How To Spend One Day In London
March 10th, 2010London is one of the biggest capitals in the world and touring it in one day might seem ridiculous but with an early start and a good pair of legs it can be done. Obviously you can’t see everything London has to offer in one day but to be honest you cant do that in a year either, but if you want to catch all the major cultural sights there is a way.
Westminster Abbey should be first on you list, if you can get there for 9.30 you will beat the rush and be able to walk round in peace. The Abbey is a focal point of the nation’s royals and most of the countries Kings and Queens have been crowned there and many buried there as well.
The Houses of Parliament have been home to the country’s government since the 11th century and are a truly extraordinary landmark that has seen Britain through the highs and lows of the countries political history. The houses are guarded over by ‘Big Ben’, the world’s most prominent timepiece; you could even set your watch to it.
Keeping with the political theme you can stroll down the road to Downing Street, sadly you can no longer go down the road but if you’re fortunate you may see someone important getting past the masses of policemen and security officials. Other than that it’s not exactly palatial but worth seeing all the same.
Heading north you’ll reach the heart of London, Trafalgar Square. Home to Nelson’s tower it is the scene to many demonstrations. Previously overwhelmed by pigeons, each year masses of party goers descend on this square to celebrate the New Year.
At the edge of the square you will find the National Gallery, home to countless masterpieces by Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Rembrandt and many more. The galleries span across 8 centuries of some of the world’s most renowned art and this should occupy at least an hour of your day.
Just minutes from the square is England’s most historic market Covent Garden. It was built by Inigo Jones in 1633 and is the home of a variety of stalls and licensed street entertainers.
At this point you may be starting to get a bit hungry so why not venture into Covent Garden’s very own ‘Porters English Restaurant’ in which you can enjoy real traditional English pub food. Owned and run by the Earl of Bradford it’s a perfect break to your busy day.
A short tube journey, an attraction in itself, brings you to Charing Cross Station; from here you can walk to Buckingham Palace. No explanation is need as to why this should be on your list and at certain times of the year you are able to go inside but be wary of how much time this will take out of your day. Depending on the time of day you may be able to see the changing of the guards but don’t make any sacrifices for this as it is slightly overrated.
Another short journey on the tube will bring you to the Tower of London, for over 900 years it has been a palace, a royal mint and most famously, a prison. Hundreds of well known English traitors have been beheaded there and it’s the capital of British blood and gore. It is well worth taking one of the hour long guided tours by one of the classic Beefeaters and this will bring the tower to life.
If by now your feet are aching and your stomach is rumbling, drop by ‘The Salisbury’, a fashionable Art Nouveau Pub at the core of the theatre district. Here you can enjoy a wide range of drinks and some home cooked pies.
An enjoyable way to spend the evening is to go along to one of the many shows on offer, whether it’s a big West-End musical or a classic Shakespeare production at the Globe you wont be disappointed and it would be a great way to relax and take the weight of your feet.
If you are looking for a central London hotel, then stop by Astor Court for affordable luxury single, double, triple and twinhotel rooms in the centre of the capital.
