London City Guide

Food options are very diverse. Try local dishes like Fish and Chips and Sunday Roast. Vegetarian and vegan choices are common. Many places stay open late for food.

Plenty of pubs, cocktail bars, clubs, and live music venues. The variety and quality are excellent.

An excellent coffee scene with specialty shops and high-quality brews.

Tipping is usual but not mandatory. Restaurants often add 10-12.5% service charge. Otherwise 10-15% is normal. Taxi tips are usually rounding up or 10%. Other services appreciate small tips.

SIM cards are easy to buy at airports and phone shops. EE, Vodafone, and O2 offer good coverage and speed. Prepaid SIMs usually don't require ID registration.

Main tourist spots are generally clean. Some areas vary. Waste pickup is regular.

Central areas have 24/7 options like some pharmacies and minimarts. Late-night food is common.

Major supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Waitrose sell a wide range of products. Small convenience stores are common, and fresh markets offer specialty goods but are not for daily staples. Stores usually open early and close late on weekdays, shorter hours on Sundays.

Most places accept card payments and contactless pay, including public transport. Cash is rarely needed.

ATMs from Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, and NatWest are common. There are usually no fees from ATMs, but your bank may charge foreign transaction fees.

There are international schools like American School and International School of London. Local schools teach in English. Admissions usually open in autumn for the next school year. Popular schools have waitlists.

A growing community with meetups and events. Many cafes and co-working spaces support nomads.

Extensive parks like Hyde Park and Regent's Park provide green escapes and running paths.

Popular routes in parks and along the Thames. Generally safe with many running groups.

Many gyms and studios available, from big chains to independent spots.

Many public and private tennis courts are available. Booking online is common.

Padel courts are growing in popularity with several clubs offering them.

Lots of yoga studios with drop-in classes and English-speaking teachers.

Many dojos offer BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, and Karate with English-speaking instructors.

No ski resorts near London. The closest are far away in Scotland.

Kayaking and paddleboarding are possible on the Thames and canals. Sailing and windsurfing happen on nearby reservoirs.

No surfing in London. Closest surf spots are several hours away on the coast.

No diving near London; marine diving requires coastal travel.

Hospitals like St Thomas' and Guy's have English-speaking staff. NHS provides quality public care but waits can be long. Private care is faster. Pharmacies like Boots and Superdrug sell medicines and offer advice.

Tap water is safe to drink anywhere in London.

Lots of playgrounds and kid-friendly spots. Museums like Science Museum and Natural History Museum are great for kids. Parks are easy to access.

Highly friendly with strong protections. Soho is a hub, Pride is a major event.

Many parks allow dogs, and vet services are common. Pet-friendly accommodations vary. Import rules are strict.