Revealed: The Top 7 Reasons Why You Need To Visit London

It doesn't matter whether you live in the UK or another country. One of the most famous cities in the world that you must visit at least once is London! It's a city that boasts a rich tapestry of culture, history and breathtaking architecture. If you still need convincing, check out these top seven reasons to visit the city:

1. You can explore 2,000 years of history in just one day

It's probably the only city in the world where you can view two millennia in just 24 hours!

2. There's always something happening

London is the city that never sleeps. One can enjoy musicals, comedy, exhibitions and more every day.

3. There isn't a shortage of places to eat

London is a city filled with restaurants and cafes that cater to all cuisines. The following infographic gives a few examples of places to visit, such as Brick Lane:

By england explore

4. Enjoy a refreshing pint from nearly 4,000 pubs

There's nothing better than to sit down at a nice pub and relax with friends while drinking some ale!

5. Plenty of famous landmarks to check out

From Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to the Tower of London and the British Library. London boasts a plethora of famous landmarks.

6. Experience the art that has influenced the world

London's art scene is huge! From iconic and contemporary portraits to street art, the city is full of exhibits to enjoy.

7. The city is a shopper's paradise

From Harrods to Hamleys. You'll find a wealth of uniquely British stores selling all kinds of things!

The UK’s Best City Breaks

Photo credit: telegraph.co.uk

Plenty of towns and cities around the UK have been investing in their tourist attractions, meaning even towns like Bolton and Wakefield have become great day-time destinations. For something that lasts a little longer, check out these cities for a really great long weekend or full week away.

Our glorious capital: London

It might sound like stating the obvious, but London is a much-overlook destination for vacation time. There’s a reason people flock from all over the world to visit it: London has become one of the world’s great cities with enough to keep you entertained for weeks on end.

There are the historical sights to visit if you’ve never been before, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, but if you want to discover something a little less tourist-focussed, be sure to check out the various art galleries that are dotted throughout the city along with the world-class food available on almost every street.

Northern soul: Manchester

The well-worn saying “It’s grim up north” is no longer applicable to the fantastic city of Manchester. The birth-place of alternative culture, there’s a reason why some of the world’s greatest musicians hail from this inspirational and endlessly entertaining city.

A great spot for a shopping trip with friends (with a great range of mixed-price shops for all wallets) to romantic getaways, Manchester offers the kind of cultural experiences you’ll find in London but on a much more relaxed scale in a way that only the Northerners of this country can produce.

Breezy shores: Whitby

If you think it’s impossible to have a great seaside holiday in the UK, you obviously have never visited
Whitby. Ideal for those who their seaside resorts to be less about two-penny slot machines and more about great gothic scenery and fantastic food, Whitby is a fantastic break location.

Great at all times of years, you might not want to go dipping in the sea outside of the depths of summer, but there’s much more to Whitby than sea and sand. Victorian and gothic culture lines the streets making it a mecca for those of an alternative leaning.

If you’re still not sure about the quality of British mini-breaks, there are plenty of others out there that are hoping to convince you of otherwise. Reviews on the likes of OntheBeach are there to persuade you – so what are you waiting for?

Essentials to Experience an Enjoyable Tour of London

I love to travel, and I have been to so many different places in my life. I’ve visited Barcelona, planned my dream ski holiday, and seen so much of the world. And one of the places I’ve developed a soft spot for over the years is London. I’ve visited a couple of times before, and I’d love to go back again.

The last time I was there I went on a tour of London that was organised for me. It was an excellent experience, and I had a great time. So, now I’m going share with you how you can have the same experience. This post is going to detail the things that I’d recommend you take with you in order to make your experience more enjoyable.

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Plenty of Cash

This goes without saying as you’re on holiday, but make sure you remember. You’re going to need plenty of cash because London is not cheap. And in order to have the full experience you don’t want to be worrying and watching your pennies all the time. Save up before the trip to make sued you have plenty of cash with you.

Mobile Phone

I would advise taking your mobile or cell phone with you. Of course, you’ll need to talk to your provider if you’re traveling there from abroad so you don’t get hit with international charges. But, your phone can be a godsend in these sorts of situations. You can take photos, look up information and use apps. There are plenty of ways to utilise the phone during the tour that will help you to enjoy it much more.

Map

Yes, you’re going to be on a guided tour, but I would always advise you to carry a map. This way, if you do get lost, you’re still going to be able to find where you’re going. Also, you might have earmarked something you'd like to see that isn’t on the tour. If the tour is going to pass by it, you might be able to arrange to go and see it then rejoin the tour group.

Warm Clothes

Enjoying your London tour is a lot to do with how well you prepare. Bear in mind you’re going to be out in the open for almost the entire time. As such, you need to figure out how to stay comfortable, and warmth is comfort. I made sure I packed a warm jumper, and a jacket to take with me. And I was thankful for it later because it became very cold, and there was no way to get warm otherwise.

Camera

Of course, what kind of tourist would you be if you didn’t take a camera with you?! You need to capture all the wonderful sights and sounds of London. There will be opportunities to get up close and personal with amazing attractions. And I feel it’s important to capture these moments on film. Take plenty of film with you, and make sure you charge the camera, and carry spare batteries.

Guidebook

I’m the sort of person who loves to multitask, so during the tour I pored over a guidebook. This helped me expand my knowledge of London, and I could earmark things to do for later. I would highly recommend you get yourself a guidebook, and use it as a reference point throughout the tour.

So, hopefully if you’ve read this far, you will have enough information to equip yourself. If you can take all of these on board, you’re going to find that you have a much more enjoyable tour experience.

Visiting London: Top Tips for a Stress-Free Stay

Photo credit: trivago.co.uk

It’s amazing how many people think that a trip to London would involve stress, overcrowded streets and smog in the air, when in actual fact, what London provides is simply incredible. A few days in London can be an extremely enjoyable experience if you know how to work the city without getting overly worked up. The density of the city can be a little overwhelming for rural dwellers but the contents of the streets should be appreciated, at least once, in your lifetime. Here are some top tips to ensure your stay in the Big Smoke is as satisfying as possible.

Accommodation

The temptation of choosing an upmarket boutique hotel may be too much, but before you consider shelling out hundreds of pounds, have a look at the more affordable alternatives. You can book cheap hotels from Travelodge online which will place you in the heart of the city. Ideally located, you can enjoy everything on your itinerary without worrying about how to get back to your hotel and you can check out knowing that you haven’t spent half your savings for the trouble.

Travel

Remember that the cost of private transport, such as the trusty Black Cab, in London isn’t the cheapest way of getting around the city. While it may be your choice elsewhere, consider your options and weigh up the costs. The volume of traffic on the roads can seriously impede your chances of getting anywhere on time and, while overground buses are a cheaper alternative, you’re still faced with hectic congestion.

Instead, consider purchasing an Oyster Card which you can top up as you go - or buy Travelcards if you prefer, so that you can use the excellent Underground network. While it may be busy during the peak times, it’s reliable and fast and will get you to where you want to go in no time. Pay attention to any engineering works so that you can plan your route and keep a pocket-size tube map with you so that you don’t get lost!

Remember to stand on the right hand side of the escalators so that those in a rush can zoom by on the left, and keep your tickets because you’ll need them to get back out again!

If all else fails, you can resort to Shank’s Pony. Often, you will only have to walk a short distance to get between places. Have a look at a proper map rather than judging distances by tube, because it’s very different!

Excursions

Anyone visiting the city will undoubtedly have a plan of action, to ensure they can keep to a schedule and see all the things they are planning to see. Many of the major sights are within walking distance of each other, meaning you can see many in one go.

Whether you want to enjoy a ride on the London Eye or you’re heading for the London Dungeons, make sure you look online for discount tickets before you travel – you can save heaps of money if you book in advance. Plus, the London Pass offers incredible value for money if the sights included make up part of your itinerary.

Most of all, try and stay relaxed. There’s nothing worse than getting worked up because of the hustle and bustle. Try and think like a Londoner and take everything in your stride and you’ll be fine!