In London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British beer. There’s billions things to do in a multicultural hub that is home to almost 8 million people and a perfect day out in the city is different for everyone. No matter if you are a culture lover, a shopping addicted, a foodie or music and books admirer, you will freak out with so much London has to offer. Please bear in mind that this is not a conventional travel guide. Instead, this guide was entirely created by me, and I only recommend here what I consider to be relevant to show the authenticity of this city. Deliberately, some famous monuments/museums are not referred in this guide because I don’t consider them worth to be visited. Yet, I am sure you will enjoy this guide. There are countless ways to discover London and Travel With Mario London City Break Travel Guide will help you, don’t worry!
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Day-by-day
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Useful Information
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Bus Dlr Home Information Opening Times/Hours Prices Tips Train Underground Wifi
What to Visit? What to Visit & My Favorite Districts Map
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My Favorite Districts
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Where & What to Eat?
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symbols
Getting There Getting Around Metro Map A Slice of History Tourist Information (Tourism Offices) Embassies & Consulates Travel Advices Weather Averages
Brunch Quick Snacks, Sandwiches & Hamburgers Full Meals Grills Fish & Chips Pies & Pints (beer) Veggie Where & What to Eat Map
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Alternative Plans | Day
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Nightlife
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Pubs Beer Pubs Historical Pubs Music Pubs Live Concerts Discos & Clubs Comedy Shows Theatre & Musicals Open Air Theatre Night Walk Nightlife Map
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Parks & Gardens
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Parks & Gardens Map
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Street Markets
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Street Markets Map
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Where to Sleep?
DAY 2
Morning: (take metro to) Bond Street > Oxford Street (Shopping & Souvenirs) > Oxford Circus > Carnaby Street > (take metro to) Temple Church > Fleet St. > St. Paul’s Cathedral > Mansion House > The Monument > London Tower (Tower Hill) > Tower Bridge. Lunch: A raclette sandwiche at Borough Market (Closed on Sundays). Afternoon: Riverside walk by Southwark + Shakespeare Globe Theatre + (Millennium Bridge) + Tate Modern. Evening: London Eye + Westminster Bridge. Dinner: Golden Union Fish Bar (Soho). Nightlife: West End Show “Wicked”.
Day 2 map:
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11 St. Paul’s Cathedral 12 The Monument Tower 13 Tower of London
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14 Tower Bridge 15 Shakespeare Globe Theatre 16 Tate Modern 17 London Eye
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Day-by-day
DAY 3
Morning: Camden Market or Portobello Market (Notting Hill) > Brick Lane Market (only open on Sund). Lunch: lunch at food fair in Brick Lane Market. Afternoon: (metro to Island Gardens) Pedestrian tunnel under Thames > Cutty Sark boat > Greenwich Park > Royal Observatory Greenwich (Meridian of Greenwich and view over Canary Wharf and Gherkin building). Evening: (to Oxford) Waxy’s O’Conner Pub (for a British pint). Dinner: Rasa Sayang Malaysian Restaurant (Chinatown). Nightlife: The Porter House (Covent Garden).
All these day-by-day tours are to prioritize the walk. Due to the distance between some parts, it’s recommended to be take the metro (tube). TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Airport, Tourist Cards, Safety, etc.
Getting There
How to travel by public transport between Central London and the city’s five major airports: London Heathrow, London Stansted, London Gatwick, London Luton and London City Airport. in advance. The Heathrow Express is a fully priced and a premium Heathrow Airport 32km (20 miles) West of dedicated airport train. Central London First train from Heathrow (Terminals 1 and 3) Heathrow Express is at 5.12am, (Sundays Heathrow Connect 5.08am); Last train is National Express at 11.48pm, (Sundays Piccadilly Line 11.53pm)From Padding(cheapest option) ton first train is 5.10am; The last train is at Heathrow Express 11.25pm; Average journey time between Heathrow (Terminals 1 and 3) and Paddington is 15 minutes; Terminal 5, 21 minutes and Terminal 4, 27 minutes.
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Useful Information
- jimmy harris
Airports
Fastest, comfortable, stress free and expensive transfer. This takes just 15 minutes from Heathrow to Paddington Station running every 15 minutes. The London terminus (Paddington) is northwest of the Central London area. You may well require a further significant transfer to your ultimate destination. Check
A cheaper stopping train that runs the same tracks that is much cheaper but less frequent and slightly slower. If you are watching your budget, the Heathrow Connect is a less frequent stopping train but at nearly half the price. National Express Service (To London Victoria)
Express Class adultCurrently this is the price: £20 (one-way), £34 only scheduled bus ser(return); vice between Heathrow Express Class childrenand Central London. price: £10 (one-way), £17 There is just one route, (return). the terminus in Central London being Victoria Heathrow Connect bus Station. The buses go non-stop, though some buses have the option of getting off at Earls Court. Slightly more expenTRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Getting Around
The best way to move in London is by using the metro or the bus network. London has a superb, wide and safe public transportation system. Plus, it’s quick and efficient. Equip yourself with an Oyster card and you are good to go. The London transport network is composed by the underground (metro/tube), overground (an orbital rail network around the city), DLR (operates in the Docklands part of east London) and the buses. Walking is always a great alternative and my favorite.
Tube Trains run from about 5.30am (6.30am on Sundays) to about 12.30am. Prices is by zone. Zone 1 is the central zone, and the others radiate outwards (Zone2Zone 6). Fares go up at rush hour, which is 6:30am-9:30am and 4pm7pm, Monday-Friday. Wondering how to get by metro or tube? Click here.
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Oyster Card
An Oyster Card is the cheapest way to get round London on tube and bus. However, if you plan to only use buses then an adult daily bus pass is £3.50 and a weekly one is £14. Oyster is a plastic smartcard you can use instead of paper tickets. You can put Travelcards, Bus & Tram season tickets and pay as you go credit on it. Oyster is the cheapest way to pay for single journeys on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London. They are flexible, smart and in my opinion, very useful. If you are visiting London it’s a better option. Where to get the Oyster Card: At the ticket
Oyster card. The daily price cap for buses with an Oyster card is £4.40. Each time you change buses you have to buy a new ticket unless you have a day Travelcard. Try to buy your ticket before boarding.
machines or ticket offices of any metro (tube) or DLR overground stations. “Pay-as-you-go”. You will need to pay a £5 deposit when you get a new Oyster card. You can get the deposit refunded when you return your Oyster card. The Oyster Card is highly recommended. For more information click here. If you plan to make several trips in a day, get a one-day paper Travelcard. It will save the £5 deposit you have to pay for an Oyster card. Famous double-decker buses If you’re out late, grab a night bus, which has an ‘N’ in front of the route number. A single fare is £2.40 with a paper ticket, but just £1.40 with an
London Travel Cards I1 Day, 7 Days or 1 Month. A Travelcard may be loaded onto an Oyster card or may be purchased as a paper ticket.
Day Travelcard Zones 1-2; Anytime: £8.80, Off-Peak £7.30 7 Day Travelcard Zones 1-2 - £30.40.
more than double that paying with an Oyster Card. The travel option (a zone 1-6 travelcard) is definitely a waste of money. You’ll only need a zone 1-2 travelcard and you can buy that much cheaper directly at the underground stations. You can currently buy Travelcards for periods of 1 day, 7 days or 1 month (not a 3- day pass). Although with a Travelcard you have unlimited journeys for a flat fee, the price you pay for your Travelcard is determined by the fare zones you want to travel in. The more fare zones you want covered the more expensive the Travelcard. Where to get the London Travelcard: At the ticket machines or ticket offices of any metro (tube) or DLR overground stations. The London Travelcard will be inserted inside the Oyster Card.
London Pass The London pass includes 67 of London’s best charging tourist destinations and have the option to enjoy access to London’s excellent public transport, fast track entry to the most popular attractions and you still get a free 160+ page guidebook. However, I only recommend the London pass in case you are staying in London for more than 3 or 4 days and you really want to visit as many places as possible, including not so famous sights. Most people feel the London Pass is not worth the money. A lot of the museums they list are free anyway but you just need to do the math to see if it would be a bargain for you.
Unless you are going to make just one single journey on public transport in London then you should really be looking to either purchase an Oyster Card Full list of all travel or a London Travelcard zones prices: and not to pay for single 1 Day Travelcards Zones tickets. For example, Covered Peak Off-Peak paying cash for a single £ 8.80 Zone 1 £ 7.30 Underground journey in £ 8.80 Zone 1-2 £ 7.30 £ 11.00 Zone 1-3 £ 8.00 the center of London is Zone 1-4
£ 11.00
£ 8.00
Zone 1-5
£ 16.40
£ 8.90
Zone 1-6
£ 16.40
£ 8.90
Travelcards Valid At All Times 7 Days
1 Month
1 Year
£ 30.40
£ 116.80
£ 1216
£ 30.40
£ 116.80
£ 1216
£ 35.60
£ 136.80
£ 1424
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£ 167.50
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piccaddilly circus
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Piccadilly Circus
St James, London, W1D 7DH
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tower bridge
What to Visit?
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Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus 9, 14, 38 Free entrance 8am - dusk Piccadilly Circus has a life of its own. The Circus is close to major shopping and entertainment areas in the West End. Its status as a major traffic intersection has made Piccadilly Circus a busy meeting place and a tourist attraction in its own right. The phrase it’s like Piccadilly Circus is commonly used in the UK to refer to a place or situation which is extremely busy with people. It has been said that a person who stays long enough at
Piccadilly Circus will eventually bump into everyone they know. Piccadilly Circus is now partly pedestrianized and a favorite place for people to congregate before going to the nearby shopping and entertainment areas. Soho, Chinatown, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square are all within walking distance. Works well as a central meeting point. One of London’s busiest squares. Take a time for a break and have your picture taken in front of the iconic neon advertising billboard and see the statue of Eros.
The world’s greatest museum of art and design. FREE WIFI
& albert museum - jean-pierre dalbéra
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the gherkin
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victoria
national gallery
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trafalgar sq
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Trafalgar Square
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, WC2N5DN
Westminster, WC2N5DN
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The Gherkin & The Shard
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Cromwell Road, South Kensington SW72RL
30St Mary Axe, 94260/32 London Bridge Street 2
Trafalgar Square
Charing Cross Trafalgar Square is a landmark in central London enjoyed by Londoners and all visitors alike. It is a lively place often used for a wide range of activities including: special events and celebrations like the Royal Wedding, Olympics One Year to Go, St Patrick’s Day and Chinese New Year. In the square you will find famous city famous monuments like the National Art Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin in the Field’s Church and Nelson Column. A vibrant square considered to be the center of London. A statue of Lord Nelson guarded by lions marks the spot.
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National Gallery
Charing Cross or Leicester Square Free entrance daily 10am–6pm. Frid 10am–9pm. Visit time: 2-3 hours. The National Gallery houses the national collection of Western European painting from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Free access to over 2,300 paintings from altarpieces to the Impressionists, there’s something for everyone at the National Gallery. I recommend getting the affordable audio guide as it is well worth the money. One of the best collection of paintings in the world from the Renaissance period, with great pieces from Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli and many others.
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The Gerkin & The Shard
Aldgate or Liverpool Street - to Gherkin; London Bridge - to Shard. The Gherkin – widely known informally as “the Gherkin” (30 St Mary Axe is the official name, Gherkin is a tall egg-shaped skyscraper in London’s main financial district, the City of London. The Shard - The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe, its crystalline façade transforming the London skyline with a multi-use 310 m (1,016 ft) vertical city with offices, world-renowned restaurants, a 5-star hotel, residential apartments and the capital’s highest viewing gallery, The View from The Shard, offering 360° views. Iconic skyscrapers of London and two of the city’s most widely recognized examples of modern architecture.
Victoria & Albert Museum
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Victoria & Albert Museum
South Kensington (on the Piccadilly, Circle and District Line) C1, 14, 74 and 414 stop outside the Cromwell Road entrance. Walking: 10min walk from Harrods, Knightsbridge and Hyde Park. Admission free. Some exhibitions and events carry a separate charge. Daily 10am5.45pm. Fridays 10am10pm (selected galleries remain open after 6pm). Closed 24-26 Dec. The V&A’s collections are unrivalled in their diversity. Explore historical and contemporary art and design, including works of art from many of the world’s richest cultures. If you ever find the weather not to your liking then by all means stop in the V&A.
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Camden Town Shoreditch, Whitechapel & Brick Lane King’s Cross & Bloomsbury Leicester, Soho & Covent Garden Islington Southbank & Southwar Brixton
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- dave catchpole
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cadmen
shoreditch
Camden Town
Shoreditch, Whitechapel & Brick Lane Location: East London One of London’s most distinctive and unusual areas, The best B
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Brick Lane interactive art galleries, and countless buildings have served as Banksy’s (world most famous street artist) canvases.
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My Favorite Districts
of Shoreditch includes from indie shops to tasty cheap food, the Brick Lane Market and hipster clubs where famous DJs do their thing, a creative haven for artists and designers. Diverse and culturally rich, Whitechapel supports an alternative scene within the heart of the city, often challenging established norms. Both classic and cutting edge, Whitechapel is home to well-attended mosques, historical buildings and avant-garde movements spearheaded by worldrenowned museums. Brick Lane’s 24-hours bagels bakeries, endless vintage stores and smells from curry houses contributes to turn it into one of the most exciting and my favorite neighborhood. Old brick warehouses have transformed into
brick lane
Camden Location: North London Shoppers and peoplewatchers flock from far away to crowd the streets and chill out at Camden Market. Great cafes and clubs make Camden much more than an inspiring market area. Camden Town’s building facades feature politically charged commentary and saturated hues that pay homage to Pop art. To enjoy this north London neighborhood you have numerous pubs, music venues, and street markets display invitingly creative atmospheres. In Camden Town, alternative is the norm. A
Shoreditch
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leicester sq.
kings cross
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King's Cross & Bloomsbury C
King’s Cross &
Bloomsbury Location: North London Bloomsbury is London’s literary district. And no visit is complete without wandering in the hallowed halls of the nearby British Museum, and the British Library where you can see the Magna Carta. As a neighborhood that has never grown too big for its breeches, Bloomsbury maintains its village vibe D
in the midst of central London. Leicester, Soho & Covent Garden Location: Central London London’s Leicester Square is at the heart of the city’s prime entertainment district. Soho fuses the trendy and grungy to create a hip and eclectic neighborhood that lives a vibrant double D
Leicester life. Still a Red Light district, it also provides a respectable drinking and dining area. Come here to explore cuisine from Brit to vegetarian, French to Thai with a splash of Asian in Chinatown. Mixing high class with street sass, Soho is home to some of London’s best restaurants and most exclusive clubs, as well as some of the city’s most wily seedy establishments.
Covent Garden’s Piazza has daily openair entertainment. The 18th century iron and glass fruit and vegetable market has gracefully evolved into fashion boutiques and other up-market stores. Stroll down Long Acre, Floral Street and the cobbled Neal Street or visit the Royal Opera House. Neal’s Yard is the center for healthy food and alternative therapies.
Covent Garden
Soho - Umberto Rotundo
Soho TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Brunch In East London 1 E. Pellicci
332 Bethnal Green Rd, E20AG (Bethnal Green)
An open kitchen full of fresh products and friendly retro environment. One of the best coffees in London too.
Bethnal Green 8 £5.50 - £8.20 7am-4pm Mon-Sat. Opened in 1900, and still in the hands of the same family, food is prepared with pride every day by Mama Maria and the atmosphere and decor are second to none. If you are around by lunch time, amazingly, this restaurant also has fish & chips which are not bad to try.
Kentish Town (2min), Camden (10min) £4 - £7.95 8am-7pm Mon-Fri; 9.30am-7pm Sat, Sun. Not to miss their lamb and feta meatball stew with arancini (Sicilianstyle deep-fried risotto balls).
- astonishme e. pellicci
- poppiesfishandchips.co.uk poppies spitalfields
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115 Kentish Town Road, NW18PB (Kentish Town/Camden)
E. Pellicci’s is my brunch favorite and an East London landmark. Nothing flash or pretty...just home cooked food.
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Where & What to Eat?
In East London 2 Arancini Brothers Factory
In West London 3 Fresco
Bone Daddies Ramen Bar 7
30-31 Peter St, W1F0AT Japanese food is not only about sushi. Have you tried Ramen? Here is your chance to eat Ramen at one of the best Japanese restaurants on this specialty in London.
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- arancina.co.uk
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arancina sicilian pizzeria
Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road £8 - 13£ (Ramen) Lunch (Mon–Fri: 12pm–3pm; Sat 12pm– 12am; Sun 12pm–9pm), dinner (Mon 5:30pm10pm; Tue-Wed 5:30pm-11pm; Thu-Fri 5:30pm-12pm; Sat-Sun 12pm–12am). Their tonkotsu ramen is quite authentic. Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish served in a meat- or (occasionally) fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork. Free wifi available and usually a busy restaurant. Drinks are expensive
- spitalfieldslife.com
Japonese Food
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lahore one restaurant
In Central London (Soho, Covent Garden, Marylebone)
Masala zone - facebook
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(incl. Sake). You may want to order water from tap (for free). Try to avoid the busiest times, or otherwise there will be queues. Malaysian Food 8
Rasa Sayang
5 Macclesfield Street, W1D6AY (Chinatown) In the heart of Chinatown it brings a touch of Malaysia welcome and a menu full of tangy and aromatic dishes – every one of them as delicious as the next. Leicester Square £7 - £13
Mon-Thu 12pm-11pm. Fri-Sat 12pm-12am. Sun 11.30am-9.30pm. The only halal restaurant amidst the hustle and bustle of Chinatown. If you like spicy there’s a section in the menu called ‘The Heat Zone’. Italian Food 9
Princi
135 Wardour Street, W1F0UT (Soho) A Milanese style bakery serving delicious food at a reasonable price is a difficult thing to find in Central London. Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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What & where to eat map: E. Pellicci Arancini Brothers Factory 3 Fresco 4 The Breakfast Club 5 Wasabi 58 6 Honest Burgers 7 Bone Daddies Ramen Bar 1
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Rasa Sayang Princi 10 Stockpot 11 Masala Zone 12 Arancina Pizzaria 13 Lahore Two Restaurant 14 Barbecoa 15 Poppies Fish & Chip 8
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Golden Union Fish Bar 17 Golden Hind 18 Bailey’s Fish and Chips 19 The Newman Arms 20 Beatroot 21 Food For Thought 22 Tibits 16
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Neal’s Yard
108 Druid Street, WC2H A yard in central London that doesn’t look like you’re actually in London. A place to go for authentic local cheeses coming directly from the surrounding farms.
neil’s yard
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Covent Garden (entrance from Short Garden St. directly to Neal’s Yard) no entrance free. A small but colorful and unique place. The combination of little stores, restaurants, plants, colours, benches…it’s just wonderful. 2
Forbidden Planet
179 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8JR
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neil’s yard
Alternative Plans I Day
It’s like Mecca for Comic, Sci-Fi and Fantasy lovers. Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square If you enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, comics, or any form of cult culture then you must see this place. Forbidden Planet must be in any “to visit’s list” of
any comic’s geek. You can easily spend 2-3 hours in this two-level store. 3
Churchill War
Rooms
King Charles Street, London SW1A2AQ The underground headquarters of the British High Command served as the nerve center of Britain’s war effort during World War II. An incredible snapshot of history”.
Westminster, St James’s Park 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 87, 88, 109, 148, 159, 184, 211, 453 Adults (£17.50). Child under 16 (free). Senior, student and disabled (£14.00). Price includes a voluntary donation and free audio guide. Open daily 9.30am5pm. Closed 24-26 December. A good way to understand the dark times people lived during the World War II TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Tradition – Pint Round (a pub etiquette) A pint in a 0.5L beer. It’s a cornerstone of the British culture the idea that friends or colleagues sitting in the pub should not march up to the bar and buy their drinks separately. If four of you are sitting at a table it wouldn’t make sense for every individual to go up to bar every time they wanted another drink.
A great place for drinks with friends in a surrealistic and deco environment where a 250-year-old tree still stand in the center of this underground Irish pub.
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Piccadilly, Leicester Square £3-3.5 for a pint (0,5L beer) Mon-Thu 12pm11:30pm. Fri & Sat 12pm–12am. Sun 12pm10.30pm. The entrance is very discrete and one would never picture how spacious it really is inside. There are about 5 bars and it is a good place for a pint with a lively crowd in the evening. Go for a pint around 6pm. You can try going there on Sunday when there’s a soccer game.
- squaremeal.co.uk
14-16 Rupert Street, W1D6DD (between Piccadilly and Leicester Square)
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waxy o’conner’s
In Central London 1 Waxy O’Conner’s
- tenbells.com
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Pubs
the ten bells
Nightlife
There is an endless nightlife in London. Entrance in many night clubs and pubs only allowed with ID card, so don’t forget it in home. Here are some of my night recommendations.
Everyone gets together and you’ll feel the British vibe supporting their teams. 2
O’Neill’s
34-37 Wardour St, (China Town) Great unpretentious atmosphere with live music from Irish folk to indie and beyond in the best known chain of Irish pubs in the UK.
Piccadilly, Leicester Square £3.75£ (foster pint) 4£ Mon-Tue 12pm-2am. Wed 12pm-3am. Sat 10am-3:00. Sun 12pm12.30am. 3 floors and live music every night of the week! It has a dance floor for Wed - Sun nights too that opens around 11pm. Traditional pub with a TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Always watch out for the opportunist thieves and the pickpockets.
Hyde Park Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate, Queensway, Knightsbridge, Bayswater, Notting Hill, High Street Kensington Free 5am-12am There are a few things you can’t miss in this large royal park that once was the hunting ground for Henry VIII. The Speakers’ Corner, where people speak their
1 hyde park
- mcxurxo
minds, the hidden Peter Pan’s statue and the Serpentine Lake. It’s a perfect place for a picnic.
The open area around the pound when the sun is shining is lovely.
St. James Park, Green Park & Buckingham Palace Gardens
Between the Prime Minister house (at Downing Street) and the house of the Queen (Buckingham Palace).
- kyle taylor, dream it. do it.
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Parks & Gardens
St. James Park, 2 Green Park, Westminster, Hyde Park Corner Free St James Park (05:00 - 00:00), Green Park (open 24 hours) St. James is a small, cozy and a park full of flowers in Spring and it’s a wildlife sanctuary for ducks, geese, swans and even pelicans. Green park and .Both parks are good to be used for a as they might get packed rest stop, but attention
when the sun is shining. TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Camden Market
Fun, Weird and Wonderful. Camden is characterized by its fashion, crafts stalls, and a mix of people and foods from every corner of the world. A must-visit.
cadmen market
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cadmen market
Street Markets
- loetifuss
Address: Camden Town
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Camden Town (closed from 1.30pm5.30pm), Mornington Crescent, Chalk Farm 24, 27, 29, 31, 46, 88, 134, 168, 214, 253, 274, C2, N5, N20, N29, N31, N134, N253, N279 Free Everyday (10am - 6pm). Closed on 24 and 25 of December. The market is huge and all the surroundings are welcoming. It is an area with a large congregation
of people following alternative subcultures, most notably goth, punk and emo. Famous people lived here and gave notory to Camden as Charles Dickens, Mary Shelley (‘Frankenstein’), George Orwell or even Amy Winehouse. If you enjoy varied food, here you can find Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Ethiopian, Turkish, etc. Be careful as not all of them are good. Take your time to have a walk first and look around. Sellers let you try a little bit of food so you can figure out which one you like the most. TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Take a look at the different accommodation options suggested above for an idea of what I consider the ones offering the best value in different categories. I do recommend you to book your stay in advance. If you still can’t find nothing that suits you I recommend you to go to my website at www.travelwithmario. com and look for one accommodation that fits better your interests. You can chose from hostels, low cost hotels, upscale hotels, apartments, apart-hotels, etc.
- dave catchpole
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Safestay at Elephant & Castle 2
In South London 1 The Walrus Hostel
144 - 152 Walworth Road, SE71JL (Elephant & Castle)
Living proof that the people and atmosphere are the ingredients for a great hostel stay. Cheap, good, central, fun, safe. What else do you need? Free: | lockers | breakfast
A new super stylish (posh) hostel at walking distance from the major southern London landmarks and you can go exploring on foot. A beautiful fancy hostel that looks like a hotel. Free: | lockers | breakfast
172 Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7RW (Waterloo)
shard
Where to Sleep?
Hostels
Lambeth North, Waterloo From £17.50-£25.50. All rooms are dormitory style. There is one private twin room (w/ shared bathroom). Mon-Thu 12pm11:30pm. Fri & Sat 12pm–12am. Sun 12pm10.30pm. A hostel with a great atmosphere located close to the London Eye, Big Ben and other exciting landmarks. Staff are awesome and can provide earplugs if you are finding it hard to sleep. Reception open from 8am-23.30pm (call if you are late +44 (0)7545589214).
Elephant & Castle From £21 (4-bed female dorm) - £29 (2, 3-bed private ensuite) Minutes away from a host of shopping options, cool bars, museums and cafes not to mention London’s key landmarks. Rooms are modern, clean, stylish, comfortable and secure (you can also book by calling +44 20 7703 8000).
In West London 3 Travel Joy Hostel Chelsea 111 Grosvenor Road SW1V 3LG (Pimlico)
Chilled-out, clean and relaxed budget hostel
by the river. Free: | lockers | breakfast Pimlico (10 min walk) 24, 360, C10, 36, 436 From £20 (12-bed mixed dorm) - £80 (private ensuite). Helpful and friendly staff prepare in front of you the breakfast with omelettes, pancakes and smoothies. Plus, they offer free tea/coffee/soft drinks to residents at all times. Salsa classes on Wednesdays. Reception times 7.30am-midnight every night (call if you are late+44 (0)2078349689).
In North London 4 Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage
40 College Crescent, NW3 5LB (formerly Swiss Cottage) Whether you’re a backpacker or a budget traveler with excellent taste you will enjoy this old charming Victorian building hostel in Northern London. Free: | lockers | breakfast Swiss Cottage (15min by metro to central London), Finchley Road TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Ice Skating
November - January
Skate at Somerset House Ice Rink 1
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trooping the colour
Festivities & Events
- jon’s pics
Celebrate the festive season after dark at the most spectacular ice rink in London skating to a live soundtrack spun by some of the top DJs around.
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Temple, Charing Cross, Waterloo, Blackfriars 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 77a, 91 and 176 £7.50 (adults), £8.50 (students but only from Mon–Fri: 12.30pm, 1.45pm, 3pm). All bookings carry per ticket booking fee, plus a oneoff transaction charge. A limited number of tickets for each session are released every day from the on-site box office which opens at 09.30 daily. These tickets are only available for onsite purchases (maximum four per person). 14 Nov 2013–5 Jan 2014. 10am-11am, 11.15am-12.15pm, 12.30pm-13.30pm, 13.45pm-14.45pm,
- oatsy40 skate at sommerset house
Somerset House, Strand, WC2R1LA
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15pm-16pm, 16.15pm17.15pm, 17.30pm18.30pm, 18.45pm19.45pm, 20pm-21pm, 21.15-22.15, 22.30pm23.30pm. Please arrive at Somerset House 20 minutes before your skating session begins. On site box office opening hours: Fri 8 Nov–Wed 13 Nov the box office opens from 12pm-6pm. From Thu 14 Nov the box office is open daily between 9.30am–9.30pm (except Christmas Day).
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2
Hyde Park Corner
The Magical Ice Kingdom returns every year with breathtaking ice sculptures and an awe-inspiring experience that will take you through a fantastical world of real ice and snow. Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch Admission if free. Friday 22 Nov 2013-Sunday 5 Jan 2014 (closed on Christmas Day). 10am-10pm (on Friday 22 Nov only, doors open at 5pm). There is an iconic Giant Observation Wheel for those who want TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Afternoon Tea Having afternoon tea has been a fashionable social event in London for over 150 years. Tea is undoubtedly the British national drink and having afternoon tea is an important part of English life.
Half Price Tickets and Reduced Prices for Theatre and other West End Shows Leicester Square (TKTS booth is in the middle of Leicester Square) Depends on the show. A booking fee of £3 is applied to tickets (excluding full price tickets). Monday to Saturday (9am–7pm), Sunday (11am–4.30pm). Half Price Tickets and Reduced prices on the day of performance and often up to a week in advance. A limited number of full price
tkts booth
tickets are also available for some shows. Beware our many imitators around the Square.
- necessary indulgences
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Ideal to buy your ticket in the morning day of the show. To see what’s on sale today check this site.
Highgate Cemetery
An uncommon, beautiful, historic and unique cemetery where Karl Marx is buried.
- t-&-p
12 tap coffee
Tips, Secrets & Flops
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Address: Swain’s Lane, Highgate, N66PJ Archway C2, C11, 143, 210 and 271 For East Side of the cemetery: adults (£4), children under 18 (free) visitors may roam freely on this side. Guided tour is £8(adults), £4(children) on Saturdays at 2pm. Tour takes 1,5hours. Karl Marx is buried in
highgate cemetery
- antonio campoy ederra
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People say it’s impossible to get tired of London, but if you do, those are my recommendations for 1-day trips outside.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years. It’s beautiful.
windsor castle
- charles d. p. miller
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- litas world
13 bath
Day Trips Outside LDN
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Windsor & Eton Central (First train service via Slough from Paddington Station metro to Paddington) or Windsor & Eton Riverside (South West Trains service from London Waterloo Station (Southbank) - metro to Waterloo). Adult £15.95, Over 60/ Student £14.50, under 17 (£9.55). Approx. visit time is about 2-3hours.
March-Oct 9.45am4pm, Nov-Feb 9.453pm. Closed on 25&26 December 2013. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and it has been the family home of British kings and queens for almost 1.000 years. It is an official residence of Her Majesty The Queen, whose standard flies from the Round Tower when she is in residence.
Windsor is still very much a working royal palace. The Castle is used regularly for ceremonial and State occasions. It is here that The Queen often hosts State Visits from overseas monarchs and presidents. The Castle is at the top of a steep hill, and the visitor route covers long distances. You are advised to wear comfortable shoes. TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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