Luxury things to do in London
The Savoy, The Clove Club, Restaurant Story, Gymkhana, Claridge's Bakery
London at its most considered: breakfast from Claridge's, lunch at Gymkhana, tea at the Savoy, dinner at Story. These three days are for someone who wants the city's most celebrated rooms without having to choose between them. Every booking matters here.
Day 1: Carnaby, Mayfair and Sketch
The day opens at Claridge's and closes in sketch's gilded Lecture Room, with Gymkhana's lunch and a Selfridges sweep in between.
- 9:30 AM
Claridge's Bakery
Claridge's own bakery behind the hotel on Brook's Mews; a quiet coffee and pastry before the Wallace.
Map - 10:30 AM
The Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection, free, palatial, stuffed with Fragonards and armour; the perfect unhurried pre-lunch wander.
Map - 12:30 PM
Gymkhana
A Raj era club room on Albemarle Street; order the wild muntjac biryani and the kid goat methi keema.
Map - 2:30 PM
Selfridges
Selfridges, the ultimate luxury flagship on Oxford Street for a lavish post-lunch browse.
Map - 7:30 PM
Sketch, The Lecture Room and Library
Pierre Gagnaire's French tasting menu in a gilded first floor salon; dress up and book well ahead.
Map - 9:30 PM
Day 2: Shoreditch, the City and Story
Living rooms through four centuries at the Museum of the Home, lunch at The Clove Club, Leadenhall's Victorian ironwork, then Story by Tower Bridge.
- 9:30 AM
Jolene Redchurch Street
Jolene's Redchurch Street bakery; heritage grain bread, a morning bun and a flat white at the counter.
Map - 10:30 AM
Museum of the Home
Free: London living rooms from 1600 to now in old almshouses, plus period gardens out back.
Map - 12:30 PM
The Clove Club
Isaac McHale's tasting menu in the old Shoreditch Town Hall; lunch runs Wednesday to Saturday only.
Map - 2:30 PM
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market, stunning Victorian covered market, one of the City's grandest landmarks for an afternoon wander.
Map - 7:30 PM
Restaurant Story
Tom Sellers' tasting menu by Tower Bridge; allow two and a half hours and let them pace it.
Map
Day 3: Soho, Covent Garden and the Savoy
Pastries on Mercer Street, the National Gallery, the Savoy's silver-trolley afternoon tea, a stroll through St James's Park, and Humble Chicken's omakase to finish.
- 9:30 AM
Arôme Bakery - Mercer Street
Arôme's Mercer Street counter for the honey butter toast and a flat white.
Map - 10:30 AM
The National Gallery
One of the world's great collections, free, grand, and a short stroll south through Covent Garden.
Map - 12:30 PM
Afternoon Tea at The Savoy
Tea in the Thames Foyer under the glass cupola, a pianist playing and scones wheeled round on the trolley.
Map - 3:00 PM
Covent Garden
Stroll the covered piazza, luxury boutiques, the Market Building, and the energy of one of London's iconic quarters.
Map - 4:30 PM
St James's Park
Walk the lake from Horse Guards toward Buckingham Palace and look for the pelicans by Duck Island.
Map - 7:30 PM
Humble Chicken
Angelo Sato's Japanese tasting counter on Frith Street; ask for seats facing the chefs.
Map
Where to stay
The Savoy
You're having afternoon tea here on day three: staying at the Savoy makes that a very short walk back to your room.
Rosewood London
Rosewood London sits between Covent Garden and the City, placing you well for all three days and matching the tone of every room on this itinerary.
Make London your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
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Book ahead
- Tower of London: weeks ahead
- The British Museum: a few days ahead
- National Gallery: a few days ahead
- Tate Modern: a few days ahead
- West End: weeks ahead
- Sky Garden: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Madame Tussauds and the big paid immersive experiences around it.
- The London Eye at full price in a midday queue and the Shard viewing platform, when free views exist.
- Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus restaurants, Angus Steakhouse type chains and any place with a tout.
- Oxford Street candy and souvenir shops. Buy nothing there.
The full London travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around