There are so many things to see and do in this extraordinary city!  However, to the new visitor and even the experienced…London presents a challenge and can be a tiny bit confusing. The main areas to concentrate on are the City of Westminster and the City of London and the River Thames. Tours can be taken in private vehicles (car or coach) on public transport (buses, tube, boat, and black cab) or if energy levels allow simply walking can offer some of the best insights. 

London covers an area of some 610 sq. miles and has a population of almost 9 million so there's an awful lot to cover. There are hundreds of museums and any number of smaller less well-known attractions.  If this happens to be your first trip to London or you need a ‘refresher’ a full day covering Westminster Abbey, the Guard Change at Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London would be considered ‘the big five’. This can all be done on foot using public transport and is often a great way to orientate yourself and get an overall picture of the story of our melting pot of a metropolis.

I never tire of guiding the major sights. A morning in the City of Westminster might involve a ‘hello’ to the Abbey, a walk through Parliament Square to check our watches (or mobile phones) against Big Ben. We could peek through the railings at the Palace of Westminster and walk up Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square before heading off through St James Park to admire the pelicans on our way to Buckingham Palace the Queen’s London pied-a-terre.

The afternoon might involve a boat trip downriver from where the best views can be appreciated, not least the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral – the church beloved by Londoners. We could jump off at the Tower of London – a palace, a fortress, a prison, and a secure vault for the crown jewels – for an in-depth tour. 

The possibilities are endless …….