I’m a Londoner who knows London inside out and my tip is:- It’s better to walk than take the tube if you are staying central. If you look at a tube map, there is a yellow circle tube line on the map- within it is central London. Everything within the circle is within walking distance. It’ll likely be just as quick to walk and you’ll likely pass things on your to do list by accident walking to your destination plus you’ll very likely discover some great things that weren’t on your list. Just to give you a timescale of walking distance; the longest distance is 40 min max. If you look at the top of the yellow circle, you’ll see kings cross station. At the bottom is embankment station. To walk from kings cross to embankment is around a 40 min walk, so the map is deceiving. You can walk from Westminster to Trafalgar Square to Leicester Square, to Piccadilly Circus, to Oxford Circus all within an hour (obviously without stopping but you’ll tick a lot of your list within half a day!). Have fun!!
I am going to London my first time here next summer and would love to hear any tips or info for first timers! I have watched a lot of videos, but there is so much info and hard to get exactly what u want out of it. So, would love to hear from yah like where to stay and stuff! I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
I would agree with this if you're only there for a few days and want to see more of the city. But if you already took that route and need to get around, then please take the tube. It is definitely faster and your feet will thank you.
I have a tip. Use the restroom when you see one. I was surprised how hard it was to find one, not even all tube stations or fast food joints have a public bathroom. Don't get caught out.
Do not regard your trip to London as a "once in a lifetime" adventure; rather thing of it as a first of many and leave some things to next time. That way you enjoy what you do see more.
I live in outer London, near Heathrow. There is so much you can find by walking around area. A few minutes walk from tourist traps you can often find interesting areas with less people which is far more enjoyable.
One thing we did on our first day was take a 3 hour afternoon London sightseeing tour bus. Didn’t have to plan or think about where to go AND the tour guides give lots of good tips on things like crowded times, riding the tube, taxi tips, shopping tips etc. did not stop more than a few minutes in some places, but we saw a lot in the bus, and more importantly got our bearings, and did not stress. Since we had just arrived at 7:00 that morning, it also let us rest a bit. Good ideas on when and where to go back and spend more time.
Try a pub tucked away, avoiding the tourist areas, by all means, then get on with seeing our fantastic capital. Even three hours in a pub would not be my idea of fun.
Here's a tip: get an oyster card for public transport or, if the economics work a TFL pass. Here's another: avoid public transport in rush hour. Have a relaxing breakfast somewhere 'til 9, in the afternoon, find a pub, have a drink then head for a bite somewhere
As an English guy who has lived and worked in London, but now visits the city occasionally, do bear in mind that London is an exhausting place what with all the people and manic traffic and noise - you'll be knackered by the end of day! Also, keep it simple, as Jess says. There's no way you can cover all the sights in the time available - focus on maybe six landmarks; and, you know, just spend time sitting and watching and chilling (though remember London can be chilly even in what we call summer). RobertK.
I just have to chime in about the "chilly" comment. I normally avoid going to Europe in the summer time. I love visiting London between September and March, but I still find it mind boggling when people there get bundled up in so much clothing - hats, sweaters, scarves, coats, etc. It could be 50 °F, and people are dressed like they are about to go trekking in the arctic. I break out in a sweat just looking at them.
hauskalainen I’m not sure about that. Overpriced, yeah, but not overrated. I went when I was around 10 on a school trip and I thought it was absolutely amazing, plus there was a zombie thing at the end which was cool. I was very impressed, although the queue did take ages, I think it’s worth it
I spent my childhood in South Africa after my Parents moved and insisted i go with them.I was 3,and you sign anything at that age.Whilst getting older,i would see these fantastic wax replicas of the famous faces i knew and loved,so i was very keen to go to Madam Tussauds.I was expecting to see all the models i had seen over the Years (naive,i know) only to find that it`s not very big,and that models are replaced,not added to.If you expecting that,you will be dandy.I was underwhelmed due to ignorance i guess.When i went they had Charles and Di,Arthur Scargill,and a scarily realistic Maggie Thatcher. I wanted The Beatles. Doh !!
SatanAteMyWotsits But,You were ten😌! Of course you were impressed at that age.Maybe that person was speaking from an adult perspective and it may not be that impressive when your older.
Born and raised in London. I enjoy seeing visitors. London is a big city indeed it’s good to plan what to see. I recommend travelling after rush hour on weekdays. Some tourist get in the way and overcrowd unnecessarily blocking the exits and tight spaces with huge bags
So long before my trip to London I began listening to BBC London radio station in the morning (my time) it gave me a real sense of the city and its inhabitants. Since the station is mostly talk radio it also provides news and happenings around the city. And when I finally got to London I almost felt like I had been there before because of the things I had picked up on the radio. I recommend Robert Elms, Joanne Good, Nikki Bedi shows. All of which are on for about three hours each.
If you're going to London with more than 3 people (or two depending on the indecisiveness), I'd recommend heading to the markets for food, especially in the summer- they offer a wide range from British to Japanese to Ethiopian, so even the most fussy eaters can enjoy. Good markets include Borough Market (London Bridge), Camden Market, Spitalfields Market (Shoreditch/City), Brick Lane Market (Shoreditch), Greenwich Market, Southbank Market. Other options are food courts, which unlike in Canada and the US are quite rare. Some of these include Boxpark Shoreditch, Boxpark Croydon, Bang Bang Oriental, Westfield Food Courts (Stratford & White City), Covent Garden. Source? Having been to London with many indecisive friends many times I know how hard it can be, and markets are just the best option.
I was really surprised that after flying from Australia (and no sleep for almost 48 hours), I had no jet lag at all. Landing at 6.30pm helped, I was at my hotel in Shoreditch by about 9pm (thank you Heathrow Express!!). I found the best time I had in London was walking, an amazing city and I wish I was back there now.
Same here. Flew from the Philippines and my friends were surprised I adjusted to the time zone right away lol. I landed at around 6pm as well. I was also kinda sick-ish and have been drinking flu meds, so I think that helped me sleep right away.
I'm a Londoner and worked at the LDN Eye for a few years. I'd meet loads of people doing a day or two in a different European country with London being the last port of call on the way home. I recommend spending all the holiday in London or one of the other cities. Visiting the Eye and tourist attractions you spend so much time queueing and my city is so big you won't get to see that much of it.
I spent almost three weeks in London back in 1985. I know it's an entirely different London these days compared to the London of 1985. The punk scene was still very prevalent during that time. Carnaby St looked entirely different than it does today. I watch several people that walk around the city and video places. Back in 85 there was an official punk store there on Carnaby St. It was so cool. We stayed at a bed and breakfast place on Gloucester Place just one block over from Baker St. Nice place. Basically we didn't have an itinerary to go by or anything. We just got up each day and checked maps and brochures and a lot of hit and miss walks, and we had a blast. We did plan for some things, like going down to Wimbledon to see Center court. They had a cheap walk through tour there. We also planned to go up to see Wembley Stadium where Live Aid was performed. Couldn't get inside it was all locked up. I loved riding the double decker buses and the tube. It was awesome. We saw a lot. Went to Abby Rd and saw the famous Beatles crosswalk. My first night was actually in an apt on Abby Rd further down from EMI Studios. My wife now, but girlfriend at the time, was spending two semesters in college in London. I flew over and spent almost three weeks with her during Christmas break. I absolutely loved London. I felt like I fit in. I could live there if I could afford to. We hit all the major stores, Harrods, Selfridges, Debenhams, Liberty and Co plus tons more. Hit all the museums, or at least a good bit, and took the tour at the Tower of London. Very cool. We saw what was called back then, The London Experience. It was an exhibit type show of some sort. It was inside the London Pavilion. We also saw live at the Apollo Theater, Starlight Express. Very cool. Anyway, I love London and wish I could go back over there and spend a month.
First day we took a nap and went to Regent street to see the lights. It was fabulous! Second day we tried the underground to go to a museum and got lost for 3 hours. But we really figured it out that day which really made our trip fun! We did a Jack the Ripper tour too. The rest of the trip we mostly did vintage shopping and shows. It was fabulous and relaxing. Biggest waste of money was tea at Ting in the Shard. That was awful. And Juliet was the best show. We had a great trip!
@@loveandlondon the service was impeccable and I guess if you like weird little goose liver fish egg gelatinous puff sandwiches you would enjoy it but it was $185 for 2 people! The bathroom was quite amazing though!
Greenwich Village is in New York. The place you're talking about is called Greenwich (spot the difference? Yes. No "Village") And yes, it's well worth visiting, best by Thames Clipper.
I just wanted to tell you i came back from London this morning and watching your videos for the last weeks has really helped me. I was staying with a friend who knew the city so I didn't have to plan things by myself, but I got to enjoy the trip more than if I had arrived with no clue at all because of all the tips you give
It can't be emphasised enough: Greater London is approx. 30 miles, East to West and a little less, North to South - "quaint, foggy ole London town" it is not! There is masses of sound advice, here, particularly the avoidance of Madam Tussaud's, Piccadilly Circus and the Buck Pal Guard-change (unless you stand at the gates to Wellington Barracks, before the parade - best photos). Greenwich by river-bus from Westminster (next to the London Eye) is good value and efficient, if you're pressed for time - "make several visits to London" is the best advice!
Take in a show. The west end is full of theatres with world class offerings. If you want cheaper tickets go to Leicester Square where there is a kiosk that sells last minute tickets cheap so that seats are not left empty. (You will not miss it) Most theatres are just a short walk from there any way.
Did London in four days as a teenager. Now I'm a tired and round old lady. By taking cheap digs and planning grocery store/market eating punctuated by the occasional splurge, I'll be able to stay seven weeks in Feb and March. I still won't get to everything, no doubt. But I know I can pace myself and savor the experience.
I went for a week last year, and one major mistake I made was planning more than 2 major sites to see during the day time (Tower, Bridge, museums, etc.)!! I found that most things don't open until 9a or 10a and close around 5p (and between queues, exploring the site, transport time, & lunch time), I found it wasn't a lot of time. Also some places will close or close early unexpectedly, so I learned my lesson: be flexible!
Rule one: GET AN OYSTERCARD - Then you don't have to worry about travel tickets. Also, check out the riverboats. Seeing London from the Thames is a great way to see the sights without the hassle. Get a boat from Westminster or Charing Cross Pier to Greenwich.
Jess, great advice... after long international flight we made our first day very easy, arriving in central London near lunch time we enjoyed a pub lunch and then made our way to Regent's Park to Primrose hill and enjoyed the beautiful sights!
My mistake was walking everywhere. Even though a lot of places seem close, walking a mile or two to each sight adds up. I should have preserved my feet and have the oyster card do all of the work.
Know your limits. As a Manhattan resident walking a mile or two instead of dealing with transit is second nature to me. I spent 7 days and only rode the subway 4.
Walking is best I always find places I haven’t see before forget The London Eye in summer there a longggggggggggg lines and the London on the weekend crazy otherwise it’s a brilliant place to visit. The tube in rush hour find a pub have a pint and wait it out
I'd suggest not planning anything at all the first day other than looking up a restaurant or somewhere to get a good meal close to where your staying or even ask the hotel staff. Play the first day by ear and get your bearings, then go out and explore a little you may find a lovely pub and settle down for a couple of drinks, but if not, you've got that hotel or internet recommendation to fall back on.
I'm absolutely agree with you! Because I didn't have enough time to enjoy various places when I've been to London 5 months ago. So, if I go to London again, I'll stay more than a week!
Raija Nihtila That’s pretty much what I did. Flew into Heathrow around noonish (plane was a little late), so when I got off the plane, I went straight through immigration and baggage claim, followed signs to trains, picked up an Oyster Card fresh from the machine, got onto the Piccadilly and headed toward my Airbnb. Then I explored some of the local area before returning to my room. The next day I explored Camden Market, Primrose Hill, etc. Each day I’m trying to do a little more, but I think the recommendation for no more than 2-3 big attractions is a good one. You don’t want to be overtired. Plus, you need to factor in time on the tube, etc.
Kormos17 I'll also be walking from Victoria to Tower Bridge cause I want to see London Eye, The view from the Shard, Sky Garden, St Pauls and the Thames.. I think it'll be worth it
I heard about the person who had a shack and manipulated the system to make the restaurant the Top restaurant of London! Thought it was a guy, but,saw the documentary about how one can manipulate via word of mouth, stars and reviews on sites like Trip Advisor and such to get away with it. And, he pulled it off! The menu was "feelings" where feeling sad or homey or something like that was a lasagna dish. And it was frozen lasagna he and his friends who acted like waiters popped in the microwave! Anyway, yea..so, you are right about that. You can look at those sites and see who has the best ratings or, ask the front desk or the locals. They will always tell you exactly which place is definitely worth going to! And, I always check out my room when I am in a city/state, rest for an hr or two (depending on what time I land) and then, with my phone, walk around the area (I try to go immediately 3 to 4 blocks East or West) and get familiar with the area my hotel is located at. Thanks so much for your tips and I can't wait to visit!
So, I'm an American Army veteran. Not that I have the cash to do so, but if I were to ever go to London I would love to see the Changing of the Guard [yeah, yeah, I know. I'm a goob]. The important part of this is that I would wait until the Guardsmen were on their post, walk up whichever one wasn't too busy, and tell him 'Thank You'. The band of the Guards Brigade playing 'The Stars and Stripes Forever' and 'The Star-Spangled Banner' the morning after 9/11 will be etched in my memory until the day I die. Yeah, I know that there very good odds that Guardsman in question won't have even been alive that day. But sometimes 'thank you' counts for a lot.
The best place to go to for changing of the guards is Windsor Castle. They change guards at 11.00am with the marching and then play popular songs on their brass instruments such as James Bond theme tunes. There is also so much to do there and see. It's also not that far from London.
British Airways changed the type of aircraft they were using and our (purchased eight months earlier) especially purchased good seats were terrible. So our first day in London on the hop on hop off bus gave me lots of chances to take a picture of my husband falling asleep on the bus. :-(
Boycott British airways -countless people have done so.Want a cheap lunch on the hop/or to eat in any park-Go to Sainsburys /Boots &buy a MEAL DEAL(sandwich ,packet of crisps etc &a drink )for under £4.Kept us going when we visited Kew Gardens where we ate surrounded by beauty
You're 1st point was well made, once visitors understand that Greater London is approx. 30 miles (50km), East to West and almost the same, North to South, they will plan their time; for example, aiming to visit Hampton Court Palace and Greenwich on the same day would be a bad idea, unless you particularly enjoy suburban train services!
My rules goes as such 1) I swap over a couple hundred dollars to the currency I'm arriving in. 2) first day I lay low and get to the hotel and sleep for several hours. 3) get an A to Zed map. Jet lag really sucks and what I've done and I know it sounds crazy but I'll travel first class going over as you'll be arriving in the morning. You have quieter seating and a larger seat that is more of a recliner. Sounds nut but think of all the money and effort you've done , every hour counts so to speak. I always come home on economy class as it will be in the evening and you'll be home(in YOUR bed). Been doing this every time I go to Europe or England and it works beautifully.
Of course when we go spend our 48 hours in London in the summer we will try and avoid the big restaurant chains for our meals. I love fish and chips (I even make my own beer batter from a recipe I found on the Ricardo website here in Quebec, I may even make some for lunch this weekend!) and I asked on IG if anyone had any recommendations for real OG fish and chips and one local guy recommended a place which does them in beef drippings so we'll definitely try it out. For the other meals, we'll go by what we're in the mood for and find something to our liking. We're really looking forward to this trip, we've waited so long to go. Salut!
I had almost no plans. Just to St Albans, Cardiff,and Liverpool. I wanted to visit the London Tower Bridge,but my buss from Homerton to the Thames Landed me at Another Bidge, Waterloo I think. and took an hour to get there. I liked that though. I could have went to Startfiord, then take the Jubalee line to London Bridge. Cut my time down by 1/2 hour. Hackney has cheap food.
A bit late but for others who want to see bridges or riverside attractions there are river cruises that offer hop on hop off tickets valid for the day. It takes a little more time butz just gives you a break from the mad London rush. Check the different companies for offers, we got £10 tickets (half price) boking online.
Study up on transit options, both to and from the airport, and around the city. It's easy to pay a lot more than you have to for which might not even be efficient transit.
@@loveandlondon I got sold on the RT Gatwick express train to Victoria my first time in London (12 hrs), paying easily twice what a GWR train would have cost. There was a transit strike that prevented the return trip which I'm pretty certain the people who sold the ticket were aware of. I took the GWR train back and it wasn't much slower than the express.
I am planning our trip for 2021 and I am using Trip Advisor, TH-cam and Pinterest. I am also asking friends who have been there. I have two different guidebooks also. We want to make the most of our time!
Hey Diane, that's great! Be careful with Tripadvisor. And if you want to save time planning, check out my 3-Day London Itinerary: loveandlondon.com/3-day-london-itinerary
My first time in London was last month. Had a great time..but i do agree..dont overplan especially on your first day! I had a little jet lag so I didnt push myself...chilled in a cafe or pub when i started getting tired...but by the next day I was ready to go! Goggle Maps was a big help!
Things we learned the hard way -- the site of the battle of Hastings is *not* in Hastings -- it is in Battle. Battle itself is highly recommended - we had a great time doing a walking tour of the site of the battle and then had a nice lunch at the pub there.
We are going o London in April and have a plan that sees us spending time in one geographic area on one day and another area the next to avoid the toing and froing and wasting time and money. We have been planning the trip for close to twelve months so we have hopefully done the research so as to maximise the precious days that we are there.
I really want to go to london! but im afraid im going to go there and have NO idea what im doing! you're video's have helped me so much, im much more confident now! thank you!
If you're a tourist in London, Google maps is your friend as it's easy to get lost. Just remember to keep your phone out of sight when walking through busy areas.
For Americans a safety tip you cannot take a turn on a red light while driving, pedestrians do not get any right of way, there is no such law as jaywalking.
Does anyone know where I could buy tickets for theatre shows in London online?? I’m going in March for the first time and I’m scared to spend my money on a fake site :/
If you can be flexible with what you want to see then buy on the day in person at the discount ticket booth in Leicester Square, get there before it opens and stand in line. You can save a lot of money. West end tickets are nowhere near as expensive as broadway so if you don’t need to save money buy directly from The individual theatre box-office, and pick them up on the day( bring the card you used to pay for them)
Find a book shop or library and look for advertised ticket sites in travel guides. A published tourist guide won't be advertising fake sites. Or google what theatre the shows you want to see are on at, and go directly to the theatre sites to buy tickets. The sites will redirect you appropriately from there if they use another agent to sell tickets.
I had made a wonderful Scottish friend who drove me from early morning till midnight to possibly every place in and around London that have tourist attraction and I was so overwhelmed by the sights that I do not remember now What is What !!!
Jess, you are super-awesome. I just read your London 101 guide & I learned so much! I would never ever thought of needing an "adapter" for my phone charger. Plus, I'll get some British pounds to have "as I step off the plane" as you recommended. You definitely deserve a tip; don't you have a Patreon account or PalPal for us thankful video watchers?!
Hey Roger, thanks so much, I'm so happy you've found it helpful. That's really kind of you to want to support me! I want you to get tons of value if you want to give up your hard-earned money to me so a great way to support and also get something great is to get the 3-Day Itinerary mentioned in this video, or The Local Guide to London. Here's more info about the 3-Day Itinerary: loveandlondon.com/3-day-London-itinerary and The Local Guide to London: loveandlondon.com/the-local-guide-to-london
Love and London Ok.I ordered my 3 day itinerary. Treat yourself to something nice! Ha ha. Just kidding.. Good timing. My company announced bonuses yesterday! I look forward to looking over the itinerary and the digital map! Keep Making those London videos! ...and maybe WATCH a few cooking videos. ;) Thanks for all!
Good advice as always - and yes, better to get word of mouth recommendations from someone you know and trust, if you can! (Heading there again in a month's time for my birthday weekend; Big Easy for one meal, not yet decided on the others. Maybe Wahaca again? That and take the new camera out looking for squirrels, and maybe those parakeets in Kensington Gardens?)
We are traveling to London at the end of May 2019 and will, actually, only be there for 3 days. We will be in Europe for a week, but will be traveling to Oslo for 3 days and then back to London for our final night before flying back to the US. Any recommendations or will your 3 Day Itinerary be sufficient for us? We are making lists of possible things to see/do and will narrow things down as needed.
Hi Shelley, yup the itinerary will work for your three days. They don't need to be done back to back so you can split it up as needed. It's also very flexible so just adjust as needed!
I lost a hole day going from one airports to the other (at the other side of London) just to save about $100 in air tickets in my way back to Boston. Stupid idea.
There are some great tips in the comments here. But, what it all comes down to, is remember not to underestimate the size of London and everything there is to offer! You can live a lifetime in London and still find plenty to discover... To paraphrase “ London moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
hello, I'm going to London 2 days only, which pass do you recommend if I want to visit London eye, View from the shard and London bridge exhibition?? thanks a lot in advance, because I'm confused between London pass and London explorer pass... I'm looking for fast entry to benefit from the time and see as much as I can
Hi Laure, neither pass will cover all three of those unfortunately. Maybe grab the London Pass for one day and then just buy tickets for the Eye separately. Here's more about the London Pass: th-cam.com/video/t0m1Rjw6GQU/w-d-xo.html
Be sure to go to the new sky garden (it's free). It's called The Garden at 120 and is at 120 Fenchurch Street. You don't have to pre-book just turn up and catch the lift (elevator?) up to the top. Amazing views of London. We discovered the place last month. Well worth a visit. Also for small kids the Postal Museum is worth a visit. They will love the mail rail train.
I want to visit London someday and visit some places where Harry Potter was shot. I would also like to do some research on my ancestors. Any ideas on doing those?
Mysticofshadowyhearts also try the Londonist TH-cam channel. I prefer their older vids - lots of quirky London things there, including a few on HP locations presented by Viki Pipe.
+Mysticofshadowyhearts - A good way to trace your ancestors is through church records such as marriage, birth, death and baptism records and England kept immaculate tax records so chances are some of your ancestors are listed in the tax records and if they owned land, they would also have records.
When visiting London after years of absence, I found I had to exchange my old bank notes for new ones. This could have potentially caused me to miss my last train. (Fortunately, this didn't actually happen, but it easily could have done!).
I’m a Londoner who knows London inside out and my tip is:-
It’s better to walk than take the tube if you are staying central. If you look at a tube map, there is a yellow circle tube line on the map- within it is central London. Everything within the circle is within walking distance. It’ll likely be just as quick to walk and you’ll likely pass things on your to do list by accident walking to your destination plus you’ll very likely discover some great things that weren’t on your list. Just to give you a timescale of walking distance; the longest distance is 40 min max. If you look at the top of the yellow circle, you’ll see kings cross station. At the bottom is embankment station. To walk from kings cross to embankment is around a 40 min walk, so the map is deceiving. You can walk from Westminster to Trafalgar Square to Leicester Square, to Piccadilly Circus, to Oxford Circus all within an hour (obviously without stopping but you’ll tick a lot of your list within half a day!). Have fun!!
I edited my spelling mistake and lost your ‘heart’ like :-(
I am going to London my first time here next summer and would love to hear any tips or info for first timers! I have watched a lot of videos, but there is so much info and hard to get exactly what u want out of it. So, would love to hear from yah like where to stay and stuff! I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
I would agree with this if you're only there for a few days and want to see more of the city. But if you already took that route and need to get around, then please take the tube. It is definitely faster and your feet will thank you.
I have a tip. Use the restroom when you see one. I was surprised how hard it was to find one, not even all tube stations or fast food joints have a public bathroom. Don't get caught out.
And for those who have the 3-Day London Itinerary mentioned in the video, I marked off a ton of toilets along the route!
New York is the same.
Do you get much of a rest in a restroom?
same, and not all toilets are free... that's kinda a problem
Do not regard your trip to London as a "once in a lifetime" adventure; rather thing of it as a first of many and leave some things to next time. That way you enjoy what you do see more.
Nice :)
I live in outer London, near Heathrow. There is so much you can find by walking around area. A few minutes walk from tourist traps you can often find interesting areas with less people which is far more enjoyable.
But the problem is that not everyone can afford to go to Europe as they please. Sometimes one time is all they get.
i'm broke 😌
@@su-rv2uq i felt this comment...
One thing we did on our first day was take a 3 hour afternoon London sightseeing tour bus. Didn’t have to plan or think about where to go AND the tour guides give lots of good tips on things like crowded times, riding the tube, taxi tips, shopping tips etc. did not stop more than a few minutes in some places, but we saw a lot in the bus, and more importantly got our bearings, and did not stress. Since we had just arrived at 7:00 that morning, it also let us rest a bit. Good ideas on when and where to go back and spend more time.
As someone born in London I would recommend spending three days in a good pub!
Lol!
Try a pub tucked away, avoiding the tourist areas, by all means, then get on with seeing our fantastic capital. Even three hours in a pub would not be my idea of fun.
Not even with the rat pack?
I recommend the Sussex Arms in Twickenham.
I like it
Here's a tip: get an oyster card for public transport or, if the economics work a TFL pass. Here's another: avoid public transport in rush hour. Have a relaxing breakfast somewhere 'til 9, in the afternoon, find a pub, have a drink then head for a bite somewhere
As an English guy who has lived and worked in London, but now visits the city occasionally, do bear in mind that London is an exhausting place what with all the people and manic traffic and noise - you'll be knackered by the end of day! Also, keep it simple, as Jess says. There's no way you can cover all the sights in the time available - focus on maybe six landmarks; and, you know, just spend time sitting and watching and chilling (though remember London can be chilly even in what we call summer). RobertK.
I just have to chime in about the "chilly" comment. I normally avoid going to Europe in the summer time. I love visiting London between September and March, but I still find it mind boggling when people there get bundled up in so much clothing - hats, sweaters, scarves, coats, etc. It could be 50 °F, and people are dressed like they are about to go trekking in the arctic. I break out in a sweat just looking at them.
cross off Madam Tussauds waxworks... it is grossly overrated and over priced.
hauskalainen I’m not sure about that. Overpriced, yeah, but not overrated. I went when I was around 10 on a school trip and I thought it was absolutely amazing, plus there was a zombie thing at the end which was cool. I was very impressed, although the queue did take ages, I think it’s worth it
I spent my childhood in South Africa after my Parents moved and insisted i go with them.I was 3,and you sign anything at that age.Whilst getting older,i would see these fantastic wax replicas of the famous faces i knew and loved,so i was very keen to go to Madam Tussauds.I was expecting to see all the models i had seen over the Years (naive,i know) only to find that it`s not very big,and that models are replaced,not added to.If you expecting that,you will be dandy.I was underwhelmed due to ignorance i guess.When i went they had Charles and Di,Arthur Scargill,and a scarily realistic Maggie Thatcher. I wanted The Beatles. Doh !!
I went 4 days ago and it was fab
This!
But I guess..visit it once and never, ever go back lol
SatanAteMyWotsits But,You were ten😌! Of course you were impressed at that age.Maybe that person was speaking from an adult perspective and it may not be that impressive when your older.
Born and raised in London. I enjoy seeing visitors. London is a big city indeed it’s good to plan what to see. I recommend travelling after rush hour on weekdays. Some tourist get in the way and overcrowd unnecessarily blocking the exits and tight spaces with huge bags
So long before my trip to London I began listening to BBC London radio station in the morning (my time) it gave me a real sense of the city and its inhabitants. Since the station is mostly talk radio it also provides news and happenings around the city. And when I finally got to London I almost felt like I had been there before because of the things I had picked up on the radio. I recommend Robert Elms, Joanne Good, Nikki Bedi shows. All of which are on for about three hours each.
Cool!
I will try listening gud ideas
What a good idea
If you're going to London with more than 3 people (or two depending on the indecisiveness), I'd recommend heading to the markets for food, especially in the summer- they offer a wide range from British to Japanese to Ethiopian, so even the most fussy eaters can enjoy. Good markets include Borough Market (London Bridge), Camden Market, Spitalfields Market (Shoreditch/City), Brick Lane Market (Shoreditch), Greenwich Market, Southbank Market.
Other options are food courts, which unlike in Canada and the US are quite rare. Some of these include Boxpark Shoreditch, Boxpark Croydon, Bang Bang Oriental, Westfield Food Courts (Stratford & White City), Covent Garden.
Source? Having been to London with many indecisive friends many times I know how hard it can be, and markets are just the best option.
Japaneezi will going there with 1 person or just by myself be a problem?
oh i just realised you mentioned about variety of food to choose from. that explains why u recommend for more than 2 persons.
Thanks!
I was really surprised that after flying from Australia (and no sleep for almost 48 hours), I had no jet lag at all. Landing at 6.30pm helped, I was at my hotel in Shoreditch by about 9pm (thank you Heathrow Express!!). I found the best time I had in London was walking, an amazing city and I wish I was back there now.
Same here. Flew from the Philippines and my friends were surprised I adjusted to the time zone right away lol. I landed at around 6pm as well. I was also kinda sick-ish and have been drinking flu meds, so I think that helped me sleep right away.
I'm a Londoner and worked at the LDN Eye for a few years. I'd meet loads of people doing a day or two in a different European country with London being the last port of call on the way home. I recommend spending all the holiday in London or one of the other cities. Visiting the Eye and tourist attractions you spend so much time queueing and my city is so big you won't get to see that much of it.
Yup!
Don't travel during rush hour. It's hell.
Not compared to Mumbai
It can be annoying. Sorry to sound unwelcoming.
I spent almost three weeks in London back in 1985. I know it's an entirely different London these days compared to the London of 1985. The punk scene was still very prevalent during that time. Carnaby St looked entirely different than it does today. I watch several people that walk around the city and video places. Back in 85 there was an official punk store there on Carnaby St. It was so cool. We stayed at a bed and breakfast place on Gloucester Place just one block over from Baker St. Nice place. Basically we didn't have an itinerary to go by or anything. We just got up each day and checked maps and brochures and a lot of hit and miss walks, and we had a blast. We did plan for some things, like going down to Wimbledon to see Center court. They had a cheap walk through tour there. We also planned to go up to see Wembley Stadium where Live Aid was performed. Couldn't get inside it was all locked up. I loved riding the double decker buses and the tube. It was awesome. We saw a lot. Went to Abby Rd and saw the famous Beatles crosswalk. My first night was actually in an apt on Abby Rd further down from EMI Studios. My wife now, but girlfriend at the time, was spending two semesters in college in London. I flew over and spent almost three weeks with her during Christmas break. I absolutely loved London. I felt like I fit in. I could live there if I could afford to. We hit all the major stores, Harrods, Selfridges, Debenhams, Liberty and Co plus tons more. Hit all the museums, or at least a good bit, and took the tour at the Tower of London. Very cool. We saw what was called back then, The London Experience. It was an exhibit type show of some sort. It was inside the London Pavilion. We also saw live at the Apollo Theater, Starlight Express. Very cool. Anyway, I love London and wish I could go back over there and spend a month.
First day we took a nap and went to Regent street to see the lights. It was fabulous! Second day we tried the underground to go to a museum and got lost for 3 hours. But we really figured it out that day which really made our trip fun! We did a Jack the Ripper tour too. The rest of the trip we mostly did vintage shopping and shows. It was fabulous and relaxing. Biggest waste of money was tea at Ting in the Shard. That was awful. And Juliet was the best show. We had a great trip!
Wow I'm shocked to hear about your tea, as it's one of my favourites in London. Thanks for watching!
@@loveandlondon the service was impeccable and I guess if you like weird little goose liver fish egg gelatinous puff sandwiches you would enjoy it but it was $185 for 2 people! The bathroom was quite amazing though!
Greenwich Village and Greenwich Park...ahhhh yes... spend the day
Get there by boat, it's much more fun.
Greenwich Village is in New York. The place you're talking about is called Greenwich (spot the difference? Yes. No "Village") And yes, it's well worth visiting, best by Thames Clipper.
Ive been living in london for ages now and I still find new stuff all the time
Me too. I love that!
I just wanted to tell you i came back from London this morning and watching your videos for the last weeks has really helped me. I was staying with a friend who knew the city so I didn't have to plan things by myself, but I got to enjoy the trip more than if I had arrived with no clue at all because of all the tips you give
Oh wow I'm so glad I could help Sara! So nice to hear you enjoyed yourself and I hope you make it back to London soon :)
It can't be emphasised enough: Greater London is approx. 30 miles, East to West and a little less, North to South - "quaint, foggy ole London town" it is not!
There is masses of sound advice, here, particularly the avoidance of Madam Tussaud's, Piccadilly Circus and the Buck Pal Guard-change (unless you stand at the gates to Wellington Barracks, before the parade - best photos). Greenwich by river-bus from Westminster (next to the London Eye) is good value and efficient, if you're pressed for time - "make several visits to London" is the best advice!
This tips are applicable to any big city and not only London.
:)
Take in a show. The west end is full of theatres with world class offerings. If you want cheaper tickets go to Leicester Square where there is a kiosk that sells last minute tickets cheap so that seats are not left empty. (You will not miss it) Most theatres are just a short walk from there any way.
Did London in four days as a teenager. Now I'm a tired and round old lady. By taking cheap digs and planning grocery store/market eating punctuated by the occasional splurge, I'll be able to stay seven weeks in Feb and March. I still won't get to everything, no doubt. But I know I can pace myself and savor the experience.
May I ask, what are your plans for housing since your visit will be seven weeks? Ahead of time, thank you for sharing your wisdom and advice.
I went for a week last year, and one major mistake I made was planning more than 2 major sites to see during the day time (Tower, Bridge, museums, etc.)!! I found that most things don't open until 9a or 10a and close around 5p (and between queues, exploring the site, transport time, & lunch time), I found it wasn't a lot of time. Also some places will close or close early unexpectedly, so I learned my lesson: be flexible!
Flexibility is key!
I always recommend British museum! You could spend all three days and the museum but for times sake spend half a day... you won't regret it
Rule one: GET AN OYSTERCARD - Then you don't have to worry about travel tickets.
Also, check out the riverboats. Seeing London from the Thames is a great way to see the sights without the hassle.
Get a boat from Westminster or Charing Cross Pier to Greenwich.
if you have a tfl pass why would you need an Oyster Card.
Dead right about Trip Advisor. Also right about the rush hour - don't travel, find a pub and let it go past.
I love London I think it is great.
Day 1...Have a nice meal and then stroll around and absorb the vibe of an interesting neighborhood, like Camden.
As an Australian I found London overwhelming when I first arrived. It was a bit different than I expected.
I really enjoed Museum of London -- and it has free wifi that actually works! St. Paul's nearby will cost you 16 lbs to go inside.
Glad you liked it Mary :)
Pounds sterling is £'s, not lb's(weight)
Jess, great advice... after long international flight we made our first day very easy, arriving in central London near lunch time we enjoyed a pub lunch and then made our way to Regent's Park to Primrose hill and enjoyed the beautiful sights!
Lovely!
My mistake was walking everywhere. Even though a lot of places seem close, walking a mile or two to each sight adds up. I should have preserved my feet and have the oyster card do all of the work.
Totally! It happens to lots of people :)
You can always rent a bike.
Know your limits. As a Manhattan resident walking a mile or two instead of dealing with transit is second nature to me. I spent 7 days and only rode the subway 4.
Walking is best I always find places I haven’t see before forget The London Eye in summer there a longggggggggggg lines and the London on the weekend crazy otherwise it’s a brilliant place to visit.
The tube in rush hour find a pub have a pint and wait it out
I'd suggest not planning anything at all the first day other than looking up a restaurant or somewhere to get a good meal close to where your staying or even ask the hotel staff. Play the first day by ear and get your bearings, then go out and explore a little you may find a lovely pub and settle down for a couple of drinks, but if not, you've got that hotel or internet recommendation to fall back on.
London...best city in the world.i love it.
I'm absolutely agree with you! Because I didn't have enough time to enjoy various places when I've been to London 5 months ago. So, if I go to London again, I'll stay more than a week!
Yay :)
Am really appreciating your videos. Thanks, Jess!! Leaving for London very soon and am feeling more confident thanks to you :)
Thanks so much Sydney, glad to hear it!
Listen to Jess, she has good ADVICE
Thanks Dave
I will be there in October. My plane lands at 11am. All I plan on doing that day is checking in to my room and check out Notting Hill.
Raija Nihtila That’s pretty much what I did. Flew into Heathrow around noonish (plane was a little late), so when I got off the plane, I went straight through immigration and baggage claim, followed signs to trains, picked up an Oyster Card fresh from the machine, got onto the Piccadilly and headed toward my Airbnb. Then I explored some of the local area before returning to my room. The next day I explored Camden Market, Primrose Hill, etc. Each day I’m trying to do a little more, but I think the recommendation for no more than 2-3 big attractions is a good one. You don’t want to be overtired. Plus, you need to factor in time on the tube, etc.
I literally walked from chelsea all the way up to Tower Hill. Totally worth it.
That's a lot of walking! Great views :)
Kormos17 I'll also be walking from Victoria to Tower Bridge cause I want to see London Eye, The view from the Shard, Sky Garden, St Pauls and the Thames.. I think it'll be worth it
Best thing to do is to plan your trips and focus on a specific area for each day that way you can see as much as you can
Glad you agree with my points!
I heard about the person who had a shack and manipulated the system to make the restaurant the Top restaurant of London! Thought it was a guy, but,saw the documentary about how one can manipulate via word of mouth, stars and reviews on sites like Trip Advisor and such to get away with it. And, he pulled it off! The menu was "feelings" where feeling sad or homey or something like that was a lasagna dish. And it was frozen lasagna he and his friends who acted like waiters popped in the microwave!
Anyway, yea..so, you are right about that. You can look at those sites and see who has the best ratings or, ask the front desk or the locals. They will always tell you exactly which place is definitely worth going to! And, I always check out my room when I am in a city/state, rest for an hr or two (depending on what time I land) and then, with my phone, walk around the area (I try to go immediately 3 to 4 blocks East or West) and get familiar with the area my hotel is located at.
Thanks so much for your tips and I can't wait to visit!
It is a guy ;-)
So, I'm an American Army veteran.
Not that I have the cash to do so, but if I were to ever go to London I would love to see the Changing of the Guard [yeah, yeah, I know. I'm a goob]. The important part of this is that I would wait until the Guardsmen were on their post, walk up whichever one wasn't too busy, and tell him 'Thank You'. The band of the Guards Brigade playing 'The Stars and Stripes Forever' and 'The Star-Spangled Banner' the morning after 9/11 will be etched in my memory until the day I die.
Yeah, I know that there very good odds that Guardsman in question won't have even been alive that day. But sometimes 'thank you' counts for a lot.
The best place to go to for changing of the guards is Windsor Castle. They change guards at 11.00am with the marching and then play popular songs on their brass instruments such as James Bond theme tunes. There is also so much to do there and see. It's also not that far from London.
British Airways changed the type of aircraft they were using and our (purchased eight months earlier) especially purchased good seats were terrible. So our first day in London on the hop on hop off bus gave me lots of chances to take a picture of my husband falling asleep on the bus. :-(
That's jet lag for ya!
Boycott British airways -countless people have done so.Want a cheap lunch on the hop/or to eat in any park-Go to Sainsburys /Boots &buy a MEAL DEAL(sandwich ,packet of crisps etc &a drink )for under £4.Kept us going when we visited Kew Gardens where we ate surrounded by beauty
This is my third day in London. Your tips have been very helpful. Thanks.
Enjoy!
@@loveandlondon I certainly did! And I will be back. Thanks for making it much easier and even more fun than it would have been without your help.
Great advice and really helpful tips Jess! Keep it simple. Don't over think or over plan. You're awesome! Thanks! Love and cheers! 👍💗😘🇬🇧
Aw thanks for watching Teknekon!!
Don’t use the “rickshaws” that you see parked up everywhere, they will overcharge you and they have no insurance.
You're 1st point was well made, once visitors understand that Greater London is approx. 30 miles (50km), East to West and almost the same, North to South, they will plan their time; for example, aiming to visit Hampton Court Palace and Greenwich on the same day would be a bad idea, unless you particularly enjoy suburban train services!
My rules goes as such 1) I swap over a couple hundred dollars to the currency I'm arriving in. 2) first day I lay low and get to the hotel and sleep for several hours. 3) get an A to Zed map. Jet lag really sucks and what I've done and I know it sounds crazy but I'll travel first class going over as you'll be arriving in the morning. You have quieter seating and a larger seat that is more of a recliner. Sounds nut but think of all the money and effort you've done , every hour counts so to speak. I always come home on economy class as it will be in the evening and you'll be home(in YOUR bed). Been doing this every time I go to Europe or England and it works beautifully.
HAhah if only I could afford to fly even just business EVER....
Of course when we go spend our 48 hours in London in the summer we will try and avoid the big restaurant chains for our meals. I love fish and chips (I even make my own beer batter from a recipe I found on the Ricardo website here in Quebec, I may even make some for lunch this weekend!) and I asked on IG if anyone had any recommendations for real OG fish and chips and one local guy recommended a place which does them in beef drippings so we'll definitely try it out. For the other meals, we'll go by what we're in the mood for and find something to our liking.
We're really looking forward to this trip, we've waited so long to go. Salut!
Not using Trip Advisor for a while, agreed can't rely on review in there
I had almost no plans. Just to St Albans, Cardiff,and Liverpool. I wanted to visit the London Tower Bridge,but my buss from Homerton to the Thames Landed me at Another Bidge, Waterloo I think. and took an hour to get there. I liked that though. I could have went to Startfiord, then take the Jubalee line to London Bridge. Cut my time down by 1/2 hour. Hackney has cheap food.
A bit late but for others who want to see bridges or riverside attractions there are river cruises that offer hop on hop off tickets valid for the day. It takes a little more time butz just gives you a break from the mad London rush. Check the different companies for offers, we got £10 tickets (half price) boking online.
Study up on transit options, both to and from the airport, and around the city. It's easy to pay a lot more than you have to for which might not even be efficient transit.
Or just use Citymapper app !
@@loveandlondon I got sold on the RT Gatwick express train to Victoria my first time in London (12 hrs), paying easily twice what a GWR train would have cost. There was a transit strike that prevented the return trip which I'm pretty certain the people who sold the ticket were aware of. I took the GWR train back and it wasn't much slower than the express.
I am planning our trip for 2021 and I am using Trip Advisor, TH-cam and Pinterest. I am also asking friends who have been there. I have two different guidebooks also. We want to make the most of our time!
Hey Diane, that's great! Be careful with Tripadvisor. And if you want to save time planning, check out my 3-Day London Itinerary: loveandlondon.com/3-day-london-itinerary
Bought my tickets to London ! will be there with family on December! thanks to your channel!! got lots of tips...
Awesome!! Thanks for watching!
My first time in London was last month. Had a great time..but i do agree..dont overplan especially on your first day! I had a little jet lag so I didnt push myself...chilled in a cafe or pub when i started getting tired...but by the next day I was ready to go! Goggle Maps was a big help!
Nice!
Very good advice! I always find myself running around too much when visiting big cities. Next time I'll break it up into manageable zones.
Very important for London :)
Things we learned the hard way -- the site of the battle of Hastings is *not* in Hastings -- it is in Battle. Battle itself is highly recommended - we had a great time doing a walking tour of the site of the battle and then had a nice lunch at the pub there.
Thanks! Its my first time to go outside Asia, and Im quite nervous , your video helps me really plan my trip.
No need to be nervous! You'll have a great time.
My trip is in spring 2019. I cant wait to go. This video really helped thanks
Yay! You're so welcome.
We are going o London in April and have a plan that sees us spending time in one geographic area on one day and another area the next to avoid the toing and froing and wasting time and money. We have been planning the trip for close to twelve months so we have hopefully done the research so as to maximise the precious days that we are there.
I really want to go to london! but im afraid im going to go there and have NO idea what im doing! you're video's have helped me so much, im much more confident now! thank you!
Glad I can help Angie! And that's exactly what my 3-Day London Itinerary is for :)
Good video. Some day il make my way thru Europe and into Asia... Some day. Il keep these in mind
Im relax the 1st day I get there, doing a 8 hour walking tour of london on the 2nd to see the majority of the city attractions
Woah, 8 hours? That's a long tour! Have fun!
@@loveandlondon I figured I take advantage of the short amount of time I'll be there
"TripAdvisor trap,"... Excellent..
If you're a tourist in London, Google maps is your friend as it's easy to get lost. Just remember to keep your phone out of sight when walking through busy areas.
My first week in London I got drawn into the Scientology centre on Tottenham Ct Road. I was a silly billy when I was 19 .. I am 59.
great advice...the 6 p's...proper preparation prevents p*ss poor performance!...
Your videos really helped me. Thanks :)
You're welcome!
For Americans a safety tip you cannot take a turn on a red light while driving, pedestrians do not get any right of way, there is no such law as jaywalking.
Great advice Jess 😊
Thanks Anton.
My 1st Mistake: Confusing directions because of the winding of the Thames River.
Thanks for your interesting video!
Ah that's a great point! Thanks for watching.
Does anyone know where I could buy tickets for theatre shows in London online?? I’m going in March for the first time and I’m scared to spend my money on a fake site :/
Hi Adriana, you can purchase them directly from the show's site or on TodayTix.
If you can be flexible with what you want to see then buy on the day in person at the discount ticket booth in Leicester Square, get there before it opens and stand in line. You can save a lot of money. West end tickets are nowhere near as expensive as broadway so if you don’t need to save money buy directly from The individual theatre box-office, and pick them up on the day( bring the card you used to pay for them)
Find a book shop or library and look for advertised ticket sites in travel guides. A published tourist guide won't be advertising fake sites. Or google what theatre the shows you want to see are on at, and go directly to the theatre sites to buy tickets. The sites will redirect you appropriately from there if they use another agent to sell tickets.
Hello, I have 2 and a half days in london and would you recommend bigbustour and hop off in the main attractions?
Have a look at our 3-Day London Itinerary! shop.loveandlondon.com/products/3-day-london-itinerary
When walking around look up you’ll see some hidden gems in plan sight.
Yes :)
I had made a wonderful Scottish friend who drove me from early morning till midnight to possibly every place in and around London that have tourist attraction and I was so overwhelmed by the sights that I do not remember now What is What !!!
Oh wow!
Jess, you are super-awesome. I just read your London 101 guide & I learned so much! I would never ever thought of needing an "adapter" for my phone charger. Plus, I'll get some British pounds to have "as I step off the plane" as you recommended. You definitely deserve a tip; don't you have a Patreon account or PalPal for us thankful video watchers?!
Hey Roger, thanks so much, I'm so happy you've found it helpful. That's really kind of you to want to support me! I want you to get tons of value if you want to give up your hard-earned money to me so a great way to support and also get something great is to get the 3-Day Itinerary mentioned in this video, or The Local Guide to London. Here's more info about the 3-Day Itinerary: loveandlondon.com/3-day-London-itinerary and The Local Guide to London: loveandlondon.com/the-local-guide-to-london
Love and London You got it! Give me til Thursday. My debit card needs to cool off! ;)
Lol
Love and London Ok.I ordered my 3 day itinerary. Treat yourself to something nice! Ha ha. Just kidding.. Good timing. My company announced bonuses yesterday! I look forward to looking over the itinerary and the digital map! Keep Making those London videos! ...and maybe WATCH a few cooking videos. ;) Thanks for all!
"Love & London reviews (or comments on) the top 10 restaurants on TripAdvisor" sounds like great fodder for a future video.
Haha!
Good advice as always - and yes, better to get word of mouth recommendations from someone you know and trust, if you can! (Heading there again in a month's time for my birthday weekend; Big Easy for one meal, not yet decided on the others. Maybe Wahaca again? That and take the new camera out looking for squirrels, and maybe those parakeets in Kensington Gardens?)
Ok I have to go eat dinner now after talking about food ;) Happy early birthday James! Hope to see some of your photos of the animals on Instagram.
We are traveling to London at the end of May 2019 and will, actually, only be there for 3 days. We will be in Europe for a week, but will be traveling to Oslo for 3 days and then back to London for our final night before flying back to the US. Any recommendations or will your 3 Day Itinerary be sufficient for us? We are making lists of possible things to see/do and will narrow things down as needed.
Hi Shelley, yup the itinerary will work for your three days. They don't need to be done back to back so you can split it up as needed. It's also very flexible so just adjust as needed!
Love and London Awesome! Thank you! We are super excited to visit your wonderful city!
One of the things that annoy me about TripAdvisor is the number of people who post pictures of Tower Bridge & call it London Bridge
These all seem like the standard tips for visiting every big city everywhere.
Guess so!
I lost a hole day going from one airports to the other (at the other side of London) just to save about $100 in air tickets in my way back to Boston. Stupid idea.
There are some great tips in the comments here. But, what it all comes down to, is remember not to underestimate the size of London and everything there is to offer! You can live a lifetime in London and still find plenty to discover...
To paraphrase “ London moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
I love these videos.
Thank you :)
I was smoking on a tram stop while waiting for my tram.. didnt see any no smoking sign 😂😂
The police man a nice guy let me go with a warning 🤗
never ever get a pedicab they are a major rip off
yes totally
hello,
I'm going to London 2 days only, which pass do you recommend if I want to visit London eye, View from the shard and London bridge exhibition??
thanks a lot in advance, because I'm confused between London pass and London explorer pass...
I'm looking for fast entry to benefit from the time and see as much as I can
Hi Laure, neither pass will cover all three of those unfortunately. Maybe grab the London Pass for one day and then just buy tickets for the Eye separately. Here's more about the London Pass: th-cam.com/video/t0m1Rjw6GQU/w-d-xo.html
Islington is very good for food spots
hi
Fantastic
Can you add multiple stops in the CityMapper App? I can only get a single start and a single end point.
Will this help me with my first 3 days in London?
Yup!
Do you have any tips for a mom bringing her children for the first time?
Be sure to go to the new sky garden (it's free). It's called The Garden at 120 and is at 120 Fenchurch Street. You don't have to pre-book just turn up and catch the lift (elevator?) up to the top. Amazing views of London. We discovered the place last month. Well worth a visit.
Also for small kids the Postal Museum is worth a visit. They will love the mail rail train.
Helpful. Thank you.
Welcome! :)
I tapped my oyster card when getting off the bus smh.
Lol don't worry it's a common mistake!!
I want to visit London someday and visit some places where Harry Potter was shot. I would also like to do some research on my ancestors. Any ideas on doing those?
If you do a Google search, you'll find loads of info on Harry Potter around London :)
Mysticofshadowyhearts also try the Londonist TH-cam channel. I prefer their older vids - lots of quirky London things there, including a few on HP locations presented by Viki Pipe.
+Mysticofshadowyhearts - A good way to trace your ancestors is through church records such as marriage, birth, death and baptism records and England kept immaculate tax records so chances are some of your ancestors are listed in the tax records and if they owned land, they would also have records.
I certainly did this when moving hehe.
Which one? :)
I get antsy and try to explore everything! Such a dense city, though!
Totally.
When visiting London after years of absence, I found I had to exchange my old bank notes for new ones. This could have potentially caused me to miss my last train. (Fortunately, this didn't actually happen, but it easily could have done!).
That's why it's great that cards are accepted so widely!