London Things to Do

With its myriad of international cuisine and cutting edge restaurants, London is rapidly gaining a reputation as a gourmet hotspot, but food, as with everything in the city, often comes with a hefty price tag. Thankfully those on a budget can still survive a trip to the capital, and to help you along the way, here are a few ideas for dining on a budget in London.

In a country where you’re never more than 113 km (70 miles) from the coast, it’s little surprise that London is a popular cruise destination, with the southern England ports of Southampton, Dover, Tilbury and Harwich frequently used as launch points for domestic and international cruises. First stop on the itinerary has to be the capital, but with limited time to explore London’s myriad of sights, book a shore excursion and dodge the crowds.

The mania of 2012′s Olympic games may have died down, but there’s still plenty of reasons to visit London in 2013. Here’s our top picks of the capital’s best attractions.

1. Best Museum

With its reputation for gloomy horizons and relentless drizzle, it’s easy to see why London might be boycotted during the winter season, but Londoner’s know that the most atmospheric time to discover the capital is by braving the cold.

With its maze of crisscrossing streets, swarming crowds and traffic-clogged squares, England’s cosmopolitan capital can be a bit overwhelming to the first-time visitor. Once you’ve plowed through the guidebook and organized your itinerary, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your first visit to the big smoke.

London has long been the destination of choice for avid shoppers and with its reputation for thrifty fashions and vibrant street markets, so it’s no surprise that the capital offers bargain hunters some of the world’s best flea markets to rummage through.

Reportedly the most haunted capital city in the world, London’s stately Victorian buildings, cobbled backstreets and elaborate graveyards lend the city an eerie backdrop, perfect for spine-tingling ghost stories and gruesome legends.

Those unaccustomed to the British weather would be forgiven for thinking that England rains non-stop once the summer months are over, but there are few times as delightful as autumn to be in the city of London. Coastal winds soar over the country, shaking a rainbow of leaves to the ground. Watch as the hazy sun spills from the clouds to create an idyllic setting for strolling through woodlands or cycling in the park.

With so many famous landmarks, world-class museums and famous shopping streets, London is a city that you could spend weeks exploring, but if all you have is a mere 24 hours, there are still plenty of chances to sample the city’s highlights.

The London skyline is continuously evolving and there is a gleaming new addition, The Shard. At 1,016-feet high, it is the tallest building in Western Europe. The 11,000 triple-glazed panels were erected by a team of specialist rappellers.

Prince Andrew, who was present at the official opening of the building this month, is going to rappel down the building on September 3rd to raise money for charity!