Theshoreditchpubcrawl: May 2013

Five Incredible Tips For Backpackers In London

It is obvious that every backpacker in the city of London needs some accommodation, fun activity, food and with limited resources, one can only look for the best experience they can get with what they have. Here are some tips to getting the best out of backpacking in the city of London:

London Backpackers’ Affordable Accommodation

As a London backpacker on holiday, what you are looking for is a low cost hostel or hotel to achieve cost effectiveness. In London, there is no short supply of such amenities. The London Backpackers hostel is conveniently located in the heart of London – about a 20 minute commute to the city centre via tube – and less than a minute walk from the station. Other hostels that are suitable for backpackers in London are the Piccadilly Backpackers, St. Christopher’s Hammersmith, and Surprise Backpackers among others. These facilities are not only cheap but also clean, friendly, comfortable and are in convenient locations.

London Pub Crawls

The best experience they can indulge in is a pub crawl. For those not familiar with the term, it is what is also known as bar-hopping. For all the light travellers, backpackers and fun loving individuals in London, a pub crawl is all one needs. One may experience the best nights of their life in exclusive spots in the city of London. If you are looking for a bar, Shoreditch is the place to be. It is a fashionable and fast rising area where one can have incredible London pub crawl at legendary nightspots. Participate in Bignighout and Camden pub crawls among other exhilarating similar events. The experience is not only unforgettable but it is also considerably inexpensive considering they offer free entry to clubs, free shots and even drink discounts to participants.

Affordable Sightseeing Expedition

On average, the official channels for a sightseeing trip around London will cost an individual about £30 but one can opt for a more unconventional but still adventurous trip. By taking the ordinary bus like the RV1 outside the Tower Gateway Tube Station, one will be able to experience the sights of the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, Waterloo, the National Theatre and the Tate Modern. The Liverpool Street Station’s bus 23 will give you a view of the Mansion House, the Royal Courts, the Bank of England, Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall and Little Venice among other world-famous sights.

Visit Free Sights

There are numerous historical and legendary spots that one can visit in London as a backpacker. It is important to note that entrance to all museums and art galleries in London is free. A good place to start would be The British Museum which has arguably the rarest exhibits than the rest. Others include, The Tate Britain and National Gallery, The National Maritime Museum and The Royal Observatory. They are all free to visit and offer a great backpacker experience.

Backpackers’ Food

London is a fairly expensive city and so for a backpacker, affordable food will have to be purchased at supermarkets. They are available throughout the city and include national chains such as Waitrose, Tesco and many others. Eating out in London is relatively expensive.
These tips are aimed at making a London backpacker’s experience fairly comfy by easing their decision-making process.

How to have a great day in London.

London is home to 43 universities and is not only considered one of the world’s leading financial centres but also an art hub. In addition, students from all over the world converge in this city, which contributes to its fame as a cultural hub. The city also ranks high in the "worlds most visited cities" list.

Though it is considered an expensive place to live, here are a couple of suggestions for a student looking to spend a day in London without breaking the bank.

1. Experience the breakfast club.

The breakfast club was started in 2005 and serves everything from the traditional English breakfast to eggs benedict washed down with a latte or smoothie. You can go to several locations around London for breakfast. They also offer porridge and fruit salads for the weight conscious.

2. Take a dip.

You’re not a true Londoner until you have a swim in chilly temperatures at one of the outdoor pools or lidos. Pools are located all around the capital. Nature lovers can head over to Hampstead Heath and have a dip in the serpentine pools. This is a true nature lover’s haven, with ducks and swans sharing the water. You can choose to go to the mixed pond or if you prefer some privacy, there is a separate pool for men and another for women.

3. Discover the great outdoors.

While London looks just like any other concrete jungle, it’s full of green spaces. There are 8 royal parks and a number of small gardens all over London. There are also a number of farms, not forgetting the London Zoo, so you will be spoilt for choice. If possible, take a blanket and have a picnic while you recharge your batteries and enjoy nature. Alternatively, you can take a scenic tour of the river Thames.

4. Go shopping

Oxford Street, which is in the heart of London, has over 300 designer and landmark stores. You can find mid-priced stores in Regent Street; but if you have money to burn, head over to Mayfair and Bond Street. If possible, head over to Notting Hill and get yourself some vintage clothes and antiques. The largest urban shopping centre in Europe is located in Westfield London and contains over 700 brands as well as a cinema and loads of restaurants; this is the ultimate meeting place. You can also go to the east of London where you will find Westfield Stratford city.

Slip into one of the side streets when you get tired of the crowds and you’re bound to find some great bargains. There is no shortage of places to shop. There are also dozens of street markets you can visit, where you will find anything from food to antiques and some great vintage clothes.

5. Pub crawl

If you are looking to make some new pals as you learn where the best place to hang out is, this is the way to do it and it’s also the perfect way to end your day. Pub crawls are a great way to make strangers into friends. Don't be fooled, student nights London are not just about drinking and bar hopping, some pub crawls incorporate teamwork and make a game out of it, guaranteeing a great night for all.

It does not matter whether you are there for a visit or you are a local, London offers numerous indoor and outdoor activities to fill up your day.

Meeting new people in London as a first-timer

Human beings are social creatures, and that being the case, we are all at one point in life bound to yearn to meet new individuals, with different personalities, from the ones we are used to. For some people, the challenge of simply meeting and interacting with new people is a great one. For starters, the chances of meeting new people are generally influenced by several factors, such as location and choice of activities. The following suggestions will help boost these chances.

• Join a social club

Social clubs are some of the best places to meet new people, as they consist of members who share common outlooks, opinions, ideologies, and hobbies. As such, they should make it relatively easier for you to meet new people in London.

Luckily, London has a myriad of social clubs, and one will simply be spoilt of choice. It is important at this juncture, to try and find a social club that involves activities, or ideologies that you support or love. This will help in the process of blending in with the other members of the club.

Examples of social clubs available in London include, London IVC and Spice London which include numerous activities such as: chess, helicopter flights, indoor climbing, dancing, boat and sports among others.

• The pub crawl

The pub crawl is one sure way of visiting new places, while giving you the chance of interacting with new people. In London, pub crawls generally entail spontaneous nights out, with participants generally arranging to meet at designated locations, and then deciding over drinks, on the different locations they should visit next.

The main advantage offered by London pub crawls, is that you get the chance of meeting and socializing with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, while at the same time tantalizing your taste buds. This helps spice up the exotic feel of a place, and in this case, the City of London. Moreover, they provide a platform on which you can share and appreciate your different cultural backgrounds and experiences, with other pub crawlers, which will help make it, all the more interesting.

The Shoreditch bars are some of the coolest for pub crawling and partying in London. While there, you can have fun mingling with the revellers as you experience the unrelenting surge of Shoreditch’s nightlife.

• Do some volunteer work

Indulging in some volunteer work is one of the few amazing, but largely ignored ways of meeting new people. It helps you ‘do good’, while at the same time joining others in accomplishing common tasks. Common volunteer organizations such as Go London and London Heritage Farm include such activities as, getting rid of invasive weeds in the parks, and general cleanups.

If you are in London, wish to find new friends, and have a lot of time in your hands, it won't hurt to find some socially focused community groups to join. Volunteering will also give you the opportunity to mingle with some good natured, and generally selfless and caring individuals. You never know, you might find long-lasting friendship or even a lifelong companion from one of your charity escapades.

If you find volunteering interesting, London has numerous groups, always ready to welcome some new volunteers. These groups can easily be located through a simple web-search. As you can see, It is a great idea all round.

Conclusion

The above suggestions are just but a few aids to help you meet new people in London.