Weekend breaks in London

It’s a bit of an understatement to say there’s a lot to see in London. There’s so much packed into such a small space, it’d take months or even years to discover it all. To really get the most out of your trip to London and see as much as you can, a long weekend break can make all the difference. When you book a weekend stay in London with Premier Inn, you’re giving yourself more time to see what matters. If you’d like some inspiration for a fun weekend in London, try our London guide for some great ideas.

Where should I stay for a weekend break in London?
It depends what you want to get out of your break. A weekend is enough time to see a lot of what London has to offer, but it’s best to have a general area in mind on what you want to see.

If you’re in it for the museums and cultural icons, a trip to Greenwich and South London is great. Everything’s in the same area, close to brilliant shops and gigs at the O2.

If you want your weekend filled with quirky markets, unique neighbourhoods and some of the best parties in the country, try East London and places like Shoreditch, Brixton or Hackney. They’re off the beaten track and aren’t where tourists would usually go, which means there’s lots more to discover in a weekend. Our Premier Inn London Hackney and London City (Old Street) are some of our best hotels for exploring these areas over a weekend.

Perhaps you’re coming to London for a weekend to see the sights and you want to be in the heart of the action. Well, you’re going to want to stay close to Central London so you can see all the big attractions like Big Ben, the London Eye and the Globe Theatre all on the Thames. With good river taxis and Tube links, a weekend in Central London is unforgettable and it’s still easy to get around. Our hotels near St Pancras station include London St Pancras, London Waterloo (Westminster Bridge) and London Southwark (Tate Modern), which can really shave some travel time off your weekend.

Can't decide between some quiet time in the Kent countryside or a day out in the capital? Take a look at our London Bexleyheath hotel, perfectly placed for whatever you fancy from your next short break. 

Best area to visit for London weekend break?
The usual spots are great, and if you haven’t been to London before you should definitely see all the sights on the South Bank and in Central London. But if you’re thinking of a more relaxed weekend and maybe thinking of seeing a show, you can’t go wrong with a stay at our Premier Inn Kensington (Olympia) hotel. Kensington is home to three of London’s biggest (free) museums, Holland Park and the Royal Albert Hall, an iconic venue that’s hosted the BBC Proms, Cirque du Soleil and countless gigs.

How do I plan a weekend break in London?
First, think about what you want to get out of your trip and what you really enjoy doing. Take a scan through good articles like our London guide to see what kind of things you’re interested in and plan your trip around those. Then think about accommodation, a weekend is good chunk of time, but you don’t want to spend most of your trip travelling. Try and book one of our great-value hotels close to what you want to see, and with Premier Inn hotels across the capital, booking a stay with us really makes your weekend easier. Once you have a plan in mind, realistically set aside how long it’s going to take and what’s most important to you and focus on those first.

What can I do at the weekend in London?
There’s so much to do in London, but having a full weekend gives you a better chance of seeing more of it. Generally markets like Greenwich Market, Spitalfields Market and Columbia Road Flower Market are busier and have more to see at weekends.

The weekend is a great time to get down to the West End to catch the latest shows at the theatre and lose yourself in the magic of the stage, watch a game at Wembley Stadium and rest your head at our London Wembley Stadium hotel afterwards, or head over to Wimbledon, which hosts the world’s most prestigious tennis and sporting tournament in the world.

Museums and galleries sometimes have special exhibitions at the weekends, with events ranging from celebrity guided tours, limited showings and party nights. See museums in a more relaxed light with a weekend trip, then wake up the next day in the city without worrying about rushing home.

Is London busy at the weekend?
Yes, but for a lot of people that’s one of the biggest reasons to visit! London is bustling, lively and full of energy. People visit from across the country to see the sights, shop and explore. If you’re worried about crowds, enjoy some of London’s amazing parks and outdoor spaces over the weekend. Even on hot days when everyone’s out, the acres and acres of Hyde Park mean there’s space for everyone, and there’s lots of shops nearby stocked up with plenty of food on hand for a fun day in the sun right in the heart of the city.

Is London good for a city break?
London is probably one of the best city breaks in the UK, there’s so much to see and do and so many different landscapes to explore. From canals to skyscrapers, arcades to palaces and museums to clubs. It’s a great chance to get some of those sightseeing destinations ticked off the list and explore more of the UK’s heritage. We’d always recommend coming to London with a plan though, or you could find yourself spending a whole day just wandering.

And of course, if you book at Premier Inn your city break in London only gets better, giving you more time and helping you stay closer to where you want to be.

What is there to do in London?
There’s so much to do. For a lot of people London is the place to be for shopping, with great high street brands on Oxford Street, amazing market finds in Camden and one-of-a-kind gifts at the Columbia Flower Market.

For other people, it’s all about the sightseeing. That’s Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and… well, everything. There are so many sights to see in London, make sure to look at our London guide to find the best ones to fit into your trip.

For some people, a city break is all about learning new things and exploring. There are so many museums to choose from in London, but some of the biggest free ones are the Science Museum, the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Maritime Museum in Greenwich. If you’re exploring out and about on an adventure, London’s parks are massive and brilliant, with Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Greenwich Park being some of the most famous and well-loved in the city.