London itineraries

Big Ben to Tower Bridge

First time in London? Start with the guard change, drift east along the Thames and finish under the lights of Tower Bridge. Almost all on foot.

East and West from Covent Garden

Base in Covent Garden: day one goes east (Tower, Borough, St Paul's, a musical), day two west (museums, palace, park, afternoon tea). Theatreland is a five-minute walk, so nights are easy.

London in Depth from the South Bank

Three days based on the South Bank next to the Eye, walking neighbourhoods rather than ticking off landmarks: museum back streets, Notting Hill on a Saturday, the canal to Camden, a boat to Greenwich. For a second visit, or a slow first one.

Festivals & seasons

• 1 — London New Year's Day Parade
• 3 — Blossom and daffodils at Kew
• 4 — TCS London Marathon
• 5 — RHS Chelsea Flower Show
• 6 — Trooping the Colour
• 6 — Summer: light until past 9pm
• 7 — Wimbledon Championships
• 7 — BBC Proms
• 8 — Notting Hill Carnival
• 9 — Open House London
• 11 — Lord Mayor's Show
• 12 — Christmas lights and Winter Wonderland

Souvenirs

• Fortnum & Mason tea tin
• British Museum Rosetta Stone goods
• Portobello antique teaspoons and vintage bits
• London Transport Museum Tube posters
• Bread Ahead doughnuts
• Camden vintage clothes and band tees
• Harry Potter wand and Butterbeer mug