I think it’s only fair to provide a disclaimer for my readers regarding my trip to London. This was our first trip overseas and we weren’t nearly as prepared as I had intended before our departure. Only twenty-fours into our trip and all hell broke loose. In my naivety, or stupidity (whichever you prefer), I did not properly check before crossing the road near the London Eye and was hit by a motorcycle. Thankfully, all parties involved were uninjured a part from minor damage to the gentleman’s bike and a sore arm on my behalf for the remainder of the trip. Granted, in my defense, he was also speeding – it was ruled technically both of our fault and the matter was dropped. About an hour later we received a phone call that my father-in-law had a massive heart-attack. Needless to say, the trip held a particular gloom and funk over it for the duration of our stay in London. We opted to stay in London, instead of immediately returning home, because there was nothing that could be done. Luckily, three years later, my father-in-law is running around like nothing even happened. During our time in London, we definitely tried to make the best of an other-wise terrible situation which has, unfortunately, left a sour taste in regards to our feelings about London. Nonetheless, I hope to travel back one day to embrace all the wonders we weren’t able to at the time.
Communication
Hopefully it comes as no surprise that the official language of England is English. In fact, 98% of the population speak English as their primary language. You will find a plethora of other languages spoken as well, just like you might find anywhere else in the world. In comparison to other places though, English is the preferred language of choice amongst locals. Of course, your American accent will shine through, but be proud of it!
London Pass – While gallivanting around Europe, you will find that a lot of major cities have passes that accommodate visitors desire to fit as many popular tourist attractions in a limited amount of time. London is no exception. The London Pass offers tourists an all-inclusive pass to over 80+ attractions in the surrounding area. In addition to entrance at over 80+ tourist attractions, the pass also provides tourists discounts at less-populated sites around the city too. My favorite aspect of the London Pass is the ability to travel hassle-free as well as skip the line with fast-track entry. Travelers are presented with a plastic card, similar to a debit/credit card that allows for easy, convenient entry at each attraction. There’s even a mobile app option to eliminate plastic-waste too!
Each pass comes with an informative guidebook, available in multiple languages, with helpful tips, tourist attraction map, and a London Tube guide too. Travelers also have different options for the duration of their pass: 1-day, 2-days, 3-days, 6-days, or 10-days. Note: passes are valid for consecutive days, not 24-hour periods. For those interested in saving time for traveling, the London Pass has a new option where tourists can include a transportation Oyster Card with pre-loaded credit for the London Tube. Passes start at 75 Euros per person (about 84 USD) for the single-day option and end at 159 Euros per person (roughly 177 USD) for the 10-day option. $$-$$$
Things to Do:
London Eye – The world’s largest “observation wheel,” the London Eye stands 135 meters tall. The structure was first launched in 2000 and was originally intended as a temporary attraction, but due to its rise in popularity, it now stands as a permanent attraction for London-tourists. Tickets are not included as part of the London Pass, and run 27 Euros per person (30 USD) online, in advance, or 30 Euros per person (33 USD) on-site. Online tickets provide visitors the fast-track option to skip to the front of the line too. The London Eye provides a 360-degree view of the greater London area. Each capsule fits up to 15 people, moving at a slow-pace, over the duration of 30-minutes. I will readily admit that my husband and I are terrified of heights, therefore, we parked ourselves on the bench in the middle of the capsule for safety reasons, of course. $$
Big Ben & Parliament – The most iconic structure in all of London, construction of Big Ben and the connected Parliament buildings ended in 1859. Actually called the “Elizabeth Tower,” Big Ben is a fully-functioning government building and still houses Parliament meetings and ceremonies on the regular. Unfortunately, due to conservation efforts, tours of the famous clock tower have been suspended until 2021. Travelers are still able to tour the Parliament buildings and State Rooms. Guided tours run 90-minutes and cost 26.50 Euros per person (roughly 30 USD) or visitors have the option for self-guided/audio tours to the tune of 19.50 Euros per person (22 USD). Be sure to book your tickets online, in advance, as time slots and availability book quickly! $$
Due to the timing of our visit, and my inexperience with traveling at the time, we did not get to tour the inside of Big Ben. This just gives us an excuse to go again though!
Buckingham Palace – The official residence of the Queen of England, Buckingham Palace is one of the most notable, and easily recognizable, buildings in all of London. To this day, royal ceremonies and celebrations are still held at this location! Tourists have the ability to tour the inside of Buckingham Palace too. Unfortunately though, tours are limited to Summer months – between July-to-September with limited, pre-determined dates in Winter/Spring too. Winter/Spring dates must be purchased online, in advance. Tickets to visit the State Rooms cost 25 Euros per person (28 USD). Or, visitors have the option to enjoy a “Royal Day Out” which includes entrance to the State Rooms, Royal Mews, and the Queen’s Gallery for 45 Euros per person (50 USD). Due to traveling off-season, we were unable to tour the inside of the Palace, but the outside was equally neat to see too! $$
St. James Park – One of eight Royal Parks in the greater London area, St. James Park is known for the popular attractions in its immediate surroundings; Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Whitehall. St. James Park covers the span of 57+ acres and is known for state visits and ceremonial occasions on behalf of the Queen. Visitors, both local and of the tourist nature, enjoy taking a leisurely stroll through the park with views of St. James Park Lake from all sides. Come for the views, stay for the pelicans who have lived here for over 400+ years!
Changing of the Guards – A tourist must! The official Changing of the Guards occurs daily at 11:30 AM. Be sure to arrive early – I mean up to two hours early – for a perfect viewing spot! Times are subject to change depending on the on-goings at the Palace each day. Check out www.changing-the-guard.com the morning of your visit.
Sherlock Holmes Museum – Located at 221b Baker Street, the Sherlock Holmes Museum is the home of the world-renowned famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. The Victorian-style home was the residence of Sherlock Holmes, his partner Dr. John Watson, and their housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson from 1881-1904. The site pays homage to famous character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a protected site on behalf of the English government. Tickets are only available on-site and cost 15 Euros per person (almost 17 USD). $
Charles Dickens Museum – The Charles Dickens Museum provides visitors an inside look into the private world and life of one of the world’s most influential writers, Charles Dickens. The Victorian-style home once belonged to Charles Dickens and his wife where they raised their three-youngest children. Throughout the museum, writer-enthusiasts are given a glance into the writing legacy of Dickens as well as a view of unique artifacts from his life. Also on-site, visitors are subject to attend Writing Workshops or can enjoy the readings of Dickens, purchased from the bookstore in the back, at the cafe on the premises. Tickets run 9.50 Euros per person (roughly 10.50 USD) or are included as part of the London Pass. $
Warner Bros. Studio Tour: London – Single-handedly the best experience of my entire life! Granted, touring the Warner Bros. Studio where all eight Harry Potter films were made is best-suited for those die-hard Potter-heads. Location on the outskirts of London, in Leavesden, England, the Warner Bros. Studio is home to the Harry Potter franchise for over 10 years. The Studio showcases the magical production first-hand with thousands of handmade artifacts. sets, props and costumes from all eight films.
A self-guided tour of the Warner Bros. Studio provides visitors the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes to understand the inner-workings of the special effects and animatronic creatures to bring the world of Harry Potter to life. Tickets must be purchased in advance and run 47 Euros per person (52 USD) for the regular tour and upwards of 225 Euros (251 USD) for the deluxe package. The Warner Bros. Studio is located 20-miles Northwest of London. There are multiple ways to reach the Studio, but the Overground to Waterford Junction then the shuttle to the Studio is the easiest, most cost-effective route. My husband and I spent over 6+ hours here – plan to spend most of the day! $$$
Churchill War Rooms – The Churchill War Rooms provides visitors the unique opportunity to witness the direction of Winston Churchill during World Ward Two. Located beneath the city, the War Rooms offer a blast into the past of the inner-workings behind the end of the Nazi regime. The entrance into the War Rooms is difficult to find – tucked away behind the staircase on a side street need Big Ben. Tickets run visitors 22 Euros per person (24.50 USD) or 17.60 Euros (20 USD) with a valid Student ID. You can also buy tickets online for fast-track entry and skip the line entirely! Last admission is an hour before closing – they are strict in regards to this policy. Plan to spend at least 2 hours here to fully capture the work and life of Winston Churchill. Note: tickets included as part of the London Pass. $$
Tower Bridge & Exhibition – The Tower Bridge was built over 125+ years ago to help ease the flow of traffic. One of the first of its kind, the Tower Bridge opens for the passage of ships in-and-out of the Thames River. Tours of the Bridge first began in 1982 and provide visitors the chance to learn about the history of the structure and its architecture. The Exhibition is located at the top of each tower, with a glass bridge connecting each side, providing a 360-degree view of London. Tickets cost 8.80 Euros per person (about 10 USD) or 6.10 Euros per person with a valid Student ID (6.80 USD). Online tickets provide visitors with discount options, but must be booked 24-hours in advance. Note: tickets included as part of the London Pass. $
Globe Theatre – The most distinguished theatre in the entire world, the Globe Theatre was first built in 1599 before it was burned down and later rebuilt on the same site as its original site. Later restored to its full-capacity in 1990, the Globe Theatre and Exhibition offers a historical glance into the world and writings of William Shakespeare. Guided tours are offered all day, everyday, and run the length of 40-minutes. Tours are available year-round, but only given in English. The Globe Theatre is not only a fully-functioning theatre with live-performances every week, it also serves as an education-centre for up-and-coming writers and drama-enthusiasts alike. Tickets cost 17 Euros per person (19 USD) or 13.50 Euros per person (15 USD) with a valid Student ID. Note: tickets included as part of the London Pass. $$
V&A – The world’s leading museum for art and design, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) spans over 5,000 years of human history with over 2.3 million objects and/or artifacts. Entrance to the museum is free as well as the private-tours too. Some exhibitions or events may carry a separate charge, but these are few-and-far between. A part from offering visitors a look into the development of human history, the V&A strives to promote research, knowledge, and enjoyment. This place is massive – plan to spend at least 4-5 hours here. Each level is divided by time period to provide a comprehensive view into the past and present of human history. The world’s oldest cafe/restaurant is located on site too!
King’s Cross Station – Widely known for its role in the Harry Potter films, King’s Cross Station is a fully-functioning railway station. The busiest overground in London, close to 150,000 travelers go through King’s Cross on any given day. Of course, you can’t have a popular Harry Potter site without a Harry Potter merchandise store. Located in between platforms 9 & 10, visitors will find, and fulfill, all of their Harry Potter needs.
Benjamin Franklin House – If an experience could both be the best and absolute worst thing you’ve ever done, then the Benjamin Franklin House takes the trophy! This location is the world’s only remaining home of Benjamin Franklin who live and worked here the 16 years leading up to the American Revolution. Originally used as a hotel in the 20th century, the Benjamin Franklin House opened its doors in 2006 to provide visitors with the insight into the world of Benjamin Franklin. The House serves as both a museum and educational facility. There are two tour options the “historical experience” available Wednesday-Sunday and the “architectural tour” only available on Mondays. The “historical experiences” offers visitors a live performance with sound and projection. If none of this entices you, at least take my word for it! Tickets run 8 Euros per person (9 USD) or 6 Euros per person (7 USD) with a valid Student ID. Note: tickets included as part of the London Pass. $
Kensington Palace – Home of the Royals for more than 300 years, Kensington Palace is most widely known as the birthplace for Queen Victoria. Self-guided tours around the Palace and attached gardens provide insight into the life and legacy of Queen Victoria and those who followed in her footsteps. Visitors are able to tour the State Apartments, Princess Diana’s dress exhibit, and, the new exhibit, Queen Victoria’s private life. The grounds are open year-round and cost 17.50 Euros per person (19.50 USD). Note: tickets included as part of the London Pass. $
Closure Notice: The State Apartments are currently closed for maintenance and restoration until March 2020.
Tower of London – The largest castle located in the London area, the Tower of London provides visitors a view into the past 1,000 years of British history; dating all the way back to the 17th century. More importantly though, the Tower of London is home of the Crown Jewels. Unfortunately, for security reasons, they do not allow photographs or videos within the Crown Jewels area. Completely worth your time! Tickets cost 24.70 Euros per person (27.50 USD) and include Yeoman tours, insight into the ravens “the guardians of the tower,” and the Crown Jewels. Audio guides are available for an additional, small fee and can be booked online, in advance. If you are worn out from the history and museum tours by this point, I would recommend going to at least see the Crown Jewels – they are a force not to be reckoned with! Note: tickets included as part of the London Pass. $$
Trafalgar Square – One of the busiest, most-vibrant places in London, Trafalgar Square was first established in the late-17th century and was redesigned in 2003. Visitors to Trafalgar Square are surrounded by museums, galleries, and historic buildings, such as City Hall, on all sides. Public restrooms and the Trafalgar Square Cafe were added as part of the redesign. This is not only a popular site for tourists, but many political and religious rallies and demonstrations and held here on the regular.
Wellington Arch – Another notable landmark in London, the Wellington Arch was originally intended to be the entrance to Buckingham Palace. The original design was, unfortunately, never completed. Instead, a controversial statue of Duke Wellington was added in 1846. The quadriga sculpture with crowns was added in 1912, where it remains today. The Arch was moved to its current resting place in 1880 where it will remain. Visitors of the Arch are able to climb to the top, just underneath the quadriga sculpture. Tickets run 5.70 Euros per person (just over 6 USD) or 5.10 Euros per person (under 6 USD) with a valid Student ID. Note: tickets included as part of the London Pass. $
Abbey Road – The opportunity to relive the iconic Beatles photo at Abbey Road! In order to reach this location, visitors must take the underground to St. Johns Wood. Once there, you will need to cross over Finchley Road, walk down Grove End Road, and then take a right. Be very careful and weary of traffic – this is a two-way street and gets busy in the afternoons.
Westminster Abbey – First established in 960 AD, Westminster Abbey has been home to coronations, ceremonies, and weddings for the Royal family since 1066 AD. To this day, the Abbey is known as the “Royal Church” and is the final resting place for 17 monarchs over many generations. Westminster Abbey is viewed as one of the most important Gothic buildings in all of London and portrayed as a “living symbol of faith.” As it stands today, Westminster Abbey thrives as a fully-functioning Christian Church with daily and weekly services.
In addition to the 17 monarchs buried on-site, Westminster Abbey is also home to more than 3,000 interments. Guided tours are offered and provided by vergers and provide visitors an inside look at special areas of the cemetery general visitors are not privy too. Tours are offered in English only and require booking in advance, available online, as well as an additional fee of 7 Euros per person (8 USD). General admission costs 23 Euros per person on-site (26 USD) or 20 Euros per person (22 USD) with a valid Student ID. Consider booking online for discount rates! Note: tickets included as part of the London Pass. $
Disclaimer: Double and triple check the times for both self-guided and guided tours. Despite our persistence, we missed the window of opportunity not once, but twice. For my own sake, I’ll chalk it up to poor planning.
Oddities – If you’re anything like me, then you enjoy seeking out the abnormalities when traveling then you’ll appreciate these obscure, and most unusual, places in London:
National History Museum – Giant Squid
Highgate Cemetery – most famous cemetery in London
University College London – remains of Jeremy Bentham
Temple of Mithras – remains of a Roman cult temple
Notable Attractions:
Unfortunately, our time constraints did not permit us to enjoy all the wonders London has to offer. Here is a list of top-notch attractions that made it onto our to-do list, but didn’t get checked off:
Money-Saving Travel Guide:
One of the most common misconceptions about traveling overseas is how expensive it is to do anything. It should be noted that, with proper planning, research, and a strict-budget, you can easily still experience the beauty of these places. Here is a list of free sites and activities to enjoy while in London:
Transportation:
The Underground – Also known as “the Tube,” the Underground is the rapid transit system that serves the greater London area including Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire. First developed in 1863, the Underground is divided into nine zones with 11 different lines running from 5 AM – Midnight daily. You’ll need to be mindful of rush hour, just like you would on the interstate as the Tube gets very busy and very crowded, very quickly. As part of the London Pass, travelers have the option to purchase the “Oyster Card” which allows for easy travel across all nine zones.
Beyond Borders 