London tourist traps
As we have been doing our research for this site, when we found something someone described as a tourist trap we made a note. Here are our first ten, in no particular order:
- Covent Garden (shopping)
- London Eye (sightseeing)
- Tower Of London (monument)
- Madame Tussaud’s (waxworks)
- Changing Of The Guard (ceremony)
- Carnaby Street (sixties shopping)
- Brick Lane (food)
- Leicester Square (nightlife)
- Abbey Road (crossing)
- Borough Market (food)
- Platform 93/4 at King’s Cross (queue)
OK, so it’s eleven.
We could add more (especially Camden Market and Petticoat Lane and The Shard and Speakers’ Corner) but that’s our genuine list for now.
So, you’re expecting us to tell you why they are bad, how and why you should avoid them, what better alternatives there are (like the Sky Garden).
Well, it’s surprising that the Tower is on this. It is a genuinely old historic monument. It is expensive, but it’s big and real. The area round about is not as tacky as it could be. There was a long queue for the Crown Jewels last time we took someone, and they are completely underwhelming. But it may still be worth a visit, and the other things in that area, even if it is expensive.
We’d say that Buckingham Palace is best avoided, but if you’ve never seen it, it is famous (just know it’s a dull building behind some gates, you can’t go in and you won’t see the King. Also, that’s not even the front!)
As for the rest, we have tales…
But we do have a piece of advice for you: if you want to see these places, just go.
It’s your holiday, you may never come again. If you do, these are places not to re-visit. Be aware that you may be disappointed. Keep your wits about you, don’t fall for any scams, be safe and just take it as it comes.
Yes, you can visit the London Dungeon, the Aquarium, Hamleys, the Sherlock Holmes Museum, take a trip on a rickshaw, whatever… but we hope you don’t. Find something better to do, something that will be far more rewarding and worth your limited time.