Things to do in London, splurging
The Wallace Collection and Tate Modern, lunch at Sabor, dinner at Berenjak and St. JOHN.
This is London for people who have done the sightseeing and now want to eat and drink at the top of the city's game. The days move between Mayfair, Notting Hill and Southwark, with enough breathing room between the big meals to actually enjoy them. If you are happy spending real money on dinner and expect the room to match, this is your trip.
Day 1: Mayfair, Carnaby and Soho
The day opens at Claridge's Bakery, passes through the Wallace Collection and Selfridges, and closes with charcoal-grilled kebabs at Berenjak and a late cocktail at Flute.
- 9:30 AM
Claridge's Bakery
Claridge's own bakery, tucked behind the hotel on Brook's Mews, for coffee and a pastry before the galleries.
Map - 10:30 AM
The Wallace Collection
Free, and full of Fragonards, Canalettos and armour in a Marylebone townhouse; find The Swing upstairs.
Map - 12:30 PM
Sabor
Sabor, acclaimed Spanish counter dining; sit at the bar for small plates, jamón and a glass of fino.
Map - 2:30 PM
Selfridges
Harry Selfridge's 1909 store: designer floors, a beauty hall and a food hall worth the detour.
Map - 7:30 PM
Berenjak Soho
A Tehran style kebab house on Romilly Street; order the koobideh, hummus and bread hot from the clay oven.
Map - 9:30 PM
Flute Bar
The Broadwick's rooftop bar, with mirrored ceilings and a wraparound terrace over Soho; take a martini outside.
Map
Day 2: Notting Hill to the Dove
A Portuguese espresso and pastel de nata sets the tone before a morning in Kensington and an evening at one of West London's most decorated neighbourhood tables.
- 9:30 AM
Lisboa Patisserie
Iconic Notting Hill Portuguese café, strong espresso and a pastel de nata to start the day.
Map - 10:30 AM
Kensington Gardens
Loop past the Italian Gardens and the Peter Pan statue by the Long Water, then wander back up to Portobello.
Map - 12:30 PM
Dishoom Permit Room Portobello
Dishoom's drinks-led Portobello sibling in an old gin distillery; get the house black daal and a spicy chicken puff.
Map - 2:30 PM
Kensington Palace
The King's State Apartments and the sunken garden; it is shut Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan around that.
Map - 7:30 PM
Dove Restaurant
Jackson Boxer's room on Kensington Park Road; share a whole grilled fish and drink from a long by the glass list.
Map - 9:30 PM
Cépage[s] Wine Bistro
A tiny French wine bistro pouring bottles direct from growers; a last glass and some cheese before bed.
Map
Day 3: Borough Market, Tate and Spitalfields
Borough Market at opening, Tate Modern, Sri Lankan lunch at Rambutan, the Royal Exchange, bone marrow at St. JOHN and a pint at the Ten Bells.
- 9:30 AM
Bread Ahead Bakery | Borough Market
Grab a legendary doughnut or pastry and a coffee while grazing Borough Market at opening time.
Map - 10:30 AM
Tate Modern
World-class modern and contemporary art in the Turbine Hall and beyond, free and endlessly rewarding.
Map - 12:30 PM
Rambutan
Tamil Sri Lankan cooking off Borough Market; get hoppers and the black coconut pineapple curry.
Map - 2:30 PM
Royal Exchange
Jewellers and watchmakers round the 1844 trading floor, with a glass at Fortnum's bar in the covered courtyard.
Map - 7:30 PM
St. JOHN
Fergus Henderson's whitewashed Smithfield room where nose to tail began; order the bone marrow and parsley salad.
Map - 9:30 PM
The Ten Bells
A Victorian Spitalfields pub with its old tiled walls intact; a short cab from Smithfield for the last pint.
Map
Where to stay
Claridge's
Claridge's is the heart of this whole trip: Day 1 starts at its bakery and the address is as considered a choice as anything else on the itinerary.
The Beaumont Hotel
The Beaumont is a step quieter than Claridge's but sits equally close to Carnaby, Mayfair and Selfridges, with a room quality that matches the spending level of these three days.
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.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
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