
London cherishes its duality: it fully embraces history and stiff upper lip traditions alongside the cutting-edge and the new, whether through its clubby residential five star hotels, its dynamic art and architecture or its buzzy theater and restaurant scenes. This should come as no surprise, as its name is derived from the Celtic word Londinios, which means the place of the bold one. Keep calm and carry on, indeed.
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Perfect forArt Lovers | Families | Foodies | Intellectuals | Romantics
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When to goYear-Round
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Ideal length of stay3-5 Nights
Designing Your Journey
Work with Indagare to design the perfect itinerary for an immersive journey. Our travel experts know the destination inside and out, and they can make recommendations based on your travel needs and preferences.
- Courtesy Adi Ulici
3 Days: Essential London
Although three days doesn’t offer enough time to experience all of London’s highlights, Indagare can customize your trip with after-hours museum tours, a private viewing of the Crown Jewels, a tour of Arsenal’s stadium and more. Here is just one example of what our destination experts can create for you.
Day 1
The best way to get your bearings on day one is to tour with a guide who can offer a quick introduction to the icons (Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey) and escort you through a private tour of the State Apartments at Buckingham Palace or Spencer House, the ancestral home of Princess Diana. A nice way to spend the afternoon is by shopping in one of London’s prime neighborhoods. Finish the day with dinner at a classic British establishment or hot spot eatery.
Day 2
Watch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace and then explore Hyde Park. Pop into the Serpentine Gallery and check out the latest exhibition before continuing on to Kensington Palace, once home to Princess Diana and now to Kate, Will, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Don’t miss the exhibition of Diana’s dresses, the King’s Gallery and finish with a break for tea at the Orangery. For even more art, continue on to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Tonight, partake in a classic London experience and attend the theater.
Day 3
Hit the iconic Tower of London, most famous for four things: the Crown Jewels, the Beefeaters, the Ravens and for being a prison and site of execution. The Tower witnessed the beheading of two of Henry VIIIs wives: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Tours of the National Gallery and British Museum or a stop at the Churchill Warm Rooms are just a few of the attractions that can be included in the afternoon. To end the day, Indagare can arrange a private yacht cruise along the Thames River.
Where To Stay
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special perks, including upgrades, early check-in, spa credits, and more. Look for the Indagare Plus logo in the reviews.
- Courtesy Maybourne Hotel GroupRead More
The Connaught Hotel
There’s an unmistakable sense of dignity and gravitas at the Connaught—its atmosphere, architecture and staff seem to say, “Welcome. This is how you run a proper hotel.” For nearly a century after it opened in 1897, the Connaught was operated...
- Courtesy Maybourne Hotel GroupRead More
The Berkeley
Though it is a British institution that dates from the 1890s (and has been in its current location since 1972), The Berkeley has had no difficulty keeping up with the times, adapting to draw a younger, more fashionable crowd. The...
- Courtesy Maybourne Hotel GroupRead More
Claridge’s
Claridge’s has arguably been London’s top hotel since 1860, when Queen Victoria visited the property. In all the years since it has remained popular with kings, prime ministers, presidents, captains of industry, society figures, movie stars and anyone else with...
- Lounge at Ham Yard Hotel, London, EnglandRead More
Ham Yard Hotel
Straddling the border between London’s buzzy theater district and fashionable Mayfair, the chic ninety-one-room Ham Yard complex encircles a tree-lined courtyard around the corner from Piccadilly Circus.
- Courtesy of the Belmond Cadogan HotelRead More
Belmond Cadogan Hotel
Located in London's sophisticated and art-forward neighborhood of Chelsea, the Belmond Cadogan Hotel has 54 rooms and suites, a storied history and a chic atmosphere that makes staying here feel more like staying at the home of a very stylish friend.