QUICK GUIDE TO LONDON

I absolutely love London and the UK. I wanted to share some of my favorite places and things to do. The city is beautiful, fun and there’s so much history all around. I hope this quick guide to London is helpful if you or a friend is traveling to the UK.

HOW TO GET AROUND

The Underground is the #1 way to get around London. It’s so incredibly easy and fun! You can buy passes that you load with a certain $ amount or you can buy a pass based on the areas in London you’ll be going to. Don’t forget to MIND THE GAP. If you’re going to take a day trip, the train is the best option. Tickets can be bought ahead of time online. Trainline or Virgin trains sell tickets, and buying early is highly suggested!

National Gallery 

https://goo.gl/maps/vSmf26bc6evzTHK4A

Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DN, UK

So much incredible art here from world famous painters. Free admission. 

Restaurant near by:

This place smelt soooo good from the street and had a line out the door. 

Tortilla Charing Cross

460 Strand, Charing Cross, London WC2R 0RG, UK

Hyde Park 

An amazing park, tons of dogs. 

Kensington Palace: I never went inside but the outside is beautiful and just walking around Hyde park is so relaxing, especially if you love dogs. The trees will be in full bloom and I literally could walk that park everyday. 

SUPER CLOSE BY ARE 2 AMAZING MUSEUM’S the VA & the Natural History Museum

Victoria Albert Museum also known as the VA 

https://www.vam.ac.uk/

Incredible place, admission is free, 10000% worth your time. 

Natural History Museum

https://goo.gl/maps/GeM92r3Zy5siWRw36 

Really really cool space and animal artifacts. I liked the National Gallery more but the room here with the whale skeleton is pretty incredible. Admission is also free. 

Tower Bridge

The walk along the river seeing Tower Bridge is pretty cool 

There’s a good restaurant right along the River Thames called the Coppa Club. You can make reservations to sit in the plastic igloos but you’ll sit with other people. If you aren’t able to make a reservation for the Igloos you can sit inside as well.

NOTTING HILL

Portobello Road: Little shops, restaurants, vendors. 

I would suggest going the morning and visiting this yummy french bakery:

Maison Puget https://goo.gl/maps/6XEtTPGAHqvxtcLR6 

148 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 2DZ, UK

THINGS TO SKIP

Harrods: A lot of people go to Harrods, it’s basically Nordstrom but the separate  items are put on different levels. Lots of designer brands. The food area is awesome but I could have gone without going. That’s just personal preference. 

Buckingham Palace: If you plan on going(I don’t suggest) make a plan to go quick and move onto something else. It’s extremely crowded, tons of people, tourists, and it’s actually a pretty small building.

Abbey Road: Tons of tourists…not that exciting even for a big Beatle fan like myself.

DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON

From London you can get to Paris in 2 hours, head over to the Cliffs of Dover and see a beautiful castle or head down to Brighton for the day to shop and take a swim.

CLIFFS OF DOVER & DOVER CASTLE

BRIGHTON

PARIS