Pond Hopping: A Guide to London

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My first visit to London, it stole my heart. The city is busy, bustling, vibrant and rich with culture, experiences and people. I could never imagine growing tired of it and each time I visit, I find a new gem or a neighborhood I’ve never walked through before. And each visit, I keep in mind all of the tips and tricks I’ve learned during my eight years of hopping back and forth across the pond. If you’ve never been to London, you must go. And if you have been there, but not recently, I insist you go back.  

Here are some pointers and must-sees that are decidedly British, or at least an American’s version of such. 

Getting There

Fly Direct. 

The flight to London is long, so it’s worth it to take a direct flight from either Philadelphia or Newark. Airlines like American and British Airways offer a variety of flights and great airfares (with patience and research) to make the travel quite simple. 

Take the Red Eye. 

This is the best tip I can give: take the red eye from the East Coast to London’s Heathrow Airport.I promise you’ll be thankful. The 6- to 7-hour flight is much easier when you can spend it sleeping. And when you arrive in the UK, you’ll have a full day to spend exploring and getting acclimated. Bonus: it will reduce the effects of jet lag.  

Upon Arrival. 

When you land in Heathrow and successfully make your way through customs and baggage claim, you can easily hail a cab into the City of London. Then sit back (for an hour-long ride) and take out your wallet for a quite hefty bill (approximately $100-150 for the trip). A better way to get in from the airport? Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. This high-speed train runs to and from Heathrow and gets you into London in about 15 minutes for about $20 one way.  

heathrowexpress.com

Getting Around

London Underground (The Tube). 

By far, the fastest, easiest way to get around the City of London and surrounding areas is The Tube. Simply buy an Oyster Card (electronic ticket for The Underground) and swipe in the direction you need to go. Tube stations are easy to locate and navigate and get you from place to place without the hassle of London traffic.  tfl.gov.uk/maps/track/tube

Uber. 

While there is great debate in the UK, specifically London, regarding whether or not Uber should be operating there, it truly is the easiest ride sharing service that supports London. Before you travel, be sure to download the Uber app and update it with payment information and contact details, so you can easily get an Uber in the city. 

Where to Stay

Budget Friendly Z Hotel at Gloucester Place. 

What happens when you take five townhouses and convert them into a stylish hotel at a great price? You book it. Immediately. With high design at just under $100 a night and a list full of amenities, you can’t go wrong with booking your stay at the Z Hotel. Plus, there are a number of locations throughout London, so you can choose one that best suits where you need to be. thezhotels.com/gloucesterplace

Luxury Boutique London Edition. 

Centrally located in Fitzrovia, right outside of Soho, the London Edition is the ultimate in luxury accommodations. This boutique hotel boasts amazing service, high-class design and an experience unlike any other hotel you’ve ever stayed at. It is so over-the-top-amazing with details and touches that you will never want to forget. Albeit pricey, it is worth the top dollar price tag to enjoy the luxury and to people-watch the who’s who of London, not to mention the potential of celebrity sightings. editionhotels.com/london

Being a Tourist

There is never a shortage of places to see or things to do in London.  As they say, to grow tired of  London is to grow tired of life. So, I’ll spare you the in-depth details, but a few places that are highlights and must-sees include:  

  •  Big Ben
  •  Houses of Parliament
  •  Westminster Abbey
  •  Tower of London
  •  London Bridge
  •  Buckingham Palace
  •  Kensington Palace
  •  London Eye
  •  Covent Garden
  •  Harrods

Hidden Gems 

Churchill War Rooms. 

Take an afternoon to wander through the underground bunkers and government headquarters of the British government during World War II. We’ve all heard of the legend of the great Winston Churchill, but to walk through the War Rooms is to see a great mind at work. 

Leadenhall Market. 

For Harry Potter fans, London has a plethora of references and sites that nod to the amazing book and movie series. But none so remarkable as Leadenhall Market — a Victorian covered marketplace featuring boutique shops in the financial district of the City of London. You will recognize the area from scenes at Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. There are great stores, wonderful street vendors and fantastic restaurants. It is worth a trip and a few hours to wander aimlessly.

National Portrait Gallery. 

It may be smaller in scale than its neighboring National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, but it is rich in content and British artists’ works of well known citizens and royals. There is always something new to see there, and its ever-changing exhibits never disappoint.  

The Mercantile London. 

Found in the East End of London, right outside Spitafields Market, is my favorite clothing boutique the world over. Locally owned, The Mercantile is charming and stylish, and I go every time I’m in London. With brands from all over Europe, it is a great place to spend some time shopping and trying on treasures. themercantilelondon.com

To Market, To Market

London is brimming with markets, and some of your time would be well spent strolling through them. Each is unique in its own right, so any one you choose to visit is a great choice. A few of my favorites are listed here.

Borough Market. 

Go early and go very, very hungry. Food stalls and international vendors line the market for as far as the eye can see. And with so many amazing tastes, sights and smells, it gets very crowded very quickly. I recommend starting your day here and walking around, sampling as much as you can. Since you’ll be walking around burning calories, you can eat more, right?!  A grilled cheese is a must. Trust me.

Portobello Road Market. 

Famous for its Notting Hill location, antiquities and possible celebrity spotting, Portobello Road deserves a few hours of your time. Grab a nibble at a food vendor or in one of the restaurants lining the market and then wander into the amazing vintage clothing and accessories stalls, where you are bound to find something you can’t live without.

A few others to check out: 

  • Camden Market
  • Spitafields Market
  • Maltby Street Market
  • Columbia Flower Market

What to Eat and Where 

Traditional British Fish and Chips or Steak and Ale Pie at The Ship Tavern theshiptavern.co.uk

Inspired Indian food that London is known for at Dishoom  dishoom.com

A modern culinary take on traditional British fare at Social Eating House socialeatinghouse.com

Might I Suggest

All the museums in London offer free admission, so plan to take in some culture. Every museum is great in its own right, so try to visit as many as you can during your stay. Also, while they say it’s free, it is recommended that patrons make a small contribution when they visit, so be sure to have cash on hand to show your support.  

Take a black cab at least once during your stay. Cabbies are chatty chaps and great British historians/tour guides. Plus, you’ll get a great look at the city from the back seat of a quintessential Clubman cab!

Leave your umbrella at home. True, it rains a lot, but Brits are accustomed to it and rarely open up umbrellas, especially on crowded streets.

Okay, it’s totally touristy, but I highly recommend booking a day pass on the Big Red Bus Tours. Yes, it has tour guides and runs on a loop around the city, but it is the BEST way to see everything and get your bearings. Bonus: you can hop on and off at stops so you can spend time exploring certain landmarks! bigbustours.com/en/london/london-bus-tours/

More to Know

Length of Stay. 

While you can make a long weekend of it, I would recommend at least 8 to 10 days if you are visiting London for the first time.  

Overseas Spending. 

Prepare yourself monetarily for the trip. Visit your local bank and convert some US dollars to British pounds. That way you’ll be all set once you arrive with cash in hand. I would also recommend checking with your credit card company to see if they charge your international purchases; most don’t.  That way you can safely use your credit cards with no transaction fees.

Packing. 

Like many other cities in the world, London has a very casual dress code when you are out and about. But my recommendation is to pack a singular color (black) that is perfect for all occasions and dress codes. And comfortable walking shoes are a must.  Even if you take the Tube everywhere, you will need to walk to and from the stations. And wear layers; London is milder in temperature, but things can change quickly.