A Day in The Big Smoke: Planning a Daytrip to London


There's far more to see and do in London than you'll ever manage in a day- but if you do only have a day to spend in the capital, you'll want to make the absolute most of your time. While it can be fun to be spontaneous, turn up and see what happens, when you know you'll be pushed for time you're far better off putting in some planning and research. This means you're not wasting time, and know exactly how to spend the day so that everything will appeal to you. Here are some ideas for planning your day in London!

Work out your budget
London prices are much higher than elsewhere in the country as it is, but as with any tourist location, you can expect to pay way over the odds for just about everything. Don't let costs catch you out, factor in things like parking, transport around the city, food and drink, attractions and spending money for things like souvenirs. Once you know what you can spend, it can make it easier to plan your day as you can rule out anything that's out of budget.

Eating and drinking
As with any major city, you'll find just about any kind of food imaginable in London. Many of the world's greatest chefs have their restaurants here, you also have less expensive chain restaurants, cafes, sandwich shops and bakeries, food vendor stalls and much more. Do some Googling before your trip, see what's available within your budget and in the types of cuisines you like to eat. If you're there for the day, consider breakfast, lunch and dinner options. If you're on a tight budget, you could always pack up a picnic and enjoy an alfresco lunch in one of London's green spaces.

Daytime activities
There are plenty of fun things to do in London, sites like Groupon can help to give you ideas for things you might not have thought of, as well as save you money on activities. You have Madam Tussauds waxwork museum which is one of the best selling attractions in the capital. You also have the British museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum amongst others. You could view art at the Tate Modern or the National Gallery. You could go on a tour, hit the shops and enjoy some retail therapy or grab your camera and go sightseeing; Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace are all spectacular structures to take in. Take a break from the traffic and crowds, hire bikes and take a ride around Hyde, St James' or Crystal Palace park. Alternatively, go boating on the Thames enjoying a tour or even a meal on a floating restaurant!

Nightlife
If you're in London til late, why not take advantage of the incredible nightlife? If parties and nightclubs are your thing there's no shortage of trendy or niche bars and world famous clubs. If you'd like something more relaxed or you're driving home, why not catch a show? The West End has vibrant shows and musicals, or you could catch the ballet or opera. There really is something for everyone!

How would you spend a day in London?