How to Spend a Day Exploring London’s Royal Landmarks

Are you planning an outdoorsy trip to London, which includes seeing the world-famous royal landmarks? Whether you are planning a special day in the city to see the top sights or dedicated one of your days during a weekend away to the cause, we have the perfect itinerary for you!

One of the main things that many people wish they had known before heading into London to see the royal landmarks is that they are not all located next to each other. This means that some careful time planning is essential if you want to cram all of the regal hotspots into one day. Keep reading to learn how to spend the perfect day visiting London’s royal landmarks, and find out where is best to stay if you plan to spend the night in the city. By the end of a day exploring famous royal landmarks, we guarantee you will feel like you have experienced what is truly special about the city.

What Are the Main Royal Landmarks in London to Visit?

With a royal history which extends back to 1066 when London became the UKs capital city, one of the main reasons that tourists flock to the city every year is to see the regal landmarks. As a key piece of British history, the stunning buildings and locations have seen many notable events in history which offer connections for countries throughout the commonwealth. 

There is a long list of London royal landmarks which can be included within a day trip to the city which consists of the following:

• Buckingham Palace – Famous for being an official residence of sovereigns since 1837, there’s plenty to see when visiting Buckingham Palace. This includes seeing the changing of the guards, walking through the mall, taking a tour of certain rooms, and exploring the surrounding areas, including one of London’s most famous green spaces, St James’s Park.
• Windsor Castle – As the oldest occupied castle in the world, Windsor is a must-visit if you don’t mind starting your tour outside of central London. Most recently, the castle has seen the burial of our late Monarch and the Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
• Westminster Abbey – Standing proudly alongside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey has been the official coronation church of the UK since 1066. Next to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, this area is a must-visit if you want to walk where royals have visited for hundreds of years.
• Kensington Palace—Known for being one of the official Royal residences, Kensington Palace is the pinnacle of Chelsea decadence, offering an impressive ambience for anyone who visits.
• Tower of London – With more than 3 million visitors recorded during 2023, the Tower of London is one of the most popular royal landmarks in London. Whether you want to simply take a stroll around the impressive grounds or visit the grand crown jewels, this landmark will leave you feeling like you truly experienced royal London.
• St Paul’s Cathedral – Last but not least, we have St Paul’s Cathedral, which is the location for royal weddings, jubilees, and a selection of other notable celebrations. You can also easily travel to a selection of other attractions from here which is why this royal landmark is a great one to include in any itinerary.

The Perfect Day Exploring London’s Royal Landmarks

Below we have gathered an example itinerary which will allow you to live like royalty for the day exploring the city’s most famous regal landmarks. Whether you want to just explore one area or have a more active day, you can create your own itinerary using these ideas.

Windsor Castle

The first location on our list is optional but one that we think is worth a visit if you are starting your adventure in the main city. 

Located just a 55-minute train ride from London Waterloo, Windsor isn’t just famous for the stunning castle and sprawling deer-filled park but is also a stunning place to visit in terms of independent shops and restaurants. By starting the day in Windsor, you can grab a delicious breakfast and experience the area as the day gets underway for the ultimate morning treat.

Buckingham Palace and Other Central London Landmarks

Whether you have travelled into the city from Windsor or simply looking for a great place to start, South Bank is ideal. 

By taking a stroll across Westminster Bridge, you can see the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. You can then walk through St James’s Park, visiting the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, to reach The Mall within 15 minutes. The famous walkway frames Buckingham Palace perfectly, with other popular attractions nearby including Downing Street, St James’s Palace and The Mall Galleries. 

By this point in the day, you are also likely to want a late lunch or early afternoon snack, so we recommend finding a calming café to rest in. There are loads nearby, plus many restaurants just a short walk away in the Piccadilly area.

St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower of London

We then recommend jumping in a taxi or on the tube for a 15-30 minute journey to St Paul’s Cathedral. From here you can take another stroll on foot to visit notable attractions including The Sky Garden, Leadenhall Market and then ending up at the Tower of London. Here you can visit Tower Bridge and all of the other aspects of the Tower of London and then end your day with a relaxing trip back to your hotel of choice.

Although a busy day, there is nothing quite like seeing a wide selection of royal London landmarks in a short space of time as it really leaves anyone with a sense of grandeur.

How to Travel Between London’s Royal Landmarks Easily?

If you are looking for a way to get around London easily, click here as this article gives you all of the essential information!

Choosing any of these travel options is ideal as you can then also get to experience other attractions that the city has to offer, such as exploring some of the best shopping areas or even visiting an experience like the London Eye. You can even take part in a dedicated London walking tour which has been planned with visits to royal landmarks in mind. This experience is also ideal as you get to learn more about the famous landmarks from a tour guide who knows everything about the city and its royal residents of past and present.

However you plan on travelling between London landmarks, we think it’s nice to plan a mix of options as this ensures you don’t miss out on any other sights.

Where Is the Best Place to Stay When Visiting London to See Royal Landmarks With Ease?

As a visit to all of the royal landmarks mentioned in this article will result in a long day of travelling, we think staying in the city is a great option. This means you can make the most of the various attractions and even make your trip a bit longer to get more enjoyment from the trip. 

Our hotels are located conveniently around the city, meaning all of the landmarks listed in this article are easy to travel to. Our stays include the Great St Helen Hotel, Hatton Garden Hotel, Bloomsbury Palace Hotel, Mabledon Court Hotel, Hotel Cavendish, and Arran House Hotel, which each provide a luxurious place to rest during a special trip to London.

We also provide a selection of rooms to suit all needs, from smaller spaces for solo travellers to larger rooms ideal for families. This choice, alongside our choice of special offers, means we have something for any budget or requirement.

Click here to book now, and feel free to contact our team if you have any questions.