street.
St James’s · Sit-down breakfast
Make a traditional breakfast part of your Piccadilly morning.
What to eat in London
Full English breakfast
Eggs, bacon and the cooked-breakfast trimmings are a reason to visit Regency Cafe in Pimlico.
Where to find itFish and chips
Battered fish with chips is best treated as a chippy meal; Poppie’s is a London option.
Where to find itHouse black daal
Slow-cooked lentils at Dishoom Shoreditch show how central Indian cooking is to eating in London.
Where to find itBacon naan roll
Dishoom Borough wraps bacon in naan for a breakfast that departs from the standard fry-up.
Where to find itBritish cheese
Build a tasting lunch from the specialist traders at Borough Market.
Where to find it
What travelers loved
An easy rail arrival
One six-day visitor described a straightforward Elizabeth line journey to Farringdon using tap-in payment.
Read the originalA practical Blackfriars base
The same report valued a central hotel’s location, clean room and comfortable bed, while noting an air-conditioning drawback.
Read the originalGreenwich fish and chips
A diner in a London food discussion singled out Golden Chippy in Greenwich as a particularly enjoyable meal.
Read the originalParaphrased from public traveler reports; follow each link for the original.
Before you go: health & entry
Routine protection
CDC advises checking routine immunizations before UK travel, including MMR and polio. Source
Measles planning
International travelers should meet CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations before departure. Source
COVID-19
Eligible visitors should be up to date with COVID-19 vaccination; review the country page with your clinician. Source
A summary of public guidance, checked on 2026-10-23. It's not medical advice: see a travel clinic or your doctor 4–6 weeks before you leave.
London travel questions
Do I need an Oyster card for a short London visit?+
Contactless bank cards and mobile wallets work on much of London’s transport network; use the same payment method throughout and check overseas bank fees.
Which London museums are free?+
The British Museum and Tate Modern offer free entry to their main collections, while special exhibitions may require paid tickets.
Is Greenwich worth a separate day?+
Yes: the park, maritime museums and riverside buildings make a coherent outing rather than a quick detour from Westminster.
