As we have looked longingly at London in James Bond movies and British mystery shows on television, we all have developed our own personal lists of places to see and things to do in the capital of England.
Home to The Beatles, the British monarchy, afternoon teas, and double-decker red buses, London has the landmarks that you remember from pop culture exposure and tremendous amounts of historical artefacts interspersed with its modern upgrades.
With a hefty collection of options and also fees that are associated with those choices, take heed of these London travel trips to make the most of this monumental city that gets spoken about all over the world.
1.) Storing Your Luggage in London
First things first, get your London trip started off right by setting up Victoria Station luggage storage to keep your hands free and your belongings secure. Victoria station, which is also called London Victoria, is a railway terminal that is situated in the center of London and is connected to the London Underground station in Victoria.
If Victoria Station is going to be getting used by you and your travel mates at various points in your trip, it makes perfect sense to store your precious valuables while you are walking around London during your days and nights.
2.) Bring Comfortable Shoes for London
Now that you have your luggage put away for safekeeping, you are going to want to hit the streets of London on foot, and that means you will need comfortable shoes.
There is plenty of public transportation that is available, and London is a walkable city that makes it possible to soak in the legendary sights and absorb the exciting sounds. Avoid the urge to go out in glamorous high heels or constricting dress shoes. Your feet will thank you for it later.
3.) London Landmarks
London and its prominent landmarks go hand-in-hand. Don’t come all the way over without getting a first-hand glance at Buckingham Palace, which the royal family calls home, along with these other well-known locations:
- Big Ben
- British Film Institute Southbank’s Mediatheque
- Houses of Parliament
- Hyde Park
- Palace of Westminster
- Shakespeare’s Globe
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- The Shard
- Tower Bridge
- Trafalgar Square
- Wembley Stadium
4.) While Driving in London
It doesn’t matter what the driving legislation is back in the city that you are coming from. If you are going to be behind the wheel of a vehicle in London or anywhere else in the United Kingdom, you must drive on the left side of the road. Even if you aren’t driving in London, you still must remember the rule of people driving on the left side in order to look in the correct direction when you are crossing the street.
5.) Eating Affordably in London
At some point, it is going to be time to eat, and more than once a day. If you are looking for affordable food options in London to keep your energy up while manoeuvring through this sizzling city, here is a wide variety of suggestions:
- Cafe Chula
- Caldera
- India Alley
- La Rueda
- Lost Boys Pizza
- Opera Tavern
- Pasta Remoli
- Salsa! Soho
6.) Using Gadgets in London
If you happen to be coming to London from North America, keep in mind that the power outlets in the walls of the United Kingdom aren’t going to match the plug shapes that you are accustomed to. The voltage is also quite high, surging through those UK outlets in comparison.
You need to pack a universal adapter to make sure you will be able to use your laptops and digital tablets, along with charging your cell phone. Check whether your gadgets will work properly with this British variation in voltage, and bring a voltage converter so that your hair dryer doesn’t die on you during your trip.
7.) Off-West End Theatre
When fans of more affordable live theatre are in New York City, they attend off-Broadway plays. But when in London, they are looking for off-West End theatres to experience, including The Donmar Warehouse, The National Theatre, The Old Vic, The Young Vic, The Bridge Theatre, and The Almeida.
8.) Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a still-active Anglican church that was founded by Benedictine monks in 960 AD and is acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in London. This is the place where all British monarchs have had their coronations since 1066 and is even the place where Prince William and Kate Middleton had their wedding in 2011.
Dozens of kings and queens have been buried in Westminster Abbey, including Mary Queen of Scots, Edward the Confessor, Richard II, and Elizabeth I.
While visiting Westminster Abbey, you can head over to
Poets’ Corner, where over 100 poets and writers are commemorated or buried, such as brilliant wizards of the written word like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and William Shakespeare.
Enjoy the vaulted ceilings, ancient murals, and statues that pay tribute to historic martyrs like Martin Luther King Jr. Also, as a place of worship, you can attend daily religious services at Westminster Abbey with morning prayer and holy communion.