The Perfect Luxury Itinerary for 7 Nights in London & Edinburgh
Updated: Sep 3
A common question we get asked in the UK is: Is it possible to experience the best of London and Edinburgh, the UK’s two most enigmatic cities, in just one week? Since there is so much to see and do in these cities, it seems like a big feat to pull off. But with a thoughtful and creative itinerary for 7 nights of luxury in London and Edinburgh crafted by top UK travel experts, it’s easy!
Luckily, we have created one. From afternoon tea at The Savoy to a chauffeured trip to Stirling Castle, read on to find out how to spend 7 nights of luxury in London and Edinburgh. Each part of the 7 Nights in London & Edinburgh itinerary is created with luxury in every detail from the hotels and restaurants to the tours and transport.
7 Nights in London & Edinburgh Luxury Itinerary
Covering all the can’t-miss city spots, as well as hotels, restaurants, and excursions, you’re guaranteed to experience the best of London and Edinburgh with this 7 night itinerary. The first four days will be spent hitting top London landmarks including the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Big Ben. There’s even a day trip to the royal Windsor Castle and Oxford University in between!
Having ticked off your London bucket list, you’ll be whisked up to Edinburgh, Scotland on a direct first-class train. Of course, no trip to Scotland is complete without a taste of its castles and whiskies, which is why your itinerary includes tours of Edinburgh and Stirling Castles followed by a whisky-tasting session at a renowned distillery.
4 Days in England Highlights:
London Eye & Thames River Cruise
Private City Walking Tour & Tower of London
Windsor Castle & Oxford
Shopping & Afternoon Tea
4 Days in Scotland Highlights:
Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, & Dean Village
Stirling Castle & Distillery Tour
Pitlochry
Day-by-Day Itinerary for London & England
Day 1: London Eye & Thames River Cruise
Start your London discovery with a visit to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the London Eye. Step inside the 360 pods and watch closely as you gently rise 135 metres above the ground to get your first glimpse of the London skyline and all its top attractions from Buckingham Palace to The Shard.
After a spin on the wheel, embark on a relaxing 40-minute Thames River Cruise to get a close-up of more city icons including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and much more. By the end of the day, you’ll feel well-acquainted with the Big Smoke but hungry for more. Curb your appetite with dinner at leading London restaurant Gymkhana, a Michelin-star Indian restaurant.
Day 2: Private City Walking Tour & Tower of London
After a restful slumber in a five-star hotel, meet your private guide, a friendly Londoner with a wealth of local knowledge. As you visit top sights like Trafalgar Square and Borough Market, listen to fascinating historical and modern-day stories about London. As a local, your private guide will also point out the city’s best bookshops, record stores, cafes, restaurants – you name it.
The walking tour will end at the Tower of London, providing the perfect opportunity to “pop in”, as the Brits say, and see the priceless Crown Jewels. But first, enjoy a long lunch at the Sky Garden, a leafy panoramic restaurant on the top floor of the famous Walkie Talkie tower.
Day 3: Windsor Castle & Oxford
Although London is always calling, today you will be privately driven to the gorgeous town of Windsor where the royal residence of Windsor Castle was built by William the Conquerer in 1070. As the oldest and largest medieval castle in the world, you will have a good few hours to explore the extraordinary complex before heading to Oxford for a pie and a pint at a traditional British pub.
Afterward, walk off lunch in Oxford city centre where you will find the Bodleian Library, Christ Church College, the Bridge of Sighs and many more beautiful Baroque landmarks from the legendary Oxford University. This evening, you’ll return to London for dinner at a top restaurant of your choice.
Day 4: Shopping, Afternoon Tea, & The West End
On your last day in London, we recommend grabbing the city with both hands and exploring at your own pace. Go and discover the artsy East London neighbourhoods, spend the day browsing the characterful markets, or shop at famous department stores like Harrods and Selfridges.
But whatever you do, set time aside for Afternoon Tea, one of England’s greatest pleasures, at Gatsby’s Room in top London institution The Beaumont which is famed for its elegant art-deco style. However, there’s no better way to round off your time in England than with a bit of show biz in London’s theatrical West End.
Stay in this top luxury London accommodation
For a quintessential London experience, stay at The Savoy, a palatial landmark hotel located on The Strand, a street so famous it has a place on the Monopoly board. Not only does a suite at this historic yet stylish hotel get you a five-star sleep, it gets you in with London’s elite. Aside from being a London legend, The Savoy is celebrated for its platter of top-notch wellness facilities, bars, and restaurants including The Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay.
Day-by-Day Itinerary for Edinburgh & Scotland
Day 1: Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
Wave goodbye to London as you head to King’s Cross Station to board the first-class train direct to Edinburgh. The high-speed train takes just 4.5 hours to transfer you from one British capital to the next, during which time you can enjoy a hearty brunch onboard.
Reaching Edinburgh early afternoon, there’s ample time to explore the city and indulge in another gourmet dinner. After checking into your hotel, a private local guide will lead you on a walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town and the Royal Mile offering fascinating commentary about local history and lore along the way. A day in Edinburgh is best completed with dinner at Number One, a fun and contemporary fine dining restaurant landmark hotel The Balmoral.
Day 2: Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, & Dean Village
Beat the crowds with a fast-pass ticket to Edinburgh Castle that includes a 45-minute introductory tour. Once you’ve learnt about the castle’s harrowing royal history, you’re given free ‘reign’ of the halls and grounds. Walking around, it’s easy to see how it inspired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.
Next, wander through the calming gardens of Holyrood Park and up to Arthur’s Seat, a breathtaking hilltop viewpoint overlooking Edinburgh and beyond. Spend the rest of the afternoon in the bucolic medieval Dean Village for a quiet stroll along the Water of Leith before returning to the city centre for a spot of shopping and dinner at Aizle, a countryside-style restaurant serving a locally-inspired seasonal tasting menu.
Day 3: Stirling Castle & Distillery Tour
Having conquered the Scottish capital, it’s time to head out into rural Scotland toward Sterling Castle, stopping at some stunning viewpoints along the way. Dating back to the 16th century, the impressive Sterling Castle complex has played a leading role in Scotland’s savage wars, stories of which will ring through your ears as you walk the echoing halls.
Shortly after, tales of war will be replaced by tales of tradition as you tour the Stirling Distillery. One of Scotland’s greatest pleasures is learning all about the unique processes of Scotch whisky production whilst sipping on the distillery's finest bottles. With your palette further refined, you’ll be chauffeured to Pitlochry, a time-frozen Victorian resort village for a night well spent in a luxury Scottish guesthouse.
Day 4: Pitlochry & Return Journey
Today marks the end of your 8-day odyssey across England and Scotland but before you are chauffeured back to Edinburgh for your onward travel, enjoy a slow morning in Pitlochry at one of its quaint cafes followed by a walk along the river.
Stay in this top Edinburgh hotel
For the full Edinburgh experience, stay at The Balmoral on Prince’s Street where the Old Town and New Town meet. The Balmoral is not only a historic city landmark, but it’s also a high-standing institution of Scottish design, cuisine, and hospitality. From the luxurious countryside-style suites to the menu at Brasserie Prince, the hotel’s suave Scotch-French restaurant, you’ll find yourself swooning over the thoughtful Scottish touches. The hotel is also home to the renowned Palm Court, the best place in Edinburgh for afternoon tea, and a sumptuous spa and pool.
Start Planning your 7-Night London & Edinburgh Itinerary
Make your dream trip to London and Edinburgh a reality today by getting in touch with our tailor-made trip experts at Lore Luxury Travel. Whether you love every bit of our suggested itinerary or you have ideas of your own, we will ensure everything is taken care of from the planning to the return trip. Find out more by messaging us here.