my first trip to london essay

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A trip to London essay 13 models

A trip to London essay , contains all the information you want to know if you want to go on a trip to London and know the tourist places and how to reach it ; we will offer you a trip to London essay contains all the important information you are looking for to help you on your trip to London.

A trip to London essay

London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and one of the most popular tourist destinations from all over the world every year. Here you will find a trip to London essay that contains all the information you need about this wonderful and picturesque city.

London is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world because of the famous tourist attractions that attract many tourists.

The average number of visitors per year is about 19.1 million visitors according to the statistics of 2017, making it one of the most visited cities in the world, The UK and its largest city, located on the banks of the Thames in the south of Britain, is also known as the Fog City and has a long history dating back to the Roman era.

Tourism in London;  

Top landmarks in London ;

Big Ben , Westminster, is one of the most famous sights in the city and, rather, in all of Britain. It is located opposite the Parliament and Big Ben marks the heaviest five bells of 13.5 tons in the famous clock tower of Westminster Palace.

Al Shard Tower Bridge , a skyscraper located in the Southwark area of ​​London, was the tallest building in Europe until October 2012 and is 310 meters long and is currently the highest building in the European Union.

The Tate Madern Museum , located near the Thames, is a magnificent cathedral that imitates modern architecture and was formerly a power station. Many contemporary artists such as Rachel Frieda, Martin Kiebenberger, Mark Rothko and Kandinsky worked to create it in its current contemporary form.

Borough Market,  you will experience a great experience while shopping in these markets where you will discover British culture through its markets, popular cuisine, and delicious dishes along the Thames through various food stalls.

The famous London Eye , a large wheel that you can ride in its vehicles to see the entire city of London and enjoy the magnificent view from the top of the city, is 135 meters long, located in the gardens of Jubilee on the south bank of the River Thames.

Tips for visiting London:

Do not use the subway to take you inside the city unless necessary because you will miss seeing many of the sights and places you might be interested in.

It is better to walk to sightseeing in London or to travel by bus, it is less expensive and you can get to know the city better.

Divide the days of your visit to the places you want to see in the city.

It is not advisable to visit all the attractions on the same day and spend the rest of your vacation in the hotel or not know what to, do plans every day and how you will spend in this wonderful city.

Avoid staying at a hotel far from the city center because it is cheaper; because you will spend the same amount if  not more on the back and forth transportation.

It is better to book in advance through the Internet, it is cheaper to avoid long queues behind tourists to book your place in hotels, the zoo or museums.

Why I Want to Visit London Essay

I would like to visit London with great hope because it is a cosmopolitan city. It is considered an important tourist destination because it contains hundreds of attractions.

But of course, I am not interested in everything, but in one thing in particular, which is the British Museum. I would like to be a tour guide when I grow up. It is my ambition to work in this museum.

I will not find a more suitable museum than the British Museum, as it is one of the richest museums in the world. It contains a culture that dates back to two million years ago.

We find that this museum includes 10 different sections, whether for antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.

In addition to a large library that includes a very large collection of archaeological books that contain information about many tribes and antiquities that are not present in the museum. What makes it a destination for every lover to learn ancient and modern history.

Trip to London essay

It is good that I was able to go on a trip to London before the whole world was infected with Corona disease. It was good that my family and I made a trip a few years ago and were able to visit London. And this was because I wanted to go there and see all the sights of the city.

I think that the best way to understand the essence of a city is to visit it and discover it for myself. London was the focus of my attention because of its many mentions in school books or the external environment for me. So I loved going there. So I asked my father, when the time was right, that I would go and wander and discover it. This is what happened.

I can remember a lot of details like staying at a hotel (Doubletree by Hilton London). It’s on Bibs Street. I liked the location of the hotel very much because it is located near the Holborn tube and Russell Square, which enables you to reach all the tourist areas in London and also easily return to Heathrow Airport.

The location of the hotel helped us a lot in going and coming back to all areas. Including Regent Street, Soho, Oxford Street, Hyde Park.

We were also able to reach the British Museum easily through the metro station. It is an easy and fast means of transportation for us. I liked it very much.  It is great to travel to many places with one means of transport, it makes you feel that everything is connected to each other.

We were also able to visit a lot of wonderful restaurants and famous markets and wander around them and see the nature of the area and the various means of living.

So it was a great experience for me and I was able to benefit a lot from it and learn a lot about London as I wanted to know.

When I think about taking a trip to London, my thoughts crowd which places to start visiting, and this is due to London enjoying all the elements of tourism, where historical tourism, cultural and artistic tourism, in addition to scenic landscapes, gardens, parks, and high-end shopping places, and I decided to start my journey with a visit Tower Bridge, which connects the two banks of the River Thames, was opened by King Edward VII and his wife on June 30, 1894, and it is one of the important landmarks in the city of London, and it allows crossing the River Thames, taking into account not to affect the expansion of the transport movement

My trip to London essay

I will tell you about my special trip to London. Last year my dad told me let’s go abroad for summer vacation. We chose London because we had never been to it before

When we arrived we went to the hotel and entered to put the luggage and rest from the travel. London is the capital of the United Kingdom and therefore its largest city. People know it as the city of fog, and this is because of the presence of thick fog surrounding it.

Because of the fog, the sun does not appear easily. It is located on the River Thames, which gives it an enchanting beauty. It includes a huge number of libraries and huge museums, such as the British Museum.

We went on a wonderful tour around the city, where we visited museums and churches. And we saw the magnificent palaces such as St. James Palace and Buckingham Palace.

I want to visit London essay

I love to travel a lot and have gone on trips either with school or with my family to different countries. This year, I studied in the history class about the landmarks of London.

I visited London before, I enjoyed a lot of the breathtaking views of London and the ancient architecture that is found in different areas of it.

So I would very much like to visit London soon and walk around for a few days to fully explore it. I also like to listen to the dialect spoken by the townspeople. I like that very much from some of the actors I follow.

I am trying to prepare myself for the next year and save some money so that I can fulfill my dream of visiting London. I really hope I can achieve this next year and gather some interesting information about it and discover it fully.

Essay about a place i would like to visit London

I would love to visit London one day. I’ve read a lot about London’s tourist attractions, but what attracted me the most was Oxford Street. I would very much like to visit this street and discover the experience of wandering and seeing the interesting sights in it. I find that very exciting and interesting.

Oxford Street contains more than 300 shops, and the most distinctive thing in these shops is the shops that launch the latest fashion for clothes, or the John Lewis group of stores, which are interested in providing the latest modern exhibits at the beginning of the season which they have only before everyone else.

I would very much like to visit it next Eid and buy some gifts for the parents. I wish that would happen.

I would like to visit London essay

Undoubtedly, there are many people who would like to visit London and I am among these people. I find it wonderful to visit London and get to know their famous landmarks .

London is famous for its many strange cultural movements and phenomena, as it is one of the important centers of influence in the United States, which has a population of 8,278,251  according to the latest study of 2018.

London is known for its uniqueness in art, education, commerce, entertainment, fashion, healthcare, professional services, tourism, transportation, and transportation. Which makes London an important and fruitful destination for anyone who wants to expand his horizons, acquires many skills and develops in many aspects.

Therefore, I would very much like to visit London and learn some skills that may benefit me in the future, such as designing costumes or working in theater or television. That would be very cool.

London sightseeing essay

Everyone can visit London for tourism. But one thing is for sure in London, it is not easily accessible to tourists. It is not possible to see all the attractions of London in just a week or ten days, but it takes much more than that. London contains many important and unique attractions, which need days to cover before moving on to other landmarks.

Including Westminster Palace, you can’t stop in front of the palace and say I saw it, let’s continue the road, there are many details and information, such as that it is also called the Houses of Parliament. It is a Victorian Gothic building. It includes the two houses that make up the British Parliament.

This palace was the royal residence in London, and was burned down in 1834. A small part of the old palace has been saved.

There were several projects put forward with ideas for the construction of the new palace, winning the project of architects Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin. In the year 1847. To be completed, the construction of 1,200 rooms, 11 courtyards. 3.5 km of trails.

While standing in front of the building, you can see the luxury, and the peaks and statues of kings are reflected in the river.

Such details and many more can not only be ignored, but every place fascinates and attracts you to learn more about it, such as, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, British Museum, National Gallery, St. James’ Park, Hyde Park, Tower of London, Imperial War Museum.

And many other archaeological and tourist attractions. Which makes this city in a state of constant activity and a lot of sightseeing tours here and there.

M trip to London short essay

There is always an unforgettable summer holiday, which is special and beloved to us that we will remember for many years, and perhaps it will remain engraved inside us for a lifetime.

What can I say, my family does not tend to travel a lot due to the constant and unstable working conditions. My father works hard to provide for the needs of the house, and my mother also works as a teacher in a school. Vacations never go together, and there is always a circumstance that requires my dad to return to work for it.

So it was amazing to book a flight to London this past summer vacation. Where my father took advantage of the opportunity to hire a new employee with him at work and took a vacation, and we all went on a short vacation for a week to London,

I was so surprised and excited to go, we boarded the plane after waiting 3 hours in the waiting room at the airport, I couldn’t believe I got on the plane and heard the sound of the engines.

I joked with my father and told him, “Dad, you can no longer cancel the trip, if someone asks for work, now officially we are going to London.”

We all laughed, and indeed we arrived in London and headed to the hotel. We changed our clothes and quickly embarrassed to walk around and see the streets, famous shops and shopping.

I liked a lot of products, and I saw many new fashion models of the year that have not been released yet in other markets.

It was amazing seeing  the famous London landmarks and wandering the gardens and bridges. It was a great trip and I am so glad I and my family were able to do it.

My visit to London essay

From my visit to London I learned a lot  about London and how it was in the ancient centuries and how London is now. I was able to see a lot through museums and exhibitions that display the ancient history of London, and I was able to learn from it the following.

The lands of London witnessed many wars, both from the Romans and others. The Roman occupation continued until the fifth century, followed by the continuous Viking attacks and wars, which continued until the year 886.

The city of Wessex was founded by King Alfred the Great, and witnessed a great prosperity in the economy and politics, despite that there were many conflicts with the Danes, until London was founded and the formation of the true picture of it, from economic and political orientations.

It sought to expand in the regions and establish many neighborhoods and regions to be contemporary with the bright, powerful and great London.

Essay about trip to London

Undoubtedly, I enjoyed a lot when I went on a trip to London a few years ago, before the spread of the Corona epidemic and the closure of travel, air and sea flights.

As soon as you board the plane and take off, you feel fear, happiness and great enthusiasm, waiting to reach the city you are heading to.

As soon as we arrive in London and reach The Ambersand Hotel and see the wonderful exterior design of it in gray and white with many windows overlooking the front, you feel that it is a palace and not a hotel.

After sitting a little and changing our clothes, we headed to the center of London and sat down to have tea and breakfast with my family, it was a very nice and elegant place.

After that we went for a little walk in Kensington Park, and I found the silence and quiet very wonderful in the morning, with seeing many famous monuments such as museums and many other amazing things .

In the following days, we went shopping and went to many museums and famous areas such as the London Eye, and we also went to see the London studio, and we were able to see a lot of scenes depicting, and some great actors.

It was a great experience and a beautiful trip. I was very pleased with my visit to London and I hope to return soon.

My First Visit to London Essay

The best day of my life was when I went on a trip to London for the first time with my friends. We had just graduated from high school and were about to start college. We were all so excited to be starting a new chapter in our lives and to see one of the most famous cities in the world.

We arrived in London on a Friday morning and checked into our hotel. We were all exhausted from the long flight, but we were also eager to explore the city. We decided to start with a walk around Buckingham Palace. We were amazed by the size of the palace and the beauty of the gardens.

After that, we went to see the Houses of Parliament. We listened to a tour guide explain the history of the building and the British government. We were also able to see Big Ben, which is one of the most iconic landmarks in London.

In the afternoon, we went to the Tower of London. We saw the Crown Jewels, which are some of the most valuable jewels in the world. We also learned about the history of the Tower, which was once used as a prison and a place of execution.

In the evening, we went to see a show in the West End. We saw a musical about the life of Queen Victoria. It was a spectacular show with amazing music and dancing.

We spent the rest of the weekend exploring other parts of London, such as the British Museum, the National Gallery, and Oxford Street. We had so much fun together and we made memories that we will cherish forever.

This trip was so special to me because it was a celebration of my success and the beginning of a new chapter in my life. It was also a chance to spend time with my friends and create memories that will last a lifetime.

I will never forget the day I went to London. It was the best day of my life.

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Essay on London Trip

Students are often asked to write an essay on London Trip in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on London Trip

Planning a london trip.

When you decide to visit London, making a plan is key. Choose the places you really want to see. London has famous spots like the Big Ben and the London Eye. Pick a time when the weather is nice, usually in the spring or summer.

Traveling in London

Getting around London is easy with buses and the underground trains, called the Tube. Buy a travel card to save money. The Tube map will help you find your way.

Must-See Attractions

Don’t miss the Tower of London and the crown jewels. See the guards at Buckingham Palace. Museums are free, so you can learn a lot without spending money.

Food and Fun

Try fish and chips, a classic London meal. Parks like Hyde Park are great for picnics. At night, the city lights up, and you can watch a play in the famous theater district.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Visit shops at Oxford Street for gifts. You can buy toy buses or a model of the Big Ben. Remember to take lots of pictures to show your friends.

250 Words Essay on London Trip

Planning a trip to london.

When you decide to visit London, the first thing to do is to choose the places you want to see. London has many famous buildings, parks, and museums. You can make a list of the top spots like the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum. It’s a good idea to look at a map and see where these places are. This way, you can visit several places that are close to each other on the same day.

Getting around in London is easy because of the buses and trains. The underground trains, called the Tube, are fast and run to many parts of the city. You can get a special card called an Oyster card to pay for your rides. It’s cheaper and more convenient than buying a ticket each time.

Seeing the Sights

When you’re in London, you’ll see lots of old and beautiful buildings. The Tower of London is a castle with a long history, and you can learn about the kings and queens of England there. For a great view, you can go on the London Eye, which is a big wheel that lets you see the whole city from the sky.

Fun Activities

London has fun things for everyone. If you like animals, you can visit the London Zoo. For those who love stories, there are plays in the theater district, called the West End. You can also eat different kinds of food from all over the world in London’s restaurants.

A trip to London is exciting and full of adventures. Remember to take pictures and enjoy every moment of your visit!

500 Words Essay on London Trip

When you think about traveling to a new place, it’s like getting ready for an adventure. London, a big city in England, is one of those exciting places to visit. Before you go, it’s a good idea to make a plan. You can look at a map and decide which places you want to see. There are so many things to do in London that you might want to make a list. This list could include famous buildings, parks, and museums.

Famous Places in London

London is known for its amazing sights. One of the most famous is the Big Ben clock tower. Even though it’s being fixed right now, you can still see how big and important it looks. Another must-see is the London Eye, a giant wheel that lets you see the city from high up in the sky. If you like history, the Tower of London is a place where you can learn about the kings and queens from long ago.

Museums and Parks

If you enjoy looking at old things and learning, London has some of the best museums. The best part is that many of them are free. The British Museum has treasures from all over the world, and the Science Museum makes learning about how things work fun. After visiting museums, you might want to relax in one of London’s parks. Hyde Park is a big green space where you can walk, play, or just sit and watch the ducks in the pond.

Seeing a Show

London is also famous for its plays and musicals. In a place called the West End, there are theaters that have shows every night. You can watch a story unfold on stage, with actors wearing colorful costumes and singing songs. It’s an experience that you’ll remember for a long time.

Food and Shopping

Trying new food is part of the fun when you’re traveling. In London, you can find food from all over the world. Fish and chips are a classic British meal you might want to try. Shopping in London can be an adventure too. You can visit big stores like Harrods or explore outdoor markets where you can find all sorts of interesting things.

Traveling Around the City

Getting around London is easy because of the Underground, also known as the Tube. It’s a train that goes under the city. There are maps in every station to help you find your way. Riding on the famous red double-decker buses is another fun way to see the city.

A trip to London is like opening a book with lots of different stories. There’s something for everyone, whether you like history, art, nature, or just having fun. By the end of your trip, you’ll have your own stories to tell about the wonderful time you had in London. Remember to take lots of pictures so you can show your friends and family all the amazing things you saw and did on your London trip!

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Your First Trip to London

Are you planning your first trip to London?  

This global city is endlessly popular with travelers from all over the world. With its famous landmarks and iconic sights, the number of things to see and do in London can easily excite and overwhelm first-time visitors.

In this post, you’ll find a cheat sheet compiled over 3 separate visits to London packed with information about how to get to London from the airport, where to stay in London, how to get around once you arrive, and best of all,  mapped-out London itinerary planning tips .

Are you ready to make your first trip to London a success? 

How to Plan a Trip to London

It can seem daunting to get started on your London trip plan. It’s a huge city with lots of iconic sights and experiences. In fact, I think it’s often underestimated by travelers who often write to tell me what a great time they had in London and that the city was such a surprise…in a good way!

So, as any good teacher will tell you, start with an outline. In this case, you want to break down each step you’ll need to do to plan a trip to London and then work on filling in all the details.

Start with deciding when you want to visit London and how many days you’ll stay. (I recommend at least 3-4 days.)

Once you know this, you can work on booking your London accommodations. (I recommend staying in a central-ish area within walking distance of a Tube station. Keep reading for more below) The further out you book your London hotel, the more available options you’ll have with competitive pricing.

ProTip: If you have flexibility, you might even look at London flights and hotels first to find the cheapest combination of dates and rates. In this way, you’re letting the deals decide when you travel versus looking for a deal on the dates you need/want to travel.

Once you’ve got the major logistics set, it’s time to work on your London itinerary. (I’ve got specific itinerary ideas below so keep reading!)

At this point in your planning a trip to London, you’ll want to make a list of the London sights and attractions that are your must sees and dos. Then, using the maps below (or Google Maps), start grouping them by area.

One really important thing to know as you plan your London trip is that the city is huge. The distances between places can be far, and with limited days, you don’t want to backtrack or plan activities on opposite ends of the city on the same day.

From here, figure out what can be booked ahead…and actually book it ahead! London is a popular destination. It’s normal for there to be lines at top sights and restaurants that are completely booked.

You can use sightseeing passes like The London Pass (my complete review) to pre-plan and save money. Or you can book individual tickets through a platform like Get Your Guide .

Once you know where you’re staying and what you’ll be doing each day, you can round out your London trip planning by looking at the Tube Map to orient yourself and decide how you’ll get from the airport to the city center. (More tips on this below!)

What to See and Do on Your First Trip to London

This London trip planner is set up in different sections to help you plan a trip to London from start to finish. The first part helps you get ideas about how to plan your days in London with landmarks, attractions, museums, markets, and activities in a logistically sensible way.

You want to maximize your time in London without backtracking or zigzagging around the city. These ideas can also help you piece together a complete day because not all of them require a full day.

You also note that I’ve included the Tube stops for individual attractions. This is to help you in case you visit these places outside of the order I’ve suggested in the Google Map for each itinerary idea.

After these itinerary ideas for planning your trip to London, you’ll find tips and helpful information so you can navigate the city confidently.

Are you ready to plan your trip to London?

London Itinerary Planning Idea #1 – History Buffs and Foodies

Tower of London – Tower Hill Tube Stop – Circle and District Lines

The  Tower of London  with its crown jewels is an absolute must with its thick, ominous walls, dark past, resident black ravens, and informative Beefeaters. The Tower and the nearby Tower Bridge sit stalwartly as a link to the past when Kings and Queens sent prisoners to “think” about their choices and to wait for the inevitable… execution.

The Tower of London was the inhospitable home to infamous gangsters, spies, Dukes, Bishops, Princes, and even Queens!

Undoubtedly the most famous Queen of them all was the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. The Tower of London is where Henry the VIII’s executioner beheaded her on charges of adultery and conspiracy, however, Henry actually blamed her for not producing a male heir.

Today, visiting the Tower of London is like stepping back in time. The daily traditions involving this historic castle have continued for hundreds of years. The resident Beefeaters live at the Tower of London and maintain the rituals and routines of the past. But they also offer free tours (once inside) and comically share their vast Tower of London knowledge.

These tours begin every 30 minutes starting at 10:00 a.m. and finishing with the last tour at 2:30 p.m.

Pro Tip:  Arrive in the morning when the Tower first opens. It becomes quite crowded later in the day. Use your  London Pass  to get Fast Track Entry and bundled savings when compared to buying attraction tickets individually.

Tower Bridge & Borough Market – London Bridge Tube Stop – Northern and Jubilee Lines

After a morning at the Tower of London, time your escape for lunch at  Borough Market . It’ll be easiest to walk from the Tower of London. Walk across Tower Bridge instead of London Bridge as shown on the map above. The walk is a bit longer than crossing London Bridge, but historic Tower Bridge is a sight in its own right.

You can tour the Victorian-era engine rooms, as well as climb to the bridge’s upper walkways for gorgeous views over London and the River Thames. Get your Tower Bridge ticket in advance or use The London Pass to visit the bridge.

You can also cross the River Thames with a river bus using your Tube Oyster Card (more on these below) from Tower Pier to London Bridge City Pier.

Once at Borough Market, the market lanes are lined with food and grocers selling every imaginable food item. It’s a great place to sample a variety of foods from all types of global cuisines. Not to mention, no London trip is complete without taking advantage of the city’s amazing international food scene!

From famous falafel to perfectly spiced Indian food, huge skillets of paella, and savory British pies from Pieminster, you’ll be thankful to visit with an empty stomach on your first trip to London and every time you return like I do!

Restaurants and cafes fill the upstairs level and the surrounding streets (in case you’d prefer to sit rather than sample and roam) making this Southwark neighborhood a foodie’s delight.

ProTip: From Borough Market, you’re just a 5-minute walk to The Shard , London’s tallest glass skyscraper to see the highest views over the city. If you have it, you can use your London Pass for access. Be sure to follow the pass instructions to pre-reserve a time.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #2 – Royalty and High Tea

Westminster Abbey – Westminster Tube Stop – Jubilee Line

Coming out of Westminster Station, you’ll immediately be in the shadow of Big Ben and London’s iconic Parliament Building. You can walk back onto the Westminster Bridge to capture fuller photos of these London landmarks. If you’re lucky, you just might get a classic shot with a red doubledecker bus!

Continue on to  Westminster Abbey , just a couple of minutes walking from Big Ben. Westminster Abbey is open to visitors Monday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m until 3:30 p.m. The Abbey is closed on Sundays so keep this in mind when planning your London trip.

Use your  London Pass  to gain access to Westminster. Once inside, admire the architecture and the Abbey’s gorgeous choir room. Westminster is also the final resting place of numerous kings, queens, and dignitaries. You can see the monuments in their honor, as well as learn about their place in history.

If you’re a fan of the Royals, you’ll be visiting the spot where Kate and William were married.

Pro Tip:  If you want to take a ride on the London Eye , it can be included with the stops you make in and around Big Ben because it’s just a short walk over the bridge you see in the photo below. Avoid the lines by choosing the fast-track ticket option. It’s also quite popular to depart from the Westminster Pier for a cruise along the River Thames to take in the sights of London from the water.

History buffs won’t want to miss the Churchill War Rooms. They’re not far from Westminster Abbey, along the edge of St. James’s Park. These rooms served as the secret headquarters for Churchill during WW2. The rooms have been preserved just as they were during the war and give a fascinating look at how Churchill operated and made decisions during this dark time in history.

If your trip to London is 3 days or less and it’s your first visit, this WW2 museum may not be a top priority. But if you or a travel companion is interested in visiting WW2 sights and museums in Europe, The Churchill War Rooms are a great way to divert from the typical first time in London sights.

Buckingham Palace-Green Park Tube Stop-Jubilee, Victoria, & Piccadilly Lines

Next, make your way to  Buckingham Palace  where the  Changing of the Guards  happens.

The ceremony is all pomp and fanfare. The King’s Guard outside the castle has been on watch for hours and the new guard comes to take over in grand style! A marching brigade of guards along with a mounted cavalry and a marching band head up The Mall and through the palace gates.

This ceremony draws a crowd so it’s best to arrive ahead of time so that you can get yourself in a position to see the fanfare. I’ve watched from both the gates of Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Monument directly opposite the palace gates.

You’ll have to choose the location you want because it’s typically too crowded to move from place to place. To get a spot along the fence at Buckingham Palace, be prepared to arrive up to an hour early and wait.

If this is the case, you also may need to reverse the order and visit Westminster Abbey after so that you can stake out your Changing of the Guard spot in the morning.

Pro Tip:  Check the  Changing of the Guard schedule  before you go to make sure the ceremony is planned for the day you intend to visit.

Hyde Park – Hyde Park Corner Tube Stop – Piccadilly Line

When the ceremony is finished, keep those royal juices flowing for a stroll around  Hyde Park . It’s one of the largest parks in London, as well as one of the Royal Parks. Enjoy its monuments, bridges, fountains, gardens, and lake, including the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.

Finish up with a classic afternoon tea experience at  The Dorchester Hotel .

No doubt, it’s a luxurious splurge, but after having experienced life as a royal, it’s the perfect way to properly finish the experience. From finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, sweets, and of course, tea, you’ll have had a quintessential London outing.

Alternatively, if you plan afternoon tea for another day, you might want to visit London’s Natural History Museum or Kensington Palace on the other end of Hyde Park.

The latter has been a royal residence for hundreds of years and was where Princess Diana lived with Princes William and Harry. Today, you can tour the apartments and staterooms and see the sunken gardens where there is a statue of Princess Diana commemorating the 20th anniversary of her death.

While the Natural History Museum displays animal specimens, dinosaurs, and exhibitions about the history of the natural world and the people who evolved in it.

If you intend to walk into Hyde Park and casually make your way towards Kensington Palace or the Natural History Museum, the walk will be broken up by the time spent in the park.

Otherwise, if your aim is to get to either of these sights without a long walk, use the London underground. The Queensway stop along the Central line is the closest to Kensington Palace and the South Kensington stop along the Circle and District lines is near to the Natural History Museum.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #3 – Architecture, Theatre, & Art

St. Paul’s Cathedral – St. Paul’s Tube Stop – Central Line

Start off at  St. Paul’s Cathedral  to admire this Anglican Church’s architecture. You can explore the crypt or head in the opposite direction and climb the dome’s 528 steps for spectacular panoramic London views.

If you have it, entry is included with your London Pass .

Take your time crossing the pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge on your way to the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. This is a great spot to watch boat traffic along the River Thames.

Tate Modern & The Globe Theatre-Blackfriars Tube Stop-Circle & District Lines

These 2 London attractions are just next to one another.

The  Tate Modern  has a vast permanent collection of modern art by the likes of Henri Matisse and Jackson Pollock, as well as temporary exhibitions. There are beautiful views looking back on St. Paul’s Cathedral and the River Thames, as well.

It’s free to enter the museum and there’s no need to book ahead, unless there is a specific exhibit you’d like to see that requires a reserved space.

The nearby  Globe Theatre  is a replica of Shakespeare’s original which burned in a fire many years ago after the thatched roof was ignited during a production of Henry VIII.

For your first trip to London, you’ll want to use your  London Pass  to tour the theater during the day and hear about its historic past. The Globe also has evening performances during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The ambiance of the open-air theater makes for a fantastic night out!

Pro Tip:  Check times to coordinate visits to both the Tate Modern and The Globe in a way that lets you see one after the other. The Globe performance tickets sell out so purchase them in advance, especially if you want to see a play on a specific date.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #4 – Artifacts, Landmarks, and Shopping

The British Museum – Tottenham Court Tube Stop – Central & Northern Lines

No trip to London is complete without a stop at The   British Museum . The art and artifacts on display are open free to the public beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon, and a vast Egyptian collection including mummies.

It’s worth checking for any special, limited-time exhibits during your stay. If there’s one you’d like to see, it’s worth buying tickets online or at the museum when you first arrive.

After the museum, spend the afternoon strolling through  Covent Garden  or head over to  Soho  and  Oxford Street  for a shopper’s paradise. Covent Garden is in London’s West End, home to theaters, restaurants, and shops. You’re sure to find anything you’d want to buy from the numerous chain stores, boutiques, and markets.

Pro Tip:  There are many classic London pubs in these neighborhoods. If you haven’t had a plate of fish and chips yet, now’s the time. You can also join a historical pub walking tour to visit some of London’s most iconic pubs.

Leicester Square – Leicester Square Tube Stop – Piccadilly & Northern Lines

Make your way to  Leicester Square  and the heart of London’s Theatre District. It’s super touristy here. Think Times Square-esque…a place where you take a few photos before moving on.

But if you plan to see a musical or a play later (and you certainly should!),  get your discounted tickets at the TKTS booth right in the square for performances that day or night.

There’s crossover between shows in London and New York’s Broadway district. Sometimes, you can even catch a performance in London before it heads to New York City.

Trafalgar Square – Charing Cross Tube Stop – Bakerloo & Northern Lines

Finish your walk at  Trafalgar Square . This iconic London crossroads has monuments, historic buildings, museums, and street performers. It’s an absolute beehive of activity and perfect for taking more classic London photos complete with red double-decker buses passing by on the streets in and around the square.

With any luck, you’ll have time to check out the  National Gallery  right in Trafalgar Square which houses famous paintings by the likes of Vermeer, Monet, Rembrandt, Cezanne, and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Best of all, it’s free to visit, and you can use your  London Pass  Hop On Hop Off double-decker bus ticket to reposition yourself closer to your hotel when you’re done.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #5 – Harry Potter Fans

Harry Potter Studio Tour Meeting Point – Victoria Station – Circle, District & Victoria Lines

Are you traveling with a wannabe wizard dying for a Hogwarts adventure?

Plan a visit to the  Harry Potter and Warner Brothers Studio . Buses leave from Central London and travel to the magical sets of the famed movie and book series. The closest tube stop to the meeting point is Victoria Station. From there, it’s just a few minutes on foot.

You’ll have 4 hours to see places like the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s Office, Diagon Alley, and more! Plus, get to see some of the most famous props and the costumes worn by Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

If you’ve wanted to visit Platform 9 ¾, ride the Hogwarts Express, and attempt to ride a broomstick, then you definitely don’t want to miss escaping the world of Muggles for just a bit on your visit to London!

ProTip: If you want to sprinkle some Harry Potter into your London trip but don’t want to commit a full day to the experience, this Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour is a popular alternative.

Out-of-Town Must-Sees on your First Trip to London

From London, many parts of Britain and the U.K. are easily reachable by train. This makes it possible to visit a couple of popular sites with even just a half day’s worth of time.

Trains run from London to both  Windsor Castle  and  Hampton Court Palace . From their respective train stations, it’s just a few minutes on foot to reach the entry points.

The exquisite staterooms at Windsor Castle are open to the public when the King is not in residence. These rooms are some of the most spectacular castle rooms you’ll see anywhere in the world.

St. George’s Chapel, within the grounds of Windsor Castle, is the final resting spot of Henry VIII and several other Kings and Queens. It’s also where Meghan and Harry were married and the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II.

Hampton Court Palace is full of Tudor history, as it was a regular stop for Henry VIII and his royal court. The palace creates a historical experience by revealing the inner workings of how the palace operated in its heyday. It’s undoubtedly one of the most interesting and well-preserved looks at Tudor history, as well as what life was like during this period.

Look out for King Henry VIII himself, as visitors can watch the King interact with Anne Boleyn or flirt with his soon-to-be next wife, Jane Seymour. Leave some time for the palace’s gardens and maze.

Pro Tip:  Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace are both included with the  London Pass . Get Fast Track Entry at Hampton Court to maximize your time and avoid any entry line.

If you have extra days in your itinerary, consider a London day trip to:

• Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath
• The Cotswolds
• Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) & the Filming Locations

If you’re planning a trip to England, rent a car and drive into the English countryside when your time in London is done. I’ve done this to spend time exploring places like Stratford-Upon-Avon , the Cotswolds villages , and Warwick Castle .

It’s a perfect way to add on to an England itinerary and explore more of what the country has to offer beyond London.

Best Area to Stay in London

Where to stay in London is one of the most frequently asked questions for anyone planning a trip. It’s understandable. You want to be somewhere conveniently located, safe, and within your travel budget.

London’s neighborhoods and districts each have their own unique charm and flavor. And while some might say you should absolutely stay in the heart of the most touristy areas of the city, I think the most important thing when choosing where to stay in London is to  stay somewhere with convenient access to the Tube. 

You shouldn’t be hesitant to book a hotel or rental accommodation that’s a few Tube stops away from popular attractions. You can truly get nearly anywhere in London very quickly by using the underground train system.

That being said, you don’t want to stay too far from the heart of London, either. The city is big and the Tube rides from London’s outer neighborhoods can take upwards of an hour back to the center.

Ideally, you want to find a London hotel that matches your travel budget, close to a Tube station, in a relatively center-ish location. Example neighborhoods include Seven Dials, Covent Garden, Westminster, Soho, and near Southwark along the south bank.

Below, I’ve shared a couple of hotels where I’ve stayed. They’re in different budget categories and neighborhoods, and they have convenient Tube access.

I’ve had excellent hotel points and paid stays at several London hotels including the ones listed below.

Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel  – The hotel is located in the Seven Dials neighborhood near Covent Garden, the West End’s Theatre district, pubs, and my favorite Indian restaurant, Dishoom. Rooms are a classic modern boutique style for which Radisson Blu hotels are known.

Holiday Inn Express London-Southwark  – Just a 10-minute walk to Borough Market, the Tate Modern, or the Globe Theatre, with a Tube station nearby. This hotel is on the south bank of the city not far from the Southwark Tube station.

London Rental Accommodations

During my travels, I’ve also opted for apartment and home rentals. You feel more like a local and oftentimes can save money because you’re able to prepare your own breakfast or share the overall cost with family members or friends. Not to mention, you can find truly unique places to stay with awesome views or even discover a new neighborhood!

London is the perfect destination to consider a rental accommodation over a hotel because hotels aren’t cheap(!) and London is well-connected with its underground trains.

My go-to place to search for rental accommodations is Plum Guide . They vet the properties on their site using “Home Critics” and only select the best properties in a variety of price brackets. Plum Guide even offers phone support 24/7 should you need any help or have questions.

How Many Days to Spend in London

As with most places, you can spend an extended period of time and still not see and do everything a fantastic city like London has to offer.

If it’s your first time in London, you likely will focus on the most popular attractions and experiences that interest you. For this, you’ll need 3-4 days to explore and make use of the London itinerary ideas in this guide.

With 4+ days in London, you can also use a day to visit a popular sight just outside of London or even  get off the beaten path .

London is a great city to explore. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for future trips to Europe. It’s not complicated to add a couple of days in London as a stopover before continuing on to another destination in Europe.

Arrival into London

The  Heathrow Express  is a quick and efficient way to get into the city from London Heathrow Airport. The train leaves every 15 minutes and arrives in just about the same time to Paddington Station.

You can book your tickets online or using the Heathrow Express App. Not only will this save you any hassle at the airport, but you’ll also save money. Heathrow Express prices are lower the further you book in advance.

Gatwick Airport also has an  express train  which arrives at Victoria Station. Trains run every 15 minutes and take a half-hour to reach London.

Similarly, the express train from Gatwick offers considerable discounts for booking online and ahead of time.

The airports also have commuter trains, buses, and taxis to get you into London. Except for the taxis, these options are less expensive than the express trains mentioned above but do take more time.

You can check prices and schedules for  Southern Railways  from Gatwick to compare.

In addition, from London Heathrow, you can take the Tube. Trains along the Picadilly and Elizabeth lines connect terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. The ride takes between 45-50 minutes to reach central London but is less expensive than the Heathrow Express.

From Paddington and Victoria Stations in London, you’ll have access to the  London Tube  with lines spreading across the city, as well as a taxi queue at ground level. Most taxis take credit cards but be aware of the occasional cash-only sign in a taxi’s window.

Pro Tip:  My recommendation is to use an express train or the Tube (from/to Heathrow), for a quick and easy trip to London’s city center or even directly to your hotel. Avoid London traffic and expensive taxi rides.

If you’d prefer to arrange transportation and/or avoid taking the trains, consider booking a car with Welcome Pickups  to transfer to the city. Although I’ve only used the trains to get from Heathrow to London, I’ve used Welcome Pickups in several other European cities and always had a great experience.

This will be a much more affordable option compared to a London taxi. The price will be a flat rate, as opposed to paying based on the taxi’s metered fare which can get quite high with even the smallest amount of traffic

How to get around London

London is very pedestrian-friendly and you’re bound to do a good amount of walking during your London trip. Remember, cars are on the opposite side of the road compared to the U.S., so you need to LOOK RIGHT when crossing the road. When in doubt, just look both ways before crossing.

Along the Thames, the riverwalk is a clear path connected with several bridges to help you cross to the other side as frequently as you need.

In addition, London’s Tube (subway) is reliable, easy to navigate, and stretches across the city. The announcements are clear and the lines are identified with colors and names, like Central, District, and Piccadilly. Given how big London is, you’ll need to rely on public transportation to maximize the time you have rather than always walking long distances.

As with getting to London from the airport, taxis are expensive in London and get even pricier when traffic is heavy. It’s best to go underground to save time, money, and patience.

Visitors staying for a few days can get an Oyster Card for easy use and refills in the Tube. Your Oyster Card is good for your first trip to London and every return trip thereafter!

London Pass  purchases come with the option to add a visitor’s Oyster Card. I would skip this option because the card takes several weeks to be physically mailed to you. You can also save more money by simply using a regular Oyster Card or the Tube’s contactless payment system because it will cap how much you’ll pay each day automatically.

Use a contactless credit card to pay to enter the Tube, as well as a mobile device like a smartphone with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. Just be sure you’re using a card with no foreign transaction fees.

A few things to keep in mind when paying to access the Tube.

• Use the same card or device when you touch in and out at the yellow card readers. The London Tube caps how much you’ll pay. So, you can ride as much as you want in a day or a week and you’ll never pay more than the capped price.
• If you don’t use the same card or device, the Tube card readers won’t be able to accurately cap the amount you pay.
• If you’re using a device like a smartphone, be sure you have enough battery power. You need to touch in and out of the Tube. You also need to use your phone all day otherwise the system can’t cap the amount you pay.
• You can pay for another person if you are traveling together. (They will need to touch out of the Tube and can’t do it without your card or device.) You’ll need to pay for yourself with a separate card or device.

London Tips for Your First Trip

As you plan things to do in London and where to stay in London, also take into consideration the tips below. They’ve come from 3 separate trips to London and a lot of travel experience overall.

The best time to visit London is during spring and fall.

Visiting London in the shoulder/winter season months, April-June and September-November, are the perfect combination of moderate to cool temperatures and fewer visitors. January to March can also be a good time to visit if you’re not bothered by colder temperatures and prefer to visit during the least busy time of year.

Summer can be very busy, making the next London travel tip even that much more important.

Book as many things as possible in advance.

Not only will things like the London Pass or advance fast-track tickets help you save time and money, but it’ll eliminate indecisiveness about what to do while you’re in London and who to trust when you eventually buy the tickets, tours, and passes you want.

Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

London isn’t a budget destination. The last thing you want to add to the currency exchange are fees from your credit card once you get your bill back home.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout London and also remove the necessity to convert and carry large amounts of dollars to British pounds.

ProTip: When paying by credit card or using your debit card to withdraw money at an ATM, always pay in the local currency (Pounds) and/or decline the currency conversion. This is a sneaky way to convert your money at a less-than-desirable rate.

Wear comfortable walking shoes.

I know this seems obvious but it truly can’t be understated. As someone who lives in New York City, I can always recognize a visitor who’s regretting his/her shoe choice.

These are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I wear them walking around New York City and they’re a staple I pack for nearly every trip I take. You can walk miles without any irritation or blisters.

Check for service charges.

Tipping isn’t obligatory in London. In fact, service charges are often added to bills at restaurants and pubs. That being said, if you’re happy with your service, you always leave a small amount as a gesture of appreciation.

Pack the right electrical converters.

Most commonly, you’ll need a Type G converter to plug into the outlets throughout the U.K. I’ve encountered one place where this wasn’t the case. So, it’s smart to also have a universal adapter with USB ports, too.

London Trip Planner FAQs

How do i start planning a trip to london.

To plan a trip to London, first, decide how many days you’ll spend in the city. Then, book your hotel. You’ll find more options and competitive pricing the further in advance you book. After this, plan your London itinerary. Make a list of the sights and activities you want to see and do. Then, group them by area to logically plan what to do without backtracking. Be sure to book ahead as many things as possible to save time and to ensure you can visit places on the days that make sense for your London itinerary.

How many days should I plan for London?

As you plan a trip to London, you’ll need at least 3-4 days to comfortably see the city’s top sights and attractions. London is a very large city with an endless number of things to see and do. You can easily plan a trip to London for a week and have plenty to fill your itinerary.

What time of year is best to go to London?

The absolute best months for a perfect combination of weather and number of visitors is from April to June and September through November. January to March can also be a good time to visit London because fewer people are visiting during this time. Summers come with big crowds and long lines.

What is the best area to stay in London?

The best area to stay in London is in the heart of the city, especially if you’re visiting London for the first time, and within walking distance of a Tube station. These include neighborhoods like Seven Dials, Covent Garden, Westminster, Soho, and along the south bank near the Southwark area.

Where should I go on my first trip to London?

For your first London trip, plan to see the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the British Museum, Covent Garden, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and the iconic view of Big Ben and Parliament from Westminster Bridge. You should also plan to have afternoon tea, eat at Borough Market, go to a play or musical, and glimpse London from above at the London Eye or the Shard.

First Trip to London – Bottom Line

You have chosen a fantastic city to visit, full of important landmarks, historic sights, good food, and fun experiences. With some advance planning, you’ll arrive in London prepared with your itinerary and know-how to navigate the city confidently for an unforgettable trip.

So, what questions do you have about your first trip to London or about planning a London itinerary?

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76 thoughts on “the ultimate cheat sheet for your first trip to london”.

I have been to London several times, but I found your guide and itineraries very helpful!

I’m so glad, Chrysoula! Thanks for reading. 🙂

Such a great guide! I’ve been to nearly 50 countries and still not the UK, so I’ll have to remember to come back to this article when I finally make it to London 🙂

Thanks, Tamara! 50 countries is quite an accomplishment! Awesome. Glad the guide will be useful when you make it to London. 🙂

Somehow I wish I’ve read this post before my first trip to London. Then I wouldn’t have skipped many experiences listed here) Thank you for putting this up! I’ve pinned it as well (maybe I’ll visit London again, then I’ll need it for sure)

Thanks for reading and sharing on Pinterest, Natalia. 🙂 Here’s to hoping you make it back to London soon!

Love the Pro Tops plus how you broke each day down into categories. What a great way to see London! I also like how you included things to see if it is your first time there. Going anywhere for the first time can be so overwhelming!

Especially in a big place like London, Bryanna. It’s nice to break it up and make the most of your time.

You made me want to visit London again! Love the way you divided the itinerary with themes and suggestions for good food. London is such a huge city and planning a trip there for the first time can be overwhelming, you just make it so easy! Cheers,

Thanks, Natalie! Sometimes, it’s just easier to work on trip planning in small chunks. 😉

I’ve been to London a few times, but I’ve never made it to the Windsor Castle or the Hampton Court Palace. There is just so much to do in the city and its surroundings, but you’ve highlighted the must-sees in a very comprehensive and informative post. I’d love to go back and take more advantage of the free museums, especially the National Gallery!

Next trip, Erika, take some time for Windsor Castle and/or Hampton Court Palace. They’re well worth your time. 🙂

Wish I had your cheat-sheet on m first trip to London! You certainly covered all the hot spots and then some. I can’t wait to go back and hit the places I missed.

Thanks, Sue. A return trip to London is always a good idea. 🙂

Loved your tips! I’ve pinned and will reference during my London trip planning. Can you share a bit more about the oyster card?

Thanks, Amanda! I’m so glad the post is helpful for planning your London trip. The oyster card is a plastic card you can use for quick and easy entry to the London’s metro, buses, and many commuter trains. The card is 5 pounds to buy, after which you load some money onto it. The fare you’ll pay for a metro ride with the oyster card will be cheaper than if you had simply purchased a single ticket for the ride. The Oyster card also caps off what you’d pay in a day making sure you never pay more than had you bought a day pass travel card. Hope that helps! 🙂

I love the addition of the pro tips, especially times of day best to visit. I do love London, but timed a few things wrong, ending up in bigger crowds than I like.

Thanks, Rhonda. I certainly know that feeling of being in a crowd and wanting to be anyplace but there! Glad the pro tips will help for your next London trip. 🙂

Hi Jackie! Any tips for going to London with a toddler? Going to London this Wednesday and I’m going to use your cheat sheet! Thanks!

Hi Jen! So exciting to hear about your trip. 🙂 I’d definitely do the London Eye, but book tickets ahead of time online to skip the line. The Changing of the Guard with its parade, music, and horses are also toddler-friendly. He’ll get in free to the London underground, but if you don’t want to do that, go for the Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. The pirate-themed Princess Diana Playground in Hyde Park is also supposed to be a big hit. Not sure if he’s too young, but the I’d also look at the Natural History Museum, the National Maritime and/or Transport Museum, and maybe a show like Lion King. If that show is too long, how about The Gruffalo? It’s based on the kids book and is less than an hour long. Let me know if you have any more questions and have a great trip!! 🙂

Awesome, thank you for this! I printed out your cheat sheet & 8′ using it for our guide! Thanks!

Great! Hope you have a fantastic trip, Jen!

I’m actually from London, yes all these places are great, but you haven’t mentioned how expensive they can be. Most museums and art galleries are free and fantastic but eating at fancy hotels is only for the rich! Try to go to restaurants and pubs that are not in the tourist areas and you’ll be much better value for your money. As for traditional fish and chips, there is a great place in Waterloo road called Superfish. It’s the best around and very reasonable. Lots of London Taxi drivers eat there, so you know it’s good!

Hi, Joanne and thanks for the tip about Superfish! It’s so great to get that from a local. Totally agreed about eating in hotels, too expensive. I only splurged on the Dorchester Tea because we wanted to have a fancy afternoon. Thanks again for reading. 🙂

Hi, thank you for your tips. We’re going to London ne te may, my husband and I. Do you recommend Stonehenge ?

Hi Helene, Thanks for reading and commenting. You know, as many times as I have been to London, I have not made it to Stonehenge. To help you, I’m linking to another blog post all about visiting Stonehenge written by a blogger friend of mine. She’s got some great tips. Hope that helps! 🙂

There are some great tips here. I’m planning a trip to London during the high season with a variety of ages from grandmother, 4x 30 year olds, 4 kids between the ages of 8-3, and 2 newborns. Aiaiai. Just trying to get a place to eat together will be challenging. I loved your tips about the Oyster card, and pre-booking tickets, It saves lots of time to book in advance so that you are not waiting in line for tickets, and then waiting in another line for entry. Depending on how early you book it also puts that block of tickets on separate credit card bill instead of all at once. Just a tip from how I travel with all the children and trying to be budget concsious, I usually stop in a local grocery store and grab the 3 (pound, I don’t have the symbol on my keyboard) meal deal, Its filling and usually healthy. If you have any more kid friendly tips I’d love to hear them. Thanks for the guide, I found you on Pintrest, and will make sure to repin.

Thanks for reading, Erin, and for repinning on Pinterest. I appreciate it. 🙂 Sounds like your trip is set to make some amazing multi-generational memories. Thanks for sharing your food tip. London has great parks to make use of when the kids need a break. Hyde Park has paddle boats for rent and a great playground and fountain. St. James Park also has a popular playground. Enjoy your trip!

Do you have more ideas? We will be in London for 10 days. We will do all you mention but we need more?

Hi June, Thanks so much for reading and so exciting about your upcoming trip to London! 🙂 A couple other sites/places I’d recommend is Kensington Palace and if you’re at all a history buff, the Churchill War Rooms. If you’re doing all of that plus these last 2, check out the London Pass to save some money. Also, check out Free Tours by Foot and Sandeman’s free walking tours. If you’re interested in street art and/or learning more about London’s ethnic food scene check out a tour in the Shoreditch neighborhood. With 10 days, you can also plan day trips out of the city if you want. The Cotswolds Warwick Castle , and/or Stratford upon Avon are just a couple of hours drive, as are Stonehenge and Bath. Even Paris is a doable day trip with the Chunnel train taking just 2ish hours. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the tip about the London Pass! We went last year and no one told us about it, and we are going back in October and still want to do many of the activities included in the pass. Sounds like a great value!

Fantastic, Dana. I hope your trip is fantastic and enjoy the London Pass! Thanks so much for reading. 🙂

The best North Indian food is in southall (West London), trains run from Paddington. Brilliant Restaurant highly recommended..

Thanks Preetvan for the tip! 🙂

It’s ravens that you find at the Tower of London, not crows!

Thanks for that! I have no bird ID skills! 🙂

Thanks for your post; definitely adding it to my Pinterest board. I’m heading there for Spring Break with my husband and three teenage girls. We have eight days (flying into Gatwick and out of Paris-CDG). How do you suggest we split the days between London and Paris? And what would your top recommendations be?

Thanks for reading, Sheath. So exciting about your upcoming family trip to London and Paris. Both cities have so much to see and do, it all depends on your interests. You can easily split your time in half, although the Francophile in me says to give yourself an extra day in Paris. Not sure if you’re into theatre, but a night out to see a show in London’s West End is unforgettable. Tower of London, Shakespeares Globe, Borough Market, high tea are all at the top of my London first time list. For Paris, visit the top of Notre Dame in the morning, Arc de Triomphe at dusk, Sainte-Chappelle, Musee de l’Orangerie, and wander through 4th, 5th, and 6th arrondissements for tucked away shops and cafes as a start to your Paris visit. Hope that helps and have soo much fun! 🙂

Thank you for this cheat sheet. Great tips and ideas. My best friend and I are traveling to Europe for our 40th birthdays in March. We are spending about 2 1/2 days in London. It seems you were recommended traveling by way of the tube for most everything. I had been looking at the Hop On and Off Bus before reading your cheat sheet. Would you recommend skipping the bus and just using the tube?

Hi Heather, Thanks for reading. London is such a great city for a friends birthday trip! I would still recommend the Tube. The traffic in London can be horrible and Hop on Hop off buses can get stuck in it with the rest of the vehicles. With 2 1/2 days, getting underground will help you maximize your time getting from place to place. Enjoy your trip! -Jackie

Do you have any recommendations for visiting in December (just prior to Christmastime)? My family and I will be arriving on a Monday and departing on Thursday (for Germany), flying in and out of Stansted. It will be myself, my husband, and our 2 kids, ages 20 and (will turn while we’re in London) 17 year old (boy and girl). My husband is normally into things like the museums, but he’s the type that would need several days in any one museum (he literally reads each and every plaque, and doesn’t miss a display, LOL). So, because we’re limited on time, we’ll probably skip museums until another time. My husband and I are doing Harry Potter/WB Studios on Tuesday (I’m a big fan, kids not so much) and we’re letting them go off on their own. Will definitely be getting Oyster Cards.

Any other recommendations, especially since will will be cold weather? Thanks!

Thanks for reading, Cammi. I’d definitely try and see a show, be it one in the west end or a special Christmas themed show or concert. I’d also like to see the seasonal attractions like the winter wonderland in Hyde Park and all the lights around the city. I’m a cold weather gal so I love to get outside. But just in case of super cold weather, I’d have 1 museum in mind just as a back up if you need to warm up. Not sure if your hubby has seen the Churchill War rooms not far from Westminster, but I highly recommend. Enjoy your trip!

My husband and I leave for our first ever trip abroad, London, in less than a week! The ironic and very strange thing is that as soon as I read the title of our article was that the authors last name is Sills. That is MY maiden name and some of my father’s family still lives in England! Dad himself, Charles Sills, was actually born in London! We will be visiting some Sills relatives in Suffolk on our trip!

Anyway, thanks for the great articles!

Sincerely, Elizabeth (Sills) Hurd

Hi Elizabeth, Thanks for reading and omg! My maiden name is Sills as well! I have done a ton of family research but always run into a dead end trying to figure out more about the George Sills who came over from England to the U.S. back in the 1800s. That’s so amazing you’ll be combining your tip with some ancestry travel. I hope you have a great trip and enjoy meeting your relatives! Thanks again for reading the blog. 🙂 Jackie

Nice tips overall. Anyway, thanks for the great articles!

Thanks for reading, Brandy. 🙂

I must say this is an ultimate post for travelers who are looking for trip to London at affordable cost. You have covered everything in your post such as best places to stay, which is really helpful.

Thanks for reading, Sandeep. Happy travels to London!

Your blog is amazing – thanks for all the incredible ideas. We are considering going to London for Spring Break (March 8-17, 2019). Would you recommend going at his time ….will the weather be agreeable? Thanks, Stacey

Thanks for reading, Stacey, and for your kind words. So, it’ll likely still be chilly, but I’d say yes, go! Take this with the knowledge that I live in NYC and walk around in all kinds of weather and that I love visiting Europe in the off-season. I’d rather have cooler temps and fewer crowds. Plus, with London’s Underground/Subway, you can so easily pop underground and get around if you needed to escape the weather for a bit. Not to mention with delicious tea, scones, English pies, and Indian food, there’s plenty to warm you up! 🙂 Thanks again for reading.

very informative blog love to read it. i got so many new ideas about London. Thanks for sharing and it will help me during my visit to London. [LINK EDITED OUT]

Thanks for reading, Mickey. Enjoy London. 🙂

Love this guide and the one for Portugal also. Now if I could print it and store it in my travel file folder for easier access when I go to London. Thanks for writing these detailed trip reports – they are extremely helpful

Thanks do much for reading, Jane. You can download the London cheat sheet to help with your travels. 🙂

Going to the Harry Potter Studios by bus from Central London is the silliest thing to do. It takes too long AND you can only stay at the studios until the time your bus would take you back (about 4 hours) – not enough time for a true Harry Potter fan. It is fastest and easiest to go by train from Euston Station to Watford Junction (Oyster can be used) and takes about 30minutes. The studio has buses at Watford Junction to take you there – it takes just about 10 minutes. We stayed over 7 hours at the studios – my kids would start a riot if we had to leave after some 4 hours only!

Thanks for reading, Deesi! And great tips! Appreciate you sharing. 🙂

Your blog is amazing. How do I download the cheat sheet??

Thank you ~Alison

Thanks so much for reading, Alison. All you need to do is fill in the fields on the cheat sheet sign up box. It’ll get sent to you. 🙂 So glad the blog has been helpful for you.

If you have enough time you should certainly consider Kew Gardens and Greenwich. You can take the clipper down the river to Greenwich. Also Kenwood is free to visit and set in beautiful grounds on Hampstead Heath. Don’t pay to go up the Shard. Book the free tickets for Skygarden three weeks ahead. Or go up the tower at Tate Modern. Children like all these places but as other people have said the parks are lovely and all different. It’s lovely to see this thread still working and growing after such a long time. Well done!!!

Thanks for reading and sharing your London tips, Marian! I didn’t know that about the Shard!

The Dorchester is indeed a great hotel, but the very best Afternoon Tea has to be the Ritz.

Thanks for reading and sharing, David. I have heard great things about the afternoon tea at the Ritz. I’ll have to try it next time I’m in London. 🙂

Thank you for sharing this info about London. I am planning to visit in a neaxt month.

Thanks for reading, Alina. Have fun in London. 🙂

Amazing. you have told very easy and splendid ways for exploring London. London is my favourite place to travel and for food too. I love the food Enjoy!

Thanks for reading, Amy. Glad you had great travels to London. 🙂

My niece and I want to go to London. We’ve considered a tour group, but the itinerary is limited, I enjoyed reading your cheat sheet. It was interesting, and we got very excited at the thought of actually visiting the sites, Have you ever traveled there in December? I am a teacher and my big break is in the month of December, I don’t want to go and freeze! The travel dates would be between December 14th and December 24th. Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you.

Rebecca and Brooke

Thanks for reading, Rebecca and Brooke. I haven’t been to London in the winter but I’ve been to many other cities in Europe in winter like Paris, Prague, Budapest, Munich, and more, also during my winter school breaks! I’m probably not the most objective person on this as I live in NYC and walk around outside all winter long. But I love European cities around Christmas. Yes, it’s chilly. But if you dress right the charm and the ambiance is unforgettable. I’d highly recommend a London Christmas visit! If you want some freedom to explore mixed with a few organized activities, plan a couple of day tours instead of something more comprehensive. The London Pass is also a great way to see what’s popular while saving money by bundling sightseeing costs. Hope this helps and you have a great trip! 😉

Thank you so much. We are moving ahead with our plans. I agree, if you dress appropriately, the weather will not be a factor.. Again, I really learned a lot from your cheat sheet and have read it many times.

Thanks for reading, Rebecca and Brooke. 🙂 So glad to hear the cheat sheet was helpful. I hope you have a wonderful trip to London.

Heathrow express!! Saved me so much time! So glad I read this.

Thanks for reading, Scott. Yep, the Heathrow Express makes things super easy! 🙂

Thanks for informative sharing. I must say that your shared information is very useful for me as well as other readers.

Glad to hear it, William. Thanks for reading.

Hello Jackie, I am at the beginning of planning a second Girls Trip to London, and the country side of England. The first was with a group of high school girls friends,(tons of fun) and this one will be with all my sister in laws. Both groups are in their early 60’s. I appreciated the link to the GO transportation site. I like the idea of a van to haul us all to the hotel from Heathrow. There will be six of us in this up coming trip. There were only four on the high school trip. We all squeezed into one cab, and shared the cost. I don’t think we can squeeze six ladies and luggage into a cab, so the van idea sounds good. I suggested a cab for the HS group, knowing it is the more expensive way to get from the airport. I knew we would be sharing the cost AND also with the age of the group, didn’t think we (or I ) would want to be dragging our luggage in and out of tube trains. They were all ok with the idea of a cab. Also one thing I tell anyone I know who is on their way over, WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! I know they aren’t always the most fashionable, but gee, your feet will thank you at the end of the day. No new shoes that haven’t been wore in yet either. One last thought– the HS trip was a full week in London, so we all decided that the London Pass would be a good idea– and it was! The Shard visit alone would have cost 50 pounds for one person to enter. The payable sites do add up. All worth seeing, but can get pricy. Not so sure it will be worth it for this sister in law trip, we won’t be spending as much time in London. Thanks for the time and research you put into this travel blog. Very enjoyable read. 🙂

Thanks so much for reading, Deborah! So exciting to be planning another trip (and a Girls Trip, even better!) to London. Thanks for sharing your experiences, too. Totally agree on comfortable shoes! My go-to’s for lots of walking (live in NYC) and traveling (one pair is with me on every trip) are Allbirds . In fact, I just bought 2 new pairs (Tree Runner & Wool Runner) since I’ve worn my others out. If anyone in your group or you are looking for something comfy, definitely give these shoes a look. Enjoy your trip to London and come back if there are any questions I can answer. Thanks again for reading. 🙂

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London as a Place for a Tourist Vacation Essay

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Introduction

Works cited.

Saying that London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world is saying nothing about it. I have been going to this city since I was two years old and there were some years when I visited it four or five times a year; despite this, I will never stop getting amazed by it every time I get there. London is the best place for me and my Kuwaiti friends to spend a vacation in because this city is full of sights and nice places to visit with its shops and department stores offering goods for any taste; apart from this, a vacation in London can help non-English speakers, such as the Kuwaitis, perfect and sophisticate their English.

To begin with, London offers its visitors a number of sights the beauty of which is sometimes impossible to describe. Its parks are absolutely amazing; they are so diversified that one visit to London will not suffice if a person wants to see at least a part of them. London has a number of parks which are absolutely amazing. I can state for sure that none of other cities in the world has so much green and open space. There is at least one park in every part of London; at this, it does not matter “if it’s just a small pool with surrounding trees or a park like the magnificent and slightly wild in appearance Richmond Park” (“London Parks”).

The most prominent, perhaps, is Hyde Park which all the visitors go to play tribute to Princess Diana. The park is 360 acres in size and one can rent a boat to paddle in the lake there. There are also St. James’ Park, Primrose Hill Park, Alexandra Park, Regents Park, Syon Park, and an incalculable number of other parks. Theme and adventure parks are also numerous. A visit to any of them will become the greatest fun day a person could ever have.

Madame Tussauds and the London Dungeon are the most famous adventure parks in London, though the others are no less great. It is impossible to leave London without visiting Westminster Abbey, seeing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and having dinner in Covent Garden (Porter’s English Restaurant would be the best choice) (Moore and Porter 243).

London’s ancient buildings strike the visitors with their mysteriousness and one cannot stop wondering what hides between those old walls and columns created by famous architects and visited by no less famous people. So, visiting London is the best way to spend a vacation because after leaving the hotel one gets into a real fairy-tale where the sights whizz by and the memories about them remain in the mind forever.

Moreover, London is known as a city of shopping this is why doing shopping there is one of the duties each of the visitors is expected to fulfill. Shopping becomes a special entertainment in case the weather is not suitable for sightseeing. I for one adore London weather, though most of the visitors find it rather gloomy. I adore London for its rains for they are a rare occurrence in Kuwait where the weather is sunny hot.

Shopping is the best way to have fun during rainy days in London. The main shopping areas “center around Oxford Street and Regent Street, while Knightsbridge is home to stores stocking even more upmarket goods” (“London Shopping”). Major international and British brands can be found at these shops, but the visitors who look for specialist items will find them in Covent Garden. New Bond Street is for those who search for exclusive shops, while Hatton Garden is the best place to buy jewelry and watches.

Those who are interested in music, especially in rare cuts, will feel like in a dream in Soho where a great number of independent music shops offer the music items of all the possible genres. Therefore, the rainy weather of London is perfect for those who cannot imagine their lives without shopping and who are interested in goods which cannot be found anywhere but in London.

Finally, London is a great place to visit for Kuwaitis in particular because they can meet their nationals there and perfect their English speaking skills. Most of the Kuwaitis speak English well enough, but being in the natural environment will make their English absolutely great. British English is nothing like American English; it is like a song where all the words acquire special meanings. London natives sound so beautiful that all the visitors, regardless of their native language, get British accent because it is impossible not to wish resembling this mysterious language. London is full of people of different nationalities; the Kuwaitis are also numerous there this is why my friends will find London even more attractive and friendly.

Though the population of London is extremely diverse, most of people speak namely English there. This is the best place to improve spoken English because nothing except the communication with a native speaker can make your language richer. The communicative skills get improved after spending several days in London and the excitement, which speaking to the natives (who are, by the way, unbelievably sociable and polite) brings, stays with the visitors for a long time.

What is even more important is that learning English in such a way is entertaining rather than difficult or boring like some of the classes may be. Natural environment allows imitating not only language, accent, and even slang of the native people, but even some of their gestures and facial expressions. This makes the process of learning entertaining and favors the acquisition of knowledge. Thus, a vacation in London is especially useful for the Kuwaitis because English speaking environment can help them make their English even better.

In conclusion, London is indeed the best place for a vacation, especially for people whose native language is not English, such as the Kuwaitis. Ordinary, theme, and amusement parks of London will bring joy to all the visitors; they strike with their beauty and variety offering a number of ways to have fun. Shopping in London will satisfy the needs of even the most exigent shoppers. London shops and department stores not only ensure the visitors with an access to a wide range of goods, but open their doors for the buyers who look for something exclusive and provocatively expensive.

Lastly, a visit to London is extremely useful for the non-English speakers who can improve their English speaking skills, perfect their English, and adopt the beautiful accent of the true English language. I really doubt that there is at least one person who will find a vacation in London boring because it is the best place to have fun and to learn simultaneously.

Moore, Jennifer and Porter, Darwin. Frommer’s Europe. New York: John Willey and Sons, 2006.

“London Shopping.” London Guide. 2008. Talking Cities. Web.

“London Parks.” Life in London. 2009. London for Fun. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2021, November 20). London as a Place for a Tourist Vacation. https://ivypanda.com/essays/london-as-a-place-for-a-tourist-vacation/

"London as a Place for a Tourist Vacation." IvyPanda , 20 Nov. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/london-as-a-place-for-a-tourist-vacation/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'London as a Place for a Tourist Vacation'. 20 November.

IvyPanda . 2021. "London as a Place for a Tourist Vacation." November 20, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/london-as-a-place-for-a-tourist-vacation/.

1. IvyPanda . "London as a Place for a Tourist Vacation." November 20, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/london-as-a-place-for-a-tourist-vacation/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "London as a Place for a Tourist Vacation." November 20, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/london-as-a-place-for-a-tourist-vacation/.

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Sample essay on my visit to London city

London is the most beautiful and historical city in United Kingdom. I have always been obsessed with London since I was just a teenager. I used to imagine walking down to its streets to witness the architectural and historical beauty of this city. It has a quite rich British culture which it has kept preserved for so many years. I felt the need to explore it but didn’t know from where I should start. So, I shortlisted a few places out of all of its amazing and historical places because of the exceptional aspects they have.

Museum of London

I started from ‘Museum of London’ about which I knew a little before as well. I had an idea that it is a charitable institution which is funded by a lot of organizations. But after visiting it, I came to know what stunning and architectural masterpiece it actually is. It holds a huge history of British culture. It will show you off London in different ages and time eras, from the prehistory time to today modern times with its legendary exhibitions. It has a collection of up to 1 million objects to show to the world. If you really want to know more about the history of London, the Museum of London is a must visit for you.

After that, I visited “Big Ben”, the longest tower of London which has a height of 320 feet. It has been the palace of Westminster previously. It has four clocks which are facing each other across 23 feet. It is undoubtedly a distinct central point of parliament which looks even more exuberant when the sunlight turns its structure into golden relief. It is basically famous for its massive bell which weighs more than 13 tonnes. There are different theories present based on its name and history. However, it was renamed as Elizabeth tower on June 2012 in remembrance and honor of Queen Elizabeth.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge in London is another stunning place which was first opened in 1894. People around the world know it for its Gothic style and pale blue lines. If you are lucky enough, when you visit this place, the bridge will be open for the ship to pass. That moment, you can have a look at its advanced mechanics and architecture. Tower bridge exhibitions are usually arranged to display films and photos to explain how it was built. It is said that it took eight years of efforts by major contractors and labors to build the tower bridge. Two massive pillars got sunk into the river in order to support the construction. And over 11,000 tons of steel was used to prepare its walkways. The use of rare Portland stones was to give it a more unique and exuberant appearance.

Brunel Museum

The next day I decided to pay a visit to another historical place which was the Brunel Museum. It has more Brunel family projects than any other country in this world. River Thames has also been one of its latest projects. If you personally pay a visit to it, you would know why it took 18 years and costs of many lives to get built. You can also get into its shaft to see how it served the tunnel. Its history is a really fascinating part of its whole construction which tells about the conditions in which the workers worked to construct it more than 185 years ago. It consists of a gift shop from where you can buy books regarding its history and enjoy reading it while sitting in a café. The café serves delicious afternoon tea, light bites, and a lot of English and Turkish food.

If you are a shopaholic and want to get the best of the best things which are nowhere else to be found, go to Topshop flagship store. It was founded in 1964 and since then it has been a fashion brand for the youth. Its first independent shop was, however, opened in 1970. After which, a brand for men also came into existence named as “Topman”. It is more like a small city which consists of everything from shopping outlets, wig-fitting, and tattooing to ‘print your own pattern facilities. I can bet that there is nothing which you won’t be able to find from here. So start roaming around its basement all the way up to the accessories, where you can also get cold juices and cupcakes to get the fuel for your well-spent day.

Greenwich Market

Since I am too much into arts & crafts, my next stop was Greenwich Market. It has a strong association with the royal time period. It was a birthplace for Henry, Mary, and Elizabeth. Today, it gives preference to the traders who want to manufacture their own products. You will find all of the new and fresh products there. You can’t think about buying something a week later or so because the manufacturers keep refreshing their collections and stalls. On weekends, there are a huge number of arts & crafts, and food stalls. I also found different food styles there which included Spanish, Mexican, Ethiopian, and so many more. I also got a chance to eat chocolate smothered fruits and freshly baked cakes. They were so delicious that whenever I talk about them, they make my mouth water again.

Theme Parks

There are also different theme parks in London which offer great entertainment through its thrilling rides and wild animals, be it real or mystical. At London Dungeon, you can take a scary yet wonderful 90-minute ride which takes you 1000 years back in the history of London. There are also other interactive plays going on in which different theater actors can surely cause an impact on you with their mind-blowing performances.

Since I had a fun and entertaining time in exploring the historical and cultural places of London, I want everyone who goes there makes sure to explore it the best way they can. There are more than these mentioned places which would give you numerous chances to start off with a thrilling journey of London’s History.

Above example essay could be really useful for the preparations of college exams and English testing exams like IELTS and TOEFL.

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• English 101

Sample Essay on My first visit to London

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I have always looked forward to travelling to London. This is because of the exciting stories I had heard from my friends. From the stories, I heard that London accommodated the best museums and other historical places.  I decided to plan to take this trip before the first year of my college was over. Because of the college program, I had to schedule the visit to late October. This trip took four days including the flight periods. Before traveling , I bought the travel card via online. I ensured I had paid for my return ticket. This timing turned out to be perfect. Other than this plans, I went through the global map. I located one of the fair and modern hotels where I would spend the holiday. I ensured that I also had sufficient cash. After confirming my reservation, I took the trip.

I arrived to this desired city on a fine Monday. Before heading to the tube, I collected my luggage from the claiming point at Heathrow. The hotel was in the neighborhoods of Earl’s court station. I chose the hotel because I had heard that it was fair and offered most of the desired spaces in the room, such as a kitchenette, flat screen television, and microwave. I was surprised when I reached the hotel room and realized that they also offered large bathrooms for great towel tacks so they remained warm all through. I also liked to prepare the foods when I came in. there were no restaurants, gyms and food services within the premises. Therefore, I ensured that I had prepared a great and heavy breakfast. Lunchtime found me in most of the tours. I, therefore, used to eat heavy lunch too. One of the best places I had my midday meal was at the Crypt near St. Martin’s church. On this particular day, I ate chicken, potatoes, gravy, cabbage, and root vegetables.

I got the orientation around the hotel. I came to realize that there were great road network covering every area of the region. These included the Earl’s road, Cromwell, and the Brompton roads . The great museum that had natural history was located east of Cromwell road. There were the Victoria museum and the Albert museum. All these had great information for me. However, due to the tight schedule, I missed visiting these places.

I was able to go round London. I saw the beautiful Hyde Park and the Piccadilly Circus. I managed to do river cruse at the Westminster Bridge. How glorious was it to view the beautiful Belfast, Globe Theater, Tate modern, and the Tower of London. It was exciting crossing the Millennium Bridge, London Bridge, the Tower Bridge, and the Waterloo Bridge. I got the chance of visiting the Hyde Park on the last day. I saw many war memorials, the Wellington Arch, and the Wellington statue on a horse. Across the street lay the magnificent Apse House and the residence of the earliest Duke of Wellington. Part of the house was still resided by the present Duke although it is a private residence. As I toured the house, I saw various historical ornamentals such as the Caravaggio’s art and China swords and weaponry as they were displayed. I desired to take pictures of the artillery. This was however against the policies.

As the touring ended, I realized there were several places I desired to visit. I could not manage to keep up with the limited time I had for the trip. I came to conclude that London is a region that demands more than one trip. I also appreciated the fact that the town was modern and had few tourist activities. This had mostly experienced in majority of these contemporary towns. I wished to have extended the trip. I promised myself to take another trip to London the following year. I am happy that I first went to this great region. It was a revelation as to rich background the Americans and the Britons have.

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Top tips for first time visitors to London

Jul 1, 2021 • 7 min read

London has no shortage of must-see sights, and the Houses of Parliament are near the top of many visitors' lists © Mirek Osmera / 500px

First-time visitors to London come with a host of preconceptions: gentlemen in bowler hats, terrible food, equally terrible weather, lots of history, world-famous buildings.

But these clichés are largely unrepresentative of the real London experience. You can still find them if you look hard enough, but you can find anything in London if you look hard enough because there is an entire world of experiences in one city.  

London is not just saturated in multiculturalism, but defined by it. People from 270 different countries speak more than 300 languages. In this United Nations of a capital, it wouldn’t be at all unfeasible in the space of 24 hours to eat Ethiopian stew, have a salsa lesson, gaze upon artifacts from ancient Egypt, slurp down Vietnamese pho and listen to an oompah band in a Bavarian beer hall.

This isn’t to say London’s identity is entirely made up of globe-spanning components; it still has uniqueness by the bucketload. The buses really are red, the taxis really are black, and that massive clock by the river really is magnificent. The main attractions are world-class, often incomparably so, and absolutely worth visiting. Whether you're on your first visit or your 100th, there’s always more to discover in London.

How to get to London

Most international visitors arrive in London by air, although train travel has experienced a surge in popularity as the carbon impact of air travel is better understood. Long-haul buses are a low-cost option for getting to the capital. Eurostar travels between London and Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Most long-haul flights land at Heathrow. Flights from Europe and the Middle East also land at Gatwick and Stansted. Luton and London Southend service budget airlines only. All airports are connected by train to central London, but only London City Airport and Heathrow are on the London Underground network.

When is the best time to go to London?

Best neighborhoods in London

London is often described as an amalgamation of different villages rather than a single place. Though few of its neighborhoods are remotely village-like, except perhaps  Notting Hill and Richmond , it’s certainly true that different parts have different atmospheres, and it can be useful to segment your sightseeing accordingly. Three main, connected neighborhoods – the West End, South Bank and the City of London – sit either side of the River Thames and are the focus of most visits, especially for first-time travelers, but there are plenty of other areas worth exploring.

Top neighborhoods to explore in London

Where to eat in London

It’s difficult to imagine a type of food not available in London. There’s literally an A-Z of cuisines to be found across the city. The highest concentration of restaurants is in the West End, ranging from cheap Chinese in Soho to gastronomic wonders in Mayfair. South Bank has plenty of reliable chains and some great gastropubs where food is taken as seriously as the drink. The City buzzes during the week but is a ghost town once the bankers and brokers have headed home for the weekend. Sandwich shops and burger and noodle chains fill in the gaps across the capital and are good for a quick refueling.

When it comes to national cuisine, there are two dishes first-time visitors should try: fish and chips, and curry. Excellent portions of both can be found in east London:  Poppie's in Spitalfields serves up stellar fish and chips, and for a heaping helping of curry, head to Brick Lane. Another British classic is roast dinner, traditionally eaten at Sunday lunchtime and consisting of roast meat, potatoes, vegetables and a Yorkshire pudding (a baked batter cup), all covered in gravy. Any decent pub around town should offer one.

A guide to London's food halls and markets

Where to drink in London

Londoners love to drink, and a classic experience for any first-time visitor is a pint in a pub. You won’t have trouble finding one – they’re literally everywhere – but particularly good ones include Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (an old Dickens haunt), Ye Olde Mitre and the Lamb Tavern in Leadenhall Market . When it comes to bars and clubs, the West End and east London are best for sheer abundance. Soho is still the undisputed nightlife district, and along with Vauxhall has the best LGBTQI+ venues.

The best rooftop bars in London

Where to stay in London

Needing to cater to 19 million visitors a year and rising, London has no shortage of accommodations, from budget hostels to luxurious boutique hotels. For your first time, you’ll want to stay somewhere central. A good budget option is the excellently located SoHostel . For something midrange, try the Haymarket in the heart of the West End. If money is no concern, you might as well head straight for the Ritz .

20 best free things to do in London

Getting around London

London has many modes of transportation for getting around the city. Walking is the best way to take in its 2000 years of history, but you can’t visit without using the London Underground, commonly known as the Tube. The first of its kind in the world when it opened in 1863, the Tube is the quickest way to get around London. Buses give the feet a break and offer good views but can be slow. Taxis are expensive unless you're splitting a fare with a group. Boat services operate on the Thames throughout central London and down to Greenwich, providing a whole different perspective on the city.

How to get around in London

Is London safe to visit?

London is one of the world’s safest and most tolerant cities, though as with any large city, crime isn’t unheard of. Pickpockets operate on the Tube and in other busy places, so keep valuables within view and out of easy reach in pubs, bars and restaurants. Phone snatching happens, so be aware if you’re texting or posting a picture on the street. The phone number for emergencies is 999 (or 101 for non-emergencies, such as reporting a stolen bag).

Best things to do with kids in London

Etiquette in London

• Tipping  A service charge is often included on the bill for meals at sit-down restaurants. If not, add 10% to 15%. No tipping is necessary when getting drinks in a pub. Round up to the nearest pound in taxis.
• Escalators Always stand on the right and walk on the left (a Londoner will "helpfully" remind you if you forget).
• Waiting in line  As with the rest of the country, queuing is a sacred social custom, so fall in line.
• Social interaction Don’t start conversations with strangers, especially on public transport. Londoners keep themselves to themselves, though are generally approachable if you need directions somewhere.

London dos and don’ts

What to pack for a trip to London

Contrary to what you might have heard, it doesn’t rain all the time in London, or even most of the time. Winters tend to be cool and gray (snow is uncommon), while summers are warm and sunny-ish with temperatures averaging 72°F (22°C). Layers are key to a successful London wardrobe. And something waterproof. Because it just might rain.

In terms of going out, London is a casual city, and for most places, dress codes don’t apply. Only in very fancy restaurants will men be expected to put on a jacket, and sports shoes will be frowned upon. In general, wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Top 10 parks in London

Advance planning

It’s best to book in advance where possible, to avoid long lines or disappointment. If there’s a particular restaurant you want to eat in, reserve a table – in central London, every night is Saturday night. The same goes for major, paid-for attractions, including the London Eye , Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London . Booking online can often knock a few pounds off the entry price. It’s possible to find last-minute tickets for certain theater shows, but there’s no guarantee, so buy those in advance too, using a reputable service like TKTS or the TodayTix app .

This article was originally published in April 2018.

You might also like: Secret London: 9 unusual sights hidden in the city 16 things you never knew about London How to spend a perfect weekend in London

This article was first published Apr 20, 2018 and updated Jul 1, 2021.

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April 24, 2017

My trip to London. By Emilė

Comprehension check

• What is musical “Wicked” about?
• Maybe you know what book it is based on?
• How tall is the Shard?
• Which train platform did Harry Potter start his adventures from?

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Veronika 6d May 2, 2017

You had nice holidays, I want to have like this or similar holidays… My answers to your questions are these: 1.Musical ”Wicked” was about an unlikely but profound friendship 2.I don’t know this one 3.Shard has 87th floors, it is the biggest building in Europe 4.Harry Potter starts his adventures in train platform 9 3/4

zmogus May 2, 2017

nice presentation

Kazimieras April 28, 2017

It seems you’ve had an interesting trip! There’s this one song about London, you should listen to it. Coldplay – Clocks, it has some meaningful lyrics about the city, but my favorite part is at 0:45 Great article!

Cruiser April 27, 2017

Great sights, ty for the article, very informative

???? April 24, 2017

A nice trip????????Hopefully I’ll visit London next summer????

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Traveling to London for the First Time (2024): Tips & Tricks

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: June 4, 2024

Traveling to London for the first time and not sure where to start? Planning a trip to London might be overwhelming indeed and especially so if this is your first time in the city!

How long do I need to spend in London? When to visit? What are the best places to stay in London? How to save time and money and still see the best that London has to offer?

To help you plan your first trip to London, I selected some of the best tips for visiting London . This no-nonsense practical guide will not only help you plan your London trip, but will also show you how to make the best of your visit, time, and budget. Find out!

Top 5 Experiences in London:

• London Eye .
• Tower of London & Crown Jewels .
• Thames River Cruise .
• Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio (book well in advance!)
• The View from The Shard .

These are our top travel tips for visiting London:

1. Stay in Central London

The question that gets asked a lot by first-time visitors is what are the best places to stay in London.

Hotels in central London can be expensive, yet while it might be very tempting to choose cheaper accommodation outside the city center, it’s a choice that you’ll quickly regret. First, commuting into the city every day will cost a lot of money and time. Precious time, that you could otherwise use for sightseeing.

Visiting London for the first time? Stay in central London!  By staying in central London you can see much more in less time. Ultimately this will save money not just on transportation, but also on your overall trip budget because you’ll need fewer days in order to see just as much.

Now that we established that central London is the best place to stay when visiting London for the first time, you might be wondering which neighborhoods are the best for sightseeing.

There is probably no single best answer to this, but here is a short list of neighborhoods that we personally looked at when planning our recent trip to London with kids : Westminster, Trafalgar/ Covent Garden, Soho, Bankside, and South Bank. 

Ultimately we chose the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel , which is located on the South Bank close to the London Eye . We loved being in the center of the action and being able to easily walk everywhere. Staying in the center makes visiting London so much easier because many of the main attractions are within easy walking distance or just a short bus/ tube drive away.

The area around Covent Garden/Trafalgar Square is another great choice. Check out Citadines Trafalgar Square if you are looking for a nice price/quality/location hotel.

TIP: Using the map below, you can also easily see what’s available in central London for your travel dates and group size.

In general, I’d say just look for the best deals that you can find for your group and travel dates and as long as it’s in Central London, you know you made a good choice.

TIP: If you are looking for a lower budget stay in central London (although ‘budget’ is a relative term here), check out the Waterloo Station area (10 minutes walk to London Eye ). It’s one of the few places in the center where you can often find good quality budget accommodation. Here are two of the best choices in this area: Nox Hotel Waterloo and Point A Hotel London Westminster .

If you go further from the center, accommodation gets a bit cheaper. But a lot also depends on the specific area. In general, west/ northwest of the River Thames is better than going further east/ southeast because most of the main landmarks and attractions of London are on the western side of the river. Unless you stay very close to the river, in which case, it’s as good as it gets.

LEARN MORE: Where to Stay in London

2. Avoid Bank Holidays and School Breaks

London is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK , and one of the most popular cities in Europe. It’s an extremely popular destination that attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.

The busiest times to visit London are July and August, as well as European bank holiday weekends and school breaks. If you can, try to avoid these peak periods for fewer crowds and better prices and availability.

If you plan to see London during Holiday Season, it’s best to avoid the main shopping streets on the weekends and the last days just before Christmas.

TIP: Since spring school holidays in Europe usually fall later than in the U.S., London is a great European destination for spring break . It can also be very nice in June when most European countries still have school.

READ ALSO: Best Time to Travel in Europe

3. Foresee Enough Time and Don’t Try to See Everything

If you are traveling to London for the first time, you are probably wondering how much time you need in London. You have to realize that London is huge and there is no way to see everything in just a few days or even a few weeks… So don’t come to London thinking that you can see it all in just one or two days.

While you can see most of the main sights in London in one day or two days , for first-time visitors, I highly recommend spending at least 3-4 days in London. This should give you sufficient time to get acquainted with the city, see the main landmarks, and visit a few of the most popular tourist attractions in London .

However, we also suggest visiting at least a few places outside of the city as that will make your trip so much more special. In that case, you should really plan at least 5-7 days in London. More about day trip suggestions further below.

Also, don’t try to see ‘everything’ in London. This is simply not possible and will leave you tired and frustrated. Plan to visit no more than two or three bigger attractions every day and leave some time for unexpected discoveries.

4. Book as Much as Possible in Advance

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when visiting London is not to plan your visit in advance. Long in advance!

Starting with flights and accommodations and ending with London attractions and activities – booking in advance means more choice, better prices, and less time wasted queuing. After all, you want to make the most of your trip to London and not spend all your precious time standing in line.

TIP: Often tickets for the main London attractions are cheaper if booked online at least a day in advance. For example, you can usually get cheaper tickets for Madame Tussauds , The View from The Shard , or the  London Eye online (not even to mention avoiding the biggest queues and actually being able to visit).

For some places not reserving in advance usually means that you won’t be able to visit at all. For example, the Harry Potter Studio Tour , which is often booked up weeks and months ahead. To give you an idea, recently, we couldn’t find tickets for the day (let alone the time) when we wanted to go 16 weeks in advance! I checked all the possible websites and tour options and this day tour was the only one that still had availability, and only because it was just new at that time. And it’s not even the peak season!

If you want to go see a musical in London, book your theater tickets well in advance. Sometimes, there are last-minute tickets available as well, but not to the most popular shows and the seats you get are usually far from great.

TIP:   If you didn’t think to prebook and are looking for last-minute theatre tickets in London, check the TKTS ticket booth on Leicester Square. You can buy theatre tickets only in person for performances on the same day, or up to two days in advance.

5. Save Time and Money on London’s Major Attractions

Visiting London for the first time means visiting all the main landmarks and attractions in London . However, if you aren’t prepared, it’s very likely you will waste hours and days standing in lines.

If you want to make the most of your time in London, consider skip-the-line tickets and priority passes at the most popular attractions.

Yes, they are expensive but think of it this way. What’s the point of paying all that money to travel to London to then spend all your time queuing instead of sightseeing…

The London Pass

One of the best ways to see a lot of the major attractions in London with a priority entrance is The London Pass . For example, it includes FREE entrance to places like The Tower of London, The View from the Shard, Westminster Abbey, London Bridge, or London Zoo and experiences like the Thames River Cruise or Hop-on Hop-off bus tour (to mention just a few)…

However, it only makes sense to get the pass if you visit at least 2-3 of the included attractions per day, so you need to decide if it’s worth it for you.

If you are planning to visit a lot of major attractions in a very short time, then the London Pass is definitely worth it. But plan well and make sure you get the most out of your pass during its validity period.

TIP: If you are staying in London longer, buying a pass for multiple days is more beneficial than just getting a pass for one day. Note that there are several different choices of passes in London ( The London Pass , London Explorer Pass ). Our research shows that the London Pass is one of the best options.

Fast Track, Skip the Line & Timed-Entry Tickets

The London Pass includes free entrance to 60 top attractions in London, but some of the most popular attractions like the London Eye are not included in this pass. Furthermore, many popular attractions now work with timed entry slots.

So for the most popular attractions, it’s best to book fast-track or timed-entry tickets well in advance.

We visited London with our three kids and used fast-track tickets wherever we could. I can’t imagine how different our experience would have been if we had to wait in line everywhere. We could have never seen half as much in the time that we had, not to mention our sanity, standing in line for hours with young children…

For example, you can buy fast-track tickets for the London Eye , Madame Tussauds , and some others. You can get timed-entry tickets for the Tower of London , The Shard , and many others.

A fast-track ticket to the most popular attractions like the London Eye or even Madame Tussauds can easily save you a couple of hours! The queues here can be 2-3 hours long, so believe me, a fast-track ticket is a real lifesaver . As a minimum, get a standard timed-entry ticket online before you go.

TIP: The London Eye also has several different prices depending on when you book and when you visit. For example, the early morning, late evening, or weekday tickets are usually a bit cheaper. Nowadays, they have an online offer with over 50% discount for 2-3 PM tickets . You can also save up to 20% off the regular price if booking tickets online and at least 24 hours in advance! You can find all the best ticket options for The London Eye on the official website .

6. Visit London’s FREE Attractions

Here are some places and activities that you should definitely add to your London travel list:

Free Museums in London

Visiting London is not cheap, but there are so many great things to see and do completely for free. Here are just a few London museums that can be visited free of charge : British Museum, Natural History Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, Museum of London and many more.

London’s Parks and Gardens

London has many gardens, parks and playgrounds that are free to visit. It is also a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

London Views

While some places require a ticket, there are lots of great views in London that don’t cost anything at all. For more information, please see our guide to the best views of London .

London’s Shops

Don’t get me wrong – shopping in London isn’t cheap by any means. But visiting the shops is of course absolutely free and can be an attraction in itself. Don’t miss Harrods and Oxford Street ! Kids will love  Hamleys (the world’s largest and oldest toy store), the LEGO store , and the  M&M store .

TIP: Try to avoid shopping streets and big department stores on the weekends and just before Christmas.

London Markets

London has lots of wonderful markets, scattered all around the city. With quirky, unique shops and food stalls that will leave you mouthwatering, it will likely be hard to resist buying something. But you can spend hours and days wandering around London’s markets without spending anything…

TIP: Some of our favorite markets include Camden Market , Greenwich Market , Spitalfields Market, and Borough Market (this is where some of the best food tours in London come too).

Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard is one of the free things to do in London that are not to be missed. The ceremony is free to watch and takes place at Buckingham Palace at 10.45 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays (weather permitting).  It’s very popular among tourists, so make sure to arrive early in order to secure a spot with a good view.

For the exact location and up-to-date schedule, please consult the website of the Household Division .

READ ALSO: Top FREE Sights & Things to Do in London with Kids (many suggestions will also be interesting for adults)

7. Use Credit Cards (or Smartphone)

These days, you hardly ever need cash for payments in the UK. Pretty much every place accepts credit cards and most places now also accept payments directly via your smartphone. You may want to get some cash for small purchases, but it’s so much easier to just use your credit card or smartphone.

You can use all major credit cards in London, but VISA and Mastercard are by far the most accepted cards. Amex is not widely used in Europe and Diner’s Club is pretty much useless. Debit cards (or cash-only cards) are also accepted pretty much everywhere.

One thing you should know is that if you use a card, often, you need one with a chip and a 4-digit PIN. Make sure that you know your PIN number by heart! You’ll need a credit card with a PIN for most payments all over Europe. Some places might still accept a card with your signature, but often, they don’t even know that they can or how to approach it because nobody in Europe uses that system anymore.

Good to know: When using an ATM or paying for purchases, you’ll be asked to choose currency – either local currency (UK pound sterling) or your own currency (US dollar if you’re traveling from the US, or Euro if you’re from Europe). Always choose to pay in local currency (UK pound sterling) and let your own bank do the currency transaction, or you risk losing a lot of money. A lot.

TIP:  If you don’t have the right credit card with a chip and a 4-digit pin, check out this selection of  the best American credit cards for travel . I recommend choosing  a card with no foreign transaction fees .

8. Use Public Transport & Use a Contactless Credit Card or Oyster Card

London is a big city and visiting everything on foot just isn’t feasible. The good news is that London’s public transport system is very efficient.

One of the best and quickest ways to get around in London is metro, aka the London tube . The biggest advantage of the tube is that you can quickly get to the other side of London without having to waste your time in the traffic. Here’s a tip for you I once got from a local. Avoid the tube during rush hour and during Christmas.

However, while traveling underground, you don’t see anything of the city, so for shorter distances, I recommend taking one of the city’s buses. Riding these original red double-decker buses is a typical London experience you should try at least once.

TIP:  Get the Oyster card . It’s a sort of electronic ticket that can be used for all public transport in Greater London and is much cheaper than paying for single-ride tickets. You can find more information about the Oyster Card here .

Alternatively, just use your contactless credit card . You can scan it when entering the metro, then scan it again when you leave. It works the same way as the Oyster card and if you use public transport several times a day, the maximum amount you spend will be capped at a daily ticket rate.

Note that children often travel free of charge (more information here ). However, for older kids where kids’ tariff is applicable, you better get a ticket. Using your credit card for the kids as well would mean that you’re paying adult rates for them. On top of that, you need one card per person anyway.

TIP: Since the recent Uber ban in London, a traditional London cab is the best option if you have lots of luggage. You really don’t want to take the tube with young kids and big suitcases, take my word for it. We took a cab twice in London and it was much more affordable than we expected. Furthermore, riding a traditional English cab is part of the experience of visiting London for the first time.

9. Walk or Rent a Bike

I know that I just told you that seeing London on foot isn’t feasible. However, you’d be missing a great deal if you take a tube or a bus every time. After all, one of the best ways to see a new city is to explore it on foot . London is no exception.

Another great way to see London and easily cover bigger distances is by bike . There are lots of self-service city bike stands where you can rent a bike, or you can join a guided bike tour.

If you are visiting London for the first time and don’t know the city well, renting a bike without a guide is maybe not the best idea, unless in the parks. London traffic is really busy, it comes (for most of us) from a different side than what we are used to, and if you also need to read the map, it can get quite dangerous.

TIP: If you want to explore London by bike, book a tour with a local guide. There are several great options, e.g. this half-day bike tour that covers the main highlights of London , or this bike tour that brings you to the less-known places of London .

10. Use Hop-on Hop-off Buses and River Cruises

There are so many ways to see London! For the complete experience, I recommend you try as many different means of transport as you can during your London trip.

Hop-on hop-off buses are extremely popular and are a great way to see the city and major attractions.

One of my favorite ways to see any city is by taking a boat where possible. There are so many boat trip options in London, so you really have no excuse not to see London from the Thames. One of the most popular options is hop-on hop-off boat on River Thames . It allows you to see many attractions close to the river in an easy way.

TIP: Hop-on Hop-off bus tickets usually include one FREE Thames River cruise ride and a FREE walking tour.

11. Get off the Beaten Path

It’s understandable that you want to see the main landmarks when traveling to London for the first time. However, London is so much more than Big Ben or Buckingham Palace!

There are so many quirky neighborhoods, local markets, lesser-known museums, and beautiful gardens in London.

Visiting a few less known places like this will just make your first trip to London even more special and memorable.

TIP: Here you can find some great ideas for different things to do, the hidden gems of London . And here you can find some nice ideas for the best views and viewpoints in London .

READ ALSO: Camden Town – one of the coolest neighborhoods in London

12. Eat Like the British

London is an expensive city and dining out can be a pricey experience. Furthermore, restaurants located close to tourist attractions don’t always serve the best food, so researching restaurants in advance can be a good idea.

Here are some insider tips on where to find the best food in London and save money :

• Try traditional Fish&Chips where locals eat (e.g. Poppies Fish&Chips or The Golden Chippy).
• Local supermarkets offer lots of affordable options for sandwiches or salads – perfect for a picnic in the park.
• Borough Market is the best food market in London, but there are also so many other smaller markets and food stalls.
• Ottolenghi deli sells delicious packed lunches.
• Harrods food hall is not to be missed.
• Lots of fine restaurants cost a fraction of the price if you go there for lunch rather than dinner.
• Traditional afternoon tea experience is a must in London and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We had  afternoon tea with kids at St. Ermin’s and loved it! Nowadays, there are many easily accessible and very affordable high tea experiences all over London (see here for some of the best options ).

READ ALSO: British Food to Try in the UK

13. Take a Day Trip Outside of the City

While London has so much to offer, there are also so many nice places to visit outside the city as well! From the most popular destinations like Windsor Castle and bucket-list places like Stonehenge to the English countryside and charming villages of the Cotswolds , but also some of the UK’s best towns and cities such as Bath, Oxford, or Cambridge – there are so many amazing possibilities near London.

So if you can, plan a longer stay in London and take at least a few day trips to explore more of England. This will make your trip so much more special!

TIP: If you are short on time, we recommend that you take organized tours that cover some of the nicest places in one day. That way you can see a lot in just a few days – much more than you’d ever be able to do on your own. And yes, it’s not exactly exploring deeper, but if this is your first time in the UK, it’s better than nothing.

Here are some of the best day tours from London that we recommend for first-time visitors:

• Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath .
• Oxford, Stratford & the Cotswolds .
• Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio with Transfer .
• Liverpool and The Beatles (a very long day, but well worth it for The Beatles fans). See also our guide on how to visit Liverpool from London .

READ ALSO: Best Day Trips and One Day Tours from London

14. Don’t Forget The Little Important Details

Here are some more practical tips to consider when traveling to London for the first time:

• You can pay by credit card pretty much everywhere, but it’s always useful to have some cash as well. And no, you can’t pay in Euro or US Dollars in London, you really need to get Pound sterling from an ATM.
• You are not expected to tip in the UK and service charge is often included in your restaurant bill. In most London restaurants, you’ll get charged 10-15% in addition to your bill. Locals say they don’t typically tip at the bar, but would usually leave a 10% tip at a restaurant if the service was good and not yet included in the bill.
• Don’t forget your travel adapter . UK uses Type G plugs, which are very different from other European countries, or the US.
• You’ll be walking a lot, so wear comfortable shoes . Nowadays, Europeans wear sneakers in the cities too, and London is no exception. However, we tend to wear more fashionable sneakers (something like this ), not the ones you wear when playing tennis… However, some places in London still throw upon (and some doormen give you ‘the look’ or even refuse entry) if your clothing and/or footwear looks too casual…
• Look right(!) when crossing a street in London. Yes, right, because they do drive on the other side of the road in Britain. If this is your first trip to the UK, it might take some getting used to. So be careful!
• You may want to consider buying a local SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi to save on roaming charges.
• Pack an umbrella or a good rain jacket. It rains a lot in London, especially in the colder season. Although, as climate changes, the weather has gotten significantly drier here too. So check the weather forecast before your trip. Wearing layers is always the best way to go!

So, these are some of the most important practical tips you should know when traveling to London for the first time.

Do you have any questions or maybe want to share your experience and tips from visiting London? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

READ ALSO: Best Secret Places of London That Most Tourists Never See

London Travel FAQ

The best time to travel to London is in the warm season between March and October. Summer is the peak season with big crowds. For mild weather and fewer people, come in spring or in the fall. The very best months to visit London are April-May and September-beginning of October.

London is huge and there’s no way to see everything in one trip. If you are visiting for the first time, we recommend spending at least 3-4 days in London. This will allow you to see the main landmarks and visit a few tourist attractions. If you also plan to take day trips and see some of the UK from London, then plan to stay for at least a week.

The best way to explore London is by focusing on one area at a time and walking between the main attractions that are located next to each other. For bigger distances, use the London subway, hop-on hop-off buses, or river cruises.

If you are visiting London for the first time and want to see all the main landmarks and attractions, we recommend staying in Central London. The areas around Big Ben – London Eye have the prime location for sightseeing. Staying here will save you lots of time for commute and will allow you to make the most of your trip.

London is one of the best cities in the entire world and definitely worth visiting! With famous landmarks, royal history and traditions, fun tourist attractions, world-class museums, theaters, and a unique cultural mix, London has something to offer for any type of traveler. It’s a bucket list destination that everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime!

More inspiration for your trip to the UK:

• Best Things to Do in London
• 1 Day in London
• 2 Days in London
• Things to Do in Greenwich
• Best Things to Do in Liverpool
• Best Things to Do in Manchester
• Yorkshire Day Trips
• Best Places to Visit in Cornwall
• London with Kids
• Isle of Skye Itinerary
• Scotland Whisky Tour
• Top Things to Do in Blackpool
• Tips for Visiting Blackpool
• Best Things to Do in Edinburgh
• One Day in Glasgow

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends who are planning their first trip to London. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Travel tips for other major cities in Europe:

• Amsterdam Travel Tips
• Barcelona Travel Tips
• Paris Travel Tips
• Rome Travel Tips
• Read also our step-by-step guide with planning info and tips for traveling to Europe .

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Monday 18th of March 2024

Hello - your article has been very helpful - I do have a few specific questions with regard to the 'skip the line' or 'fast track' tickets - I am not clear on where to buy those? Do I buy from the individual attractions like St. Paul's, Tower of London or some other way? And when it says to book well in advance using one of the apps such as the London Pass - is that days in advance or weeks in advance? (we will be there in late August, just 2 adults). Does the London Pass include/automatically give you Priority entrance? Thank you so much!!

@Jurga, Thank you! This is indeed super helpful - I appreciate all the tips!

Hi Tracy, 'fast track' or 'skip the line' might mean different things depending on attraction. It's usually indicated when you book tickets. Nowadays, many of the most popular attractions also work with timed-entry tickets, so you book a specific time slot and the wait is limited. A few examples: * the London Eye tickets. You can choose standard, or fast-track tickets, and many other options like multi-attraction tickets, etc. In most cases (unless you opt for flex tickets), you have to choose a time slot. However, even with the reserved time slot, the fast-track ticket will give you a much faster entry (skipping most lines) than the standard ticket where you'll have a much longer queue with everyone who reserved those tickets for the same time. * The Tower of London tickets - here, you book a specific time slot. It's not completely skip-the-line, but the line will be limited to only those people who reserved the same time slot. * Madame Tussauds - you can choose between standard and fast-track tickets. * St Paul's Cathedral tickets are now valid on the specific date, not time, and it shouldn't be too busy. Entrance to the Golden Gallery might be limited if it's very busy, but it's not something you can reserve in advance.

If you buy any multi-attraction pass, then you will usually receive instructions from them and they will advise you for which attractions it's best to reserve time slots separately. Each place has different ways how they work, but e.g. if you get this London Pass, you will find all the instructions for each of the attractions. The majority of less popular places will be simple to enter just like that, but for the most popular ones, you will need to make a reservation. It's a bit more complicated that way, but you might save quite some money depending on which pass you get, for how long, and which places you choose to visit. Let's just say that if money isn't an issue, it's usually simpler to get the tickets for the most popular attractions separately, with reserved time slots, and potentially fast-track/skip-the-line access where available.

As for how long in advance to book - as soon as you know your travel dates and/or when tickets become available. The earlier you book, the more options you will have and time slots to choose from. That said, some places only open their booking system a month or two/three in advance. But there are also others that get completely sold out half a year in advance. August is a peak season, so I'd book everything that you absolutely want to do asap. If you use GetYourGuide and other websites which we personally use and recommend for most tickets and tours, you will see that they offer a free cancelation option for most of the attractions for up to 24 hours before the visit, so you have nothing to lose. All this information is available for each ticket/tour separately, and you can see it all before you book.

Alternatively, book guided tours for the most popular places. Most of them have skip-the-line access and some even offer something unique. For example, we are visiting London again soon, and this time we reserved this early-access tour to the Tower of London. The same company also has this amazing after-hours tour.

Hope this helps a bit. I know how overwhelming it can be, but nowadays not making advance bookings often means that you will not be able to visit the most popular places at all. It's not just London or Europe, but pretty much any big city in the world. In the USA, you even have to make reservations for many national parks and similar... So if you want to have a truly fun and relaxing trip, you have to do your homework. Have a great trip!

Wednesday 21st of February 2024

My name is Wendy! I am planning to visit London soon .I very enjoyed your article. It was really helpful .thanks a lot

Friday 23rd of February 2024

Glad to help, Wendy. Enjoy London!

Sunday 26th of November 2023

I really enjoyed your article and it was VERY informative. It helped me decide not only what to do, but what not to do. I have 2 teenagers. I was wondering if the Harry Potter studio is considered a "must-do" or is it a tourist trap or falls somewhere in between. It seems like all-tolled it will take about 7-8 hours, and that is a lot of time spent out of the city for 1 place. We will have 5 1/2 days in London and already planning 2 full-day excursions, so will have 3 1/2 days. Thank you in advance for your help!

Monday 27th of November 2023

Hi Brian, I know exactly how you feel. We ourselves are going to London soon with our three teenagers, for just 3 days, and we're also considering Harry Potter Studios on one of those days. It is a long day, indeed, and not cheap either. But from everything I read and heard, it's extremely well done and everyone I know who visited with teens was very enthusiastic about it. We recently visited Harry Potter studios in LA and the whole family found it amazing. From what I understand, the ones in London are much bigger and even more impressive. But we have a couple Harry Potter fans in the family AND we have been to London many times before, so we are less worried about 'missing' something else out. We are actually going for the more special experiences this time (ABBA Voyage, Tina Musical, maybe one of the Walks' exclusive tours, street art, markets, etc.) rather than traditional sightseeing. I guess it all comes down to your family's interests and which alternatives you consider instead. But remember that most of the places you'll visit will likely be less interesting to your kids than to you, so sometimes you have to balance things out to make sure the trip has something for the whole family. I know from experience that there are only that many churches and museums that our kids can handle... ;) So I'm afraid I can't help you much, and you'll have to ask your kids and decide together with them. Maybe make two alternative plans for a day, present it to the kids, and let them choose which one they prefer. If you decide to go, the research I just did for our own trip shows that - at the moment - this transfer + Harry Potter Studios entrance ticket is the cheapest option (about 50£ savings for a family of 4 vs other providers). Have a great time in London!

Thursday 12th of October 2023

My name is Albert, I was very impressed after reading your article and I also got a lot of useful information. Thank you.

Glad to help, Albert. Have a great time in London!

Sunday 6th of August 2023

Wow !!Planning to visit London along with out of city October, Thank you for helping me find thé information I needed ,it’s so helpful and informative! looking forward to hear you more 💙

Glad to help, Diki. Enjoy London!

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My Memories and Trip to London

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Here I am sitting on the plane to London for the third time. I know, three is an awful lot of times considering how expensive tickets are nowadays. It’s just I haven’t been able to decide whether or not I am ready to leave everything behind. Everything , as in my cute apartment, my adorable cat, and best of all my friends, the same friends who met me the first day of kindergarten; The same friends who helped me through thick and thin, from tying my shoes to making new friends, to applying to colleges, and so much more, I can’t even tell you all the things they’ve done for me because there are so many I can not list them all.

When I think of them it makes it harder to leave, but it’s time that I go. My dream, ever since I was little, was to be the best singer there ever was. Growing up, I used to write my own songs. That was when my mom was alive. She loved to hear me sing. She loved the music, and lyrics I wrote. I went to college for music, got my Bachelors of Music’s Degree, I learned about theory, aural skills, piano skills, acting and received private lessons.

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During the sophomore year of college I was introduced to a producer, from there things vaulted upward. I started singing at places in Boston, Toronto, Montreal and places all over the United States, I had sung everywhere, but I had never left the country. The first time I was supposed to leave was to sing for the soccer game in France. To sing their National anthem, but that year my mother had died. I never got on the plane. The second time I was recruited to sing was a couple of months later.

At that time one of my close childhood friends was getting married there was no way I was missing that. Now finally, I’ve decided to go to London, this time I’m not going to miss an opportunity. This time I’m prepared, ready for anything that heads my way. I’m looking forward to this trip to London, there’s no turning back. The only thing I’m taking with me are my memories. The memories of all the good things in my life, and just as I begin to think of all the good things, the plane lands and I arrive in London.

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My trip to london.

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            This paper's purpose is to tell you everything about London. So FIRST we get on the plane, and that is an expierence in itself for me. As we take off, in the dark, i see the lights of philidelphia turning sideways as we take off and max at 600 mph. The plane ride was fun, and we arrive in heathrow London at 7 am. the time difference is 5 hrs. so its really 2 Am in america and i havnt slept a bit. Now i go the whole day without sleeping, and am very tired. so anyways, we go through customs and the airport and get on the tube to take us to russle square, where our hotel is. The tube is the equilivant of the underground subway in NY, but its much cleaner and more organized in London. So we ride that for an hour to get to russle square. So we get off, with all of our luggage, and proceed to go to our hotel room. The hotel is huge, its got three buildings and a little square in the middle. So were all dead tired, and must go on the whole day sightseeing and all without sleep. so we go to pret a manger and eat sandwitches that are like really really good, and then go to see big ben and the houses of parliment. We also went to west minster abbey, the salvidor dali exhibit, and after all that we went to the spagetti house for dinner. i fell asleep after eating ebcause i was tired so when we got back to the hotel i went right to sleep. so now is day number 2. we woke up, went down to eat breakfast, and then I went to oxford street. It has stores, resatraunts, people, everything, its the buisiest street in London, and is awesmoe to walk down. Then we went to a mcdonalds, with a ground foor an upstairs and a basement. ground is where u ordered ur food, upstairs is where there is a big screen tv booths couches internet and videogames, and downstairs is family dining and coed bathrooms. Yes, Mcdonalds. We then took the tube to covet gardens, which is a market with tons of things to eat and buy and little shops to go into.

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I have a painful condition known as the ‘suicide disease.’ This is how I got my life back

Jackie Galgey, 45, is a media professional, children's book author and mom of two. After learning she had trigeminal neuralgia and undergoing two brain surgeries, she's also now an advocate for the rare and chronic facial pain disorder. Galgey shared her story with TODAY.com to raise awareness of the painful condition and how she was able to take her own life back after years of chronic pain.

On a weeklong business trip to Japan in fall 2019, I felt a shock of pain in my face, as if someone was stabbing me. The moments were fleeting — as quickly as they started, they stopped. At first, I wondered if a long flight from New York City to Tokyo contributed to the sensation. But as my time in Japan continued, the bouts of pain increased in frequency and I began wondering if I was experiencing seizures or a more serious health issue. Even though I worried about the 13-hour-long return flight, I was hesitant to seek medical care so far from home. Amazingly, my flight was pain-free.

Still, I knew I needed to see a doctor, and the day after returning home, I went to an emergency room. I explained I was having shocking pains on the right side of my face, and they did a CT scan that did not show anything wrong. Doctors thought perhaps I was having trouble with my teeth because a dental issue could cause pain around the eyes, nose and mouth. Even though my teeth weren’t bothering me, I followed up with my dentist anyway.

At that examination, my dentist noticed that my teeth weren’t causing troubles. But she had an idea of what could be amiss. She asked if I had ever heard of trigeminal neuralgia, and recommended I see a neurologist. I had never heard of it, but she explained that it causes sharp pains in the face , usually on one side, that can occur intermittently or constantly.

For a few weeks, I suffered in agony as I waited for my neurologist appointment. While the pain started off infrequently and felt like a sharp jab, much like receiving an allergy shot, over the weeks it progressed and severe pain was almost constant.  

The neurologist believed I had trigeminal neuralgia and suggested I have an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. He noted that a CT scan cannot image nerves and blood vessels, which is likely why I wasn’t given a diagnosis at the emergency room. The trigeminal nerve goes from the brain to the face and branches out into three locations (hence the tri in the name). One branch runs along the scalp, providing sensation there. The second branch provides feeling to the cheek, jaw, top lip, upper teeth and gums, while the third branch provides sensitivity to the lower jaw, teeth and gums.

When a blood vessel compresses the trigeminal nerve, it causes trigeminal neuralgia. My MRI showed that a blood vessel wrapped around the nerves in my brain. While doctors theorized that maybe dental work caused it, we’ll likely never know for certain why I suddenly developed the condition. Doctors first tried treating me with anti-seizure medication. For about six months, I lived a mostly pain-free life. If pain broke through, doctors upped the dose of my medicine to quell the pain. But that came with other problems: the medication had some serious side effects, such as intense brain fog , balance troubles and speech issues. When I was on a low dose, the side effects didn’t impact me too much. But as doctors had to increase the dosage, the side effects worsened and I developed a stutter.

When the pain broke through, it felt like an electric shock — or like someone was actually stabbing me in the face. Sometimes I’d call it a “stab and go,” when the pain was fleeting. Other times, it felt as if someone was thrusting a knife in my face, pulling it out and doing it again and again. If I ate or laughed, that would trigger the pain, making me shy away from social situations that could cause a flare. It felt overwhelming when the medicine became less effective, and the neurologist would have to up the dose or add another medication.

As time passed, the medication alone was no longer enough. The doctor added in another medication that caused serious balance issues. I couldn’t even walk in a straight line, and it dramatically slowed my reflexes. I worried about driving my children, who were 4 and 2 at the time.

After more than a year of pain with little relief, I spoke with a neurosurgeon about surgery. Doctors would open my skull and place a small divider between the blood vessel and the nerve to stop the compression. If successful, I would return to a pain-free life. Even though I knew the recovery would take a long time and be difficult with a career and family, I felt like I needed to try it because I couldn’t really function anymore.

Ahead of the surgery, I felt really isolated. Few people have heard of my condition, and I didn’t know anyone in real life who had it. I found others with the same condition on Reddit and many of them experienced such intense pain they considered suicide. In fact, I learned that people with trigeminal neuralgia have nicknamed the condition “the suicide disease" because of how often they experience suicidal ideation . Luckily, I had a strong support system and never contemplated that myself.

When I woke from surgery, I still felt shocks of pain in my face, but they subsided after about a week. My doctor decided that I should be weaned off the anti-seizure medications at this point. When I did that, the jolts of pain returned. The surgery hadn’t worked. The surgeon believed I had so much nerve damage and this was how I was always going to be and prescribed me medications again.

I felt hopeless. I began withdrawing from loved ones because my stutter became so pronounced and I never knew when the pain would incapacitate me. When a flare began, tears would run down my cheeks, and I'd hunch over or try to hide my face. If someone tried talking to me at school drop-off or pickup, for example, I’d wave and run in the other direction. I simply did not know how to manage the pain and be myself. Prior to this was I bubbly and outgoing, but trigeminal neuralgia changed me.

In November 2022 I was laid off from work. I had been preparing for a sabbatical so I could rest and recover when the layoffs occurred. But the stress from losing my job increased the number of pain attacks I experienced. I was on the maximum dose of medications, yet I still felt no relief.  

I visited another neurosurgeon who conducted another MRI on me and discovered something shocking: There was a second compression on my trigeminal nerve. Somehow it had been missed the first time I had scans and surgery. After much thought, I decided to have surgery again. This time I understood what the procedure and recovery were like. 

I grappled with the decision. Was a second brain surgery the best thing to do? Could I live with this pain? Could I be a shell of my former self? I’d cry at night thinking of how I’d never be the joyful, fun person I once was. That’s how I knew I needed to try again.

Still, I grappled with the decision. Was a second brain surgery the best thing to do? Could I live with this pain? Could I be a shell of my former self? I’d cry at night thinking of how I’d never be the joyful, fun person I once was. That’s how I knew I needed to try again. 

In January 2023, I had the second surgery. When I woke, I was completely pain-free. I experienced some numbness near my mouth and eyebrow. The latter has gone away but I still feel like I had a shot of Novocain in my bottom lip. I did have a complication where I developed a staph infection from the incision site and needed to be hospitalized to treat it, which was scary. But I've recovered.

When I was weaned off the drugs again, the pain didn’t return — but my personality did. I could think clearly again. I was able to start running again, enjoy mothering my two children, being a wife and engaging in social activities again. This summer, I'm even going to compete on an Olympics-themed episode of the NBC game show, “Password.”

I still have trigeminal neuralgia because symptoms can lay dormant for some time before returning. But I consider myself to be in remission — and I hope I'll stay in it forever.

I was 40 when I received my diagnosis, which is young to develop trigeminal neuralgia. Onset normally occurs at 50, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons . It’s a challenging condition for people to have and I hope that my story and recovery provides people with trigeminal neuralgia some comfort, and I also encourage them to advocate for themselves. Recovery is possible.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Jackie Galgey is a media professional, children's book author and advocate for people with trigeminal neuralgia. Meghan Holohan is a health reporter for TODAY. 

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Election essentials

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• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

We'll be back from 6am with all the latest from the election campaign.

We're in the last few days of the race for Number 10 - and parties from across the House of Commons are accelerating their efforts.

Join us in the morning for more live updates.

Reducing knife crime will be a "moral mission" for Labour if it wins the election on 4 July, Sir Keir Starmer will say on Tuesday.

The party leader will outline his plan to halve knife crime over the next 10 years, including creating a new cross-government "coalition" to work on solutions - bringing in families of victims and survivors of knife crime, along with tech companies and relevant organisations. 

Sir Keir will also promise to chair an annual knife crime summit to "track progress" on the target, and appeal to all parties to work together on the issue. 

"Knife crime is an issue above and beyond party politics," he will say. "For the parents grieving sons and daughters who never came home, action to end this scourge cannot wait.

"Far too often we hear the same stories from grieving families who have been subject to these brutal murders carried out by children. 

"It is our duty as political leaders of all stripes to work together to end knife crime and keep our young people safe."

Figures from Labour showed knife-related offences had risen by 81% since 2015 across England and Wales. 

The party's pledges for after the election include increasing the penalties for carrying a knife - including custody in the most serious cases, as well as extending the list of banned knives. 

Its 10pm - here's your late night general election bulletin.

We're into the last full week of the election campaign, with just 10 days left until polling day - and things are heating up.

Here's a run down of everything you may have missed:

• Rishi Sunak  today said he is not being investigated by the Gambling Commission over the betting scandal;
• He confirmed the Conservative Party is carrying out its own investigation - and will pass its findings on to the Gambling Commission ;
• The prime minister later took part in an election Q&A with The Sun, in which he insisted he only took the top job "as the result of a mistake" made by Liz Truss ;
• He also failed to confirm whether he called a summer election to avoid potential legal trouble over Rwanda flights taking off in July;
• Meanwhile, economists have lambasted a "conspiracy of silence" from the main parties over their tax and spending plans - read more below:
• Over to Labour, which has offered to meet Harry Potter author JK Rowling to provide her with "assurances" over the protection of women-only spaces; 
• Sir Keir Starmer also took part in the election Q&A, and he admitted that he "understands" why people are confused by his shift in stance on Jeremy Corbyn;
• And Lord Richard Dannatt, the former head of the army, has said Nigel Farage is "not worth listening to about anything" - particularly relating to the war in Ukraine;
• The Reform leader said last week the West had contributed to the invasion of Ukraine;
• He has launched a blistering attack aimed at his one-time ally Boris Johnson - highlighting a front page showing Mr Johnson holding a similar stance on Russia back in 2016.

A flurry of general elections since 2015 has brought an unprecedented churn in our parliamentary representatives.

This year, two in five MPs aren't seeking re-election and the picture for the Conservatives is record-breakingly grim.

An unparalleled total of 23% of Conservative MPs are calling it a day in 2024, more than the previous high of 22% of Tories who quit in 1997, another year of boundary changes.

In contrast, only 15% of Labour MPs are resigning.

There are many reasons MPs quit: from retirement, family commitments and health concerns to career change, abolished constituencies, and the prospect of defeat.

But their decision to depart can reveal much about life in Westminster and have a significant impact on parliament's mix of experience, demographics, and the direction of political parties.

Dr Sofia Collignon, associate professor in Comparative Politics, analyses the churn in our representatives here:

Wales is a Labour heartland, but it's clearly in the sights of other parties during this election campaign.

Reform UK even launched its manifesto in a town in the south of the country, Merthyr Tydfil.

Although Wales has its own parliament and makes most of its own decisions, they still elect MPs who stand in Westminster.

Sky's Wales reporter Tomos Evans explains how the cost of living, steel industry and nuclear energy will be key issues for voters.

By David Blevins , senior Ireland correspondent

Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have condemned the Conservative Party for the impact of Brexit on the region.

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill told Sky News the current government had "played fast and loose" with the Good Friday Agreement.

Emma Little-Pengelly, of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said Northern Ireland was the victim of the Tories having "botched Brexit".

Doug Beattie, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader, accused the "chaotic" Tory government of "destroying the cohesion of the United Kingdom".

Tactical voting is a talking point at every election - but it could play a particularly big role this time round.

The polls suggest huge public discontent with the Tories, but there are many seats where Labour - widely projected to form the next government - are not the main challengers.

It's contests like these where the Lib Dems, Reform UK, and the Greens might hope to make gains.

Below, Sky's political correspondent  Serena Barker-Singh explains what tactical voting is when it comes to an election and how it could impact parliament's makeup come 5 July.

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

It shows a drop in support in recent days for Labour and the Tories - with a jump for Reform and the Liberal Democrats.

Read more about the tracker here .

Tonight on Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge , both our Tory and Labour guests faced questions over a report suggesting neither party are being honest with voters about their tax and spending plans.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies launched its report on their election manifestos this morning, warning public services will have to be cut over the next parliament, unless government debt or taxes rise further.

Labour and the Tories have both ruled out tax rises on working people, but also downplayed the risk of cuts to key public services.

So, are they being honest? Our business correspondent Paul Kelso takes a closer look at the numbers...

That concludes our coverage of tonight's Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge  - the show will return tomorrow at 7pm. Stick with us here for more updates and analysis throughout the evening.

Five years ago it was indisputably the Brexit election, but this time round it's become something of an elephant in the room.

But in Northern Ireland, none of the party leaders are shy of talking about the impact of Britain leaving the EU.

Our  senior Ireland correspondent  David Blevins   has spoken to them all about the legacy of the 2016 referendum - and how a new government at Westminster might change things.

As David notes, to "get Brexit done" the Tory government put a trade border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and Great Britain - something that was once unthinkable.

Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein:

"I think there's an opportunity now with what potentially looks like a Labour government coming into play to reverse the damage of Brexit. 

"And actually, I would hope we get to the point where actually we reverse the Brexit decision altogether. 

"That may not be where Labour are headed, but I think there is an opportunity to reset relationships, critically between London and Dublin, because those have been very much fractured."

Emma Little-Pengelly, DUP: 

"The Conservative Party and the UK government botched Brexit and Northern Ireland was the victim of that. 

"We called out the Conservative Party on this at every single stage. 

"We had to fight incredibly hard to try to undo the damage made by the decisions made by the Conservative Party in government. 

"But of course it was us fighting for that, while others were agitating and pushing for rigorous implementation of that really bad deal."

Naomi Long, Alliance: 

"What we need to do looking forward is say... how do we make the benefits of the Windsor Framework work in our advantage? 

"We have a unique position in Northern Ireland in terms of trade: we can trade freely into GB, we can trade freely with the Irish Republic, but more than that, we are a foot in the European Union."

Colum Eastwood, SDLP:

"Brexit has been a disaster for the whole of the UK, I would argue, economically and in many other ways, but we felt it much more keenly here because we share a border with the European Union.

"We had to do an awful lot of work to put things back together after the mess that was made by Brexit and Boris Johnson and the DUP. 

"From our perspective, there's no better outcome than actually being back in the European Union lock, stock, and barrel."

Doug Beattie, UUP:

"Brexit was a defining moment. 

"It absolutely undermined the cohesion of the United Kingdom, and I think we can see the out workings of that even today. 

"And whatever government gets in - and we all think it's going to be a Labour government - I think they're going to have to work on that cohesion as one of their main outputs."

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