London First Visit: A 5-Day Plan That Actually Works

Flying into London Heathrow (LHR), I took the Heathrow Express into Paddington Station — expensive but fast (15 minutes). A cheaper option is the Piccadilly Line, which takes about 50 minutes but drops you directly into central London. If you’re arriving late or with luggage, a black cab or Uber is far easier but significantly more expensive. I based myself near Covent Garden, which turned out to be ideal. From there, I could walk to Leicester Square, Soho, and the Thames within minutes. My first walk took me along the South Bank, starting near the London Eye, past street performers, and continuing toward Tower Bridge — one of the best introductory walks in the city. London’s museums are world-class and free. I spent half a day in the British Museum (Bloomsbury), and another exploring the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Don’t try to do too many — they’re massive. One of my favourite afternoons was in Hyde Park, walking from Kensington Gardens past the Serpentine. It’s a completely different pace from central London and gives you a sense of how livable the city is. Food in London has improved dramatically. I had an excellent meal at Dishoom (Covent Garden) — known for its Bombay-style Indian food — and another at Flat Iron for a simple but high-quality steak. A day trip is worth it. I took a train from Paddington to Oxford (1 hour), which gives you historic colleges, quiet courtyards, and a completely different feel from London.