The past 2 weeks have been big. I started my new job and a new life in London. Yep, that’s right. I’ve cast away from my Northern roots in search of exiting new things in the most cosmopolitan city in the world. Lots of my Uni friends are already living in London, but the biggest sacrilege about them (and many other Londoners) is that they don’t make the most of the city they’re in. It’s easy to get swept up in the working world of London, to the point where you forget about all of the incredible things to see and do on your doorstep. At an attempt not to fall down this rabbit whole, I intend to ‘Live Like a Tourist’ whilst in London. Weekends will be filled with mini adventures and evenings will be full of new discoveries (budget permitting). So I present to you, my London bucket list.
It seems the typical professional London resident works their ass off Monday to Friday, gets drunk on a weekend (and a Thursday) and does it all over again without doing anything unique to London. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with this. I love letting my hair down on a Friday night as much as the next 23 year old. But I’m going to make it my mission to make the most of London, by doing and seeing things that the city is famous for. And I’m dragging my friends along with me. So I decided to write a London bucket list, full of things unique to London and that make it the amazing city it is.
So ladies and gentleman, I bring you, my very own ‘Live Like A Tourist’ London bucket list. When I tick something off the list I’ll blog about it on The Travelista and link from this page. Here it is!
– Go for a curry on Brick Lane – DONE
– Have a homemade picnic in Hyde Park – DONE
–Fly over London in a Helicopter – DONE
– Go for a meal in pitch black at Dans le Noir
-Go on a London Ghost Tour
– See Book of Mormon in the West End – DONE
–Eat Michelin Star food in Mayfair – DONE
– Have a fancy meal at the top of the Shard – DONE
– Go to Buckingham Palace
– Go to Kensington Palace – DONE
– Go for a morning run along the Southbank
– Watch a film in an open-air cinema – DONE
– Ride home in a rickshaw from Soho – DONE
– See A List celebs attend a red carpet premiere – DONE
– Find the best Lebanese restaurant in town – DONE
– Visit London Zoo – DONE
-Splash out on amazing sushi – DONE
– Go for Afternoon tea at a 5* London Hotel – DONE
– Walk across the top of the O2 Arena
– Go for dinner at Burger and Lobster – DONE
– Go to a salsa dancing club and take salsa lessons
–Visit The Ritz – DONE
– See the ballet at the Royal Opera House
-Go to a speakeasy bar – DONE
– Spend the night in a jazz club
– Watch a burlesque show in Soho- DONE
– Check in to a London Hotel for the night – DONE
– Go to the roller disco in Vauxhall
– Enjoy a free day out at the V&A Museum and the Natural History Museum – DONE
– Take an exotic cookery class – DONE
What do you think of my London bucket list? Is there anything I’ve missed off that you think I have to include? Comment on the box below and I will add them to my list!
Hi there, my husband and I are moving to London next month and I am definitely saving this list for reference! I am so excited to see all the wonderful things the city has to offer! Thanks for sharing!
Great post! Book of Morman is really funny, definitely worth going to. Check out Mathida too, it’s a great musical.
Thanks for your comment Sarah! I am still dying to see Book of Mormon. It’s top of my list 🙂 x
Hi there! i’m making my 2015 vision board and a trip to london is in it, i was searching for some images when i found your blog, im going to save your list for when i (hopefully) make my trip. 😀 thanks!!
hai..love your post. Someday I want to travel around London. How did you make that picture can move like that? any application that use for it. Thank you
I really like this list, also a nice way to show London is your .gif-animation! Keep up the good work, guys! We already follow you on facebook for updates!
I’ve only just found your blog, hello 🙂 I suggest Shakespeare’s Globe Tour & Exhibition. I’ve recently been there and can heartily reccomend it! no matter whether you are a literature geek like me or not, it’s a great experience full of knowledge and fun. Next time I’m in London I’d like go and see a play in there 🙂
Awesome list! I’ve lived in London for almost 2 years now and am yet to do over half of these things! You’ve inspired me x
Congratulations on your new job and move! London has so much to offer. That lobster roll looks amazing, yum!
I just nominated you for a Liebster Award 🙂 lilacpaperdoll.com/2014/02/liebster-blog-award.html
Thanks so much! London is an amazing place, you just have to open your mind to it and embrace everything that is here. Definitely try the Lobster Roll if you ever get chance. Thanks for my nomination. I really need to do one of these posts 🙂
Jess x
Great list! London is never boring.
Don’t forget to visit The Holly Bush in Hampstead – make sure you book a table by the fire – and to climb the lions in Trafalgar Square! Jx
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Hi Jade! Great tip. I am adding it to the list, thanks very much. Have followed your blog, love it! 🙂
Jess x
Great list, as Anna said I’m sure you will add loads more to it as Living in London there is a never ending list of places to visit and things to see and do. Markets are a must, especially Columbia Road / Brick Lane on a Sunday and Maltby Street Market on a Sunday.
Hi Dave! Thanks for your comment. Yes definitely going to add to it as I go along. The Markets are a great shout! I have done Borough market but planning to do the rest. I didn’t know there was one on Brick Lane! Huge thanks for sharing the tips 🙂
Jess
Really cool post. Sure you’ll complete it soon and have your own list soon enough 🙂
Thanks! Hoping to have a never ending list so I keep discovering more and more 🙂
Reblogged this on Blogged by Anna and commented:
I felt very chuffed to have featured in The Travelista’s blog a couple of days ago as an inspiration to ‘Live like a tourist’, now she’s moved down to London. It’s such a good attitude to have – wherever you live – as there can be so many opportunities to learn something new, do something interesting, and generally fully experience the city you inhabit. I’m so glad my blog rubbed off onto Jess. She now has created a bucket list of things to do in London. I’d thoroughly recommend you check her blog out. Not only has she got some items on her list I never got round to doing, she writes about other fantastic destinations she’s visited. Reading about her new job and life in London, I almost got a little jealous of her – and of my old self! It really reminded me of me, 3 years ago, when I ventured down there with my eyes wide open, ready to take on everything the capital city has to offer.
Fantastic idea! Enjoy ticking them all off, I’m excited to see what you love so I can try it out myself! 🙂 x
Thanks Chloe, so glad you enjoyed it. I can’t wait to tick them all off my list. I’m going to blog about them all, so you’ll have a first hand recommendation 🙂
Great List, Cant miss a boat ride down the Thames though!
Welcome to this incredible city! It’s funny, I’ve been in London 13 years and have only done about 10 of the things on your list! Don’t miss the great London markets – Brockley is one of my favourites! http://wp.me/p3Lian-5B look forward to hearing more of your adventures!
Thanks Jess – I think everyone should live their lives with this attitude 🙂 I love your list! I’m sure you’ll add to it as you do more things and it’s great you’ve ticked some off already even after only 2 weeks. Take a notebook with you to add to the list, that’s what I did. I went on tours (the Duck Tour which is now defunct, so can’t recommend that one) and was educated about other places to visit along the Thames, so I scribbled them down. I did 11 things on your list :_ I would say Dans le Noir is such an unbelievably fun and different experience – definitely do that one soon. Ahh I miss London now reading this x
Hi Anna! Thanks for your comment. Perfect attitude to have in London which I have to thank you for. Feel like I’ve ticket plenty off my list, and next up is London Zoo and definitely Dans le Noir. If you’ve got any more recommendations let me know and I’ll add them to my list 🙂
Jess x
Congrats on starting the new job & life – big changes! I absolutely love Anna’s blog so it’s lovely to see someone else picking up where she left off – looking forward to reading more!
Hey! Thanks so much 🙂 It’s going great so far. Anna’s blog is fantastic, i love it too. Would love for you to keep reading 🙂
Jess x
Ahh Lucy I’ve just seen this. Thanks very much, I’m chuffed 🙂
No problem hun 🙂 xx
You are totally right – I’ve lived in London my whole life but it’s only since last year, when I decided to do something different at least once a month, that I really started seeing the city and everything it has to offer. I’ve done a few things on your list but nowhere near enough.
The O2 climb is lots of fun and I work at London Zoo so would definitely recommend you go there!
You’ve got some great things on the list and I might just pinch some ideas from you. Have fun doing them all 🙂
Hi Ayla! Thanks for your comment. It’s so true, we’re in such an amazing city yet people get caught up in working life and don’t make the most of it. I am determined to tick off everything on my list and make sure I really experience the city. Some are ridiculously touristy, some are more for locals, but I want to try them all! Fab you work in London Zoo! I think thats the next on my hit list 🙂
Jess xx