THINGS TO DO – Page 13

November 4, 2019 by: Sunny London

The Best Green Spaces in London

There is no doubt that when the sun is out in London, the list of things to do is long. Naturally, it would be a great time to enjoy the best green spaces in London, if you know where to find them.

After living in London as an American for six years married to a born and bred Londoner, I have had the chance to explore quite a few. There are some fairly obvious options that you would probably see on a short visit of 4-5 days. Then, London has some beautiful green spaces that are not so obvious.

Best Green Spaces in London- Richmond Upon Thames

On a beautiful, cloudless day a few years ago Mr Sunny took me to Richmond Upon Thames. This area of London has tons of activities that can fill several days. For example, in the picture above you can see how beautiful and refreshing a walk along the River Thames can be. With plenty of pubs and places to stop and absorb the sun, Richmond Upon Thames offers tons of green space.

Aside from simply strolling along the river, you could also plan a picnic in Richmond Park or spend an afternoon visiting Kew Gardens.

Best Green Spaces in London- Parks and Views

If you are on a tighter schedule during a limited visit to London, Richmond Upon Thames might be a bit too far. In that case, Regent Park or St James Park could be quite accessible. Slightly to the north of London, you will find Primrose Hill which is popular in the summer for the Hamstead and Highgate crowds. It’s also a relaxed and chic place to see the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London.

However, Hyde Park is my favourite place for a fast, green getaway from Central London crowds.

It’s an easy place to have a bit of exercise or meet a friend for coffee and a chat. But that’s only the beginning of what Hyde Park has to offer.

Best Green Spaces in London- Hidden Treasures

A place that has become really popular due to its “Instagramability” in the past few years is St Dunstan-in-the-East. It’s a short walk from both the Tower of London and my favourite place to recommend tourists who want a fab view of London for free- Skygarden.

St Dunstan-in-the-east is bombed out ruins of a church. Many Instagrammers have used it to showcase their whimsy, flowing “OOTD”. But, personally, I think you look much more committed to appreciating this pensive green space in London if you are wearing a sleek coat from Orvis and some skinny jeans or leggings with tall boots.

But, for those who just want to strip down to the most socially acceptable public level to catch some sun, you can find a nice stretch of green across from the Tower of London, Skygarden and St Dunstan-in-the-east.

Best Green Spaces in London- Picnic Options

If you keep heading south to Greenwich, you will find a place you can spend a lot of time. Ha!Ha!Ha!

In all seriousness, this area of London has great pubs, historic things to do and you guessed it- plenty of green space. It’s also high on the list for not so obvious places to plan a picnic in London.

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Sunny friends, what is your favourite green space to enjoy on a sunny day in London?

October 26, 2019 by: Sunny London

Things to Do Near Tower of London

What is a huge mistake that people planning to visit London make? Not planning things to do near the Tower of London!

When I was a guest on the Eye on Travel CBS Radio Show with Peter Greenberg last year, I said that I feel the Tower of London is the top attraction that people should see when visiting London.

According to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva), the most visited attraction in London in 2018 was the Tate Modern. It accumulated almost 5.9 million visitors. The Tower of London saw approximately 2.5 million enter through the gates.

Given that statistic, you might wonder why I suggest the Tower of London first for everyone visiting London. However, if you know the Tower of London’s history, you might think the better question is: How many guests left the Tower of London with their heads last year?

Ha!Ha!Ha! You knew I couldn’t resist a corny ‘British’ joke, right?

But, seriously, when I get emails or comments on the Sunny News YouTube channel from people visiting London for the first time, they always express wanting to visit the Tower of London. For what it’s worth, I have visited it three times. The Sky Garden is the only attraction I have visited as many times. Is it shocking to learn that it is just around the corner from The Tower? Well, more like a 5-7 minute walk. But, that is close enough in my opinion.

So, what else can you do if you know you want to spend half a day at the Tower of London?

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Things to Do Near Tower of London: London Pass

If you are considering several attractions in one day, then it is likely that you will want a London Pass. Below is the suggested itinerary I have for people who want other things to do near the Tower of London.

The Tower of London (£27.20)
The Monument to the Great Fire of London (£4.50)
St Paul’s Cathedral (£20)
Tower Bridge Exhibition (£9.80)
View from the Shard (£25)

If you paid for an adult ticket each of these individual attractions “at the door”, your total would be £86.50. An adult London Pass for one day is £75.

The itinerary above would be tight, but if you want to max out on your time in London, it’s the way to go.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: For Foodies

If you’re like Mr Sunny and me, you don’t like to run ragged when you are on holiday. We enjoy leisurely lunches with adult beverages when we travel. As you will see on my Instastories, we don’t overload ourselves with too many commitments on any given day.

Activities that would interest foodies that are near the Tower of London include:

Walking to St Katherine’s Docks and having lunch at Dickens Inn or one of the many restaurants in the area. White Mulberries is a great spot for coffee and pastries. Their Instagram is a London account I love and have followed for years.
You can easily walk to Borough Market, which is open everyday except Sunday. On weekends, you can get to Maltby Street in about 20 minutes by crossing the Tower Bridge. Both of these locations are known for their outstanding street food.
There are tons of restaurants on both the north and south sides of the River Thames. They offer fab views too.
The Secret Food Tour of London Bridge is a 3-3 1/2 guided food tour of the London Bridge area that incorporates 8 stops.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: Historic

For those that want to devour history instead, you can find things to do near the Tower of London too. Keep the Monument to the Great Fire of London and Tower Bridge Exhibition from the London Pass itinerary above.

Consider adding a visit to the London Dungeon for an entertaining look at London’s dark past. On the way over, you can also visit the HMS Belfast. Or you can swap something for time’s sake on that itinerary and add the London Bridge experience. The London Bridge and the HMS Belfast are on the London Pass.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: St Paul’s Cathedral

When my mother visited in April, her top requests in London were the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. Arriving at the first one close to when they opened, gave us enough time to swing by the SkyGarden before walking to St Paul’s Cathedral. I had previously booked a time for us to visit Skygarden, which is something you must do for this free attraction. In fact, like the Tower of London it’s one of the few attractions that Londoners actually visit.

We spent about 2 1/2 hours at the Tower of London and about 90 minutes at St Paul’s Cathedral. Our day of touring ended around 3pm.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: Final Thoughts

You wouldn’t think that those three attractions would take up most of a day. However, you must build in time to get from one attraction to another. And, like I mentioned previously, I don’t like to rush through a million activities in one day.

For the closest amount of attractions in one condensed place, you want to read this article on How to See 4 Attractions at London South Bank.

How do you like to travel, Sunny friends? Do you like to buy a discount attraction pass and hit as many activities as you can in one day? Do you prefer to alternate pool days with attraction days?

For More Guides to London:

I have bookmarked many of my best guides to London for you and grouped them below. They should make planning a trip to London so much easier! To stay up to date with all that’s happening in London, subscribe to the Sunny News emails too.

Best Things to Do in London
Food Things do Do in London
Major Differences in American and British Cultures
Trips- International Travel Tips and Tricks

November 25, 2016 by: Sunny London

Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu

Guess who’s back? Yep. Mr. Sunny and I hit Oxford Street and Regent Street to see the 2016 Christmas lights and made sure to visit Chi Kitchen again to absorb the new Christmas menu.

We reviewed the restaurant recently, and if you have been watching my tweets, you know I suggest that it is the place to visit during Christmas if you need a food and shopping stop combined in to one, as it is inside Debenham’s department store. Our experience was great. For general ambiance information, you can read about in my previous review. To summarise, it’s easy to find, and of course, in a spectacular location for Christmas shoppers.

When it comes to the food, we feel it is great for the value. The Pan-Asian twist on Christmas caught our attention. First to hit our table is the Chilli Prawns, Sweet Potato and Turkey Sliders.

I quickly munched down all the sweet potato fries and gave Mr. Sunny the spicy opportunity to devour the chilli prawns. We both were a bit puzzled about the turkey sliders because they seem a bit unnatural for a pan-Asian menu. While they are good, the real show stealer is the blueberry mayo you see in the center. Wow- I never would’ve thought of combining these ingredients.

For the Main course, we enjoyed the Grilled Turkey with a Kalamsansi Sauce, Choo Cher Prawns, and Yuzu Salmon.

It is accompanied by a lovely side of Egg friend rice with snow peas.

For dessert, the Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu includes a Walnut Chocolate Brownie with Clotted Cream and Custard. We enjoyed this but felt a bigger dollop of clotted cream would work well.

If you’ve watched my Afternoon Tea Etiquette Guide for London, you know why.

Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu- Final Thoughts

The ambiance, food quality and price definitely work. This menu will be offered from 21st November through December and is £28 per person.

Chi Kitchen opens for breakfast and serves delicious pan-Asian food throughout the day. The Group Consultant Chef is Ping Coombes, who is the 2014 Master Chef winner.

We had the opportunity to see Angela, the Restaurant Supervisor on both visits and commend her for guaranteeing excellent service too.

June 28, 2019 by: Sunny London

Columbia Road Flower Market Guide to Visiting

For a fab day out in London, you must visit the Columbia Road Flower Market. You would need to go on a Sunday, because that’s the only day it’s open. But, come rain or shine- it is open every Sunday. Yes, sunny friends, that even includes Easter Sunday!

I would like to say it is the perfect free day out in London. In fact, my Cool, Free Things to Do in London, I suggested it is. However, what I left out of the video is that I dare you to go without spending any money.

Why?

Do you think you could see all these beautiful, fresh flowers and resist purchasing at least one bouquet for yourself, your mum or a fab friend? I couldn’t.

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Rarely do we have fresh flowers in our house. In fact, I am a self-confessed plant killer. No joke. Even the extra warmth of the Christmas spirit, can’t keep a poinsettia alive for more than a week in the Sunny house.

That being said, I felt that spending £5 on a gorgeous batch of roses was more than fair.

Columbia Road Flower Market- The Basics

Columbia Road is composed of sixty independent shops. There are small art galleries, cup cake shops, vintage clothes stores, English and Italian delis, garden and antique shops. You can even get plastered…

And don’t worry, boys. Mr Sunny found comfort in a pub he recommended as his pub of the week in our weekly newsletter. After Mr Sunny bravely made two passes through tight crowds, I thought it would be nice to thank him with a beer (because he was driving). He felt The Royal Oak, right on the corner of where the market begins, was a fantastic traditional pub.

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The Columbia Road Flower Market is in the East End of London, sitting on the edge of the city with Shoreditch to the west and Brick Lane and Spitafields nearby. Foodie friends, you know that means that while you are surrounded with flowers, you also are near some popular food destinations in London.

And if you’re looking for fab places to eat, keep reading so you know how to get our free, downloadable pocket guide to London restaurants.

The market has had several names over the centuries. The Victorian seen there today began in the 1860’s. Initially it was a Saturday trading market and then the flower market evolved. In the 1970’s the area went in to decline. However, locals fought to save the market. In the 1980’s the Columbia Road Flower Market began to have an international reputation.

Columbia Road Flower Market- What You MUST Know

For nearly a year, I have wanted Mr Sunny to drive me to Columbia Road Flower Market on a Sunday. On one Sunday, I had gotten ready early with the intent to go myself. However, I realised that if I took the Underground to the Columbia Road Flower Market alone, I would not be able to get a nice bunch of flowers home easily. Then, there were many Sundays that we just didn’t wake up early enough.

Mr Sunny’s aunt advised us to be there early, if we did go. And she was absolutely right!

Finally, on a super sun Sunday in London, we made it to the Columbia Flower Market. After 10 minutes of trying to find a parking space, we arrived at the flower stalls. We found a sea of people moving in a pack through the narrow walking space in between the flower stalls.

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If you are serious about choosing foliage and flowers, arrive at 8am when the Columbia Road Flower Market begins. You will have an easier time of finding everything from bedding plants to 10 foot banana trees. I hear even when it closes around 3pm ‘ish’ that it is still packed with a crowd.

My plan was to make one pass through, attempting to see prices and products to do some comparison shopping.

It seemed clear that the chants of ‘Everythin’ a fiver’ that we heard throughout our travel by the stalls was fairly accurate. Flowers and plants here are cheap!

Generally, everything seemed to be offered at the same price. Based on this, we decided to choose our flowers at the end of the stalls on our way out.

The best advice you can receive for the Columbia Road Flower Market is, serious shopping needs to take place at the crack of dawn. Otherwise, just go for the experience.

You also don’t have to worry about only having cash. While there are cash machines nearby, most stalls can take cards.

Columbia Road Flower Market- Final Thoughts

I would love to see what the markets have around Christmas. If any readers have made the trip during the Winter holidays, please add your ideas about the experience.

Visiting the Columbia Road Flower Market isn’t something I would do once a month. If the flowers are only a few pounds cheaper than what I can get at our local shops in North London, it isn’t really practical to make the trek there just to grab a bouquet.

But, while sifting through the crowds, I overheard a couple rejoicing in the huge purchase of items they bought. The gentleman exclaimed, ‘We never could have received these prices elsewhere.’

If you’re only in London a short time and have a passion for all things floral, you might find Covent Garden Market more accessible. While it’s definitely more focussed on tourists, it is larger and more spacious.

Take a look…

A Complete Guide to Covent Garden London from a London Local includes restaurants, hotels, attractions, Christmas, things to do, pubs and street performers

Want a Food Freebie in London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. It features top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

April 21, 2017 by: Sunny London

10 Things to Do In Hyde Park, London

When it’s sunny in London, you can fill an entire day with things to do in Hyde Park. In fact, you will need more than just one day to accomplish everything that is on the list of possibilities. How do I know? Recently, I gave it a go.

I spent several hours sort of wandering through this ginormous royal park in London. I say ‘sort of’ because I had a prepared list of things to do in Hyde Park. However, I also wanted to give myself flexibility to have a few spontaneous adventures during the day. In fact, as the time went on, I put away my camera and just strolled through the paths and absorbed as much as I could without the stress of capturing every single beautiful view on film. Still, I returned to my London flat at the end of the day with hundreds of photos and video clips.

Things to Do in Hyde Park, London

The Rose Garden:

I read that this location is available to see all year. However, I was there the first few days of April and can’t say that it was bloomin’. You would probably be better off checking it out mid-May at the earliest in the calendar year. It’s located in the south-east corner of Hyde Park, south of the Serpentine Road near Hyde Park Corner. It opened in 1994 and the concept includes horns sounding one’s arrival into Hyde Park.

Speaker’s Corner:

As a traditional site for public speeches and debates, you can find this area in the north-east part of the park. In history, Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell exercised their right to free speech in Speaker’s Corner. As long as the police consider what you are saying is lawful, you are free to say whatever you wish, usually as loudly as you wish. Whether or not people care to hear your ideas is a completely different story. Generally, you will find the crowds gathering for this purpose on Sunday mornings.

Sports:

As with most public parks, physical activities are extremely possible. On a sunny day in London, you’ll find people roller blading, cycling, walking, jogging, throwing frisbees, and even swimming.

Princess Diana Memorial Walk:

90 plaques set in the ground create a seven-mile-long-walk which takes you within sight of locations associated with Princess Diana during her life. In the southwest corner of Hyde Park, you’ll find the fountain. It symbolises her openness and has three bridges which will lead you the its heart. For a look at how beautiful the water flows, make sure you watch the video below. It also shows many more activities and things to do in Hyde Park, including the coolest winter activity on the planet! Well, according to me 😉

The Sunny News YouTube channel, shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

The Sunny News YouTube community is full of Londoners, Americans, and people preparing to visit London. It’s a great place to ask your questions and get authentic answers from not just me but tons of people who know about London. I hope to see you there. Of course, feel free to leave questions in the comments here too!

Want a Food Freebie in London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

May 10, 2017 by: Sunny London

Tips for Visiting Kew Gardens in London

Visiting Kew Gardens is a nice, relaxing escape full of fresh air if you are looking for fun things to do in London. It is just a short train ride away from Central London. As I am sure you can guess, it is certainly an activity you want to do on a sunny day. Even though it has 40 historically important buildings, most of your day on the 326 acres which make up the Royal Botanical Gardens is obviously spent outside. This means my biggest tip is to skip visiting Kew Gardens on a rainy day.

Tips for Visiting Kew Gardens:

This London attraction isn’t just for botantists. However, someone with a curiosity and interest in plants certainly would gain more from spending time at the Royal Botanical Gardens. If you’re like me, you might just be happy taking pictures of fresh flowers and seeing something new.

The Royal Botanical Gardens are a short walk from the Kew Gardens underground station in a beautiful area on the rim of Central London. As our train arrived at the station, Mr. Sunny noticed a pub right on the platform!

We stopped at the Coach and Horses Pub for a quick lunch just before entering. However, there are several places inside Kew Gardens at which you could eat as well. Of course, we did pop in to the pub above for a few before we left too.

If you plan on visiting Kew Gardens on a week day during the school year, you are likely to bump in to a few school field trips. But, the attraction is so huge that it shouldn’t be hindering.

And, you will likely have the chance to meet a few other curious creatures too. This guy was quite the show off! When you watch my video of highlights from the visit, you will see exactly what I mean. The phrase proud as a peacock has a much deeper meaning for me now. He actually is a bit sneaky in a photo below too. See if you can spot him.

Kew Gardens is mostly flat, but some of the areas are not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. For example, you aren’t able to take either of those up to see the views of the Treetop Walkway. And, you would probably have some trouble maneuvering them through many of the greenhouses too.

While I’ve read articles about the events hosted at Kew Gardens during the Winter, I think the best time to visit would be mid-Spring through Summer. But, if you have been there during Autumn, I would love to have your thoughts on the experience in the comments below. You might also want to keep in mind that they host events throughout the year.

Visiting Kew Gardens was mentioned in my Things to Do in Spring video. For a more detailed look in to the sights you could see and a few more bits of advice (including something that could actually ruin your trip if you don’t know about it) take a look at this…

As I mention in the video, make sure you have a good look at the map before you go. This is the copy from the Visitor’s Guide to Planning on their website.

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

May 11, 2019 by: Sunny London

London in Spring- 10 Places to See

Have you seen London in Spring? I admit that Christmas in London is my favourite time of year. But, Spring is spectacular too. If I had to pick a really great time of year for someone to visit London it would be the month of May. The weather is crisp and a bit cool, so summer hasn’t fully settled in. This means there is plenty of fresh green grass and the sky can be crystal blue on many days.

Yes, it is true.

And if you are visiting London for the first time in Spring, you need to know one very important thing.

Not how to rhyme. That was purely accidental! 😉

London in Spring- It’s About Time

As the clocks spring forward, the days get longer in London. And I mean longer! It’s actually a bit ridiculous how long it is daylight here. I feel like the sun rises at 5am and doesn’t set until 11:00pm. That’s not far from the truth. It’s a little hard to get sleep during the spring in London because the sun is nearly always up. And, as a girl who moved to London from Florida, I appreciate the sunshine!

London in Spring- Places to See

With so many extra hours in a day, it’s a good thing there is a lot to do. And, the beauty of it is, generally kids are in school most of Spring so the crowds in London are a bit lighter.

I have created a bucket list of things to do this Spring in London for you and me too. My goal is to experience as many of these events that I haven’t already. If you want to see highlights of them, like Sunny in London on Instagram. My husband was born in London and he helped with the list. However, ‘Mr Sunny’ feels every week is ‘Beer Week’ so you might need to overlook that suggestion. Or… is there really a Beer Week during Spring in London? Ha!Ha! You will just have to watch the video to see.

One event that isn’t mentioned in the video is Pancake Day. I can’t say I ever heard of this happening in America. People in London get really creative with the Tuesday that is 47 days before Easter. You might celebrate it as Mardi Gras. Here it is called Shrove Tuesday. Also, you need to picture crepes if you’re American. They generally refer to them as ‘pancakes’ in the UK. The festivities are quite entertaining and worth participating in if you have some time to spare on your trip.

If you’re from here or are an American expat like me living in London, please leave your ideas and comments about your favourite things to do for Spring in London below or on the video.

Subscribe to the Sunny News YouTube channel for regular advice for things to do and what you need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, an afternoon tea etiquette guide and a shopping guide. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

September 25, 2016 by: Sunny London

10 Harry Potter Things to Do in London

Are you planning a trip to London and need a list of Harry Potter Things to Do? As an American expat living in London, I frequently receive questions on social media and on the Sunny in London blog from Americans visiting London who love Harry Potter. They’re always wondering what they should do if they have a limited amount of time in town.

Aside from several specific reviews of Harry Potter activities, you’ll find differences between the Universal Studios Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction and the Warner Bros Studio Tour and suggestions for how to get to the studio in London in the blog too. The most recent blog article is a Potions Class that is the closest thing to a Harry Potter Afternoon Tea that you will find in London.

However, if you want a list of 10 Harry Potter Things To Do in London, then take less than four minutes to watch what’s available in this YouTube video. The end features a sneaky tip for how to never miss notification about the best Harry Potter news in London.

Be sure to leave questions you have about the activities and general London trip planning in the comments below.

I also put together some questions to ask yourself if you’re not sure about whether or not to go to the Warner Bros Studio Tour. I’ve had quite a few emails from people who are overwhelmed with all the choices they have for what to see the first time they visit London and specifically ask about the Harry Potter Studio Tour. If that’s you too, then this is for you…

The Sunny News YouTube channel, shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide. There is also a comparison on Things to Do in London for Christmas That You Can’t Do In NYC…

The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

May 7, 2017 by: Sunny London

Can’t Miss Tips for Your First Trip to London

Are you ready for your first trip to London? Whether you have been planning your whole life or just found out through work that you have a business trip across the pond, your travels will be easier if you read this.

As an American, I first moved to London on a study abroad program. I later returned to marry a British camera man I met while interning at NBC News- London Bureau. There were also many trips in between.

On the Sunny News YouTube channel, I have tons of videos sharing what I have learned about London through the decades. My husband ‘Mr Sunny’ and his family contribute content too.

London Tips: In Addition to the Video

Don’t share your fake British accent with people here. You’ll see in many video comments that people make fun of mine. My YouTube schtick does involve a bit of comedy, so the over the top Madonna accent is sometimes intentional. Londoners will say you sound like Dick Van Dyck. That’s a reference to the original Mary Poppins film. It isn’t a compliment.

Recognize that you are in a different culture. Wait until you get back to your hotel room to openly criticize how things are different here, if you don’t like something.

Don’t count on wifi. While free wifi is getting better in London, it’s not great. Up your text messaging plan or get an international package before you arrive.

Learn how to ask for the bathroom. Here people say ‘Loo’ or ‘toilet.’ The later one is a bit crass sounding to Americans. But- just go back to the second bullet point. As a side note, if you need one urgently, hit a pub. Just be sure to buy a drink before you leave. As Mr Sunny and all of London say, ‘It would be rude not to.’ 😉

London Tips: 10+ More Bits

For more important tips, including advice for what happens when you arrive at the airport, watch the Visiting London for the First Time video. Be sure to ask questions of the Sunny in London News community. There are tons of Londoners and other London lovers who watch and contribute information.

Subscribe so you don’t miss any future updates and tips for visiting London too.

The Sunny News YouTube channel, shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, an afternoon tea etiquette guide and a shopping guide. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

March 19, 2017 by: Sunny London

British Things to Do in London

Putting together a list of things to do in London for a visit, can quickly be overwhelming. This is especially true if it’s your first trip. Wouldn’t it be great to ask someone who lives there for help? Here is an even better one- what if you could ask a British person born in London for ideas?

My husband, Mr Sunny, and generations of his family were born and raised in London. As an American expat living in London, I rely on their advice often when planning things to do for myself or for creating Sunny in London blog content. They haven’t let me down yet!

In fact, recently my father-in-law suggested a London pub for our Best Hidden London Pubs video that even my husband didn’t know about. If you’ve read our pub crawls or any restaurant reviews, you know my husband is a self-proclaimed pub connoisseur.

Naturally, when I started thinking about creating a video that moved away from the ‘first time visiting London tourist’ planning persona, I consulted the Sunny-in-laws. You’ll have to judge how much time you have on your trip and what your priorities are when you review the possibilities they listed. It’s doubtful you could do everything suggested in one go. It would also depend on the time of year you are here too.

We tried to keep a bit of everyone in mind when creating it. There are sports activities and food suggestions. Our list is for both guys and girls too. One thing that isn’t mentioned in the video is renting a ‘Boris Bike.’ Poor coordination and the genuine lack of still not knowing which side of the road cars are coming from has prevented me from doing this. I’d love to know if you’ve done it though.

Let me know your thoughts on the video and what else you would like to learn about London. There is also a great community of Sunny News watchers on YouTube that have left their British Things to Do suggestions in the video comments too for you.

The Sunny News YouTube channel, shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes tips for riding the Underground, pub advice, an afternoon tea etiquette guide, a shopping guide and cultural differences between the UK and USA. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

The Best Green Spaces in London

Best Green Spaces in London- Richmond Upon Thames

Best Green Spaces in London- Parks and Views

Best Green Spaces in London- Hidden Treasures

Best Green Spaces in London- Picnic Options

Things to Do Near Tower of London

Things to Do Near Tower of London: London Pass

Things to Do Near Tower of London: For Foodies

Things to Do Near Tower of London: Historic

Things to Do Near Tower of London: St Paul’s Cathedral

Things to Do Near Tower of London: Final Thoughts

For More Guides to London:

Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu

Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu- Final Thoughts

Columbia Road Flower Market Guide to Visiting

Columbia Road Flower Market- The Basics

Columbia Road Flower Market- What You MUST Know

Columbia Road Flower Market- Final Thoughts

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10 Things to Do In Hyde Park, London

Things to Do in Hyde Park, London

The Rose Garden:

Speaker’s Corner:

Sports:

Princess Diana Memorial Walk:

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Tips for Visiting Kew Gardens in London

Tips for Visiting Kew Gardens:

London in Spring- 10 Places to See

London in Spring- It’s About Time

London in Spring- Places to See

10 Harry Potter Things to Do in London

Can’t Miss Tips for Your First Trip to London

London Tips: In Addition to the Video

London Tips: 10+ More Bits

British Things to Do in London

THE ESSENTIAL 1st TIME GUIDE TO LONDON

HARRY POTTER

PUBS IN LONDON