The problem with London is……
…… that it will steal your heart.
How do I know that? Well, I’m one of those tourists who fell in love with the city so much that I had to come back again and again, until I eventually moved here at the end of 2024.
So, you’re probably wondering what’s so special about London.
Ohh, where do I even start…
My favourite thing probably is the diversity! Every part of London is so different - you have the modern City of London, the picturesque Chelsea, the colourful Notting Hill, the hipster Shoreditch, the financial district in Canary Wharf, the high-end Mayfair, the famous Westminster… the list goes on. Wherever you go, it feels like you’re walking through a completely different city, which is quite unique and remarkable!
Also the people! London is super international and the streets are filled with people from all nationalities (both locals and tourists), which is not something that you can witness in many other places. You can never feel like an outsider or that you don’t belong there, it’s very easy to find “your” people that are going to accept you just the way you are, without judging you based on where you come from.
What about London’s skyline? I just can never get bored of that view! The view from the top of those skyscrapers is not less stunning either! You have multiple free options for an unforgettable view, such as Sky Garden and Horizon 22. I’m lucky enough to work in one of those buildings in which you stay a bit longer in the office just to soak up these views 😍
The street markets in London are just next level! Spitalfields, Leadenhall, Borough, Camden, Portobello Road, Seven Dials… and so many more markets that have their own unique look, offers, and vibe. My personal favourite is Spitalfields for the food - unpopular opinion I know, the Borough and Seven Dials market fans are probably rolling their eyes at me now 😅 You can find foods from all over the world in London and these markets are the perfect place to grab a quick bite “the local way”. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Next up we have the parks that are scattered all over the city. Although Central and East London are not very green areas in my opinion, there are so many amazing parks that make you forget about the hectic city life, especially in the western part of the city. Hyde Park and Green Park are probably the most popular, as they are the closest to Central London. But some of the lesser-known ones that are equally, if not even more beautiful, are Battersea Park, Regent’s Park, Richmond Park, Greenwich Park (and One Tree Hill Vista Point), Hampstead Heath (and Parliament Hill Viewpoint), Holland Park… So if you ever get tired of London’s skyline, busy roads, and endless crowds, you certainly won’t lack the options for a nice and quiet escape.
And if the parks are not enough, then you can always plan a day trip to the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds is one of the several areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) in the UK. Some of the most picturesque villages in the UK can be found in this area, such as Bibury and Burford. It’s located around 90 miles (150km) west of London, but unfortunately, it’s not easily accessible by public transport -> the fastest route from Central London to Bibury takes 3,5 hours with multiple changes. As such, the best option is either to go by car (if you’re confident that you will be able to drive “on the other side of the road” 😅) or with an organised tour. In many cases those tours include a visit to Oxford as well.
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For more London-related content, follow @travels.bys. All photo credits go to her.