As you know London is one of The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird and my favorite places in the world. In fact we’d totally live there if we could. Everytime we go, we find something new to do, but we definitely have our list of favorites too.
Here are 10 things that will not disappoint if you are lucky enough to find yourself in London in the near future:
- Harrods. Harrods is like the “IT” spot for department stores in London. It’s massive {the largest department store in Europe}, upscale, and even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s totally worth a quick stroll.
- High Tea. Nothing says England like High Tea. There are tons of places in London to have afternoon tea, which one you choose really just depends on your tastes. Some are VERY upscale, while others are more traditional. Either way, save room for the assortment of scones, sandwiches, and desserts that accompany a hot cup of tea. It’s a must do, really, you know, when in Rome…
- The Tube. The Tube is London’s underground subway. It can disperse you all over the city in minutes, and though it can be initially tricky to read the map, once you get the hang of it, you will want to trade in your car for a subscription to your favorite paper or magazine, and enjoy the stress free commute. As a tourist, it’s fun to see the totally eclectic crowd it attracts.
- Natural History Museum. This place really deserves its own post. It’s The Girl’s favorite place in the world. It covers every aspect of natural history–from rocks to cavemen.
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The Globe is a modern day reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original theatre. It is built only feet from the original theatre, and patterned to replicate the times. The cheap seats {for the commoners} are standing only at the base of the stage. The prices go up as your “social class” goes up. Book your tickets early, though, because the season fills up fast.
- The changing of the guard. The changing of the guard in front of Buckingham Palace is FULL of history and pristine attention to ritual. If you have never seen it, it’s one of those must-do touristy experiences.
- Hyde Park. Make sure you schedule a stroll through Hyde Park on your way to something at least. Not visiting it would be like not seeing Central Park on a visit to New York City. It’s iconic.
- Billingsgate Market. Billingsgate Market is like Seattle’s Pike Place Market, only on crack. It’s where the locals go to get fresh off the boat seafood. And as a tourist, it’s a great place to go to get a real feel for the locals.
- Tower of London. This is the mecca for British history. It’s where the Queen’s Jewels live. And, where many of England’s prisoners were held.
- Trafalgar Square. This square is another iconic London location. It appears in the movies pretty often, in fact, in 2012 Tom Cruise and movie makers shut down the entire square to film Edge of Tomorrow. The square is named after the Battle of Trafalgar, which was an important victory for England over the Napoleonic Wars. It houses several statues and a huge fountain.
There is seriously so much to explore in London. These are just a glimpse. Any you would add?
~Mavis
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Erika says
As someone who’s a fabric geek in addition to having a massive gardening hobby, I highly recommend the Victoria & Albert Museum. All kinds of art, with a focus on textiles through history.
Katie says
It’s like you knew!! I just booked my week long trip to London today.
Truth, I’m planning to find a husband and get married and stay in London forever. That is one of my 2014 goals. 🙂
Veronica V. says
Haha! I’m going for 5 weeks in less than a month. I may add that Goal to my list too! Thanks Mavis for a good list!
Tina B says
During our upcoming trip, we plan to see the Tower of London, take a ride on the Eye, do the double decker bus hop-on-hop-off tour one day, and youngest says we “MUST have fish and chips” somewhere. Any suggestions as to a great fish and chips place?
Jess says
It sounds strange but the sketchiest-looking places often have the best fish and chips. Also go to a proper chip shop for fish and chips rather than a pub. And when they ask if you want salt and vinegar, say yes. You won’t regret it.
I would add Camden to this list. It’s one of my favorite places in London. Not only does it have really diverse residents but it also has like 3-4 huge markets within a 3 minute walk from one another, but there is Camden Lock which is fun to watch while having a cup of fresh OJ from the stand right next to it (or Starbucks on the other side of the bridge) and all the shops have goods overflowing onto the sidewalk with such random and cool stuff. I could spend days there!
Kathy says
I did nearly all of those same things as well and would add taking in one of the many awesome shows. I saw Cats and Les Mis when I was there, amazing. The #1 thing that I did in London was to catch a very up-close sighting of Diana and Charles. She was like a true princess, wearing a white gown, it was surreal. Charles was kinda dorky. Sadly it was their last public appearance together before their separation.
Kate says
I love London and wish that I could visit every year. The Tower of London is great and we finally went to Westminster Cathedral the last time we were there. Yes, too, to Hyde Park. I spent a morning that I will never forget looking through boxes of original EH Shephard’s illustrations for Winnie the Pooh at The Victoria and Albert. St. Paul’s Cathedral–you can climb up for a wonderful view; the London Eye; I second The Tube, but it is so much fun just to hop on a bus and ride around and hop on and off wherever. The Courtauld Gallery was amazing. Steak and kidney pie at any number of pubs, scones with real clotted cream, a concert at St. Martin in the Fields on Trafalgar Square, Hamley’s Toy Store on Regents Street, the Cabinet War Rooms, the wartime bunker that sheltered Churchill and his government during the Blitz. Okay…I really do love London. 🙂
paidinchickens says
We like to go at least once a year for a weekend. You can do it on the cheap if you want, although it helps that we live in England!
Mellie says
The London Dungeons was one of the most fun things we did while we were there. I love England and would move there in a flash if my husband would get on board.
Ashley says
Borough Market has incredible brownies. I loved seeing all the cathedrals and churches. Churches typically charge an entrance fee but museums mostly don’t. However, if you’re attending a service (Evensong at St Pauls was my favorite), you’ll not be charged, but you won’t have a lot of time to linger or admire the architecture. At St Pauls, it’s totally worth paying the extra to go to the top (Golden Gallery), especially on a clear day. The views are spectacular! Westminster Abbey is also well worth the price of admission. Harry Ramsden’s near Piccadilly Circus was my favorite for fish and chips. Check out the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square and nearby St. Martin-in-the-fields church, which has excellent musical offerings, Taza on Queensway near Hyde Park for shwarmas, tea at the Orangery in Kensington Gardens, the British Museum to see the Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles, and the Hyde Park LDS chapel on Exhibition Road in Kensington, which has amazing displays and a family history library. Happy travels!
Laura says
Greenwich is south of the river, and gives amazing views of the more recognisable sights of the north bank, it had a fab market as well as a couple of good museums (maritime history and the royal observatory). You can now climb over the O2 arena (google it!) it’s an exhilarating experience! Take a river boat back to Westminster and stroll along the south bank to the Tate Modern gallery. Science museum is good if you have kids, and its free entry! Sooo much to do, lucky I only live 90 minutes away!