This tour is designed to walk you through the best of London!
Start EARLY!!! at the Tower of London. MAP
BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR THE EARLIEST TIME POSSIBLE – OTHERWISE YOU’LL SPEND HOURS IN LINE.
Tower of London
MAP | EAST LONDON
The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was initially a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new Norman ruling class. The castle was also used as a prison from 1100 until 1952, although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. There were several phases of expansion, mainly under kings Richard I, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. The general layout established by the late 13th century remains despite later activity on the site.
Thames Clipper | Tower of London to London Bridge Pier
After you are done at the Tower, walk down to the river ( 0.2 mile, MAP) and board the Thames Clipper going towards London Bridge Pier.
London Bridge Pier to Kappacasein Dairy
Get off at the London Bridge pier and walk down to Borough Market’s Kappacasein for the ‘platonic ideal’ of a cheese sandwich. ( 0.4 mile, MAP).
Wander about Borough market – look for the amazing chocolate and Turkish delights stalls!
Now start walking along the amazing Southbank until you come to the Globe theatre.
Take a tour or catch a matinee!
Shakespeare Globe
MAP | SOUTHBANK
A world-renowned theatre, education centre, and cultural landmark. Shakespeare’s Globe is a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse first built in 1599 for which William Shakespeare wrote his plays. Like the original, it is located on the south bank of the River Thames, in Southwark, London.
Take a Tour or catch a performance!
If Shakespeare’s not your thing – pop into the Tate Modern.
Here’s my Tate Modern in 20 Works
Tate Modern
MAP | SOUTHBANK
Tate Modern is an art gallery in London, housing the United Kingdom’s national collection of international modern and contemporary art (created from or after 1900). It is located in the former Bankside Power Station on London’s South Bank. Tate Modern is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the world. After sharing the Millbank site with Tate Britain for many decades, since 2000 Tate Modern has occupied the converted former Bankside Power Station. This was originally designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron left much of the original internal structure, including the cavernous main turbine hall, which retained the overhead traveling crane. The most obvious external change was the two-story glass extension on one half of the roof.
Once you’re done with that area of Southbank, keep strolling along the river until you come to Waterloo bridge. There is a fabulous used book market underneath the bridge.( 0.9 mile, MAP).
When you’ve had enough there, find the Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges – walk across the river but pause in the middle. GREAT photo op in the center with the London Eye on left and the Houses of Parliament on the right.( 0.2 mile, MAP).
Once you arrive on the other side, you are on Villiers Street. Walk up the street and look for Gordon’s Wine Bar. Go down into the crypt and enjoy a glass of sherry straight from the wooden cask on the wall.( 456 ft, MAP).
Hungry? Walk from Villiers Street to Covent Garden. There are literally hundreds of great restaurants here. If you feel like a treat – go to the Opera House and climb up to the Rooftop – it is open to all – and enjoy the view while the sun sets.( 0.4 mile, MAP).
