Although London is known for its large amount of day visitors, it’s also a popular choice for weekend getaways for those either based in the UK or international tourists. With the city being home to a wide selection of things to do, planning a weekend getaway in London can be a daunting task.
Thankfully for you, you’ve clicked on the best article to help you out as we are experts in helping visitors make the most out of 48 hours in the city. If you want to know how to best plan a trip, what to do and where is best to stay, keep reading.
Tips for Having a Great Weekend Trip to London
Whether you are planning an autumn escape in London or are ready for some British sunshine, there are a few travel hacks to consider that will help any weekend trip run like clockwork. These are as follows:
- Always be sure to plan ahead in terms of transport links and opening hours of attractions as like other cities, London runs a different hours on Sunday and Bank Holidays. This is especially important when planning a weekend visit as Sunday hours impact most things you will want to do. This means planning more things for Saturdays is always ideal if they involve travelling further afield or visiting attractions.
- Are you planning on doing more outdoor activities? We all know the British weather can be unpredictable, so either plan ahead in terms of what the weather is doing or have plan Bs in place if the wet weather decides to welcome you to the city. Also, make sure you pack an umbrella and waterproof coat as, like we said, you never know what the weather will decide to offer!
- If you are hoping to take in some of the most popular tourist spots, it’s always best to book in advance where possible. This will save any disappointment and mean, in some cases, you can skip the queues so that you have more time to get around all of your chosen spots.
- Make sure you use an Oyster card or have a bank card available to make using transport easier. This means you can hop on and off of buses and tubes, which makes nipping around the city much easier.
Things to Do During a Weekend Escape to London
When planning a weekend away in London, it’s firstly important to consider what type of trip you are looking for. This could be one filled with famous locations, shopping or even visits to food markets. Once you have an idea of what activities will result in a brilliant weekend away, you can get to planning your time. Knowing what things you want to do will also impact when you do them as it means aspects such as transportation and chosen hotels can be planned to benefit itineraries.
Saturdays are always busier and livelier, so that is the best day to plan visits to attractions in the city. This means you will have longer opening hours available, meaning more plans can be accounted for, plus it means you get to enjoy the energy of London. Some ideas of places to visit include Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, The Globe Theatre, Borough Market and Oxford Street. These spots all offer a wide selection of things to do that will take up all day. There are also plenty of places to eat throughout the city, so choosing a fun street food option or popular eatery is a great choice for lunch. Alternatively, you could even go on a food tour and spend your day popping into the various bakeries and shops to try lots of local treats.
Once you have had a fun day in the city and had a rest in your hotel room, Saturday evening is perfect for having a lovely dinner and catching a show. Choosing a spot to eat along the South Bank or within Covent is perfect as you can easily navigate to the theatres plus end the evening with a stunning stroll along the Thames.
Once you’ve had a lovely night’s sleep, making the most of your Sunday is important if you are only away for the weekend. We recommend keeping things more relaxed with activities such as exploring markets, joining walking tours, or spending time in some of the green outdoor areas, such as Hyde Park, which are ideal. Visiting one of the many museums or galleries is also ideal for achieving a chilled yet fun Sunday, as everything can be done at your own pace without having to stick to a rigid schedule. It’s also a lovely idea to treat yourself to a British feast by finding a traditional pub that offers a full roast dinner. After a relaxing stroll to walk off your food, the evening can be spent having a drink in a nice bar or cosying down in your hotel room.
How to Choose the Best Accommodation for a Weekend Getaway in London
A key part of planning a weekend away in London is choosing suitable accommodation. Without having the right place to relax, you will not only find yourself wasting time travelling around but your sleep could be impacted which is never a good thing, especially when you have lots of plans!
Location
Firstly, you should consider which location is best for you. Many people often spend time choosing between an Airbnb or a hotel. While both have their benefits, hotels are more likely to be centrally located, meaning guests can find a stay close to places where they plan on spending time. For example, if you are planning on visiting central spots such as Spitalfields market or The Gherkin, choosing a hotel on Liverpool Street is ideal such as the Great St Helen. Other options located in busier locations include our Bloomsbury Palace, Cavendish and Arran House hotels.
If you want to combine the best of both worlds with a mix of busy spots and quieter outdoor spaces, choosing a stay in Farringdon such as our Hatton Garden hotel is a great idea. Alternatively, if you want to prioritise transport connections, our Mabledon Court hotel located close to Kings Cross is perfect as it means you can easily reach your stay without having to worry about onward connections.
Budget
The average cost of a hotel stay in London can get quite high depending on the area you select and when you are visiting. However, that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank all for the purpose of having a lovely weekend away.
We recommend searching for special offers or last minute deals to ensure you still have plenty of spending money left to enjoy the sites.
Included Amenities
Another important aspect of choosing a place to stay for the weekend in London is seeing what the hotel has to offer. In terms of included amenities, to keep to budgets and timings, it’s ideal to choose somewhere that includes a filling breakfast that can set you up for the busy day ahead. Additional amenities such as WiFi and even parking are both ideal for getting the most value from your chosen stay.
You should also scope out what is nearby to ensure you have everything you need. For example, this could be a restaurant that specialises in a certain cuisine or a local market that sells something special you are looking to purchase as a reminder of your time away.
Choose the Crown Group of Hotels For Weekends Away in London
After reading this article, we hope you are filled with ideas for how you could spend some time away in the city. Whether this is a solo trip, romantic break or time away with friends, our hotels offer suitable stays for all needs.
To learn more, contact our team or explore our available options.