Food, Coffee, and People

Another popular misconception is about the food. Yes, some British recipes are simple, maybe even on the mild side, but it's not hard to find an international restaurant in this diverse city. If you're looking to spice up your life then Indian eateries serve the best curried chicken. As in many other large cities, you'll find a host of restaurants specializing in international cuisine. Lebanese, Ethiopian, Indonesian, Italian, French, Japanese, and Chinese. But don't miss an opportunity to dine on a few underrated British specialty dishes such as fish-n-chips, Scotch eggs, Shepherd's Pie, Ploughman's Lunch, or crumpets with clotted cream.

Londoners are generally friendly, hearty folks who will be happy to strike up a conversation about books, history, archeology, or a selection of other topics. In many pubs and restaurants, you may find yourself sharing a table with another patron or even a large group. Settle in for a long chat and get ready to make a few friends.

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family & children

London is a family-friendly city. Take a boat toGreenwich, so your kids can stand in two hemispheres at once. Visit tht Tower of London and take a tour with a Beefeater to get the inside scoop on who was imprisoned there. And don't forget to take a Round London Sightseeing Tour on a double-decker bus--sitting up top, of course!

London England Travel Guide

First Things First

The land of kings and knights, Shakespeare and Sherlock Holmes, moors and manor houses, Britain has a culture that has fascinated Western minds for hundreds of years. It's epicenter, the great city of London lives up to it's reputation as one of the worlds leading cities in culture, entertainment, and busines.

The unit of currency in the United Kingdom is the pound sterling (£). Prices below are expressed in U.S. dollars for convenience; check the rate of exchange prior to arrival in Europe. You shouldn't have any trouble communicating, but remember the hard and fast vocabulary differences (brolly, bobby, banger, etc.).

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Where to Stay

Most of London is at your fingertips via the city's quick and efficient Underground. This extensive subway system runs like clock-work (it's rivaled only by the Swiss rail network) with trains departing every 5 minutes or less on average. Nearly the whole of Europe is accessible via London's major rail stations. Staying near a rail station is a good idea, especially if you have plans to travel beyond London after your stay. Tourist information offices, ATMs, and other services are strategically located near each main rail station.
One of our favorite hotels in London is the Regency for its convenient location and great pricing. This 4-star rated property is an authentic Victorian style building with modern amenities. A rare combination of competitive pricing, boutique charm, easy walking distance to Harrod's, and it's own private garden in the heart of London make the Regency hotel a British gem!

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Getting to Your Hotel

... From London Heathrow Airport
Getting downtown from the world's busiest airport is easier than you might think. Most flights from the United States arrive in Terminal 3; the rest in Terminal 4. The best route is the Heathrow Express non-stop rail service between the airport and Paddington Station. It's a 15-minute ride and leaves every 15 minutes from all terminals. Fares are about $16.

From 6 a.m. to midnight, you may use the Underground--the Circle Line, which connects to the District Line to downtown London. This will set you back a little more than $6.

At the tourist information center in the terminal, you may ask about bus service between Heathrow and the many bus stations downtown.

Of course there are taxis--about $70 for a black cab each way, or roughly $40 for a mini-cab.

...From London Gatwick Airport
From the South Terminal, take the convenient, speedy Gatwick Express directly to Victoria Station. This is the most popular way to get from the airport to downtown, takes about 30 minutes, and costs about $18. If you arrive at the North Terminal, take the free shuttle to the South Terminal to connect to Gatwick Express.

If you don't have too much luggage and you can spare the time, save a few bucks by taking the regular British Rail service. The trip takes only a few minutes longer and costs a few pounds less. You may also try the Thameslink, regular rail service to Blackfriars, Farringdon, and Kingscross stations in central London. Check the BritRail office in the terminal for more information on both services.

And the taxis... about $70 for a black cab each way, or roughly $40 for a mini-cab.

... From Waterloo, Liverpool, Victoria, Kings Cross, Paddington, or other rail stations
Rail stations of London are all served by the London Underground. Pick up an Underground map at the information center or tourist center once you arrive.

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At Your Hotel

Free city maps and other information can usually be obtained in hotel lobbies or from the front desk.
Check in, freshen up, then get ready to lose a few pounds because you're in London!

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Around London

Welcome to London; the headquarters of MI6, bangars and mash , and world-class shopping. Be aware that this is one of most popular tourist destinations in the world, and is also a well populated city. If your eyes have a big appetite for sight-seeing, then we've compiled a list of the essentials. And if you've got the time, we've suggested a few more attractions to squeeze in, as well as a few tourist traps to avoid. Quick and to the point, this is our take on London:

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Top Ten:

Tours: It's hard to say which will be the best, but there are fantastic half-day walking tours such as the London City, Tower of London, Crown Jewels & River Cruise. If you don't mind feeling like a tourist, the double-decker bus tours allow you to hop on and off at will so you can tour independently for a reasonable price. It's a great way to get oriented and plan your days ahead. Walking tours are about $7 per person; bus tours vary but start at about $14.

British Museum: It's been said that the inspiration behind Britain's centuries-long colonization of lands all over the world was a quest to fill London's museums. It's hard not to consider this among the spoils from the farthest reaches of the globe in the museum's millions of artifacts and more than 2 miles of galleries. The lines to get in look a little scary sometimes, but they move. Admission is free; there is a small charge for certain exhibits.

Victoria and Albert Museum: Of all the treasures stored at the V&A, some of the most interesting are located in the Fakes and Forgeries gallery--a bona fide collection of counterfeits. Take time to explore the endless other galleries. A small donation is requested for entrance.

London Eye: The ultimate Ferris wheel is comparatively new to the city and is already quite popular. You may make reservations in advance for a pod "flight" and get a 360° view of the whole kit-n-caboodle. Book online in advance to save a few pounds, or buy a ticket on site (you may not be able to get a ticket for the exact day you wish, though). It costs about $16.

Buckingham Palace: Unless you have Windsor someplace in your string of last names, forget hanging out in the royal residence in a smoking jacket with your elbow on the mantle. But informative tours are available. Also check out the Changing of the Guard at 11 a.m. Pack breakfast and get there before 10 for a good view.

Parliament and Big Ben: The House of Lords and the House of Commons, along with scattered other halls and galleries, make up the Palace of Westminster, otherwise known as Parliament. The lines are longest in the afternoon, as throngs gather to witness Question Time (you've probably caught this occasionally on C-SPAN). As for Big Ben (which is actually just the bell, not the whole tower), views and postcard-perfect pictures are available from the opposite side of the Thames. Don't forget to listen for the chimes.

Cabinet War Rooms: Churchill and his staff conducted operations from here during World War II. You'll be amazed at what was accomplished with what seems today like so few resources. Reserve an afternoon, at least, for this; if you happen to move through quickly, the Cenotaph, 10 Downing Street, and Westminster Cathedral (not Abbey) are nearby. Admission to the war rooms is about $7.

Tower of London and the Tower Bridge: Come to see the royal armory, royal jewels, or just admit that you're hoping to catch a glimpse of Anne Boleyn or the little princes. Nearby is the suicide-proof Tower Bridge, with new exhibits in each tower house at either end. Admission is about $11 to the Tower of London and $7 to the bridge exhibits.

Westminster Abbey: Edward the Confessor rebuilt this 8th-century chapel, which has since become a repository of many of England's most famous citizens and a treasure trove of English history. Admission is free and photography is allowed on Wednesday evenings (check for exact times), otherwise admission is about $6 and shutter snapping is forbidden. (See our secret tip below.)

Trafalgar Square: Get there, then decide what to do... the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, and the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (anyone hear a choir?) are all off the square. Climbing up on Admiral Nelson's lions to get your picture taken is technically illegal but popular all the same.

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If You Have Time:

Harrods: Once again, if you don't have a roman numeral after your first name, you can forget buying a lot here, it's very expensive. But it's a great place to browse and get some nosh material to go; eating in the store is a no-no. If you're in London around Christmas time, stopping here to admire the holiday displays is a must.

Kensington Palace: The former "official" residence of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the palace is still open to the public. Former state apartments and the Court Dress Collection are included in a tour, which leaves four times an hour and costs about $6.

Mayfair: There's a lot here: Marble Arch, Grosvenor Square, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Bond Street, the Shepherd's Market, and Berkeley Square.

Westminster Abbey: Make sure you save time for Edward's Chapel, the site of the coronation of English monarchs. The coronation chair has been marred by graffiti artists over the past few decades. Although its defacing is unfortunate, take a peek at the chair and its 20th-century "artwork" so you can have a little chuckle when it's finally time for Charles to be crowned on it.

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You Can Probably Skip It

Famous Addresses: Elementary! You won't ever find 221B Baker Street. The Abbey National Building Society headquarters takes up the whole block, though you can seek out the Sherlock Holmes museum just down the street. And for those of you who are "looking for the England of English literature" a la Helene Hanff, well, 84 Charing Cross Road is now a Pizza Hut. And, finally, if, like Sabine, you go looking for Griffin at 41 Yeats Avenue, you'll be very disappointed. But maybe he went to find you...

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