Five Secrets About London Which Every Londoner Knows
Site of the world's first traffic light and home to more than 270 different nationalities, the city of London is a vibrant and thriving area which exudes diversity at every turn.
With more than 250 languages regularly spoken within the city limits, it is hardly surprising that tourists flock to London year after year.
Yet, despite its widespread appeal, few visitors see much outside of the typical tourist attractions.
Whilst visiting the Tower of London and catching a glimpse of Big Ben should be on your to-do list, here are five secrets about London which will allow you to experience the city like a true local: 1.
Most museums and art galleries are free The city of London has 22 national museums and more than 200 hundred other museums - the vast majority of which boast free entry.
The National Art Gallery is a fine example of this and is a great place to spend a day.
For those interested in educational trips, both the Natural History Museum and the Natural Science Museum are free to the public.
2.
Smaller attractions are just as good There is no doubt that London has some big attractions.
The Tower of London, Madame Tussauds, the London Eye and the Tate Modern are some of the must-see highlights of any trip here but instead of limiting yourself to these clichés; try to mix in a few less-visited attractions too.
Fitzroy House, the Courtauld Gallery, Wilton's Music Hall, St Mary's Secret Garden, the Bank of England Museum and the Wallace Collection are just some of the hidden treasures buried amongst this urban landscape.
3.
Shop at markets, not Oxford Street A name which is considered in league with Paris' Champs Elysees, Oxford Street has become a shopping Mecca for visitors from the UK and beyond.
Yet, any true Londoner will tell you that this is most definitely not the place to shop - unless you want to look at the same branded garments you could find in any other city.
Instead, visit local markets and immerse yourself in the spirit of the city.
Practically every borough or district will host its own market and these will stock anything you can think of.
4.
You can stay in luxury on a budget Deciding on which areas to rent apartments in London can be difficult for those new to the city, especially when you consider there are such a wide range of boroughs and districts contained under the expansive London title.
Whilst many visitors look for budget accommodation on the outskirts of the city, Londoners know that luxury accommodation can be found closer to home.
All you need to do is visit reputable travel sites and conduct a bit of research.
5.
You won't see the Queen She may be the figurehead of both the country and the tourism industry but this does not mean the Queen makes regular appearances within London.
In fact, the closest most Londoners will have come to catching a glimpse of their monarch is viewing her cameo on stamps and coins.
Tourists who arrive at Buckingham Palace expecting to see the royal wave issued from a nearby window will be left disappointed so keep your expectations grounded in reality and spend your time elsewhere.
With more than 250 languages regularly spoken within the city limits, it is hardly surprising that tourists flock to London year after year.
Yet, despite its widespread appeal, few visitors see much outside of the typical tourist attractions.
Whilst visiting the Tower of London and catching a glimpse of Big Ben should be on your to-do list, here are five secrets about London which will allow you to experience the city like a true local: 1.
Most museums and art galleries are free The city of London has 22 national museums and more than 200 hundred other museums - the vast majority of which boast free entry.
The National Art Gallery is a fine example of this and is a great place to spend a day.
For those interested in educational trips, both the Natural History Museum and the Natural Science Museum are free to the public.
2.
Smaller attractions are just as good There is no doubt that London has some big attractions.
The Tower of London, Madame Tussauds, the London Eye and the Tate Modern are some of the must-see highlights of any trip here but instead of limiting yourself to these clichés; try to mix in a few less-visited attractions too.
Fitzroy House, the Courtauld Gallery, Wilton's Music Hall, St Mary's Secret Garden, the Bank of England Museum and the Wallace Collection are just some of the hidden treasures buried amongst this urban landscape.
3.
Shop at markets, not Oxford Street A name which is considered in league with Paris' Champs Elysees, Oxford Street has become a shopping Mecca for visitors from the UK and beyond.
Yet, any true Londoner will tell you that this is most definitely not the place to shop - unless you want to look at the same branded garments you could find in any other city.
Instead, visit local markets and immerse yourself in the spirit of the city.
Practically every borough or district will host its own market and these will stock anything you can think of.
4.
You can stay in luxury on a budget Deciding on which areas to rent apartments in London can be difficult for those new to the city, especially when you consider there are such a wide range of boroughs and districts contained under the expansive London title.
Whilst many visitors look for budget accommodation on the outskirts of the city, Londoners know that luxury accommodation can be found closer to home.
All you need to do is visit reputable travel sites and conduct a bit of research.
5.
You won't see the Queen She may be the figurehead of both the country and the tourism industry but this does not mean the Queen makes regular appearances within London.
In fact, the closest most Londoners will have come to catching a glimpse of their monarch is viewing her cameo on stamps and coins.
Tourists who arrive at Buckingham Palace expecting to see the royal wave issued from a nearby window will be left disappointed so keep your expectations grounded in reality and spend your time elsewhere.
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