What London is like

Steeped in history, London is one of the largest cities in Europe with something for everyone. From the museums to the markets, one could spend a lifetime in the city and still not have discovered all that London has to offer. London is often referred to as the largest urban forest, and you can really feel this - the streets are often tree lined and offer excellent shade.

London has a fascinating and long history, with many remnants of historical conflicts and architecture present throughout the city. The city is divided by the Thames, with the beginnings in the City of London, right next to the LSE campus. To date, The City of London is home to many offices of the world’s financial institutions and the Bank of England.

Having lived in London for a year, I have listed a few of my favourite ‘must-visits’ during your stay in London.

Parks

Holland Park is located in West London and is a leafy park away from the tourist bustle of central London. The park is split into many different areas, such as the Formal Gardens and the Kyoto Gardens. It is an excellent park for a picnic.

Regents Park (pictured above) is a Royal Park accessible by Regents Park or Baker Street station on the Bakerloo line. It has an excellent view of London’s skyline and is bordered by Regent’s Canal, a leafy canal with boat trips and boats for hire.

Primrose Hill is a hilly park with spectacular views across London. It’s just north of Regent’s Park and ZSL London Zoo, and makes or an post-studying spot to soak in the sunset with your friends.

Museums

The Imperial War Museum is an excellent museum that takes you on a journey through the experience of the World Wars, as well as people’s perspective of modern war and conflict.

The Museum of London (pictured above) is in the City of London, offering a glimpse into the history of London - from its Roman beginnings to the Victorian era, this museum is sure to give you a better sense of how London developed into the city it is today.

 

Remember, London is also extremely well connected to many large cities in the UK by train, so pick a couple that you want to visit and bring your friends along as well! My personal favourites are Brighton and Oxford, both of which are around 1 hour from London by train, and offer many local attractions and historical architecture.

During the summer, London gets very sunny and warm, so remember to bring a large water bottle with you everywhere! It’s difficult to describe how beautiful and picturesque London is, and I would recommend strolling around many of the smaller lanes and finding hidden gems for yourself!

 

This blog was written by one of our 2022 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.