Wednesday, 3 August 2022
London is one of the most diverse, interesting and energetic cities in the world. There’s so much to do in the English capital that visitors often find themselves spoilt for choice. If you’re planning a whistle stop tour of London, we’ve drilled down some of the absolute must-sees so you can make the most of your time there.
Arrive at St Pancras
You’ve pulled into London St Pancras and you’re raring to go. But where to go first? After quickly dropping your bags off at the nearby and very stylish Pullman St Pancras - it’s time to get some food!
St Pancras International to Green Park - Piccadilly/Victoria Line (4 stops)
Located in the heart of Piccadilly, The Wolseley is an acclaimed European café-restaurant boasting wonderful food and atmosphere. Breakfast is served in its grand dining rooms with everything from traditional English breakfasts to fresh smoothies.
Explore historical Westminster
From here, you’re in the perfect location to explore some of the historic grandeur that London has to offer. Take a stroll through the beautiful Green Park and take a second to appreciate one of the many open, green spaces in the big city! After passing the Canada Memorial, you’ll find yourself head on with the stunning Buckingham Palace.
Discover Soho one of the city’s most vibrant districts
From the Palace, take a walk - or a quick scooter ride to Soho. Here, you’ll find a plethora of eateries where you can enjoy some well-deserved lunch! Tongue & Brisket is the place to go if you want a sandwich big enough to keep you going through to dinner time, whereas Keu Deli brings fresh and authentic Saigon street food straight to your table. They even have a grab & go option, if you’re strapped for time.
After you’ve fuelled yourself, take a walk around one of London’s most vibrant districts. Soho is home to the Notre Dame de France - the first cast-iron church in London. Walk inside the church to find one of the city’s more unusual sights - a series of murals by French artist, writer and film director, Jean Cocteau.
Tottenham Court Road to St Paul’s - Central Line (3 stops)
Venture into St Paul’s Cathedral
Once you’ve hopped off the tube at St Paul’s, head towards the cathedral itself, whilst taking in breathtaking views of the City of London. With one of the largest cathedral domes in the world, St Paul’s Cathedral is undeniably iconic. Explore all of the cathedral’s monuments, and look for the scorch marks on the base of some of them, as a result of the Great Fire of London back in 1666.
Venture down to the crypt and discover the tombs and memorials of some of the nation’s greatest heroes, or head upstairs to visit the Stone and Golden Galleries to take in some of the most spectacular views across London. If you’re looking to enjoy even more history, the Museum of London - just a stone's throw away from St Paul’s is full of artefacts and interactives that chronicle London's turbulent history from pre-Roman to modern times.
The Sky Garden is also a must-see in the City of London! The famous enlarged glass dome - also known as the Walkie Talkie building, is home to three storeys of beautiful landscaped gardens on the 43rd floor. Grab a coffee and discover all of the flowers and fauna, or take a seat and admire the view of the UK capital. Don’t forget to book in advance - the free access tickets are released each Monday.
Bank to Waterloo - Waterloo & City Line (nonstop)
Enjoy views of the city as the sun goes down
London’s Southbank is a constant hive of activity and there’s plenty here to keep you entertained for the evening. Take a stroll along the street-art-clad Leake Street Arches and quirky Gabriel’s Wharf. If you’re still feeling peckish, pick up some street food or stop for a drink in one of the many bars.
Once you’ve had a wander around, head to the iconic London Eye to get a birds eye view of the city as the sun goes down. Enjoy 360° moving views from the heart of the city whilst overlooking the places you visited earlier including Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral. You can even see as far as Windsor Castle on a good day!
Book your tickets to the London Eye with us.
See the sights by night
Take a stroll along the river towards Southbank and enjoy the sights of London by night. Take in a show at Shakespeare’s Globe, or head to the Tate Modern for one of their late night openings (just check it’s open before you make your way over!)
If you’ve booked in advance, enjoy a fancy dinner and drinks in the Shard , or if you’d prefer to stay on solid ground, the railway arches of London Bridge Station are home to a number of great eateries and places to enjoy a drink, including Lobo Meat & Tapas , Whiskey Ginger , and The Globe Tavern .
London Bridge Station to Kings Cross St Pancras - Northern Line (5 stops)
The following morning after a leisurely meander to the station, hop on board your comfortable East Midlands Railway service, and head home!
24 hours in London is certainly not enough time to uncover everything that it has to offer, but is a good amount of time to scratch the surface. And with regular services from the East Midlands direct to London, there’s every opportunity to keep revisiting time and time again! Don’t forget, we now have earlier and later trains into and out of London as well as faster travel times, so you’ve got more options than ever to make it to the capital.