First time in London
Description:
London's magical little streets and bustling sights will have you soon planning a second trip. While the bulk of attractions are centrally located and walking is highly recommended to soak in the British charm, exploring London on all its iconic modes of transport is half the fun of visiting this city. Hop on a red double decker bus across Tower Bridge, hail a black cab to take you to afternoon tea at the Ritz and ride the Underground to out to Kew Gardens. But before setting off, purchase a London transportation card called an Oyster card at any Tube station for easier travel option around town.
London is divided into many neighborhoods and is separated by the River Thames. For the most part first time visitors will stay on the north side of the river with the exception of the busy strip known as the South Bank, home to the London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern. Knightsbridge and Kensington are known for shopping, green spaces and museums yet are also gorgeous residential areas full of Georgian and Victorian homes and mews. Mayfair, Soho and Covent Garden house London's finest theatres, restaurants, nightlife and those famous gathering areas of Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. The splendor of UK royalty and government are located in Westminster and Victoria while The City, a name given to London's original square mile, is London's banking and justice hub.
This little first timers guide will point in the direction of the do not miss sights, top museums, the best of British cuisine and London hottest night spots. Grab an umbrella and some comfortable walking shoes and let London lure you.
London is divided into many neighborhoods and is separated by the River Thames. For the most part first time visitors will stay on the north side of the river with the exception of the busy strip known as the South Bank, home to the London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern. Knightsbridge and Kensington are known for shopping, green spaces and museums yet are also gorgeous residential areas full of Georgian and Victorian homes and mews. Mayfair, Soho and Covent Garden house London's finest theatres, restaurants, nightlife and those famous gathering areas of Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. The splendor of UK royalty and government are located in Westminster and Victoria while The City, a name given to London's original square mile, is London's banking and justice hub.
This little first timers guide will point in the direction of the do not miss sights, top museums, the best of British cuisine and London hottest night spots. Grab an umbrella and some comfortable walking shoes and let London lure you.
Author: Erin
Day 1 - London
Things To Do
Taking an overview tour may just be the best way to get acquainted with London. Go for an open topped double decker bus tour with The Big Bus Company or a smaller walking tour with London Walks. The bus option allows for hopping off at any of the top sights of interest and then back on again to complete the tour. Newbies must see Big Ben, The Tower of London and Buckingham Palace even if not interested in touring the sight itself. After getting one serious history lesson be sure to get in a little retail therapy at Harrods, London's most celebrated department store and a stroll through Hyde Park. For a closer look at the Queen's guards and to even try on one of those bear skin hats, check out the Guards Museum just down from Buckingham Palace.
1
Big Bus Tours
Location:
view in google maps48 Buckingham Palace Road
SW1W ORN London, United Kingdom
Phone:
+44 20 7233 95332
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
Location:
view in google mapsThe Palace of Westminster
Westminster Palace, Old Palace Yard, SW1. Join line at St. Stephen's entrance
SW1A 0AA London, England
Phone:
House of Commons 020/7219-42723
Buckingham Palace
Location:
view in google mapsBuckingham Palace
At end of The Mall (on the road running from Trafalgar Sq.)
SW1A 1AA London, England
Phone:
020 7766 73004
The Guards Museum
Location:
view in google mapsBirdcage Walk
(Wellington Barracks)
SW1E 6HQ London, United Kingdom
Phone:
+44 20 7414 3271 / +44 20 7414 34285
Westminster Abbey
Location:
view in google maps20 Dean's Yard
Broad Sanctuary, SW1
SW1P 3PA London, England
Phone:
020/7222-51526
Tower Bridge
Location:
view in google mapsTower Bridge
At Tower Bridge, SE1
SE1 2UP London, England
Phone:
020/7403-37617
Tower of London
Location:
view in google mapsOff Tower Bridge Approach
Tower Hill, EC3
EC3N4AB London, England
Phone:
0870/756-70708
London Eye
Location:
view in google mapsRiverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road
(Riverside Building County Hall)
SE1 9TA London, United Kingdom
Phone:
+44 870 500 06009
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
Location:
view in google mapsWest Carriage Drive
W2 2UH London, United Kingdom
Phone:
+44 (0)20 7298 210010
Portobello Road Market
Location:
view in google mapsPortobello Road
W11 London, United Kingdom
Phone:
+44 20 7229 835411
Harrods
Location:
view in google maps87-135 Brompton Rd., SW1
SW3 1JJ London, England
Phone:
020/8479-5100Day 2 - London
Get to Know London Restaurants
There was a time many moons ago that visitors did not get excited over British cuisine. Well, thankfully those times are gone so prepare yourself for not only local fare, but for the best Indian cuisine outside of India. Dig into a cottage pie with a side of mushy peas at a pub or a sample a curry and some onion bhajis. For a special British treat book a spot for afternoon tea, complete with scones and clotted cream, at one of London's posh hotels. Rest assured though, whatever you're craving, London can satisfy
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The Only Running Footman
Location:
view in google maps5 Charles Street
Westminister
W1J 5DF London, United Kingdom
Phone:
44 20 7499 29882
Wagamama - Kensington
Location:
view in google maps26 Kensington High Street
W8 4PF London, United Kingdom
Phone:
44 0 207 376 17173
The Wolseley
Location:
view in google maps160 Piccadilly, St. James's, W1
W1J 9EB London, England
Phone:
020/7499-69964
Masala Zone (Soho)
Location:
view in google maps9 Marshall St., W1
W1F 7ER London, England
Phone:
020/7287-99665
Chutney Mary
Location:
view in google maps535 Kings Road
SW10 0SZ London, United Kingdom
Phone:
44 20 7351 3113Day 3 - London
Nightlife
Pubs are a way of life in the UK. Regardless of the day of the week, you will find crowds downloading about their day within the cozy walls of a pub nursing a pint or a glass of wine. You can't visit London without experiencing a pub.In need of a dance fix, sample world wines, or dance the night away? No worries, London can deliver. Socializing is the Britain's pastime.
1
Argyll Arms
Location:
view in google maps18 Argyll Street
Soho
W1F 7TP London, United Kingdom
Phone:
44 20 7734 61172
Corney & Barrow
Location:
view in google maps3 Fleet Place
EC4M 7RD London, United Kingdom
Phone:
44 20 7329 31413
Lamb & Flag
Location:
view in google maps33 Rose St
Off Garrick St., WC2
WC2E 9EB London, England
Phone:
020/7497-95044
Sketch
Location:
view in google maps9 Conduit Street
W1S 2XG London, United Kingdom
Phone:
44 870 777 44885
Mahiki
Location:
view in google maps1 Dover Street
W1S 4LD London, United Kingdom
Phone:
44 20 7493 9529Day 4 - London
Top 5 Museums to Visit in London
London is jammed packed with museums of every kind, though group is more a highlight of British treasures. History, art, design, fashion, documents, manuscripts and books are all on proud display in magnificent buildings. Shopping tip: Quality souvenirs can be found in museum shops.
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British Museum
Location:
view in google mapsGreat Russell Street
Great Russell St., WC1
WC1B 3DG London, England
Phone:
020/7323-82992
Victoria and Albert Museum
Location:
view in google mapsCromwell Road
Cromwell Rd., SW7
SW7 2RL London, England
Phone:
020/7942-20003
National Gallery
Location:
view in google mapsTrafalgar Square
N. side of Trafalgar Sq., WC2
WC2N 5DN London, England
Phone:
020/7747-28854
Tate Modern
Location:
view in google mapsBankside
Bankside, SE1
SE1 9TG London, England
Phone:
020/7887-88885
British Library
Location:
view in google maps96 Euston Rd., NW1
St Pancras
NW1 2DB London, England
Phone:
020/7412-7332