Half-day London tours when you’ve only got a few hours

London is an amazing city with so many places to visit and experiences to gain. You need more than 24 hours to explore the entire city. However, if you are short on time and need to do a quick tour, you need to focus on the highlights of London to make the most of your time. Here is alist of half-day London tours when you’ve only got a few hours to spend.

Half-day London tours when you’ve only got a few hours

Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is a place that anyone who goes to London visits without fail.  The Changing of the Guard is a one-of-a-kind experience that you must witness when you are in London. It is a well-orchestrated display of shift changes that occur between the Buckingham Palace guards. You can check the present schedule online and go to watch it. It usually occurs at around 11:00 AM, but you need to check the schedule to confirm.

Tour Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is London’s most popular church. It is the perfect place to start half-day London tours. Westminster Abbey is a World Heritage Site and is located across from the Houses of Parliament. It has seen many historic Royal events, including the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Millions of visitors come here annually. Moreover, you can also attend the services on Sundays.

Go on a ride in the London Eye

The London Eye is another must-visit site when you are in the city. It is especially a great option if you have limited time to spend in London and want to make the most of it. A ride inside one of the glass pods will give you panoramic sweeping views of London. You can catch a glimpse of iconic landmarks in the city, including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and more.

Explore the Churchill War Rooms: Half-day London tours

The Churchill War Rooms is a museum that consists of bunkers used during World War II. The British government used these bunkers to stage the end of WWII. It is very close to Buckingham Palace, so you can do both together. A tour of the museum will take less than an hour to complete. Pre-book your ticket online to guarantee entry to the Churchill War Rooms. It is the perfect place to visit if you are a history buff.

Climb the Trafalgar Square Lions

Trafalgar Square is a public square that is located is located North of Whitehall. It commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The busiest area in the square is adjacent to the National Portrait Gallery. Here, at the base of Nelson’s Column, are three large sculptures of lions. Tourists like to climb on these sculptures and capture photographs as memories.

Take a look at 10 Downing Street

No. 10 Downing Street is the home of the British Prime Minister. It may not be as grand as the White House, yet it is still prominently visible through a set of gates as you walk down Downing Street. It is easily visible through the gates when you walk between Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. The area is prone to a lot of protests, and at least one daily. Therefore, avoid going down the streets when there are any major marches planned.

Read the Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone is one of the most notable exhibits in the British Museum. It is located towards the entrance of the museum. Therefore, you don’t have to spend much time roaming around the museum, as you can quickly pop in and catch a glimpse of it. Apart from that, you can explore many historical artifacts, including some impressive mummies, if you have time to spare.

Shop at Covent Garden Market: Half-day London tours

Covent Garden Market is one of the best shopping spots in London. It has boutique shops to renowned retail chains, for all types of shoppers. It is an old food market converted to a fancy retail and restaurant center. Just a short walk from Trafalgar Square makes it easy to pop in there while visiting the square itself. Moreover, it is an excellent spot to pick up a few souvenirs to take back home.

Visit Somerset House

Somerset House, located adjacent to Waterloo Bridge, was once the site of a Tudor Palace. Today, it houses rotating exhibitions and even an ice rink in the winter. You can visit it to explore current offerings or to grab a coffee at the coffee stop located in the central courtyard. Somerset House hosts concerts and events that people can attend if they are interested.

Go on a cruise in River Thames: Half-day London tours

The River Thames is an unmistakably visible sight when you are in London. Its serene waters exude a calmness unlike anything witnessed anywhere in London. A cruise on this beautiful river should be part of anyone’s bucket list. Cruises typically last anywhere between 40 minutes and 1 hour. A relaxing cruise along the River Thames is the perfect way to see the London skyline, including the Tower Bridge and The Shard.

Act Out Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre

The original Globe Theatre burned down while Shakespeare was alive. Today, the Southbank features a replica of the Globe Theatre that burned down. You can go on a guided tour, which typically lasts 30 to 40 minutes. These tours are available throughout the year.

Shop at Borough Market

Borough Market is an outdoor food market located near London Bridge. The market dates back to before the United States even existed. Visitors can explore a range of food stalls and other outlets every day except on Sundays. It is a great place to grab some lunch and discover everything from olive oil to fresh fish. Remember to grab lunch at the permanent restaurants or food stands here while strolling around Southbank.

Climb the Tower Bridge: Half-day London tours

Tower Bridge is one of London’s most photographed places. You can walk along the River Thames from Borough Market to reach this iconic bridge in London. You can simply walk across the bridge, or buy a ticket to enter the bridge and go up to the elevated walkways. Tower Bridge is open to the public daily, except over Christmas.

Visit Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace currently serves as the official residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It has been the royal residence for over 300 years, even witnessing the birth of Queen Victoria. There are several exhibitions held throughout the year in this palace located bordering Hyde Park in London. The King’s Gallery, King’s State Apartments, and the gardens are always open for tours.

Stroll through Hyde Park

Hyde Park is the largest of the Royal Parks in London. It is located very close to Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens, so you can do both together. Significant points and attractions in the park include the following:

• Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain
• The Italian Gardens, gifted to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert
• The Serpentine, which is a beautiful boating lake

Final Thoughts

These are some of the top half-day London tours you can do when you’ve only got a few hours. There is so much more to explore in London that half a day is simply not enough. However, if you are very short on time, these tours will help you make the most out of your visit.