TIPS WHILE ON TOUR OF LONDON

Getting around London is not a hassle at all. With the well connected Tube and Bus networks you are sure to find the right places to visit.

Get an Oyster Travel card which will cost you around 20 pounds. This includes a deposit of 5 pounds and the remaining credit to be used for at least 3 days. It really depends on the zones you prefer. Most of London's attractions are in the zones 1 and 2. However if you wish to explore outside zones like the Wimbledon etc, you may want to include 4 zones.

Details of Zones and the map of tube stations can be downloaded from this link https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/standard-tube-map.pdf

This is what an Oyster card looks like. You only need to touch the sensor on the terminals. Basically Swipe at the beginning and at the end of your trip. Make sure you refund your 5 pounds on finishing your trip from any of the main stations.

if you wish to see the major attractions you can opt to take the hop on hop off tours from one of the providers below.

Big Bus tours - http://eng.bigbustours.com/ 24 hours bus tickets normally cost around 26 pounds and includes a river cruise and walking tour. Sometimes you get a deal for 48 hours

Golden Tours - http://www.goldentours.com/ Tickets cost around 22 pounds

It is a good idea to complete one tour on the original line on one of the tours above so you understand the main locations to visit.

Later during the day you may chose specific places to visit like the Madam Tussads Museum, Buckingham Palace, etc

WHERE TO STAY

Unless you are not worried about spending much, it is a good idea to stay outside the main city. I chose to stay at the Holiday Inn Express, PARK ROYAL, Victoria Road near North Acton Tube Station.

Literally 2 minutes walk and I mean a safe place at any time of the day or night will take you from the station to the Holiday Inn Express hotel.

The rooms are around 100 pounds including breakfast.

visit the hotel website for more details http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/london/lonah/hoteldetail

There is a nice pub just around the corner, a Tesco Express and a Middle East themed restaurant plus a small eatery for burgers etc all close to the hotel. If you do not chose the hotel menu, there are many options. Pizza (Dominos) will be delivered to your room on a special discount as well.

The Shipwrights Arms - Southwark, London

This building stands out from the rest on the street and cannot be missed. The blue is so soft to the eyes.

Lillywhites

On Regent Street, Lillywhites is a 5-storey emporium founded in 1863 by leading cricket family, with 34 specialist sports departments. Buses leaving to Oxford Circus and Camden Town are seen in the front.

London Heathrow Terminal 3

Windsor Castle

A panoramic shot taken from outside Windsor Castle and near the Souvenir shops

Ealing Broadway Tube Station

Tube station where you change lines when travelling from Slough to London. I was off to North Acton

North Acton Tube Station

A view of the train from North Acton Tube station. North Acton is actually above ground. This is where you get off to transfer to the IBIS hotel.

Holiday Inn Express at North Acton

Conveniently located just 2 minutes away from the North Acton Tube station, Holiday Inn Express is a comfortable stay and close enough to get to london or other areas to explore.

The Castle Pub

The perfect spot for a relaxed pint of ale in West London.

The Castle is a traditional English pub that never fails to serve up a warm welcome. For a classic pub meal or just a quick pint after work, The Castle is the best pub in North Acton.

Central line Tube stations from North Acton

Holland Park Tube Station

A shot taken during non peak time.

Nottinghill Gate Tube Station

I was sort of dragged into the symmetry to take this shot.

PRIMARK

Primark is expanding with new stores including a second branch on London's Oxford

Parkhouse

Park House occupies an island block in Mayfair, central London W1, diagonally opposite Selfridges.

Telephone booths

Telephone booths near Langham place, Westminister

Apple Store

Pod of Coco Cola London Eye

View from London Eye

A view from the Coco cola London Eye

Another view from the London Eye

Pod Disembarking and Entry

Less than 30 seconds to disembark, clean, security check and for next group to enter.

Private Moments

Saw these two having a quiet moment amidst the huge crowd near the London Eye walk

Westminster Bridge

People enjoying the sun on Westminster Bridge and Big Ben on the background

London Eye from Westminster Bridge

London eye view while on Westminster Bridge.

I love London

Tower Bridge Tour

A tourist on a walk tour with a Beefeater on London Tower bridge

Tower Bridge

Great view from any angle, any location

Ice Cream Truck

An Ice Cream truck just off Tower Bridge. A great location for business.

Wimbledon Theater

Shop on the way to Portobello Market

Street Artists

Artists performing on the street to Portobello Market

Windsor Castle

Strawberries

Strawberries on sale on Portobello Market

Street food

Could be Turkish,,A street food vendor on Portobello Market. looks feasting to the eye. As a group of people watched he was so deeply involved in the cooking process. Clicked as he added the sliced tomatoes.

Street Food

Pies, Muffin, Quiche and many more....The street food on Portobello Market has got a story to it.

Swans

On Thames River, near Windsor Castle. Plenty of them swimming around. I wondered why they had ID tags on their legs. Could be signs of being looked after.

Shepherds Bush Market

Was really looking forward to visit this place. Heard a lot, read a lot and finally visited. Got on the tube to Shepherds Bush station and a 5 minute walk brought me here.

Near Shepherds Bush Market

Walking back to the White City Tube, saw these buildings.

Thames River Boating

Fish and Chips

Just before the boat ride on Thames at Windsor, Couldn't resist the tempting traditional fish and chips

The rich have their own style

Spend a few more Pounds and you have a boat like this to yourself to explore the Thames

The pod in the sky

View from the London Eye

looking down from the London Eye, it is a marvelous view

View from the top of London Eye

London Eye and the city view

Big Ben from London Eye

London Eye Pier

Fish and Chips Stall

As you leave the London Eye and head towards Westminster Bridge, on your left you see a chain of food outlets. What caught my eye was the traditional Fish and Chips Stall..Crowded, very crowded

Westminster Bridge and Big Ben

A view from below London Eye

Pigeons on Westminster Bridge

Not bothered about the huge crowd, they carried on...

Crowd on Westminster Bridge

People to and from the Big Ben and London Eye

Bagpiper

Chinese tourists taking a snap with a Bagpiper performing on Westminster Bridge

Big Ben

Closing in on the Big Ben

Westminster Pier

On to the pier from Westminster Bridge

Big Bus Tours

You see a lot of tour buses which take you on different lines. I took the Golden Tour Bus and the original line.

Thames Cruise from Westminster Pier

Tate Modern

Plan your visit to Tate Modern Southbank. London art gallery housing the UK's collection of modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day

The Shard London

The Shard is home to some of the best offices, restaurants and hotel rooms in London - along with breathtaking views

London Bridge

The guide on the boat tour from Westminster was explaining how a lot of people mistook the tower bridge for the London bridge.

London Bridge Hospital

Ships on Thames

The London Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge

There were real lions in the place of these statues at one time. Zoom in and you can see a smart phone on the ground, obviously that was dropped by a Chinese tourist.

Tower Bridge

Dead Mans Hole on Tower Bridge

Dead Man's Hole actually refers to a mortuary that at one time was housed beneath the north tower of the bridge. the Thames is tidal, and for one reason or another, corpses that found their way in to the murky river; either suicide jumpers, by accident or dumped, often found their way to this particular part of the river. Once 'fished' out of the Thames, bodies could be laid out to await identification ... if possible. The area is now closed off, but still perfectly visible as you take the steps up to the main part of the bridge

London Bridge