London

I’ve been living in London for three years now and the one thing I constantly get asked about is the London experience. Lots of my friends from home have visited and emailed me asking about the best things London has to offer. It also occured to me that, when in doubt, most people just go for the Mary-Kate and Ashley Winning London version of things. So, I decided to make a list of the do’s and don’ts of visiting London.

I see so many people pile their kids onto trains so they can go stand in front of Buckingham Palace and pose near Nelson’s Column. London is one of the oldest cities in Europe but it’s also one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities as well.
Please have fun but don’t spend all your money. Respect yourself and your bank balance.

1. DON’T spend more than one day visiting monuments
2. DO explore parks, rooftop bars, and secret gigs

3. DON’T pay £10 for a mojito in Old Street
4. DO just buy a bottle of Bacardi

5.DON’T buy food at Waitrose or M&S

6. DO buy food at Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s

7. DON’T spend all your time in Central London

8. DO explore as many outer boroughs as you can

9. DON’T go to Portobello Market (fuck what you heard)

10. DO go to at least one car boot sale

11.DON’T pay £20 to ride the London Eye

12. DO literally anything else but pay £20 to ride the London Eye

13.DON’T waste time and money doing stupid shit (See number 11)

14.DO make a list of places you’re dying to visit

15. DON’T drink in Central London. Like, ever. Don’t do it. Ever. Drink in Zones 2-5. NEVER ZONE ONE.

16.DO find awesome dive bars

17.DON’T pay £2 for 2 avocados

18. DO buy fruit and vegetables from a green grocers

19. DON’T go anywhere near Leicester Square at night

20. DO develop a personality so you don’t feel the need to go to Leicester Square

If you’re only going to be in London for 2 days maximum DON’T buy an Oyster Card. If you intend to stay for longer than 2 days, an Oyster card will save you money in the long run.  Avoid Boots, go with Superdrug.

GO TO

Brick Lane
Pimlico Car Boot Sale
Dalston Rooftop Bar

Camden Beach

Founder’s Arms on the Thames (I know I broke my own rule about Zone 1)

Primrose Hill

Shoreditch

DON’T GO TO
Leicester Square
Piccadilly Circus

“”””””””THE CITY”””””””””
Brixton (there is actually no actual reason a tourist should be in this part of London)

SOHO (Unless you feel like paying a thousand dollars for a vodka orange)

Essentially anywhere in Zone 1