Welcome to London!
Each page opens with an inspirational video. If you have the time, sit back and enjoy. These filmmakers have an incredible passion for travel and we want to share their talent. After watching, we hope to give you a reason to read on….
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About London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. The city stands on the River Thames in the southeast of England. London has been a major settlement for two thousand years and was originally called Londinium, which was founded by the Romans. The City of London, London’s ancient core and financial center. The nearby City of Westminster has for centuries been the location of much of the national government. Thirty-one additional boroughs north and south of the river also comprise modern London
The city is one of the world’s most important global cities. It is known for arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, research and development, tourism, and transportation. It is one of the largest financial centers in the world.
London has a diverse range of people and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken in the region. About 9 million people live in and around London. London accounts for almost 15% of the U.K. population.
It contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; Kew Gardens; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret’s Church; and the historic settlement in Greenwich where the Royal Observatory, Greenwich defines the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) and Greenwich Mean Time. Other landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and The Shard. London has numerous museums, galleries, libraries and sporting events. These include the British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, British Library and West End theatres. The London Underground is the oldest rapid transit system in the world.
A special thank you to Around the World 4K. These folks have a collection of some of the most inspiring videos we have seen. Be sure to click on the link below the video to see the many other cities they showcase. You will be inspired. They are so good, you will see them on our other pages. Click Visit London for their Official Travel site.
City Planning Guide
Maps & Other Resources
There are many maps you can use while in London but one of the best to download is Citymapper. You can use offline.
Rick Steves AUDIO Walking Tour is available on the app or where you can find podcasts. Not only does this audio tour give background and history, but walks you through the city step by step for a deeper look. Be sure to learn more by clicking the button below. What is different about this ap is it provides background and history as you travel from one place to the other.
Visit the GPS My City website: for over 20 self-guided walks in London. This site also contains information on some of the best places to see. You can even read about and choose the sites to create your own custom map. The maps cover everything from historical landmarks to world-class museums, charming neighborhoods and shopping. You will also find many articles that are super helpful as you plan your trip.
“GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities” can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or Google Play to your mobile phone or tablet. Each walk comes with a detailed tour map as well as photos and background information for the featured attractions. It also works offline. Find out more by clicking Explore More below.
Eat Play & Stay
For some of our top recommendations and off-the-beaten-path suggestions, check out the slider below. We have vetted these based on past stays or future bucket list goals. There are many other choices that fit each style and taste, so be sure to click the additional links below to narrow down options on things to do, and where to eat & stay.
Feel free to click on the slider or the icon at the top right to stop the slide and the arrow to continue.
A traditional English pub surrounded by cobbled streets, with an outside deck boasts stunning river views. You can spot the original 1620 mooring point of the Pilgrim Father’s Mayflower ship, warm yourself by the open fire and imagine who may have been sitting in your seat 400 years ago! The pub offers traditional English food including Fish and Chips, Meat Pies, and at the end of the week, a traditional Sunday Roast.
This was on our bucket list before our trip was cancelled. This is one of the most highly rated pubs in town. The food and atmosphere is terrific. Plus Covent Garden is conveniently located in London.
Just west of SOHO, you will find a quaint tavern that specializes in BBQ and whisky. The reviews are outstanding. People raved about the excellent service and the quality of the food. Click Explore More for the Tripadvisor link and click into their own site for more info.
There are so many great restaurants in London it is hard to narrow them down. Do check reviews as with any larger city there are tourist traps. London is known for its excellent Indian food and on our last trip we wanted to visit but missed Amrutha Lounge. Its reviews always places them in the top with Tripadvisor. It is said that besides India, the best Indian food you will ever try is in London. Take a look at Indian as an option while you are here.
We know this is an unusual recommendation but we came across it by happenstance. We were on our way to Abbey Road (the famous crosswalk of the Beatles) and we ran into a group of guys all dressed up with flags. They invited us to a football game and in early summer it happened to be a championship game for their home town of Liverpool. It was an unexpected experience that we still talk about. If you are an American, it will be something very unique. The fans sing together and support their team to the end. We took a chance and it turned out to be one of the best days ever!
If you like music and want to learn more about the artists connection to London you MUST book with Aiden. His reviews are insane. We felt bad as we had to cancel our customized Clash tour with him due to the pandemic. He returned funds no problem. In this time where folks in the service industry are struggling, we wanted to give a shout out. The great thing is that he can personalize the tour based on your interests and it is totally affordable!
One of our favorite things we did in London was head to the Sky Garden for the most amazing view of the city. Markers are on the windows all around the building so you can see what you are looking at. It is absolutely free but you must book in advance. if you cannot get in, we suggest going to the rooftop restaurant and getting a snack and drink for that same spectacular view. We did this on when we first arrived and it was a great idea so we could visualize our next days ahead.
The first piece of advice is that London is expensive, so it is smart to book early. We had to cancel our trip to London right after the pandemic began so luckily through Booking.com I was able to cancel. But we looked far and wide for an affordable, and easily accessible option. We stayed in this area before, just north of Tower Bridge and found it so easy to jump on the tube (Subway) to get anywhere in minutes. In London it is fun to find a room that is connected to a pub. The atmosphere is cozy and the food is often great!
You may have seen us showcase a Motel One property on another page, but we are big fans. We only wish they were available in the U.S. We stayed here on our last trip into London and it was a terrific choice. The rooms are not huge but the service is great and the lobbies make you want to sit back with friends after sightseeing all day and relax. Stays start at 100 British Pound per night (a steal in this city). Another option we recommend is save your hotel points, because this would help.
For the most comprehensive travel guides out there, click Trip Savvy and Culture Trip below! These travel sites hire local writers and expert travelers to share the most relevant articles and best tips in the industry! Branding belongs to each respecitve company.
Get Your Guide Options
Local Spotlight
London Travel Guide
Jess from Love and London is one of the most informative vloggers on London. Before we traveled to London in 2019, we watched virtually all of her videos. This video is a great intro and travel guide with some great suggestions.
15 Things to Know
Jess from Love and London, put together a Top 15 tips before you visit. She shares some suggestions. Take a look at some of her other videos on London by clicking Explore More. Jess also has a three day itinerary which would be a great foundation for the perfect trip.
Attache~Travel Guide
Alex Hunter has put together these very helpful travel guides in Europe’s big cities to help you navigate your way around and take advantage of the best each city has to offer. Check out his tips on London and click Explore More
Amateur Traveler
Chris Christensen from Amateur Traveler interviews Julie from A Lady in London on the best things to do in this vibrant city.
Suitcase Monkey on London...
Suitcase Monkey has it all! He is not only knowledgeable with great suggestions, but entertaining too. Since London is his hometown we decided to add a section with some other videos that will help you narrow down the many things to do. He ALWAYS makes us smile. Watch these videos and you will be hooked too!
We have followed Suitcase Monkey for years and are so excited to share some of the best videos from his hometown, London. In this video you will learn about some great hidden gems.
London Markets
London is a city filled with many outdoor markets where street food from all over the world can be sampled. It is also a place where local wares and clothing is sold and some of the best deals can be found. Suitcase Monkey takes us to some of the best local markets in London.
There are Eight Royal Parks throughout the city as well as many other green spaces. Some of the most popular are St. James and Reagent Park, and worth a visit to enjoy the greenery, fountains and ponds. Suitcase Monkey shares the best parks to visit along with some great tips.
explore
Southwest England
Off the Beaten Path ~Southwest England
Bath, Stonehenge & Highclare Castle
Bath is an hour and 30 minutes by train from London. It is a great day trip. If you have a car, you may want to add in other stops including Stonehenge and Highclere Castle. To learn more about what this town has to offer, click on Explore More for Bath’s official page. You can also go to Visit Britain for information about Bath and many other destinations in England.
Suitcase Monkey
Suitcase Monkey gives you a local take on this ancient city. We cannot miss showing you anything that he does. Be sure to check out the other travel videos on Youtube.
24 Hours in Bath
If you have been on other pages, you know we love to follow Topjaw videos. Will and Jesse travel the world to share their top picks for food and drink. The pandemic has caused them to stay close to home where they share the best things to eat in Bath and on a road trip to the Cotwalds.
Stonehenge is a popular tourist destination, but keep in mind it can get very crowded. It is also in the middle of flat land with nothing much around it, so it is best to work into a stop on the way to another location, like Bath. Wolter’s World has a multitude of videos on the tips for visiting sites/cities all over the world. His short videos give you the best suggestions on how to add this to your itinerary. This one is very helpful.
Highclere Castle
For those of you who have watched Downton Abbey, you may want to consider a day trip to Highclere Castle, which is about 65 miles from London. There is a train, but it may be more tricky to navigate. We suggest a visit if you have a car. An important thing to note is that the tickets book up many many months in advance because the castle is not open for tours every day. If you cannot snag a ticket there are many footpaths around the castle (when it is open) to use free of charge.
explore
Southeast England
Off the Beaten Path ~ Southeast England
Dan takes you to some of the best places to visit along the majestic Jurassic Coast. You must see this video if you plan to visit the southeast coast of England. And if you did not think about visiting, you may consider adding to your itinerary.
Be sure to click on Explore More to be taken to the National Trust that manages the cliffs of Dover. The towns in this area are also a great stop for a look atauthentic English life. It is an incredible natural place in. the southeast part of England.
Rick Steves puts together a quick video on the White Cliffs of Dover. This area is only about 25 miles from France and ferries can be taken to that country. If you are planning to spend time in Northwest France, it may be a great way to get there in a scenic and relaxing way.
Virtual Walking Tour ~ London
by Watched Walker
