A world power and the largest city in Europe, London is one of the best destinations for city breaks. Whether you enjoy its fabulous art, history and architecture, stunning views, world-class cultural events, great food and vibrant nightlife or world-class theatre, ballet and opera, this vibrant metropolis ticks all the boxes. While the capital often basks in the spotlight thanks to a number of high-profile sporting events, including cricket at the Oval and Lords, tennis at Wimbledon and this year’s Tour de France, there is even more excitement on this day. as it prepares to host the 2012 Olympics.
There is a wide variety of accommodation, from cheap youth hostels to some of the most luxurious and expensive hotels on the planet. It is not cheap but it is certainly unforgettable.
How to get to/get around London
London is easily accessible by road. Of the major motorways, you can travel to London from the M1 in the north, the M4 and M40 in the west, the M3 and M23 in the south, and the M2 and M20 in the east. If you fly, choose between Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and City airports. By bus, almost all national services arrive at Victoria Coach Station. Once you are in London, you can choose the bus, the train or the tube.
You’ll also see many of the capital’s iconic black cabs, but they tend to be expensive. Driving in London is quite an experience and not for the faint hearted. If you drive or rent a car, remember that during the week you will have to pay the congestion charge (£8) between 7am and 6pm.
Tourism in London
You will need a few weeks to visit all the monuments, galleries, museums, parks, etc. From london. Probably the best way to get your bearings and take in as many famous sights as possible is on board an open-top bus. There are tourist bus stops throughout the city and a ticket allows you to hop on and off as needed. Most routes pass Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and Piccadilly Circus. The London Eye is one of the most popular attractions in the city and offers fantastic views.
Major museums include Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the Natural History Museum. There are wonderfully relaxing parks like Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, St James’s Park and Richmond Park or you can explore some of the city’s interesting markets in Camden, Notting Hill or Spitalfields.
Family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences in London
Family attractions in London
The Natural History Museum is great for children and there are many interactive exhibits. You can experience what an earthquake feels like, get up close and personal with dinosaurs like the terrifying T-Rex, and examine weird and wonderful specimens at the Darwin Center.
London Zoo and London Aquarium are popular destinations for animal lovers, and the Tower of London and London Dungeon offer a few hours of entertainment. See your favorite celebrities (not quite in person) at Madame Tussauds or head to East London to visit the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood.
Day trips from London
Windsor Castle sits on the River Thames some 20 miles west of London and a tour of the world’s oldest occupied castle is extremely popular. If you fancy going to the seaside, you can catch a train to Brighton from Victoria Station and breathe in the sea air in about an hour. Hampton Court Palace in south west London is probably one of the most spectacular palaces in the world and its famous labyrinth should keep you busy.
Visit in winter and you can go ice skating with the palace as your backdrop. Theme parks like Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park are on the outskirts of the city and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park is about 30 minutes north of the capital.
shopping in london
A shopping splurge won’t be cheap, but there isn’t much you can’t buy. You’ll find high-end fashion on Oxford and Regent Street and department stores like Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and the world famous Harrods in Knightsbridge. Around Covent Garden you will find exclusive boutiques and more high street names and the markets are great for their variety. Portobello Market is great for jewelry, and Camden attracts a diverse crowd in search of ethnic arts, crafts, jewelry, and second-hand clothing.
If you’re hungry, Borough Market is wonderful for all kinds of organic, regional, and international produce. Just don’t go on an empty stomach or you’ll end up spending a fortune.
London nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Restaurants in London
London is fast becoming a culinary capital of the world and a place where you can try almost any type of cuisine, including Iranian, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, Argentinian, Nepalese, Greek, Turkish, American and Mexican. Many traditional English pubs in London serve excellent cuisine and you cannot visit them without trying a traditional Sunday roast.
If you really want to spend a little money, dine at one of the capital’s many ‘celebrity’ chef restaurants, such as Gordon Ramsay’s Claridge’s or Jamie Oliver’s Quince. There are also more than 30 Michelin-starred restaurants, including Hakkasan and Yauatcha (Chinese), Nobu and Umu (Japanese), and Aubergine and Chez Bruce (French).
Nightlife in London
Some of the best nightclubs, theater, dance and music in the world are in the capital. Plays in the West End can be very expensive, but the UK’s best actors (as well as some US stars) love to hit the stage. The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden has ballet and opera and there are live music venues all over the city where you can see the most famous groups on the planet.
London’s nightclubs attract top DJs from around the world and hot spots include Fabric, China White (studded with celebrities) and Funky Buddha.
London has a wide variety of accommodation, from simple and cheap guesthouses and hostels to internationally famous five-star hotels such as The Savoy and The Ritz.