How to Make the Most of Your London City Break
I've had a fair few city breaks to London over the last few years and so I thought I'd give a few pointers about how to make the most of your time there. As you know, it's actually quite a large place with lots of different things to do and see, but in order to enjoy the break and to see as much of the city as possible, you'll need to up your game in terms of transport, where you're going to eat, places you want to visit and landmarks you want to see.
Something I highly recommend is to spend far less time on the Underground or nipping into mainstream shops and highstreet chains and more time on open top buses and Boris Bikes or paying a visit to local, independent stores. So along with that, here are some other things you can do to make the most of your London city break this summer!
Splash out a little on your accommodation
London is home to some of the world's best and most luxurious hotels, so to complement your trip to England's capital city, look to spend a little more when it comes to your accommodation. Whether you're wanting to see a West End show or visit London's Hard Rock Cafe for the first time, you'll enjoy your break far more if you know you'll be heading back to comfortable, plush lodgings.
Having somewhere like that to stay will also help to ensure that you feel refreshed and ready to go out for another busy day in the city, regardless of what it is you're wanting to do. It also means that you have something to look forward to at the end of a jam-packed day - that's how I feel about it anyway :)
Eat at restaurants, cafes & coffee shops that are exclusive to London
There's no point going to London and opting to visit a chain restaurant or coffee shop. Forget McDonald's and Starbucks, do some research before hand and look for somewhere local and exclusive to eat and drink. Exclusive doesn't necessarily have to mean expensive, either, if you know where to look.
Covent Garden is home to The Punch & Judy - an old fashioned pub serving traditional, delicious grub that's reasonably priced. Although it's advertised as a Taylor Walker pub, it's a famous London landmark in its own right, simply due to its age, so even if you just fancy a pint, I'd nip in here to take the weight off.
Kaffeine is a great alternative to Pret A Manger, Starbucks, Cafe Nero and any other mainstream coffee shops out there. These are exclusive to London, with two stores open in the city due to high demand. They're reasonably priced and serve fresh goodies as well as perfectly roasted, tasty coffee of every variety. Whether you're looking to grab an espresso on the go or want to sit in-house with a smooth latte and watch the world go by, this coffee shop will have your every caffeine need sorted.
Find a hidden gem
This requires a fair bit of research before heading on your merry way to the capital, but it's entirely worth it when you actually find a hidden place of significance in London. From lush gardens and unusual statues to roof top swimming pools and basement bars, there's something in it for everyone.
All you have to do is know where to find them which, arguably, does take the fun out of the fact it's hidden and you haven't just stumbled across these gems, but it's still satisfying knowing that you've seen something not many tourists will actually have the time to find.
Book yourself onto a Thames river cruise
River cruises aren't for everyone, but if you're wanting to see the entirety of the embankment in a matter of minutes, then this is something worth investing in when you visit London. There are generally lots of different packages to choose from. Some cruises have food and drink provided and even offer afternoon tea.
Others might just provide drinks, some might not give you anything other than a tour guide, but you could really push the boat out - pardon the pun - and book yourself onto one of their karaoke nights. There's so much choice which also means there's something there for everyone to enjoy. You'll even be able to set sail at night, they're really that flexible!
Know where to shop
Whenever I go shopping in London, I don't usually set food on Oxford Street and other famous highstreets, mainly because they're so busy and adorn shops that I have in my own city. Instead, try the likes of Covent Garden and Greenwich for bustling markets, Seven Dials for sophisticated boutiques and Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post! Let me know what you normally get up to in London and feel free to add to this list using the comment section below. I will see you again very soon with a brand new blog post. Oh, and I hope you have a fantastic time in London, no matter what it is you're doing :)
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