London recently won the title of the most romantic place in the United Kingdom and to us, it comes as no surprise. This city is simply beautiful. And in spite of the crowds and bustle of the largest city in the European union, it offers a surprisingly long list of romantic things to do.
This city is sure to charm you with its compelling architecture, great history, settled traditions, and cultural diversity. The sole fact that it is the capital of an actual kingdom and therefore the home of the royal family is pretty fascinating, isn’t it? 🙂 It is posh and traditional on one hand and bursting with quirky, cool, progressive energy on the other. And it offers an endless variety of cultural, recreational, culinary and other activities and options. Here you can quite literally do whatever your heart desires. 😉
We come from a small town of fewer than 7000 residents, therefore we are fascinated by the beat of this city, the crowds, the people, the culture and the vast range of possibilities it offers.
Things to see
Every part of this diverse city is lovely, but these are the attractions you simply can’t miss.
• Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (the iconic Gothic clock tower at the end of the seat of the UK government)
• Buckingham Palace (the main residence and administrative headquarters of the royal family)
• Kensington Palace (a royal residence in Kensington gardens)
• The London Eye (the observation wheel, offering a bird’s eye view of the city)
• Trafalgar Square (a well-known square in Central London, known for its iconic fountains and surrounded by historic buildings)
• The Tower of London (a medieval castle)
• The Westminster Abbey (the traditional place of coronation for British monarchs)
• Piccadilly Circus (a popular road junction, known for many advertising screens)
• 10 Downing Street (the headquarters of the UK government and the residence of the Prime Minister)
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• Tower Bridge
• London Bridge
• In London, every single double-decker bus and signature red phone booth is an attraction.
• And for the most passionate art and history lovers, here are some of the most famous museums and galleries: the British Museum, the Tate Modern art gallery, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the London Dungeon, Madame Tussauds, etc.
Things to do
• Take a romantic stroll along the Thames and admire London’s most famous bridges or enjoy the capital’s historic monuments and remarkable architecture along the way.
• Catch a West End Theatre show or a performance at the Royal Opera House.
• Visit Soho and soak in its trendy, hipster atmosphere. This buzzing district is known for theaters, restaurants and crazy nightlife.
• Visit Camden – the well-known alternative cultural district.
• Go shopping on Oxford Street, Europe’s busiest shopping street or on the increasingly popular Broadway Market.
• Go to Hyde Park – one of the largest green spaces in the middle of the city and take a break from the bustle. You can enjoy a picnic, go horseback riding or hire a paddle boat at the Serpentine lake.
• Take a romantic stroll in Little Venice – the quiet haven in northwest London.
• Visit Leicester Square, a famous entertainment center.
• Have an authentic English pub experience. Drink some fine English beer and enjoy a glass of world-renowned Irish and Scottish whiskey.
• Have a traditional English breakfast.
• When in England…do as the English do and sit down for an afternoon tea.
• London is known for good Indian food, we suggest you try it – we always do.
• The London taxi, also known as the black cab or the hackney carriage, is a true symbol of London. They have a distinctive old-fashioned design and are freakishly spacious. If you get the chance, take a ride in it.
• Obviously, you should take a photo with a sentry of the Queen’s guard. 🙂 Because of their uniforms and strict discipline they became a real tourist attraction. Make sure, though, that you’re not interfering with his job.
• Since football (soccer) is by far the most popular sport in the UK, a live match in the company of the most fervent fans may be a true adventure.
• Take a sightseeing cruise on the river Thames. Relax and enjoy the view over a cup of tea or even a whole three-course lunch or dinner.
PRACTICAL ADVICE: When crossing the street you should first look to the left since they have left-lane traffic. Dress in layers to be prepared for the fast-changing London weather and always carry a folding umbrella.
Budget
London is a quite expensive city. It’s almost impossible to get private rooms for less than 45 EUR (48 USD). Private rooms in the center usually cost twice as much. In London you can find almost all cuisines, the food expenses vary a lot (from 5 USD to a couple of hundred or even thousand). The cheapest means of transportation are the bus and the metro (aka ‘The Tube’). It is quite inexpensive – fares start at 2.40 GBP (2,75 EUR, 2,96 USD) – and it gets you anywhere you need to go.
Where to stay
You can find nice accommodation options on Booking. Make sure to search for private rooms popular for romance. 😉 On Airbnb you can rent furnished apartments – those are usually cheaper than most hotels and they offer you the real London experience.
Best time to go
Based on TripAdvisor hotel value data and temperatures, May, August, and October are the best months to visit the UK. The high season is from May to September and in December, during the holiday season.
♥ Top romantic experience
A ride on the Eye of London is pretty spectacular by itself. From above you can see most of London’s top landmarks, including the Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the Westminster Abbey, the Buckingham Palace, and the Tower Bridge and admire the endless view of the city. To make your experience even more romantic, you should do it in the evening and maybe pay some extra money to get the champagne, wine or chocolate tasting experience. They even offer private and Cupid’s capsules, proposal and wedding capsules and a whole three-course gourmet meal experience at 135 meters above London.
♥ Top adventure
London offers an endless variety of adventures. There are several cycling tours, bungee jumping, parkour and outdoor adventure playgrounds, helicopter flights, swimming in the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park, power kiting in Richmond park, speed boating and guided kayaking tours along the Thames. Our favorite pick, though, is abseiling from ArcelorMittal Orbit – the tallest sculpture in the UK (located in East London). It is without a doubt an adrenaline rush and before starting the 80m descent you even get to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.
Have you already been to London? We invite you to share your top romantic experience and top adventure in the comment section below. 😉
