As one of the largest cities in Europe, London has amassed a character quite unlike anywhere else in the world. A truly international city, the capital of England has nearly two thousand years of history, a thriving entertainment and tourism scene and above all else, a lot of character. Whether you’re a first time guest of West End hotels in London or you’re visiting for the hundredth time, the chances are that you still haven’t covered all the facets of the city.
First time trips to big cities can be overwhelming, but with the right preparation, London can be very manageable indeed. This blog will outline some of the ways that first time guests of hotels in the West End of London UK can prepare for their trip, and the key landmarks and attractions you should try to visit during your stay.
London – An Overview
Spanning close to 1500 square kilometres, dominion over London has changed as the city evolved out from the Roman encampment it originally was. Stretching along the River Thames, the strategically important city was once a hub of maritime trade and has expanded to include 32 different boroughs, each with their own personalities and charms. Designated a “green city”, London is made up of more than 30% public green space, despite the high rise skyscrapers and busy streets.
Navigating The London Underground
With 12 tube lines and 270 stations, the London Underground is the oldest network of underground railway in the world. The public transport system is also crucial to your navigation of London. Whilst there are more than 700 bus routes and a very handy city hopper fare (if you catch two buses within an hour, the second will be free), the London Underground is still the quickest way to travel through the city.
Payment Methods
For single fares, you can use your contactless payment card or purchase and top up the blue Oyster Card. The Oyster Card provides more flexibility and control over your spending, allowing you to top up from £5 to £50 at a time. Day, week or month long travel cards might be of use to first time visitors, but it’s worth noting that to get your money’s worth, you’ll need to purchase at least a week long travel card and use it 3 times a day for 6 days or equivalent. That being said, it can also save you time on your travels.
Peak Times
Whether you’re rushing to a meeting place in near Piccadilly Circus, or you’re simply doing a spot of sightseeing, it’s worth remembering that the London Underground system will be far busier between the hours of 6.30 am to to 9.30 am and 4 pm to 7 pm. On top of this, single fare prices will be a third more expensive on account of the peak time price hike, meaning that you will be subject to a more expensive, less comfortable journey. If you can avoid using the tube during these times, then do so. If not, then be warned!
Top Tips For Your Trip
Now we’ve got through the basics of London transport, it’s time to outline how best to use your first London tourist trip.
Map Apps Are Essential
Even London locals will admit to using mobile apps such as GoogleMaps and CityMapper on a regular basis. The fact of the matter is that London is so big and the transport connections so numerous that one will always benefit from planning a journey in advance. Map applications also provide information on route busyness, delays to trains and closed stations, so you can avoid a stressful surprise if you plan your route in advance.
Focus On Westminster And The City of London
The two central districts of London are where a large concentration of its landmarks are. The City of London is only 1 square mile in size, whilst Westminster is home to the palaces, entertainment districts and nightlife of the city. If you have only booked a weekend stay at the discount hotels in the West End of London, then sticking to the attractions that are more central will save you time and effort, and will see you ticking off many of the most iconic landmarks in the city.
Enjoy A Viewpoint To Drink In The Scale
As we’ve already mentioned, London’s immense size can be hard to comprehend, let alone navigate. Thankfully, London is full of incredible viewpoints that give tourists a sense of the city’s scale and architectural character. The most famous of these include Primrose Hill in Regent’s Park and the view of Canary Wharf from Greenwich Observatory. Try to visit at least one of the many viewpoints in London, especially if it’s your first time in the city and you want to get a sense of the landscape.
Many Of The Museums Are Free
London’s museum scene is unlike any other, with one of the largest collections of art and historic artefacts in the world. What’s more, many of them are international, adding another draw to world famous institutions like the British Museum. The best thing about London’s museum and art gallery scene is that many of the most prominent ones are completely free to visit. Permanent exhibitions include the likes of the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, works by Van Gogh, Picasso and David Hockney at the London Tate art gallery duo and fully reconstructed dinosaur skeletons at the Natural History Museum.
Other galleries and museums that have permanent exhibits that are free of charge include the Victoria & Albert Museum of Design – the largest of its kind in the world – the National Gallery – which holds the official collection of art for Great Britain – and the lavish Wallace Collection.
Visit A Royal Park
Regardless of your motivations for visiting, guests of the Piccadilly London West End should strive to visit one of the 8 royal parks, each of which has its own origins story relating to the monarchy. The closest to the centre of the city is Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Green Park. All of these are situated near to the famous Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, still functioning royal residences.
