Saturday morning kicks off with a cultural procession winding from Trafalgar Square to Westminster. You’ll see drummers, dancers, and a few bewildered pigeons. Expect closures on Whitehall and Victoria Embankment from 8 a.m. until early afternoon.
By noon, the West End will feel like a ghost town with better lighting. Broadway might have its lights, but London has its silence. Sunday, it’s all about the runners—a charity half-marathon looping through Regent’s Park and past Baker Street.
These closures aren’t random; they’re planned months in advance. The local council’s traffic notice is about as exciting as a tax form, but it’s your golden ticket to avoiding a 45-minute detour. Check it online before you leave.
How to Navigate Like a Local
First, ditch the car. I know, it’s tempting to pretend you’re in a Martin Scorsese film, but today you’re a pedestrian. The Tube will still run, though expect Northern Line delays—because it’s always the Northern Line.
Second, use the river buses. A trip from Embankment to Greenwich costs about a fiver and offers a moving, drinkable view of the city. You’ll pass the Tate Modern and the Tower, all while the roads above you quietly hum with frustration.
Third, become a flâneur. Stroll through the closed streets; you’ll see architecture normally blurred by bus fumes. Notice the ironwork on a door or a forgotten plaque; these are the details traffic never lets you admire.
Full list of City of London road closures in January 2026 with one road
