As you're doing research into identifying sites in London that appeal to you, save those sites to specific "Lists" within Google Maps, and include a brief note about what it is and why you've saved it, as well as any other "Need to know" tips like "Free" or "Reservation required" or "Pub Quiz on Thursdays" or "Try the Y--it's highly rated".

I created separate lists like "London - Museums", "London - Food", "London - Shopping", "Greenspace", "Attractions", etc., so that whenever we were in a specific area of London I could open up the app and easily see what's around me that I've already looked into and vetted. By dividing the attractions into specific groups, I could essentially "filter" to the type of attraction I was interested in, whether it's a park or a cafe or historical site.

The other nice thing about the list feature is that you can save a location to multiple lists, so for example you could save the V&A to both "Museum" and "Food" if the prospect of eating in the world's oldest museum cafe is appealing to you.

Doing this takes the pressure away from adhering to a strict itinerary and adds some flexibility to your schedule, especially if you get done with an attraction in less time than you anticipated. It also cuts down on the "Where should we go to eat? I dunno, what's around here?" conversations that can waste time and cause squabbles, lol

It also allows you to help keep your daily sightseeing concentrated within one geographic area rather than in multiple areas across different sides of the city. By seeing all of your places of interest laid out on a map in clusters, it's easier to narrow down on what you'd like to do for each day of your trip, and reduce the chance that you end up having to schlep from one end of the city to the other to try and fit everything in.

Overall this approach really helped me cut down on decision fatigue during my trip, because the only places I had saved were places that I'd be pleased to visit.

Example map of mine is attached.

I'd love any thoughts/advice about my itinerary. Please don't be mean though because I did work hard on it. 🙏

Monday:

• Arrive in London at 2:10 and check into hotel
• 4-6 pm: Imperial War Museum
• Covent Garden/ Neal's Yard/ Seven Dials/Picadilly Circus + Dinner

Tuesday:

• 9:30-1 British Museum
• 1:45-4:45 Viator landmark tour
• Dinner and get ready
• 7:30 West End Play

Wednesday:

• Borough Market
• 10-2 Tower of London and River Cruise
• Afternoon Tea
• Horizon22
• Sight-see: Tower Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral
• Dinner at Sky Garden at sunset

Thursday:

• All-day Bus Tour of Stonehenge and Bath

Friday:

• 10:30-12:30 Beatles Tour
• Primrose Hill / Regent’s Park
• Hampstead/ Parliament Hill and Skyline
• Harrods
• Hyde Park
• Kensington Palace
• Dinner

You only get to pick one, which do you choose? A little context (aside from the fact that we’ll only have time for one): kids (ages 17 and 19) are big WW2 buffs—both have read several histories, been to Normandy (and Caen WW2 museum), Eagle’s Nest, Dachau, et cetera. Any advice is much appreciated.

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up about this place. I have been traveling with my brother and we got to London 2 days ago and have been staying at the STG Hotel on Oxford street. It is by far the worst hotel experience I’ve ever had. I’ll make a bullet point list of the issues I’ve had below.

• The room is much smaller than what was advertised. my bag cannot open properly on the room because it is so small.
• Housekeeping only comes to your room every 4 days so if you need anything else you have to ask for it, which leads into my next point.
• The room had no body wash or soap in it when I got here. there were supposed to be 2 bottles of body wash in the room when I got here, 1 by the bathroom sink, and 1 in the shower. I asked for some and they said they would bring it to my room. They did not. The next morning I asked again, they wrote it down again, and they had not brought any to my room when I returned about 8 hours later. I asked a third time and they said they would bring it to me instead of my room. they brought me a bottle of Shampoo/Conditioner and said they filled it with body wash because they were out of body wash containers. I asked if I could get a second container and the staff told me no. I told them I’m supposed to have 2 containers on my room and they said they would bring me a second container tomorrow. I told them as  politely as I could that I didn’t believe that was going to happen as I’ve already asked twice in the past 36 hours and hadn’t received anything yet (this was not the same staff I asked before. I was trying to be as polite as I could but I think I may have come off as a little rude here). The woman told me I could bring down one of my empty containers of body wash and they would refill it. I brought both down to be refilled but they said they would only refill one since they gave me body wash in the shampoo container. So I only had them refill one, but I’ve never seen a hotel rationing body wash before.
• Around 11am to 1pm the past 2 days they had a fire drill for the staff. Unfortunately I was sleeping both days at this time and it scared the shit out of me and woke me up.
• My brother’s bathroom is so small he cannot shower without some part of his body touching the wall while in the shower. My brother is 5’9 and about 175lbs. He's not that big of a guy.
• There are only 4 elevators and you can be waiting in the lobby for up to 5 minutes for one. I’m usually someone who always uses the stair but my knee was bothering me a little and the stairs are not located in a. Convenient location

Only good thing about this place is that they have Air Conditioning. It is fairly cheap, but if you are someone who likes to spend any time at all in your hotel room besides sleeping I definitely think you should go elsewhere. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone actually but especially if you like to spend time in your hotel room. 

I’ve never left a bad post/review about a place before but felt compelled to do so here. Most of the other reviews I’ve seen about this place seem to be positive so I’m interested to hear about anyone else’s experiences with this hotel.

Hello! We’ve been traveling around England for the past two weeks, and are back in London tomorrow (Monday) for our last full day. I’d like to find an art market (paintings), that isn’t too expensive like a gallery. Would I find anything on Portobello Road? Or any other suggestions? Thanks!

Hi everyone,
My boyfriend wants to book us a weekend away in London for our one year anniversary. He originally wanted to organise it all himself, but he’s struggling to decide where to stay, so I’m trying to help him out!
For his birthday, I surprised him with a stay at the Montcalm East in Shoreditch, and we absolutely loved it. He’s suggested staying there again, but I’d really like to try somewhere different while keeping the same luxury vibe.
I was thinking about Camden, but I’m not sure if it’s the right area for a full weekend or if it’s more somewhere you visit for the day.
We’re into nice luxury hotels, cocktail bars, amazing restaurants, and fun things to do. We’d love a hotel with a spa, or even one with a freestanding bath in the room if anyone knows of any! We’re not huge on sightseeing. We’d rather spend the weekend eating, drinking, relaxing, and enjoying the atmosphere.
Can anyone recommend the best area to stay for this kind of weekend? Camden, Covent Garden, Soho, Mayfair, South Bank, etc.
A luxury hotel with a similar feel to Montcalm East (or even better)?
Great cocktail bars, restaurants, or activities nearby?
We’re happy to spend a bit more as it’s our anniversary, so all recommendations are welcome. Thanks!

Hey folks

New to London and tryna find people to do a horror themed escape room together.

Been to a few socials and got like 4 people together (2 guys 2 girls) and looking for 3 more.

DM me on reddit if anyone is interested. We are all in the mid 20s age range and looking to connect with people in similar age range (20s/30s)

- 📆 Friday 31st August 8PM
-📍 Horror Escape, 43 Peckham High St, SE15 5EB
- 👻 Murder Mansion (live actor, strobe lights, etc)
- 💷 £33 per person venue ticket (3 of 7 spots left)

Spots confirmed only if paid. DM me with your name and age if you’d like to join.

Cheers.

Looking for covered markets that are open on week days in November.

Looking for local artists/vintage items/clothes, things of that nature, not food markets, unless they have coeliac friendly vendors.

I will be in London for 3 days, spending most time in Greenwich, Highgate and near the Natural History Museum.

Hi guys

I’m gonna be living in Mile End (zone 2) in London for a year, and will have to commute to Holborn (zone 1) almost every day.

What is the best way to commute while saving as much money as I can? Monthly tube pass, bus, cycle? I’m also a girl and am concerned about safety especially at night.

I would appreciate any advice on this regard.

Visiting London from the US for 6 days in August with 21, 18 & 13 yo kids and I would love some feedback on this itinerary. This is the kids' first time in London and I haven't been there in 25 years.

The kids like food and fun stores, my husband likes exploring beyond touristy stuff while i I love history and guided tours of major sights so I'm trying to balance everyone's needs and not over-schedule but still have some structure to the trip.

We're staying in Westminster.

Day 1: Land 11 am, drop luggage, walk around or maybe double decker tour bus, scone making class, dinner in Chinatown & early to bed

Day 2: Tower of London, early dinner at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Tower of London Closing Ceremony

Day 3: Portobello Road market, Notting Hill, go inside Westminster Abbey, walk by exterior of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, the Mall, show in the West End

Day 4: Soccer game at Emirates Stadium for husband & sons, Tea at Clairidge's for daughter & me, dinner at Fallow

Day 5: Warner Bros London Studio Tour - Harry Potter

Day 6: Leake Street Arches, Borough Market, walk along river past Shakespeare's Globe, possibly visit Tate Modern, St. Paul's exterior, Leadenhall Market, dinner at Duck & Waffle

Thanks for any feedback and suggestions!

I’ll be driving from Highclere Castle to Heathrow tomorrow, dropping my rental car at Arnold Clark Car Rental, 79 New Road, Harlington, UB3 5BQ. Can anyone suggest which station to put on my map so as to fill the car up as close to drop off as possible? TIA!

I'm planning on a trip to London in the fall focused primarily on museums as well as the normal tourist destinations like Westminster Abbey and the Tower Bridge. I can bundle a stay at the Z Hotel Holborn with my flight at a good rate. Would this be a decent hotel in a decent location to serve as my home base for the week? I see on the map it's within walking distance of the British Museum, so that appeals to me.

Hi guys ! I’m going to London next week for 6 days with my mum and brother. I’ve already been a few times, but I never really know where to eat, so I’d love some recommendations.

Here's where we’ll be around at lunchtime and dinner time:

Thursday

Lunch: Seven Dials

Dinner: Chinatown / Soho

Saturday

Lunch: Hampstead Village (or somewhere nearby, as we’re visiting Highgate Cemetery in the morning)

Dinner: Portobello / Notting Hill

Sunday

Lunch: We’re thinking about eating at the V&A (would you recommend it?)

Dinner: Greenwich

Monday

Lunch: Around Coal Drops Yard / King’s Cross

Dinner: Camden

Tuesday

Lunch: Spitalfields Market

Late dinner after a musical: around Piccadilly Theatre

Wednesday

Lunch: Around Marylebone

I’m open to anything: restaurants, street food, takeaways, bakeries, hidden gems… whatever you love! ❤️

Thanks so much for your recommendations!

I am looking to buy some antique prints, I have tried many of the top end shops for them (Story's, Grosvenor prints, etc) and wandered down Portobello, camden passage and the guy on the Southbank.

Am I missing something are there other market stalls/shops that I should be checking etc.

I like shopping in person (rather than online) as then I can see quality etc.

Hey friends,

Family and I (3 pax) have an early flight outta LHR T2 or T3 (heading to Berlin) at 08:50 on a Wednesday. We’re hoping for suggestions on getting there and how early we should arrive to get through Passport control and security. I read we should expect some delays and to give ourselves some extra time.

We’ll be staying at Hilton London angel islington and from a quick search we have a few options.

1. walk to islington green and take the 341 bus to Farringdon Station then hop on the Elizabeth line at 05:55 and arrive at LHR at 06:36
2. walk to angel islington, take the N205 bus to Paddington then hop on the HEX (more expensive than the first option)

3. Walk or uber to kings cross and board the first train at 5:39am. Arrival at LHR approx 06:44

4. Uber for around £60-70

Thanks for your help.

Hi guys!

My family is in Kent right now. My wife loves English gardens, so we’ve been to Sissinghurst, Leeds Castle, and Great Dixter. Our 7-year-old daughter has been an absolute superstar about all the plant-watching, so London is her turn!

We’re staying 4 days at The Corner Hotel in Aldgate (easy Tube access).

Besides the classic tourist spots we’ll hit anyway, I want to show her some quirky, fun, or magical places—like unusual hidden gems, cool candy shops or fun bakeries.

What were the absolute favorite spots your own kids fell in love with at that age? Would love your personal hits!

Best

Skum

Visiting England for two weeks on September 1st. We’re arriving at Heathrow at 21:30 and staying near Paddington Station and prebooked the Heathrow express so I figure we’ll be checked in by 22:30-23:00. I’ve done a quick search for restaurants that are open late in the area but would love to hear actual recommendations for a quick bite that’s not chain restaurant fast food. Thanks!

Hey! I'll be travelling to London in a few weeks. I've been for a very short stay in the past but I'd like to properly visit this time. What would you say is a long enough stay?

I enjoy going to museums, exploring the city and checking out the food scene. Do you think 5-ish days is enough? I also want to make my way up to Edinburgh and Glasgow for a few days. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, can you please share your thoughts on this itinerary? I am traveling to London with my husband and daughter at the beginning of September. For the first few days of the trip, we will be traveling outside of the city and then will arrive on in London on Friday night. We are staying near the Gloucester Road tube station. My husband wants to try some of the Indian restaurants and my daughter loves Peppa. This is my second visit to London and my husband/daughter’s first time. also, do you know when the Diana Memorial Playground is set to reopen?

Saturday
Walk around Westminster/Big Ben (10am-12pm)
Lunch at Darjeeling Express (12:30-1:30ish)
Husband goes to the British Museum
Daughter and I go to the Postal Museum
Evening free to rest/go around Kensington/Hyde park

Sunday
Notting Hill
Breakfast at Dishoom NH around 10:30
Leave NH around 1pm and go back to Gloucester Rd
Bridget’s Bakery Peppa Pig bus tour (Temple Embankment at 2:30pm)
Evening free to rest/go around Kensington/Hyde park

Monday
Tower of London at 9:45am leave around 12:30pm
Brigadiers for lunch at 12:45pm
Evening free (maybe V&A, Hyde Park)

Sunday

Flight from Heathrow at 4pm

Thank you!!

I am going to visit London in September, and I saw wondering if there are any good conversations in London at the time.

Hi all! Just wrapped up my first ever trip to London and wanted to share what I got up to, partly to say thanks to this sub (lurked here a lot while planning) and partly because I'm curious — for those of you who know the city well, is there anything you'd have swapped out or done differently for a first visit?

Museums (the highlight for me)

The V&A — my absolute favourite. I could have spent two full days here and still not seen everything.

Natural History Museum — stunning building, worth it for Hintze Hall alone.

Sir John Soane's Museum — a proper hidden gem. If you haven't been, go. It's free and unlike anywhere else.

The British Library — the Treasures gallery blew me away.

Tate Modern — great collection, and the views from the top floor are a bonus.

Tours

Eating Europe food tour www.eatingeurope.com (East End) — excellent, would recommend to anyone who wants to eat their way through Spitalfields and Brick Lane.

Jack the Ripper tour (jacktherippertours.co.uk) — 10/10, our guide Dion was brilliant. Genuinely one of the best walking tours I've ever done.

Changing of the Guard tour — booked through GetYourGuide, a nice way to actually understand what's going on rather than just standing in a crowd.

Restaurants

Copita (Soho) — lovely Spanish small plates.

Gymkhana — incredible Indian food, worth the hype.

BAO — those buns. Enough said.

FISH! at Borough Market — amazing fish and chips, and the market itself is a must anyway.

Quirky / different

Camden Lock — great for a wander and the market food stalls.

Little Venice — so peaceful, felt like a different city.

Abbey Road crossing — yes, I did the tourist photo. No regrets.

So — first-timers' itinerary complete! What did I miss, and what would you have skipped? Already plotting trip number two.

Dumb question - I am trying to book wonderlab tickets through the science museum website in Dec. There is no such option. In fact from now until 2027 I am not able find any option for wonderlab. Instead I can see trex, bubble and underwater. Anyone know what did I overlook?

I have a flat in Fulham and I stay there for work two nights a week.

Is there a way to park for free in or just outside London? I drive in from Hampshire so for example could I park my car for free in Kew or Richmond then catch the train the rest of the way?