The London Lowdown

Ah, London town. It’s one of those magical places in the world that one can only ever dream of reaching. For us Australians, it’s a little unfair that it happens to sit on the other side of the world! So having lived both in and near the shiny capital for nearly three years, I thought I’d shed some light on what it’s all about.
London is like an emotional rollercoaster. It’s an irresistibly enticing city, with the bright lights of the West End, and the famous fashion forward streets, but it’s also awfully busy, a little grubby and overly populated. Though I can’t deny that it’s bloody beautiful.
So, what will I find when I come to London, I hear you ask? (Because after reading this, I’m hoping you’ll consider it for your next vacay).
You’ll find all the things you could have ever imagined and much, much more. Yes, you’ll see the glossy double deckers, the sleek black cabs and the traditional local drinking holes. But, you’ll also experience the extensive and celebrated multiculturalism around the bustling city, finally witness that smooth, velvety London accent, or realise that the cockney accent is actually a real (and not so attractive) thing. See? Emotional rollercoaster.
There’s always something going on, so you’ll definitely never be bored. Whether it’s a new hipster café pop-up in Shoreditch, or a huge concert in Hyde Park, London will always have you covered any time of the year. It’s such a lovely part of the world to be in during the winter, with cosy pubs and scrumptious mulled wine, but it’s also fantastic during the warmer (I use that word loosely) months, with rooftop bars and canals to wander down.
You’ll finally be able to hit up those world famous iconic London landmarks like Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and maybe even spot a visit with Queen Lizzy, at Buckingham Palace. Exploring London so much and finding the little things and the small moments are just as awesome; with the hidden streets and mews, hole in the wall restaurants in Soho, and quiet picnics in undiscovered parks.
Acting like a Londoner is fun, too. Things like becoming a master of the Tube and realising you’re another frustrated commuter, or drinking fruity Pimms while watching Wimbledon (if it’s not raining, that is), and meeting friends at the local pub on a busy Friday night while paying way too much for disappointing beer. Ah, so much fun!
Being in London can also allow you to see so much more of the UK while you’re there. The train system over here is phenomenal, (sorry V-Line). It’s so easy to pop over to Oxford for a day of afternoon tea, or head up north to the historical York and embrace the sights. There’s a tonne to do over here, I promise!
Having been living over here for so long I feel I’ve barely even scratched the surface when it comes to ticking things off my London list, so hopefully you can head on over and see it all for yourself, too!
Written by Katherine Reynolds
www.katthewanderer.com / facebook/katthewanderer / @katthewanderer