14 Ultimate Places To Visit In London | ewmoda
 

14 Ultimate Places To Visit In London

A journey through an incredible city with travel blogger Deepti Chandak.

Posted on

30 July 2017

17 Ultimate Things To Do In London

If your idea of a perfect holiday involves great food, great sights, and great shopping, London is the place for you! And if London is up next on your travel list, here are 14 places you must visit whilst you're there.

1. Afternoon tea at Park Tower Knightsbridge Luxury Hotel, London

Even if you are not staying at the hotel you have the option to visit them for an Afternoon Tea daily from 3pm to 6pm. Their summer Afternoon Tea is inspired by the gardens of Hyde Park and includes delights such as delights such as London smoked salmon with dill mustard or roast Norwich farm chicken sandwiches and scones with homemade British strawberry jam or lemon posset créme. The assortment of pastries also features an iconic swan choux pastry that mimics those found on the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Afternoon tea is priced at £37 per person or Champagne afternoon tea, with a glass of Moët & Chandon, is £49 per person.

 Afternoon tea at Park Tower Knightsbridge Luxury Hotel, London

2. Street food at Camden Market

It’s funky, it’s bohemian and it’s crowded, welcome to Camden Market! This bustling street market is one of London’s most visited tourist attractions. Selling, everything from funky clothes, shoes, souvenirs, street jewellery, “bongs” and of course food! (Oww, the food!) Camden Market is simply a DO NOT miss kind of attraction. Spend a few hours of your London trip there or forever regret it. Keep in mind that weekends can get extremely crowded, to the point of you being literally herded by the moving crowds. So keep your valuables safe.

Street food at Camden Market

3. Thames river cruise

The quickest way to get around in London is undoubtedly the Underground. But the best way, that’s above ground! And if you want to be sure you don’t miss anything, why not use the “Hop-On Hop-Off” bus tour. Simply get your full day tickets (at the ticket office by Trafalgar Sq. or from a ticket officer by one of the many bus stops) for the most extensive sightseeing tour London has to offer. For a little extra you can include a river cruise on the Thames to your day trip.

Thames river cruise, London

4. Tate Modern

As one of the world’s most famous museums, it stands on the south bank the river Thames, proudly overlooking its city. The Tate Modern (one of the 4 Tates, and undoubtedly the most renowned of them) offers some of the world’s most celebrated exhibitions of contemporary art, mostly free of charge (visiting exhibitions are not free though).

While you’re there don’t forget to snap a few selfies with spectacular views of London in the background from its ‘viewing level’.

Tate Modern museum, London

5. Dishoom

Dishoom, Dishoom! Don’t worry, nobody was hurt! Dishoom has quickly become a favourite amongst the city’s foodies. This is London’s take on the old Irani cafés of Bombay. With an extensive offering of aromatic and mouth-watering Indian food, ranging from street food to proper dinners (and yes there’s even a bar), this charming chain of 4 restaurants is meant to transport to back in time. If the décor alone doesn’t do it, the food definitely will.

Keep in mind that given Dishoom's popularity, they don't take reservations. Being asked to wait for an hour is not unheard of if you go on a Friday or Saturday evening, so plan your visit accordingly.

dishoom, indian restaurant, london, UK

6. Convent Garden

If there ever was a place deserving of the phrase “Oldie but Goodie” it’s Covent Garden. As one of London’s oldest and most charming squares, Covent Garden still offers a street market alongside cute boutiques and high-end shops.

Whether you shop or browse or simply watch the street performers, you’ll be left with a charming experience.

Convent Garden entertainment

7. Oxford Street

Be aware, this will ruin other shopping streets for you, permanently! Shopping on the world’s most famous shopping street can be a pleasure or pain depending on your patience. Battling crowds inside and outside the shops along this very long shopping street is only part of the experience.

Budget or High End, there’s few brands you won’t find here. Oxford street is also the home to several famous department stores, notably Selfridges, Debenhams and John Lewis.

Oxford Street shopping

8. Westfield mall

Believe it or not, but up until recently, London, one of the world’s great shopping cities, offered street shopping experiences only. At some point, someone figured that given London’s notoriously gloomy weather, perhaps an indoor mall would be a good idea.

Worried that one wouldn’t be enough, London didn’t just build the largest but instead the two largest shopping malls in Europe to satisfy the needs of shoppers, one in the East and one in the West.

9. London Eye

You’ve probably been on a Ferris wheel as a kid at a carnival. But I can guarantee the view it offered was nothing like this. Placed in the middle of London on the south bank of the Thames and towering 135m (443 feet), you’re guaranteed to get a magical view of London from this iconic landmark.

The wheel is running daily, morning to evening in case you prefer a sparkling night view of London. (Plan your day though, as the queues can get notoriously long.)

10. Millennium Bridge

This is the youngster amongst London’s many old bridges. Completed in the year 2000, this pedestrian only, steel bridge has quickly become a favourite amongst tourist and locals alike. Stretching across the Thames, connecting the grand St Paul’s Cathedral to the world famous Tate Modern. Make sure you don’t miss this short but no doubt scenic stroll.

11. Hyde Park

Ever wondered why Hyde Park is one the world’s most renowned parks? Take a walk in it and you’ll soon find out. The share size of this park almost makes you forget it’s an ‘urban park’, placed in the middle of Europe’s largest city. With vast spaces of grass and wooden areas, man-made lakes, this is an all year favourite for many Londoners.

Take a walk, jog, play ball, row a boat or have a picnic, you’ll quickly notice that you’re not the only one with that idea. While the summers offer concerts and music festivals the winters counter with the famous ‘Winter Wonderland’.

12. Platform 9 ¾

Any Potter Head’s out there? Of course, there are! Don’t miss out on this very easily missed gem. Inside Kings Cross station, you’ll see two crowds. One looking up at the train information board, trying to figure out which platform their train is departing. The other, waiting to get their photos taken, walking on to London’s only ‘magical’ platform taking them Hogwarts. Yes, there actually is a Platform 9 ¾.

13. Primrose Hill

This is the sun lovers peak. Only short walk from Camden Market, this hill offers unobstructed views of the London Skyline, at no cost! On a sunny weekend, this hill is guaranteed to be packed with tourists and locals alike, all savouring the view.

14. Pasta at Jamie’s

The home of “The Naked Chef”. A visit to this chain of Italian restaurants by renowned celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, is a must for anyone with Italian food in their heart. The food is good, the prices are decent and the pasta is always ‘al dente’.

Deepti is a Dubai based travel and lifestyle blogger. Check out her experiences at https://jivewithdeepti.com/