@Sara Horvat don't go to London looool. the city itself is a tourist trap. go to Edinburgh, lake district, Oxford, Manchester (basically a smaller and cheaper version of London).
Bloody nuisance, they blast their music at full volume at 3am on my street. If one were to have a *minor collision I'd be much happier. *No broken bones, just a bit shaken up, enough to put them off returning to the job
Jess, you've provided an invaluable service, here. I've lived in London for 30 years and each example is spot-on; I feel so sorry for visitors who've failed to heed your advice - London is a couple of streets off the "beaten track"!
Wrong on many things. Rickshaws still unregulated. Still ripping people off. Go to Hackney for fish and chips. What planet are you on. I assume you have been there. One of the highest crime rates in London. Certainly not renowned for food. Also go to virtually any country in the world and you will purchase cheap Chinese souvenirs. Tell most tourists with an ounce of common sense something they don't know.
My favorite souvenirs are dishtowels. I use them. I gift them. They’re easy to pack. Unbreakable. Not too expensive. And I think of my trip every time I use them.
Being a Brit and only a short train ride away from London this video does raise some very good points. Like any major city in the world there are scammers, pick pockets, over priced bars and food outlets. I do believe the attractions are very expensive and a couple could visit a few attractions have a pint or two, and dinner and kiss goodbye to way over £150 for one day in London and does not include transport ! Also plan your journey, down load any vouchers, use meerkat movies, AA app ect for food deals
I live in the US now but grew up in London. I would highly recommend walking around side streets and just see what you find. I always find something new and different when I go for a visit and walk around. For some reason, compared to the US, I find walking in London way more relaxing.
I find watching "Jools' London walks" a great guide. He's a Londoner who knows all those secret places, and their history too... 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Love from Norway 🙋♀️🇳🇴
This is an absolutely essential video and should be watched by everyone visiting. It should be noted that a lot of the performers (the hideous tall Yodas, etc) are involved in crime gangs and a lot are "performing" against their will.
Great advice! I’m from the US but have spent about 8 weeks in London during 4 trips to Great Britain. On my first trip in 2000, I bought a small umbrella at Harrod’s and I still use it - a perfect souvenir! I also like to buy neck scarves since they are easy to pack and make lovely gifts. We never had any decent fish and chips in London; best one was in a tiny town in North Yorkshire - cheap, fresh, and crispy! Focus on experiences while you’re there, not buying stuff. There is so much to do and enjoy in London. We took 4-5 walking tours with London Walks, which employs a lot of actors as guides. Their tour of East London was terrific. And take the boat down the Thames to Greenwich for a beautiful view of the city so you can visit a historical part of London that’s outside the main tourist area. The Markets are amazing - Borough and Spitalfields. We also enjoyed getting a picnic lunch at Harrod’s Food Court, then walking a few blocks to eat it on a park bench; eating carry out from markets and grocery stores was a way we saved money, since London is a very expensive city to visit. I look forward to seeing the rest of your videos; thanks for posting these. We always do a lot of RU-vid research before trips and people like you are providing a big service!
Problem is not only the price also what you get for that money. For £ 10 you can get proper fish with lots of fish meet in it. For £ 15 at those pubs you will end up a small piece of something with litle bit fish meat in it. But she should show positive places as well. Rock and Soul at Endell street covent garden is one of a small best place for fish and chips I can reccomend. Something like this should be in these videos
My London "don't bother" list includes Carnaby Street. It may have been amazing in the '60s. It isn't now. The best fish and chips I've had in London was a little hole in the wall just off the Embankment, run by a collection of mad Italians...when I went back the next trip a year later they remembered me. "Where were you? Why didn't you come back?" "Uh, Canada..."
Yes go to Wetherspoons if you want microwave quality ready meals surrounded by people who start drinking at 7am. I cannot think of a worse recommendation to a tourist. The best pubs are just outside central london, in places like Islington. Even better still find a pub outside the capital.
Everyone should avoid cafe concerto. Cakes looks amazing in the shop window but it’s overpriced and they microwaved my scone!! And their macaroons were served frozen... never again.
I actually cringed at the claim to avoid tourist traps because what one person appreciates another doesn't. I've seen video's knock spots that some people like. But this was reasonable. I haven't been to NYC, but sorry to hear you have these same moronic tourist scams we have.
Yes! As soon as she started talking about Leister Square, it reminded me of how I felt seeing Times Square-every god awful chain you could find all over the country and even an M&M store nearby
Hey Jess, I'm not sure if you're making a lot of friends with this video (I mean the owners etc.) but this video is so important. Thanks for that! Fully agree to each named spot. My best London memories are from the conversations while strolling through a big supermarket (more outside of central London - like ASDA superstore) or sitting in a neighborhood pub. So everything that is less tourist like and more like the real life. And this are the things that aren't expensive. Happy Easter to you and your team. xx Jo
Agree with just about everything you said. London has become overwhelmed with tourists with the result that it's lost much of the defining character it once had. However, if you avoid the tacky shops and restaurants in the overtly touristy areas you can still discover the real city. Worst areas for inauthentic items/food etc are Leicester Square and some of the nearby streets and around the London Eye. Oxford street is a mix of tourist tack and some good stores, vastly overcrowded, Regent street which joins it is better and Jermyn street is more authentic. Bond st. is worth seeing but is now almost exclusively high end fashion stores. In general Kensington and Chelsea are less touristy, Harrods is an overpriced kitschy place, a tourist trap but worth a visit if only to see the amazing food halls.
Also avoid the American Candy stores that sell generic sweets and cereal for exorbitant prices. There are so many of them. Not sure how they stay in business. One pub in a tourist area that has good food is the Admiralty by Trafalgar Square
Fish and Chipper in Leicester Square is actually ok, I’ve been a couple of times when visiting. Cheap and cheerful, and the food was plentiful and hot.
"If you have to say it, it's not true". That's TRUE right there, fellas. That's why when i'm visiting abroad and i want to eat some nice local food, i go to a really not well known small place far from the centre and touristic attractions!
2:10 I love this suggestion. As I traveled more I learned that I didn’t really use or even care for the tourist knick-knacks, they were just shelf clutter. What I’ve found more rewarding is to get one nicer item, something like an outfit or a painting that can have a story.
If you want to do some shopping, then go to one of the big malls outside the city centre. The prices there are much better, and you also find pretty much anything you need. Brent Cross shopping centre is one of them. And 20 minutes from that shopping centre you will discover the RAF Museum, it is a free museum with aeroplanes from Raf history ranging 100 years. It is a fascinating museum and not that crowded. I highly recommend it.
Remember shopping on Oxford Street, for lunch we went into Mayfair, small pub, very cheaply priced and good food, for anywhere not just for London, so agree with going well off the main attractions for cheap good food. And like with Mayfair, go into the expensive areas, as you'll probably find it cheaper there
Fabulous, you're so welcome! If you want more of my recommendations, make sure you check out the Love and London shop where all of my travel guides are: shop.loveandlondon.com
So glad you did a video like this! I have seen that bakery all over Instagram and listed as top places to visit in London. I'm glad I can confidently remove it from my list of places to visit after watching this video.
About 20 years ago, I used to see numerous vendors selling hotdogs and burgers from little metal trolley stoves. Nowadays these usually sell caramelised nuts. However, I was recently surprised to see a vendor that still had hotdogs. A few things to note- These little stoves have no coverings on them, open to the wind, rain and bird poop. Also, where do they keep their stock? Are those little cubbyholes below the hot-plate refrigerated? The reason I was surprised to see a hotdog/burger vendor with one of these little trolleys is because about 20 years ago I saw a show following health inspectors investigating these kind of vendors. The raw sausages were kept in a greasy cardboard box in the trolley, next to a gas cylinder that fed the hotplate (so, no- not refrigerated) The health inspector also pointed out how there was nowhere for the vendor to wash their hands and that the trolley was so poorly put together, that the whole thing could blow up!
Lived here all my life. (*cough* 40yrs!!!) Agree with every word. Especially regarding "Pester" Square being one to avoid. I'm so glad there's a concise series of videos to warn Tourists about the less good parts of my home town. I want them to enjoy their trip, not get ripped off!
Solo travelling to London from India. I am excited about this trip but at the same time m nervous a lot. Should i say at some hotel or book some room thru airbnb??...Planning to stay about for a week in London, which one should i go for. Any Suggestions....and in Jan is it going to be too cold in UK??
Some good calls here, especially with regard to the tourist traps in Leicester Square. Only thing I would disagree with is, that when in Central London, you will find some great and reasonably priced pubs down the backstreets. It is an expensive city I’m afraid, so do be prepared to get a hit on your wallet. For a more peaceful wallet friendly holiday I recommend Durham/ Northumberland.
The last time I visited London, I had a stay in the Earls Court area and I did not venture into the tourist spots, which is probably why I'd had so much fun.
This is so accurate! The bit about the pubs also relates to restaurants - if you wanna try any of the world cuisines, DO NOT do that in central! It will be poor quality and very overpriced! Like, don't eat Chinese in Chinatown, for Indian food go to Wembley, and head south of the River for Afro-Caribbean, for example.
You can find good food like that in central but you need to know where you're going and you're also not getting the "hole in the wall but great spot" options you might find in say Wembley like you mentioned
I love fish and chips and so does my wife and our teen and I was recommended a chippie by a local Londoner located between Holborn and Russell Square Underground stations which fry the fish in beef drippings. It's on our to do list while in London, can't wait to try it.
It’s so weird to me because most of those places are American chains. Why would anyone go out of the country to visit somewhere we could go to at home? Great video and great to be warned!
Karen J I agree for the most part, but my travel partner and I do have a goal to visit McDonald’s in every country. 😂 It’s amazing how much better the food is there vs. here!
Love and London I disagree with the other commenters saying American food is better in England because that’s just not the case. I have had it there too and it’s no better yet it is more expensive. Give me a proper English breakfast in the morning and fish and chips in the afternoon and I am set for the day!
I was hesitant concerning Madame Toussods, but went out totally flashed. Loved the short immersive parts and am sad not to have went for the Sherlock thing. That short part I went through was cool though. and the 4d cinema was also great. If it only where about taking selfies with wax people it might be weirder. But really like the package it offers atm 😀
In terms of pubs, I suggest go to the areas of London that are filled with office workers and English people. Those are the more authentic ones. There are some around the Strand in Alleys. A good Pub is 'Ye Old Cheshire Cheese' which is in Fleet Street.
One of my best travel tip is no Mather where in the world you go for the best food is alway go out of the tourist place, which the local uses, if it busy then must be good
My mum spent ££££s in shopping collected all vat receipts. When she went to claim vat she was told that all the goods she bought must be with her when claiming vat. Unfortunately, she checked-in her luggage before approaching the VAT claim hence had to leave it. No retail business or even the Hmrc does say clearly about vat claim procedure. We understand all goods along with all Vat receipts to be taken to VAT claim counters. Then do your check-in.
Great video Jess. London is so big that you can stay in the west end and find value, just head down the side streets of Soho and there are great little cafes like Thai West Cafe on Brewer St. A colleague took me when I was working near Oxford Circus and I'd have never have picked it, let alone found it. Same with good value pubs. Kerb food is also good and made by people passionate about food rather than chains, well worth looking up.
I totally agree with what you said about Leicester Square. I try to avoid the area; the problem is if you want to see a show, you usually go through the area, and I play poker, so they have two good casinos there with poker rooms: The Empire Casino and the Hippodrome. All that said, the place has horrific restaurants and shops that only a desperate tourist would visit. I remember being charged 50p for extra hot water in one of those restaurants, and it's the worst food imaginable. Leicester Square is our Pier 39 in San Francisco.
This is so helpful. My Mom is taking me to London for the very first time (I'm 14) November 4-8th! Any tips? I love your videos! Learning a lot. Thanks so much.
Best cod fish and chips for me can be bought at either Cockfosters or at a shop near Brentwood Station on Warley Hill, there are three on Essex Road in Islington, one was almost good value for money, a question of knowing where to look around.
Hi I live in Australia so we are not used to the cold and are not prepared, I was just wondering where you got your jacket because it looks incredible and comfy!
This is kind of off topic but I didn’t know where else to ask.. Do you know how long the decoarated store fronts for Chelsea in Bloom next month stay up? I know the flower show ends May 25, but my mom arrives the 26th and is really hoping she won’t miss all the pretty displays on Kings Road specifically. Do you know when they’re taken down?
Would recommend The Rocket in Euston for pub grub. Was in there and March and the food was nice and not over priced etc. It was like being back up north just with funnier accents. 🙂
Visited London this week for work, stayed around the Covent Garden area and absolutely enjoyed it. Went a bit back and forth across town for conference, and the worst that happened was a romani lady actually trying (and partially succeding) to steal my phone inside a restaurant while it lay on the table using the "conceal it with a beggars note" trick. All in all though London seems like a safe place for tourists.
Never heard of that happening in a restaurant but it's sorta common when sitting outside. But yes overall very very safe and glad you managed to keep your phone ;)
Regarding the item about authentic pub food: My son and I were in London last month. We stayed at a hotel in Bloomsbury, and we asked the hotel staff about places to eat in the area. They were very helpful in steering us to good places and away from gimmicky ones. In fact, the hotel clerk said about one pub: "Only tourists eat there. You won't find any English people there." So the lesson I learned was when in doubt, ask your hotel for advice. The people who work there are locals, and they know what is authentic and what isn't.
I’ve actually been to Peggy posrchen and you’re totally right! I went there for the picture mainly, beautiful presentation of the desserts.. but i got a hot chocolate and it was the worst one yet. How do you mess that up! Lol
Love and London haha yes! I’m actually glad you added this on there. Another one is Elan Cafe! They have a couple locations now and it’s an okay place but definitely really touristy for pictures since there’s a lot of pink and instagrammable walls!
Our flat was a 5 minute walk from Peggy Porschen in Belgravia and we ended up buying cupcakes from there twice to take away. They were delicious. There was always a queue outside but that seemed to be to take pictures out front, which we thought was kind of crazy. There wasn't a wait to purchase anything.
I agree with everything on the list except for the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. It's worth doing. Once. I'm a bit of a history buff and wanted to see the Palace so might as well watch the changing of the guards while I was there. Still, we peeled off at some point during the ceremony and had the park largely to ourselves. The cost (free) was certainly right, lol. Leicester Square, which we avoided, looks like a freak show. The only time we spent in Picadilly Circus was on our way to Soho and/or Jermyn Street. Who in their right mind would shop in one of those ubiquitous made in China souvenir shops? So many better choices out there. Go to central London for the history and the neighborhoods for the culture and food. Loved London and will definitely return.
I agree with you 100% about these fast food places. I live in north east England and I ave been ripped off twice by these fast food merchants and will never visit again. The service and manners of the staff is also extremely rude.
I don`t see any big problems here. The overcharging rickshaws is the only one I would worry about. Just agree a fixed price beforehand. Food cost can add up. However the fast-food places around Leicester Square are almost the normal price you would find at home. And quality is the same.
Souvenirs: Buckingham Palace - go around to the Queen's Gallery, on Buckingham Palace Road and/or the Shop opposite the Royal Mews, both sell high-quality souvenirs. Whitehall - The Household Cavalry Museum has a lovely Gift Shop. Lambeth Palace - the Museum of Garden History (next door) has a Gift Shop and superb Café (home-cooked food). St. James's/Victoria - the National Trust Shop, inside the Bluecoats School, Buckingham Gate, good quality. The stores, shown in Jess's report do indeed sell "Inflammable Chinese Junk" and the Rickshaw rides: Why would anyone risk putting their loved ones in the care of an unregulated, uninsured illegal immigrant on some of the busiest roads in the UK??
That's me, I would go to M&M work I am the sucker for! idk why I would do that, Because I love the UK and excited to go to the UK so I'm a huge fan! I also watch your early videos of the village area to get a real experience of Bitish Culture and food because I want the to experience the real culture to the food and things to do and also the tourists stuff but Thanks you! Love your video Before I go to the UK I'll rewatch all ur videos and take notes I already save lots of videos!
I spent a little time in Leicester Square this past trip and it was eye-opening! Pretty much the British version of Time Square down the the M&M store--you're right, what is with these stores?? interesting to pass through, once, but that is all.
We are heading there in September. Thanks for all your information. We do have one question not related to this video but is there anywhere we can buy local art work. Is there a flea market or area where this stuff is sold. Thanks.
Lots of markets have artwork, plus you can Google art galleries. I've got some galleries and markets as part of the 3-Day London Itinerary: loveandlondon.com/3-day-london-itinerary
steve cusimano are you having a laugh... the city is rammed with affordable art! I once went to an "Affordable Picasso" exhibition and there were signed squiggles on napkins (authenticated) for £70. I admit, it was 15 years ago, but the point stands; look-up The Courtauld Institute or Goldsmith's College, for example, see if their graduates have a sale of their work; hope you have an adventure!
I was in London last year and I only paid around £4 or less for a sauvloy and chips in a fish bar in portobello Rd near Nottinghill. No way am I paying £10 - 14 for a fish supper!!! Though I spent £60 in a record store near Oxford Street and Carnaby Street, but it was worth it as those albums were brand new re-isuses of some classic soul and jazz. That's how much new records cost on average unless you can get them second hand which you can at that store.
If you are paying £13.75 for fish and chips you are paying almost 3 times the normal price and don't ask for fish & chips, ask for cod or haddock, if you ask for fish they could give you anything and God knows what that might be.
Great video. Pretty much everything you've said about downtown London can be said of most big cities of the world. Much of the tourists that come to London are from the very cities worldwide where this occurs.
I‘m obsessed with ferris wheels and have been on the London Eye three times 😁 Other than that I agree. Went to Buckingham Palace etc. the first time I was in London as a teenager because that´s „what you do“. Never went back on my various trips since then.
I bought a London magnet from one of those crappy tour shops LOL It only cost like $3-4 The only souvenir I purchase when I travel are magnets of the city / country I visit for my white board .
Ditto...I've been on three extended holidays to the UK from the USA and the bottom half of my fridge is covered with magnets, from all over England and Scotland, from Lyme Regis (walked on the Cobb!) to Tobermory. My favorite kind of souvenir.
