Here's an excellent 15-day itinerary for exploring London and its surroundings, focusing on historical landmarks, unique places, gardens, parks, nature, shopping, and gastronomy. The plan includes detailed daily activities, routes, and budget-friendly accommodation and dining options.
### Day 1: Classic London
- **Morning:**
- **Buckingham Palace**: Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony (check schedule in advance).
- **Westminster Abbey**: Explore this iconic church.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Red Lion** (48 Parliament Street, SW1A 2NH): Traditional pub with reasonable prices.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Houses of Parliament and Big Ben**: Take a walk around this historic area.
- **London Eye**: Enjoy panoramic views of the city.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **The Coal Shed** (8 Boyds Walk, London SE1 2SE): Affordable and delicious.
- **Accommodation:**
- **St Christopher's Inn** (161 Borough High Street, London SE1 1HR): Budget-friendly hostel with good facilities.
### Day 2: Historic and Literary London
- **Morning:**
- **British Museum**: Explore the extensive collection (free entry, but donations are welcome).
- **Covent Garden**: Browse the market and enjoy street performances.
- **Lunch:**
- **Dishoom** (12 Upper St Martin's Lane, WC2H 9FB): Great value Indian cuisine.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Charles Dickens Museum**: Visit the home of the famous writer.
- **Explore Soho**: Discover this vibrant area with shops and cafes.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **Borough Market**: Try various street food options.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Clink78 Hostel** (78 Kings Cross Road, London WC1X 9QG): Affordable with a lively atmosphere.
### Day 3: Modern London
- **Morning:**
- **Tate Modern**: Visit this contemporary art museum.
- **St. Paul's Cathedral**: Explore the historic cathedral.
- **Lunch:**
- **Flat Iron** (9/10 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8PS): Delicious steak at a great price.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Walk along the South Bank**: Explore the riverside area, including Borough Market.
- **Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre**: Tour the iconic theatre.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **Hawksmoor Borough** (16 Winchester Walk, London SE1 9AQ): Known for its excellent steak.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Generator Hostel** (37 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SE): Central and budget-friendly.
### Day 4: Royal and Relaxing
- **Morning:**
- **Kensington Palace**: Tour the residence of the British royal family.
- **Hyde Park**: Enjoy a leisurely stroll or boat ride.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Orangery** (Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX): Elegant and reasonably priced.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Victoria and Albert Museum**: Explore this museum of art and design.
- **Harrods**: Visit this famous department store for shopping.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **The Ledbury** (127 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AQ): Affordable gourmet options.
- **Accommodation:**
- **YHA London Central** (104-108 Bolsover Street, London W1W 5NA): Great value and central.
### Day 5: Day Trip to Windsor
- **Morning:**
- **Windsor Castle**: Explore the oldest and largest inhabited castle in
the world. Take the train from London Paddington.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Duchess of Cambridge** (7 High Street, Windsor SL4 1LT):
Traditional pub fare.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Windsor Great Park**: Enjoy a relaxing walk in this expansive park.
- **Explore Windsor**: Stroll through the historic town.
- **Evening:**
- **Return to London**: Have dinner at **The Black Lion** (274 Kilburn
High Road, London NW6 2BY): Affordable pub dining.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Wombat’s City Hostel** (7 Dock Street, London E1 8JN):
Budget-friendly and well-located.
### Day 6: Cultural and Historical London
- **Morning:**
- **Natural History Museum**: Visit this fascinating museum (free
entry).
- **Science Museum**: Explore interactive exhibits.
- **Lunch:**
- **Giraffe** (4-5 Exhibition Road, London SW7 2HF): Casual dining with
good value.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Royal Albert Hall**: Take a tour of this iconic venue.
- **Kensington Gardens**: Relax in the gardens.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **The Golden Hind** (73 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2PN):
Affordable and renowned for its fish and chips.
- **Accommodation:**
- **The Dictionary Hostel** (10-20 Kingsland Road, London E2 8DA):
Affordable and well-located.
### Day 7: Exploring East London
- **Morning:**
- **Tower of London**: Explore the historic castle and see the Crown
Jewels.
- **Tower Bridge**: Walk across this iconic bridge.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Breakfast Club** (12-16 Artillery Lane, London E1 7LS): Enjoy
hearty breakfast and brunch.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Borough Market**: Explore this famous market.
- **Walk along the Thames Path**: Enjoy riverside views.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **The Ship Tavern** (12 Gate Street, London WC2A 3HP):
Traditional pub dining.
- **Accommodation:**
- **The Hoxton Shoreditch** (81 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU):
Stylish and affordable.
### Day 8: Day Trip to Cambridge
- **Morning:**
- **Explore Cambridge**: Visit the historic university city. Take the
train from London Kings Cross.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Eagle** (8 Benet Street, Cambridge CB2 3QN): Traditional pub
with good food.
- **Afternoon:**
- **King’s College Chapel**: Tour this iconic chapel.
- **Punting on the River Cam**: Enjoy a classic Cambridge experience.
- **Evening:**
- **Return to London**: Have dinner at **The Old Queen’s Head** (44
Essex Road, London N1 8LN): Cozy and budget-friendly.
- **Accommodation:**
- **St Christopher's Inn** (161 Borough High Street, London SE1 1HR):
Comfortable and centrally located.
### Day 9: Arts and Shopping
- **Morning:**
- **National Gallery**: Visit this famous art museum.
- **Leicester Square**: Explore the lively area.
- **Lunch:**
- **Dishoom** (12 Upper St Martin's Lane, WC2H 9FB): Enjoy Indian
cuisine at reasonable prices.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Oxford Street**: Shop along London’s famous shopping street.
- **Regent Street and Carnaby Street**: Explore these iconic shopping
areas.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **Polpo** (41 Beak Street, London W1F 9SB): Affordable
Italian dining.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Clink78 Hostel** (78 Kings Cross Road, London WC1X 9QG): Central and
budget-friendly.
### Day 10: Green London
- **Morning:**
- **Hampstead Heath**: Enjoy panoramic views from Parliament Hill.
- **Kenwood House**: Visit this historic house and its grounds.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Spaniards Inn** (Spaniards Road, Hampstead, London NW3 7JJ):
Traditional pub food.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Primrose Hill**: Relax and enjoy the view of the city.
- **Regent's Park**: Explore this beautiful park.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **The Masons Arms** (5 Lonsdale Road, London NW6 6RA):
Cozy and affordable.
- **Accommodation:**
- **YHA London Central** (104-108 Bolsover Street, London W1W 5NA):
Comfortable and budget-friendly.
### Day 11: Historical and Cultural Exploration
- **Morning:**
- **The Victoria and Albert Museum**: Explore this museum of art and
design.
- **Science Museum**: Visit interactive exhibits.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Great Court Restaurant** (Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL):
Located in the British Museum.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Harrods**: Shop or simply browse the iconic department store.
- **South Kensington**: Explore the area and its surroundings.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **The Cadogan Arms** (298 King's Road, London SW3 5UG):
Traditional pub fare.
- **Accommodation:**
- **The Hoxton Holborn** (199-206 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD):
Stylish and budget-friendly.
### Day 12: Day
Trip to Oxford
- **Morning:**
- **Explore Oxford**: Visit the historic university city. Take the train
from London Paddington.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Eagle and Child** (49 St Giles', Oxford OX1 3LU): Famous pub
with a literary history.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Bodleian Library**: Tour this historic library.
- **Christ Church College**: Visit this iconic college.
- **Evening:**
- **Return to London**: Have dinner at **The Queen's Head** (13-15 West
Street, London WC2H 9NE): Affordable and cozy.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Wombat’s City Hostel** (7 Dock Street, London E1 8JN): Central and
budget-friendly.
### Day 13: Hidden Gems of London
- **Morning:**
- **Little Venice**: Take a canal boat trip to explore this charming
area.
- **Regent’s Canal**: Enjoy a scenic walk along the canal.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Waterway** (54 Formosa Street, London W9 2JU): Cozy dining by
the canal.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Notting Hill**: Explore this vibrant and eclectic neighborhood.
- **Portobello Road Market**: Browse the market stalls.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **The Churchill Arms** (119 Kensington Church Street,
London W8 7LN): Traditional pub with great food.
- **Accommodation:**
- **St Christopher's Inn** (161 Borough High Street, London SE1 1HR):
Affordable and centrally located.
### Day 14: London’s South Bank and Beyond
- **Morning:**
- **Borough Market**: Explore this famous food market.
- **Shakespeare’s Globe**: Visit the iconic theatre.
- **Lunch:**
- **Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza** (25-27 Exmouth Market, London EC1R
4QL): Enjoy affordable pizza.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Tate Modern**: Explore contemporary art exhibits.
- **Walk along the South Bank**: Enjoy the riverside area.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **The Clink** (Clink Street, London SE1 9DG): Affordable
and good dining options.
- **Accommodation:**
- **Generator Hostel** (37 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SE):
Budget-friendly and central.
### Day 15: Farewell London
- **Morning:**
- **Camden Market**: Explore this lively market area.
- **Primrose Hill**: Enjoy your last morning with great views of the
city.
- **Lunch:**
- **The Lock Tavern** (35 Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AJ): Casual
dining with good value.
- **Afternoon:**
- **Last-minute Shopping**: Explore any remaining shops or markets.
- **Relax in a Café**: Enjoy a final coffee or pastry.
- **Evening:**
- **Dinner at **The Masons Arms** (5 Lonsdale Road, London NW6 6RA):
Cozy and affordable.
- **Departure**: Head to the airport or train station for your
departure.
### Accommodation Summary:
- **Budget Hotels**: St Christopher's Inn, Clink78 Hostel, Generator
Hostel, Wombat’s City Hostel.
- **Comfortable Options**: The Dictionary Hostel, The Hoxton Shoreditch,
The Hoxton Holborn, YHA London Central.
### Dining Recommendations:
- **Affordable**: Dishoom, The Breakfast Club, The Coal Shed, The
Cadogan Arms, The Eagle and Child.
- **Mid-Range**: Flat Iron, The Ledbury, Polpo, The Queen's Head.
Feel free to adjust the itinerary based on your interests and
preferences. Enjoy your time in London!
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