American Couple Reacts: London: 10 Mistakes Tourists ALWAYS Make in London! FIRST TIME REACTION!
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2023
- American Couple Reacts: London: 10 Mistakes Tourists ALWAYS Make in London! FIRST TIME REACTION! As you know we are planning our United Kingdom trip next Summer. While we have looked at many non-tourist locations to visit, we are certainly not going to leave London off our list! This video is supposed to teach us what not to do when in London. What are the travel mistakes tourists ALWAYS make? Can we blend in amongst our British cousins? Let's find out together. Let us know if you agree with this list or if there is anything you would add or remove. We would love to hear from you in the comments. Thank you SO much for watching! If you enjoy our content, please consider subscribing to our channel, it is the BEST way to support our channel and it's FREE! Also, please click the Like button. Thank you for your support! *More Links below...
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The stereotype that British food was bland actually started with US troops in the UK during the second world war... when the entire population of Britain was under food rationing. There were no luxuries, restricted quantities, and cheap substitutes for ingredients. We couldn't really help the food being bland, we were just glad to have some.
the food rationing never ended in NI until the early 60s, the US troops brought their own food with them.
@@georgebarnes8163 It had ended by the 50s.
in1954.
@@georgebarnes8163They was on their own rationing in america.
@@mariahoulihan9483 1963 in NI
The trouble with the UK is that there is so much history! It's very hard to plan what to see and not fall into the tourist traps. There are places tucked away in little towns and villages that do not get visited that often.
I agree iv just started looking at u tube videos of my small town and see things iv walked by a 1000 times and took no notice of and I'm sure it's the same everywhere here
And that’s the way we like it! 😂
One very important tip, particularly as an US tourist to the UK , is to never cross a road anywhere in the UK without pausing at the curb first and remembering to always look to your RIGHT. In your enthusiasm and eagerness to go into a shop you noticed across the road, you might forget that traffic will be coming from your right. By always pausing to think this might save you from a nasty accident.
To counteract the theory of their countryman Darwin, the brits have actually painted "Look right ->" (yes, with arrows, in case you don't know which one is right) on the majority of pedestrian crossings.
London has enough one way streets (and suicidal cyclists) that it's better just to get into the habit of always looking both ways.
Best to always look both ways as we have a lot of "one way streets" !
Seriously... take this seriously! It's surprising how strong the urge is to look LEFT if you grew up with driving on the right... but, if you don't look RIGHT, you're gonna get SQUISHED! It's one of those things that's so automatic, you don't realize you're doing it, until you've stepped off the curb (after looking the wrong way) and get hit by a rear-view mirror across your stomach!
@@paulfeist I believe that's why buses are traditionally red - to hide the blood stains of US and European tourists looking the wrong way. 😂 Actually, now I'm curious as to why they ARE red 🤔
Top tip if there is a long queue to get into a museum or gallery: Come back about 90 minutes before it closes. You can walk straight in, you won't get museum-fatigue in the limited time, no need to rush it, enjoy the few things you do look at, and you'll come out wanting more!
The "zones" are based on public transport costs. Zone 1 is the heart of London, Zone 2 is a bit further out, and so on. The thing to remember is that London is bigger than you think - no matter how big you think it is :) It's got the population of New York, and has just as many places worth visiting, but is spread out over twice the area. You could spend years in London and still not see everything you might want to.
Same in Australia (unsurprisingly)
To expand on this. If you look at the traditional Tube Map, you'll see that the background changes at certain points. These are the "zones". Effectively, if you travel within a single zone, it will cost you the least amount. If you go between zones, the price you pay increases.
Zone 1 is the central part, which includes the Circle line and most of the District line. Then it moves out to zones 2 to 9, as you go further out from the centre.
@@apsutcliffe2010Not really the District line, which has a very broad east to west spread. Only a relatively small section of it is in zone one.
As an Australian, London is my favourite city in the world - museums, theatre, the National Gallery, the Portrait gallery, Covent Garden, the Tower, the Globe Theatre, fabulous parks. I could go on. I always find it odd that people queue on the escalators on the right side, when they drive on the left. We stick to the left in Australia.
You stand still on the right so traffic can move to the left?
@@nataliewallacenah - you over take on the right, and stick to the left lane if driving slower. Should do the same on escalators.
Most people are right handed and prefer to hold the right side.
Also an Aussie but I never liked London, did the touristy thing then my gap year slinging beers in pubs in Whitby and a stint in Cornwall. London just never did it for me. The escalator thing about passing to the right is spot on, infuriating. We're not at sea...
I’ve read the original cars were bought from the US along with the instructions on how to use them, hence stay right, pass on the left.
As an Aussie that has been lucky enough to travel to the UK twice, l love London, so much history.
I am an 85 year old Londoner born wiithin walking distance of Tower Bridge. You would find the history of the bridge and how it works fascinating. As a child I spent many summers on a little beach at the Tower of London ( just by the bridge) and never lost the excitement felt as the bridge opened to let a ship into the Pool of London which was then a very busy port
Best museum in London Museum of London , London, Docklands Surrey Quays.Hon estly ifuyou never been here oiu shopuld as snould evry londkoner. THe enytere story of london as a p0rt from romana times
Fuindce byn the Cuty, top noyc cuistiodisnshoip and cturstiion, freindlyas nd knoewledgeable stsff.
Iclouldn;t fsault it
Also the Ledger House next door does a top full English breakfast til alout midday.
sortydofor th ttypos0- parlinson's
@@brucebartup6161Can you reword it all in English please!!
@@hereiam2942 LONDON docklands is a great museum,
ad as i said n i have parhmkinson's so i shak so no i can't.
solry
@@brucebartup6161 Sorry didn't know you had Parkinsons. You can get voice to text apps to help you.
@@brucebartup6161 I have only just found your post. You have nothing to apologise for, I found it perfectly easy to understand what you were saying.I agree with your assessments of the museums you mention.
My very best wishes to you.
If you are planning to visit Whitby (good choice Ladies) you may wish to take a quick detour to Robin Hoods Bay (the end of the Coast to Coast Walk) a short bus journey, a treasure not to be missed, you nay also wish to visit the North Yorks Moor Railway, a live steam railway built by Stevenson and the only railway in the world to transit a peat bog on it's way through the beautiful North Yorkshire scenery/ I live only about twenty miles away in Middlesbrough on the banks of the river Tees. When I got married my wife went to Whitby for our honey moon, I went to Blackpool as I been to Whitby before!
Completely agree Robin Hoods Bay is a little Gem to visit for a afternoon
Also Staithes !
As a Londoner born and bred I can honestly say that if you want to taste traditional London food you must go to a Pie and Mash shop. These are mainly found in street markets. Menzies are probably the best. they also serve stewed and jellied eels, a real treat. Enjoy.
OMG yes two and two with liquor for me 🍽️😂. I miss that about London. I'm from East London and moved out years ago and one thing I still get cravings for and the first thing I do when I visit. Love Pie and Mash.
Not many pie mash shops left.
Love pie mash
Has to be from Kelly’s .
Be warned, its a Local East London dish and its not for the faint hearted. Its an acquired taste-bit like Marmite is. (Jellied eels are boiled eels in gelatine and the Liquor? Its a green gravy (ugh) god knows what its made of! Me? I prefer boiled eels, mashed potatoes with butter and a sprinkle of Parsley(herb) You either love it or Hate it!!
The 'Treasures of Tutankhamun' exhibition was shown in London at the British Museum in 1972. Apparently, an American visitor at the time hailed a black cab and instructed the driver "Take me to Tutankhamun". The driver took him to Tooting Common.
If you plan to visit Liverpool on your trip, then the Anglican Cathedral has a shiny red telephone box inside that (probably) won't have been used as a toilet. Both the cathedral and the classic K2 phone box were designed by the architect Giles Gilbert Scott.
As someone who only visits London occasionally as a tourist I would say try and use the buses in preference to the tube when you can. Much of the tube is very hot and noisy (as well as very crowded at times). It might get you speedily from A to B but you see nothing of London on the way. Although buses can also get very packed, the view from the top deck of a bus is far more interesting than no view.
I would agree lots of things to see if you just look out the window of a bus
And it only costs £1.50 per journey. Could be 400 yds or 4 mile or more. No cash accepted.
I'm also a more or less frequent tourist, visiting London every couple of years, and I agree on the bus thing.
I used to stick to the underground because it's fairly easy to navigate, but with Google Maps it's become so easy to know which bus to get, where to get on and where to step off. Also, yes, so cheap.
In some cases the underground may be faster, but there's the hassle of some of the stations and the aforementioned heat...
💯agree, tried it , it was fantastic 👍🏻
Buses are great
I lived in London between 1994 and 1998 as a foreign student there. Most of the mistakes mentioned, I made in my first year there :). Okay, I see that a lot has changed in the city since then but the vibe is still there. A couple of tips: Try The Clink. It's a museum that used to be a proper medieval prison. Bit dark (torture machines and stuff displayed there) but really interesting. For an out-of-town day trip you could visit Cambridge which is magnificent, or if you want to walk off the beaten path, I recommend the town of Rye, right on the tip of England's southeastern peninsula. Some of the alleys are a trip back in time...
Yes to Cambridge and yes to Rye....both of these would be great places for them to visit 👍
Rye is nice, also have a look at Hastings, it can be a bit seedy, but on the whole great fun.😊
As a Londoner the best way to see it is walk it especially around the city and west end,it’s amazing what I’ve found out and I was born there wherever you go you won’t see it all.
It’s a bit touristy but Hampton Court Palace is worth a visit. I was a bit sceptical of the “re-enactments” when I went with Aussie friends but it was actually brilliantly done and a lot of fun.
My sister lives there and has for many years. She loves it. Loves the history, food festivals for which my son goes to as a trader and she sometimes mans the stand to give him a break, and as a bonus Richmond park is just around the corner with beautiful walks and wildlife.
Go on a boat along the Thames. Magnificent !!
As you know we are planning our United Kingdom trip next Summer. While we have looked at many non-tourist locations to visit, we are certainly not going to leave London off our list! This video is supposed to teach us what not to do when in London. What are the travel mistakes tourists ALWAYS make? Can we blend in amongst our British cousins? Let's find out together. Let us know if you agree with this list or if there is anything you would add or remove. We would love to hear from you in the comments. Thank you SO much for watching! If you enjoy our content, please consider subscribing to our channel, it is the BEST way to support our channel and it's FREE! Also, please click the Like button. Thank you for your support!
Regardless what city or town you go to only get fish and chips from a chippy.
Look up Rock cab tours London, he drives you around the music hotspots in a black cab and will tailor the tour to you're music taste's.
Zone 1 refers to the public transport pricing system, which divides London up into several rough concentric rings like a misshapen target. Zone 1 is just the one in the middle, and it’s sometimes used as verbal shorthand to mean central London.
If you are thinking of seeing stonehenge then may I recommend an alternative, Avebury is much more interesting and there is a pub in the middle.
@@marvintpandroid2213 Also no entrance fee at Avebury.
London is definitely worth a look, and I am sure you will love it. I think if you've heard any "dont go to London" advice, its possibly because many tourists will come to the UK and ONLY visit London, and think that it is representative of the entire island. It's not. It is a fantastic lively cosmopolitan place with much history, but it is I would say a very different place to the rest of the UK. So glad you are heading to Whitby for your fish and chips. By far the best I have had. I love it there, and if I know when you are there, I might try to meet you if you are doing any 'meet the fans' stuff. Outside London, especially up north, we are a chattier bunch so I will happily talk to you, Natasha. Also, if you have the opportunity, please do consider heading further up the east coast to Northumberland - you can visit an area with much saxon and viking history. For Indian food, if you do decide to try it, I love Korma as it has little or no heat, its rich and creamy with coconut. Everything else is too hot for my delicate palette
He's right about Waxy O'Connors! The interior is like stepping into a fantasy world! But don't knock Wetherspoons. Yeah, the food is maybe not the world's greatest... but it is good and cheap and filling. They're always full of locals, which says it all really 😀
Weatherspoons made its way with out of date beer, thats why it was cheap.
My most interesting fact about London Bridge is that there is a Roman road that is 57 miles long in an (almost) straight line from my home city to London Bridge. This road is called Stane Street, is around 2000 years old and a lot of it is still in use today
Oyster works the same as contactless. Oyster is useful for if you don't have a contactless debit/credit card or if you're using a foreign card and your bank charges for currency conversion. It's also useful if you're disabled, under 30 or elderly as you can apply railcard discounts to oyster cards.
Love the ending, you won’t stand out as being a tourist at all 😂😂
Yes, definitely go to London. Tourists go there because it has so many very interesting things to see. Also agree about the Lamb & Flag. Another pub is Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese which is a rabbit warren of a place.
I also tend to wander around the streets in these historic towns where I have happened upon a whole range of things that caught my attention. E.G. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry which originally cast the Liberty Bell and recast Big Ben.
As for what else you should see, depends on what sort of stuff you like (Museums, Palaces, Gardens, Cathedrals, Pubs)and how long you will be there.
Cities that are definitely worth seeing are York, Bath, Oxford and/or Cambridge or maybe you prefer just travelling through the smaller villages (Cotswold, Yorkshire Dales etc) which would probably require a car.
FYI, while in London I stayed in Soho Square. It was expensive but it was a great location and we could walk to so many things.
I think a lot of Americans go to London and think they have seen the UK. You guys know better so absolutely enjoy London but I know you will be seeing the rest of the UK too
A delightful area in which to stay in London is Barnes. This inner suburb is on the Thames, is a 10 minute ride from Kew Gardens, has good rail and bus links, and has a village atmosphere. My third son lives there with his US husband. Every time I visit I find new little shops and galleries. When strolling around the High Street, one would never credit that the place is in a big city, at all.
Interesting I’ve never visited Barnes
Wimbledon Village area is nice too.
Just nearby in Chiswick and Kew are like this - There are loads of villages in London that are quaint and pretty but no one bothers to leave zone 1
I’m actually laughing at the fact this video was about trying to blend in and not seem like a tourist yet it ended with that blinder of an outfit. Ur a bloody legend Natasha 😂😂😂
🫡
You can walk between most of the central London tourist areas- south bank, Houses of Parliament, Covent Garden, British Museum etc. The journey time on the underground from Leicester Square to Covent Garden is about 30 seconds! It takes 5 mins to get down from street level to the platforms and 5 to get lift up to Covent Garden. It’s only a five minute walk at street level and you will see so much more.
One fact to remember when your planning stuff, is the size of the UK. Even when compared to the size of the USA The UK is bigger than you think. If your driving to places like Cornwall, Wales or up here into the North East for places likes Beamish Museum, allow extra time for travelling and traffic. Yes, we have traffic jams and roadworks over here too. Beamish is about 270 miles, (about 6 hours driving), from Central London. Cornwall is about the same.
The state I live in is literally bigger than the whole U.K. Take a drive across the U.S... It's much bigger than you think. 😊
@@daddyrabbit835 I think that was the point I was trying to make. Some Americans see the UK and think it's a dinky little Island where you can drive its entire length in an afternoon. I live near Newcastle, which they have looked at recently, and to drive to London from there is around 280 miles. That's roughly Los Angeles to Las Vegas. At legal UK speeds that's a 5 hour trip one way.
You can get good fish & chips in London - Billingsgate market is the biggest fish market in the UK, with fresh catches sold from about 4 am each day. BUT... if you go into somewhere in a major tourist area you (1) will pay much more than you need to, and (2) you can't always expect it to be so fresh.
He's bang on about the telephone boxes. I'd stay outside if I were you.
😭😭
@@TheNatashaDebbieShow Its Ok... not all of them are. Go to ones away from Zone 1 and you'll be fine!
Two things about the red telephone boxes: 1. There are very few of them left 2. He is absolutely right about the smell as public restrooms are almost as scarce as they are in New York. There are a couple of red phone boxes at the bottom of Whitehall near the Houses of Parliament outside HM Treasury, just south of King Charles Street. But be prepared to queue as every tourist wants to be photographed there.
There’s a red phone box on the street just north of the Tower of London that was fine as to smells. At least long enough to take a couple snaps.
One mistake that lots of CZcamsrs make when visiting UK, is to take too much of their fans' advice. Those who live outside London are apt to downplay its importance, but it's a huge mistake to overlook it altogether. They claim it's a rip-off and over-rated and over-stated. It can be all of those things, but it's also an amazing epicentre of our culture and history. It's also crazy to think you can do London in a day or two. I'm English and have been visiting London all of my 75 years and I still find something of fascination every time I do. So you are wise to say that you do intend to include it in your visit. Covent Garden is a must for its atmosphere, but so is Camden market and not so many tourists find their way there (though a lot do). You'd need your bumps feeling to be staying in Fulham if you aren't going to leave it and go and see what's in central London. Reseach the things that appeal to you and enjoy them, but absolutely don't ignore the most famous sights. They are awesome, if busy.
Well Said. My beloved Hometown of 69 years(29 in Inner London and now 40 years in Outer London).
Pros and Cons? Pros: It's the most stimulating, vibrant City in the World, which you'll never see in one lifetime. It has 100,000 Official "Places Of Interest" and most streets are different in the heart of London from the street next to it. The Tube is brilliant and has 272 Stations. It has tremendous variety and Culture.
Disadvantages: Certain areas at night can be dodgy though I have never witnessed a crime in all my time living here. ENJOY:)
As a born and bred Londoner, I agree with you entirely. I occasionally watch one CZcams channel where the American host paid his first visit to the UK. He'd listened to the advice of his subscribers and only spent one day in London! Admittedly, his time in the UK was limited, but based on that one day, he still talks about how he's "seen" and "knows" London! Sorry mate, but you didn't come anywhere close to even scratching the surface!
I do think there may be a certain degree of misinterpretation of that advice, though. It's true to say that London isn't representative of the UK as a whole, and I would always recommend that visitors explore more of the country to get the overall picture. But some seem to interpret the advice as "Don't ever visit London, it's not worth it.". But in my opinion, they'd be foolish not to spend at least a few days visiting the capital, it has so much to offer.
@@andybaker2456 That's a good summary Andy and next week I will take a boat trip from Greenwich to Westminster return, which is 3 hours and it costs £9 with my Boris Pass concession, last year. Where were you from in London and have you moved out and where to, mate?
I, literally moved to within 1/2 mile of a S E London postal code,11 miles from where I was born and raised near The Elephant and Castle, less than 2 miles from the heart of London..I bought this same house 40 years ago and love,both,returning to London,regularly and,occasionally,going right into the Countryside.
@@Isleofskye I grew up in Battersea, but over the years I've gradually moved further and further out (as have many people I know). I'm now settled in Reigate, so only 20 miles from Central London. It's an easy train journey to London, and as I no longer work in Central London either, I do enjoy getting the train in and playing tourist in my own home town at the weekend! It's incredible the way you can see the place through completely different eyes when you visit by choice, and not by necessity. But no matter where I live, London (and Battersea specifically) will always be "home". It's an incredible city.
@@andybaker2456 Thanks for your reply, Andy. The traditional South East London route is Kent and then Surrey 2nd. The main South West London moves are to neighbouring Surrey then Sussex x 2:) I "think" I, almost,got mugged 4 years ago between Clapham Junction where it meets Battersea High Street. I turned round suddenly and saw 3 youths very near me on cycles express disappointment that I saw them and they moved on.
My best M8 went to Reigate Grammar(now Fee paying?" and was in the same year as Keir Strarmer...
Always remember to look RIGHT before crossing the road. Many tourists have been splattered on the road by the big red busses because they stepped in front of busses.
The red telephone boxes, do in fact absolutely stink of stale piss. It's nothing new either. People have been using them as toilets for pretty much as long as they've been around 😆
If its been repurposed then maybe it's been cleaned. Maybe. As a rule of thumb though, I'd keep the door closed if I were you 😂
London is an amazing city , yes its touristy but some of the architecture is stunning , westminster Abbey alone will blow your mind . And visit horse guards to see the household cavalry guarding the gateway . 😊
Don't neglect museums and galleries, if you have the time. The British Museum, National Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum and Natural History Museum are all world class. And Oxford is only an hour away by train. Look up Oxford on Google to get a hint of what it's like.
And most are FREE!!
The national Portrait gallery is fascinating all these people you may or may not have heard about looking like they could step off the walls ! Some fabulous Dutch masters there too.
This is a video about what NOT to do. Just saying.
Best museum - Museum of London London Docklands.. Surrey Quays
Natasha you reminded me of the first time my husband came to visit me in Glasgow. Orcadians are rather reserved so when he went shopping for new trousers he was totally dumbfounded when he came out to show me the second pair and a wee Glasgow woman told him."nah son the grey ones suit you better" before wandering back to her own shopping.
Although I’ll always recommend checking out places outside of London, London *is* an amazing city and absolutely worth spending time in (it’s just that so many tourists essentially *only* go to London)
Here's a really great tip. When we used to go camping in a new area we'd go to a supermarket. They have loads of leaflets about nearby attractions. You can then plan your trips at your leisure.
Great content, ladies. 🇬🇧🇺🇸💜
Or find a tourist information centre, most large (or more touristy) places have one, and tourist attractions tend to have a collection as well for other places in the area
When I went to the UK in 2017 I made a list of all the things I wanted to see in London. I didn't get to see them all even after 9 days there. I had to catch a taxi once. I was at the Tower Of London and had to go to Buckingham Palace for the State Rooms Tour. I got to the underground station only to find it closed. Natasha, If you want someone to talk to, grab a cab!! If you are Beatles fans, remember Abbey Road cross walk. That was top of my list. 😁
Public transport in London is a great way to get around. If you want a black cab don't ask the hotel desk to call for a taxi. Tell them you want a black cab. There are a lot of illegal taxis in London and charge whatever they want with no meter. I got conned when I was in London.
I have never had a good experience with public transport but getting a Hackney cab (black cab/street car) with a meter and a driver displaying their license has always been a life-saver, especially to avoid the masses.
No need to ask hotel just go outside, stick your arm in the air and if a black cab passing is available they'll stop.
I was going to say that. Always use proper black Hackney cabs. The drivers have spent years learning London's geography, and know how to get you where you want to go via either the fastest or the cheapest way. The cabs are constantly checked and maintained, and the drivers are closely vetted.
Note that "black cabs" aren't necessarily black. Some have advertising wraps that might be any colour! But they all have the same identifiable shape, and all display a hackney cab licence and have a dome-shaped light on the roof. If the light is on, the taxi is available, and you can flag it down on the street.
You might want to see if you can find a video about "doing the Knowledge". The Knowledge is the exam all London black cab drivers must pass before being licensed. It's unique in the world.
@@robertadavies4236There’s a CZcamsr Cabbie who does good content.
London had a huge problem with illegal minicabs around 15 or 20 years ago but it's something that doesn't exist at all (as far as I know) now. I don't think there's as many "high street" minicab offices as there once was either. Uber is very popular these days.
😂yes he is right about the phone kiosk that's what they're called in the day like 60s/70s the post office had a cleaning crew that would go around and make sure the were spotless and phone books where all ok but that was stopped somewhere in the mid 70s ????? Pity really xx
First thing he said - "It's raining of course" well actually, London gets less rain than New York.
We know. Our own city gets more
I lived in London for many years and loved it. You can't really visit the UK with spending some time in London. You can visit Buckingham Palace to see some collections or the Tower of London for history and St Paul's Cathedral for magnificence but the open top buses obviously give you a better general view of what's where. It's not always easy when you pop up from the Tube to get your bearings. Please don't forget Hampton Court Palace on the outskirts of London. Not all the best things are right in the middle. 😀
I loved Hampton Court Palace it has the best preserved Tudor kitchens in the country. A must see place to go I agree.
Yes and Richmond park & down by the river in Richmond itself. In fact lots of places along the Thames are gorgeous. I used to live in Thames Ditton, they’d love that wee village, & Hampton Court is just up the road from that. (I got married in Thames Ditton & we had our reception in a hotel in Hampton Court). There’s a maze in Hampton Court as well. That would be fun seeing them get lost in there. 😆
@@SuperDebyO Yes. If they walk along the river a bit they could see the islands and what you can really do with a double decker houseboat. 😀 I think we might lose them there!
Chicken Korma is a very mild curry its either 1 or 2 chilli heat when the hottest is 5😊.
London is like its own country within the UK it has a population size equivalent to Scotland and Wales combined. I don't know how long you're planning on your total stay in the UK (hopefully a long one so we gets lots of vids and you have loads of fun!) but I'd say maybe 2 full days minimum and then adjust according to the total length of your visit time over here. As an aside re the red phone boxes we still love them here too even though they have no phones. In many places around the country they have preservation orders on them and the locals have adopted them for other uses like book exchanges. They have lots of books in and people take a book out and replace it with one of their old books they've read, it is done on trust and is a great local amenity. When you move out of London and on to other places you'll often find many locals are the ones saying hi to you unprompted, most of the country loves a good chat.
Sorry to disappoint you, but I think I heard them say in a recent video that they won't be vlogging their experiences in the UK. May be they'll wind up doing a little bit, but I wouldn't count on there being too much. They are there for a month though, so we'll hopefully get to see a few bits on video. 🤞
Yes we have one in our village that is a book exchange phone box.
My biggest tip for Central London is Walk.
Don’t go by tube all the time. There’s so much to see. There are little ally’s that open up into squares and courtyards all over the place.
Eg behind Holborn tube is Lincoln Inn Fields.
Check that out. I used to run round it during my lunch break!
Btw my wife is allergic to curry. So don’t be forced to eat one!
Don’t worry about getting an Oyster card.
When I moved to London a year ago I bought a Oyster Card almost right away and I used it twice. There just generally isn’t a point when you can use your bank card, and you have to keep topping it up so it can be a bit of an inconvenience at times. Using contactless is just so much simpler and convenient 😊
There doesn't seem to be a way to get your money back from an Oyster card either.
@@etherealbolweevil6268There is.
For those visiting from abroad, an Oyster may make more sense though. Foreign (especially US) banks are sometimes reluctant to enable contactless payments on TfL in case the card has been stolen.
@@peeky44 Also my bank might charge me for an international transaction each time I use a bank or credit card. I'll keep using my oyster. I don't worry about getting any left over money back, I'll just use it next time.
I would still always recommend London as there is lots to see. I think its probably easy to over spend in London if you go to the first place you see for everything, especially with food. Lot of the touristy places can charge a lot and you might not get much and it might not be particularly good either. This goes triple for places selling fish and chips , a full English breakfast or some sort of afternoon tea
My big tip to not standing out is remember to look right first when crossing the road more so out of London.
Pleased to hear you know there is more to the UK than London and you are planning to get out and see more of this great country. ❤
Look Right, Look Left, Look Right Again. Every Kerb stone without fail.
@@AlmightyCRJ 😃🙄😁
Talk to the locals if possible, they are very friendly, and always have great travel advice, the lamb and flag a must ,the staff are great and guide you well on your trip
Look at Norwich, one the oldest medieval city's in the UK, once second to London in the 17th century. Boasts two cathedrals and a norman castle. Norwich is the capital of beautiful Norfolk, with it's famous Broads waterways
I always take my friends and their family’s and their friends from all around the world for wondering around The bits of London that the tourist don’t do Plus the touristy bits as well. It’s always good to show people around
I've walked over Tower Bridge many times. Back in 1996, I walked across it with three friends, and we found £40 on the ground. So we went out for dinner LOL.
(Yeah, I know - four people, £40, in LONDON. It didn't go very far, even back then)
Once you have eaten in the Magpie, Whitby (world famous fish and chips), you will be spoiled forever. Yes they do have mushy peas. Food is quite often served on platters and a standard Haddock will hang over the ends of the plate, chips are made with fresh potatoes not frozen. Chips are quite often what you call steak chips.
I went in March. It was sunny and warm. Use Google maps for directions it’s priceless. Take the Tube or ride the bus. I stayed in a small hotel for a reasonable price within walking distance from the Victoria and Albert Museum, their Natural History Museum, Prince Albert Auditorium and the most beautiful park with lots of locals. Have fun.
from my experience of using the tube - people don't talk on the underground sometimes because 170 languages are used in London - also fewer Londoners can afford to live in Zone 1, so most of the time you'll be travelling with fellow tourists. Most people will be more than happy to chat, and that increases the further you travel outside of the West End, how late in the day it is, and how much they've drunk. ;) It's also utter nonsense that Londoners aren't friendly, start a conversation in any 'non-touristy' pub and find out for yourself.
Wonderful experience on the Tube a few years back. The tube train was standing in the station due to a delay along the line. One young lady was standing by the doors when an obviously American clean cut college boy got on and stood opposite her, he immediately tried to engage her in conversation. She made eye contact just once - fatal. For the fifteen minutes it took before the train moved he told her and the entire carriage his whole academic history and how he came to be in London! This despite the fact that she spoke only once, to confirm he was on the right train.
Please visit THE NEW FOREST where horse,ponies and Donkeys even cows! Roam free even through the towns! Also I would recommend definitely Dorset .....Mudeford, Sandbanks, Durdle door ect.
Roam free? Yes! I was once driving past a pub in The New Forest and saw a horse walking in through the front door; it was probably going in for a pint.
Some additions, hopefully not already mentioned: Tunnel under the Thames to Greenwich, see the observatory there, but beware STEEP incline to the observatory. Catch the Docklands Light Railway to Island Garden, which is other end of the tunnel. Its TFL, and they are DRIVERLESS trains! Such fun if you're lucky enough to sit at the front. Greenwich also has a street market, which is kind of enclosed. Covent Garden has some fantastic street entertainment, and also an indoor market. The Stables at Camden also a must see. Street food is incredible, also shops selling items it's hard to find elsewhere - wide-ranging costs. Also, the bronze horse sculptures are a sight to behold. Placed there because it was once a site for actual Stables! Can think of Loads of other sights, but would be a bit concerned about locations that even some Londoners might struggle with getting to. So excited anticipating your reviews of your visit
There IS excellent fish and chips in London, even in the central area but not just anywhere. I went to The Fryer's Delight at 19 Theobalds Rd, London WC1X 8SL (near the British Museum) with my brother who is originally British but has lived in America for many years. We were not disappointed.
Most decent fish and chips in London are further out in the Greater London, residential areas for local residents e.g. Jack the Chipper in Greenwich, Mario's in Isleworth. In central there is Poppies and Kennedy's which are pretty good.
Yes, the warning in the video is against going to tourist traps. Avoid pubs and restaurants in touristy areas, or anywhere with big signs claiming "Authentic English", "Real Cockney", "Ye Olde", etc. Get off the beaten track and go where the natives go. Ask around. London is full of world-class pubs and restaurants, but you won't find them in the tourist hotspots.
I grew up in London and now usually only make day trips. My one piece of advice for a few days in London would be to plan each day carefully. Look at pre booking some activities, could be a West End show, and then see what other things are within easy travelling distance of that area. Study the tube map in advance so you know how to get from A to B quickly. For example the Natural History museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park are all close together. Camden Market, Regents Park and the London Zoo are in another area. Covent Garden and the South Bank where you will find Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Borough Market and the Tate Modern Art Gallery might not be too much of a stretch in a day. London is always incredibly busy and for me these days, quite exhausting. So planning and pacing yourselves is the best way to get the most out of your visit.
If you are thinking about sport it is worth checking out fixtures for your chosen sport and finding out how you can get tickets. Cricket is a summer sport, Football and Rugby autumn through to spring. Getting tickets for a premiership football match is not easy in my experience.
Make the lake District your first outside of London visit, you can't go wrong. Plus you will pass through a lot of England getting there. Beautiful.
I've been to London four times now... I adore that city! Yes, getting out of London into the rest of the UK is fantastic too, but, you can both stay away from the "touristy stuff" AND never run out of stuff to see and do in London.
First, I agree - stay away from all the "chain" Pubs! The menu is all the same, and it's all crap.
I VERY much recommend visiting The Mayflower Pub... it's on the south bank of the Thames, and a little out of the way to get to, but, remember the Mayflower that landed at Plymouth Rock? It left from the dock in front of this pub. AND, the food is amazing!
DO use the Underground... DO use a contactless card or phone. The Underground is the best way to get around, salted with an occasional Uber, or Black Cab. The Oyster Card is not BAD, but contactless is actually slightly cheaper, and easier.
As for Fish and Chips? I've had the worst Fish and Chips of my life in London, AND I've had the BEST Fish and Chips of my life in London. Eat where locals eat, not where tourists eat.
DO walk across Tower Bridge... preferably on you way to Borough Market on the south bank... If you like food, you'll like Borough Market! (And do visit the cheese shops and have some wonderful English Cheddar!).
DO walk along the Victoria Embankment early in the morning if the weather is nice... it's a lovely walk, and you can imagine that it's between the World Wars...
In my own opinion; the London Eye is NOT worth the line, Not worth the money, and the view from walking up all the stairs to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral is FAR better (be aware that the stairs past a certain point are "one way", and you can't turn around! You have to go to the top, and the down the stairs on the other side - once you hit that point, you're commited!).
Learn the main Lines of the Underground, and put the TFL app on your phone, and you're good to go in London!
And, go have Tea someplace! Spend a few bucks (er, Quid...) on a nice Afteroon Tea. You won't regret it. Well, depends on how many glasses of proseco you have with your cup of tea...
I could keep going, but, I've already written than anyone wants to read LOL. Did I mention I love London?
I can't tell you how much you girls cheer me up with your enthusiasm and joy. I've been to the US a few times, always places tourists never go like Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Arkansas and Ohio. Love the people. New York? Boston?,La?.
..No thanks. I like real America apart from Minnesota😅 it was sooooo cold! Come to Warwick in Warwickshire! You simply must ❤
I would add a trip to Battersea Power Station, which after years standing derelict has recently opened as a combined shopping centre, housing development and history display. Theyve kept quite a bit of the internal machinery and made a number of little displays around the building showing how it looked when it was built, there is also a ride up one of the chimneys which gives spectacular views across the city. Several channels have done videos on it. The one by AdventureMe covered some of the history too, which I thought was a nice touch. My understanding is that Battersea Dogs home is only a short walk away, perhaps someone can confirm that for me?
They did a vid on it a few weeks ago
@@Suprahampton You are absolutley right, I completely forgot. My apologies.
My uncle had a pub near Battersea Power Station. You can get a picture of it when you buy Pink Floyd's "Animals" (without the floating pig tho)
Yes it is. Sadly we’ve lost Paul O’Grady it’s greatest ambassador.
Black cabs made in Coventry. Carbodies, the company which built both the FX3, the FX4 and its successor models, was merged into the London Taxis International (LTI) company and as of 2010 was rechristened as the London Taxi Company (LTC), which still builds the taxis in Coventry.
Over the past six decades more than 130,000 black cabs have been made at the Coventry facility, with between 2,000 and 2,500 built each and every year. Around two-thirds of the cars produced go straight to London via a dealership in Islington, while the remainder are sent to other cities in the UK or to foreign markets keen to capitalise on the evocative look of the London taxi
I love the London Underground. The smell, the grime, the rush
I actually spoke to a couple people on the tube, they looked at me as though I had 3heads. I’m from Cornwall down in the south west, I’m friendly can’t help myself. So Natasha be aware. 🇬🇧
I just think they are totally pig ignorant.
Great video and advice, you guys are going to have the best trip 😊
I have lived in London since I was 16 so over 3G years and I do love it. It is so diverse much more than outside of London. And I always feel safe and there are so man’y things to see and do. Museums, concerts, theatre shows and parks. Never bored
There are loads of other diverse towns and cities outside of London. Pretty much the whole of the West Midlands and places further North
@@allycbythesea7937 Not quite as diverse though.
Would recommend the open top London bus tours. This gives you an idea of things to see and then you can decide what you want to see.Buckingham Palace is only open certain times of the year.
Hiya, London has several Zones for travel, roughly circular with Zone 1 being the centre and thus the most expensive to hotel. Kensington is the home of Harrods, St Paul’s- famous cathedral, nearby Covent Garden used to be home to the fruit & veg and now a bit of a tourist hotspot but still worth a look. Great vid and look forward to seeing what more you have planned. And the offer of Hever Castle is still available 😉
When you come to London make sure you go to Greenwich. Nice observatory on the hill in Greenwich park which gives a really good view of the naval college with canary Warf as a background giving you that new and old contrast. The park itself is really nice, it’s right next to the river. The maritime museum is a nice little extra as well as the naval college. And weekends there’s a nice little market going.
Was always my go to place to experience beauty and peace in London
@@charliemendoza749 there’s also the Cutty Sark clipper (sailing ship) that you can go have a look at and the Meridian Line as well and the deer sanctuary in the park which unfortunately at the moment doesn’t have any deer at the moment.
Spoons don't microwave all their food. A medium sized Wetherspoons will have at least four people cooking in the kitchen. The reason that one edge of your plate is cooler is so that servers can carry them.
My local phone box is now a free mini-library. You pick a book, and leave a book. It's a lovely thing.
What a fun video this one was! Especially that ending! Phewwww! 😂❤
😉
The London public transport network is divided into zones. Zone 1 is the central London area and further out you go from the middle, the higher the zone number and you pay a little bit more.
If your in the North of England.. you can talk to anyone.. we're happy to talk to strangers here
First mistake is to say it’s always raining. It’s annoying. In south east England we actually have droughts and hosepipe bans. We find it bizarre when people say it’s always raining. Weird.
Great to hear some hint’s and tips for a visit to London but if you want to open the door on a phone box you can go ahead .. but now with caution. Black cabs are expensive but a short ride for the experience could be fun . Great show ladies ❤️❤️
Most museums in London are free, but there may be large queues. It is definitely worth looking at some of the smaller museums, I would recommend Leighton House (a Victorian painter's home and studio in Kensington) . The National Gallery and both Tate galleries are also free.
Zone 1 is a London Underground area, effectively central London and it actually quite small (about 2 miles square) and is therefore quite easy to explore on foot.)
The City of London is a square mile, and the oldest part of London.
The National theatre is well worth a visit and very reasonable and the cheap tickets with perfect views are £20. I would avoid the West End shows, unless you really want to see a play, far more expensive and the views can be poor..
The original London Bridge is now situated in the Arizona desert as a tourist attraction. When you mentioned you did not like curry I suffered heart palpitations and had to rush for my tablets. I am now slowly coming to terms with your statement. I hope time will heal.
That's not the original, there was an older one that predates it.
London city centre is TINY! I used to visit London once or twice a week for work and I had been going there for say 5 years and always caught the tube. One day I left the hotel early and decided to walk. It was faster than the tube(4 stops)! After that I started checking my A-Z street map and you can walk right across zone 1(the centre) in about 30-40 minutes even in the rush hour. And if you avoid the main streets it's even pleasant. One morning I came across a lady out polishing her door step(I didn't know people still did that!) and a dog collecting the morning newspaper from the local newsagent for its owner. At the same time I could hear birds singing and smell the flowers in a small city square. This was in the centre of London(Angel) at 8:00am!! About 100 yards away was one of the busiest streets, mobbed with people and traffic. I retired about 10 years ago so it may have changed a bit, but not that much I'd guess!
Angel? Centre of London? Pull the other one. It’s got bells on.
@@stevetaylor7403 It's only a 5-10 minute walk from Kings Cross and St Paul's and 15-20 minutes from Leicester Square. It's inside Zone 1 how much closer does it need to be?
Yep some good advice there girlies, Once again you done it. There is so much to see and do in London so don't try doing it in one day. If you can do some then go do somewhere else and then return to London before you leave to come home. Enjoyed that thank you. 🇬🇧🇬🇧❤
It is impossible to do London in one lifetime.:)
I am a p69 year old Londoner who has tried....and failed miserably.
@@Isleofskye I'm the same,as a child my dad worked all over central London and took us to places that most people didn't know existed but always said theres more than we will ever know.
@@michelletrudgill4573 Exactly Michelle.
I was just thinking of the many places that I have never seen or heard of. It's very many:)
You guys are already ahead of the pack when it comes to UK knowledge. In fact I’ve learned more about my own country from watching your videos than a lifetime of living here, so thanks for that! What would be really great though is, when you’re here next year, please make a video of things that still surprised you even though you’ve already learned a lot.
Ladies, don't forget to use your network! You have hundreds, maybe thousands of followers who would be happy to assist you while you're in the UK! I used to work in London, back in the 80s as a cameraman: it's a good place to work, but one doesn't really go there for friendship and warmth! Its very like New York! Be prepared for the shocking expense though! London is the most expensive part of the UK! Cheers from Brunei.
In a country with so many rules and regulations, it’s mind blowing that the rickshaws you see are unregulated and possible scams.
But they're a form of cycling so they get a free pass when it comes to following rules and regulations.
There's nothing "possible" about it - they ARE scams, and should be avoided at all costs.
Yep I have no idea why they cannot get rid of them or require a licence and insurance, it’s essentially private hire of a vehicle.
Yeah you've got the EU to thank for that
Driving my coach in London I'm always having problems with them, grrrrr 😤
Hello Natasha & Debbie. Last time I went sightseeing in London. Went to Tower Bridge. There is a walkway between the towers and I think it had a see-through floor. Great views but a bit of a frightener if your afraid of heights.
I love your enthusiasm for our country i do hope you have the best time during your visit i love watching your show thank you for entertaining us ❤❤
Safety note: keep and eye on your bags don’t leave anything in pockets exposed, london can be pickpocket central ❤
Hampstead Heath in North London and Greenwich Park in South London are two areas you must consider. Both easily reached by public transport.
True. I am 8 miles from Greenwich and just read 16 minutes by car from Greenwich(If I went by Public Transport then it takes 10 minutes just to walk to the local bus stop!) lol
Natasha, if you really want to go inside a red telephone booth, don't do it in London. There are many villages or towns with at least one red phone booth. Rather try one of those. Best fish & chips? Whitby!! And if you don't like Indian food then you have never eaten any authentic Indian food! It doesn't have to burn your pants off to be good. Real Indian curry is spicy, yes, but you can ask for 'mild' and it's all in the flavour. Yummmm! That outfit Natasha! Debbie, are you going to be walking on the opposite side of the street? LMAO!! No-one will know you're a tourist in that get-up honey. Love you both big!!
Town phone booths always smell of wee, and that’s if you’re lucky 😂
@@littlemy1773 I know, but maybe they can avoid some of the other smells in a town one. LOL
@@sharonmartin4036 fingers crossed!
Also, walking is a much more viable option that you might think and there's no better way to build a map of the city in your mind. If you're in Zone 1 and can spare a few 30 mins slots to walk you don't need to get the tube or a bus. For instance, walking from Piccadilly Circus/Covent Garden to the Southbank takes you through the heart of the West End, across a bridge (usually the Jubilee Bridge by Embankment tube, but Waterloo Bridge has great views) so you can see the Thames, then to the vibrant cultural Southbank area which I think is my personal must while in London. With Google/Apple Maps walking is much easier than it used to be and genuinely can be the nicest way to get around unless you're heading into other Zones.
PS. He is spot on, when he says people won’t talk too you on the underground. My friend I used too work with came up too Lancashire for a visit. I took her too Malham Cove, for a walk and the scenery. As you pass any one you always say hello, good afternoon or anything. She was Gob Smacked. She said do you always say hello too people you pass. I said well yes it’s polite. We would never do that in London. Which I’ve found myself. So watch out for being kinda ignored. I was one walking down the road in Surrey, a lady was sweeping her drive, as I passed, I said Good morning. She nearly died. I’m not even joking about that either. ❤️🙏🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸❤️🙏🇬🇧🇺🇸
If you go to London, try to go to the more obscure places like the Horniman Museum or the Victoria & Albert Museum. Can you tell that I like museums? (I realise that the V&A isn't that obscure but it probably is for tourists.)
I'm the same Natasha - have to talk to strangers and don't like curry! 😂 With regard to staying in London: remember regular shops aren't open 24 hours ( they close normally around 5pm) although eateries, pubs etc are open till later; stay on the outskirts and take the public transport in; check out the free museums etc; get used to walking! Eating out: fish & chips are ALWAYS better from a Chip Shop rather than a pub/cafe/restaurant; don't only go for what you have been told is 'traditional British food' as it probably still isn't (traditional English Breakfast is a treat rather than the norm and chips with everything is also a myth!). Google everything before you go there. Can't wait to see you two in the UK. xx
People are much friendlier outside of London. Take a walk through the countryside, through little villages. People are really friendly. I once gave up my seat for an older lady on the tube. I think she was in shock that I had done that 😂😂😂
Just to say the original London Bridge is in your country in Arizona. It was purchased in 1968 by a Mr Robert P McColluch. It was then moved from London brick by brick and then used to clad a newly built bridge there.
RED PHONE BOX. Wait till you are in the countryside to go into the red phone box. None actually have phones in them as they were decommissioned years ago. However, most villages still have one and it’s used as a local library. Villagers have put in shelves and put in books they no longer need, and take one they require. Book swap. Also, sometimes veggies, fruit and flowers that they have a glut of. Help yourself. Occasionally there is a donation box for a local charity but not always. Local hospitality at its best with no smell of pee unlike the ones in town.
In ironbridge there is a working phone inside it
BT still. maintain over 20,000 working telephone boxes, mainly in town and city centres, stations and airports.
Okay. Sorry folks I got that wrong. I live in a medieval village in rural Suffolk. All our villages are libraries. I hardly ever venture into cities so my mistake.
@@maggieellison1017 Yes, I think BT now take a view that if there is not enough income from a box then they will decommission it. So rural telephone boxes have gone because there wasn’t sufficient use. Our Red telephone boxes may be iconic but their design makes them expensive to clean and maintain.
I live in London (Zone2/3) and my local telephone box has a book exchange, another has flower pots around and inside it. And another is used as a takeaway coffee shop. If people bothered to leave tourist London, they would realise is made up of clean, pretty, quiet and friendly towns and villages!
If you want to give an English breakfast a go in London, go to e pellicci. Its rather busy, but it is a legendary place. Its run by an eccentric Italian family that have been there over 100 years
There is at least one you tube video about e pellicci. (probably more) I think you would love it there - BUT, I am sorry to have to tell you Natasha, you WON'T get too many chances to speak - 'cause the family LOVE to chat.