Get To Know London


DESCRIPTION

The River Thames is a great way to the see the City, there are London river cruises and river buses available daily which will truly make your trip memorable. The River Thames runs through the heart of London from Richmond (West) through central London ( London borough of Westminister) right through to Greenwich (East).  London’s attractions are second to none, there is always something to do, so whether you want to; take a photo with a famous iconic landmark such as Big Ben, or visit a museum such as the Natural History Museum, or take some time to appreciate some contemporary art at the Tate Modern or see an unforgettable musical such as Mamma Mia you will most definitely be entertained throughout your trip. If you take pleasure in vast open spaces then you will love that about one third of London is devoted to parks and open spaces if you are visiting for the first time be sure to visit one of the Royal Parks during your stay.  When it comes to shopping London’s famous for it, whether its high street brands, or designer outlets or eclectic boutique shopping you enjoy, you will find something for you.  

HISTORY

London’s rich history spans over thousands of years and proudly houses four World Heritage Sites: Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

CURRENCY

The currency used is Great British Pounds (Sterling).
There are 100 pence (p) to the pound (£). Notes come in denominations of £5, £10, £20 and £50. Coins come in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2.

LONDON SLANG

You will usually hear British people say "pee" rather than pence, as in 50p (50 pee). More colloquially, a pound is known as a "quid", a five- pound note is a "fiver" and a ten pound note is referred to as a "tenner".
There are numerous bureau de change in London – often located inside banks, travel agents or Post Offices, as well as at London's airports and major train stations. It's worth shopping around to get the best deal – make sure you compare the exchange rates on offer and don't forget to ask about commission.
Credit cards – especially Visa and Mastercard – are widely accepted in London's restaurants, bars, cafés and shops. American Express and Diners Club cards are less commonly accepted.

TIPPING

The generic tip is to leave 10-15% of the bill when eating out. However, restaurants often add on a service charge (usually 12.5%), especially if you're in a large group, so it's worth checking your bill so you don’t tip twice.
Normally if you are eating at a fast food chain, self service, or takeaway you would not leave a tip.
If you are taking a famous black cab then the normal would be to tip him to the nearest pound so if your fare came to £5.40 then pay £6.