The best way to really experience a city or country is to live in it, the next best thing is to get away from the tourist type of accommodation. With this in mind I decided to rent a flat in London for a month to truly get a feel of the city. Along with my father and young nephew we took the ferry across the channel from my home base in Germany and made our way by train to Victoria Station. Our flat was less than a mile from this main hub so we set out and met the renter who gave us our keys along with some sage advise. This was long before the days of Air B&B so the rental was arranged through magazine advertisements, snail mail and the telephone. The two bedroom flat was clean and most importantly conveniently located to shops and Victoria Station.
The best part about the flat was that in between Victoria Station and the flat the short walk brought us past a bakery, a green grocer, a butcher shop and a corner market. We were able to stop and pick up food and cook dinner each night in the flat. The month in town gave us ample time to fully appreciate each venue and historic site. Click on the links below for a more comprehensive post for each attraction.
If you like museums London has some of the best in the world. The British Museum has the actual Rosetta Stone on display! as well as the Elgin Marbles and Egyptian mummies.
The Natural History Museum has extensive displays highlighting the natural world and because of the age of the museum also has items of historical significance like some of Darwin‘s collection from his voyage on the Beagle.
For a more whimsical experience try Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.
You can experience living collections at the London Zoo,
and Kew Gardens.
The pigeons are no longer as prevalent at Trafalgar Square but it is still an interesting stop.
If you want “human wildlife” catch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.
Historical buildings abound many of them drenched in the history of England and the western world. There’s Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament,
The Tower of London,
and Tower Bridge.
If shopping is your thing go no farther than Harrods.
Just traveling around town there are interesting sights on every corner.
If you have the time allotment available there is no better experience than “living” in the city you are visiting.
