First Time in London? Don’t Worry, We’ve Got You Covered!

London is the top city to visit in the world thanks to its eclectic mix of history, nightlife and shopping opportunities. It attracts millions of visitors every year and it can seem quite daunting to a first time tourist as there is so much to see and do, as well as having to keep up with the famous London pace. This guide aims to give you some tips and tricks into the city of London to ensure that you make the most out of your first ever trip.

Get Yourself an Oyster Card

There are many ways to travel around London; you could take a tour on one of the iconic red double decker buses, brave the London roads in a black hackney carriage or travel the breadth of the city on the Underground, the choice is yours. To make travelling around London a breeze, buy an Oyster Card which acts as a prepayment pass that can be used on the Tube, DLR, buses, the River bus, National Rail services around London, the London Overground and the Emirates Air Line. You can purchase an Oyster Card online or at the ticket office at any London train station, all you need to do is pay £5 for the smartcard, add some credit and away you go.

The Oyster Card can save you time and money; when you reach a ticket barrier or get on a bus, place your Oyster Card on top of the yellow card reader as this will signal the start of your journey and, when you alight at your destination, tap your card on the yellow card reader at that station for the journey to be deducted from your credit. If you forget to touch in and out, you will be charged a maximum fare of £8.90 for your journey, just get yourself into the habit of touching in and out. It really is the easiest and more convenient way to travel around London.

Find Somewhere to Stay

Whether you are in the city for a night or for a fortnight, finding a great hotel is essential. It must tick all of your boxes, whether you want convenient location, an affordable stay, pure luxury and comfort, you will guarantee to be able to find the perfect hotel for you in London. Hyde Park hotels boast incredible views of the park itself and give ease of access to Kensington Gardens, Knightsbridge and Buckingham Palace while the Shaftesbury Suites London Marble Arch is fantastic for shopaholics everywhere as it is a stone’s throw from the world famous Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street. It is all about the best location and price point for you.

There is No Shame in Being a Tourist

Your first trip to London is going to be overwhelming and absolutely thrilling, all you will want to do is take photographs especially of the classic tourist sights such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben and the London Eye as well as go on several tours that explain in minute detail the history of London. The best advice is to do it, be as touristy as you possibly can because, even though your repeat visits to London will be amazing, it will never compare to your first time and the sheer excitement of visiting it and seeing the sites from the television in the flesh. Take as many photographs as possible; visit all of the tourist spots such as Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, and buy the ‘I Love London’ memorabilia from one of the many stalls that grace the walkways. There will never be another first visit to London, so make it count.

Explore London’s Diverse History

A trip to London is never complete without a traipse through its incredible history. The Tower of London encompasses every reign of every monarch from William the Conqueror to the present day and has a rich history. Originally the Tower of London was used as a fortress before it was turned into royal accommodation; from there it became the Royal Mint, a menagerie and, possibly the most famous role it ever had, a prison and torture chamber. Today, it is open to the public and the Yeomen still guard the Tower, taking members of the public on in depth tours throughout the Tower’s history. You can take a peek at the crown jewels, see Traitor’s Gate and stand near the spot where Queen Anne Boleyn and Queen Katherine Howard were beheaded, it is a very interesting place to visit for any history enthusiast.

From one royal establishment to another, Westminster Abbey is the final resting place for over 3,000 people from throughout history. Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Queen Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Henry VII, Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens and Laurence Olivier are just a few names that are buried within the Abbey walls whose gravestones you can visit. Westminster Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in the city, even older that the Tower of London, with the main hall being were William the Conqueror was crowned King on Christmas Day 1066. There are group tours given by experts who can give you a wonderful insight into the Abbey’s history or, if you prefer to wander at your own pace, there are personal headsets that can be used for your own personal tour.

These steps may be short and sweet, but they guaranteed a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable trip to London.