3 Days in London
✨ London: Three Days of Wandering, Wonder, and Too Little Sleep
I spent three full, busy, sleep-deprived days in London and loved every minute of it. This post blends my itinerary, favorites, and honest advice for anyone craving a stylish, walkable, bookish London escape.
🗓️ My 3-Day Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Arrival · Bloomsbury wander · Camden Locks
Day 2: Tower of London · Westminster Abbey ~ Big Big ~ Borough Market · Sketch
Day 3: Kensington · Notting Hill · Wine Bars & Farewell
I averaged 13–16 miles of walking a day. The Tube was easy, cheap, and a lifesaver when my feet gave out.
🏨 Where I Stayed: Kimpton Fitzroy
A destination in itself. The grand staircase, the floral tea room, the cozy library lounge , every inch is stunning.
My vegan afternoon tea here was a dream: warm scones, delicate pastries, impeccable service. They even boxed up leftovers.
Olive Rating: 🫒🫒🫒🫒🫒
Neighborhood highlights: Cecil Court, Waterstones, and plenty of Bloomsbury cafés for bookish people-watching. (Swan was right around the corner, cheery and lively, the ideal British pub, great people, and great food/drinks)
☕️ Day 1 · Bloomsbury to Camden: Books, Tea & First Impressions
Jet-lagged but buzzing, I set out to wander. Cecil Court’s antique bookshops were still shuttered, beautiful but not quite my scene , I prefer newer titles. The street was a lot smaller/shorter than I expected. I envisioned hundreds of shops, and it was more like 15. Waterstones felt like a literary playground.
I meandered past churches dressed in twinkling Christmas décor and sat outside a café with coffee, just breathing London in. There was a permanent smile on my face
Afternoon Tea at Kimpton: exceptional service and a feast of vegan treats.
After checking in, I walked to Camden Locks: street art, canals, live music, and grit. London’s creative heartbeat.
Evening: returned for Kimpton’s social hour, chatted with travelers (and one very cute dog), then found a corner at The Swan Pub for vegan nuggets and a cocktail. Slept hard that night.
💡 Tip: The Camden canal walk is worth every step: wear comfortable shoes.
👑 Day 2 · History, Markets & Cocktails at Sketch
Morning: Tower of London. Book the 9:30 a.m. slot - fewer crowds, more magic. Seeing the Crown Jewels was goosebump-worthy.
Late Morning: Met a friend at Tower Bridge, wandered through a breathtaking church, then dove into Borough Market. Food heaven - my vegan taco might’ve changed my life.
We caught the Uber Boat down the Thames, gliding past the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Houses of Parliament. We didn’t go in , but hopped off the boat and strolled around. I found a lovely museum and gift shop, but we were crunched for time so settled for just observing and viewing things from the outside (And taking lots of photos). Big Ben was a sight to see as well!
I continued solo: historic pubs, Gordon’s Wine Bar, bookstores, tea shops.
Dinner at Sketch: all pink velvet, whimsy, and art. The cocktails were beautiful, the food divine, and the bathrooms were truly an experience, otherworldly, I felt like I was in outer space! There is the restaurant and two lovely bars, one quieter, the other lively with techno music vibing
💡 Tip: Borough Market gets packed by 11 a.m. Go early or late afternoon for breathing room. Bring a bag to store your items, you could easily stock up here for the week and for items for your room.
🌸 Day 3 · Kensington, Notting Hill & Farewell Wine
Morning stroll through Hyde Park and Kensington Palace - swans, soccer matches, couples holding hands. Coffee at The Orangery Café gave me life.
Notting Hill: charming, chaotic, colorful. Portobello Market on a Saturday? Gorgeous but mobbed - shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. I skipped the hour-long line at Farm Girl Café and wandered quiet side streets instead.
Took the Tube back (Google Maps made navigation effortless). Tried the Sky Garden -no luck without reservations. I also tried a few nearby pubs, The Ship Tavern looked appealing and lovely, as well as , and I really wanted to try The Blackfriar, but due to the parade I was informed there would be a two hour wait. It was a beauty, however
Then, salvation: Gordon’s Wine Bar. A vegan cheese board, a glass of wine, calm after the parade chaos outside, and GREAT people watching. Although I was very drawn and tempted to the cave-like interior.
Pub Stops: The Old Bank of England · Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese · Ye Olde Mitre. Each steeped in history and character.
Dinner at Mildreds: Vegan comfort at its absolute best. Probably my favorite meal of the trip — cozy, colorful, flavorful.
💡 Tip: Saturdays in Notting Hill are mayhem. Go early or visit mid-week to enjoy the beauty without the crowds.
🧳 Practical Advice
Getting Around: The Tube is intuitive, cheap, and safe. Google Maps tells you the line and train countdown.
Packing: Layers, rain coat, and shoes you can actually walk in.
Food: London is incredibly vegan-friendly, Kimpton, Sketch, all the pubs, and Mildreds were standouts.
Solo Travel: I felt completely safe. Londoners keep to themselves but are kind if you need help.
🫒 Highlights & Honest Reflections
CategoryFavoriteOlive RatingHotelKimpton Fitzroy🫒🫒🫒🫒🫒MealMildreds🫒🫒🫒🫒🫒Drink SpotGordon’s Wine Bar🫒🫒🫒🫒🫒ExperienceBorough Market🫒🫒🫒🫒MissPortobello Market (Saturday)🫒🫒
Reflection: London reminded me how alive I feel when I’m exploring alone , moving at my own pace, discovering corners that feel like mine. It gave me independence, awe, and an aching kind of joy that only solo travel can.
🎒 What to Bring (and What I Was Glad I Did)
I didn’t shop much in London , most of my prep happened before the trip, and I’m glad it did. The right staples made all the walking, weather changes, and long days feel effortless.
Here’s what I actually used and loved:
Black leggings – My go-to for day and night. Paired easily with sneakers or boots. I brought several pairs, but ended up wearing these most
Boden reversible vest - this was a life saver!! It is stylish and warm, great for layering, great for travel, GREAT for London. I loved the pockets, the INSIDE pocket is where I kept my phone , which was perfect for keeping it safe and me sane. I wore this multiple times and it can be reversed for two separate looks. I also brought this coat which was perfect. It is casual but not TOO casual , and I was able to wear it with sneakers AND dresses. It is so, and SO warm
Rain jacket – Essential. London’s drizzle appears out of nowhere, and I was thankful for a lightweight, packable one. Make sure it is waterPROOF not water resistant. I purchased this investment piece for Amsterdam last year, BUT it has come in handy so many times, and is easy to pack and travel (light weight and folds up, but does the job!) I paid MUCH less by purchasing on Therealreal
Comfy sneakers and boots – I wore my Adidas Sambas every day; stylish enough for museums and sturdy enough for 16-mile walks. I loved my NB black sneaks and received many compliments, and finally my Tuckernuck waterproof boots, I walked 13 miles in these
Dresses/skirts with leggings – Perfect for dinners, touring (many places have a dress code, LOOKING AT YOU, Ritz (I was denied entry because I was wearing leggings and sneakers) and late-night lounging at the hotel bar. Also, so many women are dressed this way! YOu will fit right in
Crossbody bag – Big enough for my phone, cardholder, lip balm, room card, battery pack for my phone (this is my BIGGEST recommendation) Please be cautious, I did see a woman get her bag swiped right in front of our hotel :( Sadly the thief was super fast and took off like the wind with it. Also, phones are a bigger issue, be careful navigating those directions. Many people will ride by on bikes and swipe your phone (I Did not see or experience however) BUT London is VERY safe, not once did i feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
Toiletry bag ( I love that I can just open and HANG it in the hotel room/bathroom, makes it super accessible) I always stock it with this set, I love it and have two sets, one I travel with, one I keep at my moms, the PERFECT skin care routine
Electronics - Plug adapters – Don’t forget UK-specific ones; I used mine daily. I asked my hotel if they provided it, so check with yours (Kimpton does) AND this portable charger saved me MANY times, you do not want to be stuck in another country and have your phone die and be left without money or directions! Its quick and gives a full charge. I just charged it every evening. Finally, my favorite way to charge my iPhone, earbuds, and iWatch is with this little foldable device
Scarf – Doubled as warmth and a cozy plane wrap.
Reusable water bottle + small snacks – Because I averaged over 15 miles a day and London cafés can get crowded mid-morning.
💡 Tip: Pack one elevated outfit (like a dress or nice blouse) for dinners or cocktails — but otherwise, comfort > everything. Londoners dress practically and with quiet style.
💭 If You Have 3 Days in London (Quick Guide)
Day 1: Bloomsbury + Afternoon Tea + Camden Locks + Bookstores + Pubs
Day 2: Tower of London + Westminster Abbey + Borough Market + Bookstores + Pubs + Sketch
Day 3: Hyde Park + Kensington + Notting Hill + Bookstores + Pubs + Mildreds
“Three days, endless steps, and one very full heart. London, you were everything I needed - and didn’t know I was craving.”
