7 Days in London: The Ultimate One-Week Itinerary for Americans

Last updated: August 1, 2026

A full week in London is a gift. After five days of hitting the major sights, you can slow down — explore museums at a proper pace, wander through royal parks, discover neighbourhoods that most tourists never reach, and take a day trip to a Tudor palace. As someone who grew up here, this is the itinerary I’d write for a friend who wants to actually understand London, not just tick off its landmarks.

Days 1-5 below are condensed versions of our 5 Days in London itinerary — click through for full hour-by-hour details. Days 6 and 7 are entirely new.

At a Glance

Detail	Info
Duration	Seven full days
Areas covered	Central London landmarks, Tower of London, Westminster, British Museum, Natural History Museum, Notting Hill, Greenwich, St Paul’s, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, East End, Camden, Kensington Palace, Churchill War Rooms, V&A Museum, Hyde Park, Hampton Court Palace
Walking distance	~22-26 miles total over seven days
Estimated cost	£450-£650 per person ($600-$870) including attractions, meals, and transport
Rain-friendly	Very — most attractions are indoors, plus five major free museums
Best for	Visitors who want a thorough, well-paced London experience with a day trip
Tube zones needed	Zones 1-2 for Days 1-6, Zone 6 for Hampton Court (Day 7)

Days 1-5: The Core Itinerary

Days 1 through 5 follow our 5 Days in London guide. Here’s the quick overview:

Day 1: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace (Changing of the Guard), Tower of London, South Bank pub dinner.

Day 2: Sky Garden (free, book ahead), Covent Garden and Neal’s Yard, British Museum, dinner in Soho.

Day 3: Natural History Museum (free), Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market, half-day in Greenwich (Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, Prime Meridian Line).

Day 4: St Paul’s Cathedral (dome climb), Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe tour, East End street art and Brick Lane curry dinner.

Day 5: Camden Market, Regent’s Canal walk to Little Venice, Kensington Palace and Gardens, final dinner in Notting Hill.

See the full 5-day guide for detailed hour-by-hour breakdowns, lunch recommendations, and rain alternatives for each day.

Day 6: Churchill War Rooms, V&A Museum & Hyde Park

Day 6 is your deep-culture day — a WWII bunker, the world’s greatest decorative arts museum, and London’s most famous park. This is a more relaxed day by design; you’ve earned it after five days of marching through central London.

9:30 AM – Churchill War Rooms

Nearest Tube: Westminster (Jubilee, District, Circle lines) — 5-minute walk

Hidden beneath the streets of Westminster, these are the actual underground rooms where Winston Churchill and his cabinet directed Britain’s war effort from 1939 to 1945. The Map Room has been left almost exactly as it was when the doors were shut on August 16, 1945 — the same maps on the walls, the same colour-coded pins marking troop positions across Europe and the Atlantic.

What you’ll see:

The Cabinet Room — the table where Churchill’s War Cabinet met 115 times during the war, preserved exactly as it was
The Map Room — the operational heart of the bunker, staffed 24 hours a day throughout the war, with original maps and charts still pinned to the walls
Churchill’s Room — the bedroom where Churchill took his afternoon naps and even delivered a broadcast to the nation
The Churchill Museum — an interactive museum within the bunker covering Churchill’s entire life, from his difficult childhood to his state funeral in 1965
Ticket: £34 adult (~$46). Book at iwm.org.uk to skip the queue. Discounted to £25 after 3 PM if you’re running late.
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Hours: Daily 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM). Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM.
Includes: Free audio guide (highly recommended — it’s excellent and narrated by a Churchill impersonator)
Tip: Go first thing in the morning or after 3 PM to avoid the busiest periods. The audio guide is comprehensive — don’t rush through it. Allow at least 2 hours, even though you could do it in 90 minutes if you skipped parts.

12:30 PM – Lunch in Westminster

After the War Rooms, walk 5 minutes to Parliament Square. Grab lunch at the Cinnamon Club (upmarket Indian in a former library, £25-40) or the Red Lion pub on Parliament Street (classic British pub grub, £12-18). For something quicker, the café inside the Queen Elizabeth II Centre on Broad Sanctuary does decent sandwiches and coffee.

2:00 PM – Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)

Nearest Tube: South Kensington (Circle, District, Piccadilly lines) — 5-minute walk through an underground tunnel from the station

The V&A is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing over 2.2 million objects spanning 5,000 years. If the British Museum is about history and the Natural History Museum is about nature, the V&A is about human creativity — fashion, furniture, jewellery, ceramics, photography, sculpture, theatre, and architecture.

Must-see highlights:

The Cast Courts — enormous plaster casts of famous sculptures and architecture, including a full-size replica of Trajan’s Column from Rome (it’s so tall they had to cut it in half)
The Raphael Cartoons — seven full-scale tapestry designs painted by Raphael in 1515, on loan from the Queen
The Fashion Gallery — 400 years of fashion history, from a 17th-century waistcoat to Alexander McQueen (note: currently closed until Spring 2027 for renovation)
The Jewellery Gallery — over 3,000 pieces spanning 3,000 years, including the famous Heneage or Loyalty Jewel presented to Queen Elizabeth I
The Photography Gallery — over 800,000 photographs from the 1840s to today
Ticket: Free for permanent collections. No advance booking needed — just walk in. Special exhibitions are ticketed (£18-25).
Time needed: 2-3 hours (you could easily spend a full day)
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM, Fridays until 10:00 PM (V&A Lates — live music, talks, and a bar)
Website: vam.ac.uk
Tip: The V&A café is worth visiting in its own right — it’s housed in three magnificent Victorian rooms with original tilework, stained glass, and a fountain. One of London’s most beautiful places to have a cup of tea.

5:00 PM – Hyde Park & the Serpentine

Walk 10 minutes north from the V&A through Kensington Gardens to Hyde Park — together they form one of the largest urban parks in the world, 615 acres of green space in the heart of London.

What to see:

The Serpentine — a 40-acre lake in the centre of the park. You can rent a rowing boat or pedal boat (£12-15 per hour) from the boathouse on the north side, or swim at the Serpentine Lido (£5 entry) if you’re feeling brave (the water is cold, even in August).
Speakers’ Corner — the northeast corner of the park (near Marble Arch), where anyone can stand on a soapbox and speak about anything they want. It’s been a tradition since 1872, and on Sunday mornings it’s still a lively scene of preachers, conspiracy theorists, comedians, and political activists. Worth a visit even on a weekday just to see the spot.
The Diana Memorial Fountain — a flowing water memorial on the south side of the Serpentine, designed to be walked in and touched. Popular with families on hot days.
Kensington Gardens (west side) — technically a separate park but contiguous with Hyde Park. You’ll pass through it walking from the V&A. Look for the Peter Pan statue and the Italian Gardens.
Entry: Free, open daily from 5:00 AM to midnight
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Website: royalparks.org.uk

7:00 PM – Dinner in South Kensington or Knightsbridge

After a relaxed park afternoon, dinner options nearby:

The Ivaness Restaurant (Knightsbridge) — Russian-Italian fusion in a stunning townhouse. Budget: £25-40 per person.
Hunan (Pimlico) — incredible Chinese tasting menu where you just sit down and tell them how hungry you are. Budget: £40-55 per person. Book at hunanlondon.com.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (Knightsbridge) — if you want a truly special night out, this two-Michelin-star restaurant serves historically inspired British dishes (meat fruit, tipsy cake). Budget: £100-150 per person. Book well ahead at dinnerbyheston.com.

Day 7: Day Trip to Hampton Court Palace

Your final day takes you out of central London to one of England’s most spectacular royal palaces — Hampton Court, the sprawling Tudor and Baroque masterpiece on the Thames that Henry VIII stole from Cardinal Wolsey in 1529.

10:00 AM – Arrive at Hampton Court Palace

Getting there: Take the National Rail train from London Waterloo to Hampton Court Station. Trains run every 30 minutes and the journey takes about 35 minutes. The station is a 5-minute walk from the palace. Your contactless card or Oyster works on this route (Zone 6).

Ticket: £29 adult (~$39) booked online at hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace. Members of Historic Royal Palaces get free entry.
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Last admission 4:30 PM.
Time needed: 4-5 hours (plan for a full day)

What to See at Hampton Court

Henry VIII’s Apartments:

The Great Hall — England’s last medieval great hall, with a spectacular hammer-beam roof and tapestries dating from the 1540s. This is where Henry VIII dined under the watching eyes of his courtiers.
The Haunted Gallery — where Catherine Howard (Henry’s fifth wife, executed for adultery) allegedly ran screaming down the corridor to beg Henry for mercy. Staff and visitors have reported seeing her ghost.
The Kitchens — Henry VIII’s Tudor kitchens fed up to 1,200 people per day. They’ve been restored to working condition, complete with real fires and the smell of roasting meat.

William III’s and Mary II’s Apartments (Baroque wing):

Built in the late 1600s by Sir Christopher Wren (the same architect who designed St Paul’s Cathedral), this section of the palace is a completely different architectural style — light, symmetrical, and elegant Baroque compared to the dark, wonky Tudor rooms.
The King’s Staircase — a stunning painted staircase depicting scenes from classical mythology
The Privy Garden — a beautifully restored formal garden on the river side of the palace

The Gardens:

The Maze — the famous Hampton Court Maze, planted in 1700. It’s the oldest surviving hedge maze in the world. Entry is included in your palace ticket. Don’t be embarrassed if you get lost — most people do.
The Great Vine — planted in 1768, it’s the world’s largest grapevine, still producing over 500 pounds of black Hamburg grapes each year.
The East Front Gardens — 60 acres of formal gardens, fountains, and flower beds

1:00 PM – Lunch at Hampton Court

Eat at the Tiltyard Café on the palace grounds (£10-15 for soup, sandwiches, and cakes) or the Clock Court Café for coffee and light snacks. For something more substantial, the King’s Guard Chamber hosts a carvery lunch in a historic room (£18-25 per person).

If you’d rather save money, bring a packed lunch and eat in the palace gardens — there are benches throughout the grounds with lovely views.

3:00 PM – Explore the Palace Gardens

After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the 60 acres of gardens. Don’t miss:

The Privy Garden — King William III’s private formal garden, restored to its 1702 design
The Pond Gardens — sunken ornamental gardens that were originally fish ponds in Tudor times
The Wilderness — a more natural area of the gardens, with a tangle of paths through trees and spring flowers
Home Park — 750 acres of deer park stretching down to the Thames. If you’re lucky you’ll spot the fallow deer herd that’s been here since the Tudor period.

4:30 PM – Walk the Thames Path

Before heading back, take a 30-minute stroll along the Thames Path that runs alongside the palace. The river is wide and peaceful here — you’ll pass houseboats, rowing clubs, and riverside pubs. If you have time, stop at the Swan Hotel for a pint by the river.

5:30 PM – Train Back to London

Catch the return train from Hampton Court Station to London Waterloo (every 30 minutes, 35-minute journey). You’ll arrive back in central London by about 6:15 PM.

7:00 PM – Final London Dinner

Make your last London dinner count. Some suggestions:

Rule’s (Covent Garden) — London’s oldest restaurant (opened 1798), serving classic British food in a beautiful dining room. Famous for game dishes and oysters. Budget: £35-55 per person. Book at rules.co.uk.
Sketch (Mayfair) — a truly unique dining experience across multiple artist-designed rooms. The Lecture Room & Library holds two Michelin stars. Budget: £40-80 per person. Book at sketch.london.
The Wolseley (Piccadilly) — a grand European-style café in a stunning 1920s car showroom. Excellent for a celebratory final dinner. Budget: £25-45 per person. Book at thewolseley.com.

American Traveler Tips

Topic	What You Need to Know
Currency	£1 ≈ $1.34 (July 2026). Check the current rate before your trip.
Tipping	10-12.5% service charge often added automatically. If not, 10% is standard. Don’t tip at the bar in pubs.
Plug adapters	UK uses Type G plugs (three rectangular pins).
Tube payment	Tap contactless card or phone. Zones 1-2 daily cap: ~£9.90-£10.60. Day 7 Hampton Court is Zone 6 — daily cap extends to ~£14-15.
Pacing yourself	Seven days is a lot of walking. Build in rest breaks — London’s parks, pubs, and museum cafés are perfect for this. Don’t try to fill every hour.
Museum fatigue	You’ll visit 4-5 museums during the week. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, pick 2-3 highlights in each museum and skip the rest. You can always come back.
Hampton Court day	This is a full-day trip. Leave central London by 9:15 AM to arrive when the palace opens at 10 AM. The train ride is part of the experience — you’ll see the Thames and London suburbs from the window.
Sunday closures	Hampton Court Palace is open Sundays. But if any of your other days fall on a Sunday, note that St Paul’s Cathedral (sightseeing closed Sundays) and Kensington Palace (closed Mon-Tue) have restricted days.
V&A Friday late	If Day 6 falls on a Friday, the V&A stays open until 10 PM with live music, talks, and a bar. Worth rearranging your schedule for.

Rain Backup Plan

Days 1-5: See the 5 Days in London guide for detailed rain alternatives.
Day 6: Churchill War Rooms and the V&A are both fully indoors. If it’s pouring, skip Hyde Park and spend more time in the V&A — you could easily fill 4-5 hours there. The museum café is genuinely beautiful for a rainy-day tea break.
Day 7: Hampton Court Palace is mostly indoors — the Tudor apartments, Baroque apartments, kitchens, and the Great Hall are all under cover. The gardens and maze are better in dry weather, but the interiors alone justify the trip. Bring an umbrella for the walk between buildings.

FAQ

Is seven days too long for London?
Not at all — London is one of the world’s great cities, with over 200 museums, thousands of restaurants, and endless neighbourhoods to explore. Seven days gives you a thorough experience without rushing. Many visitors return for a second or third trip and still don’t run out of things to see.

What if I can only do five or six days?
Follow our 5 Days in London itinerary. If you have six days, add Day 6 (Churchill War Rooms, V&A, Hyde Park) — those three are all within easy reach of each other and can be done in a single day.

Is Hampton Court Palace worth the trip?
Yes, absolutely — it’s one of England’s most spectacular historic sites. Henry VIII’s Great Hall, the Baroque apartments, the Tudor kitchens, and the world’s oldest maze make this a full-day experience that feels completely different from anything in central London. The train ride along the Thames is a bonus.

Can I visit Windsor Castle instead of Hampton Court?
Windsor Castle is another excellent day trip option — it’s a working royal residence with St George’s Chapel and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. Trains from London Paddington to Windsor Central take about 30 minutes. Tickets cost around £30 for adults. Either is a great choice for Day 7 — I’ve recommended Hampton Court because it’s less crowded and the gardens are more extensive.

Should I buy a London Pass for seven days?
For a seven-day trip hitting multiple paid attractions, a 7-day London Pass (~£129-149) might be worth it. It covers Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace, and Shakespeare’s Globe tours. Calculate the individual ticket costs first — if the total exceeds the pass price, buy one. Check londonpass.com for current pricing.

How much does a full week in London cost?
Budget roughly £450-£650 ($600-$870) per person. Breakdown: Paid attractions (~£200-250: Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St Paul’s, Kensington Palace, Churchill War Rooms, Shakespeare’s Globe, Hampton Court Palace), free attractions (British Museum, Natural History Museum, V&A, Tate Modern, Sky Garden, Hyde Park), meals (£180-280 over seven days), and transport (£60-80 including Hampton Court Zone 6 travel).

What about a West End show?
With seven days, you absolutely should see a West End show — London’s theatre district rivals Broadway. Book at officiallondontheatre.com or tkts booth in Leicester Square for last-minute discounted tickets. Popular long-running shows include Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, and Hamilton. Tickets range from £25 (balcony) to £150+ (premium seats). A good evening to schedule a show would be Day 4 or Day 6 — both have earlier finishes, giving you time to get ready and grab dinner in Soho before a 7:30 PM curtain.

Looking for shorter London itineraries? Check out our 1 Day in London, 2 Days in London, 3 Days in London, 5 Days in London guides.

First time visiting London? Read our complete first-timer’s guide for everything you need to know before you go.