Walking tour
Season: Year-roundWestminster walking tour with the Changing of the Guard
- Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Downing Street with a guide
- A good spot for the Changing of the Guard
The essentials
| Location | South-east England, on the River Thames |
|---|---|
| Westminster | The City of Westminster, central London’s borough of government, royal palaces and the West End |
| Time zone | Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), with British Summer Time (BST) from late March to late October |
| Currency | Pound sterling (GBP) |
| Main airports | Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN) and London City (LCY) |
| Plugs | Type G, three rectangular pins, 230 volts |
| Emergency numbers | 999 or 112; 111 for urgent medical advice |
When to visit
London is a year-round city. Late spring and early autumn have the best balance of weather and crowds, summer is the busiest season, and winter brings Christmas lights and shorter queues.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to May | Spring: blossom and daffodils in the royal parks, longer days, and the London Marathon finishing on The Mall in April. |
| June to August | Summer: the warmest and busiest months, with Trooping the Colour in June, outdoor events, and the Buckingham Palace State Rooms open from July. |
| September to November | Autumn: fewer crowds and golden parks, Open House London in September and Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in November. |
| December to February | Winter: Christmas lights, markets and ice rinks in December, New Year’s Eve fireworks by the London Eye, then short, grey and quieter days. |
Weather and what to wear
London’s weather is mild but changeable, and it can rain on any day of the year. Summer days are usually in the low 20s °C, with the odd heatwave, and winter days are usually a few degrees above freezing. Dress in layers and carry a light waterproof or an umbrella.
- Comfortable walking shoes: you will walk a lot
- A light waterproof jacket, all year
- A warm coat, hat and gloves from November to March
- A small bag that closes securely, for crowded places
Events
- London Marathon: April, finishing on The Mall.
- Trooping the Colour: June, the King’s birthday parade on Horse Guards Parade, with a flypast over Buckingham Palace.
- Wimbledon: late June to July, the tennis championships in south-west London.
- The BBC Proms: summer concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, from July to September.
- Notting Hill Carnival: the August bank holiday weekend.
- Remembrance Sunday: November, the national service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
- New Year’s Eve: fireworks over the Thames by the London Eye, with ticketed viewing areas.
Money and costs
London is expensive, especially for hotels and attractions. Many of its great museums and galleries are free, including the National Gallery, Tate Britain, the British Museum and the Natural History Museum. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere. In restaurants, a service charge of about 12.5% is often added to the bill.
Safety
- Pickpockets: take care on crowded Tube trains, on Westminster Bridge and around Oxford Street.
- Scams: avoid the street gambling games sometimes seen on Westminster Bridge.
- Traffic: cars drive on the left, so look right first when you cross. “Look right” is painted at many crossings.
- Protests: Parliament Square often hosts peaceful demonstrations. Follow police instructions if roads are closed.
Etiquette
- Stand on the right on Tube escalators, and walk on the left.
- Queue patiently, at bus stops, ticket desks and bars.
- Let people off the train before you get on.
- Remember that Parliament is a working building and the Abbey is a working church: dress modestly and keep your voice down inside.
