My Ultimate First-Timer’s Guide to London

Since I announced Walkabout Tours and our first women’s trip to London (which had to be postponed until 2021), so many people have admitted to me that they’ve never been to London. Aside from being shocked, I’m also sympathetic. I wish everyone had the chance to travel to London. London is one of my favorite cities and has remained so over decades of travel. London is one of the most beautiful, most accessible cities in the world and the place I always recommend starting your own decades of travel adventures.

Why do I love London for first-time travelers? Several reasons.

First, the language barrier is removed. Oh sure, there are some British phrases that first-time travelers might not understand (the bathroom is called the “loo” at times, and “brilliant” isn’t a comment on your intellect), but overall, you won’t have the language issues you might in other European countries.

Second, public transportation is really easy to use. Just hop on the Tube and follow the signs. It’s hard to mess up.

Third, the history and architecture can’t be beat. Every time I’m there, I’m mesmerized by the absolutely gorgeous architecture. Each building tells a fascinating story that spans centuries.

And these are just a few of the reasons that London keeps calling me back. If you’ve never been to London, here is my ultimate guide to making your first trip all you want it to be. But be warned: you’ll be planning your next trip while you’re still there.

See the Main Tourist Sites

Even though some people “pooh-pooh” it, you need to do the touristy stuff. And I have to say, I kinda like the touristy stuff. It’s all so grand and gorgeous, pomp and circumstance. Plus, there’s a reason people flock to see the main sites—they help tell the story of London.

So which main sites do I recommend? Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden, and the London Eye are all within walking distance. If you’re up for it, you could spend a day walking between these sites.

But there’s more to London than just those sites.

Visit a Museum or Two

Museums are free in London so there’s no pressure to spend a ton of time in one. You can easily scoot in and out, seeing the exhibits you want to see. Even if you’re not a museum person, I highly recommend you see at least one museum while in London.

My two favorites are the Victoria and Albert Museum (commonly called the V&A) and the National Portrait Gallery (for the Tudor collection). But there’s also the National Gallery, which is right around the corner from the Portrait Gallery on Trafalgar Square, and the British Museum, which houses the Rosetta Stone, among other really important historical objects.

Get Off the Beaten Path

So you’ve seen the main tourist sites and visited a museum, now it’s time to get off the beaten path a little bit. Choose a neighborhood and simply wander around. Many companies offer walking tours of some interesting parts of the city.

Another idea is to plan a day to get outside of London altogether. Last year, my daughter and I spent a day visiting Highclere Castle, but we needed to take the train and then a taxi to get to the castle. Our train took us to the lovely town of Newbury, and, rather than heading straight to the castle, we planned extra time to wander the main part of town. We ended up having tea in a tiny tea room next to a canal and then exploring the shops in the village. It turned out to be a great addition to a wonderful day.

Another off-the-beaten-path idea is to attend a church service. I have wonderful memories of visiting St. Helen’s Bishopsgate and All Souls (where John Stott served for many years) on various trips to London.

Re-Visit Your Favorites

While you’re planning your itinerary, make sure you save a day to go back to the things you felt like you didn’t have time for. Did you love Borough Market and want to try more of the delicacies there? (Me too! It’s my London Happy Place.)

Or perhaps you had one evening of theatre and want to see another show.  Visit the TKTS booth in Leicester Square and buy a same-day ticket. So much better than hanging out in your hotel room.

Was there a special store you’d like to re-visit or a restaurant you saw that you’d like to try? Make sure you leave a day for either re-visiting places you loved or roaming a neighborhood just to see what you might discover there.

Take Public Transportation

As I said earlier, public transportation in London is about the easiest to navigate in the world, so make sure you take advantage of that. There’s absolutely no need to spend money on those expensive black cabs (although a ride or two in a cab is also fun). And make sure you hop on a bus—it’s the best way to see the city, especially from the top level.

Chat it Up

Finally, strike up a conversation with the locals. Londoners are very friendly (unless they’re rushing to work, just like here) and they love their city. They would be happy to tell you all about their favorite restaurant or neighborhood in the city. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You never know what interesting person you might meet!

There’s a reason London is one of my favorite cities in the world. And there’s a reason I’m taking a group of women to explore London next year. It’s a beautiful, fun, gorgeous city that will leave you wanting more.

If you’re interested in learning more about my Walkabout Tours, click here and get in touch!