10 Things You Need to Do When You Visit London
London is a fantastic place to visit. It has a lot to offer tourists no matter where you've come from. From free museums and a trip around the London Eye to local, quirky coffee shops and some hidden gems along the way, you'd be missing out if you went to London and didn't do at least one of the following things! Here are 10 things you need to do when you visit London - enjoy :)
1. Visit Buckingham Palace
Yes, you heard me right. At certain times of the year, they open up Buckingham Palace to members of the general public, when the King is not in residence there. It's totally worth a visit if you're particularly interested in the Royal Family or even the late Queen.
I've been myself and it's a wonderful experience. Take a look in throne room and then wander around the royal gardens. Afterwards, you can enjoy a cake and some coffee and exit through the gift shop on your way out - what a way to spend your time in London!
2. Gander around Covent Garden
Covent Garden has a lot to offer the avid, or first time, London tourist. With a whole host of stalls selling a wide range of goods, from artwork to T-Shirts, and a collection of wonderful eateries and street performers, you won't be stuck for things to do in and around Covent Garden. There's even a traditional-style toy shop and small bakery nearby that you could pop into and take a look at.
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3. Ride the London Eye
I know this might seem like the most cliche thing to do in the Capital, but it's totally worth your while. You'll be able to see lots of the sites of London from the window, including Buckingham Palace, which isn't actually that far away from the London Eye.
Not least you'll be able to say that you've had a ride on the London Eye and sat in one of those funky-looking pods. Trust me, they're actually far bigger than you think they are, with enough room for about 15/20 people to stand and take in their surroundings.
4. Try some local coffee shops
If you've ever been to London before, you'll know that there are loads, and I mean loads, of Pret A Mangers. They're on every single street corner. I thought New York was bad for Starbucks, but this seems to be on a whole other level. Don't bother going for the easy Pret options. Find a local coffee shop and give their beverages a try, even if you don't like coffee.
They'll have a number of drinks available, including tea and hot chocolate if you want something warm or fruit juices and smoothies if you need something thirst-quenching. Do your research before you go and try something different. Why go to London only to drink a coffee in a place you could have drunk it in at home? You wouldn't go to New York and have McDonalds for dinner, you'd find somewhere exclusive to that location - at least, that's what we did. I just find you get more out of the experience :)
5. Take a look at Downing Street
Visiting Downing Street isn't really something I'd suggest if you have children in tow, because they might not understand the significance of it, but it would be a good idea to bring them along more as an educational experience rather than an exciting, fun-packed thing to do in London.
If, however, you don't have kids, then crossing 10 Downing Street off your list of things to see in London is worthwhile. It also gives you an idea of surroundings, so when it pops up on the news, you know exactly what else is around there and where it is in London. As long as you can say you've seen 10 Downing Street, you're onto a winner, because it's just so famous.
6. Go to the London Transport Museum
Not many people have heard of this or even know where it is. It's located right in the corner of Covent Garden. As you look straight ahead at the Apple Market, it's in the top right-hand corner or the site. It's essentially a museum that houses all of London's old Tube trains and Route Masters (red London buses).
If this is your sort of thing, which it's definitely mine, then it's worth paying it a visit. There's also a gift shop that you can visit even if you haven't been inside the museum itself. I have a pair of socks from there in the design on the seat covers of an old Route Master - how cool is that?! So even if you don't go in, you'll be able to grab a souvenir or two.
7. Head into the Tower of London
I've been to the Tower of London twice; once when I was about 10 (so roughly 17/18 years ago now) and again in 2014, but we didn't actually go inside. That was the time they had the poppies out on display. But even so, just standing outside it and looking at the building itself is enough to feel satisfied that you've visited the Tower of London. But if you do go inside, you won't be disappointed by what you'll find in there. Aside from the Crown Jewels, there's a lot more to take a gander at and, much like the British Museum, you'll keep the children entertained for hours.
8. Look around the British Museum
The British Museum is absolutely full of things to see. It's so interesting and perfect for all ages. Whether you're a young family looking to entertain the kids or an older couple who are just looking for something to do in the city, The British Museum is perfect.
Not only are the exhibits impressive, but the building itself is stunning - a feat of engineering. It's also free to get in, so perfect for those who are looking to make the most of their London trip without breaking the bank financially.
9. Go for a walk
This might sound silly, but if you're a tourist in London, you'll see far more if you walk to places as opposed to using the underground or getting the bus. It's also free to do and you'll be able to do a lot more site-seeing on foot. Walking everywhere is beneficial, to a point, if you're only there for a day or two. But if you're really pushed for time or need to get somewhere ASAP, then hop on the Tube rather than the bus because that's an experience in itself if you've never done it before.
10. Ride the London Underground
I know it might seem boring or mundane, but if you've never been to London before, then riding the Tube is one of those things you absolutely have to do. I know it can be done elsewhere in the world, like Berlin and New York, but there's nothing quite like the traditional Victorian London Underground.
If you're going to ride any of them, maybe catch a ride on the Circle Line as this is one of the oldest lines within the network itself. Here, you're more likely to experience the Victorian tiles and station names. If you're looking to ride some older trains, then the Bakerloo Line would be your best bet. Even if you just get on and off at the next stop, it's totally worth a ride on the London Underground, if you go!
But it's also important to note that the Elizabeth Line opened last year and this line will feature some of the latest carriages with top-of-the-range, new tech that even includes an air filtration system in the Underground itself. So you've got the best of both worlds - the old and the new.
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London is a huge place and there's plenty to do in this amazing city. If you have anymore suggestions, then please feel free to leave them in the comments below for everyone to read. I'll see you again very soon with a brand new blog post :)
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