How To Spend 48 Hours In The City

There’s so much to see and do in London, making 48 hours in the city seem like hardly enough time to catch all the major attractions. However, with a little careful planning, you can easily visit many of the key locations the city has to offer.

To help provide some inspiration, here’s our brief guide to spending 48 hours in the nation’s capital…

Day One:

The first day of your trip should be all about staying active, having settled into your accommodation near Brewery Road and feeling ready to take on London in style!

Take a Spin on the London Eye

Originally intended to be a temporary structure (marking the new millennium), the London Eye proved so popular it stayed. This is a wonderful way to see the city from a unique vantage point.

Today, visitors can take a spin throughout the year, with a variety of options to help upgrade the experience, including renting a private viewing pod or even enjoying a glass of champagne during the trip.

See Some London Landmarks

If you head to Westminster, you’ll be able to catch some of the city’s most famous historic sights (including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey), all in one quick and convenient trip. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the memories.

Catch a West End Show

London’s West End is regarded as one of the top theatre destinations anywhere in the world, so it seems fitting that you should fit a visit into your short break to the city.

There is a huge wealth of talented performers in fantastic shows to be found here, and also a variety of different options on how to enjoy your theatre trip. Some people favour booking ahead to ensure they get the seats they want – others simply arrive in the West End ready to visit the box office.

From musicals to drama, comedy and everything in-between, you’re sure to find it here.

Dine in Style

A great evening meal helps to ease you into your first real evening in the city, and this means finding the perfect space.

The Montcalm Brewery Hotel London is a fantastic place to enjoy delicious cuisine in relaxed and welcoming surroundings, and as you’re dining in-house, you’ll have much more time to head off and explore London after your meal is finished.

Enjoy the London Comedy Scene

Soho Theatre is a top destination for a night out in the city, with regular stand-up gigs by new, emerging and established stars of London’s comedy circuit.

The venue itself is intriguing, with numerous rooms to browse, a lively bar and late shows throughout the year. If there’s a comedian you’ve heard buzz about, they’re likely to have played a gig here – and if you simply want to discover something new and entertaining, this is also the best place to do so!

Day Two:

The second day of your trip can be spent enjoying a slower pace, allowing you to enjoy the city’s top sights while still leaving time to pack up ready to leave the following day.

Browse the Museums

This is an ideal relaxing activity for the final morning of your trip, and thanks to the convenience of London’s transport system, you should be able to get around with ease to see a few of the top venues.

Our major recommendations include:

• The Natural History Museum

Home to everything from dinosaur fossils to insects, this vast Romanesque-style building provides a vast selection of geological and biological discoveries.

It’s easy to lose track of time browsing through the many items on offer, and you’re close to some of the other significant London museums, making a visit here all the more worthwhile.

• The V&A

One of Europe’s foremost design venues, the V&A is dedicated to fashion, textiles and all things design-led. There are regular exhibitions here, and the collection spans centuries – so you’ll never be short on things to see while staying at the Montcalm Brewery Hotel London.

• The British Museum

As notable for its own stunning architecture as for the millions of items you can see here, the British Museum presents something truly special. There’s nowhere else quite like it, with a wide variety of artefacts spanning human history.

• The Science Museum

Another of the city’s top museums, the Science Museum can get pretty busy during the summer months, but is nonetheless a major destination for visitors from all over the world.

Helping to bring science to life for all ages, there’s always something happening here to keep audiences entertained.

Try Afternoon Tea

As British as any tradition can get, afternoon tea has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and can now be enjoyed in London as an indulgent way to treat yourself.

With delicious cakes, sandwiches and teas, this is certainly a great activity for your final day in London. Be aware that some venues require you to book in advance.

Visit a Royal Park

London is never short of green spaces, and with plenty to explore in each one, you really are spoilt for choice! Some of the best to visit on a short break are the Royal Parks, which each have a distinctive character.

With limited time, our top recommendation is to head for Hyde Park, one of the biggest parks in the city and close to neighbouring Kensington Gardens if you feel like extending your visit.

There’s a lake in the park, The Serpentine, where visitors can rent boats or even go for a swim if they don’t mind sharing with the local ducks and swans. Children can also make use of the Diana Memorial Playground, and for added entertainment you can always pass by Speakers’ Corner or take a tour of Kensington Palace or the Serpentine Galleries.

All of these locations are within walking distance, providing scope for a gentle wind down of your stay in the city.