Things to do in London in the spring – Part 3
For me, London comes as a second choice to Paris, although it has it’s merits as a place to visit at any time of the year, and Spring is no exception. Getting the balance right between the hustle and bustle of City life, and the calm of the city is essential for a Spring break.
The shops are amazing to visit, and the selection enormous, though do you really want to spend all of that Spring sunshine in shops and amidst crowds of people ? Pick out the best of the bunch and visit Selfidges, take a walk down Oxford Street, but do get an A to Z because these handy little guidebooks can be a lifesaver, in that when the shopping feet are tired, if you haven’t planned your day correctly, you might miss so many areas hidden amidst the hugeness of the City, and that are sometimes nearer than you think.
Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s column are worthy of a visit and these can be combined with the Art Galleries in the same region. Madame Toussauds, the famous waxworks and the Planetarium are worth a visit too, though plan to have something else to see that is local, and use of the A-Z will help you enormously. These are good options for rainy days because the entertainment is indoors.
Transport options in London are diverse, though the public bus service a little confusing for the tourist. The tubes are well laid out and mapped and easy to understand and getting a pass to last you your visit will help you to economize on the price of transport over your stay. Driving is difficult at best and parking expensive, and if you have a car, leaving it on the outskirts is the best option, and taking the tube into Central London easier. Traditionally, the black cab is a reasonable option for those evenings out and the drivers are usually helpful and know their way around well.
Tradition in London is hiding behind every corner, just like in many huge cities. Time your visit to see the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or for taking a moment of reflection in the splendor of St Paul’s Cathedral. There really is a lot of choice and areas to interest everyone, from the Natural History Museum to those that just want to grab London atmosphere.
A visit to the Tower of London, or alongside the Thames and the Array of historic bridges that cross it, follow the walkways away from the crowds, and grab a cruise down the Thames either during the day or the evening. London really does have everything though no visit would be complete without taking a ride in the London Eye and getting a view over the whole City, though book early.
Nightlife is varied and the theater and musical offerings in Central London are varied to cater for all types of tastes from Opera to modern musical. There are also many cinemas. Tourist Information Offices will help you in that search for evening entertainment, and do have ticket services.
The key to a Spring break in London really is planning because of the diversity of what London has to offer and without planning, so much to be missed.
