The London Experience as a Tourist

Photos of the sights in London which every tourist comes to see

Traveling in London is a very expensive city, so here are a few of the places which you can easily get to from the center of the city. If you are more interested in a few alternative places to travel and spend your day, then check out our alternative places around London.

For starters you are going to need a place to sleep. The Victoria Borough has reasonably priced B&B's. As well, it is walking distance to the underground and the bus terminal. That's Victoria Station and Victoria Bus Terminal, in case your writing this down.

Depending on the time of year, B&B's will cost as little as £45 per night and up. One reason to visit in Winter is because that is when prices are the lowest of the year. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants in the area as well as tourists and travelers trying to stretch their English pounds.

Wasting no time we of course are going to see the Horse Guards, so take your cameras out and take photos of these guys. Why? Because everyone else is doing it. Some people even get right up in the guards faces. I think it's a bit rude for tourists to treat the guards like that, but do as you wish.

Trafalgar Square in Winter, Lomndon England

If you go to London in Early December, you can see the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree lighting. This is not the over the top Christmas tree of Rockefeller Center or DC. The Norwegian Christmas Tree is a gift from the People of Oslo to the People of London. This gesture commemorates the British support of an occupied Norway during the Second World War. Very cool.

Yes, it is Buckingham Palace. Notice anything missing? How about throngs of tourists pressing about to get a picture of themselves in front of the palace. Another reason to suggest visiting London in Winter is the relaxed pace compared to summer tourist season. Find out more about visiting Buckingham Palace.

From Buckingham Palace you can walk right over to Hyde Park. Another reason I suggest going in winter is because that is when The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland takes place. It has a Ferris wheel, food stands and lots of ale. And it will take a lot of ale to help you deal with all the kids that are there.

They do have some great live music that goes on until the late evening, so enjoy your mulled wine and hot alcoholic cider while it lasts. And this winter wonderland usually lasts from Late November until the first week in January.

While in Hyde Park,the art gallery is a point of interest as well as the public art surrounding it.

Science Museum, London England, Exhibition Road

From Hyde Park you are only a few blocks from the Albert Memorial and only a few more from the Science Museum and Natural History Museum, on Exhibition Road. While I was there they had the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the Natural History Museum. Well worth £9.

You never know what exhibitions you may come across, so look at their schedules on the web. Also, keep your eyes peeled while traveling in the underground as they advertise what exhibits are happening on the many billboards and signs.

Big Ben overlooks the River Thames. This next bit is important for all of the travelers from the USA. It is spelled Thames, but just to confuse us, they pronounce it like "Temms". Yes, it is true and no we don't know why. Perhap it's to sound smarter than us, and if so, it is working. Or maybe it was misspelled before spell check was invented.

There are more odd pronounciations across the pond, you can learn those on your own.
For now, check out the rest of this exciting London Adventure below.