London is a big, diverse city where you can live for years and still not feel like a great city. The air is polluted, the weather is unpredictable, but the restaurants are top-notch. And, there are facts about London to keep in mind on your next visit.
During your visit, make sure to enjoy the world-class theatre and art and the tonne of lively bars, pubs, and clubs right at the doorsteps, but no one complains!
While you visit, the frantic shopping on Oxford street will excite you, the impressive Fortnum and Mason’s where you buy expensive unusual food, and the busy Borough Market. London is more populated than Scotland or Wales even when put together. It is a city of contrasts, for instance, when they elected Boris Johnson as the mayor, then later Sadiq Khan.
Facts about London to keep in Mind on Your Next Visit
Londoners are friendly people despite their stiff-upper-lip! However, they can appear to mean or be mean when traveling during the rush hour. With such a high population of about eight million, the ever-shifting skyline the capital can be confusing and quite expensive to move around. Today, this post will highlight facts on transport, cultural customs that, when observed, your trip to London will be exceptional and filled with fun.
1. Sometimes, Walking might be faster than the tube.
The tube etiquette enforcers are unforgiving, but even locals make it a not so good ride. Some might bring all their belongings on the central line, another might eat a smelly meal on a scorching day or hug the pole to keep off anyone else! Sounds crazy, right?
These are some hard facts that you need to keep in mind on your next visit because you will go through the events firsthand. However, the locals are also well-trained in some things. Therefore, don’t find it strange when they leave the tube for tourists. Tourists might take the train between stations, but it would be best if they walk.
The tube map is by design, not scale, and the distance between stations is not the actual London geography. Some stations are even closer in real life than they are on the tube map.
2. London is not definitive.
London has many facets besides the vibrant street art that you might not know about because no specific area epitomizes the city. Walking on Pimlico streets, the grand Regency homes that once hosted Winston Churchill, may feel like the London movies you have watched are a reality.
A collection of districts is what makes London, namely Pimlico, the leafy Belgravia, affluent Knightsbridge, the coming up Dalston, bohemian Soho, and suburban Sutton, Note, this list leaves out many more places. These areas have specific culture and personality, and to mention, they will not look like the images on your London postcard.
The city is the most diverse in the UK, and one of the most diverse globally. Of the massive population, 45% are British. The 50 non-indigenous communities living in London have more than 10,000 people. And, only 78% speak English as the primary language.
When intending to visit London, don’t assume that everyone speaks and looks like the queen. You can take time to learn about the London city before the visit to avoid being caught off-guard when you try to relate. These assumptions are not only inaccurate but also insulting to the people living there, considering their leader now is a Pakistani Muslim born to a bus driver!
3. Stand on the right
Always stand on the right if you don’t want a queue of commuters behind you. Even when using the escalator, stand on the right, and you plan to sprint down or up the stairs, use the left-hand side. Londoners love to queue for anything. You will find a queue anywhere. And, cutting in is at your peril!
4. Tipping is in your Bill
London does not have a 101 tipping culture. But, a discrete service charge reflects on your receipt as part of your bill. Read your receipt carefully, and if you are okay with the service charge, you can ask for it to be taken off. However, if the service charge is not included in your bill and the service has made you happy, you can leave 12.5 to 15%(it is the standard) of your bill behind.
5. Pack for all weathers
The London weather is like a jack of all trades, specializing in none! Mostly, it drizzles, another moment there will be frost, snow, hail, wind, fog and the sun will shine from another side. Be ready for a weather change anytime, so you need to pack jumpers and jackets that are easy to remove, raincoats for the drizzle, and you will be ready to enjoy your London visit.
Conclusion
London is a beautiful city that thrives on diversity, and above is a list of five facts to keep in mind on your next visit. The city receives about 30 million visitors from all over the globe annually.
The city’s biggest attraction is the magnificent ancient buildings, and as a first-time visitor, the Covent Garden is the perfect place to get accommodation. It is centrally located, convenient, easy tube access, many sights, and restaurants within the vicinity. If you want to know more interesting facts about London, you can check
https://www.londonxcity.com for more information.
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