Welcome to London
London is my birthplace, so I have quite an affinity for this special place. I grew up living in a multicultural neighbourhood with people of a similar background. I grew up admiring the fantastic fashion of London, drinking tea, eating fish & chips in a newspaper, being immersed in art and history at school and watching English football on the weekends.
There is so much to explore in London. It is a diverse city known for its art, culture and hipster neighbourhoods. London is home to Harrods, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. A vibrant, exciting city with so many opportunities and experiences.
In Winter, London comes alive as a winter wonderland and is always the perfect setting for Christmas, together with its Christmas markets and famous toy shop Hamleys. Offering something for everyone of all ages, London is one of the world’s most heavily visited locations. We like that it is a truly cosmopolitan city, where every nation is represented by its residents. Over 250 languages are spoken (as a native tongue), and every nation is represented by its residents.
London is fascinating, bursting with culture, rich in history, and offering great food and entertainment. A place we happily lived in for many years and spent countless hours exploring, England’s capital remains very dear to our hearts.
Location & Brief History
The capital London, stands on the River Thames, in the southeast of England. Founded by the Romans as Londinium around AD 47-50, it has remained a significant settlement for over two millennia.
Today modern London is one of the world’s greenest cities, with more than 40 per cent parkland or open water. It is noted as one of the world’s most influential global cities – serving as a prominent player in a wide range of fields, including everything from the arts, education, and entertainment, to fashion, communications, and healthcare.
With so much to see and do in the city, you will need to prioritise your time for sightseeing. But if you only get the chance to do one thing, make sure you either ride on the London Eye or go up to the observation deck of The Shard to take in incredible views of the architecture, landscape and layout of this truly remarkable city.
How To Get There
Arguably one of the most connected cities globally, London is a place you can easily get to via air, sea, rail, or car from any other country in the world.
A major international hub, numerous flights from all parts of the globe arrive at London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, or Stanstead every day.
Click here for the best flight options – British Airways, Easy Jet UK, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, Iberia, Emirates, and Etihad.
Similarly, hundreds of trains and ferries arrive every week from Europe. It’s even possible to drive from Wales or Scotland straight into London or use the coach service.
GetTransfer.com is a service for booking transfers and car rentals with a personal driver at the best prices. For Transfers, click here.
Where To Stay
London and Greater London offer various accommodation options, from 5-star deluxe hotels to quiet, unassuming guest houses and hostels.
We went to see Abba Voyage at the purpose-built Abba Arena, and with this package, we got to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel. An excellent iconic five-star hotel which we would highly recommend.
Generally, prices are premium in the city centre and close to significant landmarks. So you might want to consider staying a little further away from them and commuting via the tube whenever you want to go sightseeing.
Richmond, Notting Hill, Brixton, and Holborn are attractive options for families, couples, backpackers and first-time visitors. If you are attending a show or live concert, as we did recently, there are many options in Marble Arch.
There are many options near London Heathrow Terminals if you have an early morning or a very late flight. We recently stayed at the Moxy Hotel, which was a perfect overnight stay. It is part of the Marriott International Brand at a more affordable price range. Close to the Terminals, public transport is accessible to get you around.
Check all the best London hotel deals here.
Where To Eat
London is a place that definitely won’t leave you yearning for a choice regarding food options. From Austrian to Zambian, almost every cuisine in the world is available in the city. Even in the furthest outreaches of the remotest zone 5 suburbs, a simple walk down any high street will reveal many dining options.
As with accommodation, food prices tend to be higher in the city’s heart, especially the main tourist areas. So we recommend you avoid those areas if at all possible. That said, several places offer cheap eats, especially at lunchtime, or before 6 pm, so it’s a good idea to look around.
For a more upscale dining experience, London boasts over 80 Michelin Star restaurants. At the same time, ethnic enclaves like Chinatown near Soho, Little India in Brick Lane, and Little Italy in Clerkenwell offer the most authentic gastronomic experiences. Click here for TripAdviser options.
Places Of Interest
London has so many sights and attractions within its limits that it is virtually impossible to see them all. We lived there for over ten years, and even though we regularly ventured out and about to all four corners of it, we barely scratched the surface of all there is to see and do.
That said, we got to see many of the main tourist sites, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, The Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and famous Notting Hill. All of which we would urge you to see.
Tiqets has a ticket for everyone, from Museums to Ruins to Experiences.
For Tickets click here.
However, if you want to visit London, the best way, in our opinion, is to just ‘experience’ it. Take a walking tour here.
Walk along Tower Bridge, see the flashing lights in Piccadilly Circus, cruise along the River Thames, go boating on the Serpentine in Hyde Park, peruse the stalls in Camden Market, and if you are there on the 31st of December, experience the fireworks of New Year’s Eve.
River Thames
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, known for its striking design and opening bascules, offering great views over the River Thames.
Westminster Abbey
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a lively central square known for Nelson’s Column, fountains, and its vibrant atmosphere surrounded by iconic landmarks.
Piccadilly Circus
Big Ben
Big Ben is London’s iconic clock tower, standing beside the Houses of Parliament and symbolising the city’s rich heritage.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of London’s largest green spaces, perfect for relaxing walks, boating, and enjoying nature in the heart of the city.
Oxford Street
Borough Market
Borough Market is a historic food market offering a vibrant mix of gourmet street food, fresh produce, and local delicacies.
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum is a world-famous museum known for its impressive architecture and fascinating exhibits, including dinosaurs and natural wonders.
The National Gallery
Tate Modern
Tate Modern is a leading modern art museum set in a former power station, showcasing contemporary works from around the world.
Shard
The Shard is London’s tallest building, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the city from its viewing platform.
Southbank
London Eye
London Eye is an iconic observation wheel offering stunning panoramic views of London’s skyline.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch, famous for the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
West End
Camden Market
Camden Market is a lively and eclectic market known for street food, vintage finds, and alternative culture.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is a charming neighbourhood famous for its colourful houses, boutique shops, and the iconic Portobello Road Market.
London Red Double-Decker Bus
Final Thoughts
The 18th-century writer Samuel Johnson once said, ‘when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, and this is a quote we both firmly believe.
For the visitor, London is a dream city to visit. Whether you are into art, music, history, sports, food and fashion, you will never get bored of what the city has to offer you. But beyond that, we think London is a showcase of how we have evolved as humanity over more than 2000 years. Not to mention how we are developing throughout this century. So, when all things considered, this is why we think London is a truly magical place.
Recommended Tours:
Day Trips From London
Want to explore outside of London and explore the beautiful English countryside?
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