I took my younger sister with me on this trip to London. We were blessed to be able to stay with family in East Croyden, London and did not have to pay for a hotel! We used the tube to get almost everywhere. It was very convenient and not too expensive. England has so much history and we were able to explore a lot in the 3 days we were there.
My Suggestions:
Eat Fish and Chips!
I know this doesn’t seem like much fun but you have to try fish and chips before you leave England! My grandmother is English so I grew up eating chips with everything. Most of the fish is beer battered, fried and served with tarter sauce and malt vinegar. You can also add a little hot sauce. (Hot sauce makes everything better!)
Shop on the iconic Carnaby Street and hang out in Picadilly Circus
Carnaby Street is know for becoming London’s most popular fashion scene during the 1960’s. Today it is still quite popular and has a vast range of stores to explore. In addition to shopping, there are also lots of good restaurants and pubs. Piccadilly Circus is very close by, which has theaters, stores and other entertainment (Similar to Time Square in NY). You can spend an entire day in this touristy area because there is so much to do.
Dine at 45 Jermyn Street
This exquisite restaurant is located on the corner of Jermyn st. and Duke st. in the heart of historic St. James. I randomly stumbled across this place while lost and looking for another restaurant. I must say that I’m glad I found it! The service was impeccable and the experience was so unexpected. A chef prepared our meal table-side! We were certainly impressed by our chef, server and the entire staff. Oh and the food was great too! I highly recommend.
Visit the Wonder of Stonehenge
The nerd in me couldn’t wait to get here! Stonehenge has been on my bucket list for over a decade. I have always wanted to see this mysterious, prehistoric monument up close. It is even more incredible viewing in person! In addition to the monument, there are replicas of Neolithic Houses furnished with replica items such as axes, pottery and other artifacts, which reveal the type of homes that the builders might have lived in 4.5 thousand years ago.
Visit Windsor Castle-Home of the her Majesty the Queen
This castle is almost 1,000 years old and has been home to the Royal family for generations. Its amazing that such grand architecture was created so long ago with the limited resources that were available back then. The grounds expand over 13 acres and there are about 1,000 rooms inside. If you enjoy history I highly recommend visiting Windsor Castle. The experience takes you back in time and you get a chance to see how the Royal family has lived for generations. The tour also includes St. Georges Chapel where you can see the tombs of previous monarchs including Henry Vlll and Jane Seymore.
Popular Sightseeing Attractions- Get a London Pass
- Watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace-Free
- Take a walk in Hyde Park-Free
- Trafalgar Square-Free
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- Westminster Abby
- Thames River boat cruise
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theater
- The view from the Shard
- Big Ben
- Ride the London Eye
- Tower Bridge
- London Bridge
- Have a drink at an old English pub
- Afternoon tea at The Ritz
If you plan to visit many of the popular attractions around London, I recommend getting a London Pass. https://www.londonpass.com/ I also suggest you plan your itinerary for the entire day before activating the pass. Once the pass is activated, you must use within 24 hours. The pass will save you money if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing. It covers admission to many attractions, but not all. Be sure to review the tours that are covered in the pass before purchasing.
Helpful Information
- Language: English
- Currency: The pound sterling, known as the pound (£, GBP) £ 1 GBP= $1.23. (You will lose about $23 per $100) You can exchange your money prior traveling, or once you arrive in England. ATM’s are very convenient. Credit cards are also widely accepted. (Be sure to check with your bank to get information regarding international fees)
- Climate: Rainy and cloudy on most days (similar to Seattle, WA) mildly warm summers and cool, mild winters
- Best time to visit: Spring (March-May) or fall (September-December) The weather is more mild and the flights are usually cheaper. Also less tourists. Summer: June-August is peak tourist season, so busier and more expensive.
- Time Zone: GMT+1, 5 Hours ahead of NY, NY
- Transportation: Train aka Tube (Underground) You can get almost everywhere in London on the tube. I highly recommend! The tube is easy to use also nice and clean as well as more convenient. Other options are Bus, lightrail/Tram, Uber, and walking. I suggest getting an oyster card which is accepted on all modes of public transportation in London. It a is a smart card that you can add money to and you will save in the long run. https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card
