London is one of our top favorite cities to visit, offering a wonderful mix of historic pubs and cool cocktail bars, ancient churches and unique modern architecture, gorgeous train stations, and tour guides with quick wit. Seeing the iconic sights of Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, red double-decker buses, and so much more is a special experience. On top of this, London is a multicultural city, with food offerings from around the world. These are our quick travel info tips for planning a visit to London.
Travel Info: London
Why Visit
One of the top best international cities in the world
Seeing iconic landmarks in person, from Big Ben to red phone boxes
Exceptional museums, sights, restaurants, theaters, churches, the Zoo, neighborhoods … too much to list!
Good public transportation options, tourists can buy the Visitor Oyster Card online
Fabulous historic Pubs with colorful fronts and vintage decor
Easy trains to visit wonderful smaller cities close by, York and Bath are two of the best
Recommendations
Neighborhoods we like to stay in are West End, Bloomsbury, and Whitechapel
We usually stay in an Airbnb, but there are many great hotel options too; two we really liked are: The Chamberlain Hotel and The Grand at Trafalgar Square
The Best Pub is Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in Fleet Street, The Skinners Arms is our favorite traditional pub that feels like a local, and Ten Bells near Whitechapel with its upstairs cosy library room was one of Jack the Ripper’s haunts
Have a meal at one of the four locations of Mercato Metropolitano, a global food hall
What to Know
Currency: British Pound
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), +5 hours from New York City (EST)
Plug-in Adaptor: type G, 3-pronged plug-in
Language: English
Weather: Cold, wet, with short days in winter; sunny and pleasant temperatures with long days in summer
Some businesses use contactless payment only, and will not accept cash
Mind the gap when boarding trains, and remember to look both directions before crossing the street!
What to See
Tower Bridge, a symbol of London
Tower of London, includes the Crown Jewels
Big Ben and the Parliament Buildings
Westminster Abbey, site of coronations since 1066, also the Royal Tombs and Poets Corner
The British Museum, an amazing collection of history from ancient civilizations
St. Paul’s Cathedral, beautiful inside and out
Borough Market, historic food market in a cool area
Covent Garden Market; also in this neighborhood: Cecil Court for antiquarian bookshops, a throw-back in time
What to Do
Take a tour on a red double-decker bus to see all the iconic sights
Ride the London Eye ferris wheel for amazing sights over London
Visit Kings Cross Train Station, particularly Platform 9 3/4 from Harry Potter
Walk the Thames Path to see views from across the river (from either side)
See a show at one of the many historic theaters
Stroll through the Notting Hill neighborhood, with unique shops full of treasures
Experience an Afternoon Tea with scones and a pot of tea
Take a ferry ride down the Thames to visit Greenwich
Key Phrases
England: WC, Water Closet
America: Bathroom
England: Holidays
America: Vacation
England: Crisps
America: Potato Chips, Chips
England: Chips
America: Fries
England: Biscuit
America: Cookie
England: Boot
America: (Car) Trunk
England: Lift
America: Elevator
England: Hole-in-the-Wall
America: ATM
England: Cheers!
America: Cheers!
Cheers!
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One response to “Travel Info: London”
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We love Londontown!
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