See and Do in London

Sure, relocation logistics can be daunting, but trying to decide exactly what to see and do on a weekend in London may be the hardest decision for expats new and old in the city. For those who've recently arrived, taking the iconic red double decker buses for a few journeys will give you a better feel for the layout of the English capital.

This bustling metropolis is large enough and filled with such a diverse range of attractions and sightseeing opportunities that even locals can be tourists in their own city. For expats especially though, London is a place that can constantly be discovered and rediscovered, full of surprises and new adventures.

Shop

To the disappointment of your bank balance, it's easy to wile away a weekend in London cruising the aisles. Shopping opportunities in the city are seemingly endless, and there's nothing like a little retail therapy in the midst of a grim, grey winter day.

For those with big budgets, the high end boutiques of New Bond Street or Harrod's department store in Knightsbridge will be irresistible; and for those will slightly less purchasing power, the stores on Oxford Street and local markets are great places to scope the shelves.

If you're a North American or Australian with strong shopping centre/mall nostalgia, head over to Westfield in Sheppard's Bush (or from September, Westfield in Stratford).

Alternatively, for the more artistically-inclined and eccentric, the markets, which can be found all over London, are great places to look around. Each market has its own personality and specialty. Once you decide which one interests you, check which day is the main market day before heading out, the only market that’s open seven days a week is Camden Market, which closes only on Christmas Day.

If you don’t like crowds, start your day at the market early and have breakfast in the area; after 11am the markets start getting really get busy.

►Harrods
Harrods is quite simply one of the most luxurious and opulent shopping emporia in the world. Apart from the wonderful range of departments and services across seven floors, there are 22 restaurants to restore one’s energy levels. The Food Hall is the place to stock up on picnic goodies.
www.harrods.com
Telephone: (0)20 7730 1234
 
►Camden Market
Camden market is a hugely colourful and diverse shopping experience. Its pleasant bohemian character is an amusing reminder of its 1960s inspired culture heritage.
www.camdenlock.net

Eat

What would a weekend in London be without some indulgent wining and dining?  From haute cuisine to dodgy street fare, this city has something for everyone.

Expats can head to Chinatown for some great dim sum, or mission to Bricklane in East London for some fantastic curry (be prepared for the deals on offer to lure you into one of the many restaurants). If leaning towards the taste of Thai, check out the amazing little Thai restaurant at the back of the Churchill Arms Pub near Notting Hill Gate Tube in the Kensington/Notting Hill area. Everything on the menu is £6.50, served fresh and flavourful.

Afternoon tea is a good break from the sites and shopping in London, and a fantastic British tradition. Most large hotels offer the service, and one of the best places for afternoon tea, especially on a rainy day, is the restaurant in the crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral.  A traditional afternoon tea includes a pot of your chosen type of tea, and a three-tiered stand: the bottom layer boats finger sandwiches, the middle layer claims scones (this is what the jam and clotted cream are for), and the top tier holds little cakes. All of which, will leave you feeling surprisingly full when finished.

►St. Paul's Cathedral
Sir Christopher Wren’s 1673 masterpiece is a truly iconic London building that miraculously survived the German bombing in World War II. Head inside for some rare peace amidst the frenetic pace of the London business world.
www.stpauls.co.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7246 8357

Play

London has an assortment of options for the sport fanatics.

For those who live and breathe the beautiful game - football (American soccer) - there are four premier league teams that compete regularly, and occasional international matches at Wembley stadium.

At Lord’s in St John’s Wood, cricket is played during the summer; at the end of June is the world famous Wimbledon Tennis tournament; at Twickenham stadium you can see rugby matches; and at the end of October there is a regular season NFL game played to great fan fair.

For a comprehensive list of what's on in London's sports world, have a look Visitlondon.com/events/sport.

Nightlife

If you fancy a little night life, London can be a lot of fun.  You can go to the opera, ballet, or theatre for a play or musical. If you head down to the Leicester Square Ticket booth in the morning they offer deals on the theatre for that night.  

Otherwise, pick up a copy of Time Out London to find out about the coolest clubs, hottest bars and most cutting edge music venues.

See

There's, of course, lots of very well known sights to see in London, but the best way to explore the city without getting overwhelmed is to choose a neighbourhood to poke about in for the day (or half day); keeping to no more than two areas in one day.

A great way to explore the area of choice is to take a walking tour, this way you can examine all the nooks and crannies and venture down interesting streets you would never have known existed. Some walks focus on certain neighbourhoods, some on movies, and others on literature or architecture, and after dark, there are ghost walks, pub walks and lots of Jack the Ripper walks.
 
►Tower of London
Built in the 11th century, this famous site has played host to more beheadings than even Saudi Arabia. The Tower of London is also home to the crown jewels and the famous Yeoman guards. There’s no doubt it’s a fascinating place and an essential piece of British history.
www.parliament.uk
Telephone: (0)870 906 3773
 
►Tate Modern
The former Bankside Power Station has been reinvented as the Britain's new National Museum of Modern Art with an astounding and immense collection of 20th and 21st century art works. An excellent café and restaurant with wonderful views adds to the allure.
www.tate.org.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7887 8888
 
►National Gallery
Britain’s National Gallery lines the northern side of Trafalgar Square, and is home to major works from all the major European schools from the 13th to the 19th century. The excellent guided tours enhance an experience already made exceptional by all its variety.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7747 2885
 
►British Museum
One of the world’s great museums and home to over 6000 historical pieces from all over the world, the British Museum houses collections of antiquities that include the Frieze or Elgin Marbles, Roman Portland Vase and the original Rosetta Stone.
www.britishmuseum.org
Telephone: (0)20 7323 8299
 
►London Eye
Catch the best views in town and gain a rare sense of geographical perspective aboard the gently revolving London Eye.
www.ba-londoneye.com
Telephone: (0)870 990 8883
 
►Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe, an excellent reconstruction of the original theatre, celebrates Shakespeare’s life and times and houses performances of his plays.
www.shakespeares-globe.org
Telephone: (0)20 7902 1400
 
►Buckingham Palace
See the changing of the guards and take a sneak peek inside the Queens’ chambers. Cheesy to some, but a pilgrimage to others.
www.royal.gov.uk
Telephone: (0)20 7766 7300
 
►The Greenwich Meridian
Visit the site of the Greenwich Meridian, where the globe’s East meets West, and from where the world clock is set on zero degrees latitude. Greenwich is also the site of many markets, the Cutty Sark ship, and pleasant river views.
wwp.greenwich2000.com