January 21, 2025 • 22 mins
In episode 133 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, join Tracy Collins as she unveils her top five must-experience adventures in London, perfect for both first-time visitors and those seeking to add something special to their next trip. From iconic landmarks to unique cultural traditions, this episode is packed with insights and tips to help you make the most of your London adventure.
Discover the magic of London's historic sites, learn how to capture stunning views of the city from above and along the Thames, and immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions that make London truly unique. Tracy also shares her love for London's diverse neighbourhoods and vibrant markets, and reveals a bonus experience you won't want to miss.
- Experience London's Iconic Landmarks
- See London from a Different Angle
- Immerse in London's Culture and Tradition
- Visit London's World-Class Museums
- Explore London's Unique Areas
- Bonus Tip: Day Trips from London
Whether you're drawn to the historic charm of the Tower of London, the breathtaking views from the London Eye, or the vibrant atmosphere of Borough Market, Tracy's recommendations ensure a memorable journey through one of the world's most captivating cities.
📝 Show Notes - Episode 133
🎧 Listen to next
- Episode #96 - Best Day Trips from London (Part 1)
- Episode #97 - Best Day Trips from London (Part 2)
- Episode #84 - Exploring London’s Walks Tours with Ground Operations Manager Charley Bennett
- Episode #85 - Review of the Ceremony of the Keys and Opening Ceremony of the Tower of London
- Episode #91 – A Taste of London: A Conversation with Charley Bennett from Devour Food Tours
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Tracy Collins (00:00):
Planning a trip to London but not sure where to
start?
Don't worry, I've got youcovered.
Welcome to episode 133 of theUK Travel Planning Podcast.
Today, I'm sharing five of myfavourite London experiences to
help you plan your perfect visit, whether it's your first time
or you're looking to addsomething special to your next
trip.
Intro (00:18):
Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
Your host is the founder of theUK travel planning website,
Tracy Collins.
In this podcast, Tracy sharesdestination guides, travel tips
and itinerary ideas, as well asinterviews with a variety of
guests who share their knowledgeand experience of UK travel to
help you plan your perfect UKvacation.
(00:40):
Join us as we explore the UKfrom cosmopolitan cities to
quaint villages, from historiccastles to beautiful islands,
and from the picturesquecountryside to seaside towns.
Tracy Collins (01:00):
Hello and welcome back to the UK Travel Planning
Podcast.
London is a city that neverstops surprising its visitors.
Whether it's your first time oryou're returning to uncover
more of its charm, london has anincredible variety of
experiences to offer.
So in today's episode, I'llwalk you through my five
favourite experiences in London,share tips and insights which
(01:20):
will help you, hopefully, makethe most of your visit.
So I'll be talking about someiconic landmarks, cultural
highlights like afternoon teaand historic pub tours, and even
how to catch some of London'sunique traditions, such as the
changing of the guard or theceremony of the keys at the
Tower of London.
You'll also hear a bonus sixthexperience, which I really
couldn't miss out.
When I was putting thistogether, I was like no, I have
(01:41):
to talk about this particularexperience, so you'll find that
at the end.
So grab a notebook, getyourself comfy and let's dive
into planning your perfectLondon adventure.
So first on my list isexperiencing London's iconic
landmarks, and these are theplaces that immediately come to
mind when you think of London,such as Westminster Abbey, big
(02:03):
Ben and yes, I know that is thebell and it's actually the
Elizabeth Tower, but honestly,no British person calls it that.
It's always going to be Big Bento us, st Paul's Cathedral and,
of course, the Tower of London.
Did I mention Buckingham Palace?
Possibly not, but you know,these are the places that, when
you think about London,immediately come to mind.
So not only are these sitesfantastic to look at, but
(02:26):
they're also steeped in historyand culture that dates back
centuries.
So now I recommend that youactually go into these places as
well.
Don't just see them fromoutside and tick off a list.
I had a friend who went toLondon last year and she didn't
actually even go at the Tower ofLondon, which I was a bit
disappointed with.
To experience London, don'tjust look at the Tower of London
(02:49):
from outside.
Go into the Tower of London andfind out about history.
Walk around and feel thehistory you just can't avoid,
you can't miss it the actualkind of whole spirit and essence
of the Tower of London and whatit's been over the centuries.
Learn about that and find outabout it.
So please, please, please, ifyou can, don't just see them
(03:11):
from the outside, because you'regoing to miss so much.
If that's all you do Now, ifyou can take a tour Really, you
know, a small group tour withskip the lines.
Access is what I like to go onfor places like Westminster
Abbey and the Tower of London,but I know if you're on a
tighter budget, maybe considerthings like a Virgil tour at
Westminster Abbey, which costs£10.
(03:32):
It's at 11 o'clock, though.
They only take 20 people, somake sure that you are there
well in advance and that you payyour £10 to get in.
As one of those 20 people, Ifound out in I think it was
October, november, when I endedup being number 22, that there
was absolutely no way that I wasgoing on that Virgil tour,
unfortunately.
So that was a bit of adisappointment for me, so I
(03:53):
don't want that to happen to youas well, so make sure that
you're there ahead of time.
But, for example, you know youcan do things like that If you
go to St Paul's Cathedral, youhave to pay to go in, but they
have audio tours and I actuallyjoined a free tour with a
volunteer when I went around in.
I think it was October time whenI visited St Paul's when I was
(04:14):
doing the London Pass Challenge,which you can hear about in a
previous episode of the podcast.
So if you want a tighter budgetand you can't afford to pay for
a small group tour or a privatetour.
Do consider making sure thatyou do the actual tours that
exist in some of these places.
So St Paul's, let's say, you'vegot an auditor, there's
volunteers that take tours Forthe Tower of London, there's a
(04:35):
free Yeoman Water tour that youcan join and it's so informative
and it's really entertaining aswell.
The Yeoman Waders they reallyknow their stuff, but also's
really entertaining as well.
The human orders they reallyknow their stuff, but also
they've got great personalities.
The only downside of it is thatit's busy, so you don't get.
You know you can't have thatone-to-one or small group kind
of exchange that you can have onsome of the small group or
(04:58):
private tours.
But, as I say, you'll learn somuch.
So do join a tour, even ifthere's a lot of you there.
You will learn about thesedifferent iconic landmarks and
historic buildings and justwonderful places to visit in
London.
Like, seriously, you can't missout seeing these places.
You know, if you can book atour with a guide, honestly you
(05:21):
won't regret it because youreally will be able to take
advantage of kind of finding outfar more about the place and if
you do so, as I say, it willgive you a deeper understanding
of London's history and makeyour visit all the more
memorable.
And, believe me, there weretimes in my twenties and
probably thirties that I didn'tnecessarily take tours.
I kind of would wander aroundand probably not learn anything
(05:43):
about a place, just kind of gooh excellent, I've been here and
tick it off.
But to have a deeper experienceof London, honestly do a tour,
do the free tours, do the audioguide if that's what they
provide you with, because that'sgoing to be a better way to
understand London.
So, next up, see London from adifferent angle, because the
city is breathtaking, from aboveor along the river.
(06:04):
For panoramic views.
You have quite a few choicesand I do have an article the
best viewpoints in London.
So the obvious ones that springto mind are the London Eye.
Not everybody loves the LondonEye.
I personally always like to goon the London Eye because you
get a different view.
You get a great view of Big Ben, house of Parliament,
(06:25):
westminster you can see formiles from up there, and you get
a wonderful view of the Thamesitself.
For a different view, you can goto the Shard or the Sky Garden.
Now, the advantage of the SkyGarden is that it is free.
So make sure that you do getyour tickets for that, because
you will have to get a slot, butit is free, so it's great.
If you're on a budget, it's agreat option to go to the Sky
(06:46):
Garden and you do get greatviews of HMS Belfast, the Tower
of London, tower Bridge, theThames.
Again, if you want to go up theShard and see I mean, the view
from the Shard is also amazing.
We did that last year.
We had access to the Shardthrough the London Pass, so
(07:10):
enjoyed the view from that.
We did have to book that, soyou've got lots of different
options to give you lots ofvantage points where you'll get
really a fantastic bird's eyeview of landmarks across London.
So I recommend you do that and,as I say, if budget's an issue,
just go to the Sky Gardenbecause it's free.
For something more relaxed,maybe consider a Thames River
cruise, because that's afantastic option.
So you'll glide past iconiclandmarks like the House of
(07:31):
Parliament, shakespeare's Globeand you enjoy a unique
perspective of the city.
If you're looking for anunforgettable moment, opt for a
sunset cruise, because it'struly magical to see London's
skyline illuminated as day turnsto night and I was very lucky
last October to be on the Uberboat from Greenwich back down to
(07:51):
Westminster Pier at sunset andit really was gorgeous.
I'll put some pictures in theshow notes actually because it
was stunning.
But obviously a cruise isn'tthe only way to experience the
Thames.
As I've just said, I got theUber boat.
Now that's a Thames Clipper.
It's not like Uber as in youcall Uber on your phone.
It's not a boat like that, it'sbasically just a Clipper
service that goes up and downthe Thames.
That will be cheaper than acruise and you know many London
(08:14):
people will use that to getaround and I love hopping on the
Uber boats.
You know, one of my favoriterides is basically on the Uber
boat all the way down toGreenwich.
But if rides is is basically onthe uber boat all the way down
to greenwich.
But if you say you're visitingthe tower of london, you could
actually join up, jump on at thetower, millennium pier and then
just go to westminster pier andthat takes about 30 minutes and
if you do that you pass by someof london's sites and landmarks
(08:36):
like hms balfast club theater,st paul's, millennium bridge,
etc.
Etc.
So that's a great way to travelbetween those two points in
london and get a differentperspective.
The third experience that Irecommend is to experience the
culture and tradition of London.
Really, london is a city whereculture and tradition are woven
(08:57):
into everyday life.
Whether it's watching thechanging of the guard at
Buckingham Palace or attendingthe Ceremony of the Keys at the
Tower of London, these ritualsoffer a fascinating glimpse into
London's story.
Past the history, it's justhonestly, it just seeps all
through the city.
Past the history.
It's just it, honestly, it justseeps all through the city and
if you attend any of thoseparticular ceremonies you really
will be kind of involved in the, the pomp and ceremony of of
(09:22):
the uk, basically of britain.
So the change of the guardeveryone wants to see.
It's crazy busy, especiallyduring the holidays and in peak
season, so it really is best toprepare and we do have a guide
on the website so you know whatto see, when to be there, where
and how to move around to getthe best of it, and I will link
(09:42):
to that in the show notes.
So now other ceremonies that Iabsolutely love to attend and
I'm sure if you've listened toany of my previous podcasts
about my favorite things to doin London.
You'll know that I love theopening ceremony and the
ceremony of the keys at theTower of London.
So that's the basically theopen ceremony.
So you're there before youactually see the Tower of London
opening, and the ceremony ofthe keys is a very, extremely
(10:06):
historic event that happensevery evening.
It's the actual closing of theTower of London and it's been
following the same way of doingit for centuries and centuries
and centuries.
You cannot video it, you cannottake photographs.
The only way to experience theCeremony of the Keys is actually
to attend it.
Now, tickets for the Ceremonyof the Keys must be pre-booked
(10:28):
in advance online.
If you're going to book for the£5 tickets and it does become
fully booked very quicklythey're released on a rolling
monthly basis.
So for tickets for April, so ifyou're heading for London in
April, they were released at thebeginning of March at 4pm on
the first working day of themonth, unless it's a Friday, and
(10:49):
then they're released on thefollowing Monday.
So add that to your diary Now.
Those £5 tickets are excellentif you can get them.
But if you want a truly VIPexperience, I do recommend the
walks tour.
It's a small group tour and youget exclusive time with a
Yeoman warder, and it's one ofmy favorite experiences in
(11:09):
London.
I think I've done it threetimes now and I'd like to do it
Honestly.
I would like to do it so manytimes that I meet every one of
the Yeoman warders, becausethey're all so different.
They all have their own stories, but being able to ask them
questions and for them to beable to share about their life
living in the Tower of London aswell is something it's such a
privilege to be able to spendthe time and learn about it and
(11:33):
also to just learn the historyof the Tower of London from them
.
They know so much.
So another experience that Irecommend to try in London and
this comes up so often and weget asked so often about this is
afternoon tea.
So you know whether you want togo for the classic elegance of
the Ritz or a quirky option likeBridget's Bakery Afternoon Tea
(11:54):
Bus, or a themed tea like Alicein Wonderland or Peter Pan,
which Doug and I have done bothof those.
It's really, honestly, adelightful way to indulge in a
British tradition.
There are so many afternoonteas on offer that you really
are spoilt for choice.
There's traditional and themedafternoon teas choice.
(12:16):
There's traditional and themedafternoon teas and I know when I
talk to people I do consultsabout visiting London, itinerary
consults Often I'll talk aboutwhat ask and what sort of
afternoon tea in particular theywould like to experience
because there are so manydifferent choices.
We do have a guide withinformation about lots of the
options and I will share that inthe show notes.
So while we talk of culture andfood and drink, I highly
(12:36):
recommend also visiting a Londonpub.
So if you have our Londontravel planning map, you can
filter by the pub tag to findthe locations of our favourites.
And I'll also mention I can'tnot mention this the Taste Tales
and Traditional Ales tour Itook with Devour a few years ago
, which I absolutely loved.
Visiting some of the mosthistoric pubs in London and
(12:57):
hearing the stories, historiesand about the famous people who
visited over the centuries was,honestly, it was so fantastic.
And it was topped off with somegreat food, including the best
scotch egg I've ever eaten.
Okay, fortnum and Mason, you doan amazing one too, but this is
one of my favorite tours everanywhere in the world.
Honestly, I loved it so muchand I went with a friend of mine
(13:19):
and Terry and she is stilltalking about this tour because
it was so much fun.
The guide was excellent.
We went to visit some of theseold, old pubs down little
alleyways hidden away, and itwas brilliant.
And I'm British and I loved it,absolutely loved it.
So if you want to experiencethat kind of culture of the
British pub and also the history, honestly I can't recommend
(13:43):
that tour enough.
It was just brilliant and I'lllink to that in the show notes
as well.
Now you can't forget the markets.
Borough Market is a foodieparadise.
Now, I've still tried thosestrawberries dipped in chocolate
that everybody goes on about,but honestly, humble Crumble is
my go-to when I go to BoroughMarket.
There's other optionsPortobello Market, greenwich
Market, camden Market, CoventGarden Markets, and those are
(14:06):
just some of the markets toconsider visiting, and there's
really no better way to immerseyourself in the culture than by
engaging in thesequintessentially British
experiences.
So again, we have a guide toLondon markets, which I'll link
to in the show notes.
My fourth favourite experienceis to visit a museum.
Now, I know this isn'teverybody's taste and I do get
(14:28):
told on Facebook occasionally.
You know, my husband isn't amuseum person, we're not
interested in museums, but Iwill say London's museums are
really among the best in theworld, and the even better news
is that many of them are free.
So the Victorian Albert Museum,also called the V&A, natural
History Museum, national Gallery, national Portrait Gallery,
(14:48):
science Museum and BritishMuseum are some of the most
popular options and, free though, they do charge sometimes for
special exhibitions, so do checkthat.
But entrance to the museums isfree and each of these
institutions offers, honestly, aunique window to art, history
and science.
And, as many of you will know,the V&A is my personal favorite.
(15:09):
I always go to the V&A.
It's, honestly, it's ahighlight of my itinerary
whenever I visit London.
And don't miss the cafe.
That's all I'm saying.
Do not miss.
If you go to the V&A, youcannot miss the cafe.
Now, if you're looking forsomething more offbeat, london's
got lots of smaller museums too.
(15:30):
The Florence Nightingale Museum, which I recently visited with
the London Pass, provides afascinating insight into the
life and legacy of the founderof modern, nursing For history
enthusiasts.
The Imperial War Museum offersa gripping exploration of
wartime Britain.
The Churchill War Rooms give aglimpse into the nerve centre of
Britain's World War II efforts.
Hms Belfast, which is moored onthe Thames, provides a unique
(15:53):
opportunity to step aboard ahistoric Royal Navy warship.
Other highlights include theSir John Soane's Museum Treasure
Trove of Art and Antiquities,the Charles Dickens Museum,
which offers a glimpse into thelife of one of England's
greatest writers.
These are just a few of thecountless options available, so
there's truly something foreveryone.
Whether you're a history buff,an art lover or simply curious
(16:15):
about London's rich heritage,there is a museum for you, and,
again, I have a guide to museumson the website.
So do have a look and pick oneout that meets your interests,
because there are so manyamazing museums in London and I
would strongly recommend thatyou add that into your London
experiences.
(16:36):
So my fifth experience is toexplore some of London's unique
areas, so each area has its owndistinct character and charm, so
it makes you feel like you'rediscovering a different side of
the city every time you turn acorner.
For example, notting Hill, withits pastel coloured houses and
lively Portobello road market,is perfect for a leisurely
(16:57):
morning.
I had a fabulous photo shootwith Domi of Scale and Studio in
Notting Hill, which I loved,and we had so much fun finding
the best spots.
It's such a lovely part ofLondon and, of course, for fans
of the movie Notting Hill,finding the blue door and the
Notting Hill bookshop has to bedone, but honestly, I had some
probably my favourite photosI've ever had taken of me was
taken in Notting Hill by Domi,and it's a beautiful, beautiful
(17:26):
area to explore.
Shoreditch, the other hand, andthe East End is a hub for
creativity and street art,trendy cafes and boutiques to
explore and if you're a historylover, greenwich I'm sure you've
heard mentioned Greenwich anumber of times is a must visit
and one of my absolutefavourites.
There's so much to do and seethe Royal Observatory, where you
can place a foot in East andWest Hemispheres, the Painted
Hall in the old Royal NavalCollege, the Clipper, the Cotty
(17:47):
Sark.
Greenwich really is a treasuretrove of maritime history and
beautiful views.
So don't forget the beautifulviews from the observatory.
It really is worth walking upthat steep hill for the view
that you get and again, I'llshare in the show notes some of
the photos that I've taken.
I've taken a few videos from upthere as well, because it's so
beautiful.
You do get a stunning view.
(18:09):
Now I would recommend that youtake some time to wander around
these areas, soak in theatmosphere and experience kind
of the many facets of Londonlife, because it isn't all about
the changing of the guard orWestminster Abbey or the
Ceremony of the Keys, you know,there is kind of normal life
going on and these areas,honestly, are wonderful to
explore and walk around.
(18:30):
Take a picnic to Greenwich ParkIf you're there and the
weather's lovely.
Honestly, it's a beautiful parkto just sit and relax in and
enjoy.
In the spring you get thecherry blossom.
In the autumn the leaves changecolour and it's a really,
really pretty place to visit andit's, as I say, it's one of my
favourite areas to go and youcan actually combine a few
things because you can take thatUber boat down there and enjoy
(18:53):
the river on the way down andthen explore Greenwich and then
head back up into the city.
Now, bonus tip Number six mybonus experience.
I don't know if this is going tobe controversial because I know
we're talking about five bestexperiences in London, but one
of the best things you can do ifyou have time, honestly, if you
(19:14):
have time, is to actually getout of London on a day trip, and
I know I keep saying this, Ifeel like I do a bit of a stock
record with saying this, butthere are so many incredible
places to explore just a shortjourney away from London.
Hampton Court Palace offers afascinating glimpse into Tudor
history.
You've got Windsor Castle,where you can walk in the
(19:35):
footsteps of royalty, and, ofcourse, St George's Chapel is
the final resting place for thelate queen.
So those are wonderful, easyday trips from London.
They're very close, but ifyou're up for a bit more of an
adventure, stonehenge, bath,oxford, cambridge, canterbury
and the Cotswolds are just someof the iconic destinations that
(19:55):
showcase England's naturalbeauty and historic charm, and
they're all within reach ofLondon on a day trip.
We have got two podcast episodeswhere we dedicated now off the
top of my head I think it'sepisode 97 and 98 or 96 and 97.
Hopefully that's correct when Italk about Doug and I actually
talk about our favorite daytrips from London.
(20:15):
We kind of go clockwise aroundbecause there's so many
different places to choose, butif you're in London long enough,
I really urge you to include aday trip out of London itself so
you can experience a little bitdifferent, something a little
bit different.
Get out of the city, experiencethe countryside, just see a
different side of England.
And my final tip.
(20:37):
The one thing that I wouldrecommend that you do to make
the most of these experiences ishonestly to book a tour with a
knowledgeable guide to trulydiscover London.
So, whether it's a private tour, a small group tour or a guided
experience included with theentry ticket, having experts
show you around is honestly 100%worth it and it will help you
(20:57):
make the most of theseexperiences.
And there you have it my fivefavorite experiences in London
plus a bonus, bonus tip.
Which of these will you add toyour itinerary?
Let me know via the speak pipelink in the show notes, because
I'm really excited to know ifyou have a question or have
enjoyed this episode.
Let me know too, because I loveto hear from you and you never
know, you may get a shout out ina upcoming episode.
(21:19):
Now that's it for this week.
Please do check the show notesat uktravelplanningcom forward
slash, episode 133 for photosand links to the different tours
that are mentioned.
But that just leaves me to sayuntil next week.
Happy UK travel planning.
Thank you for tuning in to thisweek's episode of the UK travel
(21:39):
planning podcast.
As always, show notes can befound at uktravelplanningcom.
If you've enjoyed the show, whynot leave us feedback via text
or a review on your favouritepodcast app.
We love to hear from you andyou never know.
You may receive a shout out ina future episode, but, as always
, that just leaves me to sayuntil next week.
(21:59):
Happy UK travel planning.
Planning a trip to London but not sure where to
start?
Don't worry, I've got youcovered.
Welcome to episode 133 of theUK Travel Planning Podcast.
Today, I'm sharing five of myfavourite London experiences to
help you plan your perfect visit, whether it's your first time
or you're looking to addsomething special to your next
trip.
Intro (00:18):
Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
Your host is the founder of theUK travel planning website,
Tracy Collins.
In this podcast, Tracy sharesdestination guides, travel tips
and itinerary ideas, as well asinterviews with a variety of
guests who share their knowledgeand experience of UK travel to
help you plan your perfect UKvacation.
(00:40):
Join us as we explore the UKfrom cosmopolitan cities to
quaint villages, from historiccastles to beautiful islands,
and from the picturesquecountryside to seaside towns.
Tracy Collins (01:00):
Hello and welcome back to the UK Travel Planning
Podcast.
London is a city that neverstops surprising its visitors.
Whether it's your first time oryou're returning to uncover
more of its charm, london has anincredible variety of
experiences to offer.
So in today's episode, I'llwalk you through my five
favourite experiences in London,share tips and insights which
(01:20):
will help you, hopefully, makethe most of your visit.
So I'll be talking about someiconic landmarks, cultural
highlights like afternoon teaand historic pub tours, and even
how to catch some of London'sunique traditions, such as the
changing of the guard or theceremony of the keys at the
Tower of London.
You'll also hear a bonus sixthexperience, which I really
couldn't miss out.
When I was putting thistogether, I was like no, I have
(01:41):
to talk about this particularexperience, so you'll find that
at the end.
So grab a notebook, getyourself comfy and let's dive
into planning your perfectLondon adventure.
So first on my list isexperiencing London's iconic
landmarks, and these are theplaces that immediately come to
mind when you think of London,such as Westminster Abbey, big
(02:03):
Ben and yes, I know that is thebell and it's actually the
Elizabeth Tower, but honestly,no British person calls it that.
It's always going to be Big Bento us, st Paul's Cathedral and,
of course, the Tower of London.
Did I mention Buckingham Palace?
Possibly not, but you know,these are the places that, when
you think about London,immediately come to mind.
So not only are these sitesfantastic to look at, but
(02:26):
they're also steeped in historyand culture that dates back
centuries.
So now I recommend that youactually go into these places as
well.
Don't just see them fromoutside and tick off a list.
I had a friend who went toLondon last year and she didn't
actually even go at the Tower ofLondon, which I was a bit
disappointed with.
To experience London, don'tjust look at the Tower of London
(02:49):
from outside.
Go into the Tower of London andfind out about history.
Walk around and feel thehistory you just can't avoid,
you can't miss it the actualkind of whole spirit and essence
of the Tower of London and whatit's been over the centuries.
Learn about that and find outabout it.
So please, please, please, ifyou can, don't just see them
(03:11):
from the outside, because you'regoing to miss so much.
If that's all you do Now, ifyou can take a tour Really, you
know, a small group tour withskip the lines.
Access is what I like to go onfor places like Westminster
Abbey and the Tower of London,but I know if you're on a
tighter budget, maybe considerthings like a Virgil tour at
Westminster Abbey, which costs£10.
(03:32):
It's at 11 o'clock, though.
They only take 20 people, somake sure that you are there
well in advance and that you payyour £10 to get in.
As one of those 20 people, Ifound out in I think it was
October, november, when I endedup being number 22, that there
was absolutely no way that I wasgoing on that Virgil tour,
unfortunately.
So that was a bit of adisappointment for me, so I
(03:53):
don't want that to happen to youas well, so make sure that
you're there ahead of time.
But, for example, you know youcan do things like that If you
go to St Paul's Cathedral, youhave to pay to go in, but they
have audio tours and I actuallyjoined a free tour with a
volunteer when I went around in.
I think it was October time whenI visited St Paul's when I was
(04:14):
doing the London Pass Challenge,which you can hear about in a
previous episode of the podcast.
So if you want a tighter budgetand you can't afford to pay for
a small group tour or a privatetour.
Do consider making sure thatyou do the actual tours that
exist in some of these places.
So St Paul's, let's say, you'vegot an auditor, there's
volunteers that take tours Forthe Tower of London, there's a
(04:35):
free Yeoman Water tour that youcan join and it's so informative
and it's really entertaining aswell.
The Yeoman Waders they reallyknow their stuff, but also's
really entertaining as well.
The human orders they reallyknow their stuff, but also
they've got great personalities.
The only downside of it is thatit's busy, so you don't get.
You know you can't have thatone-to-one or small group kind
of exchange that you can have onsome of the small group or
(04:58):
private tours.
But, as I say, you'll learn somuch.
So do join a tour, even ifthere's a lot of you there.
You will learn about thesedifferent iconic landmarks and
historic buildings and justwonderful places to visit in
London.
Like, seriously, you can't missout seeing these places.
You know, if you can book atour with a guide, honestly you
(05:21):
won't regret it because youreally will be able to take
advantage of kind of finding outfar more about the place and if
you do so, as I say, it willgive you a deeper understanding
of London's history and makeyour visit all the more
memorable.
And, believe me, there weretimes in my twenties and
probably thirties that I didn'tnecessarily take tours.
I kind of would wander aroundand probably not learn anything
(05:43):
about a place, just kind of gooh excellent, I've been here and
tick it off.
But to have a deeper experienceof London, honestly do a tour,
do the free tours, do the audioguide if that's what they
provide you with, because that'sgoing to be a better way to
understand London.
So, next up, see London from adifferent angle, because the
city is breathtaking, from aboveor along the river.
(06:04):
For panoramic views.
You have quite a few choicesand I do have an article the
best viewpoints in London.
So the obvious ones that springto mind are the London Eye.
Not everybody loves the LondonEye.
I personally always like to goon the London Eye because you
get a different view.
You get a great view of Big Ben, house of Parliament,
(06:25):
westminster you can see formiles from up there, and you get
a wonderful view of the Thamesitself.
For a different view, you can goto the Shard or the Sky Garden.
Now, the advantage of the SkyGarden is that it is free.
So make sure that you do getyour tickets for that, because
you will have to get a slot, butit is free, so it's great.
If you're on a budget, it's agreat option to go to the Sky
(06:46):
Garden and you do get greatviews of HMS Belfast, the Tower
of London, tower Bridge, theThames.
Again, if you want to go up theShard and see I mean, the view
from the Shard is also amazing.
We did that last year.
We had access to the Shardthrough the London Pass, so
(07:10):
enjoyed the view from that.
We did have to book that, soyou've got lots of different
options to give you lots ofvantage points where you'll get
really a fantastic bird's eyeview of landmarks across London.
So I recommend you do that and,as I say, if budget's an issue,
just go to the Sky Gardenbecause it's free.
For something more relaxed,maybe consider a Thames River
cruise, because that's afantastic option.
So you'll glide past iconiclandmarks like the House of
(07:31):
Parliament, shakespeare's Globeand you enjoy a unique
perspective of the city.
If you're looking for anunforgettable moment, opt for a
sunset cruise, because it'struly magical to see London's
skyline illuminated as day turnsto night and I was very lucky
last October to be on the Uberboat from Greenwich back down to
(07:51):
Westminster Pier at sunset andit really was gorgeous.
I'll put some pictures in theshow notes actually because it
was stunning.
But obviously a cruise isn'tthe only way to experience the
Thames.
As I've just said, I got theUber boat.
Now that's a Thames Clipper.
It's not like Uber as in youcall Uber on your phone.
It's not a boat like that, it'sbasically just a Clipper
service that goes up and downthe Thames.
That will be cheaper than acruise and you know many London
(08:14):
people will use that to getaround and I love hopping on the
Uber boats.
You know, one of my favoriterides is basically on the Uber
boat all the way down toGreenwich.
But if rides is is basically onthe uber boat all the way down
to greenwich.
But if you say you're visitingthe tower of london, you could
actually join up, jump on at thetower, millennium pier and then
just go to westminster pier andthat takes about 30 minutes and
if you do that you pass by someof london's sites and landmarks
(08:36):
like hms balfast club theater,st paul's, millennium bridge,
etc.
Etc.
So that's a great way to travelbetween those two points in
london and get a differentperspective.
The third experience that Irecommend is to experience the
culture and tradition of London.
Really, london is a city whereculture and tradition are woven
(08:57):
into everyday life.
Whether it's watching thechanging of the guard at
Buckingham Palace or attendingthe Ceremony of the Keys at the
Tower of London, these ritualsoffer a fascinating glimpse into
London's story.
Past the history, it's justhonestly, it just seeps all
through the city.
Past the history.
It's just it, honestly, it justseeps all through the city and
if you attend any of thoseparticular ceremonies you really
will be kind of involved in the, the pomp and ceremony of of
(09:22):
the uk, basically of britain.
So the change of the guardeveryone wants to see.
It's crazy busy, especiallyduring the holidays and in peak
season, so it really is best toprepare and we do have a guide
on the website so you know whatto see, when to be there, where
and how to move around to getthe best of it, and I will link
(09:42):
to that in the show notes.
So now other ceremonies that Iabsolutely love to attend and
I'm sure if you've listened toany of my previous podcasts
about my favorite things to doin London.
You'll know that I love theopening ceremony and the
ceremony of the keys at theTower of London.
So that's the basically theopen ceremony.
So you're there before youactually see the Tower of London
opening, and the ceremony ofthe keys is a very, extremely
(10:06):
historic event that happensevery evening.
It's the actual closing of theTower of London and it's been
following the same way of doingit for centuries and centuries
and centuries.
You cannot video it, you cannottake photographs.
The only way to experience theCeremony of the Keys is actually
to attend it.
Now, tickets for the Ceremonyof the Keys must be pre-booked
(10:28):
in advance online.
If you're going to book for the£5 tickets and it does become
fully booked very quicklythey're released on a rolling
monthly basis.
So for tickets for April, so ifyou're heading for London in
April, they were released at thebeginning of March at 4pm on
the first working day of themonth, unless it's a Friday, and
(10:49):
then they're released on thefollowing Monday.
So add that to your diary Now.
Those £5 tickets are excellentif you can get them.
But if you want a truly VIPexperience, I do recommend the
walks tour.
It's a small group tour and youget exclusive time with a
Yeoman warder, and it's one ofmy favorite experiences in
(11:09):
London.
I think I've done it threetimes now and I'd like to do it
Honestly.
I would like to do it so manytimes that I meet every one of
the Yeoman warders, becausethey're all so different.
They all have their own stories, but being able to ask them
questions and for them to beable to share about their life
living in the Tower of London aswell is something it's such a
privilege to be able to spendthe time and learn about it and
(11:33):
also to just learn the historyof the Tower of London from them
.
They know so much.
So another experience that Irecommend to try in London and
this comes up so often and weget asked so often about this is
afternoon tea.
So you know whether you want togo for the classic elegance of
the Ritz or a quirky option likeBridget's Bakery Afternoon Tea
(11:54):
Bus, or a themed tea like Alicein Wonderland or Peter Pan,
which Doug and I have done bothof those.
It's really, honestly, adelightful way to indulge in a
British tradition.
There are so many afternoonteas on offer that you really
are spoilt for choice.
There's traditional and themedafternoon teas choice.
(12:16):
There's traditional and themedafternoon teas and I know when I
talk to people I do consultsabout visiting London, itinerary
consults Often I'll talk aboutwhat ask and what sort of
afternoon tea in particular theywould like to experience
because there are so manydifferent choices.
We do have a guide withinformation about lots of the
options and I will share that inthe show notes.
So while we talk of culture andfood and drink, I highly
(12:36):
recommend also visiting a Londonpub.
So if you have our Londontravel planning map, you can
filter by the pub tag to findthe locations of our favourites.
And I'll also mention I can'tnot mention this the Taste Tales
and Traditional Ales tour Itook with Devour a few years ago
, which I absolutely loved.
Visiting some of the mosthistoric pubs in London and
(12:57):
hearing the stories, historiesand about the famous people who
visited over the centuries was,honestly, it was so fantastic.
And it was topped off with somegreat food, including the best
scotch egg I've ever eaten.
Okay, fortnum and Mason, you doan amazing one too, but this is
one of my favorite tours everanywhere in the world.
Honestly, I loved it so muchand I went with a friend of mine
(13:19):
and Terry and she is stilltalking about this tour because
it was so much fun.
The guide was excellent.
We went to visit some of theseold, old pubs down little
alleyways hidden away, and itwas brilliant.
And I'm British and I loved it,absolutely loved it.
So if you want to experiencethat kind of culture of the
British pub and also the history, honestly I can't recommend
(13:43):
that tour enough.
It was just brilliant and I'lllink to that in the show notes
as well.
Now you can't forget the markets.
Borough Market is a foodieparadise.
Now, I've still tried thosestrawberries dipped in chocolate
that everybody goes on about,but honestly, humble Crumble is
my go-to when I go to BoroughMarket.
There's other optionsPortobello Market, greenwich
Market, camden Market, CoventGarden Markets, and those are
(14:06):
just some of the markets toconsider visiting, and there's
really no better way to immerseyourself in the culture than by
engaging in thesequintessentially British
experiences.
So again, we have a guide toLondon markets, which I'll link
to in the show notes.
My fourth favourite experienceis to visit a museum.
Now, I know this isn'teverybody's taste and I do get
(14:28):
told on Facebook occasionally.
You know, my husband isn't amuseum person, we're not
interested in museums, but Iwill say London's museums are
really among the best in theworld, and the even better news
is that many of them are free.
So the Victorian Albert Museum,also called the V&A, natural
History Museum, national Gallery, national Portrait Gallery,
(14:48):
science Museum and BritishMuseum are some of the most
popular options and, free though, they do charge sometimes for
special exhibitions, so do checkthat.
But entrance to the museums isfree and each of these
institutions offers, honestly, aunique window to art, history
and science.
And, as many of you will know,the V&A is my personal favorite.
(15:09):
I always go to the V&A.
It's, honestly, it's ahighlight of my itinerary
whenever I visit London.
And don't miss the cafe.
That's all I'm saying.
Do not miss.
If you go to the V&A, youcannot miss the cafe.
Now, if you're looking forsomething more offbeat, london's
got lots of smaller museums too.
(15:30):
The Florence Nightingale Museum, which I recently visited with
the London Pass, provides afascinating insight into the
life and legacy of the founderof modern, nursing For history
enthusiasts.
The Imperial War Museum offersa gripping exploration of
wartime Britain.
The Churchill War Rooms give aglimpse into the nerve centre of
Britain's World War II efforts.
Hms Belfast, which is moored onthe Thames, provides a unique
(15:53):
opportunity to step aboard ahistoric Royal Navy warship.
Other highlights include theSir John Soane's Museum Treasure
Trove of Art and Antiquities,the Charles Dickens Museum,
which offers a glimpse into thelife of one of England's
greatest writers.
These are just a few of thecountless options available, so
there's truly something foreveryone.
Whether you're a history buff,an art lover or simply curious
(16:15):
about London's rich heritage,there is a museum for you, and,
again, I have a guide to museumson the website.
So do have a look and pick oneout that meets your interests,
because there are so manyamazing museums in London and I
would strongly recommend thatyou add that into your London
experiences.
(16:36):
So my fifth experience is toexplore some of London's unique
areas, so each area has its owndistinct character and charm, so
it makes you feel like you'rediscovering a different side of
the city every time you turn acorner.
For example, notting Hill, withits pastel coloured houses and
lively Portobello road market,is perfect for a leisurely
(16:57):
morning.
I had a fabulous photo shootwith Domi of Scale and Studio in
Notting Hill, which I loved,and we had so much fun finding
the best spots.
It's such a lovely part ofLondon and, of course, for fans
of the movie Notting Hill,finding the blue door and the
Notting Hill bookshop has to bedone, but honestly, I had some
probably my favourite photosI've ever had taken of me was
taken in Notting Hill by Domi,and it's a beautiful, beautiful
(17:26):
area to explore.
Shoreditch, the other hand, andthe East End is a hub for
creativity and street art,trendy cafes and boutiques to
explore and if you're a historylover, greenwich I'm sure you've
heard mentioned Greenwich anumber of times is a must visit
and one of my absolutefavourites.
There's so much to do and seethe Royal Observatory, where you
can place a foot in East andWest Hemispheres, the Painted
Hall in the old Royal NavalCollege, the Clipper, the Cotty
(17:47):
Sark.
Greenwich really is a treasuretrove of maritime history and
beautiful views.
So don't forget the beautifulviews from the observatory.
It really is worth walking upthat steep hill for the view
that you get and again, I'llshare in the show notes some of
the photos that I've taken.
I've taken a few videos from upthere as well, because it's so
beautiful.
You do get a stunning view.
(18:09):
Now I would recommend that youtake some time to wander around
these areas, soak in theatmosphere and experience kind
of the many facets of Londonlife, because it isn't all about
the changing of the guard orWestminster Abbey or the
Ceremony of the Keys, you know,there is kind of normal life
going on and these areas,honestly, are wonderful to
explore and walk around.
(18:30):
Take a picnic to Greenwich ParkIf you're there and the
weather's lovely.
Honestly, it's a beautiful parkto just sit and relax in and
enjoy.
In the spring you get thecherry blossom.
In the autumn the leaves changecolour and it's a really,
really pretty place to visit andit's, as I say, it's one of my
favourite areas to go and youcan actually combine a few
things because you can take thatUber boat down there and enjoy
(18:53):
the river on the way down andthen explore Greenwich and then
head back up into the city.
Now, bonus tip Number six mybonus experience.
I don't know if this is going tobe controversial because I know
we're talking about five bestexperiences in London, but one
of the best things you can do ifyou have time, honestly, if you
(19:14):
have time, is to actually getout of London on a day trip, and
I know I keep saying this, Ifeel like I do a bit of a stock
record with saying this, butthere are so many incredible
places to explore just a shortjourney away from London.
Hampton Court Palace offers afascinating glimpse into Tudor
history.
You've got Windsor Castle,where you can walk in the
(19:35):
footsteps of royalty, and, ofcourse, St George's Chapel is
the final resting place for thelate queen.
So those are wonderful, easyday trips from London.
They're very close, but ifyou're up for a bit more of an
adventure, stonehenge, bath,oxford, cambridge, canterbury
and the Cotswolds are just someof the iconic destinations that
(19:55):
showcase England's naturalbeauty and historic charm, and
they're all within reach ofLondon on a day trip.
We have got two podcast episodeswhere we dedicated now off the
top of my head I think it'sepisode 97 and 98 or 96 and 97.
Hopefully that's correct when Italk about Doug and I actually
talk about our favorite daytrips from London.
(20:15):
We kind of go clockwise aroundbecause there's so many
different places to choose, butif you're in London long enough,
I really urge you to include aday trip out of London itself so
you can experience a little bitdifferent, something a little
bit different.
Get out of the city, experiencethe countryside, just see a
different side of England.
And my final tip.
(20:37):
The one thing that I wouldrecommend that you do to make
the most of these experiences ishonestly to book a tour with a
knowledgeable guide to trulydiscover London.
So, whether it's a private tour, a small group tour or a guided
experience included with theentry ticket, having experts
show you around is honestly 100%worth it and it will help you
(20:57):
make the most of theseexperiences.
And there you have it my fivefavorite experiences in London
plus a bonus, bonus tip.
Which of these will you add toyour itinerary?
Let me know via the speak pipelink in the show notes, because
I'm really excited to know ifyou have a question or have
enjoyed this episode.
Let me know too, because I loveto hear from you and you never
know, you may get a shout out ina upcoming episode.
(21:19):
Now that's it for this week.
Please do check the show notesat uktravelplanningcom forward
slash, episode 133 for photosand links to the different tours
that are mentioned.
But that just leaves me to sayuntil next week.
Happy UK travel planning.
Thank you for tuning in to thisweek's episode of the UK travel
(21:39):
planning podcast.
As always, show notes can befound at uktravelplanningcom.
If you've enjoyed the show, whynot leave us feedback via text
or a review on your favouritepodcast app.
We love to hear from you andyou never know.
You may receive a shout out ina future episode, but, as always
, that just leaves me to sayuntil next week.
(21:59):
Happy UK travel planning.
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