London Things to Do

Like the fire-engine red telephone boxes, double decker buses and suited Royal guards in their bearskin hats; London’s famous Black Cabs are so iconic, they’ve even been immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds. Despite recent fears that the Coventry manufacturer who produces the ubiquitous Black Cabs is going bankrupt, the Austin FX designs are still very much a part of everyday life in the capital. London celebrities fall in and out of them on a seemingly nightly basis; politicians opt for them over a limo; Sir Laurence Olivier and Stanley Kubrick owned their own; and even Arnold Schwarzenegger allegedly had a fleet shipped out to California. Regardless of economic difficulties, it seems like the time-honored Black taxicab is here to stay.

A creative hub where London’s flair for the eclectic is center stage, Camden has long nurtured its reputation as the city’s most rock’n’roll district and its unique markets are as popular among London’s mohawked youths as they are with international tourists.

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.

Whether you want to sip champagne overlooking the London skyline or party the night away on a River cruise, you’ll plenty are of ways to impress your lover in the British capital. Here are a few ideas for romantic things to do in London.

While not as ubiquitous as fish ’n’ chips or afternoon tea, Britain’s love affair with Indian food is so renowned that there are over 7,000 Indian restaurants in the UK and curry has become one of the country’s most popular adopted dishes. The English love of a good curry, fueled by the capital’s high population of Indian and Bangladeshi residents, means you won’t have to wander far to get your fix of authentic Indian food in London.

London, both a historical and modern city, is best explored alongside the facts and tales of a professional guide. As a qualified London Blue Badge Tour Guide, Gavin Webb presents visitors with a list of custom tours for the small group or family, while also providing specialist tours that target the educational establishment, large group or corporate event with coaches.

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.