London, ye olde city! Class and beauty grace the narrow roads of London. Marvel at the fabled architecture of its English manors as you walk over ancient cobblestone. Years of history has been maintained while London in unquestionably one of the world's leading cities. Described as the world's cultural capital, more than 300 languages are spoken within London's boundaries. You can find it all- arts, fashion, commerce, unique foods from across the globe. The magic here is in the contradictions — Michelin-starred meals next to greasy spoons, punk bars beside royal parks, centuries of history next to a kebab shop open till 4 a.m. And for our friends that enjoy a good beverage, the enjoy the pub life. We consider London a gateway to explore all of Europe. Take part in its tourism, but save time to travel like a local across London's various neighborhoods and districts. London isn’t out to impress you. It’s too old, too confident, too damn real.
Day 1 — Westminster, Stone, and the Weight of Empire
London wears its history with a shrug — massive, ancient, and still functioning like it’s no big deal.
Westminster Walk — Big Ben, Parliament, and the Thames - Start at Westminster. Big Ben towering over you, Parliament stretching in Gothic confidence, and the Thames rolling by like an old god that’s seen your nonsense before. Walk slowly. Take in the statues, the solemnity, the weird mix of tourists and government workers grabbing pastries.
Buckingham Palace & St. James’s Park - Walk up Birdcage Walk to Buckingham Palace. Don’t wait for the Changing of the Guard — too many cameras, too little payoff. Instead, slip into St. James’s Park, sit by the lake, and watch pelicans groom themselves like they own the place. This may be London's most touristy attraction, but you can't view royalty everyday.
Black & Blue — Proper Steak, No Pretense - Ahh, Black & Blue, a Londoner’s steakhouse: dark wood, big plates, and meat cooked like the chef respects you. Ribeye, fries, and a decent glass of red at a reasonable price. Add a piano bar and you’ve found tclassic, unfussy goodness - exactly what you want.
The Phoenix (Victoria) - A local pub where the after-work crowd drinks away the day. Low lights, warm wood, locals clustered around pints and pies. Settle in. Find a corner. Order something dark and British. Let London wash over you.
Day 2 — Markets, Color, and the London That Lives Outdoors
London’s not all grey skies and stiff upper lips. There’s color here — chaotic, loud, delicious.
Portobello Road Market (Notting Hill) - This outdoor market is a must-visit in London. Bring cash in case something catches your eye along an abundance of small local vendors. Expect a crowd on weekends. This is where you go to shop for "local" souvenirs, vastly different than the popular commercial items of Harrods or Selfridges. Our favorite shop is Stumper Fielding! Tell them Weekend Pilgrim says hello.
Tea at The Savoy - Take a break from the tourism and the shopping and the fancy dress attire to sit down for tea. No, this is not a joke. Afternoon tea is a thing in London. And while most locals are far too busy to partake in this olden day pastime, it has not been completely forgotten. The Savoy is considered one of the best in show although many venues offer a cup accompanied by pastries. Say hello to the Mad Hatter for us!
Natural History Museum (South Kensington) - Not just for kids. Wander halls filled with blue whales, meteorites, Victorian architecture that feels like Hogwarts got a science degree. Locals come for the serenity — the beauty of a museum that honors curiosity. If you can’t get enough old stuff, make it a day and visit the Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, or a variety of Gardens,
Bugis Street Brasserie (Gloucester Road) - Unexpected, underrated, beloved by locals. Singaporean, Malaysian, and Chinese dishes with real depth. Get the laksa, the Hainanese chicken rice, or anything involving chili and noodles. Comfort food with international swagger. Bugis Street is easy on the pocket so feel free to sample!
Day 3 — Pubs, People, and the Quiet Corners Locals Keep to Themselves
You don’t understand London until you spend time in its pubs — living rooms with taps, gossip centers, warm shelters from the cold.
Kensington High Street Walk & Holland Park - Start the day wandering Kensington High Street before slipping into Holland Park — quieter than Hyde Park, with Kyoto Gardens offering a moment of Zen in a city that rarely sits still.
Bumpkin (Notting Hill) — Modern British Cooking - Let's make this simple- we like Bumpkin. There's nothing particularly over the top in the presentation, but the food is just good. We tried their spicy glaze covered baby back ribs and fresh white bait (small fish) and was more than delighted. Oh and we forgot to mention one key point. Bumpkin has the best sticky toffee pudding ever. We mean it. And with our stick toffee pudding obsession, that means a lot!
The Champion (Notting Hill) - A proper pub. Stained glass windows, good beer, locals chatting about football and weather like both are life-or-death. You won't find many articles raving about fish and chips at the Champion. It might be a our favorite London secret. You see, in London, there's steep competition for this popular London dish. If you take it with vinegar or tarter sauce, determining London's best fish and chips is quite a matter of personal preference. In fact, we think you should sample pub food all over town. But, we highly recommend The Champion located just outside of Notting Hill for London's top pub fare, cozy seating next to wood burning fireplaces, and even a beer garden.
The Kings Arms (Chelsea) — Darts, Drinks, and Real Community - A pub where the locals play darts like they’re defending the realm. Friendly staff, good ale selection, and an atmosphere that feels like home even if you’ve never been here before. The King's Arms is actually one of our favorite London pubs. Try the Roupell Street venue for awesome Thai food, great Sunday roast, and of course, local football! Grab a pint, pick up a dart, and join the noise.
Day 4 — South Kensington, Secret Hotels, and a Night That Lingers
London is a patchwork of villages stitched together by train lines and history. Slow down and explore one.
Walk Through South Kensington — Museums, Cafés, Quiet Streets - Start with a slow wander through the whitewashed streets. Grab a croissant from a corner bakery, watch families heading to school, feel the particular calm of this part of town.
Muriel’s Kitchen (South Ken) or a Quick Neighborhood Bite - Cozy and unfussy. Real rotisserie chicken, fresh salads, and comfort dishes made like someone actually cares. A very local kind of lunch.
Blakes Hotel — Cocktail Escape - Designed by Anouska Hempel, Blakes is a mood. Luxurious, intimate, and cinematic. It’s considered one of the top boutique hotels in London. And we happen to conquer. I mean, the key to guest rooms is an actual rustic, antique key- no key cards allowed. However, this feature will focus on the restaurant at the Blakes Hotel. Perfect ambiance, brilliant dining, better service. Start with the artichoke, enjoy their steak, and end with a specialty desert. There's also a couple "off-menu" items. The secret is safe with us, we might be inclined to share over email! Head to the bar, order a drink too complicated to pronounce, and disappear for a while into the velvet and shadows.
Dishoom Kensington - Bombay-style comfort food that Londoners adore. Black daal simmered for 24 hours, chili chicken, garlic naan that should count as a religious experience. Stay late. Let the spice carry you through the night.
And More…
Here’s a couple seasonal gems that are just too good to leave out.
Southbank Center Winter Market - We don't always recommend seasonal attractions. But, the Southbank Center Winter Market holds a special place in our hearts. During our first trip to London, in 20 degree weather in the apex of Winter, we walked along the Thames allowing curiosity to fuel our stride. Just past the London Eye, sits the Winter Market. Yes, it will be cold. But, picture warm coco, mulled wine, and a variety of vendors selling all the winter comfort food you can possibly crave. This is a casual destination, but in many ways, it is a fitting depiction of local London.
Arsenal - Our favorite soccer futbol team plays at Emirates Stadium in north London. Fan or not, a game makes for a good time with some of London’s craziest fans.
Camden Market - If you’ve ever felt different and not like the others, then there’s a good chance Camden Market is for you. The whole of Camden Town exudes culture and is, in particular, an area of London with solid roots in the world of music. This is where all the cool Britpop bands hung out in the 90s.
Wimbledon - It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, played on grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and is the third of the four annual Grand Slam events. The tournament is famous for its traditions, such as a strict dress code, strawberries and cream, and royal patronage.
