London Travel Tips
Help other visitors to London - email us your own travel tips
Camden
The globally famous market in this part of town still pulls in large eclectic crowds on a saturday and sunday. A wealth of stalls await with special emphasis on clothes, crafts, antiques and new age material. Unlike most markets though do not arrive here too early - the stallholders certainly do not !
Canning Town
Canning Town is a London suburb positioned on the northern side of the Thames River, in the East End part of London. It's a relatively new settlement as before the 19th Century, and at the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign it was mostly marshland and farmland. Factories located here on the edge of London as they were unable to operate within the town, this increased the population significantly. Queen Victoria Docks were built in 1855 which caused thousands of migrants to move to the area for work, this led to many terraces of houses being built. During Queen Victoria's reign chemical factories moved in, and the refining of sugar also played an important role with both the town's, and the Dock's development. Today's visitors will find that it is going through a time of regeneration and development which will see many improvements to the shopping areas, housing, and open spaces. There are a huge amount of pubs to try nearby, bars and bistros on offer, together with the historic site of Rathbone Market; and as it is on the Underground Network it forges an easy link with the West End Theatres, Museums and shops at the very heart of London.
Chiswick
Avoid the A316 (great chertsey rd) that runs through chiswick every first sunday in the month if travelling through as there is a massive car boot sale at chiswick school and it can get congested. Normally cleared by 11am - NickB...resident.
Chiswick House & Grounds has got to be Londons loveliest park with wild corners, regency architecture and statues, a lake, a waterfall, cafe etc. Great for kids, totally unspoilt and amazing given its position amidst the M4 and M3 motorways - Nadia....resident
City
The City of London is best visited on a sunday - the streets are quiet and the architecture at times quite spectacular. Of particular note are the old churches dotted around.
Greenwich
If you are visiting the Cutty Sark when you’ve finished just a few minutes away is an interesting little craft market at College Approach- Sharon
Hammersmith
With its riverside position and bustling shopping centre Hammersmith feels a bit like a large town. Well connected by tubes and buses Central london is 15 minutes away (on a good run) . Notable local eateries include the Grove, Stonemasons Arms and the Anglesea (all really good gastro-pubs) and there are plenty of pubs and bars along and just off King Street. Big reasons to visit also include the Hammersmith Palais and the Appollo theatre
Hampstead
One tip I would give would be not to even think of parking anywhere in Hampstead - virtually impossible. You can park near the heath though - just avoid the traffic choked high st - Brian
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is a lovely area of north central london with beautiful streets, quirky shops and pubs and inevitably very expensive houses. Alongside Camden, the area couldnt be more contrasting and right in the middle is the hill itself. This affords simply glorious views of the west end and London Zoo and you can see way beyond Canary Wharf to the East. Each November there is a spectacular firework display (the best in London in our view) and notable restaurants include Odettes, Lemonia and the Engineer.
Putney
Avoid driving through Putney from the A3 if you can. Traffic is normally horrendous. However omce over the bridge it impreoves greatly and you find yourself in a fairly central spot - nadia...local motorist
Richmond upon Thames
If you visit Richmond Park use the car parks near the ham or kingston gates. there is superb woodland here, loads of deer in the rough and a fantastic fenced off nature woodland that is sheeer delight to walk through (think its called the alice plantation) - like being in a fairy tale wood ! The park around the robin hood gates and roehampton gates is the least interesting. Parking at pembroke lodge means you get a great view but is very very busy
Richmond upon Thames Town Details
Shepperton
The town is perhaps most famous for it’s Film Studios although there is so much to see, the hardest thing of all is what to do first. Whether it’s the interesting exhibits at Chertsey Museum which is housed in a Regency Town House, where anything from a Viking Sword to dresses from the last three hundred years are on display. Or perhaps Brooklands Museum is more for you, where the history of Motor Racing and Aviation are re-lived. For white knuckle rides and an adrenaline rush it has to be Thorpe Park, with toe curling rides such as Nemesis and Stealth, and for younger visitors Sea Snakes and ladders or Fantasy Fish are just some of the rides to try. Whether you arrive by boat or on foot, Hampton Court Palace won’t fail to mesmerize all who gaze, the scintillating architecture shrouded in history forges links with Henry V111, Oliver Cromwell and many more. A tour around the Tudor kitchens, enchanting Courtyards, and apartments will unwrap beautiful paintings from the 16th and 17th Centuries, and intricate tapestries that were stitched by delicate fingers some 400 years ago…..
Soho
Having been to Berwick street fruit market, it was a pleasure to have a coffee, at a small shop called Flat White, just beside the market, where we undoubtably had the best coffee we had ever tasted - sandy
South Bank
The London Eye - It’s taken me 8 years to go on this millennium attraction but have to say that it’s not bad as far as commercially exploited things go! It costs £14.50, lasts about 30mins & the pods are well equipped with seating & compass points. Could have done with fewer passengers per pod & a map showing where & what to look for though! There was such a thing but only in a rather pricy guidebook. The “flight” is an experience, especially on a clear day like we had & well worth doing if you’re in the area! - Cathryn, visitor
Thames River Cruise - We cruised with Bateaux London & they were fabulous. The boat was wonderfully presented, the sights spectacular, the commentary interesting & the staff accommodating! It was a lunch cruise too, with very high quality food. Would definitely recommend (no need to book) - Alex & Cathryn, visitors
Tower Bridge
Just a few steps away from Tower Bridge is St Catherine’s Docks, it’s very pretty with a few fairly pricey shops and many boats and yachts moored, the Dickens pub is lovely although does get very busy different choices on each floor ranging from reasonable to expensive depending on how thick your wallet is. - Sharon
London County Page | London Attractions| More Tips
Recommended Books:
A Picture of Britain |
Ashes Fever |
Coast |
Churchill |
Brit Quote: |
|
On this day: |