podtour
At a glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Language
- English. A friendly “hello” and “thank you” go a long way.
- Currency
- Pound sterling (£)
- Population
- Around 9 million residents in Greater London
- Sockets
- Type G, 230 V
- Emergencies
- 999; 112 also works
- Tap water
- Yes. Tap water is safe to drink.
- Card payments
- Cards are widely accepted; a little cash can still be useful for small purchases.
- Tipping
- Check whether restaurant service is included before adding anything. Tipping at a pub counter isn’t usually expected.
- Driving side
- left
When to go
| Season | Approximate temperature | Rain | Daylight | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Roughly 5–18 °C | Showers and brighter spells | Increasing daylight | Parks and walks become livelier |
| Summer | Roughly 15–25 °C; hotter spells are possible | Showers and occasional thunderstorms | Long evenings | Plenty of outdoor activity |
| Autumn | Roughly 5–18 °C | Wet spells and wind | Progressively earlier dusk | Leaves and changeable days |
| Winter | Roughly 0–10 °C | Rain, damp and possible frost | Short days | Museums and pubs suit the gaps between walks |
- Late spring and summer offer parks and long daylight; autumn and spring suit walking with less heat.
- August brings Notting Hill Carnival and large crowds in that area. December concentrates festive lights and activity in the centre; arrange accommodation ahead if you want that atmosphere.
Walking the city
- Terrain: the central areas covered by our routes are generally gentle; bridges, passages and stations introduce ramps and steps.
- Surfaces: broad pavements alternate with alleys, stone and cobbles. Take care on wet paving.
- Weather on foot: a waterproof layer helps with changeable skies. Bridges feel windier.
- Distances: London is extensive; walk around one area and use transport to change neighbourhoods.
- Crossings: traffic keeps left, as elsewhere in Britain. Check both directions, follow signals and watch for bicycles.
- Daily rhythm: leave time for meals. The City changes markedly between weekdays and weekends; the West End has more leisure activity.
Getting there and around
- London has several widely separated airports: confirm which one you’re using. Depending on the airport, options include trains, the Underground, buses and taxis.
- The main stations are spread across London and connect with urban transport. Save the exact station name.
- The Underground and urban rail connect neighbourhoods. Buses let you see the street, but can get caught in traffic.
- For a short West End journey, look at a street map before going underground: the Tube map isn’t to scale.
The neighbourhoods
| Neighbourhood | What it's like | Who it suits | Our routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster | Monumental buildings and open spaces by the river | A first visit | Westminster: Parliament, the Abbey and Big Ben Free |
| Whitehall and Trafalgar | Busy avenues and squares | Continuing from Westminster | Whitehall and Trafalgar Square: Kings, Regicides and Admirals |
| Covent Garden and the Strand | Theatres, lively streets and squares | Walking and staying for a meal | Covent Garden and the Strand: Theatres, a Market and Scandals |
| Soho | Compact streets and busy leisure life | Urban atmosphere | Soho: Refugees, Musicians and the Cholera Pump |
| The City | Large buildings set against small lanes | Looking closely at street details | The City: the Great Fire, the Money and the Legends |
| Tower Hill | Spaces around the Tower and river | Monuments and outdoor views | The Tower of London and Pepys's Diary |
| Bankside and Southwark | Riverside walking and old streets | Combining water and culture | Bankside and Southwark: Shakespeare's Other Bank |
| Fleet Street and the Temple | Courts, churches and passages between areas | A more enclosed walk | Fleet Street and the Temple: Printers, Lawyers and Sweeney Todd |
What to try
| Dish or drink | What it is |
|---|---|
| Fish and chips | Battered fish with chips. |
| Pie | A savoury pastry dish with a filling, often meat. |
| Sunday roast | Roast meat, vegetables, gravy and accompaniments, traditionally associated with Sunday. |
| Full English breakfast | Eggs, bacon, sausage and other accompaniments. |
| Bangers and mash | Sausages with mashed potato and gravy. |
| Jacket potato | A baked potato with a choice of fillings. |
| Curry | A varied and familiar part of London’s food culture. |
| Scone | A bake often served with jam and clotted cream. |
| Sticky toffee pudding | A date sponge with a sweet sauce. |
| Tea | Black tea, often with milk; order it the way you like. |
What to pack
- Comfortable shoes and a light waterproof jacket.
- Layers for the difference between street and transport; coat, scarf and gloves in winter.
- Water and sunscreen in summer, even if the air feels cool.
- British plugs fit type G sockets; no travel adaptor is needed for a standard UK plug.
- A small rucksack is easier on stairs and crowded trains.
- Download your routes and audio before setting off: Podtour works offline.
For the trip
Customs and common mistakes
- Respect the queue, even when its end isn’t obvious.
- Stand on the right on Underground escalators.
- Let people off first and remove your rucksack in a crowded carriage.
- Many pubs take orders at the bar; check before settling in to wait for table service.
- A bar can have a turn-taking system without a visible line; don’t jump ahead.
- A quick “cheers” works perfectly well as thanks.
- Road markings can help at crossings, but still look both ways.
- Residential streets remain people’s homes; keep voices down when leaving at night.
If it rains (or it's very hot)
- Covent Garden and the Strand: Theatres, a Market and Scandals lets you alternate streets with covered pauses; the route itself isn’t indoors.
- Whitehall and Trafalgar Square: Kings, Regicides and Admirals ends around the National Gallery, a possible visit to combine with rain.
- Bankside and Southwark: Shakespeare's Other Bank allows you to plan a break at Tate Modern. Reduce riverside walking in strong wind and rain.
- In hot weather, carry water on public transport as well. Swap an exposed walk for an indoor break when needed.
Itineraries with Podtour
These plans leave time for meals and an interior visit. Listen at the outdoor points on each route; arrange interior visits separately.
Days Plan
1 day
Start with Westminster: Parliament, the Abbey and Big Ben Free, then continue through the neighbouring area with Whitehall and Trafalgar Square: Kings, Regicides and Admirals. Leave room for a park pause and lunch.
2 days
Day 1: follow the previous plan. Day 2: Covent Garden and the Strand: Theatres, a Market and Scandals and Soho: Refugees, Musicians and the Cholera Pump, two nearby West End areas.
3 days
Days 1 and 2: follow the previous plans. Day 3: The Tower of London and Pepys's Diary and The City: the Great Fire, the Money and the Legends, around Tower Hill and the heart of the City.
What to see with Podtour
= a place covered by our free route, Westminster: Parliament, the Abbey and Big Ben Free.