First-Timing London: A One Week, Fandom-Centric Trip

Regardless of your status in the Harry Potter fandom, this place is a great day-trip option for travelers of all ages. The studio is filled with set pieces, props, costumes, and production artifacts displaying every aspect of the Harry Potter films. There are also many magical-themed food options available on site, including the iconic Butterbeer, to give you the full Wizarding World experience.

Pro tip: Purchase tickets with the option of riding the official shuttle to ensure safety to and from the studio, and to maximize your time spent enjoying all the things of Harry Potter.

Continue on with your Harry Potter Fandom experience by seeing the acclaimed show, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Based on the story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany, the show can be seen at The Palace Theatre in London’s West End. If time permits, the House of MinaLima, located a few blocks west of SoHo Square Gardens is also worth visiting. There you’ll find Harry Potter and magical-themed books, accessories, artwork and more.

PRO TIP: Tickets for performance times before and after intermission are sold separately. At time of purchase, double- and triple-check your order to ensure everyone in your party has tickets for both performance times.

If Marvel is your primary fandom, you’ll want to check out the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Fans of The Avengers will recognize this location from scenes in Thor: The Dark World. This location has been showcased in various films and shows throughout the years, but as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Old Naval College is also home to hundreds of years of history and artwork, displayed most notably in the Painted Hall. Take a guided walking tour of the property, or simply explore the Baroque-styled buildings on your own.

Just up the hill from the Old Royal Naval College, in the heart of Greenwich Park, is the Royal Observatory, and home of the Prime Meridian. Here, you can explore the evolution of time, and learn about how the concept of time has influenced societies around the world through time.

PRO TIP: If going to the observatory, be ready for a hike! The path to the entrance travels along a short, but very steep incline to the top. Don’t worry, though, because making it to the top is well worth it as this location boasts some of the best views of the London skyline.

Take a break from everything pop-culture, and go on a sightseeing tour atop a double-decker bus. It’s a good, relatively low-cost option to see all of the major landmarks in the city within a day. The hop-on hop-off day pass that most of the bus tour companies offer provides you with flexibility in your schedule in case you want to add other types of activities to your itinerary for that day.

Turn your fandom focus from wizards and superheroes toward something more historic, and take a guided day trip to the Cotswolds. Known for its quaint villages and hillside landscapes, it’s also where you’ll find Highclere Castle, the real-life filming location featured in Downton Abbey. If you’re a fan of the show, then you’ll appreciate the authenticity of the castle’s interior. It looks just like how it does on screen! Visitors can also explore the nearby gardens often used in scenes from Downton Abbey.

Highclere Castle and its Estate is the private residence of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. As this is their home, photography within the castle walls is prohibited. The basement of the castle also serves as a museum, and houses an extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts procured by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon in the early 20th century as a member of Howard Carter’s expedition team, and subsequent discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun.

PRO TIP: Book a private or small-group tour for a more intimate experience, and get all of your fan-favorite questions answered!

Two day trips in a row may be daunting for a first-time traveler, but visiting Bath is well worth the trek! Recently made popular by Netflix’s Bridgerton series, the city of Bath is well-known for the Roman Baths. Supplied by water emanating from a natural spring, the Roman Baths housed several rooms, each with a pool for bathing and socializing. Take a self, audio-guided tour of the baths, and learn all about what life was like in Roman England.

Scattered throughout the city are the various filming locations used for Bridgerton, most notably The Royal Crescent. Book a guided walking tour to see all of the sites used in the show, or download a Bridgerton-specific guide to use while you explore on your own.

PRO TIP: If traveling from London, opt for taking the train instead of a bus tour as certain travel times and routes may result in quicker transit times and itinerary flexibility.

Sometimes, the most exhausting part of going on a trip IS the traveling. Going from place to place, not to mention the jetlag associated with it, can wear you out faster than you think. With that said, spending your last day in London doing some retail therapy is the perfect way to end a trip. Visit the iconic Harrod’s or shops along Regent Street to get your classic shopping fix, or go to Mark’s & Spencer to find the perfect souvenir to take home. All that shopping can work up an appetite, so head over to Greg’s and grab a sausage roll to top off your unforgettable London experience.