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Any sightseeing trip to London is going to be a busy one. You could very well end up feeling overwhelmed trying to fit it all in. The truth is, there is simply never going to be enough time to see everything the city has to offer. It is too big and too diverse, with so many sights and activities available to tourists. I feel that you need to plan ahead, narrow down what you hope to see and decide from there. Be prepared to spend time on public transport, and be ready to spend a considerable amount of money. London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. It could be a case though of “you get what you pay for”. London is a fantastic, vibrant city with so much to see and do. This London Travel Guide will hopefully help you plan your time there.
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Getting In
Getting to London couldn’t be easier. The city has three main airports. Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted. Gatwick is a forty-minute train ride to the city. Trains run every 10-15 minutes and will take you to Victoria or London Bridge. Heathrow is on the underground line. The Piccadilly Line will bring you from the airport to the heart of the city. From there you will be able to get a connection to anywhere you need to go. From Stansted, you will need to take the Stansted Express. This will terminate at London Liverpool Street. There is an underground station there for further travel.
Alternatively, if you are travelling from mainland Europe, you can take the Eurostar. Trains from Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris arrive into St. Pancras Station on a daily basis. This is a great option for those that do not like flying or don’t want to deal with the hassle of airports.
Where To Stay
When a city is the size of London it is inevitable that your accommodation will be close to some attractions yet still far away from others. This is pretty much unavoidable. The beauty of the London underground is that you can get to where you want or need to go quite easily. It can be more important to find a good hostel or hotel that offers good value for money. Of course, you don’t want to be too far from the ‘centre’ of the city. Before booking any accommodation, check the nearest tube station. Get a map for the underground and find said station. The map is split into zones ranging from 1-6, 1 being the most central. If you find your station in zone 1 then you are going to be in a good location with easy connections around the city.
When To Go
There is not necessarily a bad time to visit London, once you are prepared for whatever weather you might find yourself in. The winter months can be cold and wet but being there at this time will certainly not ruin your visit. The summer months seem to be getting hotter on a yearly basis. This can be a great time to go. Spirits are higher and the locals love making use of the outdoors during this time. In both Spring and Autumn, milder temperatures are to be expected. Rainfall is still quite common and unpredictable but, like the winter months, this will in no way spoil your time there.
What To Do
Visit One of London’s Markets
London is blessed with so many markets to explore. They are a great way to spend a few hours, eating and searching for souvenirs or unique items. Near London Bridge, you will find Borough Market which is a great food market with wonderful fresh produce and street food. Further north is Camden Market. What was once the home place of teenagers and punks in London, is now a quirky market packed with tourists. This market has a fantastic buzz around it, especially on the weekends. Further east is the more local orientated Brick Lane Market, with old school vendors selling whatever they have available at that time. These are just my personal favourites from the many across the city.
Westminster Abbey
Founded in 960, this Gothic church is the most famous in the city. With its imposing height and fabulous architecture and carvings both inside and out, it can be a fantastic sight to see. The church is still in use today. It is commonly used for Royal Weddings with both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William getting married there in recent times. The church is not just there to be admired, there is also so much history that you can learn about. The church is open to visitors Monday to Saturday, Sunday is reserved for services only. Tickets can be bought at Westminster Abbey for £22 or for £20 online and in advance.
National Gallery
The National Gallery is an art museum overlooking Trafalgar Square. This gallery houses over 2,300 paintings. Some of these famed artworks include a self-portrait by Rembrandt and Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh. The National Gallery is among the most visited art museums in the world and is the third most visited museum in the UK. Admission is free, although for certain temporary exhibitions you will have to pay an entrance fee.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
London’s largest cathedral sits atop of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the city. It is one of the most famous and recognizable sights in London. Inside the cathedral, you will find the most beautiful mosaics and very elaborate stone carvings. If you want to climb up to the Stone and Golden Galleries you will be greeted by some of the finest views of the city. It is still a working cathedral but visitors can enter for an admission fee of £20. Sundays are reserved for worshipers and the cathedral is not open to visitors.
The British Museum
Another art gallery, The British Museum is bigger and more impressive than the National Gallery. There is less of a focus on paintings there, although there are still plenty on show. You are just as likely to see sculptures and artefacts that have been unearthed from around the world. Sculptures from Ancient Greece and Egyptian Mummies are just some of what the museum offers. Like the National Gallery, admission is free. If you have the time I would certainly suggest visiting both.
Harry Potter Studio Tour
For any fans of the hugely popular Harry Potter series, visiting London gives you an opportunity to visit the Harry Potter studios. There you will get a behind the scenes glimpse of the Harry Potter films. It gives visitors a chance to see the film set up close. It is also a rare opportunity to see the work that goes into making a major film such as this. The studios are always expanding with new items and sections being added regularly. The Studios have been rated the best tourist attraction worldwide since they opened in 2012 and anyone that has seen or enjoyed the movies must visit. If you don’t have your own transport, take the train from London Euston to Watford Junction. A shuttle bus from there will take you to the studios.
Churchill War Rooms
A real look into the history of Great Britain. Underneath the streets of Westminster are the underground bunkers that allowed Britain’s then prime minister and his war cabinet to plan victory in the Second World War. You get to walk these bomb shelters that kept the prime minister safe from the bombing raids and explore the Churchill museum to learn more about the man. Despite having zero respect for Churchill or for anything he achieved, I found these very interesting to visit. You can really feel the history down there. They offer a great alternative to the more commonly visited tourist attractions in London.
Take A Day Trip
London can be in your face and overwhelming on a daily basis. If you find yourself wanting to get away from the city for a day then don’t worry. Luckily, there are plenty of day trips that can be taken. Popular day trips include visits to Windsor, home of Windsor Castle and to Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument. Other options include the charming towns of Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford. The prices of some of these tours can be expensive. I suggest doing your research beforehand. It may be possible to do the trip yourself, either by public transport or renting a car. Both could save you considerable money.
For my list of Free Things to See and Do in London, click here.
What To Eat
London is full of fantastic food to suit all budgets. I find that the best food in the city, including some very traditional London eats, can be found at the lowest of prices. Check out my list of Budget-Friendly Eats in London by clicking here
What To Avoid
Doing Too Much
In a city as activity-filled as London, it can be easy to take on too much. Only plan for what your time allows. There is no need to move at a hundred miles an hour in an attempt to see and do everything. Have an itinerary that allows you to slow down slightly. Don’t stress yourself out, running across the city. Instead, take some time to relax, enjoy the fantastic pub culture or outdoor spaces that London offers. I find leaving without having seen everything can always be an excuse to return!
The London Eye
There are some tourist attractions, Madame Tussauds for example, that I will never understand. The London Eye is one of those. It is, in fact, the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom. I am sure the view is great but I don’t feel that being in a capsule with potentially 24 other people is the way to see a city. London is better experienced from ground level, walking the streets and soaking in the hustle and bustle of daily life there. The £27 admission fee should be enough to turn anyone off.
Overusing the Tube
As I said previously, the London Underground can be a great way to see large amounts of the city without having to travel on foot. However, it’s important to stress not to overuse it. There is no need to take the tube for every journey. I highly recommend first checking the walking distance and consider strolling through the streets of London to get where you want to go. You never know what you will find around the corner. Walking in London is a great chance to experience something different between point A and point B.
There is a lot on offer to pretty much anyone that visits London. Whatever your interests, the city has something for you. That is what makes it such a great place to visit. You can spend an endless amount of days there eating fantastic food, learning about the city, seeing some amazing sights and enjoying the atmosphere. Yes, it can be hard to keep your spending down and you will definitely have to budget more for your trip there than most places, but that is all in the preparation. Once you are on the ground, London is almost impossible to hate. This London Travel Guide will hopefully assist you in falling for this amazing city.
To read more about London, including the best free sights the city has to offer, click here.
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We can’t wait to get to London- there’s so much our boys want to see and do there! A lot of your tips sound much like what we tell people about New York City. Many of the big tourist destinations are not worth it, and while the subway is great for long journeys- make sure you walk as much as you can because you see so much more of the city that way!
Good summary! I lived in London in the early 2000’s and personally liked the London Eye, but it is expensive. Northwest London on the tube on the Northern Line is great for an older world feel. Hampstead is particularly cute and easy to get to!
My favorite side trip was Canterbury, but the ones you mention are great too!
Absolutely stunning post and breathtaking location, London has ended up on my travel bucket list. The winter will get even colder in the very near future.