Only have one day in London but want to experience all the trendiest things to do? I’m talking quirky twists on typical staples like High Tea, and neighborhood hangouts only a local would know about.
There’s been so many times when I only have had one day in London, and ended up doing the basic tourist things only. Well NOT THIS TIME!
This time I did some thorough research thanks to a fabulous Vogue article, the power of Instagram, and no shame in my Dating App game! Words cannot describe how content I am with the results rather than the typical “Best Things to Do in London” blogs and reviews that namely recommend Harry Potter Tours. No shade HP fans, he still makes the list.
Check out the results below! All are personally highly recommended! This was the best one day trip to London I’ve done yet!
(By the way, there’s a lot of food involved so you may want to pick a few. But just throwing it out there that I did them ALL in one day).
Jump To:
1. Have a 5 Course Meal While Sightseeing London
Departure: Lunch 12:15pm, High Tea 3pm (Weds, Fri, Sat only), Dinner 7:15pm
Cost: £65 – 150 (Depending on Meal and drink inclusion)
Location : Victoria embankment – “Embankment” tube station WC2N 6PB, look for a bus stop stand
Duration : 1h45 – 2 hours
You heard me correctly. You can get served a five course meal while sightseeing London. How? It’s called Bustronome, and as the name implies, it involves a bus that serves gourmet food!
Getting served a gourmet meal on a bus may sound questionable. After all, we’ve probably all had our share of train and plane meals. But this experience is unlike any other!
You’ll board Bustronome’s double decker bus and head upstairs to a glass encased mobile dining room! Each table is equiped with thoughtful, innovative settings that prevednt anything from moving or spilling as the bus drives!
Then, your waiter will begin serving your delicious courses as the bus takes you around to all the staple sites in central London!
You can’t hop on and off like the regular sightseeing buses. But you won’t want to with how much fun you’re having getting wined and dined around the city!
Be sure to reserve in advance and don’t be late!
2. Learn How to Use the London Tube
Trust me, I know how intimidating and confusing using public transportation in another country can seem. But I assure you, it is beyond easy to figure out in London! Just the fact that everything is in English should give you no excuse to try it! (Saying that as someone who has figured out how to use the rail in Japan where nothing is in English).
But all you need is a Tourist Oyster Card and Google Maps on your phone! You can get the Oyster Card sent to you before your trip, or just easily get it from the station. Only add about 20 pounds because that’s all you’ll probably need for one day in London.
Then easily use Google Maps on your phone (for info on getting a local SIM card click here) to input where you’re going. Tap the train icon at the top to get directions via public transport. Then easily follow what it says for which station and line to take!
I’d highly recommend attempting to learn how to use the London tube because it’s WAY faster and cheaper than Uber. BUT, if you have luggage, or don’t feel like figuring it out…Uber is available.
3. Go to the Trendiest High Tea with Most Epic Bathrooms in London
Location: Mayfair Hotel, 9 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG, UK
Average Cost: £66-77 per person (depending on drinks)
When I asked on my Instagram for top tips for my one day in London, almost everyone said to go to Sketch. And they ALL said something about the bathrooms there! Not surprisingly, Sketch London‘s high tea was also at the top of Vogue’s list as well!
In fact, Sketch is SO popular, that I couldn’t even get squeezed in with a week’s notice! But I was determined to see it, so I opted for lunch at it’s sister restaurant The Gallery instead.
The Gallery is a stark contrast to Sketch’s all-pink, mod interior. With dark green and blue wallpapered walls, and enough floral patterns and accessories to make you feel like you’re in a jungle! For those looking for a more substantial meal than high tea, you’d definitely want to reserve a table for lunch at The Gallery.
Alright. So I know you’re all itching to know about these epic bathrooms. If you’re not, you should be. Never in my life and in the 100+ countries I’ve been to, have I seen egg shaped toilet pods. I’ve never even seen any bathroom anywhere, remotely close to this piece of bathroom art.
Descending the grand staircase from the eggloo toilets Cant say I have ever seen an egg shaped toilet stall before
Not only are all the stalls randomly placed eggs, but there’s a double grand-staircase leading up to them, on either side of A BAR below. Did you read that? A BAR IN THE BATHROOM. Makes sense since it seemed like there were always people hanging out in their taking photos instead of actually peeing!
4. Have (Boozy) Fancy Tea on the Water with Views of London
Location: Sea Containers Hotel, 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD, UK
Cost: £58 (includes 4 paired cocktails), £48 (includes champagne tea), £38 (boozeless tea).
Another one of Vogue’s high tea recommendations was the new Fancy Tea at Lyaness. It’s located in the Sea Containers Hotel, and decorated to look like a high end 80’s dinner party.
The twist is that in addition to tea, Lyaness serves up a mixology or champagne addition to the menu! The added booze seems to make it the perfect place for after-work socializing, especially with “the suits” who work in the area. Definitely make a reservation, because the place was packed by 3pm!
While you’re enjoying your classic English high tea and sipping on bubbles, you’ll have a fancy view as well! Lyaness looks out to the River Thames, and stunning views of the city.
5. Dinner and Drinks in London’s Up and Coming Trendy Neighborhood, Brixton
Location: 49 Brixton Station Rd, Brixton, London SW9 8PQ, UK
Cost: Free entry, Food from £5-20
Escape the touristy areas of London and hop on the tube down to Brixton! It’s one of the latest up and coming trendy neighborhoods that reminds me on Windward in Miami. You’ll find an eclectic mix of people in Brixton, with both immigrants and young locals seeking cheaper real estate.
That being said, if you’re looking for an affordable place (albeit tiny) to stay during your one day in London, this neighborhood is a good option! I stayed at one of the most affordable places on AIrbnb there and would recommend it if you’re looking: Check out this Brixton Flat. (Please use my Airbnb code for a discount and so I get credit! Click here then search “Lovely Studio Flat 10 Minutes to London”).
It was once considered dangerous, but with the new addition of street art, markets, and a younger demographic, it’s becoming labeled as trendy!
There’s a ton of bars and restaurants but my top rec is Pop! Brixton. it’s a really cool complex made of shipping containers, and each one is a different restaurant, bar, or shop! The place is always popping, and was packed when I went there on a Wednesday!
During the day I’d recommend Brixton Village which is a little marketplace with cute cafes and shops. Most only take cash though, so come prepared!
BY THE WAY! I mentioned dating apps in the intro…that’s because the way I found out about Pop! Brixton was by matching with a local guy that lived there! I’ve gotten so much valuable local insights that way in various countries!
6. See Harry Potter’s 9 and 3/4 Platform As You Leave London
To be completely honest, I was dying to do some Harry Potter stuff during my one day in London. I was actually pouting about it as I was heading to the train station to leave when I noticed it on the map! Platform 9 and 3/4! Right at Kings Cross Station where I was heading!
Unfortunately though, thanks to my boozy High Tea, I was about to miss my train. So I merely got to catch a glimpse of it before running off to the London North Easterner train up to Scotland!
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, definitely look up some of the blogs on places around London where it was filmed! I wouldn’t say you need to take a tour (it would take most of the day), but there’s a few places you can easily find!
Please CLICK HERE to see my Amazon list of everything I used and would highly recommend bringing! Also includes which cameras I used for the images above!
That dining on a bus thing seems like it would be fun – you’d just have to hope they didn’t hit any bumps! With how bad the roads are here in the US something like that would never work here lol you’d have spilled drinks every 2 seconds!
Haha I can definitely see that! BUT! This bus actually had really cool products that held your glasses, plates, and silverware in place! I was SO impressed!!!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful experience in London ! I would visit London in winter and will share my experience too..
I would love to hear about your tips for visiting in Winter! Let me know when you post about them!
Alyssa, thanks for sharing these trendy ideas. It’s gonna be my third time in London, and unlike the last hectic trips, I’m going to take my time, relax, and enjoy the foods. So this is exactly what I was looking for.
Oh that’s amazing Helen!! I hope you have a great time! Thanks for your comment!!
The information you have posted is very useful. The sites you have referred was good. Thanks for sharing…
THanks for your comment!
I really found the Bustronome (spelled correctly?) really interesting! It’s actually a really cool idea to kill two birds with one stone so to speak. I have always been interested in traveling to London; it has a charm that a lot of cities cannot match. There’s so much to do it seems, you can never run out of interesting places to go. I enjoyed reading your article, thanks for writing!
Thanks Levi! Really appreciate your comment! And yes, Bustronome was perfect for killing two birds with one stone!!!
Nice enjoy .. I love travel just like you.. ..life is so short ..enjoy every moment of it..have fun!
Thanks girl! You too! Are you from the Caribbean? I’m going back there soon!