LONDON, ENGLAND

You cannot deny this city’s historic splendor. From Big Ben to Tower Bridge to Hyde Park, London has a plethora of notable tourist attractions you cannot miss. It is also one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, with nearly 40% of Londoners born outside the UK! You could spend weeks exploring its different boroughs, neighborhoods, and suburbs (such as Little India in Tooting, Little Jamaica in Brixton, and Little Korea in New Malden) and feel like you are in a different country each day. As England’s favorite fictional bear, Paddington Bear, says, “In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.”

Attractions:

  • Tower Bridge: Not to be confused with London Bridge, this is the city’s most beautiful and famous bridge. It is open daily from 9:30am-5:00pm and costs £10.60 ($14 USD) to climb to the top. You can walk across for free!

  • Big Ben: Possibly the most easily recognizable structure in London, Big Ben is the nickname of the Palace of Westminster’s north end clock tower. Sadly, tourists cannot enter, but that should not stop you from taking plenty of photos! The best spot for a photo with both Big Ben and one of the iconic red phone booths is just off the Westminster tube stop. You can’t miss it; there will be plenty of people gathered there.

  • Hyde Park: London’s largest city park is free to visit and certainly worth spending a few hours at. In addition to walking through the Rose Garden, be sure to admire the park’s many statues, fountains, and memorials. It is open daily from 5:00am-12:00am.

  • Westminster Abbey: Oftentimes considered one of the most famous religious buildings in the world, this royal church in London’s city center has over 1,000 years of history! Entrance costs £18 ($24.50 USD); audio guides can be purchased for an additional £5 ($7 USD). Opening hours vary depending on the time of year and can be found here.

  • Buckingham Palace: If you are looking to spend time with the Queen of England during your stay, this is her official London residence! For visiting and tour information, visit here.

  • Borough Market: The best spot in London for street food! There are dozens of amazing vendors here serving cuisines from all across the world!

  • Pubs, Pubs, Pubs: No visit to London is complete without visiting a pub or two (or seventeen)! My favorites are Mr Fogg’s, Waxy O’Connor’s, and The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town (a hidden speakeasy with a secret entrance through a fridge).

  • Premier League Match: If you visit between August-May, be sure to catch a Premier League soccer match. There are lots of teams in or near London and the atmosphere is unbeatable!

  • Wander Around: As mentioned above, London is a melting pot of cultures and home to some of the most unique neighborhoods in the world! If you are looking for street art, be sure to explore Shoreditch and walk down Brick Lane. Keen on food and live music? Check out Brixton. Want to spend time at a café reading a book and sipping tea? Notting Hill is your spot. Want to experience floating on the River Thames? Take the Uber Boat to Greenwich (where you can find the Prime Meridian and the famous Goddard’s Pies)! There are many other great options such as Mayfair, Chelsea, Camden, Soho, and Kensington.

  • London Eye: A pricey, but beautiful, Ferris wheel offering an incredible view! It is open daily from 10:00am-8:30pm and tickets cost £31 ($42 USD).

  • Free Walking Tour: There are plenty of tip-based tours across London in which you pay what you think they are worth at the end. You can find more information here.

  • Tower of London: This UNESCO World Heritage site, officially Her Majesty’s Royal Palace, is located on the River Thames in Central London. It is worth visiting if you have the time! Entrance costs £25 ($34 USD); hours can be found in the same link.

  • Stonehenge: Stonehenge is a cultural British icon archaeologists believe was built as far back as 3000 B.C. Located 2-3 hours southwest of London, this site can be accessed as a day-trip. Prices will vary depending on what you would like to include (visits to Bath, Oxford, Windsor, etc.), but you can expect to pay £50-£90 ($68-$122 USD) with transportation included.

  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour: For Harry Potter fans, this is an absolute must! Where else can you walk through Diagon Alley, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the Great Hall, and the Forbidden Forest? The tour is 3.5 hours and costs £47 ($64 USD). If you don’t want to leave the city, you can find a Platform Nine and Three-Quarters in Kings Cross Train Station!

  • Other attractions include: St. Paul’s Cathedral, The British Museum, Trafalgar Square, St. James’s Park, The Shard, London Bridge, and The National Gallery.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel - Great Scotland Yard: This Hyatt property is easily one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever stayed in. Housed in what used to be a police station, this hotel has it all. Its location is supreme, it has a hidden whiskey bar, and the artwork/decor are gorgeous. You won’t be disappointed!

  • Hostel - Generator London: Another city with a Generator hostel! This branch is housed in what used to be a police station in the southern part of Camden. It is quite social fit with a bar, restaurant, and café! On foot, it is 5 minutes from Russell Station on the Piccadilly (dark blue) line and 10 minutes from both St Pancras International Station and London Euston Station. Via the Tube, it is 20 minutes from Victoria Rail Station and 25 minutes from Victoria Coach Station.

Transportation:

There are numerous train stations across London, making travel confusing. Long story short, your end destination will determine which station you use (as noted below). The main bus station is Victoria Coach Station; all buses below leave from here.

London’s three main international airports are Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. Below is transportation information for each:

  • Heathrow (LHR) is 16 miles (26km) west of London and accessible via train, metro, bus, and taxi.

  • Gatwick (LGW) is 28 miles (45km) south of London and accessible via train, bus, and taxi.

  • Stansted (STN) is 39 miles (63km) northeast of London and accessible via train, bus, and taxi.