London is a huge and sprawling city, even its outskirts have outskirts. Whether you’re travelling to England’s capital for the first time or you’re a seasoned city-goer, you’re likely to have missed at least a few of the places the city has to offer. With its huge size, it can be very difficult for tourists to make decisions on which places to visit if they’re short on time, and where to go to get away from the crowds.
Of course every tourist will want to see some of the central London sights, from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square, there are enough things to see in Zones 1 and 2 of the tube map to keep you going for more than a week. If you plan to stay within this area, make sure that you don’t miss out on some of the museums, such as the British Museum, the V&A and the Tate Modern. All are free entry, except for some of the special exhibitions that take place within them. Also take a couple of hours to wander the parks; Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are side by side, and once you’re within their grounds you’ll forget that you have England’s biggest city buzzing around you.
If you’re not planning to stick around the very centre of London visiting the most popular tourist attractions, it might be a good idea to hire a car from Sixt by Gatwick Airport. While the public transport is quick and reliable in the centre, it can get very busy and cramped, particularly during the summer, and is less frequent and more difficult to use when you get further out. Having your own car means that you have the freedom to get out to see more places on the outskirts and just outside London.
Richmond is a very popular place with Londoners who want to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the big city for a day or two. It’s the perfect place to take a wander along the river Thames where you can sit in a typical British pub and watch the world go by with a beer.
North London also has a number of amazing places to visit, but the top one has to be the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studios Tour. It’s a little bit pricey but is a once in a lifetime experience. You’ll get to explore scenes from the infamous Harry Potter films such as the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office and Diagon Alley on a walking tour. You’ll also be able to uncover some hidden facts about the special effects behind the movies as well as viewing props used by characters such as the Nimbus 2000 and Hagrid’s motorbike.
Notting Hill is another area that’s worth a visit. A mixed pot of cultures, it’s home to cutting-edge galleries and theatres as well as cute traditional cafes and book shops. Bargain hunters should head to Portobello Market – nearly a kilometre long, it’s packed with antique stalls selling everything you can imagine.
