Until next time Bank Holiday! We hope you’ve made the most of the four day weekend with some ‘egg-celent’ plans spent with family, friends or loved one discovering more than just eggs in the buzzing capital. Did you know that London attracts over 30 million visitors from around the globe every year? For this reason and that your well-deserved weekend is coming up, we’re dedicating this blog to tell you why London has always been one of the greatest places to visit.
The first and probably most obvious reason for London’s such high tourism numbers is the heritage it boasts. Tourists from all over the world travel far and wide to immerse themselves into the vibrant, yet historic culture of London. Every single building you see has a story behind it, but the most popular has proven to be our good neighbour, Buckingham Palace. The Royal household has welcomed around 15 million people each year to watch the famous ‘changing of the guard’ event or to even venture inside and gaze upon the lavish walls of royal rooms. It’s a wonderful way to start off your journey around London and getting to know the past and present of the city. Not too far off are the fascinatingly historic landmarks that still stand strong today, such as the Tower of London (home of the Crown Jewels), the Tower Bridge, Big Ben and more! One day of sight-seeing simply wouldn’t be enough, not to mention all the side-tracking into shops and restaurants along the way. If you’re visiting the capital and particularly interested in history, we highly recommend spending some time losing yourself into some of the many spectacular museums scattered around. From natural history to portraits, there is something for everyone and what’s more, many of these museums have free access. So even if you come to London on a tight budget, you sure won’t be stuck for things to do and can still get to know the city’s awe-inspiring past. This weekend guarantee yourself a great day out and take a wander around the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum or any of the other attractions that will blow your mind.
What other factors determine London’s tourism popularity? We can answer that with one word: fashion. We are one of the fashion capitals of the world with leading designers including Stella McCartney, Jimmy Choo and Vivienne Westwood located in the West End, bringing the latest trends to the catwalk and to our stores. If you were to ask where the best place to go shopping is, the list would be endless! If you prefer everything under one roof, get your comfortable shoes on and browse around Westfield Shopping Centre at Shepherd Bush/Stratford, Broadway shopping centre, Hay’s Galleria or Canary Wharf where you’ll find all you need without stepping outside. If you’re after some retail therapy or a new fancy wardrobe, find your high street fashion and designers on Oxford Street, with House of Fraser, Topshop, BHS, H&M you name it. Remember though, that your city shopping trip will not be complete unless you have a good nose around the most iconic up-market store ever, Harrods! Harrods is sure to give you a different and memorable shopping experience every time you enter its doors; that’s what makes it so unique and well-known. If mainstream isn’t for you then not to worry, not only are there many hidden gems dotted around the map, but there’s nothing quite like London’s markets. From antiques, jewellery and flowers, to street food, bakeries and perfumeries, you don’t have to go to the high-street to find what you’re looking for. The best markets in town that are a great idea for shopping or even just browsing include the famous Camden market, Covent Garden, Brick Lane, Southbank Centre and again, we could certainly go on.
Last but not least, the final reason that we think London is the best destination to visit is simply because it is so much fun! It doesn’t matter if it’s a Monday morning or a Saturday night, London is buzzing 24/7 with so much to discover and get involved in, particularly if you’re feeling spontaneous. Fancy eating out at a quirky restaurant after work? No problem! Go wild with your family at the Rainforest Café, immerse into an excitingly vintage experience at the Beach Blanket Babylon or even dine in the dark at the Dans Le Noir restaurant. Need to entertain the kids? Have no fear. Surprise them with a visit to see the lions at London Zoo, see if they can hold their nerve at the London Dungeons or spend a day at the simply magical Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The making of Harry Potter. Of course, we can’t go without mentioning the fabulous theatre performances in the West End where you can enjoy re-tellings of your favourite stories, such as Wicked, Les Miserables and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Mission: Fun-filled day out = complete.
Whatever your reason to travel to London, our advice is to make the most of it even if it means straying from your plans a little bit; because you never know what you’re going to find next!