London for First-Timers: From Buckingham Palace to Borough Market
Travelling to London for the first time can feel like a bit of a culture shock, especially if you’re not from a city environment or from a different country altogether.
There’s so much to see and do within the city that you could very easily spend an entire week or two in the city and not be bored. From the museums alone, you’ve got a lot of things to see and do, as well as iconic spots across the entirety of London, not just centrally.
If it’s your first time in London, whether it be alone as a solo traveller or with loved ones, then here are some of the top places to visit when travelling to London.
Check out Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has long been a notable spot in London for tourists to visit throughout the many rulings of previous Kings and Queens. Currently, King Charles III sits on the throne, and while he might not always be at the Palace itself, you can still get a great photo or two of the building itself, alongside the guards who man the building inside every day.
There’s also the changing of the guards which happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 11 am. The ceremony lasts around 45 minutes so it’s definitely worth being around the area when this happens just so you’ve got something a little more entertaining to watch than just staring at the guards who man the booths outside of the building.
There are other Royal spots that are worth checking out too in order to perhaps get a glimpse of a Royal or at least enjoy the history that it has. These include Westminister Abbey home to a number of Royal weddings, as well as the Tower of London and Big Ben.
Spend some money at one of the markets.
One of the great benefits of London is the various markets available worth exploring. If you’re a fan of exploring local art, clothing, food and drink stalls then there will be plenty of markets to spend your hard-earned dosh on.
From Camden Market and Shoreditch to Borough Market and the areas of Chelsea or Notting Hill. You have plenty of options that will keep you entertained and you might end up coming away with one or two more belongings in your suitcase than you had when you arrived!
Take in some of the art and culture at a museum.
If you’re a lover of art and culture in general, then you should certainly enjoy some of the delights available at the local museums across London. The city itself isn’t short of museums to explore, nor is it lacking in history and culture.
Even though it’s become a central hub for businesses, old and new, there is still a lot of culture and history that exists between these buildings.
You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to visiting a museum. It’s worth putting the National History Museum at the top of your list as that tends to be a hit with all age groups, even youngsters.
There’s the Science Museum if you’re looking for something a bit more interactive for the young ones. For art and fashion, the Victoria and Albert Museum is worth a visit too.
Kick back and relax at a pub or bar.
There’s a lot of sightseeing and exploring to do in London, which means you’ll often find yourself exhausted from all of the walking you’ll do.
Thankfully, you won’t be short of pubs and bars available in the city. In fact, there are estimated to be around 4,000 or more pubs in London alone, which means you won’t be short of choice. When you pick a pub in London, you’ll find that each and every pub offers something different in its appearance and even its historical relevance.
While some pubs might have only been serving for a few decades, there are other pubs that have been pulling pints since the 1600s!
Take in the sights from above at The Shard or The London Eye
With the city of London being so big, like some other cities, London offers a number of places where you can view the city from high above. Being able to have a birdseye view of the city is certainly worth doing, and you have a number of options.
For example, The London Eye has long been a great place to view the city and it’s a great opportunity to see it while enjoying a Ferris-wheel-style ride – albeit very slow.
You’ve also got The Shard, which has since rivalled The London Eye due to its height and 360 viewing point. It’s also home to a number of restaurants, and office spaces and serves as a hotel.
Both offer individual advantages, but you’re more likely to wait around for The London Eye during peak seasons.
See a West End show.
A West End show is something you definitely want to do if you love musicals or plays. There are a number of theatres in the West End, and they have been home to many iconic shows over the years.
The TKTS booth in Leicester Square is the best spot for getting last-minute tickets but you might also want to book your tickets in advance when wanting to save money.
Take a stroll in one of the many gardens and parks
Finally, if you want a bit of greenery in the city, then you’ll find plenty of gardens and parks available for a stroll through London. From the big parks like Hyde Park, for example, or the beauty of Kew Gardens.
There are plenty of garden and park spaces to get away from the city vibes and enjoy an afternoon of lounging to rest those weary feet.
Travelling to London for the first time is exciting, and with so much to do, it’s a good idea to be prepared and know what’s popular in the city when you’re there!
