Things to Know Before You Go to London
London, UK is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The city on the Thames has been inhabited since at least 1200 BCE, has the highest number of millionaires in the world, and has its own species of mosquito living in the underground tunnels.
You could go dozens of times and still find new things to do. But if you’re going to London for the first time , even if it’s a quick trip, these tips will make your visit much more smooth.
Take the Tube (and use an app!)
King’s Cross Station
The Tube (or the London Underground) is the local name for the London metro system. It’s absolutely enormous, it goes all over the city, and it’s my favorite way to travel around London. As a bonus, it’s a great jumping off point to travel elsewhere in the UK, because regional train stations (such as Paddington and King’s Cross) are part of the Underground. That being said, it is a confusing monster if you aren’t prepared.
The first, best thing you can do is download an app (I use this one). Not only does it have a full map of every station and line, but it also has a route planning feature that you can use to keep track of any transfers. Absolutely do not be afraid to ask a train employee for help - some stations can be 6 stories deep with so many parallel lines and transfers, and it’s better to ask for help than get even more lost in the cavernous underground.
If you’re not comfortable taking the tube, the good news is that London has a robust system of buses and taxis! The hardest part of transportation in London is figuring out which of the myriad options you want to use. If you absolutely insist on driving yourself, do yourself a favor and look up traffic laws and road signs in the UK.
Accessibility note: not all Underground stations are fully accessible for travelers with mobility disabilities. Accessible stations are marked on maps with disabled insignia. You can also look up a list of accessible stations here.
Know How to Order at a Pub
World-famous Churchill Arms pub
Pub culture is HUGE in the UK, and you will most certainly be dining at many pubs throughout your trip. Though it seems simple enough, not knowing how to order at a pub is one of the fastest ways to look like a tourist/newb/dork.
It’s very simple:
pick a table
decide what you want via the menu on the table (many pubs use physical menus rather than QR codes)
remember the table number
order your food from the bartender, tell them your table number, and pay
if you ordered a drink, wait for the bartender to pour it for you
they’ll bring the food to your table
Don’t expect anyone to seat you, don’t expect anyone to check on you, and order any additional food or drinks from the bar. To be sure: some pubs (especially in very touristy areas) will send a server to your table, but you will definitely know if that’s the case because they’re usually pretty speedy about getting to you at your table.
Hosts and mixed drinks are available only at the fanciest of restaurants. At your garden variety pub, bar, or restaurant, you can order simple drinks (such as a gin and tonic) but bourbon sidecars and margaritas are a no.
Look up Pronunciation
The nave of Southwark Cathedral - Shakespeare’s final resting place
Even if you are a fluent English speaker, if you are not from the UK, you will likely be tripped up. Even if you’re reasonably sure how to pronounce something, there’s no harm in looking it up, just in case. A local will know what you’re talking about if you pronounce Leicester as “LIE-ches-ter”, but they may never forgive you.
A good rule of thumb for word endings is that “-ham” is usually pronouned “-um,” “-shire” is pronounced “-shur,” and “-bone” is pronounced, “-bun.”
Here’s a quick pronunciation guide to commonly mispronounced areas (with an American accent):
Thames (TIMS) - the largest river running through London.
Southwark (SUH-therk) - a neighborhood along the Thames best known for housing Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Ruislip (RYE-slip) - a quaint area northwest of London
Leicester (LES-ter) Square - a common tourist area in central London
Grosvener (GRUHV-ner) Square - a fancy area within similarly fancy Mayfair
Chiswick (CHIH-zick) - a suburban neighborhood west of London
Free Activities are Abundant
The Princess Diana statue at Kensington Gardens
Thanks to robust government funding of cultural areas and institutions, there are a lot of free things to do all over London, many of them the most famous! National galleries, museums, and gardens are abundant, and a great way to entertain families especially. A few totally free things to do are:
Changing of the Guard (tip: arrive early for a good view!)
In addition to parks and museums, there are lots of open air markets and other places that are free to hang out (though you may want to spend a bit of cash at a market stall or cafe). Those include:
Portobello Road Market
Sky Garden
Covent Garden
Borough Market
Street Art in Shoreditch
The Barbican
Columbia Road Market
Take a Crash Course in Tea
The savory tea spread at Fortnum and Mason
Everyone knows that the British love their tea. It’s perhaps the most aggressive British stereotype, and for good reason. Unlike the very relaxed atmosphere of pubs, if you go to a tea shop that’s even a little nice, you will likely be greeted with a panoply of paraphernalia and a huge number of choices. That’s why it’s worth a little tea-search, if you will.
First of all, if you are a tea amateur, get familiar with varieties. Many herbal tea varieties are exactly what they sound like (rose hip does in fact taste like rose), but when it comes to caffeinated tea, know your oolong from your Earl Grey. If you’re intent on ordering the simplest tea possible, simply order “black tea” or “breakfast tea” and you’ll be good to go. Yorkshire Gold and Twinings are the classic brands.
As far as paraphernalia goes, if you order a pot of tea you will likely receive the following:
the aforementioned pot
a strainer
a small pitcher of milk
a small bowl of sugar cubes with tongs
a teacup and saucer
Place the strainer over the teacup, and pour the tea through the strainer. Classic, high brow tea will have loose leaves, not a bag, and the strainer keeps the big bits out of your beverage. Usually the sugar cubes are brown, but at very nice places you will likely get both brown and white sugar lumps. Add your sugar first and your milk second. Et voila! Here’s a video if you need a visual.
If you’re REALLY concerned with appearances, know that one lump of sugar is considered high-brow, two lumps is respectably average, and three lumps is known as a “builder’s tea.” Take that to mean what you will.
Be Polite!
A flower stall on Portobello Road
The Brits are as well known for being polite as they are for tea and keeping a stiff upper lip, and they do not tolerate rudeness. While some rude behavior should be obvious to most Americans (shouting, taking your shoes off in public, talking on a cell phone in a quiet area) a few particular points of etiquette will help you out.
Say please and thank you to absolutely everyone you interact with, including transport workers such as bus drivers and train attendants.
If you intend to stand (rather than walk) on an escalator, keep to the right so people who prefer to walk can pass you.
Allow people lots of personal space - even pre-COVID the British were not very touchy-feely.
RESPECT THE QUEUE! If there is a line, stand in it calmly, do not crowd, and may God have mercy on your soul if you try to cut.
If you are struggling with something or it’s taking you a bit longer (it’s alright, it happens to the best of us), move aside to allow someone else to go before you if needed. London is a big, busy city with lots of busy people. Though they’d rather die than say anything, do your best to keep out of the way, if possible.
Prepare for Chilly, Damp Weather
The Houses of Parliament
Due to some meteorological and geographical things that I don’t care to go into (you can go down this rabbit hole), the UK is some version of chilly, cloudy, and drizzly pretty much all the time. They do have 4 distinct seasons (cold and grey, chilly and grey with flowers, less chilly and grey, chilly and grey with orange leaves), but unless there is an unusual weather event, you’ll need rain protection and layers pretty much all the time. Always have a sweater and an umbrella. Yes, even at the beach.
Additionally, because the UK is so far north (London is farther north than every major city in Canada), and because it’s so cloudy, there’s often some light in the sky in the summer as late as 10 or 11 p.m. and as early as 4 a.m. If you’re a sensitive sleeper, make sure you have access to a sleep mask or blackout curtains.
Explore Your Neighborhood
Colorful terraced homes in Notting Hill
London is an absolutely enormous city with a list as long as your arm of things to do. While it’s always worth a quick consultation with Professor Google to find the best new restaurants in London, you can always find something lovely simply by walking around. My partner and I had one of the best breakfasts of our trip by simply stopping at a café near our hotel (The Muffin Man in Kensington - highly recommend).
Additionally, London is a highly diverse city. You can find incredible (and authentic) Indian, Chinese, Thai, Ethiopian, and many many other foods all over the city (Indian in particular is a must). In my experience, the fancier and more buzz a restaurant has, the more mediocre it is (you’re paying for atmosphere, not quality Tikka Masala). Ask a tube worker, cabbie, or shop attendant where to go in the neighborhood - they will know! And they will give you a recommendation you would’ve worked way harder to track down than necessary.
If you get too wrapped up in doing the “best” thing, you’ll likely miss out on some really incredible, unique experiences. Follow your nose, follow your heart, and build in time to wander. London is such a huge city that you can easily schedule every minute of a six month trip and still not see everything - and that’s okay! It means you can make your trip your own.
London is a huge, cozy, unique, wonderful, maddening city. It’s simply a matter of creativity and an open mind to truly make the experience your own.
Similar posts:
