Here is another tip, especially if it is your first time in London. Take the bus instead of the tube and sit on the upper deck for a great view of the streets. It will take a bit more time between destinations but you are missing a lot if you are always underground.
@@lindamargaretcuenca1901, a tip I got from an American travel blogger, Mark Wolters (who has a channel on YT that dispenses _sensible, real world_ travel advice): *_don't travel on public transit during rush hour at all_* (this was about using the Washington, D.C. subway, but I think that it apples equally to travelling on public transit while visiting _any_ big city.) Let the locals be able to get to where they're going without you being underfoot during that part of the day.
If your trip will be during the working days it could be a good idea, but during the weekend or on-peak you'll spend too much time in traffic if you choose bus...
Let me ask you, what is the sure way to get from Stansted Airport to Heathrow on Wednesday (flight at 2pm)? I see the bus Express is cheaper and supposedly faster than subway , but is it really? Could not it stuck in traffic? London don't have straight super fast trains between airports?
As someone who used to edit guide books to London back in prehistoric times when the only way to learn about a city in advance was to read a book, I have to say I'm massively impressed by the good advice, common sense and basic wisdom of these guides you're producing. I've only just discovered your channel and I've been watching a lot of your videos. From a professional point of view, I'd heartily recommend your videos to anyone coming to the city. People who follow your advice are going to have a far better cultural experience - and also a lot cheaper experience. Please keep up the good work. It makes an old editor's heart skip with happiness that someone is producing work like this. Thank you.
As a Londoner I usually watch this and scoff "ha they don't know what they're talking about" But this channel is legit, they all really good points so if you're visiting London I'd highly recommend following the channel and watching.
#3 is amazingly important. Even if you're not on a budget and it's relatively easy to get around in London the most important thing you need to figure out is time. This way you can see more and it's really important to me not to feel rushed.
I just got home from a week in London and your videos sooo helped to make my trip a success! #7 is no joke. Pay attention folks! Jess knows what she's talking about!
That’s the one thing I learned quickly when I moved here. Sometimes there are two walk lights to cross the street. One for each direction. You have to make sure you are looking at the first cross walk light then when you get to the middle of the road you wait and look for the second cross light before you cross. I always look both ways as a rule a thumb even if the cross walk is green. Paranoia, those buses are huge and so many cyclists and mopeds.
A mistake that some tourists make is to not get up early. Skip breakfast, and have a plan for each day. Make the most of what you can see during daylight hours. Particularly, if you are traveling to London after the clocks go forward an hour.
Quite right. We were up and gone by 7.30 from our hotel each day to beat the commuter rush but to get to know the new area of discovery before attractions opened or it became to crowded. It was funny and sad reading a notice in our hotel lift warning guests that the restaurant was busy between 9am and 11am. The day is half gone getting up late!
Traveling to London later this week and you have helped me SO SO much in my planning. Thank you!!! Also, your disdain for the M&M store makes me giggle every time
I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL DINA ;) thanks so much for watching and have a great time! If you haven't already have a look at my London guides in my shop for even more help: shop.loveandlondon.com/
4:58-Points 8 and 9 also apply to travel on public transit elsewhere too (particularly the sub-point of using the contactless smart payment fare cards like the Oyster to pay for public transit trips.)
My tip - pack LAYERS! Scarves are especially useful. She mentioned the weather can vary and this can even occur within a few hours. I’ve been there many times in mid to late August and once it was so cold I had to buy a heavy wool sweater.
Great list! I’ve been to London 3 times and it’s my favorite city in the world. Several years ago I watched one of your videos and did a good tour you suggested…Eating Europe. I usually don’t love doing tours or “touristy” things but this one was amazing. We did East London and had the best time!
A restaurant LITERALLY 1/4 mile from where my friends lived for 10 years was the Banana Leaf, one of the top restaurants for South Indian cuisine. The food there is AMAZING!
If you are going on London Eye time it with sunset time about 15 minutes to 30 minutes before. To see London in both lights you'll see Westminster light up looks much better during the blue hour. For best photography 😉
I love your positive and cheerful manner of speaking and advices you give. I will definitely use many of your tips when I go to London. Thank you very much for your inspired videos! 🌹🌹🌹
Thanks, Jess for another great vid. I started watching your videos before the pandemic because I was going to surprise my family with a London trip. Of course two years later we are now back on schedule for that original trip! Love your channel and love how your advice is practical and straightforward. I will continue to recommend you to others! Cheers!
Having just had 2 days in London couple of helpful hints. It’s big ……..if you need to get east/west in a hurry Elizabeth line is air con, quick and not claustrophobic……and be weary of roadworks which aren’t on Google maps but may result in bus diversions and or closed bus stops (from someone who walked 40k steps in 36hrs)
"or to get overpriced American candy at a candy shop that's currently being investigated for money laundering" I always learn so much with these videos
Another great video, Jess! I'd add 'NEVER go to an Angus Steakhouse (several branches in London)'... they might look OK from the outside but they are truly dreadful.
@@janinariekkinen4671 The thing about Angus steakhouses is that they know the food is bad, they know nobody will ever go back but there's such a constant flood of tourists who dont know any better that they're assured of new customers...
Heck yes! I'd also add Beefeater Steakhouses to your comment. Both chains founded in the 1960s / 70s - menus haven't changed nor branches been refurbished since. Awful places. Even if they were cheap, they still wouldn't be value for money.
Hi Jess! You are the "BEST PART" of London!!! THANKS for all the insider info and great travel tips! You must be an ex-officio member of the London Tourist Board. Keep up the "GOOD WORK" selling London. You ARE their MOST VALUABLE asset! ! ! See London FIRST . . .
First time seeing this video. I was in England about a year ago (looking forward to going back!) And very proud to say I did a majority of the things you suggested.
Made none of the mistakes that you mentioned when we were there last week. Definitely grouping places to see helped us use our precious time wisely. Having an Oyster card helped especially with the train strike so we ended up catching the bus. Also, we were prepared for the rain unlike many other tourists who ended up quitting wet. Love London and can’t wait to go back again. P.s. We built this city souvenir shop that you mentioned in previous videos has closed which was sad and disappointing. Oh well.
Planning to visit 2024. I’m using my huge London map,(covers whole dining table) & underground map to plan activities in designated areas❤️I like the rain as I’m Welsh but living in Australia 😂
I know in the video you said there is plenty to do in London before planning a day trip outside the city, but I think if you don't see some of the English countryside you are missing out more than just staying in London even if you won't see everything. That's my two pence anyway.
Love your content Jess. Great tips ... looking at Central London for accommodation (preferably Kensington), or Canary Warf. Any recommendations? Any recommendations for kids? (5 and 7 year-old boy and girl) Thanks😊
I will say with currency places like Mexico and Canada will often take the US dollar (in the past. Not sure about currently) but that’s where sometimes people think it might work.
As a Londoner, I fully agree with this list but especially no. 6! So many great cuisines here that you may not get in your home country. Brick Lane for South Asian food, Brixton and Peckham for African and Caribbean food, and of course Chinatown are all better options than a nasty overpriced fish and chips in Central. I'd also say that you should avoid taking the tube within the centre if at all possible. Most places are within walking distance of each other in the West End and you miss so much of the city if you take the tube everywhere.
I’ve been to London at least 6-7 times so this video is not really aimed at me. However, I’m still enjoying it as it’s getting me hyped for my return in October after 5 years.
Nice! Thanks for watching Lauren. I think you'll really like my Casual Tourist Guides as they are filled with local, Londoner-loved things not the touristy stuff: shop.loveandlondon.com/collections/casual-tourist-guides-to-london
I went to London from Canada back in April and it took me a little bit to get used to the cars driving on the left instead of the right. There were a couple of moments where I briefly looked the wrong way and then realized before it was too late. Most of the time I just observed the locals and blended in with them and what they were doing. I was so happy to see that it's painted on the ground which way to look. I was surprised to see that and it was so very helpful for me. I also second the grouping of your activities for the day in one area. I did that for my trip for the most part and it made things so much easier. A couple of times I was doing a bit too much traveling around to different areas but in general I stuck to the grouping method. I was doing a lot of the "touristy" things this time, several museums for special exhibits that were on, a few of the "must-see" sights. Next time I will probably venture out a bit more and next time I'll probably do a day trip since I've now spent time seeing the major attractions already. This is a good list of tips. I really liked it in London and will definitely be back at some point, maybe combining it with a trip to Paris.
Wish I had listened to this before we toured London. We Missed half the attractions. Also was surprised by the black soot on our car. Do not hire a car like we did. We couldn’t park it anywhere and got stuck in traffic.
This is actually fun to see as someone that has already been living here for 2 years. I only got to leicester square for 1 thing. I love cinemas. I walk around the 3 cinemas, and whichever one has the best movies at the closets time, I will go and watch it. Its nice that I can just go from one cinema to the other
Hi Jess! Thanks for the great info! My wife and I are heading to London in late September for 3 days before our guided tour of the UK begins. We really want to catch a soccer game if we can (tickets look difficult to get) but otherwise, we want to see historical and cultural things. We're staying in CL near Waterloo station and will basically have the weekend to explore before the tour. During the tour, we will get a tour of the basic touristy things as well as a side trip to Windsor. I was thinking of catching a day tour to Canterbury/Dover Castle/White Cliffs if we cant score a Saturday soccer game, but it sounds like we should be able to find fun things right there in town. Do you think the Tower is a decent replacement for Dover Castle? We have no particular preference. Dover Castle simply got high ratings for things to do in/around London. Just curious what you or your subscribers thought. Thanks for the advice on pre booking dinner and tube travel. I''ll definitely dive in to your other videos and guides. Cheers!!! P.S. We have been to London 20 years ago and saw some of the basic touristy things like Trafalger, Picadilly, War Rooms, Hyde Park, Buck Palace, changing guards, etc...
Dover castle isn't in London, it's quite far away from it actually! We specialise in London so can't say what it's like TBH. If you want non-touristy things to do grab our Casual Tourist Guides! shop.loveandlondon.com/collections/casual-tourist-guides-to-london
I spent a month living in a hotel at Leicester Square, it was awesome. Very accessible and well connected to almost anywhere. Having Soho just behind doesn't hurt either.
You can use Apple Pay for yourself and then the physical card for someone else. Even though it's technically one card, the two different modes of paying count as two. Otherwise, she will just have to get an Oyster.
We are coming to London mid afternoon late January in a Saturday. Which should be our first spot to visit that same half winter day to evening in your opinion?
There are thousands of things you could do, and it completely depends on your budget, interests etc. You could start with our Casual Tourist Guide to Central London: shop.loveandlondon.com/products/casual-tourist-guide-to-central-london
I would add another in that most of the central London attractions are walkable to each other. The tube makes it look like they are far apart when in reality they are much closer together.
I have some more: 1) Visit the Camden Lock Markets (I kind of liked it there in the early 90s and went back to see how everything was, and it's just awful awful, Leicester Square 2.0). 2) Visit St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey with the tourist crowd. It's ridiculously pricey (23 GBP or so) and the atmosphere is terrible. Go there for Sunday morning service, or if you want something truly special at 3 or 5 pm on weekdays (check the dates beforehand) for Evensong. It's free, takes around 45 min, and you can listen to some of the best choirs in the world. If you are early, you may even be seated in the choir stalls, which makes for an extraordinary experience. Mistake 3) is related: if you like that kind of stuff, don't only go to the two most famous churches, but don't forget there is also Temple Church, Southwark Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral, St Bart the Great, and even Cambridge and Oxford with their world class choirs are just a train ride away.
Me, my spouse, my 9 year old son) are planning to stay in London for three weeks in summer. I'm so glad to come across this channel and learn a lot about London. If you were us which provinces would you prefer to stay? Interested in safe but easier to get around places. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU🤗
Hi there! You mean areas right? It completely depends on many factors, we have lots of info on where to stay in this section of our website: loveandlondon.com/category/london-accommodations/
very nice I have been to London 2 times when I was in US Navy we made port call there actually anchored in Portsmouth I remember it being expensive but very nice on one trip we took 4 hr train to Edinburg Scotland.
I'm happy to say we only made 1 "mistake" (#14). We did spend some time in Leicester Square, but that's because it's where the office to pick up our London Pass was. We had a touristy (but honestly very tasty and reasonably-priced) dinner out of convenience, found a really nice ice cream shop nearby, then walked around a bit just for the novelty of it. It instantly reminded me of Times Square, and of why I can't stand Times Square! I don't regret going, though, because it almost made the rest of the trip feel that much more authentic. I guess we made 1.5 mistakes, because I can only think of one non-British restaurant we went to (Wagamama). That being said, we have lots of good, authentic foreign restaurants where we live, but not one single place to get good British food. Heck, you can't even get bad British food within a 2 hour drive. I STILL (5 years later) get hankerings for British cuisine, but can only get somewhat close with frozen food or home-made imitations.
Great video, will definitely help with my London travels :D Point 9 with the tube etiquette is the same here in Vienna, I love that it's also followed in London :)
Great video, we were in London in June and had such a great time, we are coming back in December to experience some holiday spirit. We are well prepared for the cold and rain, but cant wait to come back.
Here's another "don't": Exploring the city on a Holiday. My wife and I went during the Spring Bank weekend and traffic was a NIGHTMARE. We were stuck in traffic for two hours just to get to the Regent Street shops via bus!! Ongoing construction didn't help in addition to some Shell protests going on that backed up the Tower Bridge for miles. If you have a choice, I'd advise to NOT travel on a UK Holiday to avoid the additional traffic and tourist congestion. Monday and Tuesday looked and felt like a Saturday! LOVE your vids! I'll be sure to follow on IG!
Completely agree with the Leicester Square entry except for two things - people watching and TKTS. The first is self-explanatory, but for cheaper theatre tickets TKTS is indispensable and for better or worse in Leicester Square. Obviously there are all the other discount ticket sellers nearby as well, but I'd only trust TKTS. (Possible third reason - The Moon Under Water, for those who choose to still go to Wetherspoons pubs, since it's about as cheap a pub as you'll find in the area, or if it's too busy, head over to the Montagu Pyke.)
the 12th point is so true! I'll be in London next week for six full days and thought about taking a daytrip to Southend-on-Sea but scratched those plans because I just had way too many things that I wanted to do in London and I didn't wanna "sacrifice" a day. I'll just have to come back another another time 🤭
I wouldn’t personally go to Southend. There are some much nicer places along the south East coast. Saying that as someone who’s family live near Southend! Rye, ramsgate, broadstairs, sandwich, Clacton…
Hi Mauricio :), here from Germany I am always traveling alone and flying to London over the New Year December 28th to January 2nd 2023 and would be very happy if I could meet people who know London and we could celebrate together: D
i’m visiting london with a friend this summer and i’ve been nervous! i was raised in surrey but moved to NY when i was 8 so i completely lost my accent. i’ve gone back a lott since with my parents to visit family but it’ll be my first time “alone” (though i’ll be with a friend). it feels so familiar but i’m still so scared to make a fool of myself and look like a completely clueless american, ANYWAY point is, thank you so so much for your help, i’ve been binging your videos to prepare and i feel a lot better :)
So much wheather talk :D I came to London in January 2022 and it was like 14 degrees Celsius and sunny af! It was absolutely amazing. And thank you for your video on packing accordingly to the wheather - it helped a lot with packing and I wasn't too hot when I visited London ^^
I would beg to differ about trying the various other ethnic foods unless you're from a small town. I can get Thai, Indian, Italian and Caribbean food where I live. I could get it when I lived in Istanbul and I could get it when I was in Auckland. There are so many wonderful British foods you can only get there. You get the best pasties and pies, as you said full English, go to a place with GOOD fish and chips (ask around) and go to the pubs for pub grub. Also, you don't just have to go to full restaurants. Gregg's and Prets just seem to appear when you're hungry. The grab and go sandwiches at Tesco and M&S rival the onion and salt w/salami sandwiches that American grab and go has. Take sandwiches to one of the great little parks and eat there. (Or, something REALLY different, Cafe in the Crypt!)
The only mistake I made was letting my father aunt convince me that I needed to take a cab to get around. I only made that mistake twice before I started to use the underground. She tried to tell me that I would be robbed and that London was so dangerous.
I’ve lived in London for 5 years now, and I 100% agree with the Leicester Square one. Also wanted to add that it is scammers and pickpockets galore there! While they are all over London, I see them in Leicester Square more than anywhere else. Just avoid it.
First time I click your video and you are sublime!! Very sweet, short and precise. We love being told...the truth! I will certainly watch your info in the future; thank you so much!! helene (from Qc, Canada)
Oh also, there is actually one place worth going to in Leicester Square (for people who are into it) and that's the LEGO Store as it is the largest in the world and they do have some things there that you can't find at other LEGO stores. Obviously this is pretty specific to LEGO fans, but at least there's ONE redeeming thing in LS haha.
Here is another tip, especially if it is your first time in London. Take the bus instead of the tube and sit on the upper deck for a great view of the streets. It will take a bit more time between destinations but you are missing a lot if you are always underground.
...just don't go on the bus in the "rush hour"...you could be sitting there a long time .
I don’t like the busses at all! You have to stand up while they’re driving to get off. No thank you 😅
@@lindamargaretcuenca1901 sorry but when would be the rush hour?
@@lindamargaretcuenca1901, a tip I got from an American travel blogger, Mark Wolters (who has a channel on YT that dispenses _sensible, real world_ travel advice): *_don't travel on public transit during rush hour at all_* (this was about using the Washington, D.C. subway, but I think that it apples equally to travelling on public transit while visiting _any_ big city.) Let the locals be able to get to where they're going without you being underfoot during that part of the day.
If your trip will be during the working days it could be a good idea, but during the weekend or on-peak you'll spend too much time in traffic if you choose bus...
As a Brit who lived & worked in London for 13 years, i think this is a pretty good 10 min video for foreigners who are intending to visit. Well done!
Thanks for watching
I'm a Londoner, born here and grown up here all my life, and this is the best guide I've ever seen on London. It was all spot on 👍
Thanks!
Let me ask you, what is the sure way to get from Stansted Airport to Heathrow on Wednesday (flight at 2pm)? I see the bus Express is cheaper and supposedly faster than subway , but is it really? Could not it stuck in traffic? London don't have straight super fast trains between airports?
As someone who used to edit guide books to London back in prehistoric times when the only way to learn about a city in advance was to read a book, I have to say I'm massively impressed by the good advice, common sense and basic wisdom of these guides you're producing.
I've only just discovered your channel and I've been watching a lot of your videos.
From a professional point of view, I'd heartily recommend your videos to anyone coming to the city. People who follow your advice are going to have a far better cultural experience - and also a lot cheaper experience.
Please keep up the good work. It makes an old editor's heart skip with happiness that someone is producing work like this. Thank you.
Thanks so much Darrien!
As a Londoner I usually watch this and scoff "ha they don't know what they're talking about" But this channel is legit, they all really good points so if you're visiting London I'd highly recommend following the channel and watching.
I bought her guide and had a private consultation with Jess. She was right on every single recommendation. Totally worth it.
THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!!
#3 is amazingly important.
Even if you're not on a budget and it's relatively easy to get around in London the most important thing you need to figure out is time.
This way you can see more and it's really important to me not to feel rushed.
I just got home from a week in London and your videos sooo helped to make my trip a success! #7 is no joke. Pay attention folks! Jess knows what she's talking about!
So glad to hear it Rachel!! ❤️❤️❤️
It was a fabulous trip all around. I saw Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. One of the best performances I've ever seen. Highly recommend seeing it.
@@racheltaylor3416 I saw it too a few weeks ago. Pricey but worth it..
That’s the one thing I learned quickly when I moved here. Sometimes there are two walk lights to cross the street. One for each direction. You have to make sure you are looking at the first cross walk light then when you get to the middle of the road you wait and look for the second cross light before you cross. I always look both ways as a rule a thumb even if the cross walk is green. Paranoia, those buses are huge and so many cyclists and mopeds.
@@sandrar6670 That's one I hadn't heard..Thanks Sandra. 👍
A mistake that some tourists make is to not get up early. Skip breakfast, and have a plan for each day. Make the most of what you can see during daylight hours. Particularly, if you are traveling to London after the clocks go forward an hour.
Quite right. We were up and gone by 7.30 from our hotel each day to beat the commuter rush but to get to know the new area of discovery before attractions opened or it became to crowded. It was funny and sad reading a notice in our hotel lift warning guests that the restaurant was busy between 9am and 11am. The day is half gone getting up late!
We are on our 7 day countdown for our London trip. I purchased Jess' guide when we started booking and it was so helpful. Highly recommend!
Amazing!! Thank you so much for your purchase!!!
Hey, can you share the guide with me?
It’s been ten years since I’ve been to London. I’m headed there this weekend and I’m so glad I found your channel. These videos are extremely helpful!
Hope you have a wonderful time!
-Dani
Traveling to London later this week and you have helped me SO SO much in my planning. Thank you!!! Also, your disdain for the M&M store makes me giggle every time
I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL DINA ;) thanks so much for watching and have a great time! If you haven't already have a look at my London guides in my shop for even more help: shop.loveandlondon.com/
4:58-Points 8 and 9 also apply to travel on public transit elsewhere too (particularly the sub-point of using the contactless smart payment fare cards like the Oyster to pay for public transit trips.)
My tip - pack LAYERS! Scarves are especially useful. She mentioned the weather can vary and this can even occur within a few hours. I’ve been there many times in mid to late August and once it was so cold I had to buy a heavy wool sweater.
Yes. Comfortable leather shoes for rain and puddles😂
Is July/August summer or autumn in London?
@@loretta.o1806summer, but it doesn't always feel like it!
Great list! I’ve been to London 3 times and it’s my favorite city in the world. Several years ago I watched one of your videos and did a good tour you suggested…Eating Europe. I usually don’t love doing tours or “touristy” things but this one was amazing. We did East London and had the best time!
It's almost like... I know what I'm talking about ;) Thanks for watching Phillip !!
Your favourite city in the world? Ah well...to each his own.
A restaurant LITERALLY 1/4 mile from where my friends lived for 10 years was the Banana Leaf, one of the top restaurants for South Indian cuisine. The food there is AMAZING!
If you are going on London Eye time it with sunset time about 15 minutes to 30 minutes before. To see London in both lights you'll see Westminster light up looks much better during the blue hour. For best photography 😉
I love your positive and cheerful manner of speaking and advices you give. I will definitely use many of your tips when I go to London. Thank you very much for your inspired videos! 🌹🌹🌹
Thanks so much
Lived in London my whole life and you definitely know what you're talking about, great video 👍
Thanks for watching ❤️❤️
0:42 Paris is pretty much the same size as London, it's just that suburbs are included in the London city limits while for Paris they are not.
Thanks, Jess for another great vid. I started watching your videos before the pandemic because I was going to surprise my family with a London trip. Of course two years later we are now back on schedule for that original trip! Love your channel and love how your advice is practical and straightforward. I will continue to recommend you to others! Cheers!
Great to hear! Thanks so much for watching!
Having just had 2 days in London couple of helpful hints. It’s big ……..if you need to get east/west in a hurry Elizabeth line is air con, quick and not claustrophobic……and be weary of roadworks which aren’t on Google maps but may result in bus diversions and or closed bus stops (from someone who walked 40k steps in 36hrs)
"or to get overpriced American candy at a candy shop that's currently being investigated for money laundering" I always learn so much with these videos
lolz ;) Thanks so much for watching!
Another great video, Jess! I'd add 'NEVER go to an Angus Steakhouse (several branches in London)'... they might look OK from the outside but they are truly dreadful.
Did that mistake yesterday. Paid over 100 pounds of that meal and food was 1/5 🥲
Oh god yes. Thanks for watching Eugene!
YIKES!
@@janinariekkinen4671 The thing about Angus steakhouses is that they know the food is bad, they know nobody will ever go back but there's such a constant flood of tourists who dont know any better that they're assured of new customers...
Heck yes! I'd also add Beefeater Steakhouses to your comment. Both chains founded in the 1960s / 70s - menus haven't changed nor branches been refurbished since. Awful places. Even if they were cheap, they still wouldn't be value for money.
Hi Jess! You are the "BEST PART" of London!!! THANKS for all the insider info and great travel tips! You must be an ex-officio member of the London Tourist Board. Keep up the "GOOD WORK" selling London. You ARE their MOST VALUABLE asset! ! ! See London FIRST . . .
Ex London resident here. Walk where possible in Central London. You'll see so much more.
Once again Jess you have hit the nail on the head. Its a pity I could not get your sort of advice on my recent trip to NY
Maybe one day! Thanks for watching Mario.
I think this is generally good advice for visiting a lot of places.
Preparation and Planning is everything 😁
And half the fun.
Yessir
Haha! Love that you used the Mary Poppins as your background shot after mentioning Bert. :D
😎
You are amazing!!!! Thankyou so much for all your videos ❤
❤️❤️❤️
First time seeing this video. I was in England about a year ago (looking forward to going back!) And very proud to say I did a majority of the things you suggested.
Nice! Thanks for watching!
Top hats and Cheerios! Very good program. Well done!
❤️❤️
Made none of the mistakes that you mentioned when we were there last week. Definitely grouping places to see helped us use our precious time wisely. Having an Oyster card helped especially with the train strike so we ended up catching the bus. Also, we were prepared for the rain unlike many other tourists who ended up quitting wet. Love London and can’t wait to go back again. P.s. We built this city souvenir shop that you mentioned in previous videos has closed which was sad and disappointing. Oh well.
Glad to hear you had a good time Charles! Hope you ate and drank well :) Yes those videos are quite old now, the shop shut in 2020.
I have also noticed that a lot of businesses in London shut down during the pandemic 😢
Planning to visit 2024. I’m using my huge London map,(covers whole dining table) & underground map to plan activities in designated areas❤️I like the rain as I’m Welsh but living in Australia 😂
Oh wow we haven't seen a paper map in a long time! haha. Happy planning!
I appreciate the consistent warnings about going to Leicester Square.
We'll keep em coming
@@loveandlondon are day trips going outside of London expensive?
I’m going to London in march and can not wait esp after watching your videos
Amazing!
I have been to London but I think a day trip to Windsor and stone hendge is worth it. I enjoy the small british towns
I know in the video you said there is plenty to do in London before planning a day trip outside the city, but I think if you don't see some of the English countryside you are missing out more than just staying in London even if you won't see everything. That's my two pence anyway.
I'll be visiting there on two weeks and this is super helpful! Thank you!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Love your content Jess. Great tips ... looking at Central London for accommodation (preferably Kensington), or Canary Warf. Any recommendations?
Any recommendations for kids? (5 and 7 year-old boy and girl)
Thanks😊
loveandlondon.com/best-london-hotels-for-families/ here you go!
What a refreshing review that spells out some of the negatives!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I will say with currency places like Mexico and Canada will often take the US dollar (in the past. Not sure about currently) but that’s where sometimes people think it might work.
ahh amazing and the double decker is so fun ahah or the city tours
6:21 so funny that there's a mary poppins ad in the back
So thankful for your video and website! I am great at traveling around the US, but I was lost when I started planning my London trip. Thanks!!!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching! Don't forget to have a look at our itineraries and other guides as well: shop.loveandlondon.com
As a Londoner, I fully agree with this list but especially no. 6! So many great cuisines here that you may not get in your home country. Brick Lane for South Asian food, Brixton and Peckham for African and Caribbean food, and of course Chinatown are all better options than a nasty overpriced fish and chips in Central.
I'd also say that you should avoid taking the tube within the centre if at all possible. Most places are within walking distance of each other in the West End and you miss so much of the city if you take the tube everywhere.
Thanks for watching!
I can definitely agree with this jess. Nice video.
Thanks so much ❤️❤️❤️
I’ve been to London at least 6-7 times so this video is not really aimed at me. However, I’m still enjoying it as it’s getting me hyped for my return in October after 5 years.
Nice! Thanks for watching Lauren. I think you'll really like my Casual Tourist Guides as they are filled with local, Londoner-loved things not the touristy stuff: shop.loveandlondon.com/collections/casual-tourist-guides-to-london
I went to London from Canada back in April and it took me a little bit to get used to the cars driving on the left instead of the right. There were a couple of moments where I briefly looked the wrong way and then realized before it was too late. Most of the time I just observed the locals and blended in with them and what they were doing. I was so happy to see that it's painted on the ground which way to look. I was surprised to see that and it was so very helpful for me. I also second the grouping of your activities for the day in one area. I did that for my trip for the most part and it made things so much easier. A couple of times I was doing a bit too much traveling around to different areas but in general I stuck to the grouping method. I was doing a lot of the "touristy" things this time, several museums for special exhibits that were on, a few of the "must-see" sights. Next time I will probably venture out a bit more and next time I'll probably do a day trip since I've now spent time seeing the major attractions already. This is a good list of tips. I really liked it in London and will definitely be back at some point, maybe combining it with a trip to Paris.
Great! Thanks for watching Jason.
Wish I had listened to this before we toured London. We Missed half the attractions. Also was surprised by the black soot on our car. Do not hire a car like we did. We couldn’t park it anywhere and got stuck in traffic.
omg yes absolutely NEVER hire a car for London!!!
This is actually fun to see as someone that has already been living here for 2 years. I only got to leicester square for 1 thing. I love cinemas. I walk around the 3 cinemas, and whichever one has the best movies at the closets time, I will go and watch it. Its nice that I can just go from one cinema to the other
Cool! Thanks for watching ❤️
Hi Jess! Thanks for the great info! My wife and I are heading to London in late September for 3 days before our guided tour of the UK begins. We really want to catch a soccer game if we can (tickets look difficult to get) but otherwise, we want to see historical and cultural things. We're staying in CL near Waterloo station and will basically have the weekend to explore before the tour. During the tour, we will get a tour of the basic touristy things as well as a side trip to Windsor. I was thinking of catching a day tour to Canterbury/Dover Castle/White Cliffs if we cant score a Saturday soccer game, but it sounds like we should be able to find fun things right there in town. Do you think the Tower is a decent replacement for Dover Castle? We have no particular preference. Dover Castle simply got high ratings for things to do in/around London. Just curious what you or your subscribers thought. Thanks for the advice on pre booking dinner and tube travel. I''ll definitely dive in to your other videos and guides. Cheers!!! P.S. We have been to London 20 years ago and saw some of the basic touristy things like Trafalger, Picadilly, War Rooms, Hyde Park, Buck Palace, changing guards, etc...
Dover castle isn't in London, it's quite far away from it actually! We specialise in London so can't say what it's like TBH. If you want non-touristy things to do grab our Casual Tourist Guides! shop.loveandlondon.com/collections/casual-tourist-guides-to-london
I spent a month living in a hotel at Leicester Square, it was awesome. Very accessible and well connected to almost anywhere. Having Soho just behind doesn't hurt either.
Can I suggest Jess you do a video on music London particularly free music such gigs in pubs
Very informative and well explained.
Thanks for this amazing presentation
Thanks for watching!
How do I take my mom in tube without contactless or oyster card? .. I have Apple Pay but would that work for her as well?
You can use Apple Pay for yourself and then the physical card for someone else. Even though it's technically one card, the two different modes of paying count as two. Otherwise, she will just have to get an Oyster.
We are coming to London mid afternoon late January in a Saturday. Which should be our first spot to visit that same half winter day to evening in your opinion?
There are thousands of things you could do, and it completely depends on your budget, interests etc. You could start with our Casual Tourist Guide to Central London: shop.loveandlondon.com/products/casual-tourist-guide-to-central-london
I would add another in that most of the central London attractions are walkable to each other. The tube makes it look like they are far apart when in reality they are much closer together.
If you're up for tons of walking yes! But also, make sure you go beyond the major attractions ;) Thanks for watching Peter!
Completely agree about Leicester Square!! Also about those American sweet (candy) stores! Why?!
The worst !
There have been many news stories recently about them being investigated as fronts for money laundering or drug supply operations.
I have some more: 1) Visit the Camden Lock Markets (I kind of liked it there in the early 90s and went back to see how everything was, and it's just awful awful, Leicester Square 2.0). 2) Visit St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey with the tourist crowd. It's ridiculously pricey (23 GBP or so) and the atmosphere is terrible. Go there for Sunday morning service, or if you want something truly special at 3 or 5 pm on weekdays (check the dates beforehand) for Evensong. It's free, takes around 45 min, and you can listen to some of the best choirs in the world. If you are early, you may even be seated in the choir stalls, which makes for an extraordinary experience. Mistake 3) is related: if you like that kind of stuff, don't only go to the two most famous churches, but don't forget there is also Temple Church, Southwark Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral, St Bart the Great, and even Cambridge and Oxford with their world class choirs are just a train ride away.
wow, the video is very cool, the results are clear, cool, cool👍👍
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Great list! We just got back and can totally agree!
Thanks for the info and you look like you're having a blast. Cheers 🍻
Thanks for watching!
Me, my spouse, my 9 year old son) are planning to stay in London for three weeks in summer. I'm so glad to come across this channel and learn a lot about London.
If you were us which provinces would you prefer to stay? Interested in safe but easier to get around places.
LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU🤗
Hi there! You mean areas right? It completely depends on many factors, we have lots of info on where to stay in this section of our website: loveandlondon.com/category/london-accommodations/
@@loveandlondon yes, that's it. Thanks I will watch all your videos about London when I have time.
@@loveandlondon By the way, thank you:)
very nice I have been to London 2 times when I was in US Navy we made port call there actually anchored in Portsmouth I remember it being expensive but very nice on one trip we took 4 hr train to Edinburg Scotland.
Nice! Thanks for watching Robert.
thanks for all this nice recommendations !
Hi, What should I absolutely MUST pack for 10 days in London later this month, coming only with trolly and backpack?
I cover packing in this guide: shop.loveandlondon.com/products/london-packing-guide
I went to Leicester square and thanks to that I met Gloria Estefan which was super cool
I'm happy to say we only made 1 "mistake" (#14). We did spend some time in Leicester Square, but that's because it's where the office to pick up our London Pass was. We had a touristy (but honestly very tasty and reasonably-priced) dinner out of convenience, found a really nice ice cream shop nearby, then walked around a bit just for the novelty of it. It instantly reminded me of Times Square, and of why I can't stand Times Square! I don't regret going, though, because it almost made the rest of the trip feel that much more authentic.
I guess we made 1.5 mistakes, because I can only think of one non-British restaurant we went to (Wagamama). That being said, we have lots of good, authentic foreign restaurants where we live, but not one single place to get good British food. Heck, you can't even get bad British food within a 2 hour drive. I STILL (5 years later) get hankerings for British cuisine, but can only get somewhat close with frozen food or home-made imitations.
Nice. Thanks for watching!
Great video, can you also make a video on best day trips from London ?
Thanks Sameera, this article covers that: loveandlondon.com/5-day-trips-to-take-while-visiting-london/
Great video, will definitely help with my London travels :D
Point 9 with the tube etiquette is the same here in Vienna, I love that it's also followed in London :)
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Great video, we were in London in June and had such a great time, we are coming back in December to experience some holiday spirit. We are well prepared for the cold and rain, but cant wait to come back.
Don't worry it doesn't rain as much here as people think ;) Thanks for watching Tim!
Here's another "don't": Exploring the city on a Holiday. My wife and I went during the Spring Bank weekend and traffic was a NIGHTMARE. We were stuck in traffic for two hours just to get to the Regent Street shops via bus!! Ongoing construction didn't help in addition to some Shell protests going on that backed up the Tower Bridge for miles. If you have a choice, I'd advise to NOT travel on a UK Holiday to avoid the additional traffic and tourist congestion. Monday and Tuesday looked and felt like a Saturday! LOVE your vids! I'll be sure to follow on IG!
Or use Citymapper so you can see alternative routes on the tube instead of bus :) Thanks for watching!
I really want to go. I wanna watch more of your videos to see more of London. If I could go anywhere it would be there!!!
You're welcome anytime :)
Completely agree with the Leicester Square entry except for two things - people watching and TKTS. The first is self-explanatory, but for cheaper theatre tickets TKTS is indispensable and for better or worse in Leicester Square. Obviously there are all the other discount ticket sellers nearby as well, but I'd only trust TKTS.
(Possible third reason - The Moon Under Water, for those who choose to still go to Wetherspoons pubs, since it's about as cheap a pub as you'll find in the area, or if it's too busy, head over to the Montagu Pyke.)
TKTS you an do online now ;) Thanks for watching Christopher!
Lots of good information here - I appreciate it
You're very welcome Jason!
Can you do a video or a guide on what to do during Christmas season ? I’m planning a visit this year
I've already got a couple! Scroll back a couple years ❤️❤️
I just came back from London and it was fun comparing London to NYC.
July 2023! ill be in London first time !, you are really really beautiful London girl
the 12th point is so true! I'll be in London next week for six full days and thought about taking a daytrip to Southend-on-Sea but scratched those plans because I just had way too many things that I wanted to do in London and I didn't wanna "sacrifice" a day. I'll just have to come back another another time 🤭
Exactly! Thanks for watching Noah!
I wouldn’t personally go to Southend. There are some much nicer places along the south East coast. Saying that as someone who’s family live near Southend!
Rye, ramsgate, broadstairs, sandwich, Clacton…
Hi Mauricio :), here from Germany I am always traveling alone and flying to London over the New Year December 28th to January 2nd 2023 and would be very happy if I could meet people who know London and we could celebrate together: D
i’m visiting london with a friend this summer and i’ve been nervous! i was raised in surrey but moved to NY when i was 8 so i completely lost my accent. i’ve gone back a lott since with my parents to visit family but it’ll be my first time “alone” (though i’ll be with a friend). it feels so familiar but i’m still so scared to make a fool of myself and look like a completely clueless american, ANYWAY point is, thank you so so much for your help, i’ve been binging your videos to prepare and i feel a lot better :)
No need to be worried you'll be fine :) Glad to hear the videos are helping though!! thanks for watching.
We are on our way to the UK forAugust and September. Thanks for the tips and I hope we’ll see you on our channel too.
Great ! Be sure to check out our shop: Shop.loveandlondon.com
So much wheather talk :D I came to London in January 2022 and it was like 14 degrees Celsius and sunny af! It was absolutely amazing. And thank you for your video on packing accordingly to the wheather - it helped a lot with packing and I wasn't too hot when I visited London ^^
You wouldn't believe how many questions I get about weather lol. Thanks for watching Nadine!
Decent vid , sensible and accurate.................comment from a londoner............good work
What a great Ambassador for London. You should get a commission from Sadiq Khan for the promotion!!!!
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Superb, very informative!
I would beg to differ about trying the various other ethnic foods unless you're from a small town. I can get Thai, Indian, Italian and Caribbean food where I live. I could get it when I lived in Istanbul and I could get it when I was in Auckland. There are so many wonderful British foods you can only get there. You get the best pasties and pies, as you said full English, go to a place with GOOD fish and chips (ask around) and go to the pubs for pub grub. Also, you don't just have to go to full restaurants. Gregg's and Prets just seem to appear when you're hungry. The grab and go sandwiches at Tesco and M&S rival the onion and salt w/salami sandwiches that American grab and go has. Take sandwiches to one of the great little parks and eat there. (Or, something REALLY different, Cafe in the Crypt!)
The only mistake I made was letting my father aunt convince me that I needed to take a cab to get around. I only made that mistake twice before I started to use the underground. She tried to tell me that I would be robbed and that London was so dangerous.
Oh jesus lol
This is so great Jess, so helpful for my December trip. Thank you so, so much for sharing these tips.
Have a great time Yolanda!
I’ve lived in London for 5 years now, and I 100% agree with the Leicester Square one. Also wanted to add that it is scammers and pickpockets galore there! While they are all over London, I see them in Leicester Square more than anywhere else. Just avoid it.
Thanks for watching Liam!
First time I click your video and you are sublime!! Very sweet, short and precise. We love being told...the truth! I will certainly watch your info in the future; thank you so much!! helene (from Qc, Canada)
Thanks for watching Helene!
Excellent tips Jess. 👌 Leicester Square quite literally should be picked up and heaved into a mall somewhere. 🙄
lolz yes!
Leicester Square for me is a must go vibrant and right next to Chinatown which for me is another must
Love chinatown but Leicester Square is where good taste goes to die
They finally opened the Elizabeth line just when I’m about to leave Reading and go to Bath for uni.
Great video! do you provide private guide?
No but you can find lots of great tours we recommend here: loveandlondon.com/category/london-things-to-do/
Nice video 📸✌️😎🤞👍👍👍👍
Thanks for watching!
I have a question, should I buy a day ticket if I have to get from the Canary wharf station to leveisten(hp studios) ?
Another question how do I get from stansted to canary wharf
Nope.😎 Google maps for all your transport directions
Excellent video and information! Thanks for sharing. New subscriber and first 👍 of many! Greetings from Canada 🍁🇨🇦🍁
Welcome! Thanks for watching!
Oh also, there is actually one place worth going to in Leicester Square (for people who are into it) and that's the LEGO Store as it is the largest in the world and they do have some things there that you can't find at other LEGO stores. Obviously this is pretty specific to LEGO fans, but at least there's ONE redeeming thing in LS haha.
Not a lego fan personally.... lol!
Fan or not, you're missing the point Jess!