Planning a 48-hour itinerary can be tough, especially when there’s a multitude of places you’ll want to explore, chow-down at and discover on your visit to London! Pack your big boots, there’s plenty of ground to cover.
Spoiler alert: you’ll be hard-pressed to include everything, but you’ll sure give it a good try. That, or you’ll just have to keep coming back until you’ve ticked everything off your snazzy bucket list.
Take a look below at our complete guide to spending an action-packed 48 hours in our incredible city, London.
Your First Day In London
Dishoom for Breakfast
After you’ve had a revitalising sleep in one of our luxury suites, we suggest you saunter on over to Dishoom, the restaurant housed within a former cinema. Here, you will be transported back to the golden age of Bombay jazz. This place is not only breakfast goals but also an experience you’ll thank a hearty appetite for. It’s cosy, authentic and you can admire the old family photos on the walls as you sip your English Breakfast Assam. The menu here is packed with scrumptious flavour. They say you should breakfast like a King and that’s exactly what you’ll be doing here.
Photo by Dishoom Kensington Where: Kensington
Portobello Road Market
After breakfast, make your way over to Notting Hill to visit the world’s largest antique market. Portobello Road Market is open all week, but Saturday is one of the best days to discover it in full swing. You’ll find numerous restaurants, pubs, stalls, street performers and the most electric atmosphere along the most eclectic street. All the curiosities are yours to explore.
Photo by Portobelloroad.co.uk
Where: Notting Hill
Borough Market for Lunch
If you’re feeling ambitious, why not cover two markets in one day. Borough Market is one of the oldest and largest food markets in London. The food choice here is off the charts and while most stalls tend to take debit/credit cards, it definitely wouldn’t hurt to carry some cash. You’ll also find one of London’s most romantic restaurants perched inside Borough Market and you can read more about that here.
Photo by Julian Hochgesang
Where: Southwark Street
Sir John Soane’s Museum
If you’re looking for something a little quirkier than the typical tourist stops, tube your way over to Lincoln’s Inn Fields by Holborn station to the extraordinary home of British architect Sir John Soane. One of his many famous projects is the iconic Bank of England. Soane repurposed his own house for students of architecture. He requested that his house was preserved, exactly how it was arranged at the time of his death and was kept open and free for inspiration and education. Upon his death in 1837, Trustees took on the responsibility of upholding Soane’s wishes.
Photo by Gareth Gardner
Where: Lincoln’s Inn Fields
SUSHISAMBA for Dinner
Written by Jenny Conlon
Written by Jenny Conlon
During your 48 hour jaunt in London, relishing our famous skyline is a must. Granted, there’s plenty of choice, but there are few where you can indulge in the finest sushi for dinner as you gaze over the beautiful 360-degree city view. SUSHISAMBA is located on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower, so you can expect fine dining with spectacular views. This is what we call killing two birds with one stone and the perfect finish to your first day in London.
Where: 110 Bishopsgate
Your Second Day In London
Kensington Palace
Seize the day and start day two with a walk or a run around the stunning grounds of Kensington Palace, which is a glorious 15-minute walk from The Harrington. There are also a number of daily exhibitions taking place within the palace if you want to stick around and walk in the footsteps of royalty.
Photo by Amy-Leigh Barnard
Where: Kensington
Harrods for Lunch
Harrods is known as the world’s most famous department store. If you’re looking for a luxurious shopping experience, this is the ideal spot. Their ground floor consists of the Food Halls which have delicious fresh produce. Why not treat yourself to a glass of champagne at their champagne bar? Go on, you deserve it.
Photo by Harrods
Harrods: Knightsbridge
The Postal Museum
Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the streets of London? Well, one particularly fascinating piece of history does. The Mail Rail is London’s secret Post Office Underground Railway which has now been opened to the public for the first time in 100 years. You can board a miniature train into the original tunnels. The train ride lasts approximately 15 minutes so won’t take up too much of your day. You’ll get an insight into how the railway kept post coursing through London for 22 hours a day in the 1930s.
Photo by The Postal Museum
Where: Clerkenwell
Peggy Porschen for Tea
If you’re looking for a sweet treat and that perfect Instagram post, then Peggy Porschen is where it’s at. The cupcakes, cookies and cakes here are impressive works of art. They say a Sunday well spent brings a week of content – and you will be very content after sampling the delicious delights at Peggy’s.
Photo by S O C I A L. C U T
Where: Belgravia
Written by Jenny Conlon