Planning out your very first trip to London isn’t easy without any prior familiarity or knowledge of the country. So, if you want to see the best of London and experience all that it has to offer, here are six helpful tips for your first time there…
1. Get ready to walk.
London is primarily split up into neighborhoods. To fit more into your schedule, plan to explore one community at a time. Start your day at Notting Hill, walk down Portobello Road, and grab breakfast or lunch at one of the fantastic eateries. Of course, if you're looking to do some shopping, you may want to spend a day in East London and take a stroll down Brick Lane.
2. Take a Hop-On, Hop-Off (“HoHo”) bus.
HoHo buses make getting around London a lot faster and easier. Primarily used by tourists, these buses will bring you to all the landmarks and highly demanded tourist spots.
3. Put some thought into where you would like to stay.
There are many significant hotels and accommodations to consider throughout London. For example, the Goring is where the Duchess of Cambridge stayed the night before her royal wedding. You can find nearly any type of hotel you desire, whether you’re looking for authentic charm or modern amenities.
4. Make your way to a few museums.
The museums in London are out-of-this-world! Although the museums can tend to be over-crowded, there is so much to look at that you can always find somewhere that offers a little peace. There are over 170 museums throughout the capital. Each museum offers something different. For instance, the Portrait Gallery provides stunning views of some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, and Big Ben.
5. Put thought into where you choose to dine.
By choosing which restaurants you cannot miss out on, you can base the rest of your trip around those scheduled meals. If one of the restaurants you want to have dinner at is in the SoHo neighborhood, then plan to visit some of the places nearby before you make it to your reservation on that particular day.
6. Explore outside of London.
London is a busy, vibrant city. Sometimes it's nice to escape the chaos. There are a ton of beautiful places right outside of the metropolis. Some of the places you should visit are Richmond, Kew Palace, and Petersham Nurseries Cafe.
Ready to plan your first trip to London? Please send an email with any of your inquiries, and let's begin filling up that itinerary and making plans for one amazing, memorable, United Kingdom adventure!