When a Major City Captures your Heart.
In 2013 Phil and I headed to Europe for the first time; London was our first stop. In this post, I will share a bit about the trip, some history and tips.
Trafalgar Square London
Our first visit to London was a mix of excitement for our first European adventure. And blah because we were ticking off the main sights in a big city.
But how wrong was I? I was mesmerised as soon as we walked the streets in Convent Garden.
This post briefly overviews the places, sites and history that changed my thinking.
A Very Brief History of London
Dating back to 43AD, we see the first established community (Londinium) under the Romans. Still, there is evidence of prehistoric life dating back as far as 4800 BC. Life for the Romans was fraught with wars. One was when the Iceni tribe led by Queen Boudica stormed it, burning it to the ground in around 61 AD. Then the Romans re-established and had all but left by 100AD. Around 886AD, London was again re-established by the Anglo-Saxons in 500AD. They had established a settlement beyond the old Roman town. By the 11th century, London was the largest city in England and has continued to dominate in size until today.
Today there are two distinct parts to London, the City of Westminster, where the houses of parliament are, and Buckingham Palace. The other dominating area is the City, which has roots dating back to Roman times. The 1600s were rough on the City. In 1665 the black death killed a third of the population. Then the great fire of 1666 came to a beautifully recreated area primarily due to the churches built by Christopher Wren.
St Pauls Cathedral London
Today many of the boroughs within London can take on a feel and personality of their own, and exploring them is a treat.
The local currency is British pounds (£), Distances are measured in Miles & and feet inches, and Temperature is Celsius.
WHAT TO SEE In London
This list is not exhaustive, but I hope your appetite is whet, and if you have been before, that memories are triggered.
Historic buildings and Monuments
Statues and memorials are everywhere throughout any city, and London is no different. Lord Nelson Pilar is Standing tall in Trafalgar Square, the monument to the Great Fire at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill in the City, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens and Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace. These are all fantastic must sees sites.
Museums
 The British Museum, the Churchill wars rooms, the National Gallery, the Tate and Tate Modern, Charles Dicken’s Museum, British Library, HMS Belfast and then you can find Museums celebrating just about anything you have an interest in.
The British Museum
Open spaces
 Hyde Park, Green Park, Kensington Gardens, Convent garden markets, Borough Markets, Camden town and its Markets, Leister Square, Picadilly Circus.
in St James Park
Entertainment
Theatres, walking tours of various kinds whether you want to walk in an area of the city or maybe follow in the footsteps of some of your favourite characters (real or fictitious). Bus tours, hop on hop off bus, the coca-cola London eye, ferry down the Thames, It would be remiss if I did not mention visiting Harrods and the food hall. Visit the Harry Potter Trolley at King Cross Station.
 Day trips
Heaps of companies offer day trips that will help you see multiple places in a day, but maybe you are looking at things you can do on your own.
Windsor Castle, home of the Queen and a lovely little village.
Short boat rides down the Thames to Greenwich, with the prime meridian and museum a small stroll from town, where the Naval College, markets and quaint village will be found.
Oxford and Blenheim Palace can be easily reached by train or bus (from Oxford, you can pick up a coach and head to Blenheim).
There is the Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for a bit of fun.
Getting Around
Transport is easy in London, and mastering the underground is not hard if you are getting familiar with the underground for the first time. Give yourself time to get used to how it works; in no time, you will cross London like a local. The underground is most likely your fastest option, but there is an extensive bus network, ferries up the Thames and of course the famous Black Cabs for that slightly more expensive but up close to a local experience.
Food
 The pub grub of old is just that, old news; today, the English are producing great food. Most pubs offer excellent meals, from lovely “pub fare” to pub gastronomy. Like any major city, the choices for dining are varied and endless, with something for everyone.
Accommodation
Hotels range from $86.00 to $21844.00 per night ( I always suggest you check at least the ratings on reviews and some comments).
If you want something a little more home-like, there are many Apartment and B&B options or Hostels.
Over 1494 hotels offer accommodation in London (2015), around 152 Hostels, over 640 B&B and many apartments; with numbers like these finding a home in London should not be hard.
A trip to London will never leave you wanting, there is so much to see, a city with a long history and so much honour for that history you can learn so much.
London has a balance of busy and relaxed, with abundant green space and great cafes. Rest is easy. But with the choices of activities to keep going all day, you can never rest if that is your way.
I hope this post helped inspire you with a glimpse into what the Vibrant city of London has to offer.
Have you been to London?
What did you love that I have not listed?
Please Tell us in the comments.
