Susan Serven

I love London.

It was the first non-U.S. city I visited, in my 20s, and I traveled there frequently when I lived in Cork, Ireland (just a short shuttle flight back and forth, wo wonderful!)

There’s so much (of course) to see and do in London, you could easily stay a month and not see everything.

And, since it’s central to many other parts of England, you might find yourself going back a few times.

Some tips are below, but first, did you know that London’s original name was Londinium, from the time when it was a thriving trading and military hub and capital of Roman Britain on the River Thames?

Today modern London is built on its ruins, its walls and structures influenced by the layout of the early Saxon settlement (Lundenwic) and the medieval City of London.

You can actually do a guided (or not, but I’d recommend a guide!) walking tour of the old London Wall – it’s fantastic if you love history, archeology, and ancient ruins, like I do!

London has many terrific hotels and inns, but my absolute favorite is the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park (formerly kown as the Hyde Park Hotel) and the Savoy - stay at either if you can, or just go for tea. 

London Must-Sees:

Buckingham Palace – no visit to London is complete without a visit

The Tower of London (with the Crown Jewels!) and London Bridge

Take a ride on the London Eye

The double-decker hop-on-hop-off buses are a treat (bring an umbrella!)

Covent Garden – a fun section of Lond with eclectic shops, street performers, and dining

Take a guided tour of the London Wall and visit the Museum of London, great for everyone, especially kids and teens!

Visit the British Museum, plan on at least 2 hours to even just get a feel for this immense home to many of the world’s treasures

Head to Westminster Abbey, walk along the waterfront

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens: Vast green spaces with lakes, memorials, and playgrounds.

St James's Park: Beautifully manicured, offering views of Buckingham Palace.

Catch a play or musical at the West End, very casual, more informal than Broadway in NYC

Take a Thames River Cruise: See landmarks from the water. 

A bit off the beaten path:

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum – iconic and lots of fun

London Dungeon, great for scary story afionados and older children

Historic London Walking Pub Tour

Portobello Market, Nodding Hill, Camden Market

Take a day trip from London to Stonehenge, Windsor, or Bath

Hampton Court Palace – even if you’re not a big history buff, this site is amazing, right outside of London, about a 55 minute drive

Harry Potter’s World – about 20 minutes outside of London, fun even if you’re not a huge Harry Potter fan 

I love chatting about London – let me know if there’s anything I can help you with in planning your trip!