London is an unmissable stop on any tour of Europe and a fabulous destination in its own right. Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Big Ben… everyone knows about these top London tourist attractions. However, if you’re anything like me, you might be more interested in the path less travelled. Here are some of my top (and not so typical) tips for a trip to London.
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Sky Garden
One of the first things you should do when exploring a new city is get very high. And by that, I of course mean find a tall building and make your way to its rooftop. It’s a great way of getting a sense of perspective. And while it’s nice to have some food and drinks at a trendy rooftop bar, it’s even better to enjoy great views for free. Head to Sky Garden at the top of the so-called Walkie Talkie building (when you see the shape it’ll all make sense) for amazing vistas of London. It’s free of charge, but you do need to book tickets well in advance.
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Brutalist architecture
You either love it or hate it: Brutalism is a British modernist architectural style that emerged in the 1950s. And London is full of it. Brutalist buildings are typically massive block-like concrete structures with lots of straight edges and mainly monochrome colour palette. They are stark, imposing and certainly not typically beautiful. But that’s what makes them so cool. Notable examples in London include the Barbican Estate (which is also a vibrant cultural centre), Trellick Tower, The National Theatre and The South Bank Centre (also a bustling arts centre). If you love this architectural style as much as I do, it’s good to know that there are plenty of guided tours to be found online. Alternatively, just mark the buildings you want to see on a map and do some self-guided exploring!
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The Grapes pub
Like many London pubs, The Grapes has a rich history going back more than 500 years. Charles Dickens was a patron and even mentioned it in his novel ‘Our Mutual Friend’. And fans of The Lord of the Rings shouldn’t miss drinks and a bite to eat at this historic pub either. The leaseholder of this charming public house is none other than Sir Ian McKellen, an actor perhaps best known for his role as Gandalf in the LOTR films. In addition to this claim to fame, The Grapes has a fantastic location on the Thames River with great views of Canary Wharf and a sculpture by renowned artist Antony Gormley from its riverside deck. Let’s not get too distracted by all this though – The Grapes is also simply a great place for a pint and traditional pub grub!
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Roast dinner at The Hawksmoor Spitalfields
There are hundreds of places to have a traditional roast dinner in London on a Sunday, but I was particularly impressed by Hawksmoor. Of course, nothing beats a home-cooked Sunday roast with family, but this is a great option for tourists looking for traditional English food in a restaurant setting. I had the slow roast rump with beef dripping roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, vegetables and bone marrow and onion gravy paired with a pint of craft beer – heavenly! Be sure to reserve in advance as it’s extremely popular.
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Highgate Cemetery
Walking around a cemetery may seem like a macabre way to spend your morning or afternoon, but Highgate is a great place for a history lesson. It’s also very attractive, with its ornate graves, impressive mausoleums and many different types of tree. You can choose to wander around this huge cemetery at your own pace, or take a guided tour (which I highly recommend). I did the Highlights Tour which takes you through the atmospheric West Cemetery and gives you access to the East Cemetery, which is famous for being the resting place of Karl Marx.
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Broadway Market
London market culture is a delight to experience. All those vendors shouting at the top of their lungs to draw attention to their fresh produce, their thick accents making it impossible to forget where in the world you are. You’ll find all sorts of things at Broadway Market in East London, from colourful hand-knitted babywear and organic cosmetics to local cheese and international street food. It really is a treat for all of the senses. Make sure to come on an empty stomach as there’s a ridiculous amount of delicious food to try. My personal top tip: grab some fresh seafood from Oyster Boy and wash it down with a Bloody Mary bought from one of the bars along the road. Great start to a Saturday!
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Free museums
One of the best things about London is definitely the huge variety of free museums. The English capital is certainly not a budget destination, but you can save a lot of money by not having to pay for museum entry. The British Museum, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum and the Imperial War Museum are just some of the museums in London where you can see a lot of the collection without spending a penny. Although not technically a museum, you can also get into the British Library – which has one of the world’s biggest collection of books, periodicals and manuscripts – free of charge. If you’re a bit of a bookworm, it’s well worth a visit.
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Thames Clipper
Bored of taking the underground or sitting in traffic on the London buses? Depending on where you want to go, you can from A to B using the Thames Clipper service. The Thames Clipper is basically a river bus service that stops at 24 piers along the Thames River, from Putney in the West Zone all the way to Barking in the East. As well as being a great way to get around London, being out on the river gives you unique views of the city. Depending on where you get on and off the boat, you can see the iconic Battersea Power Station, Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and the O2 Arena. It’s basically a cheap boat tour!
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Have you ever been to London? Leave some of your top tips in the comments!
