Our First Trip to London: A Complete Guide, London, England

This past December, we took our first trip to London together. Beth has been several times, but not in the past 10 years. I had never been, so it truly felt like a first visit and quite the adventure.

We had five full days to get acquainted with this capital city in the United Kingdom. We were there to visit our niece, who is in graduate school at King’s College, but we also made time to explore the major attractions. Our itinerary balanced the most popular tourist attractions with a few other treasures. We had a short list of things we absolutely wanted to see, but we also left space to wander and discover some of the best areas of the city centre on our own.

BIG TIP: If you are planning a trip to London, the most important advice we can offer is to book everything in advance! Restaurants, museums, and other popular attractions can sell out quickly. Even during the summer months, when crowds are at their peak, tickets to places like the British Museum, the Tower of London, or the London Eye go fast. Buying online through an official website, or using something like the London Pass, is often the best way to avoid long lines.

Finding an affordable hotel room in Central London can be a challenge. Beth did plenty of research, but our friends recommended the Hub Premier Inn at Westminster. The rooms were small but comfortable, and the location was unbeatable-a short walk from a tube station, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. Staying near the city center gave us easy access to so many main attractions. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).