First Time Visitors

First time visitor to London? Make sure you see the best of London with our three-day itinerary.

See the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Shakespeare's Globe, the British Museum and lots more. You're sure to want to return again and again!

DAY ONE

Morning: London Eye and Bus Tour

Board a 30-minute flight on the London Eye and admire London from a height of 135 metres in one of 32 capsules.

Original London Sightseeing Tour run hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tours of the city centre passing all the major landmarks, and lasting approximately two hours. Catch either tour outside County Hall by Westminster Bridge and see what the city has to offer.

Lunch: Riverside Dining

Alight from the bus at Tower Bridge and take the stairs down to Shad Thames and Butler's Wharf. The riverside Butler's Wharf Chop House offers excellent value set menus during the week.

Afternoon: Tower of London and Tower Bridge

See London's most notorious prison and the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. A Yeoman Warder gives a tour of the Tower every half an hour.

Walk back to Tower Bridge and visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition. You'll see some of the most spectacular views up and down the River Thames and learn about the history of one of London’s most famous landmarks.

Evening: West End Theatre Show

Experience London theatre, from musicals such as Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia, to opera and ballet at the Royal Opera House and modern dance at Sadler's Wells. There really is something for everyone.

After the show enjoy a post-theatre meal at Joe Allen, a favourite with actors and people that work in London's theatre industry.

DAY TWO

Morning: Shopping in Covent Garden

Wander around Covent Garden, Neal Street and Seven Dials for a bit of shopping. Watch the street entertainers and explore the covered market. If the weather is good, you can sit outside and people-watch in the piazza.

Lunch: River Thames Lunch Cruise

Board the Bateaux London lunch river cruise, and enjoy a three-course meal as you cruise along the river Thames.

Afternoon: Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern

Head to Shakespeare's Globe, where a tour offers a fascinating insight into Shakespearean London and today’s working theatre.

Next door is Tate Modern, where you can browse the permanent collection or view one of the world-class exhibitions. Don't miss coffee in Café 7, Tate Modern’s seventh floor café looking out over the Millennium Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral.

Evening: Curry in Brick Lane

Try Britain's favourite dish for dinner – a curry in Brick Lane. A market by day, Brick Lane is lined with curry houses and trendy bars. Preem and Bengal Village offer good, value-for-money meals.

Have a few drinks after your meal in the Vibe Bar, the Big Chill Bar or 93 Feet East, which has a great line-up of live music and DJs.

DAY THREE

Morning: British Museum

Head to the British Museum, London’s single most visited museum, featuring exhibits such as the 2,000 year old Lindow Man, Egyptian pharaohs and treasures from all over the world.

Afternoon: Camden Market

Take the Tube to Camden Town and explore Camden Lock Market, where you'll find clothing, jewellery, arts and crafts and some of London's more interesting characters. The market is a great place for lunch, with stalls and shops cooking food from all over the world.

Walk from Camden to Primrose Hill for one of the best views of London. This is a great spot for a picnic or a few pints in one of the nearby pubs.

Evening: Traditional London Pub

You can't come to London without visiting a traditional London pub. Many of London's pubs offer delicious food, with menus ranging from typical British cuisine such as fish and chips to Thai. The Fire Station in Waterloo and The Anchor & Hope on The Cut (also Waterloo) both offer a traditional pub environment plus a fantastic menu.

London's Royal History

Take a tour of London's royal locations, from the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels to The Queen's art collection at Buckingham Palace. You're guaranteed a right royal day out!

Morning: Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews

Your royal visit begins at The Queen's London residence, Buckingham Palace. During the summer months the lavish State Rooms are open to visitors, and from March to October you can take a tour of the Royal Mews, where you'll see The Queen's magnificent horses and the State Coach.

The Queen's Gallery exhibits paintings from the royal art collection and is open all year round. If you didn't manage to have tea with Her Majesty, don't worry. There are plenty of refreshment outlets in serene St James's Park, including the lovely Inn The Park.

Afternoon: Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Start the afternoon with an insight into 1,000 years of British royal history at the Tower of London. Once inside the forbidding medieval gates you can marvel at the Crown Jewels and shudder at the Bloody Tower.

While in the grounds, don't forget to look for the ravens. These magnificent birds are cared for by one of the Yeomen Warders. It's said that the day the ravens leave the Tower, England will fall. We very much hope they are there when you visit!

The next stop is less ghoulish, but equally thrilling. The Tower Bridge Exhibition is awe inspiring, with its historic engine rooms and stunning views from the high level walkways.

Then it's time to head to the swanky riverside destination known as Butler's Wharf. Once the largest warehouse complex on the Thames, the area is now a centre of gastronomy and design. Eateries include Le Pont de la Tour, Butler's Wharf Chop House, All Bar One and Blueprint Café.

Marvelous Maritime History

Enjoy a maritime-themed day out in Greenwich, with visits to the Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum, Queen's House and Greenwich Market.

Morning: Greenwich Attractions

Time for a boat trip down the river Thames to fabulous Greenwich.

There's a lot to see here so start off with a visit to the Royal Observatory. For the ultimate in photo opportunities, don't forget to straddle the Prime Meridian Line, where you can be snapped with a foot in the East and a foot in the West.

The National Maritime Museum is a must-see when visiting Greenwich. It's a beautiful museum that does a first-class job of charting Britain's seafaring history.

Designed by Inigo Jones in 1616 for James I's wife Anne of Denmark, the Queen's House is a lovely example of Palladian architecture and boasts a fine art collection.

All of the museums and houses are fascinating, but Greenwich is so beautiful it's great to just walk around and soak up the atmosphere.

The Rivington Bar and Grill is our suggestion for lunch. It's a pretty stylish place that provides well-cooked upmarket British food.

Afternoon: Greenwich Market

These days Greenwich is famous for its markets as well as its maritime history. Depending on the day you visit you will find stall holders at Greenwich Market selling handcrafted items or antiques and collectables.

The famous Cutty Sark is currently closed for restoration, and is due to re-open in spring 2012. The world's only surviving tea clipper, built in 1869, the Cutty Sark has been in residence in Greenwich for almost 50 years.