We can all agree there is no place like London, and it can be an overwhelming feeling knowing you must see all the things you were told not to miss in this huge, fast-paced city in just a few days. So where do you start? Well to get you started, Home From Home has put together a two day itinerary of the ESSENTIAL experiences all first-time visitors to London must do!

Day 1

Morning:

Preparation for a big day – On your first morning in London we recommend waking up early to get the most out of the day (especially if you are visiting during winter!). First thing’s first, one must buy their very first oyster card and clutch it with pride – you are officially a Londoner! Hop on your first UNDERGROUND train (us Londoners call it a tube not subway) and be amazed at how sleek and fast it is, and how often it arrives – pure genius! Our next stop is breakfast. We have a big day planned and your first English breakfast is essential to keep you kicking on. Remember, you aren’t eating a traditional English breakfast unless there are two eggs, bacon, toast, baked beans and grilled tomato involved! On your walk to the tube, make sure you have the camera at the ready. This is a perfect moment to pose in an iconic phone booth and post it on Facebook or Instagram!

Lunch:

Fun and games on the River Thames – You can’t come all the way to London and not experience the River Thames. There is no shortage of boats which will take you to all the way to Greenwich or up to Hampton Court. There are even boats that cater for lunch and offer comedic commentary – a relaxing and fun lunch which allows you to see all of London’s great riverside landmarks. Cruising down the River is truly an amazing way to see London and one we’d most definitely recommend.

Afternoon:

Tower of London and Tower Bridge – Now is a great time to hop on the ‘Thames Clipper’ river taxi which will whisk you away to the infamous Tower of London – where you’ll find the, almost too sparkling, Crown Jewels and notorious prison. After you visit the Tower walk back down to Tower Bridge and take in the breathtaking views up and down the River Thames. While we are in this neck of the woods we recommend jumping straight back on the ‘Thames Clipper’ and making your way to Westminster. On you trip up the River you will see the impressive Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. Only to be topped by a view of our infamous Big Ben. Be sure to have your cameras/i phones/i pads charged to 100% as this is a social media photo upload opportunity not to be missed!

Evening:

Traditional London pub – It’s been a long and adventurous day and the only way to cool down is to do it like the British. Grab a pint and a bite to eat at one of the many London pubs. Menus range from typical British cuisine to Thai – you can’t go wrong!

Day 2

Morning:

Must see museums – The first day was all about visiting the must see British landmarks. Today is about soaking up the culture and history of London. To get you in the mood we recommend heading to South Kensington to visit the Science Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum. The best bit is that they are absolutely free! You will find the trio of world-class museums all within a few feet of each other in this affluent area of London and it really is worth a visit.

Lunch:

Fish and chips (and maybe some mushy peas!) – After taking in all that information, your brain needs some energy food. Why not experience a delicious and quintessentially British lunch of fish and chips. Britain’s signature dish must have crisp batter on the fish and the chips must be crunchy on the outside and soft inside. Go on, give it a try!

Afternoon:

Visit the Queen – No one can deny it, we all want to catch a glimpse of the royals while we are in this fantastic city and the best way is to visit Buckingham Palace (nearest tube station is Green Park). At the very least we can see a bit of sovereign ceremony while watching the Changing of the Guard – the iconic bearskin-hatted men outside the Palace.

Evening:

WestEnd Theatre Show – The perfect end to the day is to rest your feet and have a good laugh (or even a cry). Sit down and experience astounding British talent on stage. Our favourites include ‘The Book of Mormon’, ‘Wicked’, ‘The Commitments’ and ‘Billy Elliot’ – there is something for everyone!

London is an incredible city, a city that must be visited at least once in your life time, even if it is for a short term stay. We hope this two day itinerary gives first time visitors a starting point for their vacation, but just remember, sometimes the fun of traveling is not knowing what is around the corner. We know you’ll have a blast in our beautiful city no matter what!

Let us know about your first days in London, what you wish you had done – We’d love to know all the great things – and even the bad bits of your vacation in London!

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