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All You Need for Your Trip to...London
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items My home country, the city I've worked in for 12 years, there's far too much to fit into a single list but here are my starters to make it an epic trip to London!
Sections
3
Read Before You Go
While You're Here
Eat Drink and Be Merry
Read Before You Go
The best book on London pubs bar none, essential reading before you make it across the pond.
Great Pubs of London - you'll thank me later!
Even as a non-American, I appreciate Rick Steves' thoughtful approach to itineraries and actually giving genuine recommendations on the ‘must do’
Rick Steves London - still the best guide about
My own blog post on the Top 5 everything - pubs, views, walks etc. - you'll want for your trip to London
The Ultimate 'Top Five' London Guide - By Me!
If you're short on time and want to cram as much in as you can, this tour is excellent for doing just that - includes options for a river cruise and the London eye.
London In One Day Tour - If You're Seriously Rushed
While You're Here
If you want to see both epic university cities (I'm biased as a Cambridge resident but we're blatantly better!) in a single day, you'll need to go via tour as public transport between the two sucks very badly. This is the best option giving you sufficient time for a flavour of each
Oxford and Cambridge Guided Tour
The 4 miles along the South Bank gives you a ‘who's who' of London viewpoints, pubs (try The Anchor near the Cutty Sark) and enough Instagram potential to keep you sated for weeks to come. This guide is the most comprehensive.
My Favourite Urban Walk In London
Yes, it's bloody high! One of the most innovative viewpoint attractions in London with the option to abseil/rappell down the stadium. Take a deep breath…
Walk on Top of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium...and Abseil Down...
I really love the night East London view from this 2012 Olympics vanity project - and it's the price of a normal tube ticket…so what's not to like
The £3 Cable Car No-one Knows About...But With Great Views
We'll skip over the dubious ownership of many of the items and just focus on the fact that the collections here are remarkable and the fact they're free s even more noteworthy. Come early - especially on weekends - to avoid the worse crowds.
The Greatest Free Museum on Earth - British Museum
Of all of London's historical attractions, my no.1 recommendation will always be The Tower. It's not cheap but doing this guided tour not only gives you one of the best tour guides in all of London (the stories alone are worth the fee) but also you'll meet a Beefeater, continuing a 1,000 year old legacy of guards.
Meet a Beefeater - If you're going to splurge on one tour in London, make it this one
West End shows are a highlight of London (go see SIX, it's amazing!) but if you're not overly fussed about the show, this website is my go-to for comparing prices and booking last minute.
The best place to pick up cheap theatre tickets
Eat Drink and Be Merry
Well you're not going to come to London and not check out some pubs are you?!
Literally next door to Trafalgar Square but hiding in plain sight - beer mat decorations across the ceiling, fantastic real ales on tap and a brilliant - if small - Victorian pub.
The Harp - My Absolute Favourite Central London pub
Tucked away about 10 minutes from Liverpool St station, this pub resembles grandma's front room but is an authentic East End Boozer. Jack the Ripper allegedly drank here (as he did all over Whitechapel!) if you wanted some more history
Pride of Spitalfields - My Other Favourite London Pub
We do curry better than any country outside of the subcontinent and East London has no end of choices. I love this Pakistani place's portions and range - bring your own bottle.
Tayyabs - Best South Asian Food in London
Soho is fine but all a bit cliche, walk 10 minutes towards the river and find Retro Bar, just off The Strand. Warm, welcoming and a great drinks selection…and wonder of wonders, actually populated by Londoners not tourists.
Retro Bar - Friendliest Gay Bar in London
Disappointingly, we don't all sit down for afternoon tea every day (sorry!) but if you're visiting, you need to take a couple of hours for this. There are literally hundreds of options, I agree with many of the recommendations on this list.
A Guide to the 10 Best Themed Afternoon Teas in London
Borough Market is one of my favourite places in London to graze - there's literally food from all over the world on offer. This tour takes you through the very best on offer…you won't need lunch afterwards trust me!
London Bridge & Borough Market Food Tour