Travel to London, England in the United Kingdom and you can walk the same streets as the kings, queens, princes, and princesses that you have studied in history class, read about in the newspapers, and seen on television. The old to ancient buildings are close together and you can feel in close proximity to significant historical figures and happenings, possibly gaining some understanding of the world we live in as while drinking in the culture, fine arts, and theatre.
At the heart of London is Trafalgar Square area which is in accessible proximity to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Piccadilly Circus and the Theatre District.
Hotels in the in the Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, or Theatre District are conveniently located, but tend to be more expensive than hotels farther from the center of the cent. You can find less expensive lodgings outside of the center of town, but may find, as I did, that any hotel savings are quickly lost if you elect to travel by taxi. There are more economical methods of travel, such and the tube (underground train), bus or walking.
The London cabs are famous for their courtesy and efficiency. The cab drivers in London consider themselves professionals and act as tour guides, having excellent knowledge of the large, historic city. We found the London cab drivers to be courteous in answering questions and in transporting us to our destinations
The famous red double decker buses travel the streets of London and are an economical way to see the city. This is a terrific, convenient way to see London. There are designated stops, where you you can hop on and off the bus at your convenience. Tour guides on the bus will explain the sights. There is so much to see and do in London, that taking a tour at the beginning of your visit will help you identify which of the many sightseeing opportunities you want to explore further. This overview of London will help you to plan the rest of your visit and make better use of your time in this majestic city.
In the heart of London you can visit many famous attractions. During the day you can take your choice of museums and art galleries. I recommend a tour of the famous Westminster Abbey, the impressively massive cathedral where every English Monarch has been crowned since William the Conqueror in 1066, nearly 1,000 year ago. Winchester Abbey is where the funeral of Princess Diana was held. There are regular services held to this day, and we were able to attend one late Sunday afternoon. The building is more massive in person then it appears on television. The acoustics were terrific and the music was truly heavenly. There are tours available, which also is the burial site of over 3,000 people, including a cluster of medieval kings and their consorts.
Parliament is where government business is conducted. The Parliament building is so massive that the best view that I could find was from across the Thames River. The Thames River is the main waterway through London and is crossed by the famous London Bridge. There are several sightseeing cruises on the Thames, from short excursions to trips out to out of the city that take the entire day. I cruised on the Thames to Hampton Court, which was a castle that King Henry the Eighth lived in. The scenery along the Thames River is and includes some of the famous and well renown English Gardens.
The Tower of London, located near the Thames River, has been used for nearly a millennium as lodging for royalty and a prison for doomed prisoners. Now The Tower of London houses a museum. You can take a guided tour to see ancient armor, worn by warriors past and other artifacts. the Tower of London also contains the historic Crown Jewels of Queen Elizabeth and the British Monarchy. These magnificent jewels are kept in locked glass cases and can be viewed by visitors as they file past. The rooms where the Crown Jewels are displayed are heavily monitored and guarded.
Piccadilly circus is an intersection of five busy streets and is famous for it’s neon signs and bustling activity. At the heart of Piccadilly is a statue of Eros. which was quite controversial when It was built in 1892-1893. The statue was originally built as a monument to Lord Shaftsbury as a symbol of Christian love, but became popularly known as Eros, the pagan god of love. Piccadilly is a busy, bustling area with shops and people of all sorts. The Piccadilly intersection offers fascinating people watching, in addition to shopping.
London is famous for it’s theatre district, which offers a variety of entertainment. The Theatre Royal on Drury Lane was built in 1663 and a rich history, having been attended by royalty and the common man alike. The Lyceum Theatre, London Palladium, Strand Theatre, The Old Vic, Theatre Museum, Royal National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and Savoy Theatre are all theatres that offer high quality entertainment to this day. The theatres attract top talent and the opportunity to see famous actresses and actors in live performances. The district has a busy, lively atmosphere, attracting visitors from around the globe.
In the center of the theatre district is a booth that sells tickets to many popular performances at a discount. The booth is appropriately called the Half Price Ticket Booth and is located in Leicester Square. The tickets are sold for half price plus a service fee. The Half Price Ticket Booth is an excellent way to enjoy live theatre at a discount, but be prepared to stand in line for the tickets. They do no necessarily have tickets to all shows, so if you have your heart set on a particular show this may not be the venue for you. If you want to experience live theatre in London, and are willing to be flexible, the Half Price Ticket booth offers great savings. The theatre district is alive with artists and activities and is an energizing and exhilarating experience. If you enjoy people watching, the theatre district in the heart of London is a fascinating place to enjoy the many facets of humanity.
London is filled with pubs, which have been social centers of the city for centuries. It is relatively easy to find an authentic English pub anytime during the day to take a break from sightseeing and have a mug of ale, or beer. The pubs are also a interesting place to visit after the theatre in the evening. Theatergoers crowd into the convivial pubs after performances to top off a pleasant evening. Many of the actors from current plays will visit the pubs after their performances to relax. When the parties of actors, cast and crew, enter the pubs the air is filled with merriment.
English tea is a longstanding tradition, which can be found in restaurants and hotels throughout the city. You can take a break and relax from sightseeing and shopping by having strong tea and cakes. After this refreshing break, you can enjoy a burst of energy to carry you though to dinner at one of the many fine restaurants and to whatever evening entertainment you select.
Of the five airports in London, the most well known are Heathrow and Gatwick. Most international airports offer direct service to London, as a popular destination. The underground train, known as the tube, travels from the airports into the city. There are also shuttles, buses, and taxis available for hire to travel throughout the city of London.
Travel to London for a stimulating and fascinating experience and enjoy yourself.
