London Travel Tips From a Londoner

I love all things English; the culture, the accent, the humor, the history and not to mention their respect for queuing up (standing in line), which I find really lacking here in the US. London is the most amazing city in the world! I was lucky enough to spend some time living there as a native Londoner, and I’m constantly planning all the things I’ll do when I go back.

Here is my latest version of my ever evolving list of things I’d like to do as soon as I go back to the place my heart lives. Think of it as a few London travel tips from a Londoner who knows the places the locals like to go.

1. Have a beer on the river at Richmond upon Thames. Richmond is a little further out from the main tourist attractions of London like Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, but it’s easy to access on the London Underground, aka “The Tube” The Richmond High Street is lined with lots of cute shops, and behind them as the magical River Thames, where you can find lots of places to eat and drink and gaze upon the water.

There are lots of things you may want to check out in that area so one of my London travel tips is to make sure to stay at a nearby hotel. Kew Gardens, is a perfect place to spend a sunny day in London. Miles of green space with botanical gardens, glasshouses, historical sites and museums.

2. Go for a run at Primrose Castle Hills. Working out while on vacation may seem like a really bad idea, but I hope I can change your mind. Primrose Castle Hills is one of London’s many green areas great for strolling, running, picnicking, etc. What make this park special is the views!

At the top of the hill you can see most of the famous London Skyline including the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Financial District. The surrounding neighborhood is adorable, and is the home of a lot of British celebs, Daniel Craig, Kate Moss, Jude Law and Jamie Oliver to name a few… So put on your cutest yoga pants and go for a run, take in the view, grab coffee and maybe you’ll run into someone famous!

The Primrose Castle Hills is a great place to call home while in London and is one of the nearest hotels. Check out this sweet hotel close to multiple Tube stations, Camden Lock, the London Zoo and tons of high-end shops and restaurants. When I go back to London as a tourist and no longer a Londoner, this is the area I will stay.

3. Out of all the London travel tips I can provide, Camden Town Square is the best. Explore, eat and shop in Camden Town Square to your hearts content. This area is a little more touristy for sure, but it’s always a fun place to be. Camden Market Square is right on the river and is a shoppers dream.

You can get anything you can think of, including cheap souvenirs, vintage items, any kind of food you can think of, punk rock clothes, tattoos, art, music… really anything! So many small local vendors to support and and all while strolling along… as I’ve mentioned.. the MAGICAL River Thames.

Camden Town Square is pretty central to lots of places, just hop on the Tube and you can get to many major attractions in minutes. This hotel is right on the Lock!

4. Get lost in the history of the Tower of London. Of all the major attractions in London, this one is by far my favorite! If you take a walking tour with one of the tower guards it’s easy to get caught up in the dark history of the tower and start to get a feel for the history that is in the DNA of Londoners.

The cobble stone streets with in The Tower, have seen some amazing and twisted things, when you are walking those streets it feels like you are part of that history. For the top of the tower you can see a perfect view on the river and The Tower Bridge, the quintessential tourist photo op.

This area is a really great area to stay in, walking distance of tons of big attractions and museums so getting a nearby hotel in this central location would be ideal.

5. Here is the honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the list of London travel tips.

* Goldhawk Road, in Sheperd’s Bush- If you like fabric, you are going to LOVE it here.

* GO on a walking tour! My favorite is the Sherlock Holmes Tour where you get to meet on Baker’s street, you’ll see 221b Baker Street, or where it would be, and the near my medical practice of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Walking through the neighborhood on the Sherlock Holmes Tour you might find yourself inspired to write a mystery!

So go out there, act like a local, and find your own favorite places! But above all…. respect the queue!