London Visit

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KEMBARA LONDON
PERJALANAN KAMI

A few months back, I have made a visit to London. This is a travelogue of my journey in London.
 
London has attractive locations for visiting. Follow us on our journey exploring London. Find out which places did we go.
 
 
FIVE DAYS TRIP LONDON BACKPACKING

When I was a kid, I used to play London Property Monopoly board game, Old Kent Road spot being the cheapest and the most expensive Mayfair. So I was exposed to the areas in London; always thinking when will I get the opportunity to explore London.
 
I was fascinated with the British Empire that was once the largest empire in history, and the world's most powerful for more than a century. By 1922, more than 458 million people lived in the British Empire, which was more than one fifth of the world's population at that time. Take a little look-see around London City and its development; the former western colonial superpower plundering the resources and how the west had built London thriving on the wealth of the territories they plundered. One person's loss is another person's gain.
 
The adjective British is commonly used to refer to matters relating to the United Kingdom and London being the capital of England, and later the United Kingdom.
 
A bit of history on the first king who ruled England: The ancient kingdoms ruler of the Anglo-Saxons to be deemed the first King of England. Æthelstan became the first king to rule the whole of England when he conquered Northumbria (Northumbria was the medieval Anglian kingdom in what is now the northern England and south-east Scotland) in 927, and he is regarded by some modern Historians as the first king of England.

There were even older palaces than The Buckingham but many of them do not exist anymore since they have collapsed due to having age over time and not able to withstand the force of nature. Palaces were not maintained since the owners had deserted the place.
 
The British monarch became nominal head of the vast British Empire, of which covered a quarter of the world's surface at its greatest extent in 1921. At the peak of its power, the phrase "the empire on the which the sun never sets" was often used to describe the British Empire, because its great expanse around the globe meant that the sun was always shining on at least one of its territories.



PLANNING AND PREPARING THE ITINERARY
 
Many tourist attraction venues in Central London are located near Westminster Houses of Parliament.

Also there are venues that I want to visit located east from here; such as The Tower Bridge that is expected to take about half an hour drive to go there.

In the northwest located Madame Tussaud Wax Museum and will take about 40 minutes drive to go there.

In the west located Bayswater souvenir market will take about 50 minutes drive from the Parliament Building.


My plan is as the following:

• First day to go to Madame Tussauds Museum and nearby venues.

• Second day plan to visit tourist venues, the area near Westminster Parliament Building.

• Third day visiting London Tower Bridge and vicinity.

• Fourth day to make a day trip to Salisbury, a town located south-west of London.

• Take the flight back to KLIA on the fifth day.


PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN LONDON

A lot of Transportation to Get Around London.

Download London tube map or print as a guide for travel, and in case you travel on weekends, there are few stations will be closed, so it might take some time for the interchange to the destination.

Public transport services such as the London Underground Mass Transit System and bus lines - Getting from one place to another within the metropolitan areas of London.


London Transport
https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey

London Tube and Bus Fare Fare
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/fares/single-fare-finder?intcmp=1660

Train
https://www.thetrainline.com/train-times/


WORKING OUT THE BUDGET
Work out how much money we're spending it on.

Flight: RM 2500
Accomodation: £ 60 x 5 days = £ 300
Food & Shopping: £ 300
Transport within London for 5 days = £ 35
Train Fare Euston -> Watford with return = £ 20
Venues attraction Admission = £ 90
ADULT 3 DAY LONDON PASS £ 90

Day Trip To Stonehenge
Transport To Salisbury: Train ride with return Tickets = £ 43.20
Bus Fare Salisbury -> Stonehenge = £ 15 adult return
Stonehenge Admission = £ 15

Total in RM Expenses Excl. Flight Ticket = RM 4700
Flight Ticket = RM 2500
Total = RM 7200
 

TAKING THE FLIGHT TO LONDON

Turkish Airline
Turkish Airlines TK1979
Arrive LHR 9:50 am
London Heathrow Terminal 2
Flights with Turkish Airline takes almost 17.5 hours to London with a stopover in Istanbul. Sitting in the economy class cabin really tiring, plus the time zone difference of Kuala Lumpur being ahead of London by 8 hours. The aircraft used is an Airbus A330-200 Airbus, with seats per row 2-4-2 arrangement. Leg room standard distance, so if possible you can ask to sit in Row Emergency wider.

Inflight entertainment is only shared TV. The movies playing during our flight were not interesting, so I just slept and read books.

Heathrow
Yes, we finally arrived at London Heathrow Airport at 9.50 am at Terminal 2. Terminal 2 is quite small, especially the immigration area much like an airport in Denpasar. Overview Heathrow as one of the busiest airports in the world, this airport was busy but not modern. Queuing up at the immigration officers too long though friendly. It took about 15 minutes to queue up for immigration checking.

You will not be needing a visa to come to the UK for Tourism, including visiting friends or family. However, you should bring the same documents you'd need to apply for a visa, to show to UK immigration officers.

For Immigration purposes, provide printed copies of the flight itinerary and hotel booking confirmation all in one folder perceived that they would inquire of standard questions about our trip i.e. trip destination, accommodation, how many days of stay etc. Make sure everything in order because they are a bit sceptical if not having hotel booking and if the stay at home friends / relatives, please provide full address.

Going through the Immigration is not difficult. Get your documents in order; return tickets, hotel reservation, booking Europe tour. UK immigration wants to know your intention for entering the country. Show these to the Immigration. Definitely will be 2-3 regular questions that they will ask. What is the purpose of your trip? How long will you be staying? Answer them calmly, it's not that you've done anything wrong.


LONDON PASS

After immigration and safety checks, we move on to buy a London Pass at Heathrow Terminal 3. It is on sale at the British Hotel Reservation Centre (BHRC), and also at the Heathrow Express desk at the station. London Pass is a credit card sized card, a kind of ticket that can be used for admission to many sights and museums without having to pay again.

There are some options of the London Pass depending on how many days you want to use. The price I bought this pass per person is £ 90 for 3 days.

There is also an option to package together travel (means Tube, buses, trains also free) but you should select London pass without travel. You can buy this pass earlier via the Internet, but the pass card must be collected in their office. Therefore take the London Tube to Charing Cross Station, then walk to the road side. Their office is not far from the tube station. Show print-out proof of purchase, and then the officer will give you the pass card.


OYSTER CARD

To get to down town, we take the London Tube (Metro Train). Tube Station is located below the terminal building. Follow the yellow neon sign in the arrival hall certainly do not get lost. At the entrance of the station we bought Oyster Card costs £ 15 (with the content of £ 10). Transport Top-Up Card (similar MYRAPID card for LRT Malaysia).

Before boarding a train at the station Tube Heathrow, we buy the Oyster Card that can be purchased at the machine or cashier window counter in Tube Station securities (Adult - Deposit £ 5 + values that we want to top-up) and Child <11 yrs travel for free) before boarding the train to Hammersmith station to the Hotel for 4 nights.

At the entrance to the station is also provided a map of the London Tube diagram, take one to be stored and later studied in the train. Then we go down to the platform.


TAKING LONDON TUBE

Our train ride from the airport to the Hammersmith station to check in at the hotel.

We arrive at Hammersmith at around 10.30 am and continues to Abercorn House Hostel, Hammersmith where we will stay for 5 days. For early check-in, we need to pay another £10. For breakfast cum lunch, we eat in Halal restaurant adjacent to the hotel. Here, we recommend you try out their succulent lamb shish, very delicious!
 
There are a lot of hotels located in the London suburb within commuting distance to the city. Otherwise we can stay in a hotel room within the city centre the which the cheapest is £ 85 per day (we save about RM160 per day by not having to stay in city centre), Abercorn House Hostel is that I can see being close to the tube station, so I thought it would be easy for me to reach London city centre in about 20 minutes by taking the underground (tube) to Westminster station. The Subway Train Fare about £5 to reach London City Centre.

Hammersmith is reachable to Central London by London Underground District "Green" line and get off at Westminster Station. The journey by London Underground to the city centre will take about 20 minutes.

Which destinations did we go in the City of London and find out our experience getting on board the Underground Tube? Follow us on our journey.


Day 1

11:30 check in hotel

Lunch at Capital Restaurant

13:30 Get on London Tube Piccadilly Line and then get on the Bakerloo Line at Piccadilly Circus and get off at Baker Street.

14:00 Madame Tussaud

The day started in the afternoon, it's time to Madame Tussaud the place where all the movie stars and world leaders made in the form of wax. Get off at Baker Street Tube Station, the location of this building right next to the station.

Madame closed at 6, so a lot of time to take pictures, at least you can still take pictures with celebrities, ranging from Leonardo Di Caprio, Nick Cage, Samuel L Jackson, to a character like Hitler and Tiger Woods.

Once we are done visiting Madame Tussaud, it's time to onward to next destination.

16:00 Wait at Bus stop located in font Marylebone Inn and take Bus 274 to the London Central Mosque

One finished performing the prayer, we rushed back to the station to continue to next destination which is the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

As a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle we drop in on Sherlock Holmes, took photos and after we've had enough, we move on continuing the journey.
 
Baker Street Station. Sherlock Holmes Museum in the form of the house there in 221B Baker Street. This museum has existed since 1990. The locations are in accordance with the address shown in the novel.
 
17:00 Get on London Tube Circle Line at Baker Street and change to the Circle Line at Edgware Road. Get off at Bayswater
 
17:20 Looking for souvenirs in Bayswater
 
Better buy souvenirs Bayswater area since here is cheaper, if you look hard enough you will find 1 fridge magnet for 99p in shops in Bayswater area.
 
Arriving in Bayswater, we head to the location of Malaysia Hall located 1 km from the station. Along the way on either side of Queensway Road and Inverness Road there are dozens of souvenir shops that offer the most affordable price in the city of London. After viewing in some places, the average selling fridge magnet at £2 per piece, is directly in Bayswater which offers 12 pieces at a price of £10.
 
Souvenir shop in the Bayswater area of London, the price is more reasonable. So shop for souvenirs in Bayswater, anyway my intention of coming here just to enjoy the historical sites, and to look for London / England souvenirs.
 
We then take the Tube to London Paddington and having dinner at Tukdin Restaurant.


Day 2

Explore the city of London with the Big Bus London Sightseeing Tour is already our book in their website much earlier. The fare for the tour is £ 60.00 / Family and we may get on and off at as many stops as we like around London.

Operators that offer the service of Hop On Hop Off.
a) Original London Tour
b) Big Bus
c) Golden Tours

We have made plans much earlier to visit tourist attraction venues such as Bakers Street / Sherlock Holmes Museum, Trafalgar Square / National Gallery, Haymarket road, Hard Rock Café London, Marble Arch, Wellington Arch, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben / Parliament, Admiralty Arch , St. Paul Cathedral / Monument, Tower of London and Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge and South Bank / London Eye.

We took the bus at 8.30am hours on a bus stand adjacent to St James Park Green Park Tube station.

8:00 Get on London Tube Piccadilly Line at Hammersmith and get off at Green Park.

St. James Park
We find our way around the city using London Free Map we took yesterday at the airport, we pass through St. James Park. The park is huge and beautiful.

Arriving at Green Park Station, we had to walk down the garden again, that has the same name as the station.

St. James Park is open to the public. We rushed to get there. I want to see the spectacular view of the park. However, when spirited want to trace the pathway in St. James Park, sudden drizzle fell. Our decision to return the two umbrellas which we used to take everywhere in the UK, turned out to be wrong.

If it did not rain, we can enjoy the beautiful scenery of this garden. Benches provided along the garden path, should be used to relax looking at the ducks swimming in the pond. Even the variety of species of birds and squirrels everywhere around the park.

Not far from the park, there is a very famous location in London which is the Buckingham Palace.

Not complete if visiting London without stopping at The Buckingham Palace. Therefore, this morning itinerary is Buckingham Palace.

Just like us, tourists from many countries make this palace as one of the favourite tourist sites. That is why the palace area has never been a time when it's empty. Unfortunately, Buckingham Palace is not open to the public every day. Already there is a special schedule imposed by the court, which in the summer months (July - September). Our arrival in the winter, then we must be satisfied to enjoy and admire the beauty of the palace from outside only.

This palace is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II and the office of the British royal Administration. The original building was established in 1850 and redesigned in 1913. Historically, Buckingham Palace was presented by the Duke of Buckingham to his wife. King George IV inaugurated this palace in 1826. Hence the name of Buckingham Palace was taken. When Queen Victoria's reign, the palace used as an official British royal administrative office (1837).

Morning in London is very beautiful, especially this day is a Sunday. Buckingham Palace Road, past the Victoria Station, wanting to feel the atmosphere of the city and the pedestrian lane is wide and deserted. And indeed although walking on a cold March, pedestrian city of London is very convenient, just wear comfortable shoes only. It turned out that the 10 minutes are over at Buckingham Palace, the palace of Queen Elizabeth. It was still early morning 9 o'clock so the palace is still quiet and can take photos until we've had enough.

A few hours later there was an event "Changing Guard", an event once every 2 days that much awaited by the tourists.

Wait at Victoria Bus Station and Get on Bus 38 to Piccadilly Circus. Take the bus no. 38 takes about 20 minutes, arriving at Piccadilly Circus.

Get on London Tube at Piccadilly Circus Bakerloo Line and get off at Charing Cross. Then wait at Charing Cross and get on Bus 15 and get off at Tower Of London.


Tower of London

It was sunny when we first arrived at the Tower of London. However, the temperature getting colder by the minute. Approaching the historical building, we spend time taking pictures with the building as the background.

There is a long queue near the entrance to this building.

We then get into the Tower of London. The building is almost 900 years old, interesting to find out its history. We made search on the official website of the Tower of London.

From the history and records that I found, many ghost story about an old building. One of the most famous is the headless ghost of Anne Boleyn. Queen Anne Boylen (Queen of England, 1507-1536) have died beheaded. She was the second wife of King Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn was executed at the Salt Tower (now known as the Bloody Tower or tower bleed) for allegedly having an affair. It is said that the ghost of Anne Boylen she still haunts the castle.


London Tower Bridge

A few minutes walk, we arrived at the location of Tower Bridge. Before we get confused over the location of Tower Bridge and London Bridge. London Bridge not far from the Tower Bridge and both crossing the River Thames.

Tower Bridge is one of the bridges are quite famous in the world. The bridge is to be lifted when there is a big ship going to pass through. It was said the construction of this bridge spent about 8 years (1886-1894).

We got here it is still working time, the area around the bridge is popular in London that looks deserted. We were busy taking photos.

After Zuhr prayers we continue to Oxford Street to grab a bite and all the whatnots to alleviate the rumbling my stomach that has been making loud noise since today's noon.

From the nearby station at around Tower Bridge, we decide to take the Tube to Oxford Street.

14:00 Walk to Tower Hill Underground Station

14:05 Tower Hill Underground Station to get on Circle line tube to Embankment Underground Station

Travel up the London Circle Line Tube from Tower Hill Underground Station to Embankment. Change to Northern Line to go to Tottenham Court Station. Exit and walk along the road side. The things on display should you have no intention in buying, you're not allowed to just simply hold the goods. Awesome shops on Oxford Street. The trip take around 20 minutes.

We get off at a Tube Station right at the famous street. I am not wrong if I say that in Malaysia, The Bintang Walk in front of The Pavilion was trying to emulate this stretch of street. Here we can window shop. All shops from small to large retailers such as Marks & Spencer and John Lewis. People hang-out location, crowded but very comfortable.

All the souvenirs of key chains, postcards, up shirt London sold in many shops along the way. Get into the Marks & Spencer, the price is quite expensive for our wallets. But for the toiletries, the price of perfume, soap, shampoo are quite cheap!


16:00 Oxford Street
Golden Union Fish & Chips Restaurant on Oxford Street.
 

WHERE TO SHOP IN LONDON
 
Who can restrain spending money while traveling abroad? As much to just look for souvenirs otherwise spend on groceries and other goods.
 
Do not be confused, Oxford Street doesn’t have anything to do with Oxford University. Oxford Street is located in central London (central London), on both sides there is a wide variety of shopping, dining, supermarkets, drugstores and other, essentially is complete. This place is a paradise for female shoppers. Here we can find more than 300 renowned outlets

To purchase souvenirs can be found along the road shops shirts, sweaters, key chains, fridge magnets, miniature tourist attractions, post cards, bags, hats and various other kinds. The price is expensive when compared with Asian countries, suggest you never to convert the figures to Malaysian Ringgit (That will prevent you getting annoyed and deter your interest in buying)

17:00 Primark
Continue exploring Oxford Street. We plan to drop by at Primark Shopping. The store was located in the main shopping road in the fashionable Oxford Street.

All items are sold at relatively cheap Primark. There are shops selling things with price starts from as low as £ 1. Anyway, we go into stores that already have a brand, such as Debenhams, John Lewis, Cath Kidston, Harrods and Marks and Spencer. We only choose things we most need and some for souvenirs as well.


Day 3

Get on London Tube Piccadilly Line at Hammersmith and change to Waterloo line at Piccadilly Circus Underground Station tube. Get off at Charing Cross Underground Station.

We arrived at Trafalgar Square from Charing Cross.
 
Trafalgar Square is one of the landmarks are located in the south-east of central London. This place is a favourite location for the gathering of the British people and the tourists. Trafalgar Square is a place that has historical value. The beauty of the monuments and statues become the object for the camera.

On location Trafalgar Square there are fountains and a statue of Sir Charles James Napier, Sir Henry Havelock, and King George IV. In addition there is also a monument high in the middle of the courtyard. The monument was named Nelson's Column is surrounded by four lions. This monument was erected to honour Admiral Horaito Nelson, British heroes who died in battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Location Trafalgar Square is strategically be often used as a place to hold a variety of arts and cultural festival. This London landmark is always crowded with tourists.

Moreover, in this area there is also The London National Gallery. No need to pay to enter. Here display thousands of paintings by famous artists of Europe, ranging from Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh to Rembrandt. Unfortunately, here can't take photo.

Bus no, 11 to Parliament Square Westminster Station.

Walk to Embankment Station District tube line or Circle line to Westminster Underground Station

Westminster Station

8:30 Parliament House & Big Ben

We walk for about fifteen minutes and arrive at the side of the House of Parliament building (Big Ben). We were amazed by the look of the grandeur of the building. It is not complete visiting London if did not stop at the Westminster Palace better known as the House of Parliament.

Big Ben has never been empty of tourists and has always been the favourite and never been shy away from tourists camera lenses.

Big Ben made the headquarters building of the British parliament is famous throughout the world. Although there are two towers and others in this building such as Victoria Tower and Central Tower, but the Clock Tower which is more popularly known as Big Ben is the most fascinating.

We heading on to Parliament House where the famous Big Ben clock it. Keep on walking for about 15 minutes arrived at the building's brown. The parliament building is located alongside the Thames River which divides the city of London. There is also a Westminster Bridge and Westminster Tube Station. London Eye is also clearly visible because it's not far from here.

Charing Cross Station Bakerloo tube line or Northern line to Waterloo Underground Station

We have our lunch in a Tandoori Restaurant located on Waterloo Road.

London Eye

London Eye River Cruise

Waterloo Underground Station on board the Northern line tube to Charing Cross Station

14:20 King's Cross

Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Train Station. This is a train station that Harry Potter and friends take to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If in the past there were only sign showing 9 ¾  platform, but now been placed a trolley going into the wall.

You will given robe and muffler to become like Harry Potter.. but the robe is provided for children so that they may use the trolley that go into the wall to Platform 9 3/4 and take photo. The time to get to the trolley if you can wait your turn, the line is quite long, never mind since most importantly it's free.

In addition to Harry Potter Souvenir Shop that became travellers attraction, The centre of crowd is the the building King Cross Station itself, which is an old building with very unique architectural design.

Harry Potter Location in Central London
There are many Harry Potter filming locations in London. Some of the more popular / memorable. You need to go to the locations in the Harry Potter films as they are featured.

Harry Potter Platform 9 ¾ At Kings Cross Station
Kings Cross Station is of course the point of departure for students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, of the which its most famous student, Harry Potter. The Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9 ¾.

There is a mosque adjacent to this station. Thank God we can perform a quiet prayer before proceed with the next in the itinerary.

King Cross Mosque is pretty neat even being run by public donations. Located on level one apartment in Sandfield Crome Street.


Day 4
08:15 London Waterloo (Platorm 7)
9:46 Salisbury (Platform 4)

A day trip to Stonehenge; total journey take around 2 ½ hours from London Waterloo to reach Stonehenge.

Taking a train from London Waterloo to Salisbury and then get on Stonehenge Tour Bus to The Stonehenge.

From the rail station, the Stonehenge Tour Bus will transport you on the 30 minute trip from Salisbury to Stonehenge.

The Stonehenge
We ride shuttle taking passengers to and from Stonehenge located approximately 2-3 km from the entrance. This structure is listed as among the 7 wonders of the world.

Trip to Stonehenge from London using public transport, Salisbury, the nearest railway station to Stonehenge, then continue with shuttle buses directly to Stonehenge from Salisbury train station.

Spend time at least two hours, but the length of the visit very much depends on how busy the site is, the time needed to queue for the shuttle bus, the time taken to get to the Stonehenge, the time spend taking photographs etc.,

13:27 Salisbury (Platform 3)
14:59 London Waterloo (Platform 8)

15:05 Take the Northern Underground line from Waterloo Station to go to Tottenham Court Road Station

15:20 British Museum
British Museum Admission and opening times
Free, open daily 10:00 to 17:30

Tottenham Court Road Station to Knightsbridge, change at Leicester Square


Knightsbridge Harrods

From here we ride towards Harrods tube (tube station: Knightsbridge), the store that Al-Fayed is said to sell everything.

The store is very large, selling all goods ranging from clothes, perfume, chocolate, bakery, to electronics. Prices of goods such as dolls or Harrods brand bag turned out extraordinarily expensive, so we are only able to look around and take pictures in front of the altar table in memory of the late Lady Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed.


Day 5

Early in the morning at the hotel, we pack up our things into bags and Check out from the Hotel .

To get from Hammersmith to Euston on the Tube, take the Piccadilly Line tube at Hammersmith and change to Victoria line at Green Park. Get off at Euston Station.

At Euston Station get on the London Midland Train to Watford Junction Rail Station The train to Watford train station takes 20 minutes.

Arriving at the station, we take Watford Shuttle Bus no. 311, bus fare £ 2 /pax to go to Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio. Leaving the bus station, take a left turn and walk to the bus stand no. 3 where there is the shuttle bus with the image of Harry Potter films. Get on the bus with other visitors are given information about the making of Harry Potter films. It's interesting and not dull, all ages of visitors come all the way. For info, Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio opening hours 9.00am - 6.30pm. We have made online tickets booking on the website, £ 89 Family Ticket Entry. During our ticket in counter talking with his staff that was fascinated with Malaysia and talk about his family experiences during their visit to Kuala Lumpur.


TAKING THE FLIGHT BACK TO KLIA

5:45 PM Turkish Airlines Flight 1972
LHR - IST
London Heathrow · Scheduled departure from Terminal 2


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