LONDON BABY!
When I tell people that I spent 4 months travelling around Europe, their immediate question is “Which city/country was your favourite?” I’ve been asked this question countless times now, and I have yet to come up with an answer. The best answer that I've landed on is “I love London but it’s hard to compare it to the rest.”
I don’t know why I find London hard to compare to the rest of the cities that I visited. It may be because it’s English-speaking which makes it feel the most familiar, or it may be because that I spent more time there than any other city that I visited. Regardless, I felt strangely comfortable in London, which made it stand out above the rest.
During my time studying in the UK (I was located at a university approximately 50 minutes outside of the city centre), I learned a few things about the British culture that I think is important to mention for anyone who may be interested in travelling there in the near future.
5 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Brits have a tendency to move slower than North Americans – This definitely isn’t a negative, however as a North American, it takes time to adjust to the slower-paced lifestyle. From walking down the street, to making transactions and general service at restaurants, patience is a virtue. As someone who is used to going through life very (very) quickly, I found myself frustrated when I couldn’t get places or do things as quickly as I would generally like to. Eventually I learned how to adjust to this cultural difference, and as it turns out, when you take the time to slow down it becomes easier to appreciate the things around you (who would’ve thought?!)
It’s difficult to find good “drip coffee” – Think of a cup of coffee. Do you think of your regular morning coffee freshly brewed from your Keurig or your local Tim Hortons? If this is the case, don’t expect the same results in the UK. ‘Drip coffee’ (as it is referred to there) is nearly impossible to find (and the best bet is Starbucks). Instead, if you order a coffee in a restaurant or a café, expect to get a small cup of rich espresso. If you’d like something a little less rich (and more similar to a Tim’s roast) I would recommend opting for a café latte or a cappuccino.
Cars drive on the left – If you didn’t know this then you might want to do a little more research. My biggest piece of advice is to look both ways twice before crossing the street (chances are you’ll look the wrong way the first time), and if you still can’t figure it out then don’t stress because it’s typically written on crosswalks.
Public transport actually works well – If you’re from Toronto, or any other city with an incompetent public transport system, then you’re in for a sweet surprise. London (and generally the UK as a whole), has an amazing public transport system. Between the tube, the train, busses and walking, it’s possible to get anywhere on a relatively cheap budget.
There isn't the same convenience - This wasn't as much of an issue in London as it was in some of the smaller towns, but generally speaking there isn't as many 24/7 services in the UK as there are in North America. So be warned, that if you're looking for drunk food at 3am, you may have a harder time finding something (especially that can be delivered) than you would in Canada or the States.
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO:
Obviously I haven’t seen everything there is to see in London, or done everything there is to do, but here’s what I would recommend based off what I have seen and done.
BEST VIEW OF ST.PAUL'S - If you're still on the hunt for great views of the city, and specifically St. Paul's Cathedral, then head on over to One New Change Shopping Mall. To the East of the Cathedral, on the other side of New Change Street is a shopping mall with an obscure terrace. Simply take the mall elevator (walk straight into the mall and you can't miss it) all the way to the top, and when you get out you'll have one of the best views in London!
BIG BEN AND PARLIAMENT - Okay, Big Ben really is big. Obviously from the name I gathered that it was large, but I still wasn't expecting it to be so massive. Between the sheer size, detail and history of the infamous structure, Big Ben and Parliament are breath-taking. Although London has an extensive list of famous places to visit, I recommend carving out time in your itinerary to familiarize yourself with the defining feature of the city's skyline.
DON'T CLIMB TOWER BRIDGE – I mean if you really want to, go for it. But if you’d prefer a better view (that has the Tower Bridge in it) at a cheaper price then I would recommend climbing THE MONUMENT. This 311 stair climb is not for the weak (there is no elevator option for either up or down, and it’s circular all the way), but the view is worth it. It provides a 360-degree view of the city including Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, the Shard, the London Eye, Big Ben and Parliament. Although the top is covered by metal latching, it is quite high and can be crowded so I don’t recommend this for people who are claustrophobic or scared of heights (i.e. me….)
HARROD'S– Even if you aren’t a fan of shopping or don’t usually like stores, you need to go to Harrods. My friend described it to me as “a large version of the Bay”, which although true, was a very bad way to preface it. This place is incredible. I’m pretty sure I was walking around with my mouth hanging open for the full hour we spent there. Although you probably won’t be able to afford anything (I kid you not there was a soap dish for sale for 3000 pounds), it has a mind-blowing selection of clothing, furniture, food, accessories, toys, and basically anything else you could ever imagine.
CAMDEN MARKET - Camden Market was one of my favourite destinations within London. Packed with amazing food stands and talented artists and retailers selling their merchandise, it would be easy to spend hours here. Whether you're looking for a delicious lunch or shopping that's a little cheaper than Harrod's then you should head over to Camden Market for an unforgettable experience.
5 TIPS AND TRICKS:
I didn't experience much culture shock in the UK, but these are a couple things that took a bit of adjusting to. I did learn a couple of tips and tricks that may help you adjust a little quicker:
GET AN OYSTER CARD – I seriously cannot stress this enough. For five pounds you can buy the same tube card that the locals use. Simply load the card with the desired amount of money, tap in and out of the tube as you use it and save money! What makes this even better is that the money you load onto your Oyster card never disappears, and if you return to London in 5 years you’ll still be able to use your card (assuming you don’t lose it that is…)
USE UBER – If you have to opt for a form of transport other than the Tube, then I would recommend using Uber rather than hailing a cab. Uber is very popular in London, and generally a trip will be much cheaper than it would be in a Black Cab. (If you don't have Uber, then get your first ride for free by using my promo code carlingb14ue!)
BE FRUGAL - London can be quite expensive, so if you're looking to travel on a budget then I would recommend being careful where you choose to spend your money. Cutting down on the costs for food is really easy if you decide to buy food from the grocery store. Additionally, pick attractions that you want to visit in advance because some of the entrance fees are a little pricey.
TIPPING ISN'T MANDATORY - If you're visiting London from North America, then you may be tempted to tip. Obviously, if you really feel the desire to tip your server or taxi driver then go for it, but it's definitely not expected.
STAND ON THE RIGHT - If you'd like to avoid annoyed glances from the locals, then be sure to always stand on the right at tube stations. If you're taking the escalator and aren't walking, stand on the right so that people can pass you on the left. Generally, this tip goes for walking through the station as well (and it can get confusing because they drive on the left....)
The last thing that I would recommend if you want to make your trip more enjoyable is to spend a bit of time learning the history of the sights that you're seeing. We carried around a Lonely Planet guide to England so that we could familiarize ourselves with the history of what we were seeing and I have to say that it definitely made the experience more enjoyable.
London is a beautiful city and has so much more to offer than what I've highlighted in this quick guide. Be sure to check out my YouTube video from London which highlights more of the breathtaking attractions!
Make the most of your time in London and enjoy!
Yours cheerily,
Carling
