Your Guide to a Weekend in London

When my parents came to visit me during my semester abroad in Salamanca, Spain, they wanted us to do something special together. My dad had a business trip in England the following week, so the three of us spent the weekend in London. Since my dad has been to London numerous times, our trip was fantastic. He knew all the best spots and we made the most of our time there.

Your Guide to a Weekend in London

Accommodation

We stayed in an awesome hotel right across from Big Ben—Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London. Double rooms here are about 200 pounds per night. Although it’s a bit pricy, the staff and views are worth it. For a hotel in the middle of the city, it isn’t going to get much cheaper.

Transportation

London is known for its double-decker buses, which provide a great way to see a lot by getting on and off at different places. If a bus tour isn’t your thing, the metro is another good option. There are also a ton of taxis and bikes available to travel around the city.

Day 1

Morning

We woke up bright and early on Saturday morning to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. We got breakfast at a small coffee shop near our hotel, and set off on our way. London is known for its cloudy, rainy weather, but we were somehow blessed with a perfect day. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and there was not the slightest chance of rain. We walked across the Westminster Bridge and got to see Big Ben and Parliament up close. The architecture in London is awesome, and we took a cab to the palace. The changing of the guard was not as exciting as we expected it to be, but it was still cool to see the palace and guards up close.

Afternoon

Once we escaped the crowds, we hopped on the Big Bus to tour the city. Our bus guide was a character, and we enjoyed the breeze on the top level. We were able to see a ton of the city without having to worry about getting around on our own. Once the bus did a loop of the city, we got off at Tower Bridge to have lunch. We ate right by the water, which was beautiful, and walked around the Tower of London, an old castle by the bridge. Our bus tickets included a river cruise, so we were able to see the London Eye and Big Ben from a different perspective on our way back to the hotel.

Evening

London is known for its pubs, so we decided to go to dinner at the Sherlock Holmes pub that the concierge recommended. We were slightly turned off by the crowd at first, but the food was worth it. There were a ton of beers to choose from and the atmosphere was great.

Day 2

Morning

Our second day wasn’t as beautiful as the first, but it was cool to see London how it is normally seen. After eating breakfast, we hopped back on the bus and headed to Kensington Palace. The palace was beautiful and the lawn was huge. We explored the gardens.

Afternoon

We took a cab to Abbey Road. We saw Abbey Road Studios and took a very touristy picture on the famous crosswalk. Luckily, a double-decker bus did not hit us. After attempting and failing to find an old record shop, we headed back to our hotel to get ready to go to the airport.

We may not have had a ton of time in London, but I felt as though I got to see the majority of the city. I would definitely recommend the Park Plaza hotel, the Big Bus tour, and the Sherlock Holmes pub. London is a very cool place and a must-see for Beatles fans or women who enjoy British accents!