London regularly tops of the tourist charts in terms of the city with the largest number of visitors per annum. I live 80 miles from London, so it's easy to get very blasé about what's there. I'd like to know what the big draw is? If you could only see one sight, what would top your list?
If I were restricted to just one then I'd rather stay away.
It would be like being taken to the Louvre and being told you can only view one piece.
London is a wonderful maelstrom that can't be summed up by any single attraction, building, area or experience.
Is New York the Empire State?
Or Paris the Palais de Versailles?
Give me the chance to experience and explore all, or none.
The history of the place is awesome. My first visit was a busy business trip, so I was a bit frustrated that I had a quickie tour of just a few things. But I have really enjoyed subsequent trips. Having a lot of British ancestry in me makes Britain one of my favorite places to visit.
For me there isn't one.
I have always hated the place... it is noisy, smelly, overcrowded and thoroughly unpleasant to live in, apart from being ridiculously expensive. Always avoided the opportunities to work there.
For the price of a one bedroom hutch there you can have a 5 bedroom house with an acre of ground where I am. No contest at all.
Finally there is an arc of population crammed in around the northern side of the river in the centre that thinks there isn't anywhere else that matters in the UK.
Many of those who live there labour under a delusion that they own the universe.
I would rather roast my balls on a BBQ than live in London. I stayed there for 3 years and i grew to hate it, but a short visit is amazing.
The Shard building does remind me of a giant cock though x
Having spent my entire youth living amongst cornfields and cattle, as an adult I have an infatuation with large cities and urban life. Have I ever chosen to live within urban walls? No. But I love to work, to visit, to feel the pulse and meet the people of the world's largest cities. London has it all, not just one main attraction. The people, Harrods, the afore mentioned history, the theatre, the pubs, the box car cabs, football, and the meandering streets. I have enjoyed many conversations with the people there that in one breath will tell you all is wrong with the big city, the monarchy and Parliament, and in the next breath share their innate pride for the city. Sure it has all issues faced by a large urban city, but go take in the atmosphere of a Chelsea football game and have a couple of pints at a local pub. All is good.
I have seen all the places listed, so I would want to see KatieElizabeth, and I would like to take my time about it !!
I've been there once and quite liked it. You left off the great array of museums and galleries: National Gallery, Tate Museum, Victoria and Albert, and the British Museum. Yeah, I'm a museum junkie. Out of that lot, though, St. Paul's. I'm a lover of churches and church architecture even though my own faith/beliefs are a bit off the beaten path.
Two great sights that are not here, Katie Elizabeth and Cindertoffee - Sob! Seriously London has ne advantage, and that is, whatever your interest, there will be something for you, from Architecture to Zoology. I work in London (Not the City area) and live in Surrey.
The big sights are just the backdrop of London - there are loads of museums and art galleries.
Yes, London can be very expensive but you don't have to break the bank on a trip. Get a travelcard - it's valid on the underground, the buses and the trains (up to about 12 miles out from the centre) - good value on its own but even better as it can get two for one entry on a huge list of attractions. The travelcard can also get you a reduced fare on the riverbus which is a great way of seeing London.
Of course the best way to see London is on foot but if you want a cheap tour, hop on the number 23 bus at Liverpool street. On its way to Marble Arch it goes past the Bank of England, St Paul's, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Selfridges - you can even stay on it to go to Portobello Road Market
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Why not read some stories instead
NEW! Want a quick read for your coffee break? Why not try this... Flash Erotica: Scrubber History for a start so many things to do and see.
Though raised in USA and Turkey, I'm a daughter of a London girl. And that makes me the biggest attraction ;)
Buckingham Palace aslo Tower of London
I'm a London girl born and bred and have always lived within 10 miles of the centre. All of the above posts are great choices for the tourist, but here's my top Tip.
Pick a warm summers afternoon (midweek is good), take a Tube to Covent garden and walk around the old market and enjoy the street fun. Stop for a drink or two at anyone of the great pubs in the area that have outside tables. Then walk to the Opera house and visit the Sarastro Restaurant, Drury Lane, for an early evening meal (book in advance to make sure) Where there is often Singers from the opera house or live music. (Lusher's will love the erotic toilet art) Then get a black cab to Buckingham Palace and watch the sun go down in Green Park. Then walk along The Mall in the soft light (Romantic) towards Marble arch and get the open top bus that takes in many of the attractions.
I get to travel a fair bit yet every time I fly over London I believe I am coming home to the best city in the world. It has everything from amazing architecture, green spaces and wonderful parks , an exceptional array of great restaurants. Friendly people all over. Great shopping. History everywhere you look. I don't think it is any more expensive these days than other major cities but it is true that the more money you have the more opportunities open up. Whatever you want or need can be found.
I live in the suburbs, so just 25 mins from the centre of town by train. The attractions don't interest me that much; I tend to meet with friends for drinks. So perhaps I would say the traditional pubs are an attraction. I saw St Pauls close up for the first time a couple of years ago, when doing Jury Service at the Old Bailey. It is a great building.
Leicester Square is a nice place at 7am, on a sunny morning, when all the idiots have left. 3am is a warzone.
The walk across Waterloo bridge or Embankment bridge is great. The view up and down the Thames is beautiful. The most impressive building, IMO is the houses of Parliament.
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Unless I have a specific preplanned 'target' (a purchase or appointment/meeting), I do as in everywhere else: just wander around more or less aimlessly, not much interested in tourist attractions.
The unexpected treasures you'll find can be quite amazing, Europe, Asia, the M.E., even the in the Americas(who woulda guessed)!
