Going To London For The First Time? Read this!

Who doesn’t love the UK and its capital city, London?  

The country that gave us the Beatles; perhaps the greatest band of the 20th century, the Royals, Shakespeare, afternoon tea, British humor, fish and chips, cheddar cheese, Downton Abbey, and Love Actually, has something memorable to offer every type of traveler, especially first-time visitors. 

However, if you’re visiting London for the first time, as cool as it is, it can be overwhelming. It’s a big city and very spread out. Before you hit the streets it’s a good idea to have a plan and a few essential tips under your belt. 

Whether your plans include absorbing the history and culture or shopping and theater, I’ve got tips on the weather, wardrobe, the Underground, food and drink, and yes, the language, plus some ideas of what to see and do. 

I made a few mistakes while traveling around London…I had been there before but thirty years ago! So, I didn’t remember that most tube stations have more than one exit. l rolled my bag over a very rough path covered with loose stones for what seemed an eternity, arriving at Buckingham Palace instead of my hotel in Mayfair.  Yep. I did that.  

 So let’s carry on and get you the intel you need for a memorable trip to London, England.

Know The Language

One of the nice things about traveling to the UK is everyone speaks English…or do they?

Each time I’ve traveled in England, I have been stunned at how often I didn’t understand one word spoken to me. In England, just like in the United States, people have accents…and they are not all the same. 

Our English-speaking cousins also have different words for common items: the Underground, which we call a subway, is called the Tube. Pants are underwear, not outerwear. And rain shoes are wellies. 

If you hear an Englishman say, “It’s gone all pants,” that means it’s gone bad. Example: The weather’s gone all pants. Translation: The sky is grey and it’s starting to rain.  

Biscuits are what we call cookies or crackers. I became addicted to McVitie’s Rich Tea Biscuits which is a lot like a flat, round animal cracker. One friend told me she thinks they’re hard as a rock and taste like cardboard. You’re supposed to dunk them in your tea, I said. That’s why they are called Rich TEA biscuits.  

You’ll want to get this one right: a bathroom is a loo (or you can say toilet or even ladies’/men’s room), but “where’s the bathroom”  just doesn’t really hit the mark. It took me a minute to get this one right but it made a difference. So buy one of those little phrasebooks and study up. 

Dress the part

The Brits are known for their sense of style. Fine shoes, hosiery, and high fashion are part of their history. The city of Leicester, north of London, was a hub of shoe manufacturing at one time. 

Yes, expressing your unique style goes over well in London.  Quirky works well too. Stylish is always good. So if you’ve been feeling a bit restrained, London may be where you finally find your true self-expression.  If you’re planning any Michelin star dining you will want to dress up for that.

Dress for the weather

English weather is famously unpredictable. I was there in late May and June and experienced everything from rain and wind to sunshine, to what felt like a gale. Gratefully the temperature was always mild. 

London is an eclectic city, and as I mentioned, you can wear what you like for the most part. However, if you’re not dressed for the weather you’ll be very uncomfortable. On my first trip in April, I made the mistake of thinking it would be spring in London because it was spring in Texas. I absolutely froze. Even worse, I couldn’t find warm clothes to purchase because it wasn’t spring but it was no longer winter.

Wellies, raincoats, umbrellas, sweaters, a hat, sunglasses, and layer, layer, layer. And don’t forget comfortable shoes are a must. 

Public Transportation Overview

Gratefully London has excellent public transportation. 

 Walking is the best way to see the most in a short time but, when the distance was more than thirty minutes I took the Underground. The Underground is easy once you get the hang of it.  

There’s an app for that, the London TFL app–useful for keeping up with line changes, delays, and closures. It’s also good for knowing which trains have steps, which is key if you have luggage. And it will give you times and distances for biking as well.

 I do like a good app but I also wanted to learn my way around so I always used the maps at each tube station. I got it wrong once and got off the train too soon. But in my defense, I had a horrible headache that day.  Don’t worry, you can’t get lost but it is time-consuming getting on and off the trains and up and down the escalators. 

London sees 20,000,000 visitors per year and 8,000,000 people live there. Many use the Underground. It can get crowded, especially on lines near popular monuments and attractions like The London Eye. Keep your purse and any bags, backpacks, etc. close, with no pockets exposed. I never saw anything weird and I never felt uncomfortable but safe is better than sorry.  The Underground is affordable as well. 

Oyster Card

So, do you need an Oyster Card for transportation? The short answer is, not really. You can use your bank card or credit card to pay for everything. If you are there for more than a weekend I would probably recommend getting an Oyster Card but since I was only there a couple of days I just used my credit card. I loved the convenience of using public transportation and tapping my way through the Underground.

Buses are another way to get around the city and can be handy if you’re out past 11:00 pm ish. The Tube stops around 11:30 pm. Imagine my surprise when I couldn’t get the Tube home after staying out dancing until the wee hours (yes, thirty years ago I did things like that.)  I took a taxi but I could have taken a bus. Buses are also contactless payment. 

The red double-decker buses are a good way to get around, see a lot, and map out where you want to spend more time. Here’s a link for London buses.

Taxis are reliable but expensive. It can take twice as long to go anywhere by car in London.  

To learn more about London’s transportation read this page on the Visit London website.

 

ACP Rail Brit Rail Card

If you’re going to be in the UK for more than a few days and plan to do some travel by train, a Brit Rail Card could come in handy and save you money. I was there for three weeks and had eight days’ worth of travel available on my rail card. I used them all.  This is an app I used a lot. It’s easy to download a pass and then use your cell phone to tap through the train stations. I loved the convenience. I booked my pass through ACP Rail.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are an integral part of any trip. Some of my best travel memories are related to a meal with friends or a special dish I loved. 

England generally isn’t known as a capital of food culture but things have changed. There are many Michelin-starred restaurants in London and places like the Borough Market are wonderful for discovering London’s global food scene.

If you want to try some quintessentially English food I recommend the pub tour I took with Devour Tours. We tasted classics like Toad in the Hole, Scotch Eggs, and Fish & chips. My full review of the tour is linked. 

A tour is also a good way to learn about the city and maybe meet someone new. You also get historical tidbits as you walk with your tour guide, which makes it all come alive. I’m a big fan of tours and always take at least one.

I love the traditional Ploughman’s lunch. You can’t go wrong with a slice of thick bread, English cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes a chutney.  If I’m especially hungry I add a side of soup. This is also pub food though you can find upscale versions in what are known as gastropubs. 

Pubs are meant to be social places so I found myself eating in pubs often on both London trips.  Most pubs also serve Sunday Roast though you can find it in a more traditional restaurant. A Sunday Roast is a traditional meal consisting of meat, veggies, gravy, Yorkshire pudding, and some jellies or jams depending on the type of meat. My friends prepared a Sunday roast for me and it was lovely. 

Afternoon tea is a must. Go someplace a little fancy if you can afford it like Fortnum and Mason. 

For inexpensive, quick food the Pret chain started in London over 30 years ago. I find them a reliable place for a tasty, affordable lunch or a drink and snack. The food is fresh and they’re known for organic coffee.  

London is expensive, especially for Americans. In May the exchange was 1.25 for one British pound. Nevertheless, one must eat. The upside: London is a very diverse city with a huge immigrant population that has brought their food culture. I had my first ever Indian curry in London and it was better than anything I’ve ever had in the US. 

First Time Visitors Must-See Attractions 

One of the cool things about the UK in general, and London in particular, is that everywhere you turn there’s a historic pub, or a 12th-century church… something that’s literally hundreds of years old. If all you did in London was walk for two days, you’d collectively see thousands of years of history.

I’m sure you have some ideas about what you want to see and do. Since I had seen many of the iconic landmarks and tours on the first trip, this year I did some more offbeat things. However, for a first-time visitor, the classics are a must. 

Here’s my recommended list of must-do and some optional experiences for first-time visitors.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London is a fantastic experience…do it! With its fascinating history, it is one of the top places to visit, though it has a dark side too. It has been a royal palace, a treasury, and most famously a prison for people awaiting execution, like Ann Boleyn. I recommend taking a guided tour. Either way be sure to ask about the legacy of the Ravens. I don’t want to be a spoiler. 

The Tower is also the home of the Crown Jewels which I found a lot more interesting than I expected. For royal lovers, history lovers, or anyone who loves a spooky place, and trust me, the Tower is haunted, the Tower is one of the best experiences in London.

Walk across the Tower Bridge for great views of the River Thames.

Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace

I think the Changing of the Guard Is interesting even if you are not a fan of the Royals. It showcases British tradition and pageantry that has been part of British culture for centuries. It’s an event.  Bonus: it’s free! Go early for a good spot in front of Buckingham Palace at 10.45 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.  

Big Ben & Houses of Parliament plus Westminster Abbey

I was never in the right place to see the clock at night but Big Ben is a defining feature of the London skyline. The chimes of Big Ben have marked the passage of time since 1859! If you’re near Big Ben you can easily walk to to see the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The Abbey has seen the coronations of every monarch for hundreds of years and there are some noteworthy people buried there as well. Go inside for me. Drop a comment and tell me your experience.  

If you book a tour or hotel through one of my affiliate links I receive a small commission but it does not cost you anything extra. Thanks!

London Eye

The London Eye was still at least seven years in the future when I first visited London. I didn’t have time to visit this trip, though I did see it of course. It’s now firmly one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. It’s on my list for my next trip.

Museums, Parks, and Gardens

London is one of the best cities in the world for museums and many of them are free. If you like museums some highlights include the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert, and Tate Modern.

Parks and gardens are also plentiful which is welcome in such a big city, it makes it more approachable. Hyde Park is famous and easy to work into a visit to Buckingham Palace.  St. James Park is adjacent to the mall which makes a lovely royal walk.

Berkeley Square in Mayfair is surrounded by huge plane trees planted the same year as the French Revolution. It’s not exactly a park but a beautiful green space that’s a bit wild. To me it seemed a place more for locals than tourists. I had lunch sitting on a bench there and people-watching.

Unique Places in London

If you’re in Mayfair see if Phillips is open. It’s an auction house that functions much like a public art gallery. There was an amazing exhibition that included Andy Warhol’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth, and several beautiful pieces by Damien Hirst, Picassos, Modigliani, and so many others, available for viewing before the auction officially opened. Phillips has locations around the world including Los Angeles. 

Also in Mayfair,  Shepherds Market is full of fun pubs and restaurants. Originally an annual fair and market, hence the area took the name Mayfair, it was also a bit of a shady area before being developed by wealthy Brits. 

I’ve mentioned the Borough Market which I absolutely loved. Aside from international food stalls, there are plenty of pubs. Go to Neals’ Yard Dairy if you love cheese. However, there are so many other cheesemongers at the market– go to all of them! Definitely try Trethowan and Bath Soft Cheese Co. Pro tip: It’s located by London Bridge, a great spot for photo ops. I didn’t have my rain jacket or my umbrella that day, another mistake. I got a couple of photographs before I ran for cover. 

If you want to do something more relaxing and get away from the crowds take a walk in Little Venice, along a pretty waterway and neighborhood just north of Paddington Station.    

You can also take a narrowboat from Camden Locks along the Regent’s Canal which could include Little Venice. 

Best place to stay In London

As I mentioned, London is expensive, and staying in the city is not for the faint of heart. A good affordable hotel is hard to come by. However, by staying outside the city, precious time and money are wasted commuting. Almost everything a first-time visitor is going to want to see and do is in the West End so stay there. I stayed at the Mayfair Townhouse and loved it. Staying in Mayfair is convenient for everything. You can walk everywhere. Depending on when you go you may be able to catch a discounted rate. Whether you stay there or not go to the hotel bar called The Dandy Bar for a drink. Fun staff and a beautiful room. You can check their rates in the link above and compare that to the Hotels.com rate here.  

By booking a hotel through an affiliate link it helps me pay to keep the site running but it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Much appreciated!

If you need a more budget-friendly hotel a friend who visits London often swears by a chain called Premier Inn. They have a couple of locations in the West End. Check prices directly with the hotel here and Expedia here.

The Best Time To Visit London

London is popular year-round.  You sometimes just have to go when you can. But if you have a choice, here are some tips.

The weather is best in the summer but summer is also the most crowded season. If you want to avoid tourist crowds do not go in July or August.

I’ve been in April and June. In April it rained a lot and as I mentioned, it was cold. In June it was cool with some sunshine, but overcast most of the time. No matter what time of year you go take the right clothes and you’ll have a great time. 

Avoid going on bank holidays when all the British families and kids are traveling. Also, avoid Christmas even if it is a popular time of year, it’s also more expensive, and London is already stupidly expensive.  

Day trips

This article is already too long so if you want ideas for day trips please refer to my article A Day Out in Beautiful Wiltshire and Somerset.  Both are popular destinations for day trips from London…think Cotswolds, Stonehenge, Avebury, Bath… 

Currency

If you’ve never been to London you need to understand that London is a cashless city. With very few exceptions everything is paid by card, whether a credit card or some other tap-to-pay system. Keep some cash on hand for tips but honestly, that’s the only time you’ll need it.

Travel essentials

You’ll need a passport or visa to enter the UK. For Americans, a standard passport is usually all that is needed. An adaptor for the UK which is different than any place else you may have traveled. For the United Kingdom the associated plug type is G, which is the plug with three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. The UK operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Airport Details

Getting from the airport to the city is easy via the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. You just follow the signs from either the airport or the train station. At Paddington Station access to the Heathrow Express is downstairs.

If you arrive via Gatwick Airport it’s similar but you’d take the Gatwick Express.

To pay for the Heathrow Express you can use your credit card or an Oyster Card if you purchased one in advance. The same goes for Gatwick Airport. All trains to other parts of the country depart from Victorian-era Paddington Station. I used my Brit Rail card to pay for the Heathrow Express.

There are many vibrant and interesting cities in the world: Rome comes to mind immediately. Paris. Istanbul. New York. Now that I’ve been reminded how fun and friendly London is I won’t wait so long to go back.