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London is a great place to start your holiday in Europe, there is so much to see and do. If you plan on going to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards expect it to be crowded as it always is but well worth seeing. You can tour parts of Buckingham Palace but only restricted areas. Kensington Palace where Princess Diana lived with Prince William and Prince Harry is also open to the public but again certain areas are off limits. It is still worth visiting these palaces just to see the grandeur and the beautifully kept gardens.
Take a picnic to Westminster Abbey and have a lunch break in the beautiful surrounding grounds. One thing to take note of when in Westminster Abbey are the tombs that are under your feet as you walk inside. Piccadilly Circus is another spot to add to your must see list. The hustle and bustle of everyday life in London is part of its charm.
Harrod’s Department store is amazing, and you must check out the food hall . I had a great hot chocolate here, the best.
www.harrods.com
Book a hop on hop off bus tour to see the sights of the city. The Tube, as the locals call their underground, is a quick way to get around town. Just 'Mind The Gap', the recording they play every time you get off the train. There is a lot of walking to be done in London, it's the best way to see a lot of the city but make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Think of the names on the monopoly board they are all there in London.
The English Pubs serve some good, quick and cheap meals or at least cheap compared to London standards.
London, considered one of the worlds most vibrant and multicultural cities, also happens to carry a reputation for being rainy, and a public-transit rider's nightmare. Like most of the greats, this city's best qualities lie in its history, culture, and activities.
Landmarks like Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey are must-sees.
Definitely make a point to see some of London's outstanding collection of museums & art galleries, like the Natural History Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, British Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Musuem. The best part is most of them are free!
On sunny days, London's many parks sprinkled throughout the city are popular. St. James Park's gardens are ideal for mid-morning strolls. Richmond Park, a massive, green open space, is a great park for cycling.
London has some of the best entertainment options in the world. The live music scene is massive, ranging from indie bands to world-renowned musicians playing at the largest venues. The West End of London attracts many a theatre lover.
Carnaby Street is interesting with some good shopping to be had but even if you are not a shopper it is an interesting spot for people watching.
High Tea, Afternoon Tea in London
Londoners and tourists alike love the afternoon tea experience. It is not just a cup of tea and cake. It's a delicious meal that usually comes on a three tiered cake plate and includes finger sandwiches, scones, jam and clotted cream and pastries. Some of the more famous afternoon teas are at The Ritz and The Savoy. Browse the links below for all the details.
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The Ritz Traditional Afternoon Tea
Menu and photos from The Ritz website |
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Rules Restaurant, London Rules was established by Thomas Rule in 1798 making it the oldest restaurant in London. It serves traditional British food, specialising in classic game cookery, oysters, pies and puddings. Rules has loads of history and character, and in my view is still one of the best, the food is amazing, the service excellent. We were given complimentary bread and butter prior to our meal. We ordered the rib of beef on the bone for two, which came with roast potatoes, seasoned vegetables, fresh horseradish and Yorkshire puddings. The beef just melted in your mouth. We finished off our meal with traditional apple crumble and treacle pudding. Real old fashioned elegance and substantial English fare all served to the highest quality. We look forward to going back. |
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Signor Sassi Ristorante Italiano, Knightsbridge LondonFrom the olives to the fresh bread, this is high class food. The atmosphere is comfortable, yet formal. We started our dinner with a huge antipasto. There was an ample serving of everything which was on the plate! Delicious main courses of risottos and crab salad, with tasty creme brulee followed by coffee and petit fours. One of the best Italian restaurants we have been too. Fantasitc menu really extensive. The waiters were all Italian, passionate, vivacious & could launch into song any second. |
Top Historic Pubs in the UK
1. The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool
Built in 1858, the Phil, as it’s affectionately known, is special from its gilded iron gates to the luxurious marble urinals in the gents’ toilets. Standing appropriately between Liverpool’s two towering cathedrals this temple to Victorian pub design also has mosaic floors and stained glass. John Lennon famously complained that the chief price of fame was ‘not being able to go for a drink in the Phil’.
2. Eagle and Child, Oxford
Drink in the Oxford atmosphere at this 17th-century pub once a favourite of J R R Tolkien, C S Lewis and later, Inspector Morse creator, Colin Dexter. Today you’ll find the Eagle and Child a simple pub with decent ales. Other historic pubs in Oxford include the The Bear and the Lamb and Flag.
3. Olde Cheshire Cheese, London
Of all the fascinating, historical and visit-worthy pubs in London we could list we’ve plumped for the 17th-century Olde Cheshire Cheese. Its cosy warren of dark rooms reeks of history and Mark Twain, Alfred Tennyson and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were all regulars. The pub is famously referred to in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. These days its snug rooms offer a perfect place for a restorative ale after a hard day’s sightseeing.
4. Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham
Favoured pitstop for crusading knights en route to the Holy Land, the Olde Trip to Jerusalem has stood beneath Nottingham Castle since 1189. It’s connected to the caves at the foot of the castle and still has an atmospheric cavern-like feel. The pub’s cellars used to be part of the castle gaol and an old cockfighting pit.
5. Crown Posada, Newcastle
The Crown Posada city centre pub is high on Victorian charm and Geordie spirit. Enjoy a Newcastle Brown Ale and admire the magnificent pre-Raphaelite stained-glass windows, gilt mirrors and coffered ceiling. An old gramophone in a wooden cabinet and a stack of LPs provide mellow background music when the pub is quiet.
6. Haunch of Venison, Salisbury
The Haunch of Venison has been around since the 14th century. Its two bars have several unique features including England’s last surviving complete pewter bar top and the ‘horsebox’ - a small bar reputedly used by Churchill and Eisenhower during the planning of the D-Day landings. The House of Lords bar proudly displays a severed, mummified hand said to be that of a cheating cards player.
7. The Eagle, Cambridge
Though busy with tourists and students The Eagle is worth a stop for its varied and romantic history. It’s where James Watson and Francis Crick drank during their ground-breaking research into DNA and the RAF bar has a ceiling with World War II graffiti daubed in lipstick, smoke and candle wax.
8. Britons Protection, Manchester
The Britons Protection is stuffed with Victorian decorative detail and is famous for its bewildering selection of whiskies. Open fires, solid wooden furniture and etched glass all lend a pleasing, old-fashioned feel. Wall tiles depict the infamous Peterloo Massacre of 1819 when government troops killed 15 people who were among a crowd demonstrating for parliamentary reform. The incident took place not far from the pub.
9. The White Lion, Barthomley, Cheshire
The Winner of the Good Pub Guide’s Unspoilt Pub of the Year Award, The White Lion has a fantastic Tudor interior with low beams, a thatched roof and latticed windows. Barthomley itself is a charming village and from the pub garden you can take in views of the early 15th-century church of St Bertoline.
Sourced from visitbritain