Worsha’s DIY London Tour
Start here, at Bank Station.
Worsha’s DIY London Tour
Want to see a lot of London in a short time? This gem of a diy tour was found in the comment section of a Facebook travel group, from a helpful local Londoner named Worsha. She brings her friends and family on this diy tour when they visit her in London.
It will take all day, so start early. You’ll ride the underground, a cable car, and a river boat! No tickets needed. Instead, use your RFID-enabled credit card to take public transit. (You’ll know you have one if your credit card has a symbol with 3 or 4 curvy lines—kinda like a sideways wifi signal.)
Click here to go to an Apple Maps guide I made for the stops. Start at the bottom (sort by date added) and work your way up. Refer back to here when you need direction.
Start by taking the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) from Bank Station to Royal Victoria which should cost you £3.70 Try to sit at the very front of the train for the best views out of the front window of the driverless train car.
Disembark at Royal Victoria and walk for approximately 2 minutes to reach the cable car station.
Take the cable cars (one-way only £6) to Greenwich. Enjoy the scenic views as you soar above the city.
Upon arrival in Greenwich, head to the Royal Observatory and straddle the Prime Meridian, where the eastern and western hemispheres meet. In a bit, you can explore the Cutty Sark, an historic sailing ship—fastest of its time. It’s an £18 ticket for the observatory, £18 ticket for the ship, or £27 for both.
Afterward, take a leisurely stroll to the O2 Centre where you can grab a coffee and explore the various dining options, entertainment, and shopping.
Once you've explored the O2 Centre, make your way to the Greenwich Pier.
Board a river clipper (prices start at £5.20) and enjoy a scenic cruise along the River Thames, heading towards Westminster.
Along the way, you can choose to hop on and off at various stops like Cutty Sark, London Bridge, or Tower Bridge, to explore these iconic landmarks.
Arrive at Westminster Pier, and from there, take a walk past Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. Marvel at the architectural grandeur of these historic landmarks. Bonus if you’re there around 5:00 PM and can join the free evensong service at the Abbey (every day but Wednesdays).
Continue walking past No. 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister, and catch a glimpse of the King's guards on duty.
Make your way to Trafalgar Square, known for its iconic Nelson's Column and the National Gallery. Take some time to appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and perhaps feed the pigeons.
Head north from Trafalgar Square to Covent Garden. This lively area is filled with shops, street performers, and restaurants. Enjoy dinner at one of the many authentic eateries in the vicinity. (Worsha recommends Chinese at Four Seasons.)
Total cost of the route seems to be just under £15 at £14.90 which in UDS would be $19.11 or just under $20 + plus the cost of tickets and any shopping or food purchases along the way. We plan to take this route in September with Dantan’s parents. I’ll update afterwards!
-HW
