London Uncovered: Royal History & Essential Travel Tips

London, the historic capital of the United Kingdom, is a massive metropolis where centuries of royal tradition meet a cutting-edge global culture. From red double-decker buses to ancient fortresses, London is a city that never stops fascinating its visitors. Here is how to conquer London like an insider!

1. The Landmarks You Can’t Miss

• The Tower of London: A nearly 1,000-year-old castle right in the center of the city. It has served as a royal palace, a notorious prison, and it still houses the breathtaking British Crown Jewels today.
• Borough Market: Located near London Bridge, this is a historic paradise for food lovers. It features hundreds of stalls selling everything from artisan British cheeses to hot, gourmet street food from all over the world.

2. London Fun Facts

• The Raven Guardians: The Tower of London legally must always keep at least six ravens living on its grounds. According to an ancient royal superstition, if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the Kingdom of England and the British monarchy will fall!
• The Real Big Ben: “Big Ben” is actually not the name of the famous clock tower next to the Parliament buildings. The tower itself is called Elizabeth Tower—Big Ben is exclusively the nickname of the massive 13-ton iron bell hanging inside the tower!

3. The Food Scene

• Pie and Mash vs. Brick Lane: For a taste of historic working-class London food, look for a traditional shop serving “Pie and Mash” with liquor (a green parsley gravy). If you prefer spice, head straight to Brick Lane, which is world-famous for having the best curry houses outside of Asia.
• The Pub Etiquette: When you visit a traditional British pub, never sit at a table and wait for a waiter to take your order. You must physically walk up to the bar, order your drinks and food, pay on the spot, and carry your own drinks back to your table.

4. Practical Travel Tips

• Ditch the Travel Cards: You do not need to buy a special Oyster card or paper ticket to ride the London Underground (the Tube) or the buses. Simply tap your contactless credit card or your phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) directly on the yellow gate barriers when you enter and exit.
• Stand on the Right: When using the escalators in the underground train stations, there is a strict unwritten law: always stand on the right side. The left side is strictly reserved for people who are rushing and walking up the stairs!