Tailor-Made London City Breaks

London at a glance

With world-class dining, endless designer boutiques and iconic department stores, an ever-evolving fine arts scene and perhaps the best museums anywhere, London is one of the world’s great cities and promises an unforgettable escape.

The best advice for a London visit is to plan ahead; pick your “must-sees” then fill in around them. The integrated bus and underground networks are a great way to travel, just be sure to check your timings. If you’re looking to visit some of the major attractions like Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London or the Houses of Parliament, a tour can be a great way to find out about the history and see these familiar landmarks up close.

The theatre scene is one of London’s big draws and at Osprey, we’re experts in organising bespoke Theatre Breaks. Head to the West End for long-running shows, the latest musicals and big-name productions. South of the river you’ll find new works at The Old Vic and the National Theatre, as well as Shakespeare’s finest at the atmospheric Globe Theatre. Whatever your theatrical taste, contact the Osprey team and we’ll put together an itinerary to suit you.

“Shop ’til you drop” is one way to describe London! Head to Oxford Street and Regent Street for your high street favourites or Bond Street for more designer brands. Knightsbridge, home to Harrods, has an upmarket vibe, while Carnaby Street in Soho has more cutting-edge fashion. If you like rummaging for that unique vintage find, then head to Camden Market.

The city is home to an embarrassment of riches when it comes to museums and art galleries, and the continuous programme of “blockbuster” exhibitions means no two visits are the same. The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square is home to some of the world’s greatest artworks, like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, while the National Portrait Gallery is just round the corner. As the name suggests, Tate Britain displays art from British artists, such as Turner and Hockney, while Tate Modern showcases contemporary art from around the world. It’s not easy to do a quick visit to the British Museum as there are so many amazing objects to study. But for sheer variety of exhibits, head to South Kensington where you’ll find the neighbouring collections of the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the V&A.

The food and drink scene in London is vibrant and varied, from major chains to some of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. Whether you fancy a pub meal by the Thames, an authentic curry on Brick Lane, or a succulent Chinese in Soho, there are almost limitless options available. Head to Spitalfields, Leadenhall or Borough Markets, all of which have a range of amazing food outlets, with some excellent sharing dishes and a real buzz every day of the week.

Things to do in London

• London Eye: Intended as a temporary structure, its now a popular landmark offering superb views.
• Madame Tussauds: Have your picture taken with the rich and famous - in waxwork form!
• The Houses of Parliament: Pugin’s gothic masterpiece.
• The Tower of London: Home to the crown jewels and one of London's most famous landmarks.
• Buckingham Palace: The King's London residence and now a popular summer visitor attraction.
• Olympic Park: Now a London landmark after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

We can book many tours to make your trip to London truly memorable, visit our Osprey Experiences page for more information or contact on our team.