Adam Ford

With the European summer season fast approaching, those with the means will be ducking off to distant shores – including to the fabulous United Kingdom. And some will be visiting London for the first time. The UK capital will immerse you in almost two thousand years of history, art, and culture, and it maintains its long-held fascination for Australian travellers. Given our entwined backstory, this is a destination where Aussies immediately feel a home and I can almost guarantee that however much time you set aside in your itinerary to explore London, it won’t be enough. My top tip is not to try and see/do it all. Break the city down into bitesize pieces and explore two or three areas in detail. And rather than rushing from one attraction to the next, leave time just to wander the streets and let the magic happen.

Here are some more tips for a great first stay in London.

What are the must-see cultural attractions?

Fun fact: London has more than 850 art galleries! Those that should definitely be on your to-do list are The National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the Saatchi Gallery, and the Serpentine Gallery. The National Portrait Gallery just behind Trafalgar Square displays portraits of politicians, actors, sports stars, and royalty – everyone from Mary Queen of Scotts to Princess Diana – and will interest visitors of all ages. You get to enjoy the sense of familiarity, while also being able to admire incredible works of art.

Historical must-sees. Where do I start?

History lovers will adore London; the city’s long history is etched into its ever pore, and there are endless chapters to explore. Start by visiting The British Museum, Natural History Museum, and Tower of London. Each of them will take you the best part of day to do justice to.

Wandering London’s neighbourhoods is a history lesson in itself. One that’s less well known to most visitors is Bermondsey – south of the River Thames in Southwark. Once an infamous slum (depicted in Dickens’ Oliver Twist), today it’s a bustling mecca for creative types and tech entrepreneurs. Walk towards London Bridge to check out the soaring Shard or busy Borough Market.

Got any tips for places to eat?

Gone are the days of London being the butt of jokes for its stodgy, unremarkable fare. The last decade has seen the culinary scene in the capital explode, thanks in no small part to the rise of the celebrity chef. Gordon Ramsay, for example, has 25 restaurants and eateries scattered across the city. Heddon Street, wrapped in behind Regent Street, is home to Ramsay’s Heddon Street Kitchen. A stone’s throw from the shopping buzz of Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus, it’s the perfect place for brunch/lunch.

 I would also recommend checking out Carousel in Fitzrovia. It plays host to a continuously changing line-up of guest chefs. This is communal-style eating, with an intimate environment around shared tables and wall-hugging benches. It’s a refreshing, innovative, and a unique dining experience.

For drinks, Gordon’s Wine Bar at Charring Cross offers a chance to step back in time to Dickensian London. Established in 1890, it’s possibly the oldest wine bar in London. The entrance is on Villiers Street as you walk down from the Strand to Embankment tube station.

What if we need to take a break from sightseeing?

While it’s a densely populated 24/7 city, London is blessed with some gorgeous green spaces where you can capture a little ‘me-time’. Try sprawling Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, and Green Park (right next door to Buckingham Palace). Just seven kilometres north of Central London, Hampstead Heath offers a total escape from urban life. Take the tube to Hampstead, pick up some picnic supplies in the village, then set off on foot for the Heath. The walk will take you about ten minutes at relaxed pace.

Listen to a podcast of The Travel Show on Hepburn Radio with more tips for things to do in London:

 

Adam Ford is editor of the Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas website and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer who lives locally. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He now hosts the top rating YouTube channel Oz and Beyond Travel Series and the fortnightly Travel Show with Robyn Rogers on Hepburn Radio.