Top 10 Things To Do in London

 

1. Hyde Park

Hyde Park is probably one of the most famous parks in London, and it's among the biggest in the city. The park has historical significance, having hosted a variety of demonstrations and protests including protests by the Suffragettes.

The park’s famous Speaker’s Corner continues to be occupied by debates, protests, and performance artists each week. The park is home to many memorial features, along with two bodies of water, the very famous being the Serpentine. The possible activities are paddle-boating, sight-seeing of the many swans, and breathing in the fresh air at the center of London. A must-visit.

 

2. Westminster

Westminster is referred to as the political hub of London and is home to the homes of Parliament and also the world-famous Big Ben . Big Ben is the name of the bell housed within widely-known clock tower, and it still chimes every hour.

You can also find Westminster Abbey here, which is receptive to the general public most days. While visiting these landmarks, you can take a break at the Parliament Square which features statues of important political individuals such as Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.

 

3. Camden

Camden is a popular neighborhood in north London. It is known for their alternative culture. It is crowded and crammed with goths, punks, rockabillies and tourists alike. Camden features a vibrant community and you'll find numerous of piercing and tattoo shops at this side of town.

The diverse Camden Market features street food from international cuisines, and plenty of stalls selling trinkets and unique artwork to bring home. Go through vintage clothing racks, find a second hand book to bring along with your travels, or even visit some of London’s best vegan bakeries at Cookies And Scream.

After shopping and spending your money all in one place, stroll all the way down to Camden Lock to relax by Regent’s Canal or walk along the water all the way to the Central District's King’s Cross.

 

4. London Eye

A trip to and around London definitely isn’t complete without a visit to the famous and colorfully bright London Eye. Originally constructed to celebrate the millennium, The eye is actually just an enormous ferris wheel which offers gorgeous and breath-taking views across London. At night, the wheel is lit up in seasonal colors and it even is the main centerpiece of London’s annual New Year’s fireworks display.

You can share a spacious pod with other visitors, or splurge on a personal pod for you and someone special. Team your visit to the London Eye with a tour to the adjacent London Aquarium to check out the aquatic creatures from all over the world, which includes wobbly jellyfish, cute seahorses and mighty crocodiles.

 

5. Soho

Soho has long been referred to as the center of London’s sex industry. The place is a very popular nightlife hotspot even if there are still some sex shops scattered around the area. It gives Soho that delightfully risqué vibe. Soho is commonly considered as the core of the city’s LGBTQ community with lots of gay and lesbian bars to visit after the sun goes down and the moon takes centerstage.

In addition to bars and clubs, Soho features a number of theaters, jazz bars and restaurants to explore, making it a cultural hotspot. Its close proximity to Leicester Square means it’s also an excellent place to travel to for a couple of drinks after a play or stage show.

But even during the day, Soho does not lose any of its charm. You will still find countless music shops, small cafes and quaint bakeries to check out. You can stop for a coffee and pastry on Old Compton Street and observe the bustling area.

 

6. Shoreditch

Shoreditch is considered as the trendiest area of London ever since it had gone under extensive regeneration. It's possibly the best nightlife hotspot in London and the best place to live in London.

Packed with bars and eateries, it’s the best place to spend every living day and night. You must visit the Trapeze. It is a circus-themed bar that serves inventive drinks out of popcorn tub-style cups.It’s like a whole new level of circus.

As for pop culture lovers, Far Rockaway is the place to be- a relaxing bar and restaurant full of comic books, band posters and a regular 90s night. Or visit the Blues Kitchen for some sticky ribs and other American staples.

 

7. Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is one of the biggest parks in London, covering a whopping 790 acres. It sits on top of some of the tallest places in London, hence, offering excellent views of London from Parliament Hill.

The Heath features grassy fields, wooded areas, and a variety of enormous ponds. It's the best place to experience London’s nature with tons of wildlife and some woods which make you want to get lost in.

There are even some swimming lidos for those feeling brave enough to swim outdoors during the great British weather. For history enthusiasts, you must definitely visit the Kenwood House. It is a historical residence that's known for its art collection.

 

8. BFI

The BFI – or British Film Institute – is a definite must-see for film lovers. The BFI is situated on the popular Southbank and is the perfect spot to just chill and relax after a stroll along the waterfront which radiates the vibrant culture and atmosphere of this side of London.

The BFI show films from mainstream blockbusters to reshowings of classics to one-off screenings of indie hits. There's also a library and store for visitors who want to take their cinema seriously. The BFI also houses its own bar and riverfront restaurant for a delicious meal or to converse about the most recent film releases over some drinks.

 

9. Baker Street

One of the cultural staples of London is Baker Street, or commonly known as the road that Arthur Conan Doyle’s infamous detective Sherlock Holmes lived on.

You can usually find a Sherlock Holmes museum near the Underground station, especially popular after the BBC revival ‘Sherlock’.

Madame Tussauds is simply right around the corner, the internationally-famous wax museum where you'll be able to pose together with your favorite celebrities.

However, if you just want to escape the crowds of Baker Street, you can do so by refuging to the nearby Regent’s Park, or by climbing up Primrose Hill for some spectacular and breath-taking views of London.

 

10. Brick Lane

Brick Lane was made famous by the book and film adaptation of a similar title. Just like the book’s narrative made clear, Brick Lane is at the heart of London’s Bangladeshi community. As an incredibly diverse neighborhood, Brick Lane features plenty of road signs that are both in English and Bengali. But is more known for its abundance of delicious and satisfying curry houses.

This is the best spot to seek out for something spicy to eat but make sure to travel to at least one of the numerous sweet shops for a few authentic South Asian desserts. The place also features a variety of hip and stylish bars along with some as regular marketplaces, attracting a young and trendy crowd.

For an art fix, head right around the corner check out the Whitechapel Gallery – or explore the various pieces of street art on Brick Lane and its neighboring streets.

 

Top 10 Fun Facts About London

 

1. Big Ben isn't The Name For The Tower

It is a really common mistake, but Big Ben is really not the name for the widely known Tower in London. Big Ben is the name for the clock in the Tower. Even locals nowadays call this place the Big Ben tower. The tower is found at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. 2012 onward the tower is known as Elizabeth Tower, but before in the past, the tower was referred to as the clock tower.

 

2. London Is Actually The Smallest City In England

Although it is the largest based on population, it actually is the smallest in terms of area and size. London is just a small but dense urban area of the Greater London region. The city is only 1.2 square miles yet has a population high number of residents. However, the English region called Greater London encompasses plenty of surrounding towns which then covers around 606 square miles and has a population reaching the 6 figures.

 

3. London Has A Ton of Museums- 170 to be exact

London is a crucial cultural and historical centre and museums couldn't have missed this area. If you get to go to this glorious city you'd definitely lose tons from your trip if you don’t stop by at least one of them. The British Museum, the National Gallery, the Imperial War Museum, the British Library and also the Wallace Collection are just to name a few of them.

 

4. London Built The Smallest Statue In The World

A statue displaying two mice eating a chunk of cheese is the smallest statue in the world. It's so tiny that you just need to concentrate or someone must point you to the statue. You would probably wonder about its significance? The story behind it's quite interesting. History says that the statue was built to be a reminder of two builders who were engaged in a fight after accusing one another of who had eaten their meal. Both of them died and later it had been understood that mice had actually eaten their meal. A strange yet chilling reminder and lesson it is.

 

5. Death In Parliament Isn’t Illegal

The story that it's illegal to die in Parliament is just a pure myth. Its popularity has often been considered concerning and authorities have tried to convince folks that there’s no such restriction. Some were also curious about understanding what could have caused this belief to exist. It's said that this myth could have come from the thought that everybody who dies within the Royal Palace is eligible for a state funeral. However, entering the Parliament Houses in London wearing armour suits are prohibited and this isn't a myth.

 

6. That are More Than 300 Languages Spoken In London

There’s no other place in the world more diverse than London. People coming from different nationalities share a big proportion of the population. They even practice their original traditions and communicate in their own language. Thanks to this unbelievable diversity within the city, it's estimated that there are over 300 languages spoken in London. Chances are high that if you’re in London you'll easily find someone that speaks in your language.

 

7. What Does The Name London Stands For

The tremendous city you see today actually has a long and not completely known history. Some prevalent theories state that London was first built by the Romans around 50 AD. The origin of its name also has a puzzling history to it. In the past, London was accustomed to having different names such as Londonium, Ludenwic, Ludenberg. The most commonly accepted version is London, which is derived from the old Celtic word “Londinous'' which means ‘to be bold’. Sort of like taking the risks and achieving new heights.

 

8. Houses Of Parliament Is The Largest Palace In The UK

One of many architectural landmarks that is London’s pride and joy is most definitely and undoubtedly the Houses of Parliament, which is also known as the Palace of Westminster. This palace is crowned as the largest palace in all of England. It was first built around the start of the 11th century to house the King of England. However, a tragic fire in 1512 destroyed a huge chunk of the palace and yet another unfortunate fire in 1834 caused even more severe damage to the majestic establishment. The only medieval structures to have survived were Westminster Hall, the Jewel Tower, the Cloisters of St Stephen’s and the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft.

 

9. Mind-Blowing: London Buses Were Not Always Red

Red buses are undoubtedly one of the first things that pops into your mind when you think of London. However, these vehicles did not always have the same colour. Back in the olden days, each bus had a distinct colour that signified a different route. To stand out and shine among the competition of the biggest company of buses, the London General Omnibus Company in 1907 had decided to paint their buses with the bright red colour we all see today. And ever since then, London buses have been red.

 

10. It’s Tough To Become A Black Cab Driver

In most countries, you simply need a driver's license to work as a taxi driver. However, this is not the case with London’s Black Cab drivers. The Black Cab drivers you see all all over the city have to undergo lengthy and extensive training before they're given the duty. The training usually lasts for an astounding amount of 2 to 4 years. Within this time, candidates must memorize every single street in London. Additionally, they need to also be ready to make fast assumptions as per which is the route that takes the shortest amount of time from one destination to another. It’s just like attending college to get a degree. But now you will understand why these Black Cab drivers charge such high fares.