Melissa’s guidebook
London
“There’s nowhere else like London. Nothing at all, anywhere.” (Vivienne Westwood)
“There’s nowhere else like London. Nothing at all, anywhere.” (Vivienne Westwood)
London is a fun town - busy, noisy, crowded, expensive - but fun. Whether you are here for the famous sights, the shopping, the theatre, art, a sporting event (it’s a serious football town), a concert, gig or music festival or even to work, London has something to excite everyone’s passions.
My top tip is to recognise that you cannot see everything on your first trip; do a bit of research before you arrive, book what needs to be booked and plan a couple of things that you really want to do.
Tip 2: walk when you can and only use the the tube if you are travelling for more than 3 stops. London is a great place to walk around with interesting, quirky things to see on its streets and some great buildings to view. And the people-watching can be spectacular too.
Tip 3: take a trip on the top deck of a red bus. Use the TFL (Transport For London) online journey planner to figure out a route. Buses have become easier to use with a flat fare which is paid with an Oystercard or credit/debit card as you get on (you cannot use cash on buses) and an announcement to tell you where you are at every stop.
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London
“There’s nowhere else like London. Nothing at all, anywhere.” (Vivienne Westwood)
London is a fun town - busy, noisy, crowded, expensive - but fun. Whether you are here for the famous sights, the shopping, the theatre, art, a sporting event (it’s a serious football town), a concert, gig or music festival or even to work, London has something to excite everyone’s passions.
My top tip is to recognise that you cannot see everything on your first trip; do a bit of research before you arrive, book what needs to be booked and plan a couple of things that you really want to do.
Tip 2: walk when you can and only use the the tube if you are travelling for more than 3 stops. London is a great place to walk around with interesting, quirky things to see on its streets and some great buildings to view. And the people-watching can be spectacular too.
Tip 3: take a trip on the top deck of a red bus. Use the TFL (Transport For London) online journey planner to figure out a route. Buses have become easier to use with a flat fare which is paid with an Oystercard or credit/debit card as you get on (you cannot use cash on buses) and an announcement to tell you where you are at every stop.
Sightseeing
Top 5 Sights In London are Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.
A UNESCO World Heritage Sight, the Tower of London is a collection of buildings which have been at the heart of London’s history for 900 years. You can easily spend a full day here, but the highlights are the Crown Jewels (23,000 dazzling gemstones), the White Tower (original castle built by William I after his victory in 1066 at Battle of Hastings), the grisly history of the Bloody Tower, the Medieval Palace and the Yeoman Guard (formerly known as Beefeaters). You can also walk the Tower’s walls, have a picnic in the grassy moat and get the best view of nearby Tower Bridge.
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Tower of London
A UNESCO World Heritage Sight, the Tower of London is a collection of buildings which have been at the heart of London’s history for 900 years. You can easily spend a full day here, but the highlights are the Crown Jewels (23,000 dazzling gemstones), the White Tower (original castle built by William I after his victory in 1066 at Battle of Hastings), the grisly history of the Bloody Tower, the Medieval Palace and the Yeoman Guard (formerly known as Beefeaters). You can also walk the Tower’s walls, have a picnic in the grassy moat and get the best view of nearby Tower Bridge.
Just 20 minutes walk from the house, the dome of St Paul’s can be seen from many points in the City. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it was the tallest building in London for over 250 years and features on many motifs of the London skyline. Even if you do not go inside the Cathedral, it is a must see on your trip. If you can’t face the walk, take the 17 bus from Holborn, get off at St Paul’s and take a left to view it from the (pedestrians only) Millennium Bridge. Wonderful!
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St. Pauls katedral
Just 20 minutes walk from the house, the dome of St Paul’s can be seen from many points in the City. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it was the tallest building in London for over 250 years and features on many motifs of the London skyline. Even if you do not go inside the Cathedral, it is a must see on your trip. If you can’t face the walk, take the 17 bus from Holborn, get off at St Paul’s and take a left to view it from the (pedestrians only) Millennium Bridge. Wonderful!
The London residence of the Queen, Buckingham Palace is only open to visitors for specific dates in July and August. Book early if you want to get inside and see the limited rooms on show.
Try to see The Changing Of The Guard ceremony outside the Palace (free). Check online for exact times but it is usually at around 11am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (daily in June & July).
You can take the tube to Green Park (Piccadilly line - dark blue on tube map), walk though the park and approach it that way. St James’s Park tube is also close. But my top tip is to combine it with a trip to Trafalgar Square, walk through Admiralty Arch on to the Mall and approach the Palace as the Queen’s coach would, along the Mall with St James’ Park (lake with ducks, geese and pelicans) to your left.
https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html
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Buckingham Palace
The London residence of the Queen, Buckingham Palace is only open to visitors for specific dates in July and August. Book early if you want to get inside and see the limited rooms on show.
Try to see The Changing Of The Guard ceremony outside the Palace (free). Check online for exact times but it is usually at around 11am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (daily in June & July).
You can take the tube to Green Park (Piccadilly line - dark blue on tube map), walk though the park and approach it that way. St James’s Park tube is also close. But my top tip is to combine it with a trip to Trafalgar Square, walk through Admiralty Arch on to the Mall and approach the Palace as the Queen’s coach would, along the Mall with St James’ Park (lake with ducks, geese and pelicans) to your left.
https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html
This is another sight where to stand outside and look up is the top thing to do. Walk from Trafalgar Square up Whitehall (past Downing Street where the Prime Minister lives) to reach Parliament Square. For the best photo op, cross Westminster Bridge and view the Palace of Westminster from across the River Thames. You cannot go up Big Ben and entering the Houses of Parliament for a 90 minute tour is only possible on Saturdays and when Parliament is not sitting. U.K. citizens can book a free tour of Parliament with their MP’s office.
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Big Ben
This is another sight where to stand outside and look up is the top thing to do. Walk from Trafalgar Square up Whitehall (past Downing Street where the Prime Minister lives) to reach Parliament Square. For the best photo op, cross Westminster Bridge and view the Palace of Westminster from across the River Thames. You cannot go up Big Ben and entering the Houses of Parliament for a 90 minute tour is only possible on Saturdays and when Parliament is not sitting. U.K. citizens can book a free tour of Parliament with their MP’s office.
Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster (Big Ben and Houses of Parliament) make up another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Westminster Abbey is the heart of British royal history and is where kings and queens are crowned.
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Westminster Abbey
20 Deans YdWestminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster (Big Ben and Houses of Parliament) make up another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Westminster Abbey is the heart of British royal history and is where kings and queens are crowned.
Food scene
Local restaurants in Farringdon and Clerkenwell. All within 2-10 minutes walk from the house.
Decent French restaurant just off Greville Street in historic yard which features in Charles Dickens’ book ‘Little Dorrit’.
Some outside tables in the courtyard.
7 Bleeding Heart Yard, London EC1N 8SJ
Bleeding Heart Bistro
7 Greville StDecent French restaurant just off Greville Street in historic yard which features in Charles Dickens’ book ‘Little Dorrit’.
Some outside tables in the courtyard.
7 Bleeding Heart Yard, London EC1N 8SJ
Cheerful Vietnamese restaurant serving generous portions of noodles, satay and rice dishes. Reasonably priced and receives good reviews from our guests.
164 Clerkenwell Rd, London, EC1R 5DP
www.ngonngon.co.uk
Order online for delivery from Deliveroo.co.uk
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Ngon Ngon
144 Clerkenwell RdCheerful Vietnamese restaurant serving generous portions of noodles, satay and rice dishes. Reasonably priced and receives good reviews from our guests.
164 Clerkenwell Rd, London, EC1R 5DP
www.ngonngon.co.uk
Order online for delivery from Deliveroo.co.uk
Buzzy Exmouth Market is lined with restaurants but Caravan with its outside tables, smiley staff and small plates menu is a favourite. Expect to eat something you have never eaten before (might be a new cheese or an Italian cured meat), order 2-3 small plates each and enjoy!
Has some outside tables under cover.
11-13 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QD
https://www.caravanrestaurants.co.uk/exmouth-market.php
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Caravan Exmouth Market | Takeaway & Coffee
11-13 Exmouth MarketBuzzy Exmouth Market is lined with restaurants but Caravan with its outside tables, smiley staff and small plates menu is a favourite. Expect to eat something you have never eaten before (might be a new cheese or an Italian cured meat), order 2-3 small plates each and enjoy!
Has some outside tables under cover.
11-13 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QD
https://www.caravanrestaurants.co.uk/exmouth-market.php
Historically, Clerkenwell is home to an Italian community and this is an authentic Italian restaurant where you can order pizza by the metre to share as well as pasta and good meat and fish dishes. Lots of choices on the menu to keep everyone happy and good for families. Some outside tables. Tip: the table by the pizza oven gets really warm.
https://www.santorerestaurant.london
59-61 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL
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Santorè
59-61 Exmouth MarketHistorically, Clerkenwell is home to an Italian community and this is an authentic Italian restaurant where you can order pizza by the metre to share as well as pasta and good meat and fish dishes. Lots of choices on the menu to keep everyone happy and good for families. Some outside tables. Tip: the table by the pizza oven gets really warm.
https://www.santorerestaurant.london
59-61 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL
Good traditional curry house with all your standard favourite curries, baltis and bhajis and a few interesting chef specials too. They will deliver.
14 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE
Order online for delivery from www.Cinnamontreeindian.co.uk
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Cinnamon Tree
14 Exmouth MarketGood traditional curry house with all your standard favourite curries, baltis and bhajis and a few interesting chef specials too. They will deliver.
14 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE
Order online for delivery from www.Cinnamontreeindian.co.uk
Great little Korean restaurant with charming and attentive service (sit at the back and there’s a bell to ring for service) The food is good and reasonably priced and I am told it is authentic Korean cooking.
164 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DU
www.toh-bang.com
You can order a takeaway from this restaurant on Deliveroo
www.Deliveroo.co.uk
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Tohbang
164 Clerkenwell RdGreat little Korean restaurant with charming and attentive service (sit at the back and there’s a bell to ring for service) The food is good and reasonably priced and I am told it is authentic Korean cooking.
164 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DU
www.toh-bang.com
You can order a takeaway from this restaurant on Deliveroo
www.Deliveroo.co.uk
Cool little bar/restaurant serving short menu of excellent tostadas, quesadillas and tacos plus Mexican beers, wine, cocktails, tequila and six types of Margaritas.
www.taqueria.co.uk
8-10 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QA
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Taqueria
141-145 Westbourne GroveCool little bar/restaurant serving short menu of excellent tostadas, quesadillas and tacos plus Mexican beers, wine, cocktails, tequila and six types of Margaritas.
www.taqueria.co.uk
8-10 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QA
Spanish tapas restaurant which is reasonably priced. It offers all the standard tapas dishes (patatas bravas, padron peppers, tortilla, pan con tomate) as well as some dishes you don’t often see (their beetroot salad with coffee is surprisingly good). Book to be sure of a table for dinner or just turn up and get a seat on a high stool in the bar area.
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Ibérica
89 Turnmill StSpanish tapas restaurant which is reasonably priced. It offers all the standard tapas dishes (patatas bravas, padron peppers, tortilla, pan con tomate) as well as some dishes you don’t often see (their beetroot salad with coffee is surprisingly good). Book to be sure of a table for dinner or just turn up and get a seat on a high stool in the bar area.
Neighbourhoods
Great street food market sets up on Leather Lane off Clerkenwell Road every weekday from around 11am to 2pm to serve the local office workers. Huge choice of food from stall holders from around the world. Great place to buy lunch or sit down for a coffee and snack at one of the ten cafes which line this street.
Leather Lane
Leather LaneGreat street food market sets up on Leather Lane off Clerkenwell Road every weekday from around 11am to 2pm to serve the local office workers. Huge choice of food from stall holders from around the world. Great place to buy lunch or sit down for a coffee and snack at one of the ten cafes which line this street.
Hatton Garden is London’s jewellery quarter and an international centre for diamonds and precious stones. There are many jewellery shops at the south end of Hatton Garden and along Greville Street which crosses it.
Hatton Garden
Hatton GardenHatton Garden is London’s jewellery quarter and an international centre for diamonds and precious stones. There are many jewellery shops at the south end of Hatton Garden and along Greville Street which crosses it.
Hairdresser & Barber
If you arrive in London needing a hair cut, this is the place to go. Run by second generation Italians Ricky and Massimo, you can be sure of a friendly welcome by someone who listens to how you want your hair to look at the end. And you’ll get a really good hair cut in relaxed surroundings.
Kings of Clerkenwell
41 Clerkenwell RdIf you arrive in London needing a hair cut, this is the place to go. Run by second generation Italians Ricky and Massimo, you can be sure of a friendly welcome by someone who listens to how you want your hair to look at the end. And you’ll get a really good hair cut in relaxed surroundings.
Art Galleries
There are 4 big public art galleries in London which are all free to visit: The National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Modern and Tate Britain. You can easily spend a day in any of these galleries. There are also art galleries which may take up just a couple of hours of your time and which charge entrance fees. The Royal Academy of Art on Piccadilly shows some big touring blockbuster exhibitions (booking essential). Or visit the Queen’s Gallery which adjoins Buckingham Palace and mainly shows art which is in the Royal Collection. There are dozens of small commercial galleries selling art (the area around Bond St is particularly good) where you can enter and wander freely around. Try the Gagosian and White Cube to see some cutting edge art. Plus there are free outdoor sculpture exhibitions at various times throughout the year showing contemporary works outdoors. London is home to many artists and has been a centre for art dealers, collectors and auctioneers for centuries.
Highlights include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, a Rembrandt self-portrait, Holbein’s The Ambassadors, Constable’s The Hay Wain and a good collection of Impressionist paintings by Monet, Manet, Seurat and Cezanne. If you want to see some really famous old masters paintings, drop in to The National Gallery.
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National Gallery
Trafalgar SquareHighlights include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, a Rembrandt self-portrait, Holbein’s The Ambassadors, Constable’s The Hay Wain and a good collection of Impressionist paintings by Monet, Manet, Seurat and Cezanne. If you want to see some really famous old masters paintings, drop in to The National Gallery.
Huge old power station converted to a modern art gallery on the south bank of the River Thames. You can combine this with a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral; walk across the pedestrian only Millennium Bridge (great photo opportunities) to reach the south bank. There is always a big piece of new art to see in the Turbine Hall and you can wander around the gallery for free. It only shows modern art, from 1900 onwards. Restaurant overlooks the river but coffee shop upstairs has better views or sit outside on benches in the summer.
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Tate Modern
BanksideHuge old power station converted to a modern art gallery on the south bank of the River Thames. You can combine this with a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral; walk across the pedestrian only Millennium Bridge (great photo opportunities) to reach the south bank. There is always a big piece of new art to see in the Turbine Hall and you can wander around the gallery for free. It only shows modern art, from 1900 onwards. Restaurant overlooks the river but coffee shop upstairs has better views or sit outside on benches in the summer.
Great collection of paintings and sculpture which is free to visit. It is a 20 minute walk west along the river Thames from Westminster Abbey. Or take the tube to Pimlico. Or take the river bus.
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Tate Britain
MillbankGreat collection of paintings and sculpture which is free to visit. It is a 20 minute walk west along the river Thames from Westminster Abbey. Or take the tube to Pimlico. Or take the river bus.
The Queen’s Gallery consists of a few rooms and shows art from the Royal Collection. The royal family have been collecting art since the 17th century and have many fine pieces. The gallery is part of Buckingham Palace and exhibitions change regularly. Book tickets before you go. You can combine a visit here with seeing the Regimental Bands marching at the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside the Palace which takes place at around 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays (check www.changing-guard.com as times can change).
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Dronningens galleri
The Queen’s Gallery consists of a few rooms and shows art from the Royal Collection. The royal family have been collecting art since the 17th century and have many fine pieces. The gallery is part of Buckingham Palace and exhibitions change regularly. Book tickets before you go. You can combine a visit here with seeing the Regimental Bands marching at the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside the Palace which takes place at around 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays (check www.changing-guard.com as times can change).
Newly refurbished in 2021, the Courtauld is a small gallery with London’s best collection of Impressionist art showing works by Cezanne, Manet, Monet and Van Gogh. Also holds an important collection of medieval and early modern art. You can see everything here in a morning without being overwhelmed. Sited in the arts centre Somerset House, be sure to wander into the adjacent courtyard as there is often something cool happening there.
www.courtauld.ac.uk
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN (30 minutes walk from Hatton Place or take the 243 bus heading west)
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Courtauld-galleriet
StrandNewly refurbished in 2021, the Courtauld is a small gallery with London’s best collection of Impressionist art showing works by Cezanne, Manet, Monet and Van Gogh. Also holds an important collection of medieval and early modern art. You can see everything here in a morning without being overwhelmed. Sited in the arts centre Somerset House, be sure to wander into the adjacent courtyard as there is often something cool happening there.
www.courtauld.ac.uk
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN (30 minutes walk from Hatton Place or take the 243 bus heading west)
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Take A Ride On Red London Bus
There are bus stops 3 minutes walk from the house on Theobalds Road. You can take the number 55 bus to reach the shops on Oxford Street. Or the 38 to Piccadilly Circus.
You cannot use cash on London buses and you can either ‘touch in’ using an Oystercard or use your credit or debit card. Get on at the front and touch the reader with your card. It is a flat fare of £1.80 to get on a bus. Under-11s are free. Or take the 243 bus, cross Waterloo Bridge and get off at the stop on the bridge to go to the South Bank (London Eye). Sit on the top deck and enjoy seeing London from above.
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Nearest Tube Stations
Nearest tube (London Underground) station is Farringdon on the circle line (yellow on tube map). Slightly further away is Chancery Lane tube station on the central line (red on map). Buying paper tickets at ticket machines is the most expensive way to travel on the tube. To pay the cheapest fares use your contactless debit or credit card to ‘touch in’ and ‘touch out’ through the barriers on the tube. Or use ApplePay or GooglePay on your phone. Or you can buy an Oystercard at the station. You pay a £10 deposit which is refundable at ticket machines at end of your trip.
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Museums Are Mostly Free
Museums and art galleries are mostly free in London. There is a charge for special exhibitions but you can see the permanent collections of the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Museum of London, National Gallery, Tate Britain gallery and Tate Modern gallery for free.
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Nearest Supermarket
The nearest supermarket is a Sainsbury’s Local on Clerkenwell Road. Come out of the house, walk to your right, turn left into Hatton Wall. Take a right into Hatton Garden. Clerkenwell Road is the main road at the end of Hatton Garden. Cross Clerkenwell Road, walk to your left to reach Sainsbury’s. 7am to 11pm.
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Larger Supermarket - Waitrose
Waitrose supermarket on St John Street is a 7-10 minute walk from Hatton Place. It is also next door to a small Tesco Supermarket (cheaper than Waitrose). To reach Waitrose, turn right as you leave the house and walk to Hatton Wall. Turn right and then left to reach Clerkenwell Road and walk to your right towards the traffic lights. Cross the junction and continue to walk along Clerkenwell Road. After a few minutes walking, turn left into St John Street and Waitrose and Tesco are on your right.