London in a weekend, a week, a fortnight

Hub of culture and taste, the appeal of the English capital endures like the Beatles’ back catalogue. Here’s what you can do in a short, or longer visit to London.

The quintessential London weekend involves markets, sightseeing and theatre.

Head to the city first to tick off all the tourist hot spots – Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Harrods and Hyde Park. The Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum are also in this pocket.

Fuel up as you go at the – host to numerous street food vendors and fresh produce stalls. Sunday is the main market day at Brick Lane and nearby Old Spitalfields Market in East London, so spend the day perusing the vintage clothing, record and antique stalls.

End the weekend at one of London’s famous West End shows. Musicals now playing include Kinky Boots and Hamilton, and the two-part play, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.

A week in London allows more time to indulge in the best restaurants and shops. Dining destinations not to miss include – a restaurant and bar famous for its quirky decor and afternoon tea.

For fine dining,  owned by Australian chef Brett Graham, has been the recipient of numerous accolades including two Michelin stars and a spot on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017 list.

There are several markets on throughout the week, including the famous Portobello Road Market on Fridays and Saturdays, and open daily.

Take a day trip to Bray, about 50 kilometres from London. Here you’ll find dining destinations worth travelling for, including , the first restaurant outside France to retain three Michelin stars for more than 25 years, and Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck.

Greenwich is also a must-visit for its maritime history and seven-day-a-week market. It can be accessed from the city in about 20 minutes by train, or via the Emirates Air Line cable car from the Royal Docks.

Take time to explore some of London’s most famous areas on foot including Soho with its iconic Carnaby Street, Chelsea, Covent Garden, Kensington and Richmond. The latter is home to Temperate House at the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse.

Up-and-coming suburbs such as Peckham, Hackney and Walthamstow are your go-to areas for new bars and eateries like Cafe Miami and Frank’s Cafe.

Getting there
From Perth to London, and other airlines fly from most Australian capital cities via Qatar, Singapore or Dubai. Look for deals from carriers including Emirates, Etihad, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines.

Stay
Accommodation in London ranges from the height of luxury (The Goring, Claridge’s, The Langham and The Ritz) to trendy (Ace Hotel, Artist Residence, The Hoxton), and more modest Airbnbs.