VERDICT: WE GAVE 5 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
This guide forms part of our complete United Kingdom Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the UK.
This article is part of our 24 Hours in London: Ultimate Guide. We visited Madame Tussauds, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, before scaling the iconic O2 Arena. Our trip also included Hyatt Place London Heathrow and travelling with British Airways.
All attractions HighlyRecommended with 5 Ticket rated.
Follow our experiences and practical visitor tips. Read the complete 24-hour London guide here.
Top Attractions
London Eye, Buckingham Palace to Madame Tussauds and The O2
24 Hours in London: How Much Could We See in One Day?
On one of our many trips to visit family in England, we decided to spend a full day in London before flying home from Heathrow Airport. We had only 24 hours available, so this was never going to be a slow, relaxed visit. We wanted to experience as much as possible and we certainly did.
We started by returning our rental car to the vehicle-return area on the perimeter of Heathrow Airport. From there, we caught the complimentary shuttle back to Terminal 2 before taking a taxi to the Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport.
The hotel would be our base for the day and, more importantly, put us close to Heathrow for our early flight the following morning. After checking in and leaving our luggage, we were ready to tackle London.
If you have longer in the capital, read our 3 Days in London: Ultimate Guide for a more complete itinerary featuring St Paul’s Cathedral, the Churchill War Rooms, British Museum, Abbey Road Studios, Frameless and other major attractions.
Meeting Our Family at the London Eye
Early the next morning, we took a taxi into central London to begin our fast-paced day. We were particularly excited because several members of our family would be joining us.
We arranged to meet beside the London Eye, which was easy enough to find, it is rather difficult to miss a 135-metre observation wheel dominating the South Bank skyline.
A complete rotation takes approximately 30 minutes, providing elevated views across the River Thames and many of London’s most recognizable landmarks. From the enclosed observation capsules, visitors can see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and, on a clear day, considerably farther across the capital.
This is one of those London activities worth experiencing at least once. It provides an excellent overview of the city and helps put the distances between its major landmarks into perspective.
Standard adult admission currently starts at approximately £29 when booked online in advance, compared with a published walk-up price of £39. Prices fluctuate according to demand, so advance reservations are strongly recommended. A specific entry time must also be selected when booking. Official London Eye ticket information.
Walking to Westminster Abbey
After completing our rotation, we crossed Westminster Bridge and walked around Parliament Square to Westminster Abbey. The walk takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes, although it can take longer when the bridge and surrounding streets are busy.
Westminster Abbey was one of the highlights of our day. This extraordinary church has hosted every coronation since William the Conqueror in 1066 and has witnessed royal weddings, funerals and some of the most important events in British history.
Inside, we explored the Coronation Chair, Poets’ Corner, the Lady Chapel and memorials dedicated to monarchs, writers, scientists, military leaders and other notable figures. The tombs and memorials include Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking.
Our tour was fascinating and provided far more detail than we could absorb during a single visit. This is not simply another beautiful church; it is a remarkable record of British history contained within one building.
Standard adult admission in 2026 is generally £31, with reduced prices for seniors, students and children. Online tickets can be upgraded at the Abbey to permit up to three visits within a year. Opening hours vary because Westminster Abbey remains an active place of worship, so always check before arriving. Official Westminster Abbey prices and entry times.
Buckingham Palace Through Green Park
From Westminster, we used the Underground to reach Green Park Station, the most convenient stop for our approach to Buckingham Palace. Green Park is served by the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.
The walk through Green Park created a pleasant break from the busy streets. Before long, we emerged near the palace gates and found ourselves standing before one of Britain’s most recognizable buildings.
We began reminiscing about decades of televised royal occasions; the Royal Family appearing on the famous balcony, major national celebrations and the Changing of the Guard. Even when you have seen Buckingham Palace countless times on television, standing outside the gates feels completely different.
Viewing the exterior and walking around the palace forecourt is free. The Changing of the Guard can also be watched without admission, although the ceremony does not necessarily take place daily and can be cancelled because of weather or operational requirements.
The palace’s State Rooms normally open to general visitors during the summer. In 2026, standard admission runs from July 9 to September 27, with adult tickets costing £33 in advance or £37 on the day. Tickets are timed and advance booking is recommended. Official Buckingham Palace visitor information. Unfortunately, due to time, we did not have the chance to enjoy the tour.
Taking the Tube to Madame Tussauds
Our afternoon still contained two major activities, beginning with Madame Tussauds London.
From Green Park, the Jubilee line runs directly to Baker Street Station, which is only a short walk from the attraction. London’s Underground made this ambitious itinerary possible, although planning the route before leaving each attraction saved us a great deal of time. Our guide to using the London Tube explains the system for first-time visitors.
Madame Tussauds was not inexpensive, but several members of our family had never visited before, so we decided to dive in. Online prices vary by date and demand, and timed reservations are recommended. Booking online is normally less expensive than purchasing admission at the entrance.
Inside are more than 150 wax figures representing entertainment, music, sport, politics and the Royal Family. Some of the figures were astonishingly realistic, while others did not resemble their subjects quite as convincingly. That inconsistency became part of the fun as we compared opinions and posed for photographs.
We spent approximately 90 minutes inside, although visitors wanting to see every zone carefully should allow closer to two hours.
One unexpected highlight was the Spirit of London Ride. It is not technically a train; visitors board small vehicles styled as traditional London black cabs. The indoor ride travels through recreated scenes from the city’s past, including Tudor London, the plague, the Great Fire of London, wartime Britain and the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral.
The ride, celebrity displays, Chamber of Horrors and other interactive areas are included with standard admission. Current ticket prices change regularly, so check the official Madame Tussauds ticket page before visiting.
Our Final Challenge: Climbing The O2
Following a quick snack and another drink, it was time for our final attraction. We travelled across London to North Greenwich Station on the Jubilee line, which delivers visitors directly to The O2.
My husband had decided that simply visiting The O2 was not enough, he wanted to climb over its roof.
Yes, that really is a London attraction.
Up at The O2 is a guided outdoor climb across the building’s enormous fabric roof. Participants receive a safety briefing, climbing shoes, a harness and suitable climbing equipment before being attached to the central safety system.
The walkway rises toward a viewing platform positioned 52 metres above ground level. From the summit, climbers receive panoramic views of the River Thames, Canary Wharf, Greenwich and the wider London skyline.
The complete experience lasts approximately 90 minutes. Standard daytime climbs currently begin at £37 on weekdays and £42 on weekends, with sunset and twilight experiences costing slightly more. Weather conditions can make the climb more challenging, so comfortable clothing and secure footwear are essential. Official Up at The O2 climb information.
After another 90 minutes, everyone had completed the challenge and returned safely. They were pleased with themselves and rightly so.
Shopping While They Climbed
While the rest of the family crossed the roof, I explored the shopping and entertainment areas inside The O2.
The outlet centre is much larger than many visitors might expect, with more than 60 brands and discounts offered throughout the year. Stores have included Adidas, Calvin Klein, Levi’s, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, ASICS, Clarins and several other fashion, sportswear and beauty retailers.
There are also numerous restaurants, cafés, bars, a cinema and entertainment venues, so anyone not taking part in the climb has plenty to occupy their time. There’s even a Starbucks right on the corner!
The O2 Arena itself has welcomed some of the biggest performers in the world. Prince established a remarkable record with 21 consecutive sold-out concerts in 2007. Other members of the venue’s “21 Club” have included Take That, One Direction, Drake, Michael Bublé and Kylie Minogue. The O2’s official account of Prince’s record residency.
Returning to Heathrow
Once everyone had completed the climb, we began the journey back across London. Our family continued toward Paddington for their return to Bath, while we headed back to our hotel near Heathrow.
Travelling between North Greenwich and Heathrow requires crossing a considerable portion of London, so this return journey needs to be built into the schedule. The Jubilee line connects North Greenwich with central transfer points, while the Piccadilly or Elizabeth lines provide onward service to Heathrow.
Back at the Hyatt Place, we packed our luggage and prepared for our early flight to Canada.
Our 24 hours in London had flown by, but we had certainly made the most of them. We had travelled above the city on the London Eye, explored a coronation church, stood outside Buckingham Palace, posed with celebrities and finished by climbing over one of London’s most distinctive buildings.
We did not attempt to revisit the Tower of London and Tower Bridge during this particular day. Both deserve several hours and are better included in a longer London itinerary rather than squeezed between timed attractions.
It was a fast day, occasionally hectic and unquestionably tiring, but it was also an amazing experience shared with family.
Here’s to our next visit. We’ll be back… as someone once said.
Highly Recommended Attractions
Favourite Destinations:
BUCKINGHAM PALACE: Experience Britain’s royal heritage at this iconic palace and watch the Changing Guard. Quite surreal standing at the gates.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY: Explore centuries of royal history, magnificent architecture, coronations and famous British memorials inside.
Best Experiences:
CLIMBING THE O2: Climb London’s iconic O2 roof, just like us, for exhilarating views and an unforgettable urban adventure.
LONDON EYE: Soar above the Thames for spectacular panoramic views across London’s most famous landmarks. Recommended!
MADAME TUSSAUDS: Meet remarkably lifelike celebrities, royalty and cultural icons at this legendary London attraction.
LONDON TUBE: Navigate London quickly and confidently using the Underground to reach major visitor attractions. It’s faster than you think!
TOWER OF LONDON: Explore the Crown Jewels, meet resident ravens and uncover centuries of royal intrigue.
MORE EXPERIENCES
Explore these places in England
- England Ultimate Travel Guide
- Visit Castles: England & Wales
- St Michael’s Mount
- King Harry Ferry
- Land’s End
- Liverpool
- Bodmin Jail
- Salisbury Cathedral
Continue exploring London
Nearby London attractions
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