London Things to Do Tips by Carmanah

Covent Garden was probably my favourite place to explore during my brief visit to London as a teenager. We discovered this popular market area during our last evening there when we had the entire evening to ourselves. We all knew the tube system well enough so that we could get back to our dorms, and fortunately we were old enough and our teachers trusted us enough to give us the freedom to explore the city without supervision, as long as we were back at our accommodation by 11pm. So Covent Garden was the first place we were able to explore at our own pace.

While we didn't spend much time within the Covent Garden Market, we did spend a bit of time shopping in the clothing stores, like Oasis, and in the flea markets outside. The flea markets were more my style at the time, because I was looking to shop for a few personal souvenirs. I was in love with the British music scene and I just had to purchase a Sex Pistols t-shirt because I thought it was appropriate! Friends of mine bought some aromatherapy essential oils, and I bought some very strong fruit-smelling incense from a Jamaican vendor. I also enjoyed looking through the CD vendors, for they were selling a lot of rare bootlegs of concerts.

While the flea market is only one part to Covent Garden, the area is quite famous for its vibrant atmosphere of street performers and windowshopping pedestrians. There are many pubs, cafes, restaurants, and even higher end shopping nearby. Therefore, Covent Garden makes for a good place to visit when you want to see the human side to London. It's a great spot for purchasing souvenirs, gifts, or even a little something for yourself. I'd make it a must-see because it contrasts quite nicely to the museum-and-monument side to London that most tourists see.

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When you're a teenager, you can often take in 15 minutes of a museum before you start getting bored. However, we never got bored of the British Museum simply by the fact that it was so huge, and each part of the museum offered something completely different that we could always find something new to show off to the others. In a way, exploring the British Museum with my fellow school friends was almost like a game of show and tell. Let me explain:

When I was visiting the British Museum I tended to hang around with a group of 6 other people. We were all good friends and we all had similar interests. Some of us split apart and would find something interesting, and we would then run back and grab the others to share in our findings. I think our most baffling finding was an old tattered school notebook that belonged to a young English student by the name of Paul McCartney. In this notebook the young McCartney had written the lyrics to "I Want to Hold Your Hand" for a school assignment. However, his teacher wasn't so happy, for she marked it an "F" and wrote a very cool "See Me" comment underneath. For all of us 15 and 16 year olds, this Paul McCartney booklet was far more awe-inspiring to see in person than, say, the Magna Carta, which was only a short distance away.

The British Museum is probably most famous for its abundance of historically-significant archaeological pieces. The Egyptian collection of mummies, for example, is considerably impressive! While some may look at these collections as stolen goods from a colonial era, I would still highly recommend a visit to the British Museum. Most of the British Museum's collections are one of a kind historically-significant pieces of human history. You could spend all day here and not see everything, but my recommendation is to spend a few hours and see the things that really mean something to *you*. Whether that's the Rosetta Stone, the Magna Carta, or Paul McCartney's booklet, the British Museum has it.

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Phone: 0 20 7323 8299
Address: Great Russell Street, WC1
Directions: Holborn tube
Website: http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

Trafalgar Square is public plaza in central London which commemorates the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. This public space is often visited because it's home to some beautiful monuments and statues such as the four bronze lions and Nelson's Column. One could also argue that tourists probably find their way to Trafalgar Square because it's across the street from the National Gallery.

However, up until the year 2000, Trafalgar Square was probably more famous as the place where locals and tourists alike could go to feed pigeons. For 50 pence, you could purchase a plastic cup of birdseed from a local vendor. By placing the birdseed in your hands, the pigeons would fly over and eat out of your fingers. If you spread the birdseed on your arms, you'd have a swarm of pigeons all over you. I think I even attempted to feed the pigeons by placing the birdseed on my head... and before I knew it, I had a lovely pigeon hat!

Unfortunately in 2000 they placed a ban on feeding pigeons in public, probably because they were tired of cleaning off the thousands of specks of pigeon poo. While I'm not up to date on the local politics of Trafalgar Square's pigeons, I do know that feeding them is now a thing of the past. It's a shame, really.

So... would I go out of my way to visit Trafalgar Square if I only had limited time in London? Probably not, however, if you're a history buff and a sucker for taking photos of monuments, then you might as well drop by Trafalgar Square on your way to somewhere else.

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Address: Trafalgar Square, WC2
Directions: Charing Cross or Leicester Square tubes

Right in the center of London's old city overlooking the Thames is the Tower of London. I suppose a lot of people's first perceptions of London is that it is rich in monarchical history. The Tower of London epitomizes this, for it's here where one can explore "Her Majestry's Palace and Fortress" and spend several hours soaking up a collection of monachy-related museums and historic sites. Therefore, if you're interested in history and are looking for a museum-like experience, definitely put the Tower of London on your "things to see" list - I'd probably make it a high priority.

First, the Tower of London is surrounded by a medieval castle-like wall. However, once inside these walls you realize that you have left the modern London and have stepped back in time. And within these walls, there are a series of different buildings and sites to explore. Be sure to have a map handy, for this explains everything there is to see and do.

One popular attraction at the Tower of London is the Crown Jewels - literally, an extravagant collection of the largest pieces of precious jewels that belong to the English monarchy. There is also the White Tower that William the Conqueror had ordered to be built. Keep in mind, this is circa 1066 or so! There's the Medieval Palace, King Henry III's Watergate, the Wall Walk, the Bloody Tower (where Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned for 13 years), the Cradle Tower (where someone successfully escaped from), the Beauchamp Tower, the Raven's Lodgings (where ravens permanently live), The Execution Site, the Royal Armouries (impressive), the Royal Fusiliers' Museum (extraordinary) and more!

Overall, I really enjoyed my time at the Tower of London because everything there was historically significant and very interesting. I'd say that it would be an ideal attraction for all ages, as there's something for everyone there.

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Phone: 0 20 7709 0765
Address: Tower Hill, EC3
Directions: The nearest tube station is Tower Hill.
Website: www.armouries.org.uk/tower

If you're looking for a shopping spree, Oxford Street is a good place to visit. It's a very long retail street where you'll find all kinds of brand name stores and restaurants. I recall wandering down Oxford Street and seeing more than one Body Shop, Burger King, Levi's, and Doc Marten shops. I don't know how it has changed since I last visited, but if you enjoy window shopping and people-watching, then definitely put Oxford Street on your "places to see" while in London.

The last time I visited Oxford Street was in 1996. This was an era when girls were starting to experiment with alternative makeup colours. I remember walking into an alternative clothing store and buying metallic blue and glittery baby blue nailpolish. I also remember eyeing some glittery red Sketchers platform shoes - you know the kind - right at the moment that the Spice Girls were popular. After helping my friend pick up a pair of Doc Marten boots, I ordered some chicken curry on rice from an Indian take-away shop. I brought it with me on the tube all the way back to my dorm. These are my memories from Oxford Street!

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I suppose every major city has a famous intersection, and London is no different. If you're a fan of seeing the famous sites of well-known cities, then Picadilly Circus should be seen, for this is a crazy intersection and transportation hub is where the roundabouts and tube stations mix with crazy electronic billboards. Located a short stroll away from the big production theatres, Picadilly Circus is a place where people come to mingle, whether it's around the Eros statue, or they come to simply to gawk at the insanity of the advertizing.

During my first night in London as a 15-year-old, we were ambitious enough - jetlagged and all - to hop on the tube down to Picadilly to absorb the nightlife. From our home base at Hughes Parry Hall by Euston Station, there we were 5 minutes later in the middle of all this action! It just seemed to surreal. It reminded me that, "yes, I'm finally here in London!"

I then promptly grabbed my friend had headed into the Tower Records store where I purchased several CD singles of my favourite bands ... CD's that I knew that were only available in Europe. That seemed to be my quest in London: buy music not available in North America. It wasn't a bad plan, really!

However, what there is to actually do at Picadilly Circus, I couldn't honestly tell you. But it's one of London's landmark locations, and for that reason alone, if you're in the neighbourhood, certainly give it a look.

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Address: Piccadilly Circus

Every major city has its famous park, and London is no different, for it has Hyde Park! Considered one of London's finest historic landscapes covering 350 acres, it's certainly the best known park in the city. With ponds, meadows, gardens, and even a riding stable, Hyde Park makes for a pleasant oasis in the midst of the London urbanity.

However, while strolling along on our merry ways, we stumbled upon Speaker's Corner.

"Speaker's Corner!" I grinned, as I immediately thought of my favourite music TV station at home and how they had their own concept of "Speaker's Corner". But Hyde Park's Speaker's Corner was the real deal. This was where the whole concept of free speech without persecution began, or so they say.

At speaker's corner, several people were standing upon milk crates and other make-shift stands. Some had elaborate posters while others simply seemed to be ranting because they liked the sound of their voice.

One man had the typical dry sense of British humour, mocking us Canadians by provoking us. I don't even remember what his point was, but he started to passionately yell, "Where IS Canada? What do you matter, anyway!?" It was funny all things considered, especially since none of us really knew how to respond to his absurdity.

While Speaker's Corner may not be a must-see, it's definitely a part of London's history, going back many, many generations to the 19th century. It gives visitors a chance to listen to everyday citizens speaking their mind on issues involving their city, their country, and the world.

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Address: Park Lane, Bayswater Road, Knightsbridge
Directions: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate tubes
Website: www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/hyde_park