The Ultimate London Guide
So you’ve hopped on a plane and landed in London, England - now what?
After living in London for two years and hosting countless friends and family, I feel fully certified to pass on my recommendations of what to see and eat in London. So keep calm and look right (when crossing the street)!
To See
Sky Garden - For the city's best panoramic views, head to the Sky Garden on the 35th floor. Tickets are free, and the views are priceless. The booking window opens three weeks in advance and usually goes quickly, so plan accordingly. You can also buy drinks at the Sky Garden Bar or dine at one of their three restaurants.
Buckingham Palace - As someone who has lived above the gift shop, this needed to make the list. They only do tours inside the palace from June to September, but if you come outside that window, coming to the palace to see the changing of the guards at 11 am is truly a British experience (if you don’t mind the crowds of tourists).
Harry Potter Universal Studio Tour - As an avid Potter head, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include any Harry Potter recommendations. If you can spare a day, I recommend the studio tour. It’s 1 hour from London, and you can easily spend 5+ hours getting lost in the magic of the set where the movies were filmed. For those short on time, head to King’s Cross to visit Platform 9 & 3/4, where you can take a photo with the luggage trolley and visit the gift shop. If you happen to be in town on September 1, all mega fans will assemble at the station at 11 am to hear the train announcement for the Hogwarts Express.
Museums - One benefit of Britain conquering most of the world is all the treasures they stole (lol). To counteract that karma, all museums in London are free, meaning there’s no pressure to see everything on one ticket. This is a good option if you want something to do on a rainy day. Some of my favourites are below:
British Museum - This is the first-ever national museum to open to the public. If you only have time for one museum during your visit, this is the one. Don’t miss the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian exhibit.
Natural History Museum - With over 80 million plant, animal, fossil, rock and mineral specimens, this is the place to be if you love watching Planet Earth. Dippy is Britain’s favourite dinosaur, worth a visit if he’s not on tour.
V&A - this is next to the Natural History Museum, so if you have time, do both on the same day. I love the Design 1900 - Now exhibit on the 2nd level (#74).
Tate Modern - Right by the water, this museum is dedicated to all things modern and contemporary art.
National Gallery - See some paintings from some greats like Monet, da Vinci, van Gogh, Michelangelo and Picasso.
Parks - Even though London is a metropolis, there’s no shortage of green spaces - one of the best activities on a nice day is to walk around the park, and when you’re tired, find a cozy spot under a tree to read, picnic or chill with friends. My personal favourites are Green Park and St. James Park, but Hyde Park (great place to bike), Kew Gardens (flowers like you’ve never seen!) and Richmond Park (don’t miss the deer) are popular for a reason. I’d also recommend Primrose Hill for picturesque views of the city. If you’re looking for a unique experience, you can go foraging in Hamstead Heath with Flavour Fred!
Markets - There are so many it seems like they are an essential part of British culture. Going to a few markets can also force you to visit the different boroughs, which all have their own vibe. The top ones and timings are below:
Columbia Flower Market (Sundays @ 10 am) - Fresh flowers are surprisingly cheap in London, and walking down Columbia Road is a cute way to spend your Sunday morning. I’d recommend starting at Barnet Grove and walking all the way down to Brick Lane. The right side will have all the flower vendors, and the left will have all the pottery, plant pots and art shops. Pro tip: if you go around 1 pm, the vendors often discount their last remaining plants & flowers before they pack up for the day.
Borough Market (Tuesday to Saturday 10 am -5 pm; Sunday 10 am - 4 pm) - Often really crowded but worth doing a little food tour. Some notable stalls include FISH (Fish & Chips), The Ginger Pig (sausage rolls), Bread Ahead Bakery (doughnuts), Wild Mushroom Risotto (for you guessed it), and Juice It (fresh juices).
Camden Market (Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm) - This is a great place for buying cheap souvenirs. It’s got more of a grunge feel, but there are many food vendors to choose from - I always get the fresh pasta in the cheese wheel from here. If you’re into raving you must pop your head into Cyberdog!
Spitalfields Market (Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm except Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm) - I would describe this market as Etsy in real life; you can find plenty of independent vendors selling one particular thing. There’s also a pretty good food court here (get a cup of chai from Chai Guys and don’t look back). You can also walk out to Brick Lane for some authentic Indian food.
Portobello Road Market (Saturday, 8 am to 7 pm) - if you love vintage, this is the market for you! Bonus: you can visit the Notting Hill colourful houses simultaneously, which you can find on St Lukes Mews, Lancaster Road and Elgin Crescent.
To Eat
Feeling Hungry? Here are my top picks by cuisine:
Asian - Don’t come to London if you’re craving quality Asian food on a budget, but if you need to get your fix, try C&R Cafe Restaurant (a hole-in-the-wall place for Malaysian food), Four Seasons (small portions but does the job if you’re craving Cantonese food - there are 8 locations but Wardour Street is the best one), OISOI Restaurant & Bar (Don’t be fooled by the fancy glassware, you’ll leave feeling satisfied).
Italian - For the best pasta, head to Bacone and order the silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter pasta; the first time I came here, we immediately ordered a second plate because the first one was so good. Another delicious option is Angelina, an Italian/Japanese fusion restaurant that offers a 10-course kaiseki tasting menu for £64 (changes every six weeks based on seasonal ingredients).
Classic English - do as the English and try all the stereotypes.
High Tea - Skip Sketch unless you want to get that bathroom selfie, then don’t complain to me when you find out the food is just meh, especially for the price point. Fortnum & Mason is an excellent option if you can spend £80/per person (this is the average price of high-end high tea). It’s worth checking out the merchandise as the cookies & tea make for great souvenirs.
Sunday Roast - Blacklock claims their roast is as good as Mum’s, and even though my mum isn’t British, I would agree. Come hungry as the roast, Yorkshire pudding, duck fat-roast potatoes, and veggies topped with gravy will leave you F-U-L-L.
Indian Food - For a modern but delicious take on Indian food, Dishoom is the place to go. Go with friends to try as many dishes as possible and get the house chai to drink. Don’t forget to say you’re celebrating a birthday when making the reso, and you’ll get a free dessert (or stack of pancakes during brunch)!
English Breakfast - The Regency Cafe has been serving breakfast since 1946; no matter what, there’s always a line (but it moves quickly). Get the breakfast set (baked beans, sausage, egg, toast & tea) for £6.95. The hashbrowns are extra but worth it!
Fish & chips - Poppies has been around since 1952, and The Mayfair Chippy, which made the Michelin guide are both solid choices for fish & chips. Haddock is my personal favourite - pair it with tartar sauce or, if you’re feeling fancy, mushy peas.
Classic Pub - The Churchhill Arms is the most random pub you’ll ever enter. Aledegely Winston Churchill's grandparents used to come here in the 1800s, hence the name. Grab a pint and stand outside like the Brits! (They also only serve Thai food here (??) if you’re feeling hungry).
Hot Tip$
This section outlines a few ways you can save some $$$ cause everyone knows the £ ain’t cheap.
Coffee - If you’re addicted to coffee, consider getting a Pret Subscription - The first month is £15. It entitles you to 5 complimentary hand-crafted beverages (lattes/coffee/teas/smoothies) a day PLUS 20% off the entire menu. You must wait 30 minutes between redemptions, but even if you only got one drink a day for a week, you’d already make your money back. The cafes are littered everywhere, making them convenient spots to sit down, browse on their wifi, or use their bathrooms.
Musicals - I’d highly recommend seeing a musical when you’re in London. All the major productions have their dedicated theatre, making the ticket cost highly affordable. Plus, most theatres have been around since the 1900s, meaning they’re pretty intimate. Today Tix is the best place to purchase your tickets (contrary to its name, you can buy tickets in advance on this app).
Data - One thing that is exceptionally cheap in continental Europe is data plans. Usually, 1 SIM will work across countries if you’re on a Eurotrip. Consider getting a GIFFGAFF SIM (use my referral for a £5 credit) mailed to your house before your trip or getting a data-only Airalo eSIM (use my referral for a $3 USD credit) so you’re set to go when you hop off the plane.
Transit - Skip getting an Oyster Card and use contactless on the TFL (Tube, Bus and overground network). If you want to leave London, consider buying your tickets on Trainline as it’s cheaper in advance. Brighton, Bath, Bristol, Oxford or Cambridge are all great day trips within 2 hours of the city. Download Citymapper for getting around the city - it’s better than Google Maps as it will tell you the cost of each route, the optimal train carriage to get on and which exit to take to minimize the amount of walking to your destination.
Contactless - London is very much a contactless society, so don’t worry about bringing cash. If you need to withdraw cash, you can use a pre-paid card like WISE for free cash withdrawals at any ATM or Post Office (Use my referral to transfer up to $800 fee-free).
Ride Share - London is very much a commuter city, i.e. bike, scooter, walk, and transit, especially due to the congestion charges placed on non-electric vehicles, but if you’re looking to request a ride, check Bolt as it’s usually a few pounds cheaper than Uber.
Biking - If you’re feeling brave enough to cycle in the chaotic streets of London, consider Lime e-bike, Santander Cycle or Human Forest (free for the first 10 minutes). The best cycle routes are often along the River Thames or big parks like Hyde Park and Richmond Park.
Double-Decker Bus - Skip the Hop-on-and-Off Bus tour and take the number 11 bus instead, which covers most of the top sights for £2 vs. £30.
Walking Tour - London truly is a walking city - the juxtaposition between the history and population makes for an interesting walk. My barometer for time is if a destination is 45 minutes away, I’ll always walk since that’s the best way to see the city! I’ve only ever been on one walking tour with Jack from Living London History; it’s challenging to get tickets, but with good reason!
No matter your interest, London will have something for you, so enjoy the city and everything it has to offer. If you want the iconic photo of the red telephone booth and Big Ben in the background - this is the best spot!
