London Travel Guide and Hotel Reviews

As the capital city of England, London is a large and vibrant place with thousands of attractions, places to stay and things to do. Often people expect that this makes it expensive, however this does not have to be the case – there is plenty to do that doesn’t have the cost a lot of money.

A key way of reducing the cost of visiting London is to plan travel around off-peak periods. For example, travelling during the day outside of rush hour or at the weekends can lower travel prices by more than you may expect. Walking or cycling around rather than taking the tube or paying for expensive taxis can also help to lower your travel costs, although with a travel card it is possible to make unlimited tube travel within the zones purchased on a particular day which can be good value for those wishing to go to several different places in one day.

Once in London there are plenty of things to do that don’t cost anything. Many of the museums, including the National Gallery, Science Museum, Natural History Museum and Imperial War Museum offer free entry and plenty of entertainment.

There are plenty of affordable chain restaurants to be found around London – another great idea for a budget lunch is to pack a picnic. There are plenty of picturesque parks in the city, including Hyde Park. Dinner can be eaten in one of the cheaper restaurants in Chinatown, which offer plenty of value for money.

Finally for those wishing to stay overnight in London, there are plenty of bargains to be had with accommodation – these can easily be found on the internet, especially when booked at the last minute. However it is a good idea to plan in advance where you plan to go and what you plan to do to avoid unexpected travel costs if your chosen accommodation is far from these places.

London has many varied museums and galleries and they make perfect outings for people on holiday in the bustling city of England’s capital.

The British Museum offers insights into the works of man from prehistoric times to modern day inventions, whilst the Science Museum offers interesting insights into scientific advances through the ages and looks forward into the exciting possibilities of space travel.  The Imperial War Museum displays the horror of the trenches in First World War, and gives insights into espionage during war times; the critically acclaimed Holocaust Exhibition gives a haunting insight into some of the most horrific pages in the history of the world.

Galleries such as the Royal Academy of Arts of the Tate Modern provide tourists with collections of art that have been wondered upon over the ages, work from renowned artists such as van Gogh or da Vinci can be enjoyed.

Most galleries and Museums in London are free to enter; however, some exhibitions do require ticket purchase.  More information can be obtained from Tourist Information websites and centres.

Nights out in London can be exquisite, different and a truly delightful experience with some of the activities and things to do that are on offer.

A cruise on the Thames with fine food provided, live entertainment and stunning views is a perfect way to sit back and enjoy the beauty London has to offer, whilst the London showboat cruise allows tourists to enjoy famous songs from the shows whilst enjoying the beauty of the Thames.  Alternatively, a night out on the Party Bus London Nightclub Tour provides perfect entertainment around four of the top London hotspots.

Alternatively, there are many public houses and bars where tourists can spend the evening socialising and enjoying a few drinks with live entertainment or TVs showing live sport events, which are often the norm in bars and public houses in London.  It is also a cheaper option to simply take a stroll out along the Thames or enjoy Trafalgar Square in the evening, or take one of the cheaper cruises along the Thames, which are enjoyable.

Going out in London can be a memorable experience, with cinemas and theatres showing both recent and long running plays that are famous the world over. There is always something for holidaymakers to fill their time with during the evening whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of the bustling and vibrant city.

As the capital city of England, London offers plenty of options for visitors.  For impressive history, art and culture, shopping and beautiful palaces and parks, London is in a class of its own.

With so much to see, if your time is limited, then a cruise along the river Thames in London is a relaxing way to cross a few famous sights off your list.  Boats sail in all weathers and seasons and most have indoor and outdoor seating areas from which to enjoy the views.  Thames river boats weave their way through the heart of London giving unbroken views of iconic buildings such as The Tower of London, The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern art gallery.

Catch a boat from Westminster Pier and let it take you south east along the sweep of the river to Greenwich, where historic buildings by Christopher Wren sit in stunning parkland opposite modern architecture such as Canary Wharf across the river in Docklands.

To enjoy the many sights of London in a relaxing and unhurried fashion, splashing out on a Thames river cruise is highly recommended.

Eating out in London is always a pleasure.  The sheer range of cuisine on offer reflects the multi-cultural diversity of this vibrant city.  A short stroll through the streets takes you past Caribbean restaurants, Indian, African, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Eastern European, Scandinavian eateries – the list of foods on offer is endless.

Alongside these distinctive international cuisines, visitors also discover some very English dining options in London that are hard to resist.  Two traditional foodie appointments worth keeping during your visit are afternoon tea and Sunday lunch.

Afternoon tea

The quintessentially English tradition of afternoon tea should be enjoyed if you get the chance.  Many of London’s grand old hotels offer lavish tea menus featuring the most delicate of finger sandwiches, lightest sponge cakes and pastries, moist scones, jam and clotted cream and a selection of artisan blended teas, all served on the finest bone china.  Take your pick from elegant Claridges, The Savoy, The Dorchester, or The Ritz.  For something a little unconventional with a creative twist, afternoon tea at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge is popular with the fashionable crowd.

Sunday lunch

Gastropubs are a relatively new English innovation combining the best of modern British cuisine with the enduring appeal of the great British pub.  Kill two birds with one stone and enjoy fine ales whilst selecting from an extensive gourmet menu.  These establishments often serve the best traditional slap-up Sunday lunches.  Popular London gastropubs include The Thomas Cubitt (SW1), The Anchor and Hope (SE1), The Duke of Cambridge (N1) and The Wells Tavern (NW3).

There are many children’s attractions in the city of London which makes finding something to suit everyone simple.  Here are three ideas to get you started.

Madame Tussauds

The queues along Marylebone Road bear testimony to its enduring popularity.  This museum of historic and contemporary waxwork figures fascinates children of all ages.  Kids rub shoulders with heroes like David Beckham or dance along with Beyoncé.  To avoid queues, book online.

The London Dungeon

Kids love the ghoulish and creepy, and it does not get much creepier than the London Dungeon, a museum celebrating London’s dark past.  Gruesome accounts of beheading, murder, torture and plague have kids screaming in terrified delight.  Features include good theme-park style rides and costumed staff that leap out of exhibits to frighten visitors when least expected.  Do expect to be repulsed, horrified and made slightly nervous.

Sea Life London Aquarium

Situated in County Hall, right by the Thames, this fantastic aquarium features sea life from around the globe.  Watch divers swim amongst the fish and enjoy busy feeding times.  Interactive displays and a supervised ‘touch-pool’ mean kids can get up close to some fascinating creatures.

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and as such it can be a place thronging with crowds of people, making car travel through its streets difficult and exhausting. To remedy this, the London Underground rail system – known simply as ‘the Tube’ – was established in the 19th century. The earliest railway system of its kind, it runs today with the same popularity and ease of access as ever.

Complimentary maps of the London underground system, with details of the different lines, stations and train times, can be picked up in any of the Tube stations. Otherwise, a copy can be downloaded and printed from the Tube website.

The trains involved in the underground system have their destination on the front of the train, so if travelling, be sure to look for this to make sure it will reach the correct destination. Try to reduce the time you spend travelling within rush hours – early morning or evening – as the trains can become very crowded at these times.

As the official residences and office of Her Majesty the Queen, Buckingham Palace is one of the top destinations for visitors to London.

It is one of the few remaining working palaces in the world today, and its staterooms are used frequently by the Queen and her family when entertaining guests during official and ceremonial occasions.

Visitors can tour the 19 staterooms during the summer months, viewing the fantastic design and interior furnishings, which include some of Britain’s most precious treasures, including works by the likes of Rembrandt and Canova.

The gardens are also open to the public during the summer, when a visit to the palace itself can end in the beautiful outdoor surroundings. There are more than 350 rare and varied wild flowers in the grounds, great views of the palace and a beautiful lake.

For those interested, there is an exclusive tour with an expert guide and a copy of the guidebook, a glass of champagne and a discount on items bought in the Royal Collection shop, all included in the price.

London hosts a huge variety of events for children and provides great family days out – there’s something to suit everyone! No matter the time of year, there are always creative and entertaining workshops and activity sessions taking place, and the city’s fantastic host of museums and theatres are certain to have something to suit kids of all ages.

Museums are no longer the stuffy, silent places of olden days; today, the emphasis is on learning, and as such many museums have interactive displays which attract children with bright colours and entertainment. Whilst enjoying the displays, the museums can infuse children with a passion for subjects otherwise felt to be boring – the London Science museum has over 50 interactive galleries, as well as offering a fantastic experience; a sleepover within the museum! Activity workshops allow the kids to invent scientific creations to show off to their friends. Similarly, the British Museum holds sleepover nights with different themes; previous nights include a Terracotta Warrior night, which saw the kids making a warrior and learning Kung Fu kicks and a few phrases of Chinese.

For those more interested in outdoor activities, there are many parks and playgrounds scattered throughout the city, including fantastic Adventure Playgrounds which attract kids of all ages with their activities and equipment. A glut of pirate ships, tree houses and Flintstones-like trains await the eager adventure-seekers!

Iconic to foreigners and fiercely loved by the locals, London is a city that is both historical and fast-moving and futuristic.  There is so much to see and do in this ever-expanding capital city that one or two carefully planned trips will be needed – but be warned – it is not cheap.  Like any other UK city, it is worth checking ahead for weather reports, as adventures to all the city art galleries and museums are fine on a rainy day, but a picnic in Hyde Park and a wander round London Zoo will not be as fun without the sun.

Fortunately, the underground system in London is there to take you to all the main places of interest fairly easily.  However, if you do not mind walking long distances and a bit of map reading then London by foot will provide some great sights.

Of course, The London Eye, the Tate Modern, Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, Madame Tussauds, Oxford Street and Big Ben are all very popular attractions, but this city deeply steeped in history possess fantastic hidden gems too.  Spending an afternoon at Camden Lock, or walking through the markets and sampling your pick of the fusion food is a great experience.  The London Dungeon is a strangely alluring experience for London trippers while Kew, or Kensington, Gardens provide a relaxing and light experience.

The West End is abuzz with plays, operas and alternative entertainment, but be sure to book any tickets in advance.  Many nearby restaurants will have offers that you can take advantage of, but when it comes to food then London is the place to be.  China Town is great for all tastes oriental, or for great Bangladeshi food then take the underground to Brick Lane.

There is accommodation for all tastes and prices.  There are of course, hostels galore, but boutique or themed hotels are great for a bit of fun during your stay.  Venture a little further out to the end of one of the tube lines and you could well find yourself a B&B for as little as 30 pounds a night.