What To Do In London For a Long Weekend
Communicate well in English using terminology rich dictionary books and engaging language books. For an extra edge read captivating poetry books.
photo from Flickr by: PixelLaika
If you are only in London for the weekend, there are still some phenomenal places to visit in a short period of time. Whether you are seeking to see the most popular sites or an art gallery, London has a number of attractions to delight tourists. Transportation options are instrumental for getting around London in a short period of time.
Attractions In London
If it is your first time visiting London, you may want to visit the most popular tourist attractions on your first trip. Most visitors would recommend locations such as The London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Tower of London.
The London Eye is an attraction that you do not want to miss. Visitors will find this structure situated on the South Bank of London Thames. When riding the London Eye, you will get a bird’s eye view of the entire city from this iconic Ferris wheel.
The Buckingham Palace is commonly associated with the royal family. Many go to the Buckingham Palace to witness the “Changing of the Guard” and the grandeur of the palace. Numerous visitors can manage to schedule this event into a short weekend. Monday through Saturday, visitors may view the ceremony at 11AM. On Sundays, the event takes place at 10AM. In the summer months, the event takes place at 11:30AM. The event lasts about 30 minutes.
The Tower of London has served as a palace, a zoo, a prison or a place of execution over the history of its existence. As they continue to reinvent the building, many visitors enjoy visiting the structure to view the Crown Jewels and the king’s bedchamber. With over nine hundred years of incredible stories to tell the viewing public, visitors can still manage to schedule this event into their itinerary.
Big Ben is perhaps the world’s most famous four-faced clock. Located near the Palace of Westminster, visitors flock to the area to learn more about this impressive architectural structure. The clock is the third tallest in the world. Visiting the clock, will not require a significant amount of time, but visitors usually stand in awe of its beauty. At dusk, the London Eye can be seen in the background, so the two visits may be scheduled close together to save time.
If you have been to the area before and are returning for the atmosphere, try South Bank for relaxation and trendy bars. Whether you are searching for authentic British cuisine or you are a wine connoisseur, you will find numerous places to unwind and enjoy a pleasant evening with the locals. Many of the wine bars have intimate and romantic settings where a young couple can relax and enjoy each other’s company.
How to Travel from Gatwick to Heathrow
Often to save money or simply for logistical reasons, flights to London may involve a transfer from one airport to another. If you are scheduled to fly into Gatwick and must travel to Heathrow to get to attractions in London, this will involve some planning. Passengers with connecting flights will need at least three to four hours to travel from one airport to another. Passengers have several options for transfers.
Option 1: The Bus
The shuttle bus will take passengers from one airport to another for approximately 50 to 60 British pounds. This method may involve walking with luggage that tourists may find cumbersome.
Option 2: Taxi
Taxi is the most direct route and requires the least amount of walking with luggage. This method may also be the most expensive route to take also.
Option 3: Public Transport
Consumers must take the underground public transport after first taking the National Express London Victoria to the Victoria Station. The Victoria Station will intersect the District Line. Visitors can take this line into Heathrow. This is by far the cheapest method of travel. For sightseeing in London, take the Picadilly line.
One word – WALK. Put on some comfortable shoes or walking boots, map out a route and see the sights on foot. Too many people hop on a bus, which is expensive and you miss so much, or take the Tube from one ‘sight’ to another. Start at Victoria, go around the corner to Buckingham Palace, along the side of St James’ Park to Horseguards, then just up the road to Westeminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Look across the river at the London Eye, then walk up Whitehall – past Downing Street and the other side of Horseguards – to Trafalfar Square. Sit and chill or spend time in the National Portrait Gallery and / or National Galley, then head to Covent Garden to watch the buskers or visit the London Transport Museum or have a beer and a bite, then on to Leicester Square and China Town. You can easily do this in an afternoon (excluding the galleries) and will get a much better feel of the city than from a bus.