Exploring London

Bette Midler once said, “When it's three o'clock in New York, it's still 1938 in London.” On the one hand, the diva of comedy was right, and on the other she was wrong. If you and your family want to live some history, Bette was correct. The Rosetta Stone, Shakespeare’s favorite haunts, the place where Handel wrote the “Messiah” (which later served as Jimi Hendrix’s flat) and Charles Dickens’ Old Curiosity Shop are just a few of the evocative artifacts that London has on display.

Though London was founded by the Romans in 50 A.D., it is far from an old and dusty has-been. Host of the 2012 Olympics, it boasts trendy shops, a celebrated theater scene, some of the best cuisine in the world (take that, Paris!) and a new Eurostar Chunnel service from St. Pancras Station to the rest of Europe. London is the epicenter of a new and cool Britannia. 

• The Queen’s Guards, as they are officially known, line up in front of Buckingham Palace.
• Pawel Liberia

Timing

The high season in London is June through August. That’s when the weather tends to be at its warmest, but consider a trip during the first three weeks in May (last week is school holidays in the United Kingdom) or in September—the weather is usually just as nice, but you’ll avoid the jostling crowds and have a better pick of lodging and restaurants.

What to Wear

• Bring a waterproof jacket. Barbour makes good waxed coats—even the Queen wears them.
• Comfortable shoes for you and your kids are important. Since driving in the capital is a nightmare, I recommend you use public transportation, so you’ll be walking more than normal.
• Even in the summer it can get cool, so bring a light sweater.
• Get a money belt or wear a jacket with an interior pocket. Though London is a relatively safe city, there are opportunistic thieves in the tourist areas.
• When you are there, carry some bottled water. The Brits don’t believe in public drinking fountains.

Getting Around

Getting around London can be a thrill, and the city offers a host of travel options that make navigating among sightseeing stops part of the fun. London is also a very walkable city, but for safety’s sake, always remember to look to the right when you’re crossing the road.

From the airport

• If traveling from Heathrow, the cheapest option is to take the Underground (London’s subway system, also called the “tube”), as the Piccadilly Line will deliver you to Central London in 45 minutes for less than £6 (about $12). 
• If you have a lot of luggage or small children, instead try National Express, which runs several buses per hour from Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station. The journey takes about an hour, and you can pre-book tickets online.
• Heathrow Express is another good option—a non-stop train service between Heathrow Airport and Paddington Station. Trains operate every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. until 11:47 p.m., and the fees start at £14.50/$29 for adults and from £7.20/$14.20 for children. Gatwick Airport has a similar service.
• Most expensive but most direct is taking a famous London black cab. The world’s largest taxi stand at Heathrow’s northern terminal road feeds all four terminals and cab traffic flow is computer controlled. The convenience will cost you—£45 to £55 (about $89 to $108).
• If you rent a car at Heathrow, you’ll have to pay a congestion charge to enter London, up to £25 (about $49) for a larger model, and the payment system is not user-friendly.

Once in London

Once you are free from luggage, the Underground is the way to explore London. It is easy to navigate with a color-coded tube map, and if you buy a reusable Oyster Card, cost effective. Buskers in the tube station also take advantage of the acoustics to provide free and surprisingly talented entertainment. It can be difficult to navigate the underground with a stroller as there are long staircases and escalators, so if you have small children, you may want to splurge on a cab or use London’s excellent bus system.