We spent four nights in London last month, and our afternoon walking through Jubilee Gardens and…read moreSouth Bank was a highlight of our trip. My husband and I were with our two sons, ages three and six, and it took us about an hour, walking at the three-year-old's pace, to get from the London Eye to the Tate Modern. It was a lovely hour, full of beauty and delight. The riverside promenade was scenic every step of the way, with views of the Thames and the cityscape across the river. There were plenty of trees providing shade on a hot day, and lots of people walking in both directions, enjoying some time outside. We made several stops to interact with the various interesting features planted up and down the walk. The kids loved the red metal sculptures that looked like funhouse park benches, which functioned both as public art and play structures. They were fascinated by the teenagers at the covered skate park, doing their teenager tricks. There was also a row of cute little wood houses with picnic benches inside, shady places to eat lunch, or climb up and try to touch the ceiling, take your pick. I don't quite know where South Bank fits into the life of the average local, but it certainly is a wonderful place to visit. I feel like I'd take advantage if I were raising kids in London. It's a beautiful free resource that fills me with love for the city.

If I was visiting London for the first time, one of the first things I'd do is take a leisurely…read morestroll on this riverside promenade. Actually that was the first thing I did, and I'm not even a London virgin. With relatively little effort, it encapsulates the vibrancy of the city from the Tower Bridge to the east to the London Eye in the southwest. Jamie W and I stayed at the very cool Sea Containers Hotel right on the banks of the Thames and smack dab in the middle of the walkway (review: https://yelp.to/HMoq6dQSA-). Walking east took us sequentially to landmarks such as the Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (Photo 6), and bustling Borough Market. Going west took us past more idiosyncratic stops like the South Bank Skate Park (Photo 9), the National Theatre, and the graffiti art of the Leake Street Tunnel. The diversity of sights doesn't even speak to the iconic views across the river of the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. So take this walk. Your Instagram account will thank you. RELATED - Exploring London? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/llJ1e-K21m

The Tower of London was founded in 1066 due to the Norman Conquest of England. The Duke of…read moreNormandy, William the Conqueror, had amassed thousands of troops and hundreds of ships and landed in southern England. In October 1066, the reigning Harold II died during the Battle of Hastings and was succeeded by William the Conqueror as king. A series of further victories had cut London's supply lines, and its leaders had surrendered the city. William then initiated an extensive program to fortify the city, which included the construction of the Tower of London in 1066. From then, the Tower had continued to play a significant role in England's regal history. For centuries, monarchs would begin processions at the Tower to Westminster Abbey for their coronations. However, during the Tudor period, the Tower declined in its use as a royal residence. The castle would also serve as a prison for those considered politically undesirable. Under the order of King Henry VIII, the execution of Anne Boleyn occurred at the Tower in 1536. Her daughter, Elizabeth I, was also imprisoned there before she became queen under the order of Queen Mary I. Today, the Tower of London is a popular tourist attraction in the country. Its proximity to Tower Bridge and other attractions along the Circle and District Underground lines help in bringing in many visitors. There is no need to purchase admission if one is walking beside it to view its walls. Fortunately, there are outdoor signs available to learn a little about the history of what you're looking at.

When I visited London earlier this month, it was the first I'd been in London for almost 20 years…read more I don't remember if I went to the Tower of London when I was in London in 2007, but I do remember that I went on my very first trip to London when I was a little girl. I was heavily into my King Henry VIII phase then, and I wanted to see the site where two of his queens lost their lives. Visiting as an adult was interesting. Some things I remembered and some things I didn't. There's no question that this is an incredibly historic site. The site dates back to 1066, and then William the Conqueror built his castle, the White Tower, in 1078. Then the site was expanded by the kings that followed. The purpose of the site changed over the centuries: armory, treasury, menagerie, Royal Mint, public record office, home of the Crown Jewels... For a few centuries, it was the place the next king would spend a few nights leading up to their coronation. And under the Tudors, it became what I knew it as when I was in my Tudor history phase - a prison. Guy Fawkes was tortured at the Tower in 1605. Anne Boleyn was held and executed at the Tower in 1536. Henry VIII's fifth wife was executed at the Tower in 1542. Lady Jane Grey was executed at the Tower in 1554. Queen Mary I imprisoned her sister Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth I, in the Tower for two months in 1554. It's a large site with several different buildings that explain and cover different eras and aspects of the Tower's history. Although I suspect the Crown Jewels are the highlight of many people's visit to the Tower, I really enjoyed and learned the most from the Medieval Palace (which has been preserved/reconstructed to demonstrate the palace where Henry III, Edward I, Eleanor of Provence, and Eleanor of Castile lived); the Chapel Royal of St Peter and Vincula (the final resting place of many prominent prisoners who were executed at the Tower); the Tower Hill Execution Memorial; the Bloody Tower (the tower tied to the imprisonment and disappearance of two young princes in 1483 and Sir Walter Raleigh); St John's Chapel inside the White Tower; and the Tower's ravens (legend says that the kingdom will fall if the resident ravens ever leave the Tower). It's a large property, and the map they provide is pretty terrible. So we just wandered and wandered. You need some time to do this, because there are towers and nooks and crannies - and every little corner of the property has something to teach visitors. I might be a little past my Tudor phase, but a visit to the Tower of London can still thrill this history nerd. A must include on an itinerary for a trip to London.

Well, well, well... London's Chinatown was just a six minute walk from our hotel, and it ended up…read morebeing one of the most visually dramatic and densely packed Chinatowns we've ever visited. The streets were incredibly lively, filled with people, and lined with restaurant after restaurant. Everywhere we looked, the food looked so tempting and delicious that it was hard to decide where to eat. We ended up having dinner here one night and loved the vibrant atmosphere. By the time we arrived, we had been eating our way around London from early morning until late at night, so we were already completely full. Otherwise, we definitely would have tried even more of the restaurants. If you're visiting London, I highly recommend taking a stroll through Chinatown. Even if you're not hungry, it's worth experiencing the energy, sights, and incredible selection of restaurants, you won't regret it. ^^,

I love going to Chinatown whether it's in Singapore or New York. First time in London and there's…read moreso much to see. I do enjoy seeing the Chinese decor as well as all the shops and restaurants.

I mean, the place inspired one of the best rom coms of the 90s so you better believe it's cute,…read morequaint and romantic! Explore the neighborhood of Notting Hill and you'll see streets filled with iconic, colorful houses. But not all the houses are colorful. In some parts of the neighborhood, there are gorgeous white buildings with beautiful architecture! A google search will give you some of the best streets to walk through or even a path to explore from top to bottom! There are a variety of little shops and a regular farmers market (although it's not must on days other than Saturday). Overall, it's a fun visit if you'd like to step away from the busy city and see some cute sights, but I wouldn't put it on the list as an absolute must visit.

Notting Hill is one of the crown jewels of London neighborhoods. It's rows of colorful, pastel…read morehouses, shops and cafes are idyllic and can be seen in many movies. I don't believe that too many English people actually live in this neighborhood, as the homes are insanely expensive and the streets can get quite touristy. There are often street fairs, festivals, and farmers markets on these streets, so if you go during the day, especially on a Saturday, you're likely to run into something extra fun happening.

Tip: I recommend riding the tube to get here. Piccadilly Circus tube station is conveniently…read moreunderground and it's affordable. Piccadilly Circus was an area that I frequented a lot during my visit to London in December 2013. It is a touristy place. I liked it for a number of reasons. Piccadilly Circus tub station is under Piccadilly Circus. I took the underground to get to this touristy site. It was a cheap, efficient means to get to and from the area. The area feels like Times Square (New York), or Yonge and Dundas (Toronto) with brightly lit screens and signs. You then realize that Piccadilly Circus established illuminated, giant advertisements since the early 20th century. What's special about Piccadilly Circus is that it's a junction where Piccadilly, Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, the Haymarket, Coventry Street, and Glasshouse Street meet. Circus in the name doesn't mean seeing clowns and acrobats. Rather, it means a circle or roundabout. It makes sense when you see the statue of Anteros, which is also known as Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. It gives you a good look at how the streets comprise this junction. Piccadilly Circus is close to these touristy spots: - M&M's World - Chinatown - Soho - Theatre district - Oxford Street (shopping) - Hop-on, hop-off stops Gone are these places that I enjoyed visiting: - Ripley's Believe It or Not - Angus Steak House I'm an M&M's fan, so I visited this place three times. I loved it so much! Shopping was great. You can find everything from phone accessories (I still travel with a USB cable with three different charging tips that I bought in London) to weed edibles. I liked the eclectic variety that was eye-opening at the time. I remember that there was a small winter fair at a park that I had visited nearby. I don't remember the name of the park or the fair. What I do remember is enjoying banoffee fudge for the first time. So good! It was fun being in this area. I'd love to go back and see how things have changed. If you've never been to Piccadilly Circus before, I recommend going at least once. (44)

Right in the hub of the city where you're pretty much close to everything. There's a tub station…read morethat has a stop. Right when you walk up, it's like coming out to time square but instead you're in London. The lights and shops make the experiences more fun. You're pretty much near Chinatown, theatre district, Oxford Street, new bond street where amazing shopping is. Also the hop on hop off bus stop here. As it's one of the tourist spot, you have your usual tourist places for food and shopping. Loads of souvenirs stalls everywhere. It was nice to be here for the holidays as the places tends to be covered in holidays lights and decorations. When they say it gets busy, they were not lying. It was beautiful walking around and just taking it in. Compared to the last time I was here, the holidays just makes it more cozy but freezing for an Angeleno. Traffic is busy so be cautious when you're crossing the street. Cars were pretty much all over the place. We tended to just followed everyone whenever we crossed the road. You can't come to London and not check this place out. Even though I've been loads of times, it's still always a must stop for me.

This was under renovation when I was there for training, but the area is very busy and a center of…read moreactivity. It's an identifiable location to gather or catch the Tube. It's historic, but unfortunately I couldn't see much!

Oysters were delicious. I had raw oysters & my companion had the Bienevelle oysters. The bartender…read morewas gracious & entertaining. Great ambience. Welcoming staff. Quickly served. Will def

Magnificient 360 degree views of the London skyline from the 72nd floor including Big Ben, London…read moreEye and Tower Bridge. Champagne offered for a fee with your ticket. Fyi: prior to entry, everyone will be checked for contraband. Great attraction for everyone.

Pay $100 to have to fight to see out of a window. You are better off going to the hotel near by and…read moregetting a drink. Better view and cheaper Also line of 6 people to use the restroom, my nose unexpectedly started bleeding so I had to use a sink and it was a total nightmare

Everyone has heard of Buckingham Palace as it is known to the home of the monarch,Royal…read morecelebrations and the Changing of the Guard. We did the State Room Tour which is only available from July-Sept. Breathtaking! So many priceless treasures. You definitely want to book your tickets in advance as it gets sold out. The checkin process was very easy as was going thru their security checkpoint. The only thing that was disappointing is No Photos are allowed in The Palace or on the Tour. The tour is a self guided tour with a head site that is provided. Small bags similar to what fits under an airline seat are allowed. After the tour you can visit the Garden Cafe or gift shop. Definitely a must stop in London!

We were exited about visiting the palace. The checkpoint and entrance is rather quick when you have…read morethe ticket online. The security is tight. The visit includes 14 rooms in the palace. We like the audio guide is included. We also like the opportunity to take the picture with the royal preset picture. What we don't like which the Royal collection and trust can improve are below. 1. No picture allow in the palace is kind of step back to ruin the interest of the visitors. Second the exit is a ten minute walks to the entrance if you decide to go back to front. Third the garden on the general admission is kind of let down. There are no flowers at all. Even the king bees hive cannot be seen because is block from view. Fourth the ice cream parlor blocks the possibility view to the palace from a distance view. I think the visit compare to many attractions in the London is not the best. Not sure to recommend this visit.