London is a great holiday destination for those seeking a change of scenery and plenty to do. It has a unique and fascinating culture as we all know. There are inexpensive, non-stop flights from cities all over the world, and – best of all – a trip to London can be tailored easily to whatever sort of experience you might be looking for. Whether you’re taking some time for yourself with a solo getaway, travelling as a couple, or even taking your grandchildren for a family vacation. The list below should help you to find a few great things to start with as you set about planning an itinerary!
Watch The Changing Of The Guard At Buckingham Palace
This is probably one of the first things people think of when imagining a trip to London. Visiting Buckingham Palace can still feel surreal though, especially if you happen to catch a guard-changing ceremony. This happens a few times each week, and is accompanied by live musicians, making the experience all the more special (and perhaps particularly exciting for any grandkids you might have along!). If this interests you, be sure to check the official ceremony calendar as you plan your visit. You should also be ready, however, to enjoy more than just this famous ceremony at Buckingham Palace. There’s certainly something to be said for simply getting a look at the place, for one thing. Additionally, if you travel to London during the summer or a few other select times, you may be able to take a tour of the State Rooms inside the Palace, which can be extraordinary. These comprise the portion of the palace where Queen Elizabeth II actually lives (part of the time), and where official business is still conducted
See The Entire City From The Top Of The London Eye
This activity is fairly self-explanatory, but still a must-do! The London Eye isn’t your run-of-the-mill Ferris wheel – its cars are massive, transparent pods that many people can fit into at once, and the ride can be anything you’d like it to be. If you’re travelling with your family and looking to save a bit of money on these sorts of things, you can bundle your London Eye ticket with other fun activities like SEA LIFE London or Madame Tussauds, and stretch your money, so to speak. On the other hand, if you want a more upscale version of the London Eye experience (say, if you’re on a romantic getaway), you can also upgrade your fare to include wine and champagne tastings during the ride. Lastly, you might also consider trying to go at night. The lights of the London skyline are absolutely breathtaking from atop the Eye.
Shop & Snack In Camden Passage
While this isn’t one of the main attractions typically advertised in London, it is definitely worth your time. Camden Passage is a street in London that is not open to cars, making it a great place to window shop while sipping a coffee or eating a pastry from a local café. It is best known for its antique shops, which are great places to find unique gifts or souvenirs for your friends or family who aren’t lucky enough to be on holiday with you. The street is also home to a few outdoor markets where local artists sell their products, giving you an opportunity not only to do some more shopping, but to interact with people other than tourists and really get to know the city!
Catch A Premier League Football Match
The UK is particularly well known for is its football clubs. British soccer is way different from American football as you know. And it just so happens that London is home to several of the top teams in the Premier League – the sport’s top division. Chelsea and Arsenal in particular are renowned London clubs. So, if your trip happens to be during the football season – August through May -try and catch a match! Even if you don’t necessarily root for one of the clubs playing, the excitement of the crowd will be truly contagious, making the match more than worthwhile. For that matter, you can also enjoy the football experience in town even if you don’t actually secure tickets. Many locals enjoy watching from pubs and betting on favourite teams, which they can do remotely rather than in seedy betting shops, thanks to the availability of online platforms for football wagering. You might be shocked, in fact, how attached to a match you can become by placing even a small bet on it. If this isn’t your thing though, and you’re unable to attend a match, you can also look into taking a tour of Emirates Stadium or Stamford Bridge – the homes of Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively. Both stadiums are very much part of the city’s fabric.
By no means do these four options show you everything there is to see in London. Again, one of the things that’s wonderful about visiting is that London can be whatever you make it. However, we hope this will help anyone who’s considering a trip to the city to start forming a plan
Thank you Luxury Columnist for allowing us to use your gorgeous image of Camden Passage.
