best london souvenirs

Best London Souvenirs

By Dom Bewley

You! Yes, you there! Are you a fan of things? Do you like stuff? Perhaps items related to a specific city? Well, you must be a fan of souvenirs! Loveable keepsakes of times past, that help remind you of the exciting adventures you've experienced. If you're visiting London from further shores, or simply from another part of the UK, you might want something to remember your trip. But which are the best souvenirs? Well, pay attention, and take a gander down below, guv'nor. What we will do, is provide you with a list of the best London souvenirs.

Image of Bus, Vehicle, Tour Bus, Double Decker Bus,

Tiny Bus

You know them; you love them. London's big red buses are one of the most recognisable elements of the country's capital. And, predictably, you'll find little red buses of all shapes and sizes you can buy and put around your house.

Big Ben

Definitely one of the must-have London souvenirs. Everyone's favourite large clock, Big Ben is another of London's most famous landmarks. Fancy some of that large clock action in your little lounge? Go grab one and put it on a shelf. That way, it will always be there, watching you. And waiting. Waiting for what, you may ask? You'll just have to wait and see.

LDN tees

Did you love your visit to London? Do you want to memorialise it in clothing form? Go get an 'I Love - or heart - London' t-shirt. That way, you can wear your memories. And when people see it, they'll ask you all about your trip. Maybe.

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Red Box

Another red London motif is the iconic red telephone box. Sadly a dying breed in this modern age of smartphones and texting, there are still a few dotted about the city. Before they die out completely, go pick up a keepsake. Then, put it somewhere so that the red phone box will live on forever. In your bedroom, or other room. Wherever you want it.

Union Jacks

Is there anything more English than the Union Jack? Probably, as it's actually the flag of the United Kingdom. Never mind that, go grab a flag, mug, or some Spice Girls-related memorabilia. Anything with a Union Jack, and display it proudly. No list of the best London souvenirs would be complete without it.

Harry Potter

The boy wizard who changed the lives of an entire generation. You'll find a sorting hat-load of Harry Potter memorabilia all over London, especially since the success of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End. Wands, sweets, hats, and more. Anything a muggle could want!

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Oyster Card

A staple of every Londoner's wallet, you'll probably pick up an Oyster Card so you can get about on the tubes and buses that take you across the city. Keep it, frame it, and display it for your friends and family to see. You went to London, and dared to travel too. And, when you want to come back, you'll be ready to hop on immediately.

Marmite. Yes, really

Whether you love it or hate it, marmite is the quintessential British spread. So, why not pick up a jar or two, put it somewhere prominent in the kitchen, and then never touch it again.

Coasters

Do you drink drinks? Do you ever put them on a table only for them to leave a ring stain no matter how hard you tried to avoid it? Then you, my friend, need a coaster. And why not get one that commemorates your trip to the big city of London? There are plenty of coaster options available to you, featuring many of the things we've already discussed. Want a big ben coaster? We're sure you'll find one.

Image of Smoke Pipe,

Holmes for your home

Of course, one reason many of you are travelling to our fair capital is because of the man himself, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The legend himself prowled the streets of London, solving cases and getting up to other Sherlock-related hijinks. Given the recent Sherlock Rennaissance, expect to find a whole host of Sherlock bits and bobs. If you can get the hat, the magnifying glass, and the pipe, you win Sherlock bingo. Your prize? Looking awesome.

Royal Family things

Another big English export, the Royal Family draws a remarkable amount of tourism to London every year. Arguably the most famous royal family on the planet, millions tune in to watch their weddings. So, you can expect that there's a lot of Royal-themed memorabilia on offer to would-be collectors. Plates, cups, calendars, books, t-shirts, the list goes on. However you want to celebrate this oddball family, you'll find it in London. You can't leave London without one of the best souvenirs!

London keyrings

If you live in a house or flat, chances are you have keys. They're the things you use to get in, and keep people out. If you have multiple keys, you might be in the market for a keyring. Well, why not combine your love of keys and your love of London with a London-themed keyring? Whether you want one with a bus, Big Ben, or another landmark like the London Eye, you're sure to find one. Keep your keys safe, stylish, and flash them to all your friends. They will envy your keyring, and they will love it.

Image of Football, Soccer, Soccer Ball, Sphere,

Footie stuff

If you are a big fan of the actual football, the one where people hit the ball with their feet, then you're in luck. There are a number of large football clubs that call London home. You've got world-renowned clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, and you'll find a lot of football shirts, training kits, mugs, posters, and much more at their respective stadium shops. Why not combine your shopping spree with a tour of the Emirates or Stamford Bridge? Or, there are lesser-known, but still great clubs, like West Ham, Crystal Palace, Brentford, QPR, the list goes on. Whichever team you like, player you follow, or kit you prefer, you're bound to find it in London.

And that's our list of the best London souvenirs! We hope you enjoy your memorabilia bounty, and display it for all to see. Are you wondering what else you can do while in the city? Why not check out London's best markets, art galleries, or museums?

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David Bowie at Madame Tussauds London. Image credit: Merlin.
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Ultimate Guide to Madame Tussauds London

Madame Tussauds wax museum has been wowing (and startling) London tourists for nearly two centuries now, its collection of lifelike wax models of historic figures, stars of stage and screen, rock legends and other celebrity icons proving an irresistible draw for millions of visitors every year. Here’s where you can get up close to the Royal Family, come face-to-face with Jack the Ripper, and experience impossible festival line-ups that team Bob Marley with Beyoncé and David Bowie with Dua Lipa. Read on for our ultimate guide to Madame Tussauds London, including when to visit, how to get tickets, and the waxwork highlights you simply mustn’t miss! Madame Tussauds London: The Lowdown It’s nearly 250 years since the teenage Madame Marie Tussaud, then a trainee wax sculptor in Paris, created her first waxwork, an effigy of writer and philosopher Voltaire. Tussaud’s journey to fame and fortune was long and arduous, taking in imprisonment during the French Revolution, a spell in swinging London in the early 1800s, and a 33-year-long tour of Britain with which she finally made her name. In 1835, she finally settled in a permanent exhibition space on Baker Street, a stone’s throw from the larger Marylebone premises opened by her grandson in 1883, where the iconic wax figures have been displayed ever since. Marie Tussaud died in 1850 at the grand old age of 88, leaving behind a wax legacy that included a sculpture of herself. The immortal figure of Madame Tussaud can still be seen today, welcoming guests through the museum’s entrance on Marylebone Road. She’s joined by some 150 fellow models, a rotating circus of the great and good (and not so great and good) that moves with the times, capturing the zeitgeist and national mood. Zones like the Chamber of Horrors, with its roster of ghosts, ghouls and bad guys of yore, pay tribute to Tussaud’s original vision, while the Marvel Universe, Awards Party, Impossible Festival and Star Wars zones keep pace with the latest trends and fashions. There are several epic immersive areas, and you can even cast your own hand in wax and take it home as a fun (if slightly macabre) souvenir of your visit! Madame Tussauds London Highlights The Royal Palace. Practice your best curtsy as you come face-to-face with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and snap a selfie with Wills and Kate. You’ll also encounter royal guests such as Dame Judi Dench, Mo Farah CBE, and former US president Barack Obama. Awards Party. Hit the red carpet and pap Angelina Jolie, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Harry Styles and others. Impossible Festival. Impossible by name, impossible by nature, the line-up at this dream festival boasts Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Amy Winehouse and Taylor Swift. Marvel Universe 4D. Join your favorite Marvel superheroes – Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, the Black Panther and more – on a cinematic adventure that includes real-world water, wind and seat-quaking effects! Chamber of Horrors. Not for the faint of heart, this immersive zone reveals London’s dark underbelly, and features relics rescued from genuine crime scenes. Meet notorious gangsters the Krays and other London monsters like John Christie, Dennis Nilsen and, of course, Jack the Ripper himself. Spirit of London. Take a black cab ride through the city’s turbulent past, from the plague to the Great Fire of London,and Carnaby Street in the swinging 1960s. Star Wars. Space cadets, rejoice! Here’s where to spot Chewbacca helming the controls of the legendary Millennium Falcon, encounter C-3PO and R2-D2 on the shifting sands of Tatooine, and watch Luke and Darth battle it out on the Death Star. Meanwhile, in the swamps and forests of his native Dagobah, Yoda you must meet. Madame Tussauds London: When to Visit Madame Tussauds London's opening hours vary throughout the year. It’s generally open from 9AM or 10AM until 3PM or 4PM, with longer hours (usually 9AM–5PM) during school holidays. Check the official Madame Tussauds London website for opening hours on the days you want to visit.  Generally speaking, the first and last tours of the day (after around 2PM) are less prone to overcrowding, but avoid weekends and school holidays if you can, when the crowds of tourists inside can occasionally make getting close to your favorite wax icons… challenging. Book in advance to lock in your 15-minute time slot; turning up on the day and buying a ticket then and there is possible, but unadvisable. This, after all, is one of London’s most popular attractions, so doing it this way will likely require you to while away several hours in nearby Regent’s Park as you await your slot. Madame Tussauds London: Tickets One of the best ways to visit Madame Tussauds London is with an All-Inclusive attraction pass from Go City. Just select the number of consecutive days you plan to sightsee (up to 10), and fill your boots with as many bucket-list London experiences – including tours, activities, attractions and more – as you can in that time. The pass offers savings of up to 50% against regular entry prices, with the value increasing the more things you see and do. The All-Inclusive pass comes packed with dozens of essential London attractions, including Madame Tussauds, plus the London Eye, Tower of London, the View from The Shard, London Zoo, the London Bridge Experience and many more. You can also book direct via the Madame Tussauds London website, where options include multi-attraction tickets, fast track passes and a champagne bar experience. Fun Facts About Madame Tussauds London Waxworks at Madame Tussauds take around six months to create, from concept to completion. They are groomed and touched up throughout their lifetime and, when retired, have their heads and extremities removed and placed in storage. Those archives must be a sight to behold! Figures are made 2% larger than the human (or movie character) they represent, to account for melting during the modeling process. The museum’s oldest waxwork is of Louis XV’s last mistress Madame du Barry, sculpted by Marie Tussaud’s teacher Philippe Curtius in 1765. Closest Transport Links to Madame Tussauds London Madame Tussauds is a two-minute walk from Baker Street station on the London Underground; access to multiple Tube lines including the Bakerloo, Circle, Jubilee and Metropolitan make this by far the easiest way to get here. Marylebone train station is a 10-minute walk and several bus routes also service the area. All images shown depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds. Save on London Tours, Activities and Attractions Save on admission to 100+ London attractions with an Explorer or All-Inclusive pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
March is a good time to head to London's parks
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What to do in London in March

London in March welcomes the spring – announcing itself with a flurry of flowerheads and chirruping of bird song. Brighter, sunnier skies begin to hint at the months ahead and the return of British Summer Time means evenings are lighter for longer. All the better for enjoying London’s many attractions and events, including the St Patrick’s Day celebrations and the University Boat Race. What is the weather like in London in March? Don’t be fooled by the sudden addition of color to the streets of London in March, the start of the month can still be chilly. March 1 will usually see daytime temperatures of around 8°C, before they begin to steadily increase as the month goes on. By its end, they’ve jumped by roughly a third to about 13°C. Putting this into context, it’s just 3°C below temperatures frequently recorded at the height of summer. On occasion they can jump still further – the March all-time record stands at no less than 23°C. Given this fact, snow is – perhaps unbelievably – still an outside possibility. However, your main concern will be rain showers, which can sweep in at any time to break up the growing periods of sun. On the plus side, dusk creeps back day after day, providing visitors to London with longer daylight hours to spend amidst the treasures of the British capital. Enjoy London’s parks The grass turns a fresh shade of green, the flower beds erupt in blooms and the sun – hopefully – shines. This makes March in London a good month for getting outside and exploring the city’s many parks, gardens and green spaces. A visit to the gates of Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony can easily be combined with time in the capital’s Royal Parks. St James’s, Green and Hyde Parks form a near-continuous expanse of greenery from the River Thames to Notting Hill. More than just parklands, they contain various monuments, lakes and even an art gallery – The Serpentine. Not all that far away in Lambeth is the Garden Museum. The only museum of its kind in the country, it uses its base of a converted church dated to the Norman Conquest to record the history of the garden in the UK psyche. Get ready to party The color green is also an integral part of one of March’s main events. He may not be the capital’s patron saint (that’s Saint Paul) but this doesn’t stop Londoners from celebrating St Patrick’s Day on March 17. The main festivities generally take place on the weekend nearest the date, and kick off on Piccadilly Circus. It’s from here a parade of floats, performers and marching bands take over the streets on route to Trafalgar Square. But the festivities don’t stop there. The statue of Nelson atop its column looks down on a specially-constructed stage that sees performances from a wealth of acts with a connection to the Emerald Isle. Pall Mall hosts a range of family zone activities suitable for younger visitors. It’s the banks of the Thames that are the location for The University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge. First fought in 1829, somewhere in the region of a quarter of a million people line the winding 4.2 mile west London course each year to cheer on the rowing eights. The finish line at Chiswick Bridge is a favored vantage point for obvious reasons. Refresh your wardrobe Browsing the new season trends is on many people’s lists of things to do in London in March, and for good reason. The British capital’s range of retail opportunities is well-known, offering everything from off the peg items to department stores holding royal warrants to supply the Queen and Prince of Wales. Whilst it’s Oxford Street where you’ll find many household names, neighboring Regent’s Street blends high-end couture with an independent streak sometimes missing from the streets of the capital. Children’s eyes will bulge wide at the very sight of Hamleys’, whose seven stories make it the biggest toyshop in the world. Meanwhile, adults are sure to find something that delights at Liberty’s, whose mock-Tudor edifice stretches from Kingly Street to the boutique stores of Carnaby Street, and has championed designers from William Morris to Manolo Blahnik. The seven streets that together form, surprise-surprise, Seven Dials, between Soho and Covent Garden is perhaps easier on the wallet but certainly doesn’t hold back on the cool. Playing host to almost 150 stores and places to eat, it’s a good place to head whether you’re looking for a new pair of jeans or a block of locally-produced cheese. If there’s a bookworm in the family, a trip to the secondhand bookshops of Charing Cross Road will be in order. Explore the wider world Amid the splendor of the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House, Greenwich, stand the masts of the last remaining tea clipper, the Cutty Sark. A simply stunning addition to the east London skyline under the clear skies of March, she was built in 1869 and moored at the Thames as a museum ship in 1954. Visitors are able to discover the cramped conditions crew sailing between China and England had to endure below deck. Since a major restoration project, it’s now also possible to walk beneath the hull to view its original planking and ironwork, before admiring the world’s largest collection of ship’s figureheads. Containing one of the largest collections of living creatures in the UK, ZSL London Zoo has been educating the public and conserving the world’s wildlife for nearly two centuries. Amongst its 20,000 individual animals are 650 species including lions, lemurs and Komodo dragons. Each live in enclosures attempting to mimic their natural habitats as closely as possible, to the extent that many include other species from the same region. Save on March London attraction admission The start of spring ensures there are a huge array of things to do in London in March. But seeing so many attractions can soon get expensive. Go City helps ease the burden by including reduced admission to many of London’s top attractions, whilst doing away with paper ticketing but not the flexibility you’ll want on a visit to the British capital.
Ian Packham
Visit the statue of Eros in London in February
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Why you should visit London in February

The spring blooms of London’s parks and the warm summer nights of July and August may still be a while away, but London in February still merits consideration. The sporting calendar is as packed as always, whilst you can channel your inner Anna Wintour at London Fashion Week or enjoy a romantic meal on Valentine’s Day. Pick your travel dates carefully, and you can take advantage of some of the best hotel deals of the year too. Discover what it takes to be London’s next supermodel February in London is undoubtedly a month to show off the full glory of your winter wardrobe. Average daily temperatures of 3 – 7°C mean woolens will become your best friend, with a hat, scarf and gloves must have items. An umbrella will likely be more than an accessory – the months when an umbrella isn’t needed in London are few and far between. Helping to brighten up the sometimes-dark days of February is London Fashion Week Festival, one of the Big Four fashion events alongside Paris, Milan and New York. Hot on the heels of an industry get-together of the same name, its publicly-accessible events include catwalk shows presenting the latest collections from roughly 100 of the country’s top designers. Known to attract the global glitterati, previous editions have even included an appearance by Queen Elizabeth II, though as guest of honor rather than one of the models. If it gets you into the mood for some retail therapy, you’re only ever a Tube ride away from an afternoon tea at Harrods or the chance of bumping into royalty on the floors of Fortnum & Mason, a Piccadilly institution since 1707. Whatever your style and budget, Oxford Street is also hard to beat for the fashion conscious. Head to west London Once described as a thug’s game played by gentlemen, encounters on the field of the Six Nations Championships can be bruising, with national pride at stake. Taking place in February and March, it is an annual Rugby Union competition held between England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy. London’s Twickenham Stadium plays a central role, as well as being guardian of treasures like the Calcutta Cup, the oldest international sporting trophy in the world. Alternatively, you can absorb the atmosphere of an England game from one of London’s many pubs. When a big match is on, it’s not normally necessary to head to a sports bar, with almost everyone broadcasting the build-up. But watch out for kick-off times clashing with those of London’s first love – soccer. If sport isn’t your bag, then nearby Kew Gardens may be more up your street. The depths of winter may sound like a strange time to visit, however February sees it host its Orchid Festival in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, bringing a little tropical cheer to this corner of west London. So will the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust’s London Wetland Centre – the place to spot London’s native species. The 100-acre site provides winter habitats for birds including bittern and kingfishers as well as ring-necked parakeets, which have been part of the London skyline since the 1920s. Get all loved up (or relish in a little me-time) Beneath their frosty exterior, Londoners are as romantic as any other, as you’re sure to see if you’re lucky (or clever) enough to coincide your trip with Valentine’s Day. The most romantic day of the year can be enjoyed with a huge array of classic itineraries, from hotel spa days to candle-lit dinners at London’s many restaurants. The romantic gestures don’t need to stop there. Central London has plenty of spots to gaze into one another’s eyes, from the green beneath Big Ben’s clock faces, to the pods of the London Eye and the 800 foot (250 m) high View from The Shard observation deck. At twice the height of almost any other public space, its 360° views can extend 40 miles. For something a little different, you could hire a rowing boat on Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake for an hour or two. Meanwhile if you need a ring to pop the big question, Hatton Garden should be your destination of choice due to its range of high-end jewelers and diamond dealers. Don’t fret if you’re a lone traveler on February 14 though. Not only are there an increasing number of events dedicated to singletons, but it gives you the opportunity to do whatever you fancy, whenever you fancy it. Why not slip into a seat at Curzon Soho Cinema to watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster, for instance? Celebrate Chinese New Year Taking place at the very end of January or first half of February, the new lunar year takes its name from one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The event is a great time to sample festive foods such as dumplings and longevity noodles at the restaurants and food stalls of Chinatown, located off the theater district’s Shaftesbury Avenue. Decked out in Chinese lanterns and the lucky color of red, attractions include large-scale forms of each of the zodiac’s creatures. Traditional lion dancers stun the crowds with their acrobatic moves, before attention turns to the multi-talented performers of Trafalgar Square and the family-focused fun of Leicester Square. Here children can try their hand at Chinese calligraphy or head for the dressing up box. Whether you plan to spend the whole afternoon celebrating or just pop by, anything goes at this free event. If it’s raining, a better bet is one of London’s shows. Attracting some of stage and screens top talent, previous productions having drafted in Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Helen Mirren and Sir Ian McKellen to list just three well-known names. Save on London February attraction admission One of the cheapest times of year to visit, London in February still has a calendar of events that would have most cities blushing in embarrassment. Come prepared for the chilly weather and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy them all. Like a singleton on Valentine’s Day (and we’ve all been in that boat) Go City helps you do what you want when you want to do it, whilst making savings on both tours and attractions around the city.
Ian Packham

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