A detailed, lived‑in, story‑rich guide to London in 5 days
London had been on our travel wish list for years, one of those “one day” destinations that felt almost mythical from the other side of the world. When we finally boarded a 24‑hour flight from Australia, we knew the trip would be unforgettable. What we didn’t expect was how often our carefully planned itinerary would get thrown out the window… and how those spontaneous pivots would become the best parts of our journey.
This is our real, unfiltered 5 day London itinerary: the early mornings, the rainstorms, the Tube rides, the museums, the landmarks, the food, the chaos, the nostalgia, the laughter, and the moments that made us fall completely in love with the city. If you’re planning London in 5 days, this guide blends practical tips with our lived experience, the kind of details you only learn by actually being there.
Quick 5‑Day London Itinerary (What We Actually Did)
Day 1 – London Arrival
- Arrive Heathrow
- Walk Bloomsbury
- St Paul’s Cathedral – Explore crypt + dome views
- Dinner at Museum Tavern
- Early night (in BBC Heaven)
Day 2
- First Tube ride to Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park
- Natural History Museum
- Science Museum gaming exhibition
- Dinner at Bloomsbury Tavern
Day 3
- British Museum
- London Eye
- Big Ben & Westminster
- Battersea Power Station
- Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza
Day 4
- Buckingham Palace at sunrise
- St James’s Park
- Westminster Abbey
- Thames River cruise
- Borough Market
- Piccadilly Circus & Covent Garden
Day 5
- The Green Park
- Buckingham Palace
- St James Park
- Parliament tour
- Harrods
- West End show (Mrs Doubtfire)
Day 1: Surviving a 24‑Hour Flight, Exploring St Paul’s & Ending the Night in BBC Heaven
After 24 hours in the air, we landed at Heathrow tired but excited. We’d just enjoyed a surprisingly good Qantas breakfast, even if we were a little jet‑lagged. Our driver greeted us with stories about growing up in London, pointing out landmarks as we crawled through morning traffic. It was the perfect welcome: warm, chatty, and very British.
We arrived at our Bloomsbury hotel around 9am, far too early for check‑in and set ourselves one mission: stay awake until 8pm to beat the jet lag. With hours to fill, London right outside the door, and no plan for our first day, we decided to walk from Bloomsbury to St Paul’s Cathedral.
London’s First Hello: Rain
Halfway there, London greeted us with a sudden burst of rain. Not a drizzle. Not a polite mist. A full soaking. We had umbrellas, Kathmandu jackets, and water bottles… but none of it mattered. By the time we reached St Paul’s, our shoes squelched with every step.
Inside St Paul’s Cathedral
The moment we stepped inside, the exhaustion lifted. The cathedral swallowed the noise of the city, replacing it with quiet awe. We climbed to the second level for sweeping views of London, spotting The Shard through the mist. Down in the crypt, we wandered past the tombs of famous British figures, a surreal moment after being awake for nearly two days.
The Boot Incident
On the walk back, I realised the sole of my “waterproof” boot had completely fallen off. London: 1. My footwear: 0.
Dinner at the Museum Tavern
After binning my boots and changing into dry clothes, we headed to the Museum Tavern for dinner. The food was fantastic, the beer even better, and our young fella fell asleep before his meal even arrived. Head down, out cold.
By 8pm, we were in bed, drifting off to the comforting hum of British TV – or as Austin Powers would call it, “BBC Heaven.”
Day 2: Our First Tube Ride, Kensington Gardens Magic & A Nostalgic Museum Day
We woke up surprisingly refreshed. I immediately turned on the BBC so I could sing the “BBC Heaven” song again, a ritual that continued for the rest of the trip, much to everyone else’s despair.
Our First Tube Ride
We grabbed a Costa toasty and coffee before catching our first Tube. The warmth, the rumble, the speed, it felt like teleporting across the city. Efficient, clean, and strangely cosy.
Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park
We arrived at Queensway Station and stepped straight into Kensington Gardens, wandering past:
- Kensington Palace
- The Albert Memorial
- A giant pumpkin sculpture
- The “Time Flies” bird sanctuary
The parks were peaceful, green, and full of dogs living their best lives. I loved watching locals ride to work through the park, what a privilege to have this as your daily commute.
Natural History Museum & Science Museum
The Natural History Museum was stunning! All grand halls and towering dinosaur skeletons, with an enormous whale suspended from the main hall’s ceiling. But the highlight of the day was the Science Museum’s gaming exhibition. We played Halo multiplayer, Mario, and even Lemmings on an Amiga 500! My first computer. Nostalgia level: maximum.
Dinner at the Bloomsbury Tavern
We ended the day with a beef pie and Spitfire beer at the Bloomsbury Tavern. Simple, hearty, perfect.
Day 3: The British Museum, London Eye Views, Battersea Power Station & Gordon Ramsay Pizza
The British Museum
We started at the British Museum, just a short walk from our hotel. I’d prepared well in advance, booking our free tickets months earlier, and I immediately understood why. The line was enormous, stretching around the corner of the massive block. The building itself is incredible, with its Roman‑style façade and the enormous domed roof that greets you as you walk inside. Once in, we explored Ancient Egypt, the Rosetta Stone, and countless artefacts “collected” during the British Empire.
London Eye & Big Ben
From Holborn, we took the Tube to Waterloo for our ride on the London Eye. This was also our first close-up look at Big Ben and Westminster. Seeing them in person after years of dreaming felt surreal.
Inside the Eye, we chatted with a group of older Americans on their first trip outside the US. They were having the time of their lives.
Battersea Power Station & Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza
Next, we visited the beautifully restored Battersea Power Station and did a bit of shopping. Inside, there are great stores, plenty of restaurants, and even a lift that takes you up through one of the chimneys for a truly unique view of London. Then we had unlimited pizza at Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza. Pricey but we absolutely got our money’s worth.
We returned to Bloomsbury before sunset, grabbed snacks from Sainsbury’s, and relaxed with tea.
Day 4: Buckingham Palace at Sunrise, Westminster Abbey, a Thames Cruise & Surviving Saturday Crowds
Buckingham Palace at Sunrise
We started early again, grabbing Starbucks at The Green Park before feeding walnuts to the squirrels. Arriving at Buckingham Palace early meant we had it almost entirely to ourselves, a rare and magical moment.
St James’s Park & Westminster Abbey
We walked through St James’s Park, admiring the classic view of the London Eye above the trees. After a full English breakfast, we headed to Westminster Abbey (book ahead, seriously!).
Inside, we stood among kings, queens, poets, and scientists. Afterwards, we explored Big Ben from every angle.
Thames River Cruise & Borough Market
We took a Thames River cruise with hilarious guides and got off at the Tower of London. Instead of another museum, we crossed Tower Bridge and headed into the chaos of Borough Market on a Saturday. It was packed, loud, and full of energy.
Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden & Dinner
We took the Tube to Piccadilly Circus and got caught in a protest inside the carriage, complete with a megaphone. Only in London.
We finished the day with dinner at The Nags Head at Covent Garden before wandering back to Bloomsbury for snacks and tea.
Day 5: Buckingham Palace at Dawn (Again), Touring Parliament, Getting Lost in Harrods & A West End Finale
For our final full day, we revisited favourites before ending with something completely different.
Buckingham Palace, Round Two
On our way to the Parliament tour we arrived early again, which meant we had the entire front of the palace almost to ourselves. A peaceful, golden morning.
Touring the Palace of Westminster
Our Parliament tour was one of the most fascinating experiences of the trip. You can’t take photos inside, but the interiors are spectacular. We stood inside both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, the contrast is huge.
You can even stand where the Prime Minister stands during debates. Just make sure you book ahead; it’s not available every day.
Getting Lost in Harrods
We made a quick detour to Harrods, which turned into a full-blown maze. Endless rooms, escalators, hallways… and somehow we never found the food hall.
A West End Finale
For our final London experience, we chose a West End show over the Imperial War Museum and booked tickets to Mrs Doubtfire. Hilarious, energetic, and the perfect finale.
We ended the night with snacks, tea, and that bittersweet feeling of not wanting to leave.
The next morning, we boarded the Eurostar to Paris, already homesick for London.
What We Learned (Real Experience Tips)
Book the big attractions in advance
Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Parliament tours, and the London Eye all require pre‑booking, even the free ones.
Arrive early for iconic spots
Buckingham Palace at sunrise is a completely different experience than midday crowds.
The Tube is your best friend
Fast, warm, reliable, and surprisingly easy to navigate. Download the TfL Go app! it makes getting around the Tube effortless.
Rain is part of the experience
Pack your umbrella (Or at least shoes that don’t lose their soles on day one.)
London rewards spontaneity
Some of our best moments came from ditching the plan entirely, like choosing a West End show over another museum.
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
Spend more time in London’s parks
They’re stunning, peaceful, and incredibly walkable, with so much to see. Rent bikes, wander the paths, or just sit under the trees for a while. London is big, busy, and full of sensory overload, a slower afternoon in the parks would’ve been perfect.
Visit the Imperial War Museum & The Tower of London
We skipped them for Mrs Doubtfire. No regrets, but it’s still on the list.
Plan a dedicated Harrods visit
It’s a maze. A fun maze. But a maze.