Some things we learned from our trip to London:

• London is noisy. There’s a constant background hum, even at night. It was Owen that first mentioned it but it was only when we got home that I realised how much.
• When you ask people for advice (Simon and the Oyster Card! ) then you should pay heed and follow that advice
• Following on from the above, if you need to clarify your previously received advice ask someone for help.
• The Underground is a really good way to get around and there are specific apps to help you plan journeys as well as the overland trains. However, don’t forget about Google Maps. It covers trains and buses as well as pedestrian journeys.
• The Oyster Card is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to pay for the Underground.
• There are very few convenience type shops in the centre of London. Bring snacks and drinks with you as they are expensive in the attractions. Boots is an alternative as the bigger ones do sandwich meal deals.
• Kids (ie. our boys) get hungry and very hungry way before adults do.
• Book attractions online in advance of your trip and look for multi buy options as the more you book the more value you get.
• Allow time for queues. All 3 attractions we did had a 30min queue to get in.
• Saturday mornings are mega busy at attractions and best avoided.
• There are lots of very helpful people to assist you at the Underground (Blue Hi-Viz vests) and along the streets, mainly at attractions (Pink T-shirts and/or Hi-Viz vests).
• Despite the rumours not everyone will step over you if you were dying. There are many lovely people that will help a stranger.
• There are quite a few homeless people around but they tend to keep themselves to themselves except when begging on the Underground – or throwing beer at me 🙈
• It’s worth getting off the Underground and wandering around by foot. However, the distances do mount up quite easily as the main sights are quite spread out – London is BIG.
• London is expensive to get around but food and drink are reasonably good value if you take time to look around.
• It’s a great place to visit – plan ahead and get the most from your trip.

I feel like Baz Lurhmann after writing that!