Weekend breaks 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.  Where should I stay for 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. 

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. 

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.

Make the most of your weekend stay in London by using our local guide to help you get around. Whether you want to take a Tube, a bus or make like Boris on a bike, our guide can help you nip across the city like a local. 

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.

Spending a weekend in London gives you the perfect chance to see more of the city at a relaxed pace. Weekends are when many of London’s famous markets are at their liveliest, from Greenwich Market and Spitalfields Market to the colourful Columbia Road Flower Market. For a more local feel, Brick Lane and Camden Market are perfect for rummaging through quirky stalls, picking up street food and soaking up the buzz. A weekend is also ideal for catching a West End theatre show, enjoying a game at Wembley Stadium then rest your head at our London Wembley Stadium hotel afterwards or even paying a visit to Wimbledon, home of the world famous tennis tournament. Museums and galleries often host special weekend exhibitions or evening events, making it easy to enjoy culture without rushing home. What you choose to do can depend on who you’re travelling with. Couples might enjoy a romantic stroll through Hyde Park, while families will find plenty to keep the kids entertained at the Harry Potter Studio Tour, Madame Tussauds or Hamleys, the iconic toy shop. Whether you’re exploring worldclass attractions, enjoying live entertainment, or just wandering through vibrant markets, a weekend in London is full of unforgettable experiences.

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. 

It wouldn’t be a weekend in London without a visit to some iconic landmarks, but will you do Big Ben, Buckingham Palace or Borough Market? If the answer is ‘all of the above’, our guide can get you there – and help you decide where to go for lunch. London is also packed with worldclass museums and galleries, many of which are handily clustered together. Head to South Kensington for the Natural History Museum, Science Museumand the Victoria and Albert, perfect if you want to see more than one in a day. Prefer live entertainment? With so many bands, comedians and plays to see - and exciting venues to see them in, like the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House, being bored in London is a bit of a challenge. Prefer your entertainment of the sporting variety? The city’s got that covered too. 

Whether you’re buying for yourself or getting gifts for your family and friends, London’s a great place to come on a shopping city break. From Liberty London and Harvey Nichols to Fortnum and Mason, discover London’s gleaming malls, historic department stores and quirky boutiques.

Thinking of making an adrenaline-fueled activity part of your weekend break? We’ve got the pick of the bunch, plus some indoor adventures that the weather can’t spoil. Not feeling brave enough to climb the O2? Try a walking tour instead. And when the sun goes down, London’s nightlife is legendary. With pubs for going out and clubs for going outout, the nightlife in London city never disappoints. We’ll show you the best places to paint the town red – and give you some tips to get you past the red velvet rope! 

If you’re having a London weekend trip, chances are you’ll want to eat out more than once. From Michelin-starred restaurants to hipster cafes, we’ve found great places to relax in - or just grab and go something quick from a street market instead.

Flex – Pay now or on arrival, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Our most flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 1pm on the day of arrival. You can also amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Semi-Flex – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to three full days before arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to three full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Advance – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 28 full days before arrival, free to amend thereafter until the day of arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 28 full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Standard – Pay now, non-refundable. Free to amend booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Slightly flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel and get a full refund, but you can amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Non-Flex – Pay now. No amends or refunds. Our least flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel or amend your stay after booking.

Our standard check-in time is 3pm. For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

Checkout is by 12 noon on your departure date. If luggage storage is available, our teams will be happy to store any bags for you if you’d like to check out before 12pm.

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

In 2020 we launched Premier Inn CleanProtect™, our rigorous, daily cleaning method that’s used throughout our UK & Ireland hotels. Developed in partnership with Diversey, a global leader in cleaning and hygiene products for the healthcare and hospitality industries, our promise seeks to give you extra peace of mind so you can always book and stay with confidence.

Check-in - minimising contact at reception and providing hand sanitiser in most public areas for peace of mind. 

Bed linen and towels - laundering all our linen and towels at over 60°C to thermally disinfect them, so you can enjoy a great night’s sleep. We’ve also placed spare pillows in a zip-up bag, for extra peace of mind.

Equipping our teams - providing our team members with all the equipment and sanitisers they need, as well as always operating in the safest way possible for our teams and guests.

A generous serving of safety - you can relax knowing that enhanced cleaning measures are in place throughout our restaurants. Tables are cleaned between visits and contactless payment is in place too, so you can dine safely and comfortably with us every time.

Clean on request - if you'd like your room cleaned during your stay with us, just let us know at reception and use the handy door hanger on the back of your door by 12pm each day.

Most Premier Inns have specially-adapted rooms allowing easier access for customers with disabilities. If there is no specially-adapted room available at the hotel of your choice, we will be happy to offer you alternative accommodation at a nearby Premier Inn. If you have difficulty walking, but do not need a specially-adapted room, please feel free to request a room near reception on the ground floor for easy access. 

If you'd like get in touch, you can reach out to our specialist team via email at pi.accessible@whitbread.com or call us on 0333 0919 817 between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday (calls charged at local rate).

Unfortunately, with the exception of trained assistance dogs, we don't allow pets to stay at our hotels.