London

London anchors itself with 12 free strong museums, 1,000-year-old markets that locals still use daily, and public transport that actually works. The city spans 32 boroughs where Georgian squares give way to converted warehouses and curry houses sit next to Michelin-starred restaurants. With 8.9 million residents speaking over 300 languages, London functions as both ancient capital and global financial centre.

Planning your trip? See our London travel guide, best things to do in London, one-day London itinerary, weekend London itinerary.

Fly into Gatwick (45 minutes to central London via Gatwick Express) or London City Airport (20 minutes via DLR). Buy an Oyster Card at any station for Underground travel, and download Citymapper for real-time transport updates. Central London hotels cost £200+ per night, so consider zones 2-3 neighbourhoods like King's Cross or Shoreditch for better value.

The best time to visit London is May through September. Offer the longest days and warmest weather, with average highs of 18-23°C. June through August see the most festivals and outdoor events, though also the highest hotel prices and tourist crowds.

Avoid: November through February bring short days (sunset by 4pm in December), frequent rain, and temperatures rarely above 8°C. Many outdoor attractions close early or operate reduced schedules..

Annual Events

• Fish and chips - Beer-battered cod with thick-cut chips and mushy peas Find it at: Poppies Spitalfields. (£12-16)
• Full English breakfast - Bacon, eggs, sausages, black pudding, beans, grilled tomatoes, toast Find it at: Dishoom. (£14-18)
• Sunday roast - Roasted meat with Yorkshire pudding, roasted vegetables, gravy Find it at: The George Inn. (£16-22)
• Brick Lane curry - Bengali-style curry with rice and naan bread Find it at: Tayyabs. (£15-25)
• Afternoon tea - Finger sandwiches, scones with cream, pastries, tea Find it at: Sketch. (£58-85)
• Pie and mash - Minced beef pie with mashed potatoes and parsley liquor Find it at: M. Manze. (£6-9)

• Standing on the left side of escalators - Londoners walk on the left, stand on the right
• Expecting to see everything in one visit - London requires multiple trips or very selective planning
• Eating in Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus where tourist restaurants charge premium prices
• Not checking opening times for attractions - many close early on Sundays or certain weekdays
• Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the Underground system
• Visiting only zone 1 and missing authentic neighbourhoods in zones 2-3

• Windsor Castle (40km, 1 hour by train) - Working royal castle with State Apartments and changing of the guard. Best for: History enthusiasts and royal watchers
• Canterbury (100km, 1.5 hours by train) - Medieval cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage site. Best for: Architecture lovers and pilgrimage walkers
• Brighton (80km, 1 hour by train) - Victorian seaside resort with pebble beach and Royal Pavilion. Best for: Beach lovers and antique shoppers
• Oxford (90km, 1 hour by train) - University city with 38 colleges and Bodleian Library. Best for: Academic tourists and Harry Potter fans

Central London splits into distinct pockets connected by Underground lines. The City and Westminster hold government and financial districts, while Covent Garden and Soho provide shopping and theatre. East London includes trendy Shoreditch and traditional Brick Lane, while South London spans from Borough Market to Greenwich along the Thames.

Most guides oversell tourist traps like Madame Tussauds (£35 for wax figures) and Leicester Square's overpriced chain restaurants. They also underestimate London's scale - you cannot see everything in a weekend, and trying leads to expensive taxi rides between distant attractions. The weather changes hourly, so layers matter more than seasonal packing lists.