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London is one of the biggest capitals in the world and touring it in one day might seem ridiculous but with an early start and a good pair of legs it can be done. Obviously you can’t see everything London has to offer in one day but to be honest you cant do that in a year either, but if you want to catch all the major cultural sights there is a way.
If you want to beat the rush Westminster Abbey should be first on you list, if you can get there before 9.30 you will be able to view it in peace. Most of the countries Kings and Queens have been crowned at The Abbey and it is a focal point of the nation’s royals.
Since the 11th century, the Houses of Parliament have been home to the country’s government and are a truly remarkable landmark that has seen Britain through centuries of colonising, war and prosperity. The building is watched over by ‘Big Ben’, the world’s most famous timepiece, why not set your watch to it.
Continuing along the political route you can walk down the road to Downing Street, unfortunately you can no longer walk down it but if you’re lucky you may see someone important getting past the hoards of policemen and security officials. Other than that it’s hardly palatial but at least you can say you were there.
If you continue north you will reach the hub of London, Trafalgar Square. Home to Nelson’s tower it is the scene to many a demonstration. Once plagued by pigeons, each year thousands of party goers descend on this square to ring in the New Year’s Eve.
From the square you can enter the National Gallery, home to the masterpieces of Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Rembrandt to name a few. Panoramic galleries span eight centuries of some of the world’s most famous art and devoting anything less than an hour to this would be a crime.
Just minutes from the square is England’s most historic market Covent Garden. It was built by Inigo Jones in 1633 and is the home of a variety of stalls and licensed street entertainers.
By now you may be getting a bit peckish so why not step into Covent Garden’s very own ‘Porters English Restaurant’ where you can enjoy real traditional English pub food. Owned and run by the Earl of Bradford it’s an ideal stop off for your busy day.
A quick ride on the tube, which is a must in its self, will get you to Charing Cross Station; from here you can take a short stroll to Buckingham Palace. This place doesn’t really need any explanation and depending on the time of year you may be able to go inside but beware that this will involve queuing and will take a lot of time out of your day. If you get the timing right you may be able to catch the changing of the guards but don’t plan your day around it as there is plenty more to see.
One final tube trip will take you to the Tower of London; over 900 years it has been a palace, a royal mint and most notoriously a prison. Many famous Englishmen have lost their heads there and it’s the national home to blood and gore. An hour long guided tour by one of the famous Beefeaters is well worth the while and will bring the tower to life.
If by now your feet are aching and your stomach is rumbling, drop by ‘The Salisbury’, a fashionable Art Nouveau Pub at the core of the theatre district. Here you can enjoy a wide range of drinks and some home cooked pies.
The best way to spend the evening is to enjoy one of the many shows on offer, whether it’s a big West-End musical or a classic Shakespeare production at the Globe you won’t be let down and it would be the perfect way to relax and take the weight of your feet.
If you are looking for a central London hotel, then stop by Astor Court for affordable luxury single, double, triple and twinhotel rooms in the centre of the capital.