This may be your first time in London, it may even be your first time leaving the United States and you only have a limited time to get the most out of your trip. Alternatively, you may be a seasoned traveller and you may feel that you have already seen everything that London has to offer. We hope that this short guide may help you, whatever your previous experience, to have the best time, and to discover parts of London that you otherwise may have missed.
*Please note we have no affiliation with any of these links, they are merely suggestions.
Please find options that work best for you and your budget.
Tours of London
You will want to go on a tour of the city and there are multiple ways to do this.
London hop on hop off bus tours
You should absolutely do this to get an overview of everything. Whilst it is very easy to
book this in advance, there is NO NEED to. You will have no problem at all in booking
buses on the actual day that you wish to take this tour and the choices are plentiful. Most
are good for 24 hours and often include river and walking tours as well.
River tours
Another great way of seeing the city is on a river tour up and down the Thames. Again, you can book this in advance and it may be worth it if you have a large party, however in most cases you should be able to book on the day
that you wish to take the tour. There are lot of different companies that will offer such trips in both daytime and nighttime hours. Just make sure that the trip you book goes past both the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London, thereby ensuring that you will see all the major spots on the river.
Running tours
For the more active amongst you, a running tour is a great way to get to know a city. The link above is to a well-established and trustworthy company, however there are a choice of other companies that offer similar tours. Unlike
the bus and boat trips, this is something that you definitely SHOULD book beforehand as they will only have limited spaces available.
Walking Tours
If you fancy something more leisurely, a great way of seeing the city is a walking tour. There are many options to choose from such as Jack the Ripper tours, Pub walks, Beatles walks and Harry Potter themed walks and they are well worth your time. You are guaranteed to pick up some interesting facts from the knowledgeable guides.
Places worth visiting
You will have a massive choice of places to visit; it may seem overwhelming and frankly
it will be impossible to visit them all. Below we have listed what we believe are
the best places to see whilst you are in London.
ALL OF THEM WILL NEED TO BE BOOKED ASAP AS MANY SELL OUT MONTHS IN ADVANCE.
Central London
Houses of Parliament
This tour is a must as you get to visit the historic seat of government of the United Kingdom.
Westminster Abbey
Just across College Green from the Houses of Parliament is Westminster Abbey a world heritage site with over a thousand years of history
The Tower of London
Further down the Thames towards Greenwich, lies the Tower of London where amongst other things, the Crown Jewels are kept safe.
Tower Bridge
Right next to the Tower of London is Tower Bridge, surely the most iconic bridge
across the Thames. (Not to be confused with the famously named but very
boring looking London Bridge)
Buckingham Palace
We're sure that many people would love the opportunity to visit Buck House but as you can see, it is only open to visitors at selected and limited times. You may be lucky, so look up the details.
St. Pauls Cathedral
Completed in 1710 and designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this is
another iconic building well worth your time
The London Eye
This is a great way of viewing the city as the wheel slowly
goes around you will be able to see all the major landmarks.
From the fresh food stalls of Borough to the antique selections at Portobello and the music vibe at Camden , London is known for it's bustling street markets. Here's a list of many of the markets that pop up around town through the week, some daily.
Opened originally in 1900, the Hippodrome building has been home to theatres and music halls over it's long history. It is now home to the Hippodrome Casino, which is the official viewing location for the British Bulldawgs Browns Backers. Due to its 18 and over policy, we have not centred events here for the Browns' visit. However there is a lot to do including excellent bars and restaurants, so feel free to pop in and explore. They show NFL on Sundays down in Lola's bar on the lower ground floor.
Outer London
Hampton Court Palace
This is a bit out of central London, and it may seem an effort to get there, however we can guarantee that it is worth it. This building has so much history and is very well preserved and presented.
Out of London
Harry Potter Studios
Many tourists believe that the Harry Potter Studios are in London, however they are actually in Watford, just north of London. The studios are well worth a visit if you are a fan of the books or films, however they are expensive and
they, in particular, tend to sell out months in advance. So, check it out now, if you are interested.
Windsor Castle
Just to the west of London, not far from Heathrow airport lies Windsor Castle, another Royal residence that is actually much used by the Royal family.
Culture
London is a vibrant city with lots of museums and galleries. There is also a wide choice of great West End shows.
Complete list of museums and galleries
The link above has a full list of every museum in London, there is truly something for everyone. We have listed below those museums that give you most bang for your buck (so to speak – as most are completely free to enter).
West End Theatre tickets
You may wish to take the opportunity to watch a show in London’s West End. If you want the best seats, especially for the most popular shows, it is always advisable to book in advance. There are however plenty of resale companies
with booths in central London where you may be able to purchase tickets on the day.
Tickets to sporting events
London has many great sporting venues, and you may wish to take in a game during your visit. This may be Soccer, Rugby or whatever takes your interest.
Stadium tours
Alternatively, you may wish to simply visit the stadium for a tour. There are lots of options listed in the link
Tottenham stadium tours
If you specifically want to have a tour of the impressive Tottenham stadium, the ground where the Browns will be playing, or even take part in a skywalk high above the pitch, then this is where you need to look.
The London Pass
If you are spending enough time in London, it may be advisable to purchase a pass that gives you discount entry to many of the most popular attractions in the city. All the details are on the link above.
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