When visiting London, it’s hard to complain of there not being enough to do. A trip to London should be timed as best as possible to get the most out of the city over a few days. You have to hit as many landmarks as possible, of course, but I always prefer to mix this up with venturing outside of the West End to see some of the other parts of the city. If it’s your first trip, or your 51st, there’s always plenty of new things to see, and key landmarks that can be revisited without losing interest.
- London City BreakStuck in Customs / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
In terms of the West End, there’s still nothing else really like it in England when it’s busy. While some people hate the noise and the bustle, I enjoy wandering around in the crowds shopping on Regent’s Street and Oxford Street. I also enjoy being able to cross the West End on foot, hopping on the Tube occasionally, and taking in Soho’s smaller shops and cafes. Anyone visiting the theatre district around Shaftesbury Avenue should similarly try at least one of the restaurants in Chinatown. Further out, and North of Oxford Street, the British Museum should always be at the top of a visiting lists. It’s easy to lose hours in the huge museum, and it’s an ideal place to take children. Try to combine a day at the Museum with a visit to the British Library, which is a short walk away on Euston Road by King’s Cross Station.
If you want to continue walking around near the West End, I recommend a trip along the South Bank of the Thames, where you can take in the Royal Festival Hall and the BFI Southbank Centre. There’s also restaurants and street art along the Embankment; walk far enough East, and you come to Borough food market, which is worth a visit if you want to try some more unusual food. Alternatively, get on the Circle Line Tube to get to South Kensington, where you can see what’s new at the Natural History Museum and the Victory & Albert Museum.
My last few trips, have however, involved spending more time outside of the West End, where you can get more of a sense of the sheer diversity that London has to offer. Camden’s a good first stop, being a short trip on the Northern Line Tube from the West End – the area’s distinguished by its outdoor and indoor markets, as well as its alternative bars and clubs. Alternatively, head East to Shoreditch and Brick Lane, which has some of the best curry houses you can find in the UK. Further North, it’s worth visiting Hackney on a Sunday, when the Broadway Market is held by the canal. The nearby London Fields and Victoria Park are also worth exploring if you have an afternoon free, and want to escape some of the crowds of Central London. These trips don’t take more than about half an hour from the centre of London, although be advised that the Tube doesn’t run to Hackney, so you’ll have to get an Overground train or a bus.
Rob James is a father of four and enjoys family holidays with Hoseasons. He can be found blogging about many places around the UK. His favourite quote is “If you rest, you rust.” – Helen Hayes
