There’s no denying there’s something special about the atmosphere in London. It’s grey and overwhelming but there’s a certain magic about it that you’ll only understand once you have been there.
There is obviously an abundance of things to do and you could spend weeks exploring. I was here for three days so I am sharing a few top things for a short visit. You can definitely see plenty in this time to feel like you have got to know a bit of what London has to offer.
We arrived literally the same day the terrorosit attacks in Paris had happened so it was quite a strange time to be travelling. On my first night here we went for a walk down to the Tower Bridge and it was lit up in the colours of the French flag in support of Paris. We were also lucky enough to see the bridge open as a ship passed underneath which doesn’t happen often apparently.
Hyde Park
As one of the largest parks in London covering 350 acres and one of the Royal Parks of London, Hyde Park has a little something for everyone including famous landmarks such as the Serpentine Lake and the Princess Diana memorial as well as recreational activities.
I had high expectations after seeing Hyde Park represented so beautifully in the movies and it is definitely a stunning park. The highlight for me were the squirrels. They are so friendly and come right up to you looking for food and they are adorable! There are also swarms of Pigeons at one entrance to the park who will perch themselves on your arms (or head) if you entice them with food.
Buckingham Palace
Can you go to London without attempting to see the Queen?! Buckingham Palace is one of those iconic buildings that you must see at least once. It’s located in the City of Westminster and is always flooded with tourists which does make it hard to get a good view. If you time your dates right you will get to see the Changing of the Guards which is definitely worth checking out so jump online before you go to locate dates and times.
If you’re travelling during August and September you can get a tour of inside the palace, a royal treat, and if you’re lucky enough you might actually catch the Queen when she is there.
Abbey Road
If you grew up in the 90’s with parents who blasted The Beatles in your living room, then Abbey Road will definitely feel nostalgic for you and it was something that I had always wanted to tick off my bucket list. Pictured on The Beatles Abbey Road album cover, the image of them at this crossing taken in 1969 is one of the most famous and imitated images in recording history.
The crossing is located right by Abbey Road Studios and in the St John’s Wood region of London. Although you’ll come across many crossings that look similar, it’s hard to miss the renowned spot due to the crowds of people lining up to cross the road and get their perfect shot. You really have to be patient here because people will cross the road at their leisure to take their photos while you’re clearly taking yours so it’s a matter of waiting for it to become quiet. There’s also quite a bit of traffic so I would try and time it in the morning. Do be patient though, the two seconds of fame is well worth it and it’s totally free!
Duck and Waffle
The Duck and Waffle is one of the highest restaurants in London sitting 40 floors high and is famous for its well…duck and waffle. We had to book well in advance for this as it is very popular.
We were surprised to see how affordable the menu was considering its prime location. We opted for the duck and waffle (15 euro) and poached eggs. The duck and waffle dish was outstanding and is such a great combination of flavours. There’s no surprise it is renowned in London. The restaurant is lined with windows which gives you the most amazing view out over London spanning for what seems like forever. The restaurant is also open 24/7 so you can pop in for a feast after a big night out.
Make sure you book online in advance to secure your reservation.
Boatride to Greenwich
This was such a great and affordable way of seeing AND learning about London. We caught the Thames Clipper boat from Central London (near Big Ben) to Greenwhich which cost 12 Euro one way. It’s a 30 minute boat ride along the Thames with the best views of London’s most popular landmarks. You can choose to sit indoors or outside on top for a better view if the weather is on your side. Our driver gave us an informative yet humorous tour guide of the history of London including Big Ben, Tower of London Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the O2 whilst you sit back with a cup of tea and a biscuit enjoying the fresh air blowing in your face.
The boat ride is only the start of the fun and arriving in to Greenwich is the real treat. Greenwich is home to the famous Cuttysark (British clipper ship) and London’s prettiest royal park. You can hike up to the Royal Observatory and look out over breathtaking scenery over London City-one of the best views.
Greenwich is also known as the place where the Prime Meridian (the line of 0’ longitude) runs through which means it marks the starting point of every time zone in the world which is pretty cool! Once you’re done boggling your mind with amazing facts, you can head down to the little town of Greenwich and enjoy some lunch or some shopping. You won’t be disappointed from your trip here.
Exploring London by foot
Aside from the popular landmarks there’s so much to enjoy about London on foot. Take a walk down Oxford Street and indulge in some shopping. Around Christmas time it is decorated beautifully with lanterns and Christmas lights and take the Christmas spirit to a whole new level.
In the Westminster district, you could spend all day walking around and still not see everything. Here you can check out Big Ben, The Tower of London, The Tower Bridge, the famous Downing Street and just the beautiful architecture in general.
Whilst three days is definitely not enough to see all London has to offer, you can still experience a lot of the culture and atmosphere as we did on a short trip and we hope this gives you a few ideas.
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