Nomadic Vision

Despite the weather, visa issues, expensive transport and even more expensive food and drinks, London is a must see destination. Even though I’ve lived in London for a year, I still often see it through tourist eyes, only now I’ve been here long enough to know what is worth seeing and what is better left to the uninformed crowds.

The Unexpected

What first struck me about London was the cultural diversity. At one stage, England dominated most of the known world and as a result, London now represents a large portion of it. I’ve met locals who time how long they can walk before they hear English spoken. Some have quite impressive records.

Being so culturally diverse, London’s restaurants offer the best of most cultures found around the world. Indian food is really popular, as is Thai. Traditional favorites like Italian and French cuisine are equally well represented.

Another unexpected surprise that hits you when you see London for the first time is the age of the buildings. The United Kingdom has a law which protects most buildings in the UK. Consequently, very few buildings have a modern exterior. The old buildings seem give London a sense of culture, history and life that is absent from a modern suburb like Canary Wharf.

Coming from South Africa, it is quite overwhelming standing in awe of a building that was built before South Africa even existed. I love seeing old architecture. There is so much attention to detail, that very often, buildings were not even completed in the architect’s lifetime. In today’s society, a building that takes over 50 years to complete is definitely not viable.

London Favorites

When I plan an itinerary for friends and family who visit London for the first time, I seem to pick the same activities. Some are straight out of the guidebook and others are lesser known, but equally viable.

If pushed to pick a favorite, the Southbank would edge it. The Southbank includes well known attractions like the London Eye, but to me, the Southbank vibe is the main attraction. If you happen to tour London in summer, pack yourself a picnic and spend some time just hanging out on the grass bank. The area is full of musicians, comedians, performers and uncategorized buskers that will keep you entertained for hours.

Another area that I love, just for the vibe, is Camden. The guidebook suggests visiting the Camden market on a Sunday for the Camden market, which is well worth it, if you can deal with the crowds. Personally, I love Camden during the week. The pubs and cafes are always full of artists, musicians, fashion designers and other “alternative” careers.

In the west, towards Richmond, London gets quite green. This area is often referred to as “leafy Surrey” and is one of the prettiest areas in London. It is quite easy to get lost in Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common or Kew Gardens and forget that you’re in a city. In my opinion, some of the best pubs in London can be found in this area, along the river.

Lastly, if you’re in the mood for some Thai, check out Siam I Am in Soho. Fantastic food at a reasonable price. Definately recommended for a quick lunch.

Rather Skip It

The guidebook recommends some places that before they were major attractions, were probably worthwhile visiting, but these days, there are better options.

The ultimate “rather skip it” destination has to be Madam Tussauds. Hey, if you’re in love with celebrities, it may be worth your while, but if I’m going to queue for over two hours, I would prefer to see the real thing.

The London Eye makes this list because even though the views are spectacular, the bent glass makes photography almost impossible and there are restaurants in the area with similar views, where you get a meal for the same price (and without a queue).

Lastly, if you’re visiting London, give the zoo and the aquarium a skip. Even though both are quite impressive, nothing beats seeing the creatures in the wild and there are better aquariums (Singapore, Durban and Sydney.)

Spontaneous

When spending time in London, the most fun I’ve had is when I’ve been completely spontaneous. London constantly has some festival, trade show or conference over every weekend. Check out Timeout to see what is happening over the weekend and pick an event. In 2009 I attended the Chinese New Year celebrations, the London Tattoo festival, a massive fireworks display, London fashion week and a Springbok rugby game, all spontaneously.

For the London fashion week, we managed to attend a show that was invitation only. Because we write for a magazine, we were able to talk our way in as press. Sometimes, the best London experiences take a bit of spontaneity and a bit of persistence.

Some Resources

Secret London – A Facebook group dedicated to uncovering secret London

Timeout – What’s happening in London this weekend?

TNT magazine forums – A magazine that caters for Saffas, Kiwis and Ozzies living in London

If you have any other tips or experiences you would like to share, please leave them in the comments.

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