When people visit UK/london..

[Twinkletwinklelil]

What are the actual attractions? I’m genuinely curious.. when we have tourists come to London.. for a holiday.. not to visit family or friends, what is it they’ve come for?m

I think sometimes visiting any world famous city, one that you actually know what all the sites look like already because the whole world has seen pictures, it's more about just being there. Going on the tube, sitting upstairs on a bus, walking the streets, hearing the accent, holding the money. The sites are just a (big) bonus.

I think the poster made a very valid point.

Yes, me.

London is possibly the greatest city in the world, definitely in the top three. NYC might just compare. I had never been anywhere of a similar scale until I went to Beijing. It makes Paris look like toytown. It has incredible art, museums and theatre and is full of beautiful green public spaces.

OP are you planning a visit? What sorts if things are you interested in?

The truly interesting thing about this thread is the kind of attractions different people choose: for some it’s all about the museums, for others it’s fancy shops, or theatre, or Instagrammable shots.

We went to London recently for the first time in years, specifically to see the British Museum. I was astonished at just how many visitors (in November!) were international tourists, and the sheer volume of people in general. I thought the BM would have been a bit more niche, but I suspect many were in tour groups and were just going along with the itinerary.

When my DD was 9 she requested a trip there just to see the Rosetta stone. Some of he artefacts are world famous. Like people go to paris i just to see the Mona Lisa.

Avoiding the question of whether the artefacts should be in London.

🤔🙄

Westminster Abbey, the Tower, Big Ben, the rosy red cheeks of the little children

@Oddities1 hand on my heart, I’ve lived overseas in a tiny island for 18+ years and it’s a running joke in my family that the first place I go (whether I need to or not!) is the Big Tesco in Horsham. Either to get necessities, chocolate or gin. My kids still love going, they’re overawed by the chocolate aisle.

I didn’t realise MN was full of Londoners that get offended so easily.

I don’t think I need to explain myself, I asked a question or two and half of you are pissed I asked a question. Can’t win on this forum.

I don't think everyone on this thread that is surprised at your question is from London tbh.

I’m not (tho I have lived there) and I cannot imagine someone who lives in the UK asking your question in a serious way. Surely the attractions of London (at least the most obvious ones) are so well known that any adult would know them? Unless you live in another country – but even then? You must have heard of Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, St Paul's, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Thames, the Houses of Parliament, Oxford Street, the Tower of London, West End theatres? even if you don't know anything about the British Museum or the National Gallery? I think that's why people are confused (especially as you have heard of Borough Market which, while nice and worth a visit, is hardly in the top 10).

Thamesmead is nice for a picnic.
The Wetherspoons near Barking station is fantastic in terms of cultural pomp and ceremony.
The Iceland's in Thornton Heath is great as when it's shut you can linger round outside in the dark.
There is a wide range of luxury casinos and gaming arcades in the illustrious high street of Harlesden.

Don’t forget the diagonal lift at Greenford tube station.

Appreciate that if you are not English perhaps you dont get it. But London is probably one of the most famous and iconic cities in the world, and as a result its not weird to assume that most people will have some sense of ehat it offers, possibly tailored to their preferences. From museums and art galleries, to an almost endless variety of historical and cultural references, to its shopping, art/music/drama activities or even just its famous and globally crucial financial district....

It is very hard to believe that anyone is completely oblivious as to what London might offer. I mean, if you ask someone what is famous about cities such as Palomo, Salvador, or Surrey, fair enough. But London?! Its stood as a landmark for literally thousands of years.

If you can’t see any attractions, then best go elsewhere.

Borough Market is a bit of a scrum and full of influencers.

Tower of London
House of Parliament
The pretty bits of Covent garden
Buckingham Palace (dull though)
Horseguards parade and trafalgar Square.
National gallery.

You’d be surprised at the number of videos on social media where a tourist picks up a meal deal and marvels at the combinations for the price. They are often accompanied by lots of engagement where people comment about the best meal deals available at that supermarket and which other supermarkets they should try next.

Haha. My only memory of Greenford tube station was bunking the train to Paddington, getting caught by the driver who then drove the train and me to Greenford and tried to grope my tits?! I guess that's another world beating London experience for a tourist in itself.

There are lots of websites and apps that can give you suggestions like

trip advisor
get your guide
viator

personally I like museums, historical sites, trips on the Thames, shops, theatre.

A surprisingly large number of Japanese tourists go to Liverpool - tour the Beatles sites.

They love the Brontes too. There are finger posts on the moors around Haworth in Japanese.

Im neither a Londoner nor 'offended' by your question.

Im scathing of your ignorance and or goadiness.

This.

I'm not a Londoner either, but still waiting for some explanation of the question.

I’m not from London….but thought it was a ridiculous question

Probably because you are asking a question with an obvious answer

Surely you can see that.

It’s like when BIL asked me the capital of France because he thought I was too stupid to know the answer

He was only asking a question was his reply when I pulled him up on it