How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to London

Check out our London day trip ideas and tips on saving time and money while there. The secret to a perfect London day trip? A guaranteed parking space.

You’re planning a day trip to London and the million pound question is - what to do when you get there? There’s so much to choose from, which means this can be quite the conundrum… but it doesn’t have to be! Let us guide you through planning the perfect London day trip, and give you the inside scoop on how to book short-term parking so you can save time and money during your visit to London.

Daffodils In the Foreground And London Houses Of Parliment In The Background

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London Day Trip Ideas

If you’re imagining your upcoming day trip to London and wondering what to do, you’re not alone - and you’re in the right place. We’re here to give you the where and when of a perfect day trip to the Big Smoke.

When you choose to make the trip will make a difference. For example, London parking on bank holidays can get pretty tricky because you’re competing with tourists and locals for parking in popular car parks. Not to mention the extra street parking restrictions that apply on bank holidays!

If you’ve only got a day to visit London, time will be of the essence. Having a guaranteed place to park your car will save you the hassle of navigating tricky controlled parking zones and parking bays. You’ll want to avoid parking tickets and we can help with that - booking a parking space with us will throw those worries out the window.

If you’re on a budget, you’ll also want to avoid driving in the centrally located Congestion Charge zone - unless, of course, you want to be charged £15(!) per day. Finding parking through Stashbee outside of that zone will stretch your pounds the farthest in that regard.

Which brings us to the where - as in, Where the heck should I go first?! There’s so much to do I simply can’t choose! While, unfortunately, you can’t do it all, here are a few of our favourite spots:

  • The Natural History Museum
  • The London Eye
  • The Museum of Science
  • Tower Bridge
  • The Museum of London
  • The British Museum

The museums listed above can be visited at no cost, and you can reduce the cost of your London Eye ticket if you book at least a day in advance. Pretty sweet deals, right?

London Eye At Night Lit Up Red

Driving to London

One of the best ways to get to London is by car. You get to choose your own adventure when you’re behind the wheel as you’re not confined to train times. And, when driving to London, parking close to all the sights you want to see becomes an option.

Some neighbourhoods in London will require you to have a resident parking permit, giving you permission to park there, and you’ll also have to be aware of the local parking laws. However, when you book with Stashbee, it’s simple to book your parking space - no permit necessary and you won’t have to stress about whether or not you’re parking illegally (darn you, yellow lines)!

So if you’re planning on driving to London, here’s a bit of what you can expect from parking - and some tips on how to get the best deals and take advantage of the easiest options.

NB. All opening times and days are correct as of July 2021.
 
 

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1) London parking on bank holidays

As we mentioned before, bank holidays are one of the busier times to visit London because you’ve got a good mix of locals and tourists on holiday. This means that parking options could look pretty slim - and the few that you do find will likely be very expensive. One way to save stress during your day trip is to book short-term parking with Stashbee. When you book in advance, you can avoid the headache of collecting fines and you’ll know just where to park when you arrive. Done and dusted.

 

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2) Natural History Museum and Science Museum parking

Natural History Museum London parking can be found close by, if you know where to look - and the same goes for Science Museum London parking. Exhibition Road will be your friend, because this street is home to both of these delightful museums and more. If you’re hoping to swing by during your day trip, your best bet for parking is in South Kensington. From there, it’s only a short walk to the doors of these worthwhile destinations.

The Natural History Museum opens its doors at 10am and closes at 5:50pm, seven days a week. The earth science and life museum has five main collections well-worth the visit:
  • Botany
  • Entomology
  • Mineralogy
  • Palaeontology
  • Zoology
And, as a 10am opening time seems to be a popular choice amongst London museums, that’s exactly when the Science Museum opens as well. You can visit Wednesday through Sunday, up until it closes at 6pm. The collections at the Science Museum boast impressive exhibitions on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
 

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Internal Photo Of The Natural History Museum

3) Museum of London parking

You can visit the Museum of London for free, Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. It boasts the largest urban history collection worldwide, and you can learn about the city of London’s history from prehistoric times to present day.

Easily browse parking options for the Museum of London in Covent Garden with our interactive map. In just a few clicks, you could have your parking spot booked and be on your way.
 

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4) British Museum parking

The British Museum is open seven days a week, from 10am to 5pm. It displays artifacts from around the world, displaying relics of humanity with the goal of sharing knowledge throughout documented history.

Here at Stashbee, we’re not the ‘Airbnb of parking’ for nothing - sift through the great parking spaces we offer in Holborn before your visit to the British Museum. Hourly parking is available, so you can book for as little as an hour - though you’ll probably want to give yourself a little more time to explore history's greatest artifacts.

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Other Good Ways to Get to London

If driving into London isn’t a part of your plan, there are plenty of other good ways to travel in and around the city. Public transportation options are abundant by both bus and train. Chances are you’ll find yourself at Victoria or Waterloo Station if you’re planning to take a trip to London.

Photo Of Victoria Train Station With Lots Of Red Buses In The Foreground

Driving to London and parking just outside your destination doesn’t have to be a thing of dreams! We’re here to help you get parking for your day trips this summer sorted, so give us a call. Guarantee yourself a parking space - even in Central London. There’s quite a variety of parking choices available there so if you don’t fancy giving us a ring, you can have a look for yourself.
 

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Taylor

Updated 13th May 2024

Written 16th Jul 2021

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