Is London overrated as a place to visit?

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Global Geezer

Not at all, London is a truly world class city with an abundance of everything (apart from beaches). There is history aplenty, usually one layer over the top of another going back centuries. It is a 'treacle blob' city which means that it is forever growing outwards, and because of this it is mainly a collection of villages laced together by urbanity. This lends to it, a patchwork community feel to things and quarters of real character. You are never far away from vibrant 'High Street' areas, and London has pockets of culture right the way out into the suburbs - the kind of which you don't really get in New York or Paris.

Yes, it can be expensive, but that is the same for any major world city. However, you can also find bargains if you know where to go. Tottenham Court Road for instance is the hub of the electronic shop industry, and as such, the stores are in such sharp competition with eachother that you can get great deals around there. Brick Lane (Asian restaurants) has the same character. There are also pubs in Holborn which sell nice beer for Â£1.45p a pint.

Some people in London are rude, stressed and stuck up, but you get that anywhere, and London does also have a population of 8 million, so the chances of finding friendly people are still very high. This is the city which showed real caring community spirit during the blitz, has the world's most honest taxi drivers and pub landlords, and a distinct community of cheerful eccentrics. I have been to London many times, and have always met friendly people - sometimes, complete strangers will come up and start chatting to me.

My advice is don't listen to the negative miserable people (about anything, not just travel destinations) but come and visit the British capital with a good guide book and an open mind. The place has something for everyone, and you will thoroughly enjoy your stay here.

James M

London is probably the best city in the world. It has a long history, which is why so many Americans come here. The people are helpful and friendly if you show them some respect and ask politely for directions or whatever else you need. There are hundreds of tourist attractions, not just 'a few,' and some of the loveliest parks you'll find anywhere. We also have all the pageantry associated with the Royal Family. Yes, it is expensive here, but that's how it is. It is certainly not a dump. Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to stay away as I feel that London's great history and culture would be wasted on you.

The Wanderer

I think these people you know are either blind or dumb i'm sorry but if you spent half your life there you wouldn't see everything there is to see. but of course it depends on what your interested in. any place can seem boring if you have no interest's as the saying go's if your bored with London your bored with life.

Dafydd

No it's a great city. Don't take other people's word for it come and judge for yourself.

Dave B

Tate gallery is a must, were can you go and see multimillion pounds of paintings by top artists and it is free (next to a underground train station as well). There are some really great things to do and see in London, I use a cheap day travel pass. Never drive into London and never shop in London there are so many dedicated shopping centres that you can shop in without the hassle of congestion charges and parking fees, forget it. Go for the sites, shows, theatre and museums. I am sure there are many things that can be enjoyed by various types of cultures and religions. Try it.

Andi C

It's a great place to visit with lots of varied things to see and do. It can be expensive and some areas are better kept than others, but, on the whole it is worthwhile paying a visit.

Christie

If you go to central London, which is full of bars, clubs, offices, tall buildings and some of the most beautiful architecture in the world (seriously, have you not googled the Houses of Parliament or the London Eye yet?) its one of the most glamorous, beautiful cities to be in.

On the other hand, if you were unfortunate enough to end up in Brixton, for example, you'll probably get stabbed just for being there - but saying that, the suburbs of London aren't recomended to tourists so its unlikely you'll end up there.

If your definition of 'stuck up' is loud cockney accents, pubs and traffic, by all means, steer clear of London in general.

Incidentally, I'm a Londoner and I've lived in all different parts of it for a long time. Its the most beautiful city in the world to me, the only thing I'd change about it is the annoying American tourists who turn up in their huge crowds thinking we want them there..

;)

guitar girl

no, it's great. it might be dirty, but that gives it character.

James

I agree with agamemno.

If a man is bored of london, he is bored of life. For there is in london all that life can afford.

London is underrated as a place to visit. Ive lived in London for about 10 years (Im 17). It is the best city in the world. I just recently went to new york but nothing compares to London, trust me.

It has character, finance, fashion, art, sport, food, style, culture. As if that isn't enough.

These people that are telling you this are probably country hillbillys from cornwall or somewhere like that.

Gromit

I don't think so.
I've lived there, and yes - it's quite dirty and crowded. But it's got a great feeling about the place that you can't describe unless you've been there. It has this feeling of life about it!
I don't think the people are stuck up at all! They're just typical English people mostly, who get annoyed like we all do at tourists who cannot use escalators and who talk too loudly on the Tube (be warned :P).
I also disagree with it being a dump: sure, there are some pretty nasty estates that you wouldn't want to got to for a million quid, but go down to Kensington and Chelsea and you will soon see that it is far from a dump.
I love the city tbh, it's my favourite place in the world :)

destiny

Born and lived in London for most of my life. "London" might be expensive and crowded!! BUT DIRTY AND A DUMP!!! I think these people need an URGENT eye test. Go and take the tour for yourself. YOU will not be disappointed. and ignore untrue rumours London's one of the best cities in the world..

Acctman

No, London is a great city. I am an American and I have visited many cities through out the world. I would say London should be on your short list of must see. There is a lot to see if you are intellectually curious or just want to see famous sights like the tower bridge, parliment, piccidilly circus, the Bristish museum, the Tower of London, the eye of london etc. It is a very safe city where you can walk around at night and hit the pubs, or have dinner. When I was there five years ago, it was quite expensive so be prepared. But a city on the same status as NYC.

Hope this helps.

led-zep

I have done my share of traveling and can say that London is my biggest disappointment so far. It was packed with tourists, very very expensive, and the people all seem in a rush/depressed/sad and I was there during the summer NOT during the winter.

I guess actually living there would be an overall better experience because you would really be able to meet people from all over the world, because people consider London to be a sort of cultural melting pot. But I did not get this experience at all during my vacationing in London.

shantellefarrant

London is a wonderful place. I've been all over Britain and to Europe and I've never loved a city so much.
I live in London.
It's a great place to live and work and also to visit.
I visit London attractions at the weekend, study there during the week...

It is dirty in terms of litter etc but as one of the busiest cities in the world that's to be expected. But there is far more there than a few tourist attractions. Whatever you're into I guarantee that you'll find something you'd never normally of thought of but will love.

Like any cosmopolitan city it can be expensive but if you do your research and talk to locals that's easily remedied. When we see things that are over-priced we call them "tourist prices". I do think you have this element in all major cities though.

Some people are stuck up, but it's like that everywhere. With so many people, and such a wide variety of people you'll always get a few twats!

Oh, and yes, it is crowded, but there are wide open spaces too- go to some of the parks and you'll be able to have masses of space around you!

carina

everything you say about London is true ... BUT ... it's still an impressive place to visit ... I live in London and have visited many other places both here in UK and abroad, and I can honestly say that London has so many fascinating places to visit, so much history, so many really good shops, and so much good quality entertainment, that it's difficult to beat

there's many more than a "few" tourist attractions as any of the London tourists websites will tell you ... and as a Londoner I resent being called "stuck up" ... the truth is we get so many thousands of tourists that we can't go out of our way to be friendly to everyone, although if you do get around to talking to us we're really quite friendly

stormibays

I disagree. I really liked visiting London as a tourist. Frankly you have the choice to make your vacation any way you want. If you go in acting like a stupid American (no offense but as an America, I have seen the stupid way many of my nation travels - ignorant, snobby etc)

Go, expect to have a good time and look for it. Enjoy the city for what it has to offer and quit comparing it to the U.S. It is what it is!

With that said, yes it is expensive. That would have to be my biggest and worse complaint. I stayed in a fairly affordable hotel and ate very cheaply and I was so annoyed at paying 8 bucks for a latte at starbucks! Yes it is busy because you are in the middle of a metropolitan city. The musuems are amazing and FREE! Just visiting the British LIbrary and seeing the Magna Carta, DaVinci's notebooks, a love letter from Napoleon to Josephine, The original Alice in Wonderland etc... was worth the trip. I loved the British Musuem and the Tate Modern.

Jacquelyn O

Overrated as a place to visit? NO!! I've been there 3 times and planning the 4th trip now. Yes, it's expensive, crowded, dirty but what do you expect from a city hundreds of years old with a large population of humans. You find what you're looking for--I go there for the history, architecture and, in a weirdness I can't explain, a sense of home. Husband and I love walking the streets and just . . . looking. If we srike up a converstion with a stranger, good; if not, we're not disappointed.

peter.ambrose@talk21.com

I was born and bred in London. It is dirty, crowded, expensive and only for the rich. If you want to go to an interesting city try Venice or Florence. Wonderful people, clean streets, reasonable cost if you stay away from the touristy bits. A history that is far more colourful than London. P.S. I fell out of love with London when I first began to travel, it is so overrated that I have not lived there for 30yrs. and neither would I consider returning there.

For the person that said "it might be dirty, but that gives it character", that is about the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

Yes, it is dirty, crowded and expensive. Being dirty and expensive doesn't really bother, however the overcrowding can be frustrating at times. I think it is a great place to visit if you are a tourist because there is so much to do, and you will be staying in the 'touristy' areas which are generally safe and clean.
I wouldn't say Londoners are stuck up, more that they are inconsiderate to others. I was on the Tube train the other day and saw a woman knock down a blind man in a rush to get off the platform. Nobody stopped to help him, and people were stepping over him to get on the train!!!! About thirty people must have walked over or past him before I could get to him to help. That would NEVER happen in Paris or Berlin for example.

To get to the point, yes it is overrated, but then that is the job of the tourist companies to sell London, so I can't blame them for that. It is still worth visiting as a tourist, just not a great place to live.

Hellie Gizzle.

i live in central london and i suppose its a brilliant place to visit because it is a base city for historic cities and also has so many attractions. but if that was all taken away it would be a dump. in london there have been 19 teenagers killed since january and crime is just getting out of hand. and then you get the posh folk who just stick their noses up at everything.

Wendy

very good description I would say and also rip off city would describe it well also full of beggars and people sleeping in shop doorways

gypsy1604

yes that just about sums it up , rip off london !

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