London is famous for many things, not least its splendid collection of bridges that join each side of the River Thames. London Bridge is particularly well known, probably due to the name! Easily and often confused with the iconic Tower Bridge, London Bridge is much more understated – but not from a historical perspective. London Bridge dates back to the Roman times, and was the first permanent bridge to span the Thames. London Bridge offers way more than just notoriety though. It is (I suppose quite obviously home to The London Bridge Experience, which can be found directly beneath t ..read more

London boasts many famous landmarks and it can be hard to choose which ones to visit! Many of these iconic places are easily recognized by everyone from TV and films, while others are less known, yet just as fascinating and influential.  The Royal Albert Hall is one of London’s oldest and most iconic performance spaces and its magnificent architecture is iconic… but what is it actually like to visit? Does the interior design match the exterior beauty? What exactly is there to do when visiting, if you’re not there to see a show? Well, you’re in luck! In this Royal Albert Hall tour review ..read more

Are you a fan of history, Gothic cathedrals, and free attractions? Well, then you must head down to Southwark Cathedral. This church is over 1000 years old and, which – some say – is even better than St. Paul’s! Southwark Cathedral, also known as The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, is a London landmark that I have passed many times in my life since I lived just a short walk away during my “London years.” In fact, if you’ve been to Borough Market before, you may have seen the church without knowing it, as it is located right next to the famous food market ..read more

Love plants? You’ll adore Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can find the “largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world.” (source) It houses over 50,000 living plants, four Grade I-listed, and 336 Grade II-listed buildings spread across 330 acres of land – all within 30 minutes of central London. I have been going to these botanical gardens for over 30 years, yet I remain amazed each time I revisit. Whether you’re a first-time or repeat visitor to England trying to plan your London itinerary, I’m here to help with this review of Kew Gardens. Belo ..read more

You might have heard: August is the heart of summer in the UK and Europe. Thanks to their generous PTO policies across the pond, many people take time off to enjoy the amazing weather, long days, and fun activities offered all month long. Whether you also have a generous PTO policy or not, August is a great time to visit London and locals will be there to enjoy it with you. I’ve been to London in August several times, including the summer I lived there; it can be hot and sticky some days and then tends to cool off as the month wears on and autumn approaches. It’s a great time to visit because ..read more

Do you enjoy attractions that combine history and culture with a bit of fun and adventure? Who doesn’t?! A visit to the iconic Cutty Sark clipper ship is the perfect way for the whole family to spend a few hours in South London. If you are not familiar with this part of the city, then you may not know about this cultural gem, which is dry-moored on the bank of the Thames in Greenwich. The Cutty Sark, which was built in 1869, is the oldest remaining British Clipper ship in the world. It has been moored in Greenwich since 1954 and has since become a very popular landmark and award-winning touris ..read more

As I’m sure you’ve discovered in planning your London itinerary, there is no shortage of things to do and it’s impossible to do it all on your first trip – or even repeat visits. Parsing through the attractions, experiences, and tours is a daunting task – but that’s where I’m here to help. Through my own experiences visiting London – usually with my family in tow – I’ve come to discover which London attractions are worth it, and which are worth skipping. Today, I wanted to share my thoughts on Madame Tussauds London waxwork museum. If you know anything about Madame Tussauds, you ..read more

If you’re a history buff or knowledgeable about World War II, you probably already know that London is an excellent destination for those interested in this chapter of history. As in many countries that participated in World War II, there are specific dates and holidays observed throughout the calendar year to mark the importance of the Allied victory in 1945. One such date is VE Day, which is not generally noted in the U.S. – but which does still have significance in London and the U.K. In this post, I’ll cover the basics of VE Day and how you can learn more about it/commemorate VE Day i ..read more

North London is a huge area, encompassing not just St. John’s Wood but also Kings Cross, Islington, Highgate, Finchley, and lesser-known areas such as Whetstone, Totteridge, and Tufnell Park. The size is such that you can even spend a few days, let alone a few hours in North London!  When I was a child, my Aunt had a house in North London, so I spent quite a lot of time there before eventually moving to St. John’s Wood when I was an MBA student in London. To say I know the area well – and that I’ve spent a lot of time there – is an understatement.  However, if you’re in town o ..read more

Say what you will about the British monarchy, but it has some really cool events and ceremonies. From royal weddings to funerary processions, today’s modern London traveler has had a good chance to watch royal rituals in action – probably on TV, if you don’t live in London. (I’m assuming you don’t since you’re on this sit for travelers!) One essential event on the royal calendar is the Trooping the Colour, which occurs every year in June. This event dates back centuries and is full of the pomp and circumstance that some visitors can’t help but enjoy – even if you’re not a big fan of the monarc ..read more