Mind the gap.
London is dead. There, I said it. Long-gone are the idilic scenes of tea ceremonies and well-off middle-class Britains strolling through cozy streets.
Middle and South Eastern diversity is here baby! So, get used to it bigots…*cough, cough*
“Hold on! Is it as bad as Paris?” You ask.
NOOOO. Not even close! But London, England simply ISN’T what it used to be.
It’s a bit heartbreaking, if I’m being completely honest. Slightly devastating, in fact.
Should I Visit London, England in 2025?
Yes. It’s an important bucket-list travel experience. Whether you go with friends or alone. Just get there. Explore it. Say you did it.
This life is short and there’s never a good time to travel.
But be prepared. Manage your expectations. London is just another big city, colored by a chaotic ambiance of isolated, busy people rushing to catch the tube on their way to work or home.
The BEST Parts of London (Must-See Sites)
Museums & Sites
Trafalgar Square
Tate Art Museum
British Art Museum
Big Ben
Westminster Abbey + Palace of westminster
Need I say more?
If you don’t like museums and art, this won’t interest you. Keep it pushing.
There are so many cathedrals and churches with amazing architecture, like St. Paul’s Cathedral.
If you love art and culture, the British Art Museum is a MUST-SEE attraction.
The art pieces they have are truly impressive.
However, my favorite museum in the world continues to be the Nelson Atkins Art Museum in Kansas City. There I said it. Sue me.
Westminster Church Cathedral is a site that you should NEVER miss out on during a trip to London.
The Downside of Westminster?
I’ll say it. The line outside was outrageous. I cam fairly early and it had already stretched all the way around the cathedral entrance point and down the street. Unbelievable!
The crowds were pretty rough to deal with as well. But nonetheless, the interior of Westminster is worth the wait.
The intricacy of its sculpted design is completely mesmerizing. You could spend hours here, but for the throngs of tourists moving and shuffling their way through the whole place while rushing you along with them.
You can also walk through Westminster Abbey and its cloister and courtyard.
The Beer (Oi Bruhv)
The beer is excellent. The pubs are abundant. If you don’t like it, grab some hot tea (that’s great too). I took a bunch of Twinnings Tea home and it was out of this world.
“You must love London! So, what’s the real problem with visiting?” You ask.
THE PRICE. Duhhh. Seriously, what else would it be? This is London, after all. Absolutely unlivable in terms of basic cost of living. Street violence is another issue. I’ll cover that later.
Stroll Through London’s Awesome Parks
It’s like something out of an impressionist’s acrylic painting. I spent so many days lounging about in the parks and taking long walks.
Time well spent, if you ask me.
Just watch your back in certain places. London can be a pretty violent place nowadays.
I’m not going to explain to you why it has gotten so violent. If I did, I might get fired from my job and end up on the streets. Get my drift?
London’s Nightlife
The nightlife is pretty great, if you can afford it.
I cannot.
So, I’ll leave it there.
The Drinking Water
Yes. You heard me right. London has the BEST DRINKING WATER IN THE WORLD.
Granted, I haven’t tried tap water in India. But despite that, I’m pretty sure my opinion is right.
Honestly, I am amazed at how great-tasting this water is. The Thames Wastewater Company does its job very well. Kuddos to those guys.
The Londoners’ tax dollars are hard at work there – and those dollars are actually well spent!
The Dark Side of London (Bruv, Mate, Boyo)
How long you got, bud?
Here are a few of my criticisms:
Growing Violent Crime & Petty Theft
Expensive as All Hell (convert USD to Pound…I dare you)
Crowded, Busy, Lonely, Aloof City Life
Cloudy, Rainy Dreary Weather 24/7
Should You Still Visit London?
Mostly…Yes!
Despite the downsides, you should travel there. It’s an iconic legendary city, even if it’s not what it used to be.
Just temper your expectations. At the end of the day, London is just a city, like Chicago, NYC, Berlin, or Paris. Cities gonna city.