3 Days in London Itinerary: Unique Things to See

This 3 days in London itinerary is perfect if you love going beyond the major tourist attractions. While there are so many popular places to visit in London, I always love going a little more off the beaten path. This London 3 day adventure isn't your typical travel guide. You won't see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, or the London Eye anywhere in sight (but feel free to add those into the plans if you'd like!).

Some of the activities in this London itinerary aren't exactly hidden gems, but they are more eco-friendly and sustainable. In many cases, we'll be exploring local neighbourhoods, wandering through parks and gardens, and hitting up local markets.

If you find yourself with a really short amount of time in London (for example, on a layover), I recommend checking out this Mini Cooper private tour of London. You'll make the most of your short amount of time in the city. With that said, this 3 days in London itinerary is perfect for those with more time to explore.

I've broken this 3 days in London itinerary down into three separate days. This travel guide does pack quite a bit into three days. You likely won't have time to add anything else, but feel free to omit activities if you feel like it's a bit too rushed. First, I'll show you where to stay in London (I stayed in two awesome spots - feel free to choose one as your home base). This is how I spent three days in London, UK:

London Day 1: Central London
Day 2: Kensington and Notting Hill
Day 3: Camden Town and Brick Lane

Traveling Sustainably in London

There are several considerations that you can make before planning your trip to London regarding sustainability. While London is a major tourist destination, there are ways that you can visit in a more "green" way. Choose to travel during the shoulder seasons or the off season to avoid over-tourism while supporting the local economy (July and August, as well as Christmas holidays, are good times to avoid).

Use public transportation as much as possible. Pick up an Oyster card and take the Tube everywhere. You can use Rome2Rio to sort out bus or train transportation for day trips outside of London. I also walked all over town. Choose plant-based and vegan meals as they have a better impact on the environment. Bring your own reusable water bottle or coffee tumbler if possible to reduce waste.

It's also possible to choose tours and activities that have a positive social impact. Many hotels have initiatives that are positive for the environment. I also suggest incorporating aspects of "slow travel" into your trips. This means spending more time in one place to connect with the people and culture of the destination. You'll likely find that travelling more slowly rather than ticking things off a bucket list makes for a more enjoyable and authentic experience.

Where to Stay in London

I've had the pleasure of staying at two different hotels in London. Both hotels are fantastic choices in terms of sustainability and getting a lot of bang for your buck. There are plenty of amenities, their designs are quirky and hip, and you won't break your budget.

Good Hotel London

The Good Hotel London is a floating hotel, moored at Royal Victoria Dock in East London. Not only is this a sustainable hotel, but it's also a unique experience. The rooms are minimally designed and maximize the amount of space, so you have everything you need during your stay.

There are super comfy beds with fluffy pillows, a desk, original art on the walls, an in-room safe, and a kettle to make coffee or tea. There's an ensuite bathroom with a shower. While the rooms are small and minimal, the hotel focuses on its public spaces to meet and spend time with one another. The rooms have stunning views of the Thames River and waterfront area.

In the lobby, there are lots of communal dining spaces and quiet nooks to tuck away and get some work done. The bar serves locally brewed beer and cocktails, while the restaurant always has vegan and vegetarian dishes. Head up to the rooftop terrace for spectacular views of the London skyline.

The Good Hotel is called that name for a reason. It's a social enterprise where 100% of the profits help people in need. Every night's stay helps a disadvantaged child attend school for a week. The hotel employs long-term unemployed people to help them build a career in the hospitality industry. They support local businesses, make use of upcycled furniture, and the entire hotel building itself is repurposed.

The Corner London City

The Corner is another fantastic hotel in East London that has sustainable initiatives. In fact, they take pride in the fact that they are London's greenest hotel! They use 41% less water than other hotels in the UK, and they have 67% less CO2 emissions. The rooms are all completely unique: no two rooms are the same!

In the rooms, there are natural and organic mattresses (that are super comfy!), the furniture is made from repurposed materials, and there's a unique all-in-one pod for power and electricity. The toiletries are organic, Hansgrohe Airdrop shower heads use 25% less water (and there's no reduction in shower pressure), and they use non-toxic cleaning products.

The common living area, bar and kitchen is a relaxing meeting space with a kitschy design. There are numerous smaller rooms, meeting spaces, private offices, and there's even a co-working space for those not staying at the hotel (fast Wi-Fi and unlimited coffee/tea for £5).

3 Days in London Itinerary (Day 1): Central London

On my first day in London, I didn't make the travel plans too busy. After all, I had to transfer from the airport to the city and check into my hotel. Once you've ventured into town and you're all settled in at your hotel (or you've at least dropped your bags off!), here's a great way to spend a half day to a full day in central London.

St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the most iconic places in London. You can book sightseeing tickets to go inside this world famous cathedral. But, if you're a bit pressed on time like I was, you can walk around this massive church from the exterior. The architecture is astoundingly brilliant.

For some of the best views of St. Paul's Cathedral, head over to the neighbouring shopping mall, One New Change. Take the elevator up to the sixth floor roof terrace. It's totally free to visit, and you'll enjoy the most amazing panoramic vistas of London and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Borough Market

Borough Market is a historic food market with over 1000 years of history, making it one of the oldest markets in England. It's transformed over the years, once serving the greengrocers of South London. Nowadays, there's a huge focus on sustainability, community, and social connection.

Borough Market is a popular place for locals and tourists alike. There are traders selling British and international cuisine, produce, and more. Everything is held to a very high standard in terms of quality and uniqueness. They also seek producers with ethical and sustainable practices. The food at Borough Market creates connections between people from various geographic and cultural backgrounds.

There's really something special about wandering around Borough Market. I loved strolling under the old archways that people have walked beneath for centuries. There are so many fragrant smells lofting through the air from the food stalls and coffee carts. Aim to spend at least a couple of hours here if you have the time. Check out my vegan food guide for Borough Market for lots of delicious suggestions!

Sky Garden

Sky Garden is London's highest public garden where you can soak up some of the best panoramic views of the city. There are massive windows and an outdoor terrace where you can witness these breathtaking scenes. You can walk around and take in 360 degree views from high up above London. Many visitors will time their trip to watch the sunset.

At Sky Garden, there are trees and plants growing in between the walkways, so you can be among tropical plants all year long. For the terraces, individual species of plants were selected to flourish year round. The landscape architects selected drought-resistant Mediterranean and South African varieties of plants like African Lilies, Birds of Paradise, and even fragrant herbs like French Lavender.

There are two bars and two restaurants at Sky Garden. I recommend sharing a bottle of bubbly with your travel buddies while you admire the views. It is free to visit Sky Garden, but you'll need to book your ticket in advance. They release the tickets every Monday morning for the following three weeks. There are only a very limited amount of walk-in spots, so be sure to book your ticket ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

Go for a walk across the Tower Bridge, one of the most famous landmarks in London. I suggest going for a stroll across this 125 year old bridge. Stop to check out the views across the Thames River all around. It's an architectural and engineering marvel, and definitely worthy of a visit.

If you have time, you can pre-book your tickets to climb the towers of Tower Bridge. You'll climb the north tower, cross the iconic glass floor between the towers, descend down the south tower, and visit the Victorian engine rooms. I only walked across the Tower Bridge without booking any tickets in advance, but I'll definitely do this on my next trip to London.

As this was my arrival day and I didn't have a full day in London, I didn't have time for this next attraction. But, if you find yourself with a full day in London and you're looking for more things to do, you can check out the world famous historic castle, the Tower of London. It's a royal palace, a secure fortress, London's castle and an old prison. See the Crown Jewels, learn about all the stories behind these walls, or check out a special event.

3 Days in London Itinerary (Day 2): Kensington and Notting Hill

It's day two in London and time to explore some more charming London neighbourhoods. I went for a wander around Kensington and Notting Hill all day. I really loved discovering the London Mews, beautiful gardens, and stopping for yummy food and coffee on the way. End your day with a unique cocktail experience with your pals!

Kensington Homes and London Mews

First, start in South Kensington and go for a stroll around the London Mews. Mews are rows of carriage houses and stables with living quarters above them, built behind large houses. Nowadays, these small streets have pretty terraced homes often with small planter gardens in front of them. Please remember to be considerate: all of the homes in London Mews (and houses in general) are peoples' homes. Be respectful and don't wander onto private property.

They're some of the most charming places to go for a walk if you love viewing beautiful colourful houses. Some of the prettiest London Mews in Kensington include Osten Mews, Kynance Mews, and Drayson Mews, among others. I also wandered past St. Mary Abbots Church, an old church with a lovely garden. I'm sure you'll stumble upon all kinds of wonderful places as you walk around Kensington.

Along the way, I stopped at Mali Vegan Thai for lunch. It's an authentic Thai restaurant based on their family recipes and childhood favourites, prepared completely plant-based. They have an assortment of Thai specialty dishes and rotating specials that I'm certain you'll love. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, and it's a beautiful setting to dine.

Holland Park

Holland Park is the Royal Borough's largest park. There are many walking paths, forested areas with wildlife, old buildings and pretty gardens. You'll discover various flowers and plants, fountains, and peaceful natural spaces to relax.

The Kyoto Garden is also located at Holland Park. It's a Japanese garden donated by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto in 1991. There is a path encircling a pond, stone lanterns, Japanese maple trees, and a small tiered waterfall by a little bridge.

The Fukushima Memorial Garden opened at Holland Park in 2012. It demonstrated the gratitude of the Japanese people to the British for helping them during the natural disasters in 2011. Holland Park is a gem in London, both for its gardens and green spaces, and it's not to be missed during your 3 days in London.

Notting Hill and Portobello Road

From Kensington, continue walking towards Notting Hill for the second half of the day. Portobello Road is the main city street in Notting Hill, running from north to south for nearly the length of the whole neighbourhood. Portobello Road has loads of shops and restaurants, including the Portobello Road Market on Saturdays.

Much like Kensington, you can also visit the Mews in Notting Hill, including the St. Luke Mews (featured in the film, Love Actually). Speaking of films, the Travel Book Shop (Notting Hill Gift Shop) is another popular spot, due to its appearance in the Notting Hill movie as the Notting Hill Bookshop. You can also see the famous blue door from the film just up the street, too.

Notting Hill - blue house with pink door

Lancaster Road is a colourful street in Notting Hill with a row of rainbow homes. While this is the most popular spot for brightly painted houses in Notting Hill, you'll find so many of them on neighbouring streets, too. Walk around the whole region to find rows and rows of them.

While roaming around Notting Hill, I stopped for a coffee break at Leafwild Cafe. It's a cozy little spot where you can find coffee, espresso beverages, tea, and baked goods (including vegan ones!). Farm Girl Cafe is another lovely cafe if you're looking for a bite to eat. Comptoir V Street Kitchen is another establishment on Portobello Road with vegan street food.

Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens

Walking back from Notting Hill and Portobello Road, I walked through Kensington Gardens past Kensington Palace. Kensington Gardens is one of eight Royal Parks with lots of green space to explore. Of course, Kensington Palace is one of the big draws of the park. But, there are other intriguing spots as you go for a stroll.

The Diana Memorial Playground is a place that kids will love with its huge pirate ship. There is a large pond with swans and ducks, plus gardens and sculptures to admire. You can also book tickets for tours of the public areas inside Kensington Palace if you'd like to visit the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Cocktail Experience at The Bletchley

The Bletchley - 3 days in London itinerary

The Bletchley is one of the most unique cocktail bars I've ever visited. If you're traveling with a group of friends to London, I highly suggest that you check it out. It's as though a cocktail bar met an escape room in a World War II setting.

You'll crack codes and sort out the puzzles with your friends. On the journey, you'll be selecting ingredients for one-of-a-kind cocktails prepared by the bartenders. Once you crack the code, you'll receive a personalized cocktail that's made just for you.

It's an immersive cocktail experience where you'll receive three drinks as you figure out the puzzles. There will be a lot of laughs along the way and the drinks are delicious. If you don't feel like drinking, you can always order non-alcoholic beverages (or order some with alcohol and some without). Add this bar to your 3 days in London itinerary if you love unique and fun things to do.

3 Days in London Itinerary (Day 3): Camden Town and Shoreditch

Three days in London simply isn't enough to see everything. I've purposefully left off many prominent tourist attractions from this London itinerary. There are some popular spots (ie. Camden Market), but you'll also see some favourite local hangs as well (ie. Brick Lane). For your final day in London, here are another couple of interesting neighbourhoods to visit.

Camden Market and Buck Street Market

On the third day of this 3 days in London itinerary, head to Camden Market. It's the fourth most popular tourist attraction in London featuring numerous adjoining retail markets with thousands of shops. You can explore several markets: the Camden Lock Market, Stables Market, Camden Lock Village, the Inverness Street Market, and Buck Street Market.

I want to focus specifically on the Buck Street Market on the Camden High Street as it's quite interesting and unique. It's London's first sustainability-focused shopping hub, located inside 88 recycled shipping containers. You'll find eco-friendly products, locally produced wares, green housewares and vegan restaurants.

Stop for lunch at Clean Kitchen within the Buck Street Market. It's a vegan fast food joint with several delectable vegan burgers and sides. You have to try the truffle burger and the truffle parmesan fries! As an added bonus, they have a zero waste strategy and only use eco-friendly packaging.

Primrose Hill

From Camden Market, I walked to the Primrose Hill neighbourhood. If it's pastel Regency townhouses and charming Victorian terraces you seek, you need to go for a walk around Primrose Hill. Specifically, walk to Chalcot Square for rows of homes painted in every colour.

Regent's Park Road has many cozy cafes, restaurants, and juice shops. As you walk from Camden Market on Regent's Park Road, stop at Chloe's Espresso for a midday pick-me-up Chloe's Espresso is on Regent's Park Road in a sweet little spot, just before you cross the pedestrian bridge.

Keep walking and you'll reach Primrose Hill itself, the grassy hill for which the neighbourhood is named. There's a short climb to the top of the hill where you can soak up some beautiful London cityscape views. This is a favourite place for locals to relax or have a picnic. If you find yourself in Camden, be sure to add this little detour to Primrose Hill to your 3 days in London itinerary like I did.

Brick Lane

Brick Lane is a famous street in East London between Whitechapel and Shoreditch. These cobbled streets were once one of London's poorest areas. Nowadays, it's a vibrant place to discover with amazing street art covering its walls, vintage shops, street food and restaurants, and local markets.

You can browse the boutiques or rummage around the stalls at the Brick Lane Market. If you love markets, the Spitalfields Market is only a couple of blocks from Brick Lane. There are independent bookshops, vintage clothing stores, and something for every interest.

In terms of restaurants and cafes, Brick Lane has loads of curry restaurants, bagel shops, and street food. Dark Sugars is a charming, gourmet chocolate shop. The Canvas is a vegan cafe with delicious treats and oat milk lattes you'll adore. In fact, there are tons of vegan restaurants lining Brick Lane, and even a vegan cheese shop, La Fauxmagerie.

If it's street art and murals you seek, you could literally spend all day roaming Brick Lane and the surrounding streets. Beautiful street art covers almost every wall. There are works by Banksy, WRDSMTH, and D*Face. For street art lovers, a trip to Brick Lane is a must on any 3 days in London itinerary.

Dinner at The Spread Eagle Vegan Pub

The Spread Eagle Pub is London's first 100% vegan pub. It's one of East London's oldest pubs, reopening in 2018 as a fully plant-based establishment. The food, drinks, and decor are all completely vegan and sustainably sourced wherever possible.

Their menu is seasonal, uses local ingredients, and creates as little waste as possible. The meals are British and internationally inspired to reflect London's diversity, including pub classics and British desserts. I tried some locally brewed beer, mushroom empanadas, pea fritters, and the sticky toffee pudding. It was one of the best meals I had throughout my 3 days in London.

3 Days in London Itinerary: Unique Things to See

Traveling Sustainably in London