Tops Tips from the Experts- Pearls of wisdom

I asked my fellow Blue Badge guides for their top tips for people visiting London and this is the advice that we have come up with..........

 

UNDERSTANDING LONDON

Learn to love the weather. I have a terrible secret, I love rain. If it's grey and dreary pretend you're in a Dickens' novel and if it's pouring, just think how good it is for our lovely parks and our complexions. London looks fabulous in the sun, so if it gets too hot, well, just relax and enjoy it, it won't last forever. It's part of who we are - we are an island after all. It's also a very good way of starting a conversation.

 

Love the tube. It's such an easy way of getting around.

 

Just remember that London was never planned. Yes, it can be hard to find your way around but the fun of London is to explore it and to go off the beaten track.

Walk. You see so much, it's great exercise, you sleep like a log afterwards and if your feet ache have a really hot footbath. Bliss!

 

Don't ever forget the importance of the River Thames. Without the Thames there would have been no London. I know it's a cliche but don't forget it's Liquid History.

Be as prepared as you can before you get here. That's what this website is for!

If you're worn out, remember the words of Dr.Johnson for inspiration - "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life for there is in London all that life can afford."

Hire a Blue Badge guide for a day or half a day. Boy, we know our stuff but we are also trained to be very practical and if we're not fun to be with, well, we just wouldn't get work! Money very well spent.

GENERAL PRACTICAL ADVICE

Get an Oyster Card if you are here for more than a couple of days. You will save so much money, hassle and you'll feel like the locals. For more information go to www.tfl.gov.uk. You can use an oystercard on the tube, the buses and the Docklands Light Railway. Wear sensible walking shoes; you will walk a lot even if you hadn't planned to. London is a walking city. It's how Dickens got his inspiration.

 

Whatever the weather forecast, always take a small umbrella with you. Layer your clothes; the weather can change throughout the day. Always carry a bottle of water which you can fill up throughout the day. If you're hungry, eat something! Don't leave lunch till too late as your energy will drop fast. Have a small map with you; remember that London was never planned, it's just grown over the centuries.

 

Always stand on the right of the escalator on the tube; people walk on the left and tut loudly in your ear if you block their way!

 

If the tube is heaving and you're not really pushed for time, just let it go. There's often one just behind. Move down the platform to wait for the train and you're much more likely to get a seat if you go to the first or last carriage.

 

Never trust a European who says 'oh, it's just around the corner' or 'it's only 5 minutes away'. It's just a vague colloquialism and we don't mean to mislead but...!

 

If you are staying in a hotel and the rooms aren't ready when you arrive, leave your bags with the concierge and take a walk in St.James' Park. It's good to know you can breathe in London and the views are beautiful.

 

NEVER forego the chance of going to the loo (as we say); a full bladder and enjoying yourself and being able to concentrate just don't mix.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Go to the section on London for Parents for lots of practical advice.

STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND THOSE ON A LOW BUDGET

Go to the section called Cheap and Cheerful London

 

VISITING MUSEUMS

If you don't know a museum and you want a general overview, they usually offer introductory tours. Some are free and some, like the British Museum, have a charge but it's money well spent. You never know, in the British Museum I might be your guide! Some museums have audio tours, but you can't beat having a tour with a real person.

 

Many museums are free; relax and don't feel obliged to do it all, especially if it's a large museum.

 

If the museums offer gallery stools, take one if you're getting tired. They will help combat the dreaded museum fatigue.

 

Many museums have late night openings which tend to be quieter, although sometimes some galleries will be closed. Museums are often much more atmospheric in the evening and they often have events such as live music that you don't get in the day.

If you have children with you, see what activities the museum has to offer them. Children will last a lot longer if they have an activity to engage their attention.

 

The Paul Hamlyn library at the British Museum is a wonderful FREE resource, for children, students and adults. Although it is now temporaripy housed at the back of room 2 it will evetually go back to its glorious home in the British Library Reading Room. They have a whole section of children's as well as adult's books relating to the Museum's collections including stories of the brave struggle of the Gauls against the Romans, yes, Asterix.

It's always worth getting to a museum bang on opening time when they are, for a short time, much quieter. This is an especially good time time to see the most popular exhibits.

Huge thanks to Britt Lonsdale, Jan Date, Gail Jones, Angie Thomas, Sarah Edington, Owen Joseph and Ingrid Wallenborg for their help and suggestions!