We have returned our rental car once we reached London because catching bus and tube is more convenient. We lived in Leonardo Hotel near Airport. There is a free bus shuttle U3 just outside our hotel to the Heathrow airport terminal then take tube to London City.
Heathrow Airport Train Station
As it was still very early so there is not many people yet. From Heathrow Airport to London City took us about over 1 hour.
Get you London Pass & Oyster Card
We bought London Pass & Oyster Card from the train station. If you want to visit many attractions and skip the long queue, you can consider London Pass. London pass allows entry to over 60 attractions in London. We bought 1 day London Pass and it was very rush for us. I think if you are only staying for one day there is no need to get London Pass, you are not able to make it to many of the attractions because of time constraint. However, if you are staying for longer timing, eg 3-7 days, you can consider London Pass.
Oyster Card is like Easylink in Singapore, a plastic to tap on when you travel on bus, tube and tram.
Buckingham Palace
This is one of the living palace which tourist most wanted to see when coming to London. Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of Britain’s monarchs since 1837.
Queen is in the Palace as you can see the flag flew on top is Royal Standard Flag.
There are in total 775 rooms in the palace. There is a very large room in the palace called the Grand Ballroom, it is the largest room in London.
We saw a group of horse women riding their horses outside Buckingham Palace, they salute to the Palace when they passed by.
Young students were training outside Buckingham Palace.
Many visitors were waiting for the gate to open so that they could visit the palace. Too bad the London Pass does not include the entrance for Buckingham Palace.
Canada Gate, Green Park
The brilliant black and gold gate is just located opposite of Buckingham Palace.
Green Park
Green Park Station
We took the train from Green Park to next destination, British Museum.
British Museum
- Address : Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG, UK
- Nearest tube : Tottenham Court Road tube station
- Admission Free
- Operating Hour : 10 am – 5.30 pm
Train Station in London
Big Ben
Big Ben is one of the iconic landmark in London. The official name is called Elizabeth Tower. Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London.
Golden Tours Buses with London Pass
We used our London Pass to hop into the City Sightseeing Tour, please note that not all tour buses can be hopped into. There are so many different kind of city sightseeing tour buses in London. London Pass only allow the Golden Tours Buses and you have to look for the Golden Tours Bus Stands. We actually wasted half an hour waiting at the wrong bus stands because we thought we could hop into any City Sightseeing Tour Buses. Remember London Pass only allow Golden Tour! The color of the bus is blue.
Westminster Abbey with London Pass
We used our London Pass to get into Westminster Abbey, yeah! Tickets sold at – Adult : GBP 20.00 and Child : GBP 9.00
With our London Pass, there is no need to queue for the ticket, which was very lucky as we were running out of time. Using London Pass in a day is like doing the reality show the “amazing race”. The clock is ticking and you have so many places you need to go because you have already paid for.
It was stunning when you stepped inside the building but too bad no picture is allowed in this 700 years old building. This is one of most impressive Abbey I have ever seen in UK. Only royal family are allowed to have their wedding here. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding took place at Westminster Abbey!
London Eyes
London Pass does not include London Eyes in the pass. Forget about going London Eyes, the queue is super long. You may want to consider going there is you have a lot of time to spend in London.
Thames River Cruise with London Pass
Cruising along Thames River is the best way to explore London city skyline. London Pass do include the cruise. Go to City Cruises Ticketing Booth for your ticket. There are a few cruises operating in Thames River.
I strongly suggest to go upper deck to get a better view. If the weather is good why not? There is captain explaining all the interesting spots along Thames River. He may crack few jokes along the way to entertained you. If you are happy with his service you can drop few coins on your way out as tipping.
View from the cruise – Big Ben
This is a contemporary art museum. Check out the current exhibition before you pay a visit.
The Shard
The Shard is a 95-storey skyscraper in London. It looks like a glass pyramid, it was used as a hotel and office.
If you like Shakespeare, you can book a show at the theater in Shakespeare Globe.
London Millennium Bridge
London Millennium Pedestrian Bridge was open to public in year 2000, that is why it is called Millennium Bridge. It was nicknamed the Wobbly Bridge because it was wobbly when it was first open and many pedestrian were terrified!! It was then closed for inspection and re-open again two days later.
London Bridge
Breathtaking London Bridge
You can the best unblocked view from cruise to see London Bridge!
Tower of London
You can use London Pass to enter Tower of London. The Tower was founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 as a defence system. Inside you will find royal residence, dungeon and museum. It was said the tower is haunted, I don’t know why so many ghost in UK?
We managed to rush in by 5 pm as it will close at 5.30 pm.
Admission to Tower of London :
- Operating hours : 9 am to 5.30 pm. Last admission is 5.00 pm.
- Adult (16+ years old): GBP 21.50
Child (5-15 years old): GBP9.70
London China Town
We decided to have our dinner at China town before heading back to our hotel. We went into a Chinese restaurant, think the owners came from Hong Kong or Canton China. The food served were canton style. I notice a table of Chinese retired old men, believe are regular here, chatting in Cantonese happily in the restaurant. Food was up to our standard and cheap. We spent about GBP 30 + for 3 pax.
Young Chen Restaurant
- Address : 22 Lisle St, London WC2H 7BY, UK
The queue is super long, if you want to try some dessert, go for bubblewrap Waffle, it will surely satisfy your sweet tooth! It is waffle in bubble form wrap with gelato and your favorite choice of topping.
Address : 24 Wardour St, London W1D 6QJ, UK
Another China Town Gate
UK : London Free & Easy with London Pass
- Get you London Pass & Oyster Card
- Buckingham Palace
- Canada Gate, Green Park
- Green Park
- British Museum
- Golden Tours Buses
- Westminster Abbey
- Thames River Cruise
- Big Ben
- London Eyes
- Tate Modern – Art Gallery Museum
- The Shard – Glass Pyramid Hotel & Office
- Shakespeare Globe – Theater
- London Millennium Bridge – Wobbly Bridge
- London Bridge
- Tower of London
- London China Town
- Dinner at China Town
- Dessert Bubblewrap Waffle
- Back to Hotel
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