London, England

If you ask me what my favorite place in the world is, London will always be my answer. I have seen some beautiful beaches, gorgeous lakes, stunning mountains, and idyllic countrysides. At the end of the day, London still tops my list. If it weren't so hard to get a work visa in the U.K. I would move there in a heartbeat! Alas, I will just have to settle with visiting often.

If you are visiting London for the first time, there are obviously "must see" sights that all tourists hit up, but London has so much more to offer! This post is aimed at giving you tips on how to maximize your time in London with the "must see" sights and some other fun stuff to do and see.

Must See Sights

1. Big Ben and Parliament - One of London's most iconic landmarks is Big Ben. This beautiful clock tower, named Elizabeth Tower in 2012 in honor of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, stands 315 feet tall with the clocks on all four sides measuring 39 feet in height and width with dials 23 feet in diameter. Originally the name "Big Ben" simply referred to the 13.7 ton bell inside the tower, but now it commonly refers to the whole tower (even with the rename in 2012). Big Ben chimes every hour on the hour, but also has quarter bells that chime every fifteen minutes. Unfortunately, only UK residents can tour the inside. However, the pictures from the outside are still awesome and what you really want to see anyways. Under the clock face you will find the phrase DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM," which translates to "O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First."

Elizabeth Tower is the north tower of the Palace of Westminster, which is where the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet, the United Kingdom's two houses of the Parliament. Commonly referred to as simply Parliament, the current palace standing is the "New Palace" as much of the original (or "Old Palace") palace was destroyed by a fire in 1512. The Old Palace was built in the year 1016 and was used as a royal residence. Following the fire in 1512 which destroyed the residential area of the palace, King Henry VIII took up residence in the Palace of Whitehall. Since this time the palace became the permanent home of Parliament. In 1834 the building was once again destroyed by fire, but it was rebuilt and is still standing as what we see today. Unlike the tours of Big Ben, you do not have to be a UK resident to tour Parliament. You can book tickets through the official website of Parliament here. There are several options from a self-guided audio tour, to a guided tour, to a tour with afternoon tea. Definitely worth the visit if you have the time!

2. Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral - Two of the most famous churches in London (and hosts of several royal weddings and funerals) are Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral. Westminster Abbey is located directly across the street from Parliament. This church is the sight of coronations and burials of the British monarchs. Westminster Abbey is a gothic style church which was founded in the year 960 by Benedictine monks. Construction of the church we see today began in 1245 and wasn't officially completed until 1512. They definitely took their time! Both the interior and exterior of the church are absolutely stunning. You can see why it took so long to complete given all of the intricate details that went into every aspect of the building. The official website of Westminster Abbey gives you a very detailed history of the construction of the church and all of the architectural details. Be sure to visit this website before you get there in person so you know just what to look for when you arrive. It can be overwhelming when you walk into something so grandiose, so it is good to have a game plan before you enter. Westminster is the location of several royal weddings including Queen Elizabeth to Prince Phillip and most recently Prince William to Catherine Middleton and was also where the funeral for Princess Diana was held. You can plan your visit by booking tickets here.

Located to the east of Westminster Abbey on the top of Ludgate Hill in the City of London is St. Paul's Cathedral. This church is most well known for being the location of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's wedding. The current building was built between the years 1675 and 1710. Like many of the buildings in London, its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The church includes a large dome which can be seen from all over London. The interior of the dome is beautifully painted with eight scenes from the life of St Paul. The apex of the dome includes an oculus like that of the Pantheon in Rome. The exterior of the church is a renaissance style architecture, distinguishing it from the gothic style Abbey. You can walk up the front steps and recreate the moment Princess Diana emerged in her wedding dress with the 25 foot train. Plan your visit by visiting the official website of St. Paul's here and, like with Westminster Abbey, explore the website and learn about the history and architectural details beforehand so you know just what to look for when you arrive. St. Paul's has a truly stunning interior, so make sure to take your time and admire the detail and beauty around you.

3. Tower of London and Tower Bridge - The Tower of London is a castle located along the north side of the River Thames. The palace was once used as a royal residence and served as a jail from 1100 until very recently in 1952. The Tower consists of three wards (enclosures) which made this structure the most secure castle in the United Kingdom. Given the enhanced security, the Tower became the perfect location to guard both the possessions of the royal family and the family themselves during times of war and rebellion. Today, the Tower houses the Crown Jewels, continuing the tradition of keeping the royal family's possessions safe and secure. During the Tudor period, the Tower was used as a state prison. The phrase "sent to the Tower" became well known and many people suspected of treason or a threat to national security were sent here. It is also the spot of the execution of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's most famous wife. The Yeoman Warders (or as we more commonly known them as the "Beefeaters") still guard the Tower to this day performing ceremonial duties like unlocking and locking the Tower every day in the Ceremony of the Keys. Fun fact: the guards were called "Beefeaters" because they were permitted by King Henry VII to eat as much beef as they wanted from the King's table. You can find information on visiting the Tower of London here. Included in admission is the viewing of the Crown Jewels, but be ware that there can often be long lines for this as they only allow a certain amount of people in at one time. Totally worth the wait though!

When walking around the Tower of London you will get a great view of the Tower Bridge. The Tower Bridge is the most well-known bridge in London and commonly incorrectly called the London Bridge (there is a new one of those, with the original actually being bought and relocated to Lake Havasu in Arizona). The Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the River Thames and dates back to 1886. The Bridge has two towers which are connected by two walkways. The Bridge consists of an electro-hydraulic drive which allows the roadway to be raised for ships that need to pass through, which is done an estimated 1000 times per year. The "Tower Bridge Exhibition" is a museum-like display in the Bridge's two towers that includes movies, pictures, and interactive displays. You can purchase tickets here and then when you arrive you will take an elevator to the top of one tower before having the ability to walk across the walkway to the other tower. This offers great views of the river and city! There is even section of the walkway that has a glass floor so you can walk over watching the cars drive by under you (or don't look down if you are afraid of heights).

4. London Eye - The London Eye is a 443 ft tall enclosed-pod Ferris wheel which opened in 2000. The London Eye is described by its operators as "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel." The London Eye consists of 32 sealed and air-conditioned ovoidal passenger capsules. There are 32 capsules to represent each of the London Boroughs. Each capsule holds up to 25 people and allows passengers to walk around inside or sit on a bench that is in the center of each capsule. One full loop around the wheel takes about 30 minutes. From many heights and angles of the ride passengers are offered splendid views of the city. The London Eye offers standard tickets with a single ride around the wheel or you can splurge on one of their VIP Experiences. These include a Champagne Experience, a Beefeater Gin and Schweppes Experience, a Wine Tasting Experience, and a Hotel Chocolate Tasting Experience. You can learn more about purchasing tickets and operating times here. Enjoy the ride!

5. Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace - When you visit London for the first time, the royal residences are most likely on your list. Both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace are sights to see inside and out. Buckingham Palace as we see it today was originally known as Buckingham House, built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703. King George III acquired the property in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte and it became known as The Queen's House. Throughout the 1800s, the palace grew with three wings added around a central courtyard. When Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837 the palace became known as Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the British monarch. The palace has 775 rooms and the largest private garden in London. The state rooms are used for official and state entertaining and are open to the public each year during the months of late July through September and on certain days in both the winter and spring. You can find more information here on tours and whether it is possible during your visit. If you happen to visit on a day or time of year when no tours are available, you can still take in the Changing of the Guards ceremony. This ceremony, also known as Guard Mounting, takes place each day in the front of Buckingham Palace at 10:45am. The ceremony lasts around 45 minutes, with the actual handover taking place at 11:00 am. The Old Guard takes their position in the palace’s forecourt starting at 10:30 am and then around 10:45 am are joined by the St. James’s Palace Old Guard. The New Guard arrives from Wellington Barracks and takes over the responsibilities of the Old Guard in a formal ceremony accompanied by music. It is a sight to see for sure!

Less grandiose and a bit more removed from the public is Kensington Palace. Kensington Palace is located in Kensington Gardens (one of London's Royal Parks) just to the west of Hyde Park. This Palace is home to several members of the royal family including the late Princess Diana, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte, the newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and several other relatives of the Queen. Kensington Palace was actually built by William III and Mary II to help ease the King’s asthma outside of the capital. The Palace consists of several apartments and also has cottages on the grounds. As noted above, Princess Diana lived in Kensington Palace both during her marriage to Prince Charles and after their divorce. Given her tenure at the Palace, there are many exhibits and memorials dedicated to her. Currently you can view the "Diana: Her Fashion Story" exhibit which includes six rooms containing a variety of outfits worn by Princess Diana, as well as interpretation panels, photographs, and original sketches by some of the Princess’s favorite designers. You can then take a walk outside to the Palace Gardens where you will find The Sunken Garden - - which includes the White Garden commonly known as the Princess Diana Memorial Garden (opened in 2017 on the 20th anniversary of her death), the Cradle Walk, and the Formal Gardens. You can find information on tickets and planning your visit here.

Museums

I will admit, I'm not that big of a museum person. I tend to get bored easily, finding myself much more interested in the architecture of the buildings than most of the art inside. However, if you love museums then you will love London. London has over 250 registered art institutions. Obviously they love their art! Even if you are obsessed with art, 250 is a little much. Let me break down a few of the top museums in London to visit. If you want to learn more about London's art scene, you can click here for a larger list. My top four that I actually have visited and would recommend would be the Tate Modern, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery, and the London Transport Museum. The Tate Modern is exactly what you'd expect from a modern art museum. They have numerous exhibits with some of the craziest "art" I've ever seen. I find modern art to be quite odd and often I don't understand it, but it's interesting to experience nonetheless. The Natural History Museum is housed in a gorgeous building featuring Romanesque architecture with high ceilings and ornate details throughout. The museum includes several natural wonders with the most famous being the 85 foot plaster-cast replica of a Diplodocus skeleton, known as "Dippy the Diplodocus." The National Gallery is your classic art museum with over 2,300 pieces of European art ranging from artists like Monet, to Rembrandt, to Michelangelo. The London Transport Museum is a super fun, interactive museum that takes you on a journey from 1800 to present day and the transportation advances of the city. You can find more about each museum by clicking on their name below:

Tate Modern

Natural History Museum

National Gallery

London Transport Museum

Parks

One of my favorite things about London is that even though it is a big metropolitan city, there are so many great parks throughout the city to relax in and feel an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Londoners love spending their afternoons or evenings in the parks. Being notorious for fog and rain, when London has great weather the locals want to be outside taking it all in. What better place than one of the many great parks? You can take a jog, leisurely walk around, bring a blanket and picnic basket, or lounge in one of the rentable lounge chairs and sip on a Pimm's cup! Whatever your fancy, there is a park in London for you. My faves would be Hyde Park and Greenwich Park.

Hyde Park is the largest of the four Royal Parks, spanning 350 acres from Kensington Palace to Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park is divided by the Long Water and the Serpentine. There are several features of Hyde Park including an abundance of trees and gardens, 4 greenhouses, statues, sculptures, soccer fields, tennis courts, and running and cycling paths. There is also a large open area where you can bring your blanket and picnic basket and relax or take in one of the many concerts held in Hyde Park each year. I was fortunate to attend the Hard Rock London Calling concert in 2008 which, among many other performers, included the last performance of The Police. In the winter time, Hyde Park also hosts the Winter Wonderland amusement park, which includes rides, games, and food.

The unique thing about the Royal Parks that I love is their deck chair rentals. You can rent a chair for under 2 pounds for an hour, under 5 pounds for 4 hours, or all day for 9 pounds. The chairs are super comfy green and white striped chairs that offer a great option when you just want to relax and not worry about carrying a bunch of stuff from your house. There are also several "refreshment points" throughout the park that offer coffee, ice cream, snacks & freshly made sandwiches. Basically they have everything you need for a great day at the park.

Greenwich Park is another favorite of mine for the views. Greenwich Park is a 183 acre park in southeast London that consists of a lower part and upper part. When you walk up the hill you get to see a great view of the River Thames, the Isle of Dogs and the City of London. You can see The Gherkin in the distance, really showing you how big the city actually is. Like Hyde Park, there are also plenty of gardens and landscapes to view, cafes to grab refreshments, and sporting options. You can even rent paddle boats in the boating lake from April 1 to October each year. But most importantly, you go to Greenwich Park for the views:

Eating

Many people think that British food is blah, but I disagree! Admittedly, I am from Ohio so my cuisine upbringing isn't that crazy, but you can't go wrong with the food scene in London. From traditional British fare like Fish and Chips or Sunday Roast, to Afternoon Tea, to some of the best Indian food in the world outside of India, you can't go wrong with your food choices in London. I'll give you some of my favorites, but this is just the tip of the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food in London. Do yourself a favor and spend one day just exploring different neighborhoods in London and trying new foods. You won't regret it!

Fish and Chips - When you go to London (or anywhere in the UK), fish and chips is a MUST! You can go to a lot of places in the States or other countries and get fish and french fries, but it will never be as good or as big of a portion of fish as you'll get in the UK. I remember the first time I wen to England and this was the fish I got:

Look at the size of that thing, didn't even fit on the plate! It was worth the time it took to eat it because OMG was it tasty! When looking for the best place to get fish and chips in London, there are an abundance of options. I highly recommend you head to any of the three locations of Poppie's Fish and Chips. Pat ‘Pop’ Newland has been making fish and chips since 1952 and his expertise in the dish has lead to the immense success of his restaurants. Poppie's uses the "best and most responsibly-sourced ingredients to make top quality fish and chips" and it shows in the immense fan base they have built over the years. Their fish and chips is definitely one of the best I've ever had!

Covent Garden - If you aren't sure what you want to eat and want plenty of options, Covent Garden is a great area. Located in the eastern part of the West End, Covent Garden has over 50 restaurants, bars, and cafes. You can do super fancy with a culinary experience at The Petersham or super chill with a burger at Shake Shack. If you're seeing a show at a theater in the West End, stop by for a post-show treat at Ben's Cookies or grab some frozen yogurt at Snog. No matter what you're in the mood for, there is bound to be something in Covent Garden that will satisfy your craving!

Bob Bob Ricard - On my most recent trip to London last fall, my best friend and I dined at Bob Bob Ricard. I knew nothing about this place prior to her telling me and I'm so glad she did! My bestie is a bit of a champagne aficionado, so this restaurant was made for her! At every table is a button that says "Press For Champagne" which alerts your waiter when you push it. I mean, how cool is that?! Granted we were a tad disappointed to learn that it doesn't actually mean "bring me more champagne" simply that you have called your waiter. Still super fun though! We may have pushed the button about 50 times for pictures, boomerangs, videos, and for actual need of more champs! What I loved about this restaurant in addition to the fun button was their attention to detail. From the decor (pink - my favorite), to the service, to the food, everything was clearly unique to Bob Bob Ricard. It was an experience from start to finish and the food was really good as well. And the location of the restaurant is great too because it is just around the corner from Carnaby Street ( a pedestrian shopping street in Soho). We happened to be there when their holiday decorations we up, but no matter the time of year there are always fun decorations along the street and above you. Worth a visit even if not dining nearby!

Afternoon Tea- When in London, you must have Afternoon Tea. It is a staple of British society and with so many unique places throughout the city to enjoy your tea and treats, it's a no-brainer. From high-end fancy Afternoon tea, to kitschy fun tea, to an incredible view, some of my favorites are Claridge's, sketch, and Aqua Shard at The Shard. At Claridge's, you will get a very traditional and formal Afternoon Tea experience served on their beautiful jade and white striped china. Claridge's Afternoon Tea includes finger sandwiches, patisserie and warm scones accompanied by Marco Polo gelée and Cornish clotted cream with your choice of 24 loose leaf teas. You can also choose to upgrade to their Champagne Tea with includes a chilled glass of Laurent-Perrier Brut or Rosé.

At sketch, the first thing you'll see when you walk in is the coolest pink decor ever! The Afternoon Tea at sketch is just as unique as their decor with assorted finger sandwiches that include eggs truffle gougere, fois gras tartlette, and salmon and Jacob's cream. You'll also enjoy an assortment of sweet treats like strawberry battenberg, scones with clotted cream and jams, and a caramel & chocolate eclair. Enjoying your treats with one of their choice of teas and add a glass of champagne and you'll be glad you came to sketch!

At Aqua Shard, it is all about the views! While overlooking the Tower Bridge, the City of London, and the River Thames, you will enjoy a great selection of finger sandwiches like a Native lobster & roasted lobster mayonnaise brown bread finger sandwich and Cannon & Cannon black pudding and sausage roll. You will also get to indulge your sweet tooth with a lemon curd, hazelnut sponge, meringue cake, a peanut butter parfait, caramelized popcorn, and a strawberry yogurt mousse. With a great selection of teas and the option to add champagne, the views are all the much better. Located on the 31st floor of the architectural masterpiece The Shard, you really can't go wrong enjoying your Afternoon Tea high above the city!

Indian Food/Curry - London is known for having some of the best curry in the world. Funny enough, according to Condé Nast Traveler, curry dishes (whether Indian, Sri Lankan, Banglsdeshi, Pakistani, or Indian) out-sell traditional fish and chips two-to-one in the U.K. In full transparency, I actually am not a fan of curry. Instead of trying to bullshit my way through this part of the post, I'll let the experts at Condé Nast Traveler and Thrillist help you out. I may not like curry, but I know it is a top dish when in London, so click below for more info!

15 Best Indian Restaurants In London

The 7 Best Curry Houses in London

Biscuits (Cookies) - While I may know nothing about curry, if there is one thing I do know it's sweets and more specifically cookies! If you love a cookie as much as me, then I urge you to run, not walk, to Biscuiteers. They have boutiques in Notting Hill and Battersea. They specialize in hand-iced biscuits (or cookies as us Americans say) and they seriously have some of the cutest cookies! Their cookies aren't like a traditional sugar cookie in the states, but more of a gingerbread without the strong ginger spice taste. Regardless of your preference in cookie taste, the plethora of choices in designs is worth a visit. I mean just look how how cute:

Other Fun Spots To See

Once you've ticked all of the "must see" spots off your list, there is still so much to see! If I would suggest anything it is to just walk around the city and explore. Hop on a bus or the Tube and just see the city from your own perspective. You never know what you'll find! However, if you prefer suggestions, here are just a few other places I would recommend:

Borough Market - Borough Market is London's oldest food market and offers shoppers stalls filled with fresh fish, produce, baked goods, and more. The actual building is pretty cool too, so worth walking around the market even if you don't buy anything. However, I think it will be pretty hard to walk around and not buy at least one thing!

Neal's Yard - Neal's Yard is a cute little alley off the path in Covent Garden. It is one of those places that if you don't know it is there, you will never even notice it. But once you know where to go, oh how glad you'll be! It is just a small area with shops and a few places to eat, but what makes it worth the visit is how colorful it is. It is the perfect photo op for all of your social media platforms! Located off Shorts Gardens between Neal Street and Monmouth Street you will find this gem:

Churchill Arms - Churchill Arms is a great pub in Kensington and what makes it so unique is the way they decorate the outside. Depending on the time of year, it is covered in flowers, trees, or lights. It is truly a sight to see even if you don't go inside for a pint (which, duh you should always do when passing a pub)!

Portobello Road Market - If you want to get in some shopping, Portobello Road Market is a great option. The colorful row homes that line the street offer a great photo op as well. Wander through the many stalls and shops and find the perfect gifts to take home to family and friends. There is just about anything you could want on the quirky shopping row.

Ok, I could go on and on but this post is already too long so I'll stop there. But do yourself a favor and just explore the city. Take a trip to Shoreditch, walk around Chelsea, go down to Battersea, go shopping at Harrod's and Primark...just explore this awesome city!

Getting Around

Before I wrap this up, I would be a bad travel blogger if I didn't tell you how to get around the city. The good thing about London is that it is very easy to get around. The public transportation is great and taxis are always a second away. The underground (known at the Tube) is spread across the Greater London area, so you can pretty much find anything you need within walking distance to a Tube station. You can find a great map here for a better picture of the underground. That website also has a helpful "Plan Your Trip" feature where you can enter your starting point and where you want to go and they will give you the best route and train(s) or bus(es) to take.

My favorite mode of transportation in London is the bus because their buses are the double-decker red buses we've all come to know and love about London. The best seat by far is the front on the top level. The entire front of the bus is a window, so you get really awesome views of the city while you're traveling to your destination.

Taxis are also fun in London if nothing else because they are so different than a normal taxi in every other part of the world. London taxis (which are black) are a special fitted car just for taxis with tons of leg room, backwards facing seats for parties of 4 or more, and most now have outlets to charge your cell phone! I definitely recommend hopping in a taxi at least once while in London.

Last but not least, the Hop On/Hop Off Bus. For tourists, this is a GREAT way to get around the city. First off, it will take you to all of the "must see" spots and you can get on and hop off at your leisure. Second, there are multiple routes throughout the city, so it basically takes you everywhere for the price of one ticket, three you get a tour guide so you are actually learning things about the city while you ride, and most importantly they offer tickets that are good for 24-48 hours. So if you choose the 48 hour ticket you get two days of free transportation around the city and most come with a bonus River Thames cruise. It is seriously a great deal!

Getting There

With London being such a popular tourist destination, the flight options from pretty much every big city in the States are endless. If you want to use your miles with American Airlines, United, or Delta, they all offer numerous routes and options to get you to London landing in either Heathrow or Gatwick (both have easy public transportation into the city). If you want to save your money, then you're in luck because Wow Airlines offers some great options to London, connecting through Iceland. Depending on how far in advance you book and what time of year you travel, you can find round trip airfare on Wow for under $500! No matter your budget or time constraints, deals to London are always popping up so keep your eyes pealed and get across the pond for a great time!!!

Bon voyage Mates!