London: Love It or Hate It
The world is full of “those types of places” – you know the ones – that people either love or hate. Melbourne might be one. Tijuana too. But the one city in the world that is move take-it-or-leave-it than any other must be, without a doubt, the UK’s capital city and bustling metropolis, London.
I can’t decide whether I love London or hate it. Probably a bit of both. It is a huge place with so many things to see and do, but it’s also crowded and sometimes dirty and oh-so-inordinately expensive. But there’s no where in the world like it, so here’s some thoughts. I’ll let you make up your own mind.
Why People Hate It
It is mega-expensive. I haven’t been to Tokyo or Moscow, so for me London is probably the most expensive place I have ever been – even more than many of these top luxury shopping cities recently featured. And I make my living in British Pounds, so I can only imagine how it feels for foreigners who also have a currency exchange imbalance to deal with. Public transport, coffees, and food are just unbelievable. Be sure to take this into account when you budget for your trip.
When it breaks down, it really breaks down. The London Underground is the transportation most tourist will make use of (besides your two feet) and it’s a sight in itself. The timeless design of their signs and route network (I mean, you can get underwear with the Underground map on it. That’s saying something!) and the whole experience is probably only second to New York’s subway system. But the ‘tube’ as it is called is very old, in constant need of repairs, and tends to fail on a somewhat regular basis. And when it fails, things really get hairy. Tip: Don’t stay too far out of the city centre.
So Many Reasons To Love
Now that we have all that ugly stuff out of the way, let’s talk about London charms – because there are many. Some of London’s most popular tourist attractions are some of the world’s most popular, including:
- Westminster. Pictured above, Westminster is the seat of parliament in the UK and is where you’ll find both Big Ben (whom you can follow on Twitter) as well as the gorgeous Westminster Abbey. A destination in itself.
- The London Eye. Just across the Thames is the London Eye, a massive Ferris-wheel like attraction. It was a pretty amazing sight at the time, the world’s largest when opened in 1999, but its popularity encouraged larger wheels to be constructed in China and Singapore.
- Buckingham Palace. So many rooms, so ornate, and the wonderful fact is that it’s so open – you can see so much. There’s a queueing system and fairly complicated opening hours, so be sure to check this out on arrival to avoid disappointment.
- St Paul’s Cathedral. One of the world’s finest cathedrals, amazing enough to rival its continental counterparts. The one today is the 5th St Paul’s built on this site; don’t miss the hike to the Golden Galley for great views of the city.
- Tower of London. Very touristy but great for explanation of how the city (and the royals) have been guarded over the ages, as well as a peek at the always-popular crown jewels.
My Personal Favourites
All of those attractions are top-notch, and you’d be remiss not to catch each and everyone during your first stop to London. But if you have the time, get off the beaten path a bit and check out some of these personal favourites:
- Tate Modern. I love modern art, and the Tate museums are free (except for temporary exhibits)! I go here every time I am in London just to browse through their collections and see some old favourites and new pieces. One of the world’s best modern art museums. Even the building itself is part of the collection.
- Leicester Square. Ok, I said get off the beaten path, and Leicester is probably at the heart of the tourist trail. But I do enjoy its ‘buzz’ so I hate to leave it out. It gets very crowded on weekend evenings with theatre-goers and partiers, but with all the little shops and cafes, I love a bit of chillout time here.
- Walking along the Thames. For many sections along the Thames there are free walking trails on either side. It is an efficient way to get around town as well as get some fresh air and see some of the sights. The trails aren’t perfect as sometimes a building blocks the way and you have to double back on the street, but otherwise, this is probably my top favourite for London.
- Go Green. Green space is alive and well in London. Hampstead heath, Hyde park (and the adjacent Kensington Gardens), and St James Park are all well worth a leisurely stroll and a coffee from one of the street vendors. Seriously good stuff, especially good if you’ve been here a few days and feeling the stress of a crowded, busy place.
- Daytripping. With London’s excellent transport infrastructure into outlying areas as well as great tourist options, daytripping couldn’t be easier. My faves: Windsor (to see the castle, great pubs), Stonehenge, and Bath (gorgeous architecture).
Whether you love it or hate it, travel is what you make it. So travel more and add London on your to do list if you haven’t already.
Photos by snowfangled, dewet, maurice, johannes_pape
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January 6th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I’m with you Andy in my ambivalence about London. I hate the unreliable transport, hustlers and grime but love the museums, parks and walks. I don’t find London hotels that expensive, except for hotels near Excel during the World Travel Market.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Nice post Andy. I used to hate London with a passion, and was reluctant to move down here a few years ago. Now having made many day trips into the city I have grown quite fond of it. It’s wonderful to step of the train and just walk. Every time we see a new neighbourhood, a new view of the river, find a new market and always a new place to eat.
I think London can be horrendously expensive, but there are also lots of great value places to eat and drink. They may take a bit more digging around, but some of the Indian food in Wembley or East Ham for example is amazing, and you won’t need to spend more than £5 a head for a top meal.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Love It!
I would probably add the weather into the ‘hate it’ category (it ruins so many of the free and outdoor attractions) – but overall London is so diverse I love to go back again and again and again. There’s always something new to see.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I’ve spent quite a bit of time in London, and although I’m not really a city person, I enjoy it in small doses. You mention the expense but so many great places are free (almost all museums/parks/churches), and you can eat very well for not much if you know where to look. On the other hand, I hate the crowds at rush hour & will do anything to avoid the stampede!
January 6th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
London feels like a home away from home in a sense – http://lolaakinmade.com/2009/04/03/haaaaa-london/
January 6th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
You are right, London seems to evoke strong feelings in people. I for one love it. I love how huge and sprawling it is, how old and strange. It’s such a complex, multifacet place with different character and personality depending on where you go. I think you could live there a lifetime without truly exploring it fully. I’ve spent time living and studying there and I keep coming back.
You can say London is expensive and dirty and it’s true, but it’s never ever boring!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Wow – lots of interesting comments. I think Stephanie does wrap it up well: it’s never boring (kind of like it’s never boring here
)
January 7th, 2010 at 12:09 am
Hi Andy!
I haven’t been to London so I can’t chime in there.
The one place I have been I really didn’t like was Brussels. The only items I remember were the street artists and the old chapels on every block. Pictures gallore of both but they look very similar to both in Paris even.
That being said my favorite thing about travel period is NOT being a tourist. I’m a people watcher and I admit it. Studying the culture and people make any trip better. Being seen as a tourist makes me feel like a second class citizen.
I’d love to take on London – even if just to see which of your categories I fall into.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:11 am
Awesome article Andy. My favourite part of London is the history – 2000 years and still counting… It is around every corner and there is always something you didn’t know. While the underground is great for getting across London, I find that the overground trains and busses are a great alternative.
January 7th, 2010 at 5:01 am
I have to admit that I love London. I am going back to this great city in a few weeks and can not wait. Then I am headed over to your country of Scotland for a long weekend in Glasgow. Looking forward to both.
January 7th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Great summary of this great city, Andy. I’ve lived not far away or in it all my life, but still find there’s so much to discover there. Next time check out the up-and-coming East End … sure some of it’s turned into the rather anonymous Docklands (though a few interesting buildings), but the Brick Lane Area east of Aldgate and the markets (especially on Sunday) are fascinating. I’m also just beginning to discover the area along the Regents Canal between Limehouse and Islington including the wonderful, huge Victoria Park, created in the reign of Queen Victoria to give fresh air to the ailing and very poor Eastenders of the time. It’s becoming a little ‘gentrified’ around there with interesting food and wine shops, but that’s probably no bad thing. You can walk for miles along the tow path of the canal, but just beware the many joggers and cyclists.
January 7th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I am from Edinburgh and have lived in London for 10 years and love it. There are so many interesting areas and eclectic shops, cafes, restuarants and places to visit. Working here is fantastic as it is a hardworking city and there is always a buzz. The thing that keeps me sane is that I live outside London in a pretty Surrey village so can enjoy a good day in town and wonderful weekends in the English countryside with atmospheric pubs, walking, mountainbiking etc.
January 8th, 2010 at 4:45 am
hated it! Paris is way better!
January 8th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Hi – I liked the post a lot as I can’t myself decide if its love or hatred that I feel about London.
And I guess it depends on what you want from this city.
I tried to live there and would vote it the “worst value for money” city and too busy even for me – a city rat. But then whenever I go there for business trips of just a weekend getaway I have butterflies in the stomach
January 8th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
My goodness – lots of commentary.
Agata, I like what you mention – its got some terrible attributes yet at the end of the day, there’s something special about it.
Matt, I like Paris too…but it’s not perfect
Sarah – when can we come to visit?
Sundi – let us know when you’ve been, we’d love to hear what you think.
Wink – funny as I just saw you there but after your tips I’m now ready for a return visit.
January 10th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
[...] Sharing Travel Experiences tries to explain why we either love or hate London. What is it about that city that evokes such extremes? [...]