Divided by the River Thames, London, England, is a mix of the cutting-edge alternative, vibrant diversity and quintessential English tradition. Grand displays of British architecture mingle with towering glass skyscrapers to give the city a regal, yet modern appeal. Landmark staples like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace are visited just as much as they are photographed.
Greater London is separated into 32 distinct boroughs which make up some of the most visited areas of the city. Central London is home to a large variety of bars, pubs and clubs, as well as the majority of the city’s main tourist attractions. With no clear boundaries, the West End has the greatest concentration of restaurants (Chinatown is here), hotels and theaters, as well as the neon intoxication of Piccadilly Circus. Also within the Central region are the Mayfair and South Bank sections. Mayfair is London’s premier address, with swanky, high-end residences and hotels, as well as Hyde Park. The South Bank is regarded mainly for the vibrant arts scene that is laced throughout its streets and is home to galleries, exhibitions and film and music festivals.
Westminster is home to the United Kingdom’s parliament as well as the Royal Family. An enormous tourist attraction, the Palace of Westminster is home to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, which can be visited by the public when it’s in session from late September to mid-July. Also in this borough is the famed Royal British residence, Buckingham Palace. Tours of this historic 775-room estate are only available in summer months, but visitors are welcome to snap photos of the building and Her Majesty’s royal guard year-round. When the queen is in residence, there are four stone-faced sentries posted out front, and two when she is away.
As one of the most internationally diverse and cosmopolitan destinations in the world, it’s with good reason that London entertains over 27 million visitors a year. Browse through Camden Market with a giant pack of fellow tourists and pick up a pair of Doc Martens from the original shop. See a play at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and be taken all the way back to the Elizabethan era. Spend a Sunday blending in with the locals at a corner pub with a thick newspaper, dark pint and hot plate of bangers and mash.
Because London is such an ethnically diverse city, the dining options are limitless. For traditional British cuisine like fish and chips, The Golden Hind, located in the Marylebone section of town, is a casual BYOB spot that has been open since 1914. Afternoon tea is best served in all its regal English glory at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair (be sure to dress the part). Featuring homemade Yorkshire pudding and cask ales, Priory Arms is a favorite pub among locals and draws large crowds for Sunday’s trivia night. An abundance of Indian restaurants have been peppering the city since the 1920s, starting with Veeraswamy. From Greek and Turkish, to East African, Italian and Chinese, there are a plethora of authentic international restaurants and fast-food chains within this buzzing metropolis.
Due to the city’s immense size and global status, London has six airports, making it the most served destination in the world. Heathrow is Europe’s largest airport and the world’s busiest when it comes to international flights. The city’s second-largest airport, Gatwick, also serves a wide spectrum of travelers making their way to or from London. There are numerous transportation options to get from the airport into the center of the city which range in price and efficiency. Travelers can choose from express rails, buses, taxis and shuttles. The cheapest mode of transportation throughout the city is the London Underground. Also called The Tube by locals, it is the city’s largest subway system with 11 color-coded lines that run every day from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Visitors who plan to use the Underground as their main mode of transportation are recommended to buy a rechargeable Oyster Card for a $5 deposit.
Though fairly unpredictable, the weather in London never reaches any extremes with its temperate marine climate. Any month of the year can be considered part of the rainy season, but August and November are hit the hardest. Summertime brings about the highest volume of visitors, with temperatures ranging from a comfortable 18°C (64°F) to around 30°C (86°F). The winter months are often overlooked, but the holiday season in London is not to be missed. Spring and autumn are good times to visit the city, as they have similar weather and several events and festivals scheduled.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Guided tours are offered throughout the year of the Globe Theatre and are included in your visit to Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition. There are three eating options at the Globe which include a coffee bar, a brassiere and a bar. The Globe Theatre has provision for wheelchair users in the Yard and Gentlemen's Rooms and there is full disabled access throughout the rest of the Globe site. Based under the Globe the engaging and informative exhibition explores the life of Shakespeare, London, and the theatre for which he wrote. A guided tour inside the theater talks about the story of its reconstruction and gives insight into the working life of the Globe. Tickets include the 40 minute guided tour of the theater and an all day ticket to the exhibition.(more)
Fat Tire Bike Tours London
London bike tours were designed with the active traveler in mind. See London as you've never seen it before. This company has a license from The Royal Parks and the bike tour is along their bike paths and/or cycle lanes for virtually the entire tour.The tour stops often for information and photo opportunities. The service is family friendly, in terms of tour material and bicycles. Baby seats, kid's and youth bikes, a children's tandem bike and children's helmets are available upon request. Reservations are not required for the approximately 4 hour tour. If you have children, advance reservations are suggested so that the appropriate bikes can be reserved. The tours run seven days a week, rain or shine.(more)
Parliament
Overseas visitors can only tour Parliament during the Summer Opening, when tickets are available for purchase. However, overseas visitors may still attend debates and committees throughout the year. Public committee sessions are open to everyone, including the press. There are meetings Monday through Thursday most weeks when Parliament is sitting (meeting). Visitors queue on the day, places cannot be booked in advance. The origins of Parliament go back to the 12th century, when the King's councils were held involving barons and archbishops. They discussed politics and were involved in taxation and judgments.(more)
Tower of London
In the early 1080’s, William the Conqueror began to build a massive stone tower at the center of his London fortress. In the centuries that followed, successive monarchs added to the fortifications. This building has been many things through the years including a fortress, palace and prison. A value family ticket at 46 pound for two adults and up to three children aged five to 15 is a great value. Children under five get in for free. The ticket includes access to the Tower, plus Yeoman Warder guided tour and talk, live historical re-enactments, the White Tower tour, children's activity trails and entry to Prisoners of the Tower.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is the House of Kings, where the coronation of Kings and Queens has taken place since 1066 and where many of the Kings and Queens of England and of the United Kingdom are buried. Principal among them is St Edward the Confessor, King of England from 1042 to 1066, whose shrine is at the heart of the Abbey Church. Besides the Abbey Church itself, within the Abbey precincts you are welcome to visit St Margaret’s Church (the Church of the House of Commons), the Great and Little Cloisters, the stunning Chapter House and Museum and on several days of the week, College Garden, an oasis of calm at the heart of the City. Specialist visitors are welcome by appointment to the Library and the Muniments Room.(more)