Bookmark This Handy London Guide If You're Travelling There Soon

Melanie Colwell
June 14, 2023

Travel Guide: London

It's the city that has it all: centuries of history and culture, a thriving arts scene, raucous sporting events and world-class dining.

If you’re after a laidback holiday destination, this is not the place for you. Actually, you’ll likely need a holiday after your holiday in London. Many Aussies do just that, using the city as a launchpad for further exploration around Great Britain and Europe.

Though there is never a bad time to visit London, summer is pretty special — the atmosphere is electric. Parks are filled with picnickers soaking in the long-anticipated sunny days. Pubs overflow with patrons, spilling out onto the pavement with pints in hand. There are street parties, neighbourhood festivals and special events galore.

No matter how many days you’ve got planned here, it won’t be enough to experience everything London has to offer — it’s best to accept that now. But you can try your best. In partnership with HSBC, we’ve put together this helpful starter guide to the city, so you can start planning your itinerary.

It's the city that has it all: centuries of history and culture, a thriving arts scene, raucous sporting events and world-class dining.

PLANNING AHEAD

Before you launch into weeks (or months) of responsibility-free fun in Europe, you’ll need to get some adult stuff out of the way first. Organise a pet (or plant) sitter, hand all your unfinished work over to your poor colleagues and, most importantly, sort out your payment plan. With an HSBC Everyday Global Account, you can have up to ten currencies (including GBP) preloaded so you can use your Visa Debit Card for all purchases and ATM withdrawals. The best part? You won’t be stung with international transaction fees.

GETTING AROUND

The city has one of the most efficient (and recognisable) public transport systems in the world, namely the Underground (aka the ‘Tube’) and the iconic red doubledecker buses. Or, if you want to take things at a slower pace, hop aboard a river service down the Thames or hire one of the Santander Cycles (affectionately known as Boris Bikes) for a few hours. Good news: all options allow contactless card payments, so you’ll be good to go with your HSBC Visa Debit Card.

LOCALS LOVE

Just north of the bustling city centre is the green, slightly wild haven of Hampstead Heath. The 800-acre parkland is popular all year round for walking, cycling, celebrity spotting and kite-flying on Parliament Hill — which also boasts epic city views. In the warmer months, locals flock to the ice-cold swimming ponds for a dip. It’s so popular, in fact, that you’ll probably need to book.

DON’T MISS

Seeing a musical or play on the West End is a must for all theatre lovers. No matter when you visit, there are shows to choose between — from the world’s longest-running play, Agatha Christie’s murder mystery The Mousetrap, to the new Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop. Hot tip: head to the TKTS London stall in Leicester Square to snag huge discounts on last-minute tickets.

Five of the Best

Tick these must-visit haunts off your bucket list.

Cultural Sites

London is so chock-full of historical sites, it's almost impossible to name them all. But here are five you shouldn't miss.

1. Shakespeare's Globe

Catch one of The Bard's famous works in the world-renowned south bank theatre.

2. Tower of London

The royal castle and fortress on the banks of the River Thames, home to the Crown Jewels, ravens and the legendary Beefeaters.

3. Westminster Abbey

This gothic-style church has served as the site of royal weddings, coronations and burials for centuries.

4. The Shard

London's (and Britain's) tallest building boasts restaurants, bars, a hotel and a viewing platform from which to take in breathtaking views of the city.

5. Harrods

Lose a few hours browsing luxury goods and sipping tea at London's most prestigious department store.

Museums

London is home to some of the world's most important art and historical artefacts. Bonus: you can see most of them for free.

1. The British Museum

One of the oldest museums in the world, covering over two million years of human history and culture.

2. Victoria and Albert Museum

The world's largest museum dedicated to decorative arts and design.

3. Tate Modern

Home to the UK's largest collection of contemporary and modern art.

4. National Portrait Gallery

The recently renovated portrait gallery boasts over 220,000 works, some dating back to the 16th century.

5. Churchill War Rooms

The underground bunker where Churchill and military strategists worked during World War II.

Markets

Popular with locals and tourists alike, a leisurely stroll and browse through a market is a stellar way to spend a few hours.

1. Camden Market

A massive daily market known for its vintage fashion, retro homewares, and secondhand and handmade goods.

2. Borough Market

Taste test to your stomach's content at this sprawling fresh food market near London Bridge.

3. Covent Garden

The West End's buzzing dining, shopping and entertainment precinct.

4. Portobello Market

Notting Hill's high street is home to one of the world's largest antique, bric-a-brac and vintage clothing markets.

5. Columbia Road Flower Market

Swing by this Bethnal Green Sunday market for beautiful blooms, houseplants, succulents and herbs.

Food

Think British cuisine is boring? Think again. These much-celebrated spots prove London deserves a place on the culinary stage.

1. Darjeeling Express

Asma Khan's celebrated home-style Indian restaurant with an all-female kitchen staff.

2. Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery

Find London's best bagels at this 24-hour bakery.

3. E Pellicci

Tuck into a 'full English' at this old-school workers' cafe with a cult following.

4. Ikoyi Restaurant

A Michelin-starred restaurant that presents organic produce from the British Isles with modern West African flavours.

5. St. JOHN Restaurant

The iconic Smithfield restaurant that spearheaded nose-to-tail eating.

Bars

Londoner's love a cheeky bev, and the city's watering holes range from superb rooftops to shabby-chic subterranean spaces.

1. Gordon's Wine Bar

This cosy, cavernous, candlelit cellar is London's oldest wine bar.

2. Cahoots London

An abandoned Underground station turned 1940s-themed cocktail bar.

3. The Culpeper

A four-storey gastropub in Shoreditch with a stellar rooftop bar.

4. Forza Wine

A rooftop bar in Peckham with excellent share plates and an extensive natty-filled wine list.

5. The Connaught Bar

The epitome of elegant hotel bars with an ever-evolving cocktail menu and martini trolley service.

Accommodation

Luxury amenities, cutting-edge design and world-class eateries — these boutique hotels offer much more than just a place to sleep.

Five of the Best

Tick these must-visit haunts off your bucket list.

Further Afield

If you've got a little extra time, here are five day trips you should plan from London.

Brighton

Take the one-hour train journey south of London to the charming seaside town of Brighton. Play arcade games on the famous Brighton Pier, check out the remarkable Royal Pavilion and do a spot of shopping in The Lanes.
Oxford and the Cotswolds

Wander through the picturesque stone villages of the Cotswolds, then visit the second-oldest university in the world. This full-day tour will take you to both. Book now with your HSBC Everyday Global Account Visa Debit Card for AUD$119 per person.
The Making of Harry Potter

Step inside the Wizarding World with a Warner Bros Studio Tour. You'll meander down Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Great Hall, sip Butter Beer and learn the secrets of the special effects.
Bath

This Somerset city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow the footsteps of one of the UK's most famous authors, Jane Austen, and visit the Roman Baths, dating back to AD70.
Stonehenge and Windsor Castle

It's one of the UK's greatest enigmas and it simply must be marvelled at from up-close. Pair a visit to Stonehenge with a tour of the royal residence, Windsor Castle, on this full-day tour from AUD$237pp.

Get Started

Ready to start planning? We've found five experiences you can book right now, fee free, using your HSBC Everyday Global Account Visa Debit Card.

Total London Experience

Tick off all the major sites on a whistle-stop tour of the city. Tickets start at AUD$258 and include entry into St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and the London Eye, plus a River Thames boat cruise.
London East End Food Tour

East London is one of the city's most culturally diverse areas. This 3.5-hour tour takes you to some of its top foodie spots, including the legendary curry house-lined Brick Lane. Tickets start from AUD$181.
Harry Potter Tour and Magical Afternoon Tea

Explore magical sites around London that served as inspiration for the books and sets for the films. Then, enjoy afternoon tea at The Wands & Wizards Exploratorium. Tickets start from $174pp.
North London Craft Brewery Tour

London boasts over 130 craft breweries and this small group tour will guide you along the Blackhorse Beer Mile in Walthamstow to check out four of the best. Tickets start at AUD$85 and include tastings.
Royal High Tea at Kensington Palace Gardens

Did you even go to the UK if you didn't enjoy high tea at least once? And if there were a place to have it, it's in the gardens of Kensington Palace (the official residence of The Prince and Princess of Wales). Tickets start from AUD$186 and includes a guided tour of the gardens.