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8.800.000
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British Pound
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English
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City trip London: The Ultimate Guide
London is the capital of Great Britain. According to various sources, London is one of the three most visited cities in the world. A real metropolis with various attractions, such as the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the Tower Bridge. Four sights in London are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These are the Tower of London, the Palace of Westminster, the National Maritime Museum & Royal Observatory of Greenwich and Kew Gardens
Contents
- 1. London: characteristics
- 2. Buckingham Palace, Palace of Westminster & Westminster Abbey
- 3. Tower Bridge & Tower of London
- 4. Visit the museums of London on a city trip
- 5. Discover London's popular neighborhoods
- 6. Discover London's famous squares and streets
- 7. Sights along the Thames in London: London Eye and O2 Arena
- 8. Discover London by boat or visit one of the parks
- 9. Harry Potter fan?
- 10. City trip London: Eating out, shopping, going out and spending the night in a nice hotel
- 11. Accessibility to the metropolis of London
- 12. City trip London: Our tips and facts
- 13. Book a city trip to London
1. London: characteristics
As well as the many places of interest, London has much more to offer. For example, you can shop in the city, go to the theatre, eat in one of the cosy restaurants or go out late into the night. All in all, London is an ideal destination for a day trip, a long weekend or a full week!
Do you want to go on a city trip to London for a day, a week or a long weekend? The characteristics of the capital of Great Britain can be found in the table below. What is there to do in London? In this article we have listed the most famous and popular sights of London for you.
|
City trip London Characteristics |
|
| Land | England |
| Number of London residents | 8.8 million |
| Number of international tourists per year | 20 million |
| Flight travel time (direct flight) | 1 hour and 10 minutes |
| Currency | Pound |
| Language | English |
| Time difference with the Netherlands | In London it's 1 hour earlier |
| Price level | Average |
| Distance from Utrecht | 500 kilometres |
| Best travel period | Lente, summer, autumn, winter |
| Climate | Moderate maritime climate |
| Activities | City, culture, art, history, shopping |
2. Buckingham Palace, Palace of Westminster & Westminster Abbey
Westminster is a district in London and home to the Palace of Westminster. This huge building with more than 1100 rooms has served as the seat of the British Parliament in the past. The most famous part of the Palace of Westminster is the Elizabeth Tower. This bell tower has five bells, the largest of which is known as Big Ben.
Westminster Palace
Also the home of the Queen of England can be found in the Westminster district. Buckingham Palace is one of the most famous buildings in the world. The palace has about 775 bedrooms, 78 bathrooms and a large number of staff. Behind the fence are daily hordes of tourists to view the palace and watch the sentries march.
Buckingham Palace
3. Tower Bridge & Tower of London
The famous Tower Bridge has been the symbol of London since its construction in 1894. The bridge over the River Thames is 244 metres long and is beautiful both day and night. The bridge owes its name to the adjacent Tower of London. Some 40,000 people cross the bridge every day. On two wheels, four wheels or two legs.
Tower Bridge
You can also visit the towers of Tower Bridge. Walk across the spectacular glass floor 42 meters above the Thames and enjoy a unique view. Climb the stairs of the two towers or visit the latest exhibition. Explore the engine rooms and the Bascule Chamber, London's largest hidden space.
The Tower of London is a medieval castle with a sinister past. The castle was used as a prison for a long time. Many enemies of the British king have been beheaded in the courtyard. Nowadays you can voluntarily visit the dungeons and fortunately also leave. During a visit you will learn about the special history of the prison.
Tower of London
4. Visit the museums of London on a city trip
When taking a city trip to London, museum lovers can enjoy their happiness. Most museums are free of charge. Some popular museums in the capital of Great Britain are:
- National History Museum: This museum has one of the largest natural history collections in the world. You will learn more about the history of the earth and life. The dinosaur exhibition is one of the museum's main attractions.
- National Gallery: In this museum of modern art you can admire works by da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals, Monet and Renoir, among others.
- Science Museum: This is one of the largest science museums in the world. Here you can learn more about great scientific inventions of the past 300 years.
- V & A Museum: The Victoria and Albert Museum has an extensive collection of applied arts and design. These include ceramics, furniture, jewellery, photographs, sculptures and paintings.
- Tate Modern: This museum of modern art is located in an old power station. The building itself is already special and you can see works by Picasso, Warhol, Dali, Matisse and Rothko, among others.
- National Maritime Museum, the largest national maritime museum in Great Britain & the Royal Observatory of Greenwich, the famous benchmark of the Greenwich meridian.
5. Discover London's popular neighborhoods
London is large and has many different districts. Westminster has already been mentioned. A number of other popular districts are Soho & Chinatown, Camden, Hampstead Heath, Shoreditch and Covent Garden. Soho is a unique multicultural neighborhood in London's West End where it is lively day and night. You'll find many shops, restaurants, bars, theatres and clubs here. The famous Chinatown is also located in Soho. This is a special piece of Asia in the middle of London. Chinatown is known for its many Chinese restaurants and shops.
The Camden district is located north of the centre. Every weekend you can stroll through the markets known together as Camden Market. In one weekend about 100,000 people visit the market. This makes Camden Market one of the biggest attractions in London. Camden also has several restaurants, pubs and shops.
Shoreditch is one of the hippest and most creative neighborhoods in London. Here you can visit all kinds of fun markets, such as the Old Spitalfields Market, the Sunday Upmarket and the Brick Lane Market. The district has many hip bars, good restaurants, arty shops and impressive galleries. Scorditch is also known for its street art.
Scoreditch
Covent Garden is a popular neighborhood with plenty of cozy restaurants, cafes, trendy bars and shops. The tourist Covent Garden Market in the covered market halls attracts some 30 million visitors annually. Many street artists can be found in the area. Well-known attractions in Covent Garden include the Royal Opera House and the London Transport Museum.
Hampstead Heath is a quiet neighborhood that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. You will find charming coffee shops, cosy restaurants and numerous shops. Hampstead Heath Park is one of the most popular parks in London. Here you can relax in the greenery during your city trip to London.
6. Discover London's famous squares and streets
London has a number of famous squares and streets that you should definitely visit during a city trip. Must-sees include Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Baker Street, Regent Street, Electric Avenue and Oxford Street. Trafalgar Square is a central London square with the 46 meter high column Nelson's Column in honour of Horatio Nelson as an eye-catcher. You'll also find the National Gallery, St. Martin's Church in the Fields, the Admiralty Arch and a number of large fountains.
Trafalgar square
Leicester square is located in the West End entertainment district and can only be reached on foot. In the middle of the square is a park with a statue of William Shakespeare. Leicester square is known for its four large cinemas where regular premieres take place. Piccadilly Circus forms the connection between Piccadilly and Regent Street. The name circus refers to the circular shape of the square. Piccadilly Circus is known for the Shaftesbury Memorial fountain and the large illuminated advertisements on the surrounding buildings.
Piccadilly Circus
Electric Avenue is a street in the alternative district of Brixton, south of central London. The neighborhood is full of British architecture. You'll find several chic boutiques, art galleries, local markets like the Brixton Market and surprising pop-up restaurants.
7. Sights along the Thames in London: London Eye and O2 Arena
Sights in London that are also worth a visit on a city trip are the London Eye and the O2 Arena. London Eye is the famous Ferris wheel along the Thames. It is one of the most popular sights of London. With a height of 135 meters, the London Eye is the largest Ferris wheel in the world. If you get in, you will have a spectacular view over the city. Tip: book a ticket online, otherwise you can just come home from a cold fair.
The O2 Arena is one of the most striking buildings in London. The white half dome along the Thames used to be known as the Millennium Dome. The O2 Arena is home to concerts, sports events and exhibitions.
O2 Arena
8. Discover London by boat or visit one of the parks
In London you will find plenty of parks where you can enjoy the greenery during a city trip. Go for a walk, cycle or picnic on the grass. Some popular parks are Hyde Park and the aforementioned Hampstead Heath Park. Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London. It is a favorite recreational destination for many Londoners and tourists. Concerts, sports events and cultural events regularly take place in the park. There are also several playing fields for children.
Familiar attractions in Hyde Park are Serpentine Lake, Marble Arch, Speakers' Corner and the Diana, Princess or Whales Memorial Fountain.
Hyde Park
Kew Gardens is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You'll find beautiful rare plants, but also impressive historic buildings and many playgrounds. Recommended is the Tree Top Walkway. This is a 200 meter long path between the treetops.
Sore feet from walking or not well on your feet? You can also discover London by boat. A boat trip on the Thames is highly recommended. You sail at a leisurely pace across the water through the centre of London past various places of interest. There are various tours possible.
9. Harry Potter fan?
London Zoo where Harry discovered he could talk to snakes. You can also book a ticket for a studio tour of the Harry Potter museum at the Leavesden Studios. You have to travel an hour from the centre of London. At King's Cross station in London you will find Platform 9 ¾. There's also a real Harry Potter shop with all kinds of souvenirs and collectibles from the Wizarding World.
10. City trip London: Eating out, shopping, going out and spending the night in a nice hotel
London is a metropolis and has many restaurants. Simple food stalls, surprising pop-up restaurants, cosy family restaurants and chic starred restaurants. All nationalities are represented in the restaurants of London. There is something for every budget. There are many places to go out in London. In various neighbourhoods you can look for fun or a party in bars, clubs and discotheques.
What else is there to do in London? You can also go to the cinema if you don't have a problem with the English language. For example, the cinema British Film Institute IMAX has the largest IMAX screen in Great Britain. Theatres are also plentiful in London, especially on Shaftesbury Avenue. London is one of the leading fashion cities in the world. Shopping is therefore excellent. In the city you will find both large department stores and Harrods, shops of famous fashion chains and small boutiques. A day or long weekend of Christmas shopping in London is a favourite pastime of many tourists.
Harrods
11. Accessibility to the metropolis of London
On a city trip to London? Then the plane is the appropriate means of transport. From various Dutch airports you can fly to the capital of Great Britain in an hour. The three major airports near London are London City, London Stansted and Heathrow. If you fly to London City, you arrive in the middle of London. From Stansted and Heathrow you are about 1 to 1.5 by car, train or bus on your way to the city centre.
You can also take a train or car to London. The distance from Utrecht to London is about 500 kilometres. Both by car and by train you go through the Channel Tunnel at Calais. By car you do not drive through the tunnel yourself, but take the underground route with the car transport train. Travel time by train or car from Utrecht is about 6.5 hours. Would you like to make the trip to London an adventure as well? Then you can make the crossing to England by boat. You sail from Hook of Holland to Harwich. There you take the train to London. There are several providers of boat trips, for example StenaLine.
In London during your city trip, you can travel from the hotel by metro, bus, trolley or bike to the various places of interest. Or step on the famous red double-decker!
12. City trip London: Our tips and facts
Below we share with you some tips and tricks for a city trip to London.
- Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes during the city trip. During a day or weekend and especially during a week in London you will walk a lot.
- The price level in London is fine. Restaurants, shops, accommodation and nightlife can be found in London for every budget.
- The climate in London is comparable to the Netherlands. You can plan a city trip to London during all seasons. Every season has its charms. In summer and spring you have the best chance of nice weather. In autumn it is often a bit calmer than in the other seasons. In winter, the city has a special atmosphere because of all the Christmas lights and Christmas music.
- In London they pay with pounds. At the airport, the train station and often also in your hotel in London you can easily change euros.
- Don't forget to photograph the famous red double-deckers and red telephone booths in London!
13. Book a city trip to London
Endless shopping, visit London's many impressive and free museums, cross the Thames via Tower Bridge, attend a theatre performance, dive into the world of Harry Potter, enjoy delicious food, grab a cinema or immerse yourself in the city's nightlife. London has everything you need for a day, weekend or full week's enjoyment.