LET'S VISIT LONDON!

First Time in London: FAQs

Is it your first time in London? Got lots of questions? Youve come to the right place as www.visitlondon.com is packed with information about what to see and do in London, as well as lots of practical advice.

What should I see and do in London?

Take a look at our Places to Go section for lots of London sights and activities. The Top 10 London Attractions and Top 10 London Musicals lists are great places to start.

Is London expensive? How much money will I need?

Plan your spending with our Price Guide and Tipping page. Enjoy a cheap stay in London with our handy guide to Budget London. Check our Special Offers page for lots of money saving deals.

Where should I stay?

It depends on what you want to see and your budget. London has good public transport, so even if youre further from the centre, you can easily travel in. Read our accommodation

guide for a range of hotels, B&Bs and hostels.

How do I travel around London?

Use public transport for the fastest, greenest, cheapest way to travel in London. Always plan your route in advance with Transport for London. You can pick up tube maps at stations, or download a free tube map.

Whats an Oyster card? Do I need one?

An Oyster card is basically a prepaid ticket which you can use on Londons public transport system. Its cheaper than a paper ticket. You can order yours before you come to London. Read more on our Oyster page.

What currency is used in London? Where can I change my money?

London uses the pound sterling (). Read our British Money page for more information about currency, cash machines and where you can change your money.

Can I use my mobile phone in London? How much will it cost?

Most dual and tri band mobile phones with GSM 900 or 1800 will work in Britain. Before you leave for your holiday, check with your mobile provider that the roaming function is activated on your phone.

Where can I access the internet in London?

Check with your hotel or hostel, as they may have internet access. Internet cafes are all over London. Some bars and cafes have free wifi available check with staff as you may need a password to access it.

Where should I look for tourist information in London?

The main Tourist Information Centre is in Regent Street but there are others around the city.

Top 10 London Attractions

Read about Londons top 10 most popular tourist attractions, including the London Eye, the National Gallery and Tower of London. Some free London attractions are also listed: theres no better place to soak up some culture. Whether you prefer history or modern art, youll find it here.

The capitals top 10 attractions are listed below in order of popularity based on visitor numbers in 2010 or latest available numbers in the case of the London Eye and Madame Tussauds. British Museum The world-famous British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times from around the world. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection. Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets. Tate Modern Sitting grandly on the banks of the Thames is Tate Modern, Britains national museum of modern and contemporary art. Its unique shape is due to its previously being a power station. Inside youll find temporary exhibitions by top artists from Damien Hirst to Gauguin. The gallerys restaurants offer fabulous views across the city. Entry is free. National Gallery The crowning glory of Trafalgar Square, Londons National Gallery is a vast space, filled to the rafters with Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. In this iconic art gallery you can find works by masters such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir, Titian and Stubbs. Entry is free. Natural History Museum As well as the permanent (and permanently fascinating!) dinosaur exhibition, the Natural History Museum boasts a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world. See a life-sized Blue Whale, a 40-million-year-old spider, and the beautiful Central Hall. Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets. EDF Energy London Eye The EDF Energy London Eye is a major feature of Londons skyline. It is the worlds highest observation wheel, with 32 capsules, each weighing 10 tonnes, and holding up to 25 people. Climb aboard for a breathtaking experience, with unforgettable views of more than 55 of Londons most famous landmarks all in just 30 minutes! Science Museum From the future of space travel to asking that difficult question, Who am I?, the Science Museum makes your brain perform Olympic-standard mental gymnastics. See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years; dont forget the awesome Imax cinema. Entry is free but some exhibitions require tickets.

Victoria and Albert Museum The V&A celebrates art and design with 3,000 years worth of amazing artefacts from around the world. A real treasure trove of goodies, you never know what youll discover next: furniture, paintings, sculpture, metalwork, and textiles, the list goes on and on Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets. Madame Tussauds At Madame Tussauds, youll come face-to-face with some of the worlds most famous faces. From Shakespeare to Britney, youll meet influential figures from showbiz, sport, politics and even Royalty. Sing along with Kylie; strike a penalty with Rooney or receive a once-in-a-lifetime audience with Her Majesty the Queen. Royal Museums Greenwich Visit the worlds largest maritime museum, the historic Queens House, and the Royal Observatory Greenwich: all now part of the Royal Museums Greenwich. Stand astride the Prime Meridian, touch a meteorite, and see the stars in the planetarium. Some are free to enter; some charges apply The Tower of London Take a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders around the Tower of London, one of the worlds most famous buildings. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace, prison and place of execution, arsenal, jewel house and zoo! Gaze up at the White Tower, tiptoe through a medieval kings bedchamber and marvel at the Crown Jewels.

London 2012: Getting Around London During the 2012 Games

Watch video on YouTube With thousands of people travelling to the 2012 Games every day, Londons public transport system is going to be put under pressure. But with extra services and careful planning, the organisers of London 2012 hope to ensure a smooth ride for those going to the Games and Londoners going about their everyday business.

During the Games, remember to leave plenty of time for your trip as routes will be busy and journeys may take longer than normal. London 2012 Transport There are a variety of transport options for getting to the London 2012 Games: London Underground all London 2012 venues can be reached via the Tube, apart from ExCeL, Greenwich Park and Woolwich Arsenal Docklands Light Railway the DLR serves London 2012 venues at the Olympic Park, ExCeL, Greenwich Park and the Royal Artillery Barracks London Overground London Overground serves London 2012 venues in the Olympic Park on the Richmond/Clapham Junction to Stratford line London buses London has an extensive bus network and there are bus stops near to all London 2012 venues River services venues along the river Thames such as Greenwich Park, North Greenwich Arena, Royal Artillery Barracks, Horse Guards Parade and Eton Dorney can be reached by boat Walking and cycling walking and cycling routes around Games venues have been improved, and all London 2012 venues will have free, secure cycle parking Park-and-ride secure park-and-ride sites will be available near to a number of London 2012 venues Shuttle services there will be shuttle services from selected stations to the London 2012 venues Taxis there will be drop-off points close to the London 2012 venues There will be no spectator parking at Games venues, apart from a limited number of spaces for disabled visitors, which must be booked in advance. Games Travelcard Spectators with a ticket for a London 2012 sporting event or ceremony will receive a oneday Games Travelcard for the day of the event. This entitles you to free travel within Zones 1 to 9 on the London Underground (Tube), London Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), buses, trams and most National Rail services.

Traditional British Restaurants in London

For a true taste of British food in London, you neednt look far. London boasts a range of superb British restaurants. These top London restaurants serve only the best British produce, from roast beef and game to fish and chips and syrup pudding.

Boisdale of Belgravia You couldnt get much more British than Boisdale of Belgravia, housed in an elegant Regency building near Buckingham Palace. The menu is primarily Scottish, featuring mini roast haggis with neeps (parsnips), potatoes and whisky. Boisdale is also an acclaimed jazz venue, and home to one of Europes largest selections of cigars. Porters English Restaurant This Covent Garden favourite is extremely popular with tourists, serving hearty, satisfying classics such as pies, fish and chips, and roast beef. Try Porters famous steak and kidney pudding, or choose from creamy fish pie, beer battered cod or braised beef faggots. Indulgent desserts include steamed syrup pudding, Eton mess and treacle tart. Rhodes Twenty Four If you like amazing views with your food, head to Rhodes Twenty Four, located on the 24th floor of the City of Londons tallest building, Tower 42. Admire the cityscape and dig into sea trout with English asparagus and Jersey Royals or steamed mutton with onion suet pudding. Dont leave without trying the signature pudding plate! Roast Roast is dedicated to the best of British cooking, using seasonal produce to create traditional dishes such as potted shrimps and roast beef. Youll also find English wines and local cheeses on the menu. The feature window (formally part of a flower market) offers views over bustling Borough Market, where much of the food is sourced. Rules Londons oldest restaurant is in the heart of Covent Garden. Serving up traditional British cuisine since 1798, Rules places an emphasis on game, oysters, pies and puddings. The restaurant even has its own estate the Lartington Estate in the High Pennines where the chefs source quality game birds, roe deer and belted Galloway beef. Simpsons-in-the-Strand Simpsons is a place for meat and fish lovers, although everyone will appreciate the ornate interior and air of times gone by. The place has been serving traditional food since 1828. The speciality is Scottish beef on the bone, which is carved at your table from an antique silver-domed trolley a tradition thats lasted more than 150 years. St John A traditional English eatery housed in a former smokehouse, St John specialises in what

chef Fergus Henderson has termed nose-to-tail eating, meaning that no part of meat is inedible. Recent dishes have included smoked Gloucester Old Spot, and pigeon with radishes and barley. Its perfect for meat lovers. The Goring Dining Room British royalty and politicians have frequented the opulent Goring Dining Room over the years. The restaurants interior was redesigned in 2005 by famous British furnisher Linley, based on a Cecil Beaton photo of a group of debutantes in the restaurant. Expect superbly cooked British dishes such as beef Wellington and custard tart. The Rib Room Oozing with British refinement, The Rib Room restaurant opened on the ground floor of the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel in 1961. The signature dish is roast rib of Aberdeen Angus beef from the Scottish estate of the Duke of Buccleuch, while the oysters and seafood come fresh from Lock Fyne in Scotland. Wiltons Wiltons has been serving the finest British food since 1742. The menu includes wild fish, shellfish, game (when its in season) and meat dishes sourced from the best farms. Treat yourself to roast grouse or wild Scottish turbot with champagne sauce. For the ultimate in English luxury, theres also a champagne and oyster bar.

Best of British: More Ideas

London Days Out: Top Attractions - Visit London See all of Londons top attractions in one day with our handy itinerary, from a ride on the London Eye to dinner overlooking Tower Bridge. Morning: London Days Out: Top Attractions You can see many of Londons top attractions from the London Eye, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and St Pauls Cathedral. So its a good starting point for your day of sightseeing especially as the earlier you go, the shorter the queue! After your flight on the London Eye, walk along the River Thames to the London Aquarium, which is less than a minute away. The aquarium has one of Europes largest collections of global marine life, including crocodiles, sharks and poison-arrow frogs. You can sometimes see the animals being fed and even help feed them yourself. Lunch: London Days Out: Top Attractions

From the London Aquarium, take the bus or Tube to St Pauls Cathedral on the north side of the river. If youre feeling energetic, why not go on foot? The walk will take you past many more top London sights, including the Tate Modern art gallery. At St Pauls, you can enjoy your lunch in either the caf or the restaurant, which both specialise in traditional, seasonal British fare. Youll need to pay an entrance fee if you want to access the main cathedral. Afternoon: London Days Out: Top Attractions You dont have to be an A-lister to have your photo taken with Brad Pitt or The Queen. Simply hop on the Tube to Baker Street station and visit Madame Tussauds. This famous London attraction is full of very realistic wax figures of celebrities, world leaders and sports stars. If youre more interested in Jack The Ripper than Michael Jackson, spend your afternoon at the spooky London Dungeon. Located right by London Bridge station, this popular attraction includes scary rides and fascinating exhibits about Londons gruesome history. Book your London Dungeon tickets in advance through Visit London and youll get priority access on the day as well as great discounts. While youre in the area, why not take the 5-minute walk to Tower Bridge. If you time it well, you can take a beautiful photo of Londons most famous bridge in the sunset. Evening: London Days Out: Top Attractions Finish your day with dinner at a restaurant along Londons picturesque riverside, just a short walk from London Bridge or a Tube ride from Madame Tussauds. For great food and an even better view, try Pont de la Tour or The Oxo Tower. Pont de la Tour is situated close to Tower Bridge and known for its modern French cuisine and excellent wine list. The Oxo Tower Restaurant & Brasserie, meanwhile, offers a birds-eye view over the river as well as top-quality, modern British food.

Cycling in London
Cycling around London is a great way to cut transport costs, explore the capital and get some exercise at the same time. Bike riding in London is being made easier and more enjoyable with ongoing improvements to the city, such as the introduction of additional cycle lanes and the public cycle hire scheme. Bike Riding in London: Safety When cycling through Londons busy traffic, it is essential to wear a helmet. Some

people also opt for facemasks. Its very important to be seen by other road users, so wear reflective clothing and make sure your lights are working. With a few simple precautions, cycling can be a fun way to get to know London. Safety tips and scenic cycle routes can be found at: Cycling Information: Transport for London (TfL) The Transport for London website features a host of useful resources for cyclists. You can order printed guides and maps covering the whole of London, discover new leisure routes, get advice on safety and find out about cycling training sessions. Transport for Londons Journey Planner is a handy tool for cyclists as well as those wanting to plan a journey on public transport. Use the advanced options to plan your cycle route. Cycling for All Cycling for All is a Croydon-based project that encourages cycling among disabled people. Affiliated to the nationwide project Wheels for Wellbeing, Cycling for All provides instruction in the use of specially adapted cycles at Croydon Sports Arena. London Bike Hire Several companies hire out mountain or hybrid bikes in good condition. Deposits of 100 to 200 are generally required (credit cards are accepted), regardless of rental period. The London Bicycle Tour Company hires bikes at reasonable rates, with lower charges for longer rentals. It also offers daily bike tours of London (weekdays only during the winter season), with or without bike hire. For shorter journeys around the capital, you may also wish to try out a Boris bike. Bicycles on Londons Public Transport Folding bikes may be taken without restriction on all Tube lines, river services, London overground trains, the Tramlink and even on buses, at the drivers discretion. The Docklands Light Railway only accepts folding bikes enclosed in a cover. Outside peak times, non-folding bicycles may be taken on the following Tube lines: District, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan, and on some sections of other lines. (Peak times are Monday to Friday 7.30am-9.30am and 4pm-7pm.) Non-folding bicycles can also be taken on some sections of the London overground network. For more details, visit the Transport for London website Restrictions on taking folding and non-folding bikes on national trains vary from company to company, so check with your train provider before setting out. For contact details visit the National Rail Enquiries website London Pedicabs

Pedicabs are three-wheeled cycle rickshaws that seat two or three people. Londons pedicabs tend to operate in Central London, around Soho and the West End. The bestknown companies are Eco Chariots and Bugbugs, both of which monitor riders and are insured. However, this is not always the case with other pedicabs and you are advised to check safety features and insurance before boarding.