We bloody love London.
But as much as love the bustle of our capital, we know it’s not always going to be everyone’s final destination when they’re travelling. And since it’s such a central hub, many times travellers will find themselves in London for a few hours between legs of their journey, whether that’s by plane, train, or they’re waiting for a lift to go elsewhere. So you may end up looking for things to do in between.
Rather than spending all that waiting time in the station or airport, why not use your abundance of time to your advantage? A few hours and a limited budget might not sound like the ideal combination when it comes to exploring London, but it can certainly be done, and if you’re up for an adventure, this is a great one to try out. Read on to find out more.
Changing of the Guard
First things first, you need to make sure you’re not dragging your suitcase all over town. So, after you’ve investigated left luggage near me – a fantastic option, and one that is always popular with tourists – you absolutely have to check out the Changing of the Guard. It’s free, which is certainly an advantage when you’re working on a budget, and it’s regular – 11.30am each day at Buckingham Palace. It lasts for around 45 minutes, so make sure you have enough time to spend, and it could be worth getting there early as it does tend to draw a crowd (restrictions allowing, of course).
If you’re looking to kill time before the event itself takes place, why not visit the Guards Museum? You do have to pay to get in, but it’s only a small cost, and you’ll get a much better insight into what you’re about to see.
South Bank
South Bank is the place to go if you want to get a lot done in a short space of time. This is a part of London known for its sights and its entertainment venues. It sits right next to the Thames and is opposite the City of Westminster – that means you get an awesome view of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (or rather, Elizabeth Tower).
As well as this, South Bank gives you a chance to travel on the London Eye, to visit the London Dungeon, and the Sea Life Aquarium. You can even join in with an adventure with Shrek and his friends. Plus there are always plenty of street entertainers, street food vendors, and a wonderful carousel among many other delights. You can easily while away a good few hours here, and it’s within walking distance of both London Bridge and Waterloo East stations, so you can continue your onward journey easily.
Museums
London is home to some of the best museums not in the UK but in the entire world. Many of London’s most interesting museums are free to enter, although you can give a donation for their upkeep if you want to. They are dotted all over the city, so no matter where you are or where you have to be, you should be able to find somewhere close by to pop into for an hour or so. You won’t be able to see everything there is to see, but you can enjoy some of the exhibits.
Some of the best museums to try out include The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The British Museum, and The Victoria and Albert Museum. Go on, get a bit of culture in you!
