Make the most of your time in London while also fitting in your daily dose of exercise by creating your own walking tour. Not only will you feel energized from the physical activity, you’ll see all the major tourist attractions, spend less time sitting in traffic and spend less money on transportation.
One of the ways you can create a walking tour is by using the Visit London app. The app is downloadable for iPhone and Android and has a map feature displaying the top attractions, markets and free things to do. Map out the places you would like to see to create your daily itinerary. I have a couple suggestions to help you get started.
Westminster Tour
This is one of the most popular sections of London and a definite must-see, especially if you’re visiting London for the first time. It gets very crowded so I highly recommend visiting early in the day to avoid the lines.
- Churchill War Rooms– Winston Churchill used this underground bunker as his WWII command center. The bunker has been preserved as it was the day the war ended. The walls of the map room are still covered with original maps, some of which plot the advances of the German army. You’ll also see the phone Churchill used to call the President of the United States and the desk from which Churchill delivered several of his famous speeches. To see Churchill’s famous bowler hat and one of his cigars visit the interactive museum that is also part of the bunker’s structure. The War Rooms is very popular (I waited in line for two hours!) so during peak tourist season I recommend purchasing tickets a couple of weeks prior to your visit since advance ticket sales are limited.
- Westminster Abbey– The beautiful gothic church founded by the Benedictine monks is the setting for coronations and most royal weddings (Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married at St. Paul’s Cathedral). I really wish they allowed photography since I wanted to take a picture of everything! The soaring ceilings and unbelievably detailed statues and memorials made this one of my favorite London attractions. Definitely put this on your list!
- Houses of Parliament and Big Ben– Fans of history and politics (and National Lampoon’s European Vacation) will love this stop. I didn’t realize there were so many “houses” until I visited. Several buildings comprise the Houses of Parliament, with the Palace of Westminster the most recognizable. The most famous tower in The Palace of Westminster, Elizabeth Tower, is home to Big Ben. A commonly held belief is that Big Ben refers to the tower or the tower’s clock, but Big Ben is actually the bell. IMPORTANT- When I visited London I was unaware the Elizabeth Tower is under construction so I want to be sure to relay the message to anyone else unaware of this. The tower is covered in scaffolding and Big Ben isn’t scheduled to begin chiming again until 2021.
Buckingham Palace– This is a must for most first-time visitors to London. You never know when you’ll catch a glimpse of the queen! And the Changing of the Guard is a pretty cool sight to see. Of course, most tourists have the same thought, so the ability to actually see the Changing of the Guard is highly unlikely due to the large crowds. A lesser known alternative I learned about while on my bike tour is to watch the beginning of the Changing of the Guard ceremony near the Wellington Barracks. It’s just around the corner from Buckingham Palace. You’ll see the parade of the New Guard accompanied by a marching band and have a much better chance of seeing the guards.
If you just want to see the Changing of the Guard you can also see it at the Tower of London. There are guards at the entrance to the tower containing the crown jewels, so as you wait in line to see the crown jewels you have a great chance at witnessing the change up close. I was lucky enough to be in line right next to the guards and snapped a few great pics.
Southwark Tour
After spending the day in Westminster, continue your exercise and sightseeing with a walking tour on the other side of the Thames. Southwark is a little less crowded but still offers plenty of arts and culture and the opportunity to visit one of London’s best outdoor markets.
- St. Paul’s Cathedral– Before crossing the Thames to Southwark, start your day at this gorgeous cathedral that is an iconic part of London’s skyline. The jaw dropping architecture and rich history make this one of my favorite spots. Plus the workout you get at St. Paul’s is fabulous. I know that sounds odd, but climbing the winding staircase to the top of the cathedral is a killer stair workout. After 528 steps up to the Golden Gallery on the outer dome you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the London skyline and be able to see the places you’ll visit next.
- Tate Modern– Consistently rated one of the top art museums in London, this is a must-see for art lovers. It also makes for a good stop on a rainy day. And to top it off, entry is free! Most of the museums and art galleries in London are free so if you want to visit more museums start your planning here. If coming from St. Paul’s, walking across the Millennium Bridge (pedestrian bridge) will take you directly to Tate Modern.
- Shakespeare’s Globe– Continue along the riverbank and you’ll find the go-to destination for Shakespeare lovers and theatre enthusiasts. A guided tour of the Globe Theatre brings to life the history of the theatre as it was when Shakespeare ruled the stage. The theatre also hosts performances so you have the opportunity to see a show in the tradition of Shakespeare- think no modern lighting or microphones.
- Anchor Bankside– You will inevitably visit many pubs while in London, but you should make it a point to stop here for a pint. As the name suggests, it’s on the banks of the Thames and is the last surviving bankside pub from Shakespeare’s time. The cozy indoor pub will make you want to settle in for a few pints on a crisp, cool day. I enjoyed some of the best people watching of my trip while taking a mid-day break on the outdoor patio.
- Borough Market– London is famous for its local, fresh food markets. Borough Market is one of the most popular and it’s been open since 1014. Stroll through the market to taste a few samples and grab yourself a quick bite to eat. Nothing in London is cheap, but you’ll save yourself a few dollars by eating at the market instead of a restaurant. You’ll find every kind of street food you can think of so there is something for everyone. If you’re looking for an afternoon treat I recommend the Greedy Goat for smooth and creamy goat’s milk ice cream.
- London Bridge– The iconic bridge spanning the Thames is a short walk from Borough Market, but don’t expect to see an ornate, architectural marvel. The current bridge was built in the mid-1900s after the previous one “fell down”. Made famous by the children’s nursery rhyme, London Bridge is Falling Down, the 1800s era London Bridge was auctioned off by the city when it started deteriorating. The founder of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, purchased it and rebuilt it across the pond in Lake Havasu City.
- The Shard– On the banks of the Thames, western Europe’s tallest building offers one of the best views of London. Both the open air (don’t worry, there is still lots of glass for safety’s sake) and indoor deck are wonderful places to enjoy the views and a glass of champagne or cocktail from the bar. Since I purchased the London Pass, the entrance fee was covered. The entrance fee is steep (currently 25 pounds) so if you don’t have the London Pass I recommend taking in the sights from the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Bonus Tips
London is a huge city and you will inevitably want to visit a spot that is not within walking distance or want to stay dry on a rainy day. These are my recommendations for getting around London:
- Take the Tube– Instead of taking taxis, which are super expensive in London, use the London Underground, also known as the Tube. There are many payment options for the Tube and you can read more about which one is best for you here or speak to a representative at one of the visitor centers or Tube stations. I used Google maps when needing to figure out which station and/or lines I needed to use. If you don’t have use of a cell phone while traveling then be sure to pick up a map of the Underground.
- Heathrow Express– You would think getting from the airport into central London wouldn’t be too difficult, but there is a right and a wrong way to do it. Save yourself A LOT of time by taking the Heathrow Express if flying into Heathrow Airport. Trains run every 15 minutes and you’ll be whisked to London’s Paddington Station in about 15 minutes. Follow the signs toward the baggage claim and then look for the Heathrow Express signs.
- Santander Bikes– Previously known as “Boris Bikes”, after then-mayor Boris Johnson, you’ll find these bright red bicycles all over London. This bike share program is available to the public and all you need is the Santander Cycles app to get started. Search for a nearby docking station to pick up a bicycle and return it to any docking station when you’re finished.
