London Information

Things to see and do

You could literally spend weeks sightseeing and visiting museums, galleries and historical sites in London.  For a Royal Family tour, start at Buckingham Palace, timing your visit to coincide with the changing of the guard, which happens every morning throughout the year and is quite a spectacle of traditional English culture. Go to the Tower of London, the original Royal fortress on the banks of the Thames, which houses a museum on the Royal Family.  Here, you can see the famous Crown Jewels, the priceless combination of decorations worn by monarchs on the day of their coronation.

A stroll through London’s parks is unforgettable, especially on a sunny day.  Escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy the tranquility of Regents Park, Hyde Park or St. James’ Park, where you’ll see Londoners walking, relaxing, or playing football.

For a taste of history, there are a huge array of destinations.  Westminster, located on the banks of the Thames, is home to both the British Parliament and the beautiful Westminster Abbey, where Kings and great English writers lie buried and Princesses Catherine and Diana were married.  From there, take the short walk to Downing Street, and take a photo of the the Prime Minister’s iconic residence at Number 10.  The Churchill Museum is also just a short stroll away, and gives a great sense of Britain’s iconic Second World War Prime Minister, and the turmoil that London went through during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

There’s a huge array of museums in London, but some are particularly memorable.  The Tate Modern is an iconic centre of modern art, with several exhibitions at any time, as well as a spectacular five-storey display space in the Turbine Hall. Similarly, the Tate Britain and National Portrait Gallery are world-renowned centres of traditional art.  The British Museum is another must-see, containing a huge array of artefacts from across the globe, especially from Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece. Check out the Elgin Marbles, a massive marble frieze from the Parthenon in Athens.  

A very nice way to spend a day in London is by strolling along the banks of the Thames, catching attractions such as Westminster, the Tate Modern and St Paul’s Cathedral.  While you’re there, don’t miss a trip on the London Eye.  This Ferris-Wheel on the banks of the Thames has rotating capsules, giving tourists a great view of the city, as well as being exciting for children.  

Sports

British people love sport, and in London, there are plenty of sports for tourists to see.  The London 2012 Summer Olympics are a reminder of the city’s passion for sport - no other city has hosted the Olympics on three occasions.  Football, or soccer, is also huge - the English Premier League is the world’s foremost domestic competition, and many of the most famous clubs, such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are based in London.  

In June and July each year London hosts to Wimbledon, the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world.  Horse Racing is big in London, as carnivals such Royal Ascot attract spectacular dresses and hats for ladies, top hats and tails for gents, and competitors from across the globe.  London is also home to Lord’s, the home of cricket, the sport that Britain spread throughout its empire.  Visitors who attend a sporting fixture in London are rarely disappointed - regardless of the sport, the crowd’s enthusiasm is unforgettable. 


Getting In and Around

London is a major transport hub.  The majority of international visitors arrive at Heathrow, which is connected to London’s Paddington station via the Heathrow Express - a faster and cheaper option than a taxi. Gatwick is the second-largest, while Luton and Stanstead also host numerous flights.  There’s also City Airport, which is situated next to the financial district.  Most of these airports have good connections with the centre of London.  Before you book a flight to London, consider its different airports. Scattered around the edges of this huge metropolis, flying into the wrong airport can leave you with a costly two-hour commute to your accommodation.

Another popular way to arrive is by train - London can be reached from almost anywhere in the United Kingdom, as well as from major European cities such as Brussels and Paris on the Eurostar.  

Getting around London is a fun experience - with its millions of people, transport options are varied, and generally very effective.  The London Underground, the oldest and most extensive underground train system in the world, covers all of central London with over 250 stations.  London’s red double-decker buses are an iconic symbol of the city, and their miniature replicas are a perfect present for young children.  But it is the old-fashioned black taxis that are London’s best-known form of transport.  Though they’re certainly not cheap, it is worth spending the pounds required to enjoy a true chauffeur ride. 

You can always rent a car, which is an excellent way to explore the picturesque countryside outside London. 

Good to Know
Londoners are on the whole very friendly, vibrant people.  There’s immense diversity in the city - immigrants have come from many parts of the former British empire, particularly India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand, among countries all over the world.  Though this is typically a source of energy, it is not advisable to discuss immigration with Londoners. 

By most standards, London is reasonably expensive, but very worthwhile - there’s something for everyone. 


Staying Here
Accommodation in London is quite varied, from the most upmarket hotels and clubs to true backpacker accommodation.  Most of the upmarket options are near St James’, the old centre of city, which is right near the eponymous park, as well as Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus.  There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops nearby - this is a great area to stay in.

Mid range hotels tend to be scattered around the city.  Perhaps the best option here is to consider which attractions interest you the most.  If you are in London for business, then best to be closer to the city or Canary Wharf, if it’s museums, then generally north London is better.  Another consideration is your mode of transport into and out of London. Suburbs such as Paddington in west London are very convenient from Heathrow.  

There are also a wide variety of youth hostels, but these are typically more expensive than other hostels across Europe, especially in the May-September high season