London is the smallest city in England. Well, kind of. The original settlement was founded by the Romans almost two thousand years ago. The town, Londinium, eventually became the center of commerce for the larger city we know today. The ancient town’s limits kept its technical title of the City of London, while the rest became Greater London.
With only around nine thousand inhabitants, the City of London is the smallest in England. You might have heard that it’s always raining in London. Sure, the UK is renowned for its dreary weather, but statistically, it rains less in London than in Miami, Mexico City, Sydney, and Rome. Does that mean you shouldn’t pack your rain jacket? Definitely not. Make sure it’s in there. But maybe cut the city some slack when complaining about the weather.
That said, even in summer, it’s worth having a warm layer. It can still get chilly on cloudy days and when the sun goes down. If you’re there in winter, wrap up. London is big, but getting around is easy with some understanding of the transport options.
The underground system (affectionately named the Tube) is the oldest and one of the best in the world. The sprawling system can get you virtually anywhere in the city with ease. It can be intimidating on your first use, but with some planning and practice, you’ll know your Elephant and Castle from your Waterloo in no time. Just make sure to grab an oyster card. They’re capped per day, so rides will end up free after a while.
If the underground isn’t your cup of tea (get it?), London’s black cabs are the best in the world. The drivers study for as long as four years before being registered, memorizing more than 25 thousand streets and landmarks in London. The cabs are fully regulated, so you don’t need to worry about scams. It’s going to be much more expensive than the tube, though. Of course, you can always jump on an iconic London bus.
Generally, when Americans arrive in the UK, they lose money. Not necessarily because London is expensive (although it can be), but because the exchange rate traditionally favors Brits going in the other direction. Prices might look similar to you. A Big Mac meal could cost five pounds, which seems about right, but it’ll end up being closer to $7 or even $8, depending on how the dollar or pound is doing.
When planning your trip, keep an eye on the exchange rate in the weeks before. If you see the dollar strengthen or the pound weakens, it might be a good idea to pounce and save yourself a few pennies. Just because there’s more to London doesn’t mean the big-ticket items aren’t worth a look. Especially if it’s your first visit, make sure you take some time to check out the city’s world-renowned landmarks.
Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and of course, St Paul's Cathedral are all must-see sights in the city. Depending on your level of interest, some will be worth further investigation. Do your research beforehand to know which ones you want to learn more about.
The Tower of London should definitely be at the top of that list. Its museum and exhibits are an excellent glimpse into London life. Plus, you can check out the Crown Jewels.
Jumping on a hop-on-hop-off bus could be the perfect way to see them all in a day and the perfect first activity to help get to grips with London. If you don’t want to splash on the tour bus, you can go super-budget with your oyster card. Public buses 24, 11, and 9 pass by the different landmarks. At £1.50 a ride, you’re saving plenty of money for the pub later.
London is the perfect combination of ancient charm and cosmopolitan culture. The historical landmarks and major attraction sites will keep you busy all day long. Don’t miss out to visit the famous attractions like the British Museum, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace before enjoying the cider at the famous bars. Plan your visit in the summer season as it is the best time of the year.
Then there the theatres - again not just the big west end ones but lots of little ones again hiding up back streets and worth tracking down for an eclectic mix of dramatic art. And it’s got 2,000 years of history; a surprising amount of it is still there to find.
But that is not to imply that this city doesn't have quiet places where you can chill, unwind, and introspect. London is, unsurprisingly, one of Europe's best cities to relax and recharge, especially when stressed or anxious. If you have been unproductive for some time now, touring the UK capital can be one of the possible solutions.
The other option, of course, is to consult with a life coach, who will help you dwell upon your most pressing issues, and guide you through the steps to overcome them. London is amazing to explore for its culturally and historically rich sites. Their pubs and entertainment are out of this world. It will not be difficult to discover something that fits your taste.
There are areas in London that, by design or culture, allow you to slow down and occupy a bubble of peace and calm. Some places have trees, others have grass, others have waterfalls, and others have a blend of all three. Some are within central London, others are on the outskirts, and others are tucked away waiting for you to discover them.
You will effortlessly flip the city's frown to your favor if you take the day trips from London by train or bus and visit a few of these quiet places to chill in London:
1. Bushy Park
London is known for its 8 royal parks that are scattered evenly across the city. You will be happy to know that Bushy Park is one of the easiest parks to find even for a London first-timer. It is accessible by bus or by train via Hampton Court Palace. This park was inspired and designed by the English astronomer and geometer, Christopher Wren. Its long stretch of trees shields you from the wild city noises, allowing you to chill.
2. Barge Walk
This is yet another lined-tree shield from the city’s hustle and bustle. There is an abundance of not only trees but also seething wells and vines that beautify walls around the park, all stretching from Hampton Court Bridge through Kingston. This is also home to huge clusters swans that cheer you on as you walk. Take your time; the peace you will have acquired before getting to the other end is worth everything in this world.
3. Hampstead Heath
This goes without saying: Hampstead Heath is London’s best spot to relax and get in touch with your inner self. It is more than 790 acres of greenery and nature. You can choose to chill deep in the woodlands or swim a bit in the park’s lido. If you are excited by awesome views, Parliament Hill, the largest hill in the park, is the best place to view London’s skyline from.
4. Queen Charlotte Cottage
Pay Kew Gardens a visit and while there, be sure to knock on the door at Queen Charlotte Cottage. The now rustic cottage is located at the furthest end of the garden, making it a bit isolated. It was built along the River Thames two centuries ago, serving for many years as a getaway cottage for the royal family.
You will, therefore, have a dose of royalty when visiting this place. The cottage is now surrounded by a nice flower garden, probably the most beautiful flower garden you've seen yet. If this has helped you relax and simply find tranquility, you can order a wall art canvas for your living room, and relive that moment every day.
5. House of Queen Elizabeth I
Down the hill behind the bedroom is a low-key white palace. This is the house where Queen Elizabeth I lived, which you can see for free. It is full of interesting paintings, but the interior and the spiral staircase are worth a short visit. The house is newly equipped with elevators, making it wheelchair accessible. Get to see the best of the city by following this 4-day London itinerary featuting accessible tourism tips.
6. Greenwich Park
Another royal park worth checking out is the Greenwich Park. It has a nice flower garden that is deserted but, surprisingly, very well organized. You will have a good time chilling by the flower garden as you breathe in the awesome flower fragrances. There are also squirrels here that will entertain you as you relax by one of the park’s ponds.
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel with its lift shafts is a wonder in itself but the whole foot tunnel experience includes the view of Greenwich Royal Naval College from Island Gardens, as fine a prospect as London can offer and one which has scarcely changed in 300 years. Everything except the pie and mash is free of charge.
If it’s a warm enough day to be on the river return to town from Greenwich Pier, otherwise board a train from Maze Hill (nice walk through Greenwich Park) not Greenwich station which is further away and a bit of a trudge through the grittier underbelly of Greenwich behind the facade.
7. Epping Forest
You will find this forest somewhere between Sussex and East London. The former hunting ground for the royal family is home to thousands of beautiful plants. To complete the forest’s natural beauty are its many wetlands and grasslands. Definitely a great place in London to relax outdoors.
8. West Wittering
Very close to Brighton is West Wittering a coastal area that pleases those who prefer sandy beaches to rocky ones. With a transparent blue sea and some dunes that descend towards the sea, it is highly recommended for those who want to take a quiet bath. At times of low tide, natural pools are formed that are heated by the sun.
9. Southend Beach
Summer is short-lived in London, but even so when the heat hits, there is always the option of enjoying a summery moment. Get some fresh sea air, eat fish and chips and dive into the sea at one of these beautiful beaches near London, which can be reached in less than two hours from the city.
Very close to London, Southend Beach is perfect to enjoy the water, as it is not highly recommended to lie on the sand due to the large amount of pebbles there. You can also go to enjoy the wide variety of restaurants overlooking the sea.
10. Bournemouth
The beach in Bournemouth is one of the most attractive options, with good views and close to the city of London . It is of special scientific interest, declared a natural reserve in 1990, being famous for its diversity of flora, fauna and geology.
11. St James's Park
This is one of the 8 royal parks in London. St. James Park is the smallest of the parks with a surface area of 57 acres while Bushy Park is the biggest with over 1000 acres. We mentioned Bushy Park earlier, but you still have the rest 7 to sample.
St. James Park, for example, is very calm and green; just the right prescription for a worn-out mind. The park is also home to several lakes that will always provide you with the tranquil setting that your mind and soul yearns for. You will also watch birds especially pigeons and squirrels as you meditate. Nature has never been more beautiful.
Parting shot…
After having a peaceful, quiet time in London, remember to order a wall canvas from London so as to bring the city’s vibe home though your house decoration.
