London For First Timers

London is one of those magical cities that seems so far away and out of reach for us Australians. With the big price tag attached to flights there, some of us may never get there, or will only ever manage to make the trip once in their life. So, for those of you lucky enough to be heading to the English capital, here are some of my best tips and tricks of things to see and do to make the most out of your first trip to London.
HIT UP THE MAJOR SIGHTS – You can’t go all the way to London town without saying ‘Hello’ to Big Ben now, can you? So be sure to tick these off your list and spend some time getting some incredible photos; Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge should all be seen within the first few days of your trip.
LEARN THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM – Everyone knows that London is famous for its impressive transport system, so be sure to know what’s what and grab yourself some maps. The Tube is an excellent choice for getting around the city, however there are many destinations that are only within walking distance, so I’d recommend trying to stay above ground for the short trips. The bus system is also one to take advantage of, with excellent views of the city too! (Grab the front seat at the top of a double decker!)
CHECK OUT THE SKYLINE – London is a seriously beautiful city, with such classic and historical buildings, being paired with the most modern and eclectic buildings you can imagine. Be sure to embrace the cities skyline. Jump up to the Shard and see it all for yourself, or take a walk up Primrose Hill, and soak up the lovely skyline.
GRAB A DRINK – You can’t go all the way to England and not have a pint! London is bursting with pubs on the corners of most streets. So I’d say, take full advantage and grab yourself a classic pint of London’s finest ale. You deserve it!
HEAD TO THE SHOPS – Oxford Street and Regent Street are obvious choices for shopping when in London. The glitz and the glamour is all there. You can find different shopping experiences by heading into Soho and down Carnaby Street, or hit up the boutiques in Kensington and grab a tourist photo outside of Harrods! Heading to the markets is also a great option, too. Some markets I’d suggest would have to be Camden, Portobello, Borough, Old Spitafields and Brick Lane.
DO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT – Once you’re satisfied that you’ve ticked most things off your list, why not try something a bit different? When in London, right? You could head to a festival, dine somewhere famous or fancy, grab a picnic in a park, enjoy a classic afternoon tea, discover rooftop bars and hidden drinking holes, or cycle through Hyde Park.
Having lived near London for three years myself, I’m totally smitten with the city and love to encourage people to totally live it up when they’re there. So if you ever head to London, please do enjoy yourself!
Written by Katherine Reynolds
www.katthewanderer.com / facebook/katthewanderer / @katthewanderer