Five ways to explore London without a map

By Vanessa Teo

Getting around London with a twist

London is a cartographer's dream with its winding River Thames and warren-like alley ways and streets. But sprawled over 1,572 km2 it’s a vast area and there’s no way you can even dream of seeing it all! The city's jumbled nature has resulted from centuries of buildings filling every nook and cranny, even since the Roman Empire times and there have been various attempts at simplifying London’s layout, including Harry Beck’s first world-famous London Underground map in 1931 – pretty much identical to the one we use today. But we’ve set a challenge – why not explore London without a map! You don't want to walk around the capital with your face buried in a A-Z street map, or running your phone out of battery on Google either; there are plenty of other ways to explore if you’re feeling adventurous. Throw caution to the wind, give yourself plenty of time and discover a new way of navigating London. Who knows, you might see some things you didn’t expect along the way... Follow a tube line Pick a colour, any colour. Well, preferably one of the ones with plenty of attractions along the way. If you follow the Piccadilly Line for example, you'll be able to see loads at various stops on the way, including Buckingham Palace near Green Park, the hustle and bustle of the theatres at Leicester Square, the cobbled market at Covent Garden and even Arsenal FC Stadium and Finsbury Park. If you choose the District Line, too, you can walk along the Thames for the most part, starting at Kew Gardens, all the way along to Embankment, passing Westminster and South Kensington on your way for a bit of culture. Use 'places of interest' signs and landmarks Everywhere you go in central London, there will be 'places of interest' signs pointing you in the direction of local tourist attractions and curios. Better yet, use the landmarks and monuments themselves to plot a mind map and help you find your way around. The Shard at London Bridge is especially useful as you can see it for miles around. Here’s one to test your in-built compass! Follow the river The most defining natural influence for the construction of London is undoubtedly the River Thames, which carves the capital into two distinct halves. Walking along its banks is a highlight of any holiday and a great way to get some unparalleled views, including that of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, as well as the Tower of London. Stop off at one of the stalls and pop up eateries on the Southbank for a true London experience. Guided tours If you're looking to learn a few things on your way and have a thirst for knowledge, a guided tour could be the answer. Locals will be able to give you the insider secrets on the capital's colourful history, too. Did you know, that the Monument, which commemorates the Great Fire of London of 1666 is 62m tall because it's precisely 62m from where the fire began at a bakery in Pudding Lane? Fine, you probably did know that one. But it never hurts to ask... Thames River Cruise If you’d rather put your feet up and let someone else to the work, why not try out a Thames River Cruise? It’s a great way to explore the capital and get your bearings from the central flowing artery. Listen to a seasoned guide fill you in on your whereabouts and the what-to-see – it may be cheating, but at least it’s fun! Make the most of your trip to London with The London Pass to save time and money.

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To tip or not to tip and other unspoken London rules

Like any city, there are rules of etiquette. London is one of them, and because it's home to over 9.7 million people it's common courtesy to respect those unspoken rules, just as you would in your own home town. For tourists visiting different countries around the world, you'll find it's hard to keep up with what's acceptable in one place, but not the other, so we thought about what top five things we would want to know before visiting London so that we could help make your trip more enjoyable - and save you worrying about getting it wrong. Tipping Unlike in some cities where tipping is second nature, there's always a question mark over what happens when you're abroad. London, and the rest of the UK for that matter, is a city where a 15-20% tip is expected at high service restaurants or if the bill is over £20-30. Although no one is stopping you leaving a tip wherever you go (we wouldn't want you to break a habit) you won't be chased out of the restaurant for not leaving one. Plus, because London is such a fast paced city not everyone always has time for a sit down meal. Just use the rationale - if you think it's worth it, tip it, because then it's really expected! Travelling on the tube Our underground network is a busy place, especially during morning and evening rush hours. A small courtesy is to be mindful of the common practice when it comes to escalators and exits/entrances. Typically, when you are walking down the escalator, you will go down on the left hand side. So everyone who wants to stand, just make sure you keep to the right hand side. If you're travelling in a big group, too, our advice is to walk all the way down the platform rather than wait at the entrances or exits as this can cause a bottle next for commuters who need to catch their tube. Likewise, on the way out, get your ticket out before you arrive at the ticket barrier, that way everyone will be able to get out or carry on their onward journey without delay. Greetings Londoners aren't known for their cheeriness or warm greetings, but this should be a myth debunked. Londoners are friendly creatures, so if you really want to make friends with one, why not greet them with an Alright? This common phrase will earn you some kudos for making the effort. If it's someone more familiar, for those wanting to show a little solidarity, a good handshake might be better practice than a continental kiss as a first time greeting, too. A-Z There's nothing worse than seeing a group of people lost, with no directions. Most Londoners own an A-Z; a comprehensive map of all the streets in London to help them on their way. We recommend you purchase one of these before you embark on your adventures around the city. It helps as London is such a huge place, there can often be two or even three streets with the same name, in opposite ends of the city, so make sure you know your post code as well. If nothing else it helps to have a bit of context if you need to stop and ask for help. Holding doors open Now, although some may say this practice is rather antiquated, it's always nice to follow someone through a door that has been held open for you. No longer is it associated with chivalrous men, but everyone is aware of the practice (no matter how busy they are). If you want to fit in nicely, make a conscious effort to either get yourself through the door first and hold it open behind you, or let people behind you go in front. It won't win you any bonus points, but it will be appreciated. Isn't it nice when someone does it for you? Explore London with The London Pass and save time and money on your sightseeing adventures. Find out more, here.
Vanessa Teo
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Flash Sale: 30% Off + Win Tickets to The Lion King Musical

Complement the ultimate sightseeing experience with an award-winning show. When you place an order between 00.01 January 26th to 23.59 January 31st, you’ll get an incredible 30% off the price of your pass and be automatically entered into a giveaway. If you win, you and a friend will get to watch Disney’s award-winning show, The Lion King, in London’s iconic West End. What is The London Pass? The London Pass is a sightseeing pass that gives you complete access to over 80+ attractions, experiences and tours in the city. That means you can go to any included attraction without paying anything extra. For example, you can immerse yourself in London’s rich history at the Tower of London, enjoy Tower Bridge and end your day with a trip to the Shard – spot your hotel from the top! You’ll access all of these amazing experiences without reaching for your wallet once to pay for entry. And with a travel option also available, you’ll save money while enjoying a truly effortless sightseeing experience. How do I save money in London? The London Pass’ attraction page breaks down the savings you’ll make on city attractions – opt for the Oyster card to save you time on having to buy one when you arrive. With 30% off during our flash sale, you’ll enjoy even more money off that can be put towards experiencing the city. Once you purchase your pass, you’ll also enjoy offers on shows, dining and other great experiences in the city. Download The London Pass app and it’ll flag up money-saving opportunities (while generally being a pretty savvy tour guide in your pocket). Could The London Pass get any better? Yes. Yes, it can. Because when you buy before the 31st you’ll also be automatically entered into our giveaway to be in with a chance of winning two tickets to watch Disney’s The Lion King in London’s bustling West End – home to a dazzling array of shops, some of the best restaurants in the world and, of course, its globally hailed theatre district. What’s The Lion King show about (no spoilers)? Set in the Pride Lands of Africa, the story follows the lion prince Simba’s journey from cub to maturity. This musical adaptation of Hamlet has won global acclaim for its ingenious use of human-driven, choreographed props, stunning set pieces and the original, evocative score many of us know and love from the original film. Catching this multi-award-winning show during your trip is sure to make it one to remember.
Suz Pathmanathan
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Where do French tourists like to go in London?

Looking at London Pass users from over 150 countries last year, we collated some interesting facts and figures. With popular attractions being Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and the Thames River Cruises we found that by nationality, each country had their own favourite sights and attractions depending on their cultural interests. We’ve seen before that American London Pass customers tend to steer their sightseeing more towards the royal-family-related, and while Germans favour football and feats of engineering, our French customers last year proved that they come from a background where high culture and art prevail. Voilà! Indulging in their passion for creativity, style and beauty it’s no wonder London’s art galleries and museums drew impressive numbers of French customers, compared to say, anything to do with the British monarchy. Our French visitors were particularly fond of the Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House, in Greenwich; a collection of medieval and Renaissance works of art housed in a stunning redbrick Georgian villa. Other popular galleries visited by our French London Pass holders were the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, which houses best-loved artworks from the Renaissance to the 20th century; as well as the iconic Tate Modern whose collection of modernist and contemporary art attracts millions of visitors a year. Continuing on this art trail experience of London, our French visitors also loved the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery at Trafalgar Square. With hundreds of the finest paintings and portraits in the world hung in these neighbouring prestigious galleries, join in on a tour and grab an audio guide to experience the collections to the fullest. It’s no surprise that the French put the Brits to shame when it comes to artistic appreciation; last year’s records show a considerable difference in sightseeing behaviour. When it comes to what type of attractions British people visit, we’re clearly not as civilised as the French, it seems. Instead, British London Pass holders prefer outdoor and family-orientated activities and attractions, favouring places like London Zoo or the WWT London Wetland Centre over art galleries and cultural museums. It must be an age thing, as our British customers also made up a healthy chunk of numbers at Pollock’s Toy Museum and the Cartoon Museum. Contrastingly, our French London Pass visitors also made up a considerable proportion of tours at Twickenham Stadium last year (more than the British!) From exclusive access to backstage areas including the locker room and players’ tunnel; to the victories and defeats of the English team explored in the Rugby Museum, you might think there’s bit of friendly rivalry going on. It’s clear London’s got it all; from rugby to Renaissance, and our French customers prove there’s plenty to see and do to suit their needs.
Vanessa Teo

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