Along with New York, London is home to the world’s leading stock exchange and is a global centre for tourism, art, fashion, commerce and scientific research.
The city itself is the most visited tourist destination in the world and home to the busiest airport, London Heathrow. The English capital somehow manages to house more than 7.5 million people, including the British Royal Family. Thankfully a highly advanced underground transportation system called the Tube makes navigating from A to B incredibly easy.
On top of all this London is also home to four UNESCO world heritage listed sites; The Tower of London, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Greenwich Maritime and Westminster Abbey including the palace and St. Margaret’s Church – all of which are rite of passage tourist experiences.
London Information
Population: Approx. 7.5 million
Time Zone: GMT 0
Languages: English (official)
Currency: Pound (£GBP)
Currency Exchange: Purchase your GBP cash and traveller’s cheques here before you leave Australia
Electricity: 230V with 50Hz frequency. 240V may also be found although 230V is the official voltage
London Climate
London experiences a temperate (marine) climate with summer averages ranging between 12°C (54° F) and 21°C (70° F). In recent years temperatures have risen substantially above these averages and heat waves have occurred. The cities high pollution levels and dense population further contribute to this and travel on the Tube can sometimes be unbearably hot with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104° F).
Winter in London is cold, temperatures range between 2°C (36° F) overnight and 8°C (46° F) during the day. Rain is at its heaviest during October, with averages recorded around 62mm. February is the driest month with just 34mm.
London Heathrow Airport
Name: London Heathrow International Airport (LHR)
Address: Heathrow Airport, Nelson Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW6 2GW
Distance to city: 22km (14 miles)
Opening Hours: Check-in counters operate 90 minutes before and 30 minutes after flight departure and team members are available during these hours to process bookings and changes
Location: Virgin Atlantic flights have a dedicated check-in area to the far left of Heathrow Terminal 3. Flight numbers departing to/from the USA range from VS 1 - VS 199
Airport Hotel: We recommend Hilton LHR based at Terminal 4 in the Airport itself. Take the Heathrow Connect free to Terminal 4 and go up to the departures level and follow the signs
Car Rental:Mates rates on all car hire with our preferred partners
Taxi: Authorised airport Taxi’s are available outside on the arrivals ground floor. A typical journey into London City will cost between £45 -£70 and take approximately one hour. Do not accept any solicited transportation offers
Around London
With such an eclectic mix of old and new, there’s no better city to play tourist in than London. First things first, find your bearings with a tour on one of London’s famous big red double decker buses – take plenty of happy snaps and work out the lay of the land. Similarly the London Eye situated on the River Thames offers a bird’s eye view, on a clear day you can see as far as Windsor Castle around 40km away. One rotation takes around 30 minutes.
With so many historical sites in and around London it’s hard to know where to start. A tour of The Tower of London (less commonly known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress) is well worth it. Entertaining guides provide an interesting and sometimes unbelievable insight into the historical buildings colourful history. Home to the most dazzling collection of functional crown jewels in the world, no trip to London would be complete without a look at this world heritage listed site.
Immerse yourself in a little celebrity (if the tabloids haven’t already got your attention) with a visit to Madam Tussauds. Rub shoulders with rock, pop, sporting, political, historical, fashion, Bollywood and Hollywood royalty – and a few monarchs for good measure! Located at Marylebone Road, it’s a must see on any visitors list.
Surrounding Area
Perhaps one of the biggest drawcards for those living and working in London is its unbeatable proximity to the rest of Europe. Weekends can easily be spent in Italy and Spain and with little effort you can find yourself across the English Channel shopping in Paris for the day. Take the Eurostar under the English Channel and in just over two hours you’ll find yourself in the heart of France, heaven.
The Royal Cambridge Hotel London
3 Star Property
Providing exceptional value and friendly service, The Royal Cambridge Hotel London is a perfect place for both business executives and holidaymakers.
Address: 124-126 Sussex Gardens London W2 1UB
Norfolk Plaza Hotel London
3 Star Property
Known for its personal service and classic elegance, the Norfolk Plaza Hotel offers comfortable accommodation for all the senses and is also deemed as one of the best places to stay in the city.
Address: 29-33 Norfolk Square Paddington London W2 1RX
Hilton Kensington Hotel London
4 Star Property
Offering quality accommodation and amenities, the Hilton Kensington is an ideal place for you to have a relaxing stay.
Address: 179-199 Holland Park Avenue Kensington London W11 4UL
Crowne Plaza London Shoreditch
4 Star Property
Crowne Plaza London Shoreditch Hotel is a landmark in the middle of Shoreditch High Street with a well-earned reputation for friendliness, informality and hospitality.
Address: 100 Shoreditch High Street London E1 6JQ
Waldorf Hilton Hotel London
5 Star Property
Offering comfortable accommodation and excellent facilities, the Waldorf Hilton Hotel London is a beautiful destination to combine relaxation with culture.
Address: Aldwych London WC2B 4DD
Ritz Hotel London
5 Star Property
Enjoy the ultimate in style, service and sophistication at the Ritz Hotel London,an ideal place for both business and leisure travellers alike.
Address: 150 Piccadilly Piccadilly London W1J 9BR
Shopping
The Portobello Markets in Notting Hill held every day except Sunday run almost the entire length of Portobello Road. Made famous by the movie Notting Hill it’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The markets sell everything from bric-a-brac, food and vintage clothes to antiques and collectables. The street itself is a haven for small fashion, art and lifestyle boutiques and a great place to people watch over coffee and cake. Get off the Tube at Notting Hill Gate Station and follow the crowds.
Spanning one-and-a-half miles long, Oxford St is your quintessential London shopping experience and reputedly the busiest strip in the world. A department store Mecca everything and everyone from Marks & Spencer, Debehams, House of Fraser, John Lewis to 21st century shopping encounter, Selfridges – complete with its very own tattoo parlour will keep you busy. It’s also home to affordable fashion favourites H & M, Zara and Topshop.
No shopping spree in London would be complete without a pilgrimage to Harrods. Located at 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge you can pick up your right of passage Harrods tote as well as a plethora of equally overpriced Harrods merchandise. Not so much a matter of if, but when you do tire from shopping the worlds most coveted designers, head to one of its six fine dining restaurants and cafes. Afternoon tea spent at Parisian delight, Laudaree is a hedonistic blend of savoury finger sandwiches, sugar brioche, croissants and delicate pastries and tarts.
Dining
Spend hours wondering the stalls of London institution, the Borough Food Markets. Open Thursday through Saturday you can savour everything from pork pies and cider to English preserves to French pate. An impossible variety of seasonal and often organic food is on supply including fresh fruit and vegetables, honey, fish and game – a foodie and restaurateurs delight.
After you’ve had your fill of all the bakery treats, cheeses and desserts on offer, enjoy a post-market lunch at The Market Porter pub. Cosy timber panelling, a long list of ales and typical pub fare makes for an authentic English pub experience. 9 Stoney St, Borough Market, Soutwark.
Just a few streets from famous curry kingdom, Brick Lane you’ll find Pakistani restaurant Tayyabs. Located at 83 – 89 Fieldgate St behind the East London Mosque it’s without doubt one of London’s most popular curry houses. The curries are hot, the meat grilled to perfection and a great selection of traditional sweets are on hand. The food quality is high and the prices are low, no matter what day of the week you visit you can expect to queue for a table. See for yourself by taking the tube to Whitechapel Station.
For those who want to take things up a notch, why not visit the newly refurbished Savoy Grill. The sometimes Michelin starred restaurant of celebrity chef Gordan Ramsey is minimalist fine dining at its best. As the name implies, it’s a somewhat meaty affair with less fuss and more glamour than his other restaurants. A carefully crafted menu inspired by classic French and English fare finds the perfect setting amongst the dark lacquered wall panels and antique mirrors. For a taste of Ramsay opulence, head to The Strand.
