Off the Beaten Path London
London Travel Itinerary & Guide
2 Days in London, United Kingdom
Visited London a few times and looking for something new? Check out this itinerary for London off the beaten path.
Day 1:
The British Museum
Even though, it’s not necessarily Off the Beaten Path, The British Museum is always a fantastic place to visit…especially since the general museum is free. One of my favorite places to grab a cup of coffee is in the main atrium under the beautiful natural light flowing in. With revolving displays and galleries there is always something new to see. There are plenty of signs to read that are really informative (unlike museums in Italy where you need to purchase a headset or have a tour).
Heal's: Tottenham Court Road
A bit off the beaten path, but a photographer’s dream is the Heal’s staircase. This is hidden towards the back of a department store but is a great photo opportunity I strongly recommend. The staff didn’t seem to have any issues when I took my photo.
Dishoom: Carnaby
You can’t visit London without enjoying Indian and Pakistani inspired cuisine. Dishoom is one of my favorites and about a 20-minute walk from the British Museum. The food is excellent; the staff is nice and very helpful in finding the perfect dish that will make your taste buds dance. The food is quite rich, so be careful of over ordering. Also the chai tea is free refills, so enjoy!
Stroll around Carnaby Street
Stroll around Carnaby Street and do some shopping or window shopping. Also, enjoy the beautiful art which creates some wonderful photographic opportunities.
West End Theater District
Swing by the theater district and catch a matinee show. You can purchase tickets at a discounted ticket booth, but they were mostly sold out so try and buy your tickets early. I saw the The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and enjoyed it. There are many plays that you can’t see in the states, so I would recommend shaking it up a little bit and try a local show while you’re in London.
MASH
Treat yourself to a wonderful steak from MASH. It’s a little higher end of a restaurant but a wonderful decor and environment with a great meal.
Day 2:
Pray for a sunny day, since most of today’s itinerary will be spent outside. You’ll be heading to Greenwich Park with a few pitstops along the way.
Greenwich Market
On the way to the Greenwich Observatory and Park, make a quick pit stop through the Greenwich Market. Grab a cup of coffee, some pastries, and walk through the different stalls doing some souvenir shopping…or buy yourself something nice. It’s a really fun and diverse market.
University of Greenwich & Greenwich Park
Take a quick stroll through the University of Greenwich, right at the base of Greenwich Park. It’s a beautiful historic university with stunning architecture and landscape. Greenwich park is lovely on a sunny day. Filled with wonderful landscape and rolling hills, it’s a perfect mini-escape from the city. Walk towards the Royal Observatory and head into the museum if you’re interested. I actually skipped the museum and enjoyed the breath-taking views of London from the top of the hill. From there take some time to explore Greenwich park, you’ll find some great surprises including deer, foxes, and surprisingly the friendliest squirrels I’ve ever seen in the world.
The Shard
On the way to the Borough market, make a quick stop by the Shard which is just feet away.
Borough Market
Come with a big appetite because Borough Market is a foodies paradise! Lined with booth after booth, stall after stall featuring cuisines from paella, pad thai, to the world’s best grill cheese….yes, you’ve heard it here!
Tate Museum
A great museum with beautiful art and many wonderful photo spots. It’s a bit out of the way and not very crowded, especially compared to the British Museum. I’d really recommend taking a nice stroll through the diverse exhibits here.
Wagamama Ramen
A bit of a random recommendation, but one of my favorite budget-ish meals in London is a big bowl of ramen from Wagamama. It’s a very lite ramen so it won’t make you feel uncomfortable, but it’s very comforting on a cold London night. It’s a very casual restaurant but has great flavor.
Tips and Tricks:
London is a fairly safe city, but be careful of pickpockets and be aware of your surroundings especially in crowded areas with recent terrorist attacks. Make sure to bring a jacket and umbrella as it can normally be rainy and west.