London reisetips

Day 1: See London Explore London on a hop-on hop-off bus tour or a private black cab experience, and be sure to visit St Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, the South Bank, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Day 2: London Shopping and Touring Harrod’s, Oxford Circus, and Piccadilly Circus are famous for their shops, but for a more local flavour, then visit Portobello Road for its antiques (Saturdays); Borough Market for the great food (Saturday); and Camden Markets with its alternative fashions and hand-made crafts. Don't miss the Tate Modern, the British Museum, the National Gallery, or the Victoria and Albert Museum. Day 3: Day Trips Beyond Head out of the city and explore Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath. Visit Stratford, birthplace of Shakespeare or the famous universities at Oxford and Cambridge. Go even further afield and try haggis in Edinburgh or snails in Paris.

Sommermånedene betyr at britene endelig kan vinke farvel til en dyster himmel og si hei til (i hvert fall) litt varmere vær. Det finnes en rekke alternativer for å grave seg ned i kulturen og historien til dette legendariske reisemålet. En av de beste måtene for besøkende å oppleve de populære severdighetene på er ved å ta en hopp-på-hopp-av-tur med en dobbeltdekkerbuss. Det er en enkel måte for reisende å tilpasse en tur til sine interesser, og å utforske gatene i London uten å måtte navigere seg gjennom trafikken og rundkjøringene. Enten du er interessert i å se Windsor Castle, vaktskiftet ved Buckingham Palace eller ta en tur rundt på Tower of London og London Bridge, så finnes det nok av alternativer for besøkende som er ute etter kongelig behandling. Reisende som foretrekker å ta turen utenfor bygrensen og ta et dypdykk i Englands historiske fortid, kan reise til legendariske Stonehenge eller få et innblikk i virkeligheten på Downton Abbey via en tur innom Highclere Castle utenfor London.

England’s only UNESCO World Heritage listed city, the cobblestone streets and exquisite architecture of Bath make it one of the UK’s most attractive cities and put it firmly at the top of many tourists’ itineraries. Windsor Castle is the largest working castle in the world that is still occupied by monarchy. For over 900 years, since William the Conqueror built a wooden fortress here, this has been a royal home and fortress. Queen Elizabeth spends a month at Easter, a week in June and most weekends at Windsor. This is also where she often hosts State Dinners for international dignitaries and entertains those she has knighted into the Order of the Garter (that's Sir to you and I). St George's Chapel is a working chapel and many royal weddings and funerals have occurred here; the Queen Mother and Henry VIII are buried in the chapel.

Bath is one of the great treasures of Britain and at just 97 miles (156 kilometers) from London, it makes a perfect day trip. Harmony and proportion were of supreme importance to the Georgian architects who determined the current shape of Bath, and they often drew inspiration from classical styles. Luckily outstanding examples were close at hand, with ancient Roman ruins recalling Bath’s age-old reputation as a spa town from which it also derived its name. Nearby Bath Abbey watches over the town center while the Royal Crescent is the largest and most impressive of Bath’s residential crescents, which unfold in elegant arcs of honey-colored stone. Bath is also noted for its literary associations; the Jane Austen Centre celebrates its most famous resident. Numerous other small but fascinating museums cover everything from fashion to astronomy, while the lush green of gorgeous English parks provide outdoor diversion.

In and around the Cotswolds you’ll find a huge number of historically significant sites. Like the cobble-stoned streets of Oxford with its famous university and Christ Church Cathedral. Then if you travel north, you will find Blenheim Palace, where The Duke of Marlborough still lives and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. In Stratford-Upon-Avon there is traces of the great William Shakespeare everywhere and then further north along the Avon River you’ll find the 950-year-old looming towers of Warwick Castle. Finally you will reach Bath, nested in the embrace of the Cotswolds with its Georgian town, Bath Abbey, the Jane Austen Center and Royal Crescent.

With so many famous landmarks, world-class museums and famous shopping streets, London is a city that you could spend weeks exploring.Start your day early with breakfast at one of Covent Garden’s atmospheric cafés where you can enjoy some freshly baked pastries while ogling the street performers as they set up shops on the square. From here it’s an easy stroll to Leicester Square, where you can pick up some last minute tickets for a West End show in the evening and hop on one of the open-roofed sightseeing buses which will take you around the main sights – don’t miss a stop off at St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. Buckingham Palace is sure to be on your list, so time your arrival for the changing of the guards, after which you can enjoy one of London’s impressive Royal parks, with a tour of St. James’s Park and enjoy a picnic lunch by the idyllic lake.

The Thames is London’s spine. Over history, it has served as a main thoroughfare for goods and people, including King Henry VIII when he and his courtiers were coming and going from Hampton Court Palace, (south-west of central London). With so much cultural significance, it's a special experience to be able to cruise down the river as we can today, and it makes for a perfect lunchtime activity. Escape the city's hustle and bustle, and add a sightseeing cruise on the River Thames to your afternoon. You'll cruise in style and enjoy both landmarks and a served lunch, freshly prepared onboard by a talented team of chefs. Whether you opt for one with live jazz or afternoon tea, the river will become one of your favorite lunch spots in London.

There are few places more quintessentially and unashamedly English than Oxford, a city so picturesque that even its nickname, "The City of Dreaming Spires," sounds lifted from a classic romance novel. With its medieval skyline of church spires, cobbled streets snaking through the town center and stately gardens adding a touch of greenery, this is a city that perfectly blends old English charm with modern shopping streets, a cutting-edge arts scene and a buzzing nightlife. A mere 55 miles from London and just an hour train ride away, Oxford is a popular day trip for those looking to escape the hectic pace of the capital.

Britain's favorite period drama Downton Abbey has been taking the world by storm of late, so get your top hats and teacups at the ready, and prepare to get a taste of Edwardian-era England. Highclere Castle The Small-Group 'Downton Abbey' and Highclere Castle Tour from London allows fans to perch on a chaise lounge in the grand salon where the Dowager Countess regales the ladies of the house over cups of tea; browse the 5,650-book library where the Earl of Grantham conducts business with his trusty Labrador Isis at his heels. Bampton Another popular spot for fans is the historic Oxfordshire village of Bampton, better known as its on-screen alter-ego, the fictional Downton Village. This village has a lower profile than Highclere Castle but experiences like the ‘Downton Abbey’ TV Locations Tour of Oxfordshire from London still offer the chance to spot the places Mr. Bates, Tom and Mrs. Patmore frequent on the show.

Nothing epitomizes the bleak underbelly of Victorian society better than London’s East End; today it’s an area of smart boutiques, concept restaurants and a thriving Bengali community around Brick Lane but back in 1888 the very words Whitechapel struck horror into peoples’ hearts. It was here in the dank cobbled alleyways behind Spitalfields that some of the world’s most infamous – and hitherto unsolved – murders took place as five lowlife prostitutes were brutally knifed to death. Recent attempts at naming the Ripper murderer have cited a Polish immigrant called Aaron Kosminski, the Prime Minister William Gladstone, the artist Walter Sickert and even Queen Victoria’s own grandson. However, to this day the killer’s true identity remains unknown and so the gripping mystery still continues to fascinate and horrify in equal degrees. Tours of the East End to see the Ripper’s stomping ground can be taken by London’s iconic black cabs, by bike, hop-on, or hop-off bus.

Stonehenge is one of England’s most iconic destinations. The mystery and folklore of the massive rock structures and surrounding green fields draws travelers and tourists to this historic landmark and there’s no better way to learn about its past than on a private day tour from London. Visitors get a three-for-one on the Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath day trip from London. They’ll learn about the home of the Royal Family, visit St. George’s Chapel and the State Apartments, then head to Salisbury for a stop at ancient Stonehenge. The tour tops off with a stop in Bath, where impressive panoramic views of London make for the perfect photo opportunity. Travelers who want to add even more to their England experience can include a stop at the village of Lacock, a medieval village known for its unique architecture and quiet charm. This private day tour also includes a traditional pub lunch at a classic English watering hole.

Enjoy the 24 hour bustle of tourist hotspots like Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Soho without having to do more than roll down your windows and admire the views, or let your driver direct you to some of the lesser-known districts for a taste of the real London. You’ll doubtless be treated to an abundance of local anecdotes and trivia, interspersed with plenty of quirky British humor, adding a new dimension to the most visited sights like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral or the Houses of Parliament, and you’ll even be delivered back to the door of your hotel.

Afternoon tea is considered to be a tradition in England and one that both locals and visitors take great pleasure in taking – although it is now seen as more of a treat to be taken in a hotel or tea shop than part of everyday life.Afternoon tea was first introduced in the 1840s when Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford, complained of feeling hungry between meals and asked for tea and cakes to be sent to her room to see her through to her evening meal at 8pm. This idea caught on amongst the middle and upper classes, and before long it became a daily activity, becoming more sophisticated and elaborate as well as developing into an important social occasion.

The city’s latest venture in elevated entertainment is the O2 Skywalk, or ‘Up at The O2’, a 90-minute climb over the famous domed roof of the O2 Arena in Greenwich. The capital’s most sophisticated feat of modern design, The Shard is not only an impressive sight on London’s skyline, but it holds the title of the E.U’s tallest building at a whopping 1,016 feet high. Built in celebration of the new millennium back in 2000, the London Eye is not only the biggest Ferris wheel in, but has fast become one of the capital’s biggest tourist attractions with 3.5 million annual visitors taking to the skies for one of the best views in London. One of London’s principal landmarks, St. Paul’s Cathedral is sure to grace your London itinerary, but make sure you take the 250-step climb up into the viewing galleries of the iconic dome. If money’s no issue, one of the most exhilarating ways to explore London from above is to take a helicopter tour.

Those wanting to learn more about the Cathedral’s illustrious history can head to the nearby Canterbury Tales museum, where Chaucer’s famous characters are brought to life in an entertaining medieval recreation, but there’s more to the city than its most famous building. Spend your free time wandering around the Old Town, visiting sights like the ancient St Martin's Church, the oldest church still in use in the English-speaking world, the tilting 16th Century Sir John Boys' House and the ruins of the Norman-era Canterbury Castle. If you’ve still got time, take a boat trip along the River Stour or stroll through the pretty Dane John Gardens. The quickest way to reach Canterbury is by train (just over 1 hour), but taking a guided Canterbury tour from London means you can combine your visit with nearby sights like the majestic Leeds Castle in Kent or the famous White Cliffs of Dover, both of which lie close by.

The Sherlock Holmes House and Museum makes the obvious starting place for tours and it’s testament to the widespread influence of the character that his fictional address has now been turned into a real-life recreation of the detective’s home. Head to 221B Baker Street and you can sink into Holmes’ favorite armchair in his characteristic Victorian study; check out his wacky disguises and treasured calabash pipe; and ponder the latest mysteries jotted in his detective notebook. Don’t forget to get your picture taken with John Doubleday’s Sherlock Holmes statue, which stands on the street nearby, or head to Madame Tussauds to cozy up with a waxwork replica of Robert Downey Jr in his Sherlock Holmes costume. There are dozens of other sights to check out and fans can visit the Royal Opera House and the Freemasons Hall – both key sights in Sherlock Holmes films; book dinner reservations at one of Holmes’ favorite haunts – Simpson’s in the Strand.

The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Kinks, Sex Pistols, The Who, Queen, Oasis, Led Zeppelin – they all called the British capital home at one point or other and often recorded their best albums there. Of course top of many fans’ wish lists will be the famous studios on Abbey Road where the Beatles recorded their album of the same name. You can recreate the cover on the pedestrian crossing and visit numerous other sites associated with Liverpool’s finest as you follow a magical history tour of London. But it’s not all Beatlemania. Visiting the venues, hotels and studios which have themselves become household names with many well known rock artists. Head to the North London district of Camden Town, where The Clash, Bob Marley and Madness once lived. Now its gritty venues continue to produce major indie bands of the future.

As well as being a key destination on many multi-day tours of England, there are a number of Cambridge tours from London that offer the chance to explore the city’s unique history and heritage. Couple a visit to Cambridge with the equally picturesque Oxford, on a Cambridge and Oxford Historic Colleges of Britain Day Trip, and explore the prestigious universities collectively dubbed “Oxbridge.” You’ll be in good company as you wander through the stately halls of Cambridge University - luminaries from Sir Isaac Newton to C.S. Lewis have studied within these historic rooms, and American visitors will be impressed to learn that John Harvard himself received his degree from Cambridge. The star attraction is the magnificent King's College, an exquisite example of medieval Gothic architecture, but you’ll also have time to take in city landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs or join the locals for a spot of punting along the river.

London boasts a diverse culture which encompasses and embraces film, music, sports and even the monarchy. Hit the bohemian neighborhoods of London including Soho and Camden Town as you delve into the city's rock 'n' roll past on a this small group London Rock Music Tour. With names like The Beatles, Madness, The Clash and Jimmy Page London offers something for all music fans. Maybe you’re still waiting to hear if you’ve been accepted to Hogwarts, in which case hear insider gossip about the films from an expert guide, and discover the London landmarks that inspired the Harry Potter books and films to be made. For the sports fan visit Wimbledon for a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic All England Club, home to the world’s oldest tennis event: the Wimbledon Championships! And check out Buckingham Palace where you can trace the footsteps of generations of the British Royal Family, as you explore where they live and learn about their lives in the London spotlight.

Paris is one of the most popular day trip destinations from London and with regular high-speed trains taking around 2 hours and 15 minutes, you can be munching croissants and strolling around The Louvre by mid-morning. Combine your trip with a boat cruise along the Seine, a tour of the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and a climb to the top of the iconic Eiffel Tower, then hop on the train and you’ll make it back to London in time for a nightcap. Along with Lille in France, the famous birthplace of Charles de Gaulle, Eurostar also runs direct routes to Brussels, making it possible to explore the Belgium capital on a day tour too. The journey takes just over 2 hours from London, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the picturesque Grand Place and stock up on delicious Belgian chocolates. Combine it with a Hop on Hop off bus tour and you can check out sights like the European Union district, the Atomium and the Manneken Pis statue.

Roam London’s streets to see the famous Christmas lights and on Christmas Day see the capital free from public transport and crowds. Perfect for festive photos of top London attractions such as the Big Ben clock, the Tower of London and Trafalgar Square. If you fancy venturing further afield, then enjoy a smooth journey along quiet roads to see iconic England landmarks such as the UNESCO listed Stonehenge circle, or Leeds Castle.

Why visit just one great capital city when you could visit two? Back in the 18th century, Dr Johnson reckoned that if you were tired of London, you were tired of life, but that was before the advent of the Eurostar high-speed train access to Paris. Yes, Paris is just 2.5 hours away, making it perfectly possible to visit for a day from London. Just hop on the train at St Pancras and you’re away. A range of guided trips to Paris from London are available; choose a hop-on-hop-off bus tour of all the major sights, such as the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysées; take a scenic river trip up the Seine past the Gothic masterpiece of Notre Dame Cathedral on its island in the river; or explore the glorious Royal Apartments of the Palace of Versailles and its ornate formal gardens.

The grandeur of Liverpool’s maritime past is clearly visible along its waterfront in the historic piers, and the Three Graces, three lovely historic buildings which once housed the major maritime companies: The Liver Building, The Port of Liverpool Building and the Cunard Building. These date from the late 19th and early 20th century when Liverpool was one of the most important ports in the world. Times changed and Liverpool is now more reliant on people arriving by plane and train than ship. The Mersey Beat or Liverpool Sound brought world attention back to the city, primarily through The Beatles. Liverpool has other attractions, too: the Maritime Museum, the Tate Liverpool Art Gallery, Walker Art Gallery and Antony Gormley’s wonderful sculpture of figures standing in the ocean, ‘Another Place’. There are regular trains from London Euston Station to Liverpool Lime Street Station, taking between 2 and 2.5 hours for the direct service.