Welcome to your guide to the best way to spend twenty-four hours in London. I was lucky enough to have spent some time exploring this massive city. London is a very popular city to visit… one of the most popular cities in the world for tourists and business people alike. It’s also the capital of England and the United Kingdom.
A 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. The contrast between the spectacular historic sights, the grind of a big city, and the lively cultural and foodie scene makes London an interesting and exciting destination.
London is a bad habit one hates to lose. – William Sansom.
1. Getting around in London
London is separated into many different boroughs and neighborhoods; each offering a unique flavor of the city! A few of the most popular London neighborhoods are:
Westminster (pictured below): The tourist center of London, sights include the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Visitors can see the British Government in action by visiting the Strangers’ Gallery at the House of Commons.
SoHo: This is a vibrant and exciting part of the city that is home to an amazing range of pubs, jazz and blues bars, and the heart of London’s gay scene. This is where many of the fashion-forward residents of the city come to party.
Kensington + Chelsea: This borough is home to some of London’s most posh shops and luxurious residents. It’s also home to Notting Hill which has become an up-and-coming, trendy neighborhood.
Covent Garden: Covent Garden is one of the most popular areas of the city with some of the best theaters. Neal Street is a shoe lover’s paradise with a series of shops catering to every sole.
Travel Tip
The Tube: The best way to get around London is the Underground, or “the Tube.”
You can even take the Tube from Heathrow Airport (LHR) into the city center, which I would recommend. It is easy to navigate and you can get to all the sights you’ll want to see.
You can now pay for the Tube with contactless payment so don’t worry about grabbing a ticket at the station or picking up an Oyster Card.
Bus: The city bus is a great way to see the sights while going from one place to another. Buses are cashless but you can pay with contactless payment like The Tube.
Taxis: London’s “black cabs” are all over and run off a meter, but tend to be the most expensive form of transportation. Most accept credit cards!
2. Brigit’s Classic Afternoon Tea & Sightseeing
As someone who enjoys a delicious afternoon tea, I knew I had to come along for the ride on Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus! You’ll meet at the specified pick up location where you’ll board a gorgeous vintage double-decker bus.
Once aboard, you can take in all the views as the bus drives around the city. There’s a choice of a cold beverage and a hot to choose from. And I must say, the apple juice was so delicious and refreshing! 😉
Along with refreshments, you’ll be served sandwiches, biscuits with jam and butter, cookies, cakes and macrons. This lovely tour is about an hour and a half ride around the city. It actually started raining just as I boarded, and to my surprise the bus was quite warm which was appreciated! Anyway, from the assortment of amazing options to nibble on, the interior decor, to the hospitality while aboard and all for about $78USD per person made this tour everything that it was! 10/10 recommend!
Indulge in a one-of-a-kind afternoon tea experience with the Classic Afternoon Tea Bus London Sightseeing Tour by Brigit’s Bakery. As the bus winds its way through Central London, you’ll soak in the vibrant culture, iconic landmarks, and rich history of London.
Savour the sweet and savoury flavours of France with delicious sandwiches such as smoked salmon and cream cheese, and mouthwatering cakes and pastries, all crafted by the executive pastry chef!
It was a cozy rainy evening and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it any other way! 🙂
3. London’s Walking tour
I wanted to see as much of London as possible with the little time I had, so it was only right I booked a private tour! This was a great way to see London’s major highlights in just a short amount of time. I was met by a young lady who moved to London over 5 years ago. And she was amazing, full of knowledge of the history behind all the stops we made.
You’ll be stopping at more than 20 attractions while listening to commentary from your guide. As I mentioned earlier, you’ll learn the and fun facts such as Westminster being the British monarch’s official London residence is Buckingham Palace. 🙂
4.Foods of London
The Borough Market is a stop you don’t want to miss! This market is a wholesale and retail market hall in Southwark, London, England. It is also one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, with a market on the site dating back to at least the 12th century! How cool is that? 🙂
This is where you’d find anything from fruits to desserts, and plenty of restaurants to choose from depending on what your palate has a taste for.
Aside of the market, I heard so much about London’s fish and chips and sticky toffee pudding… they were good however, let me just say. The sticky pudding was so decadent and beyond delicious that I had it at least three times within my 24hr stay!!
