With a short visit to the UK, here is how we planned our one-day itinerary in London. In this article, we skip the famous sights like Big Ben, but you can easily fit them in if you wish.
London Panorama at Sky Garden
London’s highest public garden was on our wish list for quite some time. Once before, having a bit of spare time in London, we thought we might just pop by. Lesson learned: even though Sky Garden is free to access, you must book a free timed ticket through their website. Due to Sky Garden’s popularity, tickets may not be available at times. In that case, their newsletter is a good way to get notified about the new ticket releases. Public tickets are valid for an hour, which is plenty to enjoy the ambience.
Our second attempt to visit the Sky Garden was a charm and well worth it. Elevators whisk you to Level 35, where the exploration begins. There is an outdoor terrace overlooking the River Thames. Moreover, you may take one of the stairways to walk up and around the garden while admiring the 360-degree views of London. Sky Garden also has a couple of restaurants and bars if you fancy a drink, wish to book a table or attend one of their events.
Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms at Tate Modern
Don’t miss out on a chance to literally step into the extraordinary world of Yayoi Kusama. The famous Japanese contemporary artist is known not only as the Princess of Polka Dots but also for staging infinity rooms. As a matter of fact, these added to her big breakthrough in mid-1960s.
At the time of our visit, Tate Modern offered two infinity mirror rooms and 2 precious minutes in each. Thus, spend your time wisely and immerse yourself in Kusama’s kaleidoscopic realms. Make sure to purchase your ticket ahead of time (priced around £10, with specific date and time selection necessary). We arrived slightly late for our 4:30 PM slot but thankfully it did not pose any issues.
Borough Market’s Delicacies
Visiting Borough Market has become a tradition for us in London. It is a historic delight for quality street food enthusiasts. Nestled under the bridge with lively stalls, Borough Market traders cater to various tastes and wishes — be it a quick bite, a meal, a nice pint of beer, or even souvenirs and gifts. Everyone wants the good stuff, therefore be prepared for crowds and queues, or try planning your visit during off-peak hours.
Shopping in London: Favorite Brands In-Person
London’s shopping scene offers plenty of opportunities for new and old discoveries. Visiting beloved brand stores in person can be quite refreshing, especially for those who mostly shop online. Take it a step further—search for your favorite brands or products that aren’t available in your home country and shop during your visit. It’s a great chance to sample products, assess quality, and perhaps take home a little treasure. Speaking of which, here’s how to pack light and make more space for souvenirs.
