5 Things You Must Pack When Travelling to London

London is one of the greatest destinations to visit for several reasons. From quality museums to vibrant nightlife, there’re so many things to enjoy and take advantage of in this beautiful city. One of the most important things that every traveller should know about is that the weather in London can drastically change all over the day. That can make your packing different and a bit difficult than other travel destinations.

Your visit to London can go more smoothly, especially if you take some time to carefully plan the things that you need to pack when travelling. There’s nothing more important than to be more prepared and pack your things correctly. Are you wondering what things you must pack going to London? No worries on that, as here is a list of the most important items that you need to bring.

Winter Clothing

Dress according to the weather, environment and activities. When travelling to London, you need to make sure that you are comfortable. Londoners choose to be more fashionable even when it’s cold. Leggings with dress common even if it’s cold, you can also see gentlemen and ladies wearing trousers. Also, neutral or dark colours are very common to wear, so it’s important to include them in your pack.

Toiletries

Although you can find toiletries upon your arrival in London, tissues, lip balm and other toiletries are very helpful. Sunblock, and other good moisturisers are also handy. They can help to relieve pain of your dry skin due to the very cool air.

Summer Clothing

Obviously, your destination determines the type of clothes that you will need. When you are packing your things, make sure that you bring clothes that you can coat or layer. Summer clothing is very important to bring when you’re travelling to London. You can also pack combination of dressy-shirts and casual shirts plus layering pieces such as light sweater.

Travel Shoes or Appropriate Footwear

Walking is one of the major parts of all vacations. So, when you are planning to travel in London, appropriate shoes or footwear are very important to include in your pack. Bring sneakers as walking with your new pair of sneakers can surely create blisters, which will put damper throughout your trip. Also, consider bringing with you another dressy shoe, as it can really help you especially at night.

Most people wear tennis shoes in London or any fashionable boots. You may also love to bring something with elevation to prevent wet conditions. Choose calf-height and ankle boots for the winter. When there is heavy rain, rubber bootie will work well especially if you’re exploring the city on foot.

A regular leather boot is also very useful and will work better in most occasions than a rain boot. Another thing is that, you should always bring an umbrella with you, especially if you’re exploring London. It is also better if you bring waterproof shoes and high-length boots, as they can surely help you to make your travel more comfortable.

Personal Electronics

When you are travelling to London, personal electronic is one of the most important things that you should pack. Always bring with you your phone everywhere and make sure to carry its charger. It is also much better if you bring laptop or MP3 player and double check to bring their chargers.

Mindfulness in London: a Break From the Bustle

As London becomes busier and busier everyday, it’s important to find time to take a break from it all, and get a little headspace. Nowadays life can be so demanding, and it’s important that we take some time to ourselves to reflect and re-align, and that’s where the importance of mindfulness lies. Many centres nowadays offer mindfulness or meditation workshops, and and here are some of our favourite places within the city.

London Buddhist Centre

The London Buddhist Centre is located in East London’s Bethnal Green and is great for mindfulness beginners. They have plenty of workshops and programmes (up to eight weeks long) which focus on managing depression, stress, anxiety and addiction through the practise of mindfulness. If this is something you can’t commit to, then they offer plenty of drop-in meditation classes which can help develop calmness and break negative thought patterns.

Kyoto Garden

For those who seek some mindfulness in nature, the Kyoto Garden is a beautiful Japanese-inspired rock garden located in Holland Park, West London. It has a lovely stone bench which overlooks the colourful blossoms, ponds and a gentle waterfall. This garden also plays host to the first cultivated dahlias in London, and you may be lucky enough to see them if you visit at the right time of year. And if you’re a fan, there are some peacocks roaming around the garden you might spot too.

Bhuti

Bhuti is a new type of eco wellbeing centre that has opened in the heart of Richmond, offering mindfulness classes and workshops – all for Londoners who are looking to recalibrate. They have space to chill out and practise, as well as yoga, pilates and various other holistic treatments. If you get hungry, they have a great vegan cafe to re-energise in.

The Mindfulness Project

Located in Fitzrovia, this is London’s first secular space devoted to mindfulness. Set in a tranquil townhouse in the Fitzroy Square gardens, the centre is home to mindfulness experts who are ready to help you with your mindfulness practise. They offer an 8-week course to help you with dealing with stress better, provide relaxation, and potentially help with further mental or physical health issues.

Wimbledon’s Buddhist Temple

This beautiful buddhist temple located in Wimbledon plays host to a variety of meditation and mindfulness workshops, including both longer and shorter workshops. It’s setting is beautiful and has a wonderful surrounding to explore. If you’re new to meditation or just want to get a sense for it, they offer many drop-in sessions you can take part in.

If you’ve been to London several times and are bored of seeing the same old things, you’ve not seen enough of the city! Whilst London has some amazing tourist sites, it also has plenty of bizarre and unconsidered attractions that are entertaining and great to experience. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favourites to show you.

Eel Pie Island

There are lots of little islands located in the upstream of the Thames, and one of the larger ones – Eel Pie Island – is actually famous for its 1960s Blues Gigs and then a Recording Studio. Nowadays the island is privately owned and houses a nature reserve and artists’ studios. A few days a year, the island is opened up to the public and can be a great little exclusive adventure.

Wallace Collection

Located just a stone’s throw away from Selfridges and Oxford Street, the Wallace Collection is located within a beautiful old townhouse. It has 25 galleries, all with free entry, which show the riches and treasures of the upper class citizens of old London. If you need a break whilst you’re going through the galleries, there’s also a beautiful restaurant to enjoy some food midway through.

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum

The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and Tour lets you see the history that’s been played out on those courts. It’s official name is the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and is located just a short bus ride (or a slight walk) from Wimbledon Station. The Museum offers the opportunity to see trophies and the history of the game.

Eltham Palace

If you’re a fan of royalty and riches, then maybe a visit to Eltham Palace should be considered. This stately home located in south-east London has plenty of 1930s art deco work on display, commissioned by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. You can also see plenty of the old medieval palace there, but it has some amazing interiors that must be seen!

Emirates Air Line

Whilst you could consider it a slightly expensive form of public transport (but it’s all expensive, right?), the Emirates Air Line offers a wonderful view over the whole east side of the city. If you’ve not got the chance to go up the London Eye or the Shard, this is a surefire quicker and cheaper option. A single or return is less than £10, and you can board from either North Greenwich or Royal Victoria.

Lord’s

For the cricket fans and followers, Lord’s is one of the holiest cricket pitches in the world. A seriously well-known insitution and its on-site cricket museum is one of the oldest sporting museums in the world (opened in 1953). In order to see the museum, you do need to book a tour at the ground, but it can be a great day trip for the fans.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Whilst a fairly modern arrival in London, build less than 30 years ago, this traditional Hindu temple offers unique architecture to the city. An important place of worship for many, it is also a very welcoming site which allows visitors to enter and tour for free. It has plenty of interesting architecture and intricate and ornate sculptures and statues. If you want to brush up on your Religious Studies, they have an exhibition on ‘Understanding Hinduism’ as well.

The Buddhapadipa Temple

The Buddhapadipa Temple is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located in Wimbledon. It covers 4 acres, including an ornamental lake, flower garden, and orchard. The Uposatha (Shrine Hall) which is sacred for Buddhist activities and ceremonies. The temple itself has beautiful architecture and is a wonderful way to explore the ideas of Buddhism. They also offer several free workshops on Meditation if you want to learn a little mindfulness.

Wilton’s Music Hall

Originally a theatre, bar and music hall in the Victorian Era, Wilton’s Music Hall is a wonderful spot to visit hidden away on a side street in Wapping. Being carefully restored over the past few years, it has since reopened as a performance space. You can see plenty of its historical fixtures, and there are amazing dance nights, family shows and places for you to enjoy with your friends and family

RIB Voyages

If you’re a fan of hitting the white waters, the Thames isn’t quite the same but you can get a similar thrill! Don’t bother with a slow cruise, but take a speedy cruise on a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). Taking you from the London Eye, you’ll race through the city down to the Docklands. I guess that’s one way to say you saw everything in a day.

The Barbican is one of Europe’s leading multi-arts and conference venues, presenting a range of artistic talent from theatre, galleries, films and dance. The London Symphony Orchestra also calls this wonderful venue home.

The centre itself is funded by the City of London and was built as a gift to the nation, opening its doors for the first time on the 3^rd March 1982 by Queen Elizabeth II. It is a building often widely celebrated, a wonderful tourist attraction, especially due to it’s contrasting brutalist architecture.

To describe and summarise the Barbican is a difficult feat for anyone, as it works and offers such a wide range of services. Not only does it offer performances to visit, but also community masterclasses, schools for young people, and tours of London.

Art

Over the past few decades the Barbican has played host to some of the best artistic exhibitions in London. At the moment they are playing host to ‘Strange and Familiar’ a photography exhibition of Britain photographed by foreigners from the 1930s onwards. It celebrates the work of leading photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, and Garry Winogrand (you can read more and book tickets here: http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=17922)

Dance

Ballet is also a big part of the Barbican, with Ballet Black being their most recent show. Ballet Black is a company for international dancers of black and Asian descent, with three bold and inventive choreographers blending the cultures into an irresistible ordeal of narrative and abstract dance (you can read more here: http://www.barbican.org.uk/theatre/event-detail.asp?ID=18677)

Film

One of the greatest parts of the Barbican is its film section. Whilst it may be a cinema, it isn’t any ordinary cinema in London. The Barbican plays host to many independent and historical films, reviving the past and present of the film industry. During the Valentine’s Day period they offered a selection of old films which tackled love as a tragedy or from a horror perspective. Now, they are playing host to the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, and the film High-Rise accompanied by a ScreenTalk by the director Ben Wheatley (more about the films is available here: http://www.barbican.org.uk/film)

As highlighted, the Barbican offers such a diverse variety of information and really is a feat of British accomplishment with regards to culture and the arts. It truly is a place to visit, and an iconic landmark in all respects for London.

The city of London has it all. From the market stalls to the biggest department stores in the world, from cheap bric-a-brac to one-of-a-kind designer items, everybody is catered for by the city’s wide array of shopping areas. But why shopping in London is the most exclusive? Well, this is all because of the long lists of shopping areas that offer best shopping experiences.

Knightsbridge

This is considered as the home of classy fashion boutiques as well as high quality department stores. Big designer names from the fashion industry can be found in the Sloane Street and chic, yet smaller outlets at the Beauchamp Place.

Oxford Street

Oxford Street is famous as the busiest high street in Britain (and one of the busiest in the world). In addition to that, the place is best known as the chock-a-block that is full of the most popular shops in the city, more than three hundred in fact. There are lots of high street names that have flagships stores in Oxford Street, so shopaholics out there will definitely fall in love with the place. Also, Oxford Street boasts the oldest shop record in the world. This is a home to the famous Selfridges department store. This is just 1 ½ miles of the shopping paradise for shoppers who do not mind having an experience being on a hectic side.

Regent Street

Running ¾ miles right between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, Regent Street definitely provides visually elegant shopping experience in the city as different shops conform to the same architectural style. Shoppers can find fashion boutiques, department stores, restaurants as well as high street names in Regent Street. Moreover, the place is also the home to the best known toy store on the world, Hamley’s.

Kensington High Street

To those who are shopping in the heart of London, Kensington mainly offers a bit of everything. It has numbers of chain stores, department stores, antique shops, plenty of one-offs, and long lists of restaurants to choose from. Kensington is less busy compared to the West End and is certainly classier.

Bond Street

For those who are looking for great shopping experience in London with a touch of class, Bond Street is the perfect place you can consider. The place is full of biggest designer names such as Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Armani, and many more. The street primarily boasts numbers of suppliers to the royal family. In addition to that, Bond Street is also home to the famous Sotheby’s auction house.

There is no doubt that shopping in London is the most exclusive. With all these things and more, shoppers from all across the world will find London as the best place to go shopping. Whatever you need, expect that the city has always something to offer. Brace yourself to experience one of a kind shopping, which is something you can be very proud of. London is definitely an ideal place for every shopaholic out there with the endless shopping centres surrounding the entire city.

London is home to some of the best bookshops and libraries in the world, and there is nothing more enjoyable than diving straight into a new book. Finding something truly wonderful can sometimes, however, be a little bit difficult. This guide is designed to take you on a tour of London’s best Independent Book retailers, highlighting the places to find smaller known publishers and titles.

Daunt Books

One of the most popular bookshops in Marylebone, Daunt Books is an amazing place and a must-visit for an avid reader. It has one of the biggest travel book sections but is also a very picturesque shop (great for the photographic tourist!). If you’re into travelling, which you probably are, then this is definitely worth a stop.

Foyles

A pretty well known shop, Foyles is a massive bookstore on Charing Cross road and many people, locals and tourists alike, consider it one of the best places to go for small print books. They have a lot of foreign books as well for those looking to stretch their linguistic abilities.

Treadwell’s

If you’re into magic and mystery, then this is definitely the bookshop for you. They specialise only in this single genre, and it is one of the most unique bookshops in London, located in Bloomsbury.

John Sandoe Books

Hidden just off King’s Road in Chelsea, John Sandoe is a blast from the past with much of the interior being the original. It has a narrow winding staircase leading up to a labyrinth of a library. The stacks of books make it a little more difficult to navigate and peruse, but it definitely has a good collection of books.

If you have visited any of these book shops, let us know your thoughts. If you know of any other great independent bookstores as well, feel free to drop us a message or comment!

Belgravia Books

Another quiet, cosy bookshop, Belgravia Books is located on Ebury Street and features some lovely little blue tables and chairs outside its shops (for an easy way to recognise it). The layout of the store is very efficient, packing in plenty of books to choose from as well as staff picks and new-to-me titles. The staff are also very helpful in offering recommendations, and so it can be a great place to go if you really do not know what to read next.

Hatchards

Having been in Piccadilly since 1797, Hatchards is the oldest bookshop and city institution in London. It is a really easy place to find and has floors and floors of different books, covering all sorts of genres. They also have special tables dedicated to themed picks and novellas making it easier to narrow down something great to read.

Carrying on our series of interesting and under considered activities in London, we’re bringing you another set of 10 amazing attractions to see in London away from the standard stops.

Lee Valley VeloPark

The London 2012 Olympics was an amazing feat for the city, and its managed to leave a lasting memory. The Aquatics Centre is open to the public to swim, or you can go cycle in the Lee Valley VeloPark! There’s options for both Track and BMX, depending on what you’re after. You can even get inside the real velodrome, but it is required to take an accreditation course for safety reasons. If you don’t have your own bike, too, it’s not a problem – you can hire one for the day.

Brixton Windmill

Not an architectural feat you would probably consider to see in London, but there’s a windmill in Brixton. This adorable black-painted Windmill can be found in Blenheim Gardens, which also offers tours inside during the warmer seasons as well as storytelling days and food festivals. Whether you just want a postcard picture, or want a walk in the countryside, it’s worth a visit.

Dennis Severs’ House

This one terrace on Folgate Street can offer a glimpse into the colourful history of migrant populations and communities in London over the past 200 years. From room to room you are lead, in silence, to see a glimpse of scenes which look as if inhabitants have just left. Reflecting different times in history, the rooms take you literally through the past of London.

B Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Whilst there are plenty of London Bus Tours available out there, not all of them come with Afternoon Tea. The B Afternoon Tea Bus Tour takes you through London’s most famous sites, as well as Brigit and her team offering you a wonderful selection of brewed tea (or champagne, if you fancy) alongside sandwiches, scones, cakes and tarts. If you have dietary concerns, it’s not a problem either, as they offer both gluten free and vegetarian options as well.

Helicopter tours

We’ve seen Buses and Boats, and now we take to the air. See London’s landmarks away from the hustle and bustle, and take it all in with a bird’s eye view. Jump in a fancy helicopter and see London from above – London Eye, the Shard, the O2 Arena. It’ll never look the same again.

Sky Garden

Not quite as high up, the Sky Garden on Fenchurch Street is a beautiful high paradise in the centre of London. Fly up 35 floors in the Walkie Talkie building (London’s Ugliest Building?), and see these spectacular views. Entry is free, but you have to book a time slot at least 3 days in advance to see it. They have landscapes gardens with plants from all over the world, an open-air terrace, a bar, and two restaurants. What more could you want?

Image sourced from SkyGarden London

If you are visiting London in the cooler months, it can be a great opportunity to explore the surrounding areas of London, or take some short trips into the rest of the UK. These are some great ideas for short trips which are easily accessible from London.

New Forest

If you’re an avid outdoor explorer then New Forest in Hampshire is a great trip. It has plenty of winding misty pasts and has plenty of great scenery as you amble through the forest, burning off those Christmas calories. When you get a little peckish, there are plenty of great restaurants nearby as well before you start your journey heading home.

Rye

Located in East Sussex, this little town is a wonderful place to visit. It has the true old British town feel you may not quite experience in London and will give you a stronger idea of British culture. Rye also has some amazing food, especially in the winter months, such as some great fresh fish stews and scallops caught that day!

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is one of those sights that is often overlooked but is definitely worth the visit. Just a short trip away from London (and also with many tour groups arranging trips there), it is a sight of great historical importance and awe. If you’re around near the Solstice, you can experience a true pagan ritual as well, and of course it has plenty of great photo opportunities.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Another historical British town, Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, one of the most important British Linguists. You can watch a play in the Royal Shakespeare theatre, or head down to a local pub for some great hearty British food. This can be a perfect little weekend getaway, or a fun historical day trip.

If you plan on visiting any of these or any other places in London during the winter months, there are a few extra things to consider. Definitely make sure that you check the weather forecast before booking, and packing appropriate clothes. Rain is always a possibility.

Look at coach and train tickets as sometimes one or the other can be considerably cheaper. Also check opening hours as some places may close earlier or on certain days during the winter months.

Also, during the winter the days are very short in the UK, from around 10am-5pm of sunlight, so make sure you plan your day accordingly and do indoor activities early or late in the day, and outdoor activities whilst you still have the sun!

If you are planning for a romantic break, you can impress your loved one with the top attractions and sights in London for a memorable couple’s getaway. Enjoy a romantic break in London with its itinerary taking in some of the most intimate experiences, most seductive sights, and most decadent dining. There are lots of fun and romantic things to do for couples in London.

See a show

Get your romantic London break started by enjoying the panoramic views of the city of London while sipping cocktails from the Radio rooftop bar at ME London hotel. You can spot the best landmarks like the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard. From here, the hit shows of the West End are right on your doorstep. You may set the mood with the feel-good musical Mamma Mia, enjoying Phantom of the Opera’s epic love story, or securing tickets to a ballet performance or opera in the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. On the other hand, you can have a sample of some Italian delicacies for less before the show starts at Spaghetti House with branches in St. Martin’s lane and Cranbourn Street. You can also book into one of the most romantic restaurants in London – Clos Maggiore, or combine theatre tickets with a meal.

Pampering

It is now time to be pampered by enjoying a lunch of Italian and Spanish-influenced small plates at May Fair Hotel and May Fair Kitchen before you spend some time to relax in its opulent May Fair Spa. Be refreshed and whisk your lover off for a retail therapy at the Burlington Arcade and shop for vintage watches, handmade gloves, and jewellery at specialist artisanal shops. You should not miss the opportunity of browsing the top boutiques at Bond Street and chocolates at Fortnum and Mason, along with other foodie delights.

Exploring historic palaces

After having a breakfast at your romantic hotel, you can treat your partner like a queen or king with a visit to one of the historic royal palaces in London. Regardless if it is seeing the sparkling Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, wandering the gorgeous gardens of Hampton Court Palace, or being sedate majesty of the Kensington Palace, you have many historical tales and love story to uncover, and you are going to find lots of secluded spots where you can steal some kiss.

Greenwich or Galleries

You can keep your romantic getaway intimate by exploring one of the smaller galleries or museums of London. When you have taken in the exhibits, you two can enjoy the light refreshments at the charming Wallace Restaurant or you can even escape into the Royal Academy Restaurant and its tranquil Keeper’s garden.

You may round off your perfect romantic getaway in Kettners with a meal or in the Dean Street Townhouse with elegance and class before going to one of the cocktail bars of the area. There are many more reasons why London will be a perfect romantic getaway.

You have booked your flights and ready to cross the Atlantic to visit the little island that is Great Britain. Travelling across the pond is no cheap feat, so it is important that when visiting you manage to see as much as you can – and London is the perfect place for that.

Whilst often it is called the rainy city, or people always complain about the weather, there is still plenty to do! These 6 amazing sights are just some of the top attractions that will help you understand and learn about the relationship between America and England.

1. Visit Benjamin Franklin’s House

The only remaining home of Benjamin Franklin can be found in London, dating back to the 18th Century where he stayed for several years. One of the founding father father’s of America, his residence in London can be found at 36 Craven Street.

2. See where the Liberty Bell was constructed

The Whitechapel Bell Foundry is a world-renowned foundry, owned and run by the same family for over 500 years. They have been commissioned with creating some of the world’s most heritage bells, including the bell in Big Ben and, of course, the Liberty Bell.

3. Discover where the Mayflower started

The Mayflower Pub is an olde English tavern with a great view over the Thames. One of the many Pubs in London, it is also one of the oldest and where the Mayflower ship actually began its long journey to the USA.

They serve some amazing British classics, such as Fish and Chips and Roast Dinners, as well as a range of local ales. It is also one of the only pubs legally allowed to sell both US and UK postal stamps.

4. Visit Abraham Lincoln

Whilst the famous Abraham Lincoln memorial stands in Washington, there is a smaller lesser known memorial in London’s Parliament Square.

5. Visit the Home of the first Female Member of Parliament

Nancy Astor was the first woman to join the UK Parliament, and was also an American that had immigrated to London to be with her husband Waldorf Astor. The home can be found at 4 St James’ Square, and picked out by its Blue Plaque.

6. See where the Harvard family ran their Pub

Whilst they may have founded one of the world’s greatest universities, the Harvard family also had a thriving tavern at 103 Borough High Street. Nowadays the pub no longer exists but a blue plaque remains as a heritage to the family.