Buckingham Palace, Borough Market, the British Museum – that’s all I could fit into my first London itinerary. That was enough, as there were only two days before arriving in other cities such as Bristol, Bath and Brighton.
Four years later, I had the opportunity to revisit London. This time it was for a month! It allowed me to slow down and really get to know the city better.
Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British Royal Family and one of London’s most famous landmarks. The palace complex was built around 1703 and now boasts nearly 800 rooms.
One of the best (and free!) things to do here One of the best activities is to watch the changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace. It happens every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10:45am – I recommend coming early to reserve a good spot as it’s very crowded.
Entrance fee: £30 (~S$55)
Opening hours: 9:30am to 7:30pm with last entry at 5:15pm (July to August), 9:30am to 6:30pm with last entry at 4:15pm (September to August) Oct)
How to get there: Take the Circle or District Line to Victoria or St. James Park Station, then walk 11 minutes
A month later, I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. Countless weekend markets, daily musicals, free museums …… After my second visit, I can confirm that London is one of the liveliest cities I’ve ever been to.
Shopping at Brick Lane
Brick Lane is an edgy, young neighborhood in East London. We visited on a Saturday and were greeted by streets covered in murals and graffiti. Ventriloquist performances by street performers and food trucks serving hot meals.
In addition to the main street, there are several markets worth a visit – you could easily spend a full day here and still not visit them all.
Brick Lane is full of antique stores and thrift stores – and the prices vary greatly! Some stores sell used sweaters for £10, others sell more unique pieces for £150. Brick Lane Vintage Market is such a more upscale place, but it’s still fun to explore!
Museum-Jump
One of the best things to do in London is to visit a museum. And if you need another reason: most museums are free to enter. You just need to book a slot online!
The British Museum is at the top of my list because it appears in Night at the Museum: Secrets of the Tomb. The modern indoor building is an attraction in itself, with major exhibits including a gallery of Egyptian sculptures and a Roman Empire display.
Walk into the Natural History Museum and a 25.2m long skeleton of a blue whale comes into view!
Another museum worth seeing is the Museum of Natural History. The focus here is on the natural world and evolution – all the way back to the age of the dinosaurs.
