A Summer Weekend in London

While there is so much to do in London’s lush, outdoor spaces, I recommend that you prioritize a stroll through the parks, a boat ride on the Thames, and walking along the streets of Mayfair. First, please note that it would take years to see all of the outdoor spaces this city has to offer. This is just a jumping-off point.

Without further fanfare, here is my weekend itinerary:

• Enjoy a traditional English breakfast and then start your day in the St. James area by checking out Green Park. At 40 acres, it’s the smallest of the eight royal parks in London. Take a nice stroll and grab some coffee in the park before venturing on.

• Access the Buckingham Palace gates through Green Park, take in the view and gardens, and start walking toward St. James Park (Buckingham Palace divides the two parks). If you time it right, you will catch the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

• Changing the Guard, traditionally known as Guard Mounting, takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 11:00 am. It is held daily during the summer.

• London has amazing Indian food. It’s a 5-minute walk from St. James Park to the famous Chutney Mary. While Chutney Mary’s dinner menu is a dressy, coin-heavy affair, the lunch menu is informal, more reasonably priced, and welcoming to teens. Their tikka masala and naan pizza are crowd pleasers with the kids!

• Walk off lunch by heading over to the London Eye on the South Bank of the River Thames. But don’t actually get on the London Eye! It’s an overcrowded tourist trap and not worth the hassle! What is worth your time is walking along the river and taking in the views, including the Westminster Bridge, the clock tower housing Big Ben, the various street performers, and, if you are into skateboarding, the Southbank Skatepark (our boys were captivated by this!) 

• Before departing this area, tour the River Thames with the Thames Rockets. You can book a private or public excursion, and it’s a great way to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time. My teens loved the fast speeds, our animated guide, and the entertaining music on our private tour!

• End the day wandering through the Mayfair shops of Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Piccadilly Circus. Lastly, there is no need to rush home to clean up for dinner. Enjoy a casual, kid-friendly dinner outside at Gordon Ramsey’s Heddon Street Kitchen located just off Regent Street. Lastly, if you are not ready to call it a night after dinner, enjoy a toddy at The Starman, a new David Bowie-inspired bar also on Heddon Street. 

• For soccer fans and those who like to plan activities in advance, I highly recommend adding an extra day to your itinerary and getting tickets to a worthy match at Wembley Stadium. We watched England women’s national soccer team create history by winning their first major women’s tournament in a dramatic Euro 2022 final against Germany!

Logistics and Lodging:

British Airways (partner with American Airlines) offers direct flights to London’s Heathrow airport from Austin, TX. I always opt for a direct flight when one is available to reduce my chance of lost luggage and travel delays. It is roughly a 40-minute drive from Heathrow airport into London. If you didn’t have time to exchange dollars for pounds in advance, you will want to do that at the airport!

We opted to splurge since it was a short visit and stayed at the Stafford Hotel in the historic St. James district just minutes from London’s vibrant West End. Within a 5-minute walk are Green Park, St. James Park, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, and a host of great restaurants and shops. Despite how central it was, it also felt very secluded and quiet. Regardless, the staff, restaurant, and décor won me over. It’s also worth mentioning that even though we splurged on our accommodations, because we booked through a Brownell travel advisor, we enjoyed complimentary meals, restaurant credits, and access to upgrades.

Still splurging but also centrally located are these hotels: Duke’s Health Club and Hotel, Claridge’s, and The Connaught.

Want to utilize your points? Check out the Flemings Mayfair Hotel (World of Hyatt), the London Edition (Marriott Bonvoy) on Park Lane, InterContinental London Park Lane (IHG One Rewards), or Marriott Grosvenor Square. Lastly, if you want your own kitchen and separate bedrooms, check out Grand Residences by Marriott on Park Street.

Airport Assistance:

If you need assistance at the airport for your arriving or departing flight, check out Global Airport Concierge. Furthermore, they can help arrange transportation to and from the airport, rush you through security or immigration lines, line up porter services for your luggage, or arrange for private lounges. They have options for every budget. It’s a great option to simplify things, especially if a member of your group is elderly or nursing an injury.

In Conclusion:

This was my third trip to London and won’t be my last. My first trip was a summer internship during college. My second was a 2-week excursion, and the third trip was just a small part of one big UK adventure. This city is dear to me and despite being home to 9 million people, I can always find areas that feel secluded and calming. If I had more time on this recent trip, I would have added Kew Gardens to the list. It’s a 45-minute tube ride from London. Are there any outside pursuits in the London area you would add to this list? If so, please share in the comments!