A Tourist's Guide to London

Words by Maggie Mahoney

When taking a trip to London, everyone will tell you to visit sites like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye and The Tower of London. Although, that is all well and good, London has so much more to offer than these often crowded and overpriced tourist attractions. So, I’m here to tell you a few of the sights that actually live up to the hype and some more obscure must-see places to go when you visit this city.

London can be quite expensive, so free activities are rare to come across. However, London museums serve as an exception to this rule, making them incredibly worthwhile to check out. Two of my favorites are Tate Modern and The Victoria and Albert Museum. Though both are quite well-known and respected, they earn their esteem for good reason; the quality and size of both, gives the museum-goer much to appreciate.

London markets get a good reputation for good reason. They are sights where you can find great homecooked food, fresh fruits and vegetables, unique thrifting and artisan crafts. The best market for if you are looking for something yummy to eat is Borough Market in Southwark. They have everything from bread, to cheese, to fresh meat and fish to full meals like samosas, paella, burgers, and mac and cheese. There is definitely something for everyone, even those with food restrictions and it’s a foodie’s dream. They also have plenty of free samples. The market is open from 10 am to 5 pm most days and is closed Sunday and open Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm. I would recommend going on a week day to avoid some of the rush because it can become quite crowded on Saturdays.

If you are in the mood for a mix of shopping, eating, and sight-seeing, Camden Market is a must-see. It has iconic sights such as the Amy Winehouse statue, along with street art and a bustling shopping scene. Thrift shops are particularly good in Camden because of the unique finds you can stumble across in the various stalls in the massive winding market. The food is similarly wonderful having everything from desserts to street food of all types. You can spend hours on hours wandering here and never get bored. Some of the smaller artisan shops are particularly interesting and one-of-a-kind. This is definitely a good place to go on a weekday as well since it has a tendency to fill up on weekends and sunny days.

There is an exhaustive list of beautiful places in London, but I will try and narrow it down for you significantly here. For a casual strolling experience and a chance to appreciate some beautiful neighborhoods and architecture, Notting Hill, specifically the neighborhoods surrounding Portobello Road are beautiful to explore. Notting Hill is known for its quaint, pastel and white colored homes with Victorian architecture. For movies lovers, it is also a great area to do a self-guided movie scene tour; it was the filming site of the popular romantic comedy of its namesake featuring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. The entire area is the perfect backdrop for instagram photos, so be sure to bring your camera and wear something that makes you feel confident. Portobello Road is a perfect area for cafes, thrift shops, street vendors, and performances; the neighborhood really comes to life.

If you are looking for a more traditional and structured place to sight-see, St. Paul’s Cathedral fits the bill. It was founded in 1675 and is the mother church of the Diocese of London. Admission to St. Paul’s costs 20 quid (or slightly less if you are a student) however the price feels well worth it for the experience you get. The building itself is beautifully designed. The stained glass, stonework, and mosaic-tiled ceilings that sparkle in the light will take your breath away. Similarly, the space is filled with history, containing many of the crypts of famous British figures such as authors and royal subjects. For the price, you are able to either take a self-guided tour with an audio guide and headphones or a tour led by a museum volunteer that generally lasts from around an hour and a half. I would recommend the museum tour guides highly since they tend to have a wealth of knowledge and can give you access to certain areas of the building you’d be unable to get to on your own. If you come at the right time, you are able to see one of the various services hosted throughout the day; the cathedral’s choir is renowned and their evening song service receives high praise. Another wonderful feature of St. Paul’s is the view it gives you of the entire city of London from its highest floor. It will take some physical labor and a lot of stairs, but the walk is worth it because the view at the top will not disappoint.

Another great general area for exploring is Shoreditch, a hip area of Hoxton perfect for young, creative individuals. Shoreditch is home to some incredible street art, markets, food, coffee shops, shopping, and nightlife. Some of its top attractions include: Boxpark (a food park made out of refitted shipping containers) and Brick Lane (a well-known shopping and food area). Also not to be missed is Old Spitalfields Market and The Columbia Road Flower Market. You can spend days and days exploring Shoreditch and still not see it all. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking to have a good time and have a free day to wander.