London is by far my favorite city in the entire world – at least it rivals New York for the top spot. I passed up the opportunity to move there permanently after meeting my husband (I know, I know), but, the good news for you is that after living there, and having visited several times since then, I have a bit of an insider’s view to the city. We have a fairly good mix of touristy things to do, but also recommendations that only come from having spent extensive time in London.
Tourist Hot Spot
Changing of the Guards and Buckingham Palace
Changing of the Guards is one of the most spectacular sites in London. Start at St. James Palace, head down the Mall and then finish in front of Buckingham Palace. The entire route gets extremely crowded, so if you’re interested in getting a great spot, I recommend heading over to the front of Buckingham Palace early that morning to claim your spot, as that’s where the real action takes place. The Changing of the Guard occurs once a day, usually beginning at 11:30 am and lasting half an hour. However, the Changing doesn’t happen everyday; it depends on the time of year, so be sure to look up the schedule. If you’re in London during the summer, you can tour Buckingham Palace (July-September), but be sure to get a ticket ahead of time. For more information, click here.
Off the Beaten Path
Wimbledon Common and Wimbledon Village
During my time living in London, I was lucky enough to live in Wimbledon. It was nice to live in an area that’s a little greener, yet still accessible to my favorite parts of the city. While you’ll certainly want to spend time in the center of London with all of the sites and sounds, take half of a day and head out to Wimbledon. Yes, the All England Club is a main draw to the area, and if you’re in London in June, you can certainly take in a match. However, Wimbledon Village is an area that’s a little bit off the main thoroughfare, yet still has cute restaurants, pubs and shopping. I found it to be a little more laidback, so if you’re in the mood to get out and see the city, but with a little less hustle and bustle, Wimbledon Village might be the answer.
Where to Eat
Vanilla, 131 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 5BB
The last time I was in London, one of my friends took me to Vanilla for cocktails and dinner and it was one of the most memorable culinary experiences I’ve ever had. At Vanilla, the focus is on taking the time to taste and experience the food instead of powering through the meal and not paying much attention. The menu features an a la carte menu, or a fixed menu. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. However, save room for a couple of small courses in between what you’ve ordered. These courses, perhaps you’ll get the clay covered fingerling potato like I did, are designed to get you to stop, think about what you’re eating, and enjoy the little surprises. The experience is one that you’ll never forget, from the chic setting to the fantastic menu.
Splurge Hotel
Claridge’s Hotel, Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 4HR
Near to Kensington, Knightsbridge and some of the world’s best shopping, Mayfair is one of the chicest destinations in London, which is where you’ll find Claridge’s Hotel. This 5-star luxury hotel sits right off of Hyde Park and has played host to quite the list of celebrities. If you’re looking for a posh hotel with impeccable service, book your stay at Claridge’s. When you’ve exhausted yourself from the shopping trips, indulge in the afternoon tea and then relax at the La Prairie Spa, and then book your evening meal at Gordon Ramsey’s namesake restaurant on property.
Bang for Buck Hotel
The Cavendish, 81 Jermyn Street, St James’s, London SW1 Y6JF
If you’d like to stay near to the Mayfair area, but don’t necessarily want to pay Mayfair prices, check out The Cavendish. This hotel is a modern, luxury property, but without the high London prices. You can choose from a classic room to a penthouse suite, with rooms from £130. However, you can find bookings online for slightly less than $200 per night.
Where to Get Married
The Dorchester, Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA
The Dorchester is one of the most iconic hotels in London and according to London-based wedding planner extraordinaire, Mark Niemierko, The Dorchester is the most fabulous place to have your wedding, and we agree! With eight different spaces, The Dorchester can accommodate weddings of 60 and up to 450 guests. And for guests traveling in from out of town, the property sits just off Hyde Park, just around the corner to Harrods and major shopping, so they’ll never run out of things to do.
Local Food
Strawberries and Cream
It’s cliché, but if you want a taste of what the announcers talk about while you’re watching Wimbledon each year, take a moment and savor Strawberries and Cream. It’s delicious, and you’re having strawberries, so it’s healthy, right?
Where to Go for Tea
The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA
Having won the UK Tea Council’s Award of Excellent in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010, and the Best Afternoon Tea in London in 2005 and 2008, The Lanesborough Hotel knows how to do Afternoon Tea properly. Ranging from 35-80 pounds per person, the Afternoon Tea here offers freshly baked scones, thick fresh cream and fruit preserves, plus your choice of tea. If you have difficulty choosing your tea of choice, call on England’s first-ever Tea Sommelier. If you want to splurge, opt for the Champagne service. Champagne works at any time of day. Afternoon Tea is served at 4:00, 4:30, and 5:00 pm, and ends at 6:00 pm.. If you’re like me, check out the menu before you go.
Shop
Covent Garden or Oxford Street or Bond Street or Sloane Street
Shopping in London just doesn’t get any better. From mainstream brands like French Connection and Diesel in Covent Garden to Selfridge’s on Oxford Street to Gucci and Harvey Nichols on Sloane Street, the options abound. Covent Garden and Oxford Street can be mad, particularly at the weekend, but it’s certainly an experience and you must go. If you’d like to shop with a bit less chaos and in higher end stores, head over to Bond or Sloane Street.
Getting Around
The Tube
Although it’s certainly not glamorous, The Tube is the easiest way to get around London. If you don’t mind crowds or the heat in the stations during the summer, purchase a day pass if you plan on making your way around the city. I find the Tube quite easy to navigate, but it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a small Tube map you can carry around for easy reference. Also, be mindful of closures of certain lines, as oftentimes construction on the lines happens on the weekend. If the Tube doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, hail a taxi or hire a car service for your stay.
Marriage Requirements:
Having a legal wedding ceremony in London can be quite tricky. Are you having a civil ceremony at a venue that’s not licensed for official civil ceremonies? There are steps for that. Are you having a civil ceremony at hotel or venue that’s licensed? There are slightly different steps for that. What about a religious wedding ceremony? There are even different requirements for that.
- In general, for civil ceremonies, you must have been in the country for at least seven days before you can apply for a license at the Registrar’s office. Then there is a 16 day waiting period once the license has been issued.
- If either of you were previously married, and this marriage did not happen in England or Wales, the registrar must verify the previous marriage ended in proper divorce proceedings, which can take up to 6 weeks.
- Work with your venue, if it’s a licensed one, to sort out the necessary requirements. Or I recommend hiring a destination wedding planner to help you. You can also refer to this article.
