24 Hours in London (Because Why Not?)
When you’re booking an international trip, sometimes the best travel moments happen in between destinations.
For our Scotland adventure, we used airline miles for our flights—which opened up the perfect opportunity to spend 24 hours in London before heading north. And yes, you can absolutely see a lot of London in just one day.
Morning Arrival + Game Plan
We landed at Heathrow Airport around 9:00 a.m. Knowing our hotel room wouldn’t be ready yet, we packed easy-access clothes in our carry-ons, freshened up quickly at the hotel, stored our luggage, and were ready to go.
Our secret weapon for the day: a hop-on, hop-off bus pass. It made getting around effortless and allowed us to hit all the major highlights without stressing over transportation or timing.
Harry Potter First Stop
First stop: King’s Cross Station for a little Harry Potter magic. Platform 9¾ photos? Of course. There was also a small market set up outside, so we grabbed pastries, Scotch eggs, and—most importantly—coffee to kick off the day.
Theatre District + LEGO Magic
Next, the bus took us through London’s theatre district. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth wandering around just to soak in the energy. The LEGO Store Leicester Square was a surprise highlight—huge displays featuring James Bond’s 007 car, Harry and Ron’s flying car, and an epic Voldemort snake installation.
We also snapped a quick photo in front of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Theatre—because when in London…
Chinatown Wandering
From there, we wandered into Chinatown London, which was buzzing with color, lanterns, shops, and the smell of incredible food everywhere. Even without sitting down for a meal, it’s such a fun area to explore—lively, energetic, and full of character.
King’s College & Crossing the Thames
Next on our list was King’s College London, beautifully set along the Thames. The architecture is stunning, and the riverside views make it feel peaceful—even in the middle of a busy city.
From there, we crossed into the City of London and headed over the bridge toward Bermondsey for one very important reason: fish and chips. Crispy, classic, and exactly what we needed.
Tower Bridge + A Boozy Tea Stop
After lunch, Tower Bridge was next. Before crossing, we made a quick stop at Potters Fields Park, where we found a pop-up tea stand serving iced tea drinks—made even better with a splash of alcohol. Refreshing, unexpected, and very on-brand for us.
Big Ben, Parliament & Buckingham Palace
Crossing Tower Bridge gave us those iconic skyline views, and soon we were snapping photos of Big Ben and Palace of Westminster.
Back on the bus we went, heading to Buckingham Palace. Sadly, the King didn’t pop out to say hello—but it was still a must-see moment.
Sherlock Holmes & Birthday Celebrations
We wrapped up sightseeing back in our neighborhood with a fun visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum—a quirky, charming stop that felt very London.
By then, our room was ready, so we refreshed and headed out for the evening. Since it was my husband’s birthday, we made sure to celebrate properly with a seafood dinner—complete with a decadent seafood tower.
A leisurely sunset walk, gelato for dessert, and just like that… our whirlwind London day came to an end.
Good night, London. You were fabulous.