When visiting London the sheer expanse and splendor of it can seem a little dahaunting. It can be difficult to know where to go and what to do, especially if you have just a few days; it can take you that long to figure out the Tube! However with some of the top rated London tour guides at hand and this quick travel guide to London we will sort you out!
Westminster
A good place to start is Westminster. As soon as you arise from the underground the sheer magnificence of the Houses of Parliament stand before you. With Big Ben looming over the River Thames and Parliament Square, you’ll be under no doubt you’ve arrived in London! You’re also a short walk away from 10 Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade where you will see British politics in action.
Charing Cross
It’s easy to walk over to Charing Cross from Westminster, but if you arrive on the train you’ll find yourself right amongst it in Trafalgar Square. Overlooked by the National Gallery, which backs on to the National Portrait Gallery; take in some culture among one of London’s most historical landmarks. From Trafalgar Square you can also take a walk up the Pall Mall, the impressive driveway leading up to Buckingham Palace. Along here you could also stop off at The Royal Academy of the Arts and have a wander around the beautiful St James’ Park.
Oxford Circus
If a bit of retail therapy is in order you won’t need to go much farther than Oxford Circus. The station is not far from the famously stylish Carnaby Street where you’ll find high street names along with independent boutiques. Along Oxford Street, reach the famous Selfridges where you can peruse some of the more high-end goods on offer. This is also the stop for the ever-fashionable Soho, where you’ll find a plethora of traditional English pubs, trendy bars and deliciously diverse restaurants.
London Bridge
The perfect way to see the River Thames in all its glory is on foot and the best place to start is London Bridge. Before getting to the water’s edge find your way to the incredible Borough Market, a paradise of quality food and drink from all over the UK bordered by lovely pubs and coffee shops. Once at Southbank, it’s a fairly long but incredibly picturesque journey up the river towards Waterloo; the perfect way to spend an ambulatory day. Reaching the Millennium Bridge will take you to the magnificent St Paul’s Cathedral while staying on the south side will take you to the impressive Tate Modern art gallery. All along the Southbank are lined up restaurants and bars for refreshments. Instead of concluding your tour here, any top rated London tour guide will further nudge you ahead to reach the National Theatre, the BFI cinema and Hayward Gallery displaying some of the most impressive modern architecture in Europe.
Hampstead Heath
If you happen to be lucky enough to visit London on a sunny day (they do have them occasionally!) then the best thing to do is head to a park. You will be spoilt for choice of where to go with around 400 green spaces in the City of London alone and over 1,000 in Greater London. The 5 royal parks provide pleasant and historical surroundings but perhaps the best park in terms of expanse and views is Hampstead Heath. Situated on the Over ground line in North West London, this gorgeous park covers 790 acres. Perhaps its crowning glory is the stunning view of the London landscape from Parliament Hill. It’s the perfect location for a picnic, but if you fancy something a little more substantial there are plenty of pubs in the area providing great food and relaxing beer gardens; showing you exactly what Londoners love to do when the sun comes out!
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