Rob’s Blog · Western Europe
London: Where You’ll Apologise to a Lamppost and Love Every Minute
By Rob Wheatley
London wears its history like a worn-in jacket. Roman walls sit beside glass towers, red buses nose through streets older than most countries, and every corner pub has a plaque swearing someone famous once spilled a pint there.
It will also make you apologise to a lamppost, queue for the fun of it, and discuss the weather with total strangers as if it were breaking news. And somehow you’ll love every minute.
Let me show you how I’d do it.
Get underground (and mind the gap)
I’d start with the Tube. The first stretch of what became the London Underground opened in 1863. These days you can tap in and out with a contactless card or phone. Stick to the same card or device each time so your eligible journeys count toward the daily cap. Transport for London’s payment guide
Two rules will save you from glares. Stand on the right of the escalator so people can stride past on the left, and never, ever stop dead at the top. Londoners are a patient people until you block an escalator.
At the kerb, check both ways and take those painted “Look Right” signs seriously. They’re there for people like us.
Walk through two thousand years
Start at Tower Hill, where you can still see a stretch of London’s Roman wall. A short walk away is the Tower of London, begun under William the Conqueror. It has been a fortress, a palace and a prison, and today it houses the Crown Jewels. I’d make time for a Yeoman Warder tour. A Beefeater can tell a gruesome story with a remarkably straight face. Plan a visit to the Tower of London
Then there’s Westminster. For your next pub quiz, Big Ben is the Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower. If you’re heading to Buckingham Palace for Changing the Guard, check the calendar before planting yourself outside the gates. Big Ben at UK Parliament · Changing the Guard calendar
Give yourself an hour in a museum
The British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, V&A and Tate Modern offer free general admission, with some exhibitions and events charged separately. Pick one that fits the day. I’d pair Tate Modern with the South Bank or put the National Gallery with a walk through the West End. Give yourself permission to see one thing properly and leave.
Eat and drink like you mean it
Wander Borough Market and graze your way through it. There’s been a market in this part of Southwark for centuries, which makes my inability to settle on lunch feel even less defensible. Then cross to the George Inn, London’s last surviving galleried coaching inn, where the beams and creaking floors do half the storytelling for you. If you’re there on a Sunday, make room for a proper roast. It’s practically a civic duty. Borough Market’s history · The George Inn
Ride the river
Walk the South Bank, then hop on a river boat for a different angle on the city. If you have a spare half day, head to Greenwich. The marked Prime Meridian line is inside the Royal Observatory, so allow for admission if you want the photo with a foot on either side. It’s a daft photo, and you’ll love it. Royal Observatory visitor information
Where I’d stay on a first visit
If I’d booked a West End show, I’d look for somewhere with an easy trip back afterwards. If the river and Borough Market were higher on my list, I’d look around the South Bank. Check the walk to the nearest station before you get attached to the hotel photos. You’ll do it twice a day.
Where should I stay in London?
Close to the theatres, near the river, or somewhere quieter at the end of the day? Pick up to two priorities and compare three neighborhoods before you book.
Find my London neighborhoodWalking & access
Compare Paddington or Liverpool Street if you plan to use the Elizabeth line. TfL lists step-free access to Elizabeth line platforms at both stations. Check your exact interchange and map the walk from the lift exit to the hotel.
More from London
Trying to keep the trip affordable? Start with How to Visit London on a Tight Budget.
For a more personal story, here’s my first London travel scam and why I fell in love with the city anyway.
One last tip
Pack an umbrella, comfortable shoes and a sense of humour. London will test all three.
Questions about visiting London
How many days do I need for a first London visit?
Three gives you time for Westminster, the Tower and South Bank, plus a museum or Greenwich. With two days, I’d leave Greenwich or a long museum visit for next time.
Do I need an Oyster card?
A supported contactless card or device works for pay-as-you-go. Use the same one throughout so eligible fares count toward the cap. Check TfL payment options.
Which London museums can I visit for free?
The main collections at the British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, V&A and Tate Modern are free. Check whether the exhibition you want requires a separate ticket.
Can I see the Changing of the Guard any day?
Check the schedule before going. I’d pair it with Westminster or a walk through St James’s Park so the morning still works if plans change. Changing the Guard calendar.
What caught you off guard in London?
A pub you’d go back to tomorrow, an escalator lesson, or a conversation that started with the weather? I’d love to hear about it.
Ready to plan your London trip?
If you’re flying, enter London and your dates to compare fares. Already know how you’re arriving? Choose a neighbourhood.