Just arrived in London town? Exciting! Planning on spending a lot of time in conference rooms? Not too exciting! Cheer up, happy people, because there's plenty of time to impress your colleagues, have tea with the Brits, ace that important meeting, and get out and experience this amazing city.
We've partnered with Hilton Hotels & Resorts to help you make the most of your precious time between meetings and, if you're lucky, a free afternoon or a free Saturday. Hilton hotels allow you to seamlessly balance your wellness, business and leisure activities. Located near the South Bank, the Hilton London Riverside is a great choice if you want to stay in the city center - restaurants, landmarks and shopping areas are all within easy reach. Even better, the hotel also provides Bamboo Bicycle Club rental services, making travel easier. (True story - these bikes are provided free to all hotel guests and are an exciting project customized by hotel team members).
As a proud London resident, I'm sharing advice I often give to close friends and family. I also consulted a few experts to weigh in on the things you can't miss. Put on the kettle and fire up your browser: here are some foolproof London itineraries for your work-travel break, whether you have two, four, six or eight hours to explore the city. cheers!
If you have a short time between sessions, I recommend a quick lap around Seven Dials and the lively area of Covent Garden. Take the Tube in 18 minutes, or take the Hilton London River Bamboo Bike in 12 minutes to reach the seven-carousel roundabout next to Shaftesbury Avenue. This is a center of shops, cafés and theatres. Need a cup of coffee? The TY Seven Dials cafe is packed with hot creatives with laptops and coffee-drinking Londoners. Wind your way through Long Acre to old-world Covent Garden Market, where you'll find plenty of pop-up shops and cute stalls.
If you're ready for a cocktail, head back to the Hilton London Riverside for a drink at its craft cocktail bar, The Distillery. Once a famous flavor factory from the industrial era, cocktails here pay homage to its history using homemade aromatics, infusions and bitters. Order a drink to pair with their homemade gin for a touch of British flair. Plus, they have a perfect “programmable wall” made entirely out of coins – perfect for taking professionally prepared cocktails for Insta.
If you're keen on stretching your legs, there's nothing better than a stroll along the South Bank on a beautiful day in London. Luckily, you really are right there when you stay at the Hilton London Riverside . Speaking of rights, Tate Modern is just a 3-minute walk from your hotel. Home to one of the world's most important collections of modern and contemporary art, it's a must-see. Or, if you're just strolling by, be sure to take a photo in front of the iconic building that once housed Bankside Power Station.
As a foodie I am naturally drawn to Borough Market so I recommend heading there after experiencing some culture. You can pick up baked goods and a range of lunch options (including the very photogenic paella). Just a 10-minute walk from your hotel. After the visual feast of the market, you can take a walk along the most photogenic (IMHO) part of the Thames. Heading out along the Southwalk Bridge you'll see many of the iconic London town mainstays. There's about an hour left to wander past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, taking quintessentially British photos.
It's time to head east along the canal. Yes, London has a pretty spectacular canal system that you can walk (or take a boat!) along. As an East Londoner, I love walking along Regent's Canal. It's a 45-minute walk or a 20-minute bike ride from Hilton London Riverside.
I recommend starting at Angel and having brunch or a cup of coffee in one of the many trendy cafes or restaurants on Upper Street. After you've eaten and drank your fill, find the canal walkway that starts at Colebrooke Row. A word to the wise: You share this busy road every day with cyclists, dog walkers, strollers and runners. It can get busy! Follow the straight (and narrow) road for about 45 minutes and you'll reach Broadway Market. If you decide to extend your trip into Saturday, you can follow the crowds to the roads lined with stalls where food, vintage clothing and homewares will tempt your wallet.
If you're ready for lunch, Sonya Barber, author of "East London: An Opinionated Guide," has a can't-miss recommendation: "Stop in Bright for a fried lasagna .Believe me," she said.
Maybe you have a whole day to spare in London. Maybe you're here the day before your conference to beat jet lag, with the added benefit of having time for a classic British day out. This itinerary is for you. Notting Hill on Portobello Road is about 40 minutes away by tube from the Hilton London Bankside. It is lined with very photogenic pastel houses, shops and arcades filled with antiquities. My favorite game is to play Buy, Renovate, Sell along any fantasy street.
Insider tip from Julie Taylor, owner of the fantastic blog London Is Pink: "Hands down the prettiest street to explore is St. Luke's Mews! There's a The famous pink mews house, among many other eye-catching homes, is just a few blocks away on Portobello Road and the best Scandinavian cinnamon buns in town are just around the corner.”
Next, hop on your bike and take a spin around Hyde Park. Key attractions not to be missed are Kensington Palace (open for exhibitions throughout the year) and the Serpentine Gallery. If you're feeling adventurous and your legs are no longer stiff by now, cycle to Hyde Park Corner and wave to Buckingham Palace (because I mean, you have to). From here, take the tube for about 12 minutes back to the Hilton London Bankside, where you can have dinner at OXBO. Their menu includes British classics (like the Aberdeen Angus beef burger) and international dishes (like sea bream ceviche). However, leave some room for a full English breakfast in the morning. Your belly will thank you.
For more on making the most of your business travel, visit our "Best effort" center.
This post is sponsored by Hilton Hotels & Resorts .
