Welcome to London - Visitor guide - Transport for London

WELCOME TOLONDONINFORMATION TO START YOUR VISITSUMMER 2012/13IncludesTube +Bus maps

1Top 10 Attractions1234567Top 10 AttractionsVisitor InformationGetting AroundLondon’s RegionsTube and Rail MapBus RoutesUseful TipsAs Mayor of London I am delighted to welcomeyou to London – the best big city on earth.This booklet has been designed to help first timevisitors get started in London with useful tips formaking the most of your trip and practical adviceon getting around town.With unique heritage, fantastic culture and iconicattractions, there is always something to see and do whether you arehere for a day, a week or longer.For more in-depth information look out for other free guideswhile you are here including London Planner which is available inTourist Information Centres. Or check out the many other specialistguides to London that you will find in bookshops across the capital.London is always packed with events, festivals, activities, exhibitionsand entertainment. For inspiration and the latest tips, includinginformation on bars, restaurants, shops, attractions and more, goto London’s official website visitlondon.comI wish you an enjoyable stay in our city.Boris Johnson, Mayor of LondonLondon has a huge variety of attractions. Historical or contemporary, paidfor or free, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets. Here are thetop ten visitor attractions (according to visitor numbers in 2010).* Indicates free entry to permanent exhibitions1. British Museum*A fascinating range of objects from around the world from prehistoric tomodern times.2. Tate Modern*Britain’s national museum of modern art in an iconic former power station.3. National Gallery*One of the world’s greatest collections of European paintings from 1250 to 1900.4. Natural History Museum*As well as the infamous dinosaurs, the museum has a collectionof the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world.5. EDF Energy London EyeThe world’s highest observation wheel with spectacular views.6. Science Museum*Over 40 galleries and 2,000 hands-on exhibits.7. Victoria and Albert Museum*Celebrating art and design with collections on ceramics, furniture,fashion, sculpture and much more.8. Madame TussaudsMeet famous faces from the worlds of showbiz, sport, politics and royalty.9. National Maritime Museum/Royal Observatory*Discover seafaring and stargazing in Greenwich10. Tower of LondonMore than 900 years of history andthe Crown Jewels.Seevisitlondon.comto book ticketsand foritinerariesaround LondonVisitor information is also available by calling 0870 1 566366 (in the UK).This service is operated by London & Partners, London’s officialpromotional organisation.British MuseumTate Modern2 visitlondon.comtfl.gov.uk 3

2 Visitor Information 3 Getting AroundTourist & TravelInformation CentresWe know that face-to-face contactis always valued, especially whenyou are in a new city, so you will finda welcoming face, inspiring ideas,and tickets to many attractions atTourist and Travel InformationCentres. Travel Centres also selltickets for travel. The nearest Tube,DLR or National Rail station is shown.Tourist InformationCentres (TICs)City of London TICSt Paul’s Churchyard,London EC4M 8BXSt. Paul’s/Mansion HouseOpen: Mon-Sat 09.30-17.30Sun 10.00-16.00Greenwich TICPepys House,2 Cutty Sark Gardens,London SE10 9LWDLR Cutty SarkDLR GreenwichOpen: Daily 10.00-17.00Holborn Visitor Information KioskKingsway, London WC2B 6BGHolbornOpen: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00Sat & Sun closedAdditional TICs in Bexley, Harrow,Lewisham, Swanley, Twickenham;see visitlondon.com/welcomeTravel InformationCentresEuston Railway StationOpposite platform 10Open: Mon-Thurs 08.15-19.15Fri 08.15-20.15Sat, Sun & Public Holidays08.15-19.15Heathrow AirportHeathrow Terminals 1,2,3 Tube StationOpen: Daily 07.30-19.30 includingPublic HolidaysKing’s Cross Tube StationWestern Ticket Hall nearSt. PancrasOpen: Mon-Sat 07.15-20.15Sun & Public Holidays08.15-19.15Liverpool Street Tube StationOpen: Mon-Thurs 07.15-19.15Fri 07.15-20.15, Sat 07.15-19.15Sun & Public Holidays 08.15-19.15Piccadilly Circus Tube StationOpen: Daily 09.15-19.00Victoria Railway StationOpposite platform 8Open: Mon-Sat 07.15-20.15Sun & Public Holidays08.15-19.15On street informationYou may also meet one of the city's300 London Ambassadors on thestreets who will be happy to provideyou with on-the-spot information.For all the information you needto plan your trip, go totfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner, whichprovides the tools to easily plan yourjourney on public transport in advance,and is available in 15 languages.You can also telephone+44 (0)843 222 1234* (24 hours)Alternatively visit one of the TravelInformation Centres or any Tube Station.*You pay no more than 5p per minute if callingfrom a BT landline. There may be a connectioncharge. Charges from mobiles or other landlineproviders may vary.TICKETS TO TRAVELLondon UndergroundThere are 11 colour-codedUnderground or ‘Tube’ lines. Servicesrun regularly from around 05.00 to00.30 (Sun 07.30 to 23.30) on mostroutes. The network is divided intonine zones, with Zone 1 being themost central area. See page 8 forthe Tube and Rail Map.London BusesBuses generally run from 05.00to 00.30. Night Buses operate onmany major routes from aroundmidnight to 05.00, and someroutes operate a 24-hour service.Cash fares are not available for buspassengers in Zone 1, thereforepassengers must obtain a validticket or Oyster card before boarding.Some routes are especially good forsightseeing including routes 9 and15 which use heritage Routemasterbuses during the day.Oyster cardsThe Oyster card is generally the easiest and cheapest way to pay to travel aroundLondon whether you are using Tube, bus, tram, DLR, London Overground or NationalRail services.Ticket TypesOyster can store season tickets (Travelcards) as well as credit for single journeys(pay as you go), and your card is fully re-usable. When your Travelcard expires oryour pay as you go credit is getting low, you can add another Travelcard or add morecredit at over 3,900 Oyster retailers, at station touchscreen ticket machines and atTravel Information Centres in London. With pay as you go, you can travel as manytimes as you like in a day and the daily price cap means that you will never pay morethan the price of an equivalent One Day Travelcard.Where to BuyYou can save time by purchasing an Oyster card before you arrive in London attfl.gov.uk/visitorshop. Please allow up to 14 days for delivery.Using your OysterTo ensure you pay the correct fare on Tube, DLR, London Overground and NationalRail services you must always touch in on the yellow card reader at the start of yourjourney and touch out at the end. On buses and trams you only need to touch in at thestart of your journey.For further information about Oyster including fares, travelling with children and usingOyster on River Services and National Rail, go to tfl.gov.uk/oyster4visitlondon.comtfl.gov.uk 5

TaxiHail one of London’s famousblack cabs (some are multicoloured!)when the yellow ‘Taxi’ sign is lit.Please note fares increase after20.00. Private hire/minicabs must bebooked in advance. We adviseyou against getting into any vehiclethat approaches you in the streetpurporting to be a minicab. Seetfl.gov.uk/findaride for details oflocal licensed minicabs, or useCabwise - text CAB to 60835 toget one taxi and two local licensedminicab numbers sent to your mobilephone (cost may vary dependingon your mobile provider). Overseasnetworks can access this service bytexting the street name and partialpostcode eg Victoria St SW1 to+44 (0)7797 800 000. Texts willbe charged at your standardroaming rate per enquiry.DocklandsLight RailwayDocklands Light Railway (DLR)driverless trains run from05.30-00.30 Monday to Saturdayand 07.00-23.30 on Sunday.There are trains every 4-10 minutesrunning on routes from Bank andTower Gateway to Docklands, Eastand South East London. Take theDLR to visit Canary Wharf, CuttySark for Maritime Greenwich, ExCelLondon, London City Airport orWoolwich Arsenal.The Emirates Air Line opens thissummer and provides a new cable carriver crossing connecting The O2 andExcel exhibition centres via terminalsat Emirates Greenwich Peninsula andEmirates Royal Docks.It is accessible for all and you canalso take bikes along at any time.For more information visittfl.gov.uk/emiratesairlineCyclingBarclays Cycle Hire is a public bicyclesharing scheme in central London.There are 570 docking stations and8,000 bicycles for hire.For further information go totfl.gov.uk/barclayscyclehireFor general information on cycling inLondon visit tfl.gov.uk/cyclingWalkingWalking in London is a great wayto get around. For more informationon walking routes visittfl.gov.uk/walkingRiver ServicesTravelling on the river can be arelaxing way to travel whilst taking inthe sights, and Oyster cards can nowbe used on Thames Clippers services.Go to tfl.gov.uk/river or pick upthe River Services leaflet fromTube stations.National RailThere are 13 National Rail terminiin London for connections to allparts of the UK, plus Eurostarservices from St. Pancras International.For further information go tonationalrail.co.uk or call08457 484 950 (UK only) or+44 (0)20 7278 5240.London OvergroundLondon Overground has four routeswhich run from Richmond/ClaphamJunction to Stratford, WatfordJunction to Euston, Gospel Oak toBarking and Highbury & Islingtonto West Croydon. Trains runapproximately every 7-15 minutesduring peak hours on most lines.Timetables available at stations andonline, visit tfl.gov.uk/overgroundfor more informationDrivingIf you are driving in London youneed to pay the central LondonCongestion Charge, whichis in operation Monday-Friday7.00am-6.00pm excluding bankand public holidays. For a map ofthe charging zone or to pay the£10 daily charge visitcclondon.comCoachesLondon’s main coach services useVictoria Coach Station, SW1020 7222 5600tfl.gov.uk/coachesOperators include:National Express: 08717 81 81 81nationalexpress.comX90 Oxford London: 01865 785 400oxfordbus.co.ukOxford Tube: 01865 772 250oxfordtube.comeasyBus: easybus.co.ukGreen Line Coaches:0844 801 7261 greenline.co.ukMegabus: 09001 600 900megabus.com4 London’s RegionsRichmondLondon buzzes night and daywith an unforgettable energy, andeach area of the city has its owndistinct atmosphere. Here is aquick introduction to the pointsof our compass:Central LondonLondon’s heart is made up ofmany districts from the iconicCity of Westminster to the City ofLondon, the main financial area ofthe capital. This central area has adense concentration of landmarks,theatres, museums, nightspots andfamous shopping areas like CoventGarden, Carnaby Street andOxford Street.North LondonOver 120 languages are spoken inthis multicultural and vibrant region,which is steeped in history andrenowned for its culture. Areas ofinterest include Hampstead Heathand Primrose Hill with their hugegreen spaces, fabulous views andvillage feel, characterful Camdenwith its eclectic market and livemusic scene, and Green Lanes,where you can enjoy Turkish,Greek and Kurdish food.South LondonThe South is appreciated forits array of open spaces suchas Clapham Common, the WorldHeritage Site at Greenwich andLOCAL TIP“Research the several different waysto get into town from London’s airports,there are lots of different options soyou’re sure to find something to suit,whether you’re on a budget or just needto get there swiftly” Chris, from Wimbledonvisitlondon.com/travel/airportriverside Richmond. It’s popular forsporting attractions such as theWimbledon Lawn Tennis Museumand cricket at The Kia Oval. It offerswonderful opportunities to escapefrom the hustle and bustle, from thevillage atmosphere of Barnes to historicstately homes and palaces such asHam House and Hampton Court.East LondonThe East now claims its placein the limelight and is set to playa huge part in the London 2012Olympic Games and ParalympicGames. The area is home to aunique arts scene and popularmarkets like Spitalfields, while thenightlife here in Hoxton andShoreditch rivals that of the WestEnd. Further east, Lee ValleyRegional Park is one of London’sbiggest open space.West LondonWest London is remarkable for itsleafy squares, fascinating museumsand vibrant street markets. Here youwill find upmarket Kensington andChelsea, the peaceful streets andcanals of Maida Vale, Hammersmith,which is home to some great riversidepubs, and the vibrant, multiculturalcommunities of Shepherd’s Bushand Southall.6visitlondon.comtfl.gov.uk 7

5 Tube and Rail MapRail & Tube servicesin inner LondonHigh SudburyWycombe HillSudbury TownWest RuislipPerivaleHanger LaneAlpertonPark RoyalNorth EalingEalingWest BroadwayEalingGreenfordHeathrowAirportSlough EalingCommonSouthEalingHeathrowAirportHounslowStainesUxbridgeBrentfordSt. MargaretsChiswickParkKewBridgeSudbury HillHarrowWestActonSudbury &Harrow RoadActonMainLineActonTownRichmondZONE3ActonCentralSouthActonTurnhamGreenGunnersburyKew GardensHarrow & WealdstoneWatford JunctionWembley CentralStonebridge ParkHarlesdenWillesden JunctionNorthActonStamfordBrookNorthSheenZONE2WoodLaneShepherd’sBush MarketGoldhawk RoadChiswickBarnes BridgeLatimerRoadWhite CityEastActonHammersmithRavenscourtParkMortlakeTwickenhamStaines© Transport for London and ATOC June 2012 posterKensal GreenQueen’s ParkWembleyStadiumKilburn ParkMaida ValeWarwickAvenueRoyal OakWestKensingtonParsons GreenPutney BridgeRiver ThamesBarnesPutneyEast PutneySouthfieldsWimbledon ParkWimbledonKensal RiseWestbourne ParkLadbroke GroveShepherd’sBushHollandParkKensington(Olympia)BaronsCourtHampton CourtWokingGuildfordAmershamCheshamWatfordUxbridgeAylesburyWatford JunctionHemel HempsteadWembley ParkBrondesburyParkKilburnHigh RoadEarl’sCourtStanmoreWestBromptonFulhamBroadwayImperialWharfEdgwareRoadWandsworthTownNeasdenNottingHill GateZONE3BrondesburyZONEHigh StreetKensingtonHaydonsRoadHendon2SouthHampsteadQueenswayGloucesterRoadDollis HillPaddingtonBayswaterClapham JunctionWillesdenGreenKilburnZONE1LancasterGateHyde Park CornerKnightsbridgeSouthKensingtonEarlsfieldLutonMaryleboneBatterseaParkMarbleArchSloaneSquarePimlicoWandsworthCommonBondStreetGreen ParkWest HampsteadFinchley RoadBaker StreetSt. James’sParkWandsworth RoadHendon CentralBrent CrossGolders GreenCricklewood HampsteadEdgwareRoadEdgwareVictoriaQueenstownRoad (Battersea)Finchley Road& FrognalSwiss CottageSt. John’s WoodRegent’sParkOxfordCircusVauxhallClapham High StreetClapham NorthPiccadillyCircusWarrenStreetTottenhamCourt RoadOvalClaphamCommonClapham SouthBelsize ParkChalk FarmGreatPortlandStreetWestminsterWaterlooandWaterloo EastHampstead HeathCamden TownMorningtonCrescentEustonGoodgeStreetGospel OakEustonSquareHolbornLeicesterSquareCharingCrossKenningtonKentish TownWestCoventGardenCamdenRoadEmbankmentSouthwarkLambethNorthStockwellLoughboroughJunctionHigh BarnetMill Hill EastHighgateArchwayTufnell ParkSt. PancrasInternationalKentish TownChanceryLaneTempleRussellSquareCityThameslinkBlackfriarsBoroughDenmark HillUpper HollowayKing’sCrossElephant & CastleCaledonian RoadLondonBridgeFarringdonZONE2AngelBarbicanSt. Paul’sMansionHouseCaledonianRoad &BarnsburyBankEast DulwichArsenalHolloway RoadMoorgateCannonStreetWelwyn Garden CityHertford NorthPeckham RyeHarringayCrouch HillDraytonParkOld StreetMonumentEssex RoadLiverpoolStreetZONE1AldgateFenchurch StreetRiver ThamesBermondseySouth BermondseyNunheadHighbury &IslingtonTowerHillQueen’s Road PeckhamCockfostersTurnpike LaneHarringayGreen LanesManorHouseFinsbury ParkCanonburyDalstonJunctionHaggerstonHoxtonShoreditchHigh StreetAldgateEastTowerGatewayWappingRotherhitheCanada WaterSurrey QuaysNew Cross GateBrockleyHonor Oak ParkBruce GroveHackneyDalstonDownsKingslandBethnalGreenLondon FieldsCambridge HeathBethnal GreenStepney GreenWhitechapelShadwellEnfield TownCheshuntSeven SistersStamford HillStoke NewingtonRectory RoadZONE2DeptfordNew CrossSouthTottenhamMile EndTottenhamHaleHackneyCentralBowChurchWestferryLimehouseCanary WharfSt. JohnsWest IndiaQuayHeron QuaysSouth QuayCrossharbourMudchuteIsland GardensLewishamClaptonHomertonCheshuntHertford EastStansted AirportBlackhorseRoadSt. JamesStreetHackneyWickBowRoadDevons RoadLangdon ParkAll SaintsPoplarBlackwallNorthGreenwichfor The O2Deptford BridgeElverson RoadBlackheathLeytonMidland RoadStratfordPuddingMill LaneBromleyby-BowEastIndiaCutty Sark forMaritime GreenwichBalhamBrixtonCrystal PalaceHerne HillNorth DulwichForest Hill Crofton ParkLadywellCroydonOrpingtonCroydonCrystal PalaceCatfordSutton Streatham Morden Gatwick Airport Streatham SwanleyGatwick AirportCroydon Gatwick Airport Swanley HayesGreenwichStratfordInternationalEmiratesGreenwichPeninsulaMazeHillWalthamstowCentralWalthamstowQueen’s RoadWestcombeParkKidbrookeHither GreenChingfordLeytonMarylandStratfordHigh StreetEbbsfleetInternationalAbbey RoadWestHamPlaistowStar LaneCanningTownSidcupOrpingtonZONE3Custom HouseRoyalVictoriaWestSilvertownEmiratesRoyal DocksLondon CityAirportWoolwich ArsenalCharltonEppingHainaultBarkingRomfordBarkingUpminsterUpminsterTilburyfor ExCeLBecktonWoolwichDartfordBexleyheathDartfordBakerlooCentralCircleDistrictDistrict (limited service)Hammersmith & CityJubileeMetropolitanNorthernPiccadillyVictoriaWaterloo & CityDocklands Light RailwayLondon OvergroundEmirates Air Line(opening summer 2012)Chiltern Railwaysc2cFirst Capital ConnectFirst Great WesternGreater AngliaHeathrow ConnectHeathrow ExpressLondon MidlandSouthernSoutheasternSoutheastern high speedSouth West TrainsInterchangestationsAirportRiverboatservicesArchwayStationin bothfare zonesEmiratesAir Linefare zone8visitlondon.comtfl.gov.uk 9

6 Bus RoutesKey bus routes in central London139 to West Hampstead23Westbourne Park Abbey RoadLadbroke GroveSainsbury’sNotting HillGatePaddingtonEdgware RoadLancasterGateBond Oxford148 390 Queensway 274Street CircusOxford TottenhamHolborn Chancery Holborn Viaduct25toStreet Court Road/Lane for City Thameslinkto IlfordMarble8 25AldgateWhiteHydeArchWardour CambridgeCityParkStreet Circus15 Regent StreettoHammersmith910High StreetKensingtonChelseaKing’s RoadRoyalAlbert Hall14to Putney Heath11 to Fulham BroadwayKnightsbridgeVictoriaVictoriaCoach StationSloane SquareLisson Grove453Ladbroke GroveMarylebone159PaddingtonBasin74KensingtonGardensScienceMuseumVictoria &Albert MuseumNaturalHistory74 Museumto PutneyAlbertMemorialBaker Street andGloucester PlaceSouthKensingtonSaatchiGalleryHarrodsWellingtonArch24MarbleArchPark LaneBelgrave RoadBerkeley SquareGreen ParkPimlico Grosvenor Road13 to Golders GreenLord’s CricketGroundHyde ParkCornerRoyalMews38SherlockHolmesMuseum73WestminsterCathedralThe ZooGreat Portland StreetConduit StreetC2Madame Tussaud’sSt James’sPalaceGreenParkBuckinghamPalaceLondonZooRegent’s ParkRoyalAcademyPiccadillyCircusPall MallSt James’sPalaceSt James’sParkVictoria StreetNew Scotland YardBus services will be changedduring Olympic road events –please check before you travelby visiting tfl.gov.ukAlbany Streetfor The ZooErosWestminsterAbbey24to Hampstead HeathandCamden LockMarketCamden TownRoute 188 will run to andfrom Euston from 1 Julyuntil 9 September 2012TelecomTower14Warren StreetEuston SquarePollock’sToy MuseumGoodge Streetand Gower StreetNationalGalleryShaftesburyAvenueNelson’sColumnAdmiraltyArchHorseGuardsWestminsterMorningtonCrescentLeicesterSquareLondonTransportMuseumCamdenRoadEustonTrafalgar Squarefor Charing CrossCleopatra’s NeedleEmbankment FestivalRoyalFestival HallLondon EyeC2to ParliamentHill FieldsBritishMuseumWestminsterYork WayAgar GroveSt PancrasInternationalBloomsbury WayCoventGardenRV1LondonEyeKing’sCross1059188RussellSquareKingswayAldwych9 13Waterloo139390to ArchwayRoyal Courtsof JusticeCaledonianRoad274FleetStreetRoyal National BlackfriarsTheatreUpperGroundElephant & CastleSadler’s WellsTheatreSt Paul’sCathedralLudgate Circusfor City Thameslink43 to Stoke Newingtonto73FriernBarnet38BarbicanCentreEssex RoadIslington AngelSt JohnStreetMoorgateTate ModernBermondseyMarketBankTempleof Mithrasto BowShoreditchHigh StreetMonumentMansion Houseto ClaptonPondOld Street1123Liverpool StreetSt Paul’s CathedralImperialHouses ofWar Museum Bricklayer’s ArmsParliamentKennington Road Walworth RoadCuming Museum and Libraryto Streatham Hill 59to Streathamtoto159 148Camberwell453 DeptfordRiver ThamesCovent GardenMarketLondonCanal MuseumMuseumof LondonGlobeTate TheatreModern BanksideLondonBridge City438London BridgeKeyRV1TowerHillTowerTower ofLondonHMS BelfastTower BridgeRoadRoute 8Route 9Route 10Route 11Route 13Route 14Route 15Route 23Route 24Route 25Route 38Route 43Route 59Route 73Route 74Route 139Route 148Route 159Route 188Route 274Route 390Route 453Route C2Route RV115to BlackwallTower GatewayStKatharine’sTowerBridge188to NorthGreenwich© Transport for London TFL23220.xx.xxLondon Underground interchangeLondon Overground interchangeNational Rail interchangeDocklands Light RailwayinterchangeLondon River Services pierLondon TravelInformation Centre10 visitlondon.comtfl.gov.uk 11

7 Useful TipsTo help you book Londonaccommodation with confidencein the standard of service andcomfort you can expect to receive,look out for a quality rating logo.When accommodation displaysone of the logos, it means aQuality Assessor has visited andgiven it an independent andtrustworthy assessment.Official Star RatingsStars are awarded following annualassessments by trained, impartialassessors. Annual visits are madeand, in the case of hotels and guestaccommodation, this involves a‘mystery shop’ overnight stay at leastevery other year to thoroughly checkout the service, hospitality, food andcleanliness, as well as the standardand comfort of the accommodation.All participating establishments areawarded between one and five stars.The more stars, the higher the qualityand range of services and facilitiesprovided. For full details of criteria,please refer to enjoyengland.comTravellers withaccess needsAccess for disabled visitors in Londonhas greatly improved in recent years.All of London’s 8,000 buses (exceptheritage Routemasters) are low-floor,wheelchair accessible vehicles. Fordetails of hotels with accessiblefacilities, maps showing step freeroutes around the city, and informationon accessible Tube stations andblack cabs, go tovisitlondon.com/accessGreen Tourism forLondon schemeIf you want to tryand make yourtrip to London aneco-friendly one,look out for theofficial GreenTourism forLondon logo whenbooking your accommodation andchoosing attractions to visit. Seevisitlondon.com/green for a fulllist of hotels and attractions thathave achieved the award, and ahost of other tips on how to makeyour trip to London environmentallyfriendly.MoneyThe unit of currency in Britainis the pound sterling (£), and allLondon areas are served by ATMs,which accept Visa, MasterCard,Cirrus or Maestro cards. If youhave travellers cheques, these canbe exchanged at banks, bureaux dechange, hotels and post offices;there are a wide range across town.Lost propertyLost property left on publictransport, including taxis, is dealtwith at the Transport for London(TfL) Lost Property office at200 Baker Street.+44 (0)845 330 9882Opening hoursShops are generally open Mondaysto Saturdays, from 10.00-18.00,although some central stores stayopen until 20.00-21.00 and laterstill on Thursdays. On Sundays manyshops open from midday to 16.00.Visitor attractions and museumstypically open daily from 10.00-18.00,although most close for a couple ofdays during the Christmas holidays.TippingIf you’ve received good service,whether in a restaurant, café orhotel, it is quite normal to leave atip of 10% of the total bill.MapsA wide variety of maps are availablefrom TICs and all bookstores.See visitlondon.com/maps or tryout the interactive maps online atvisitlondon.com/explorerPost and emailStamps can be bought at PostOffices or newsagents. Postcards toEurope and the rest of the worldcost from 87p. Many hotels haveinternet access and there are internetcafés throughout the city.LOCAL TIP“Many of London's big museums arefree, so it won't cost you a penny tosee all that they have to offer”Katherina, from Wembleyvisitlondon.com/valueRegent’s Park12 visitlondon.comtfl.gov.uk 13

Legible London signWalk this wayLook out for Legible Londonsigns throughout central Londonwhich feature maps and informationfor pedestrians. You’ll be amazed athow easy it is to walk betweenmany London landmarks.GOING GREENThe most environmentally-friendlyway of getting around the city is onfoot or by bike. Walking is one of thebest ways of getting a feel for thecity and most major landmarks arewithin easy reach of each other.It’s also a great idea to offset thecarbon emissions generated by anyflights here. For walking and cyclingtours and more tips on how to be agreen traveller, check outvisitlondon.com/greenAlso be sure to recycle this guide,either literally or by passing it on toanother traveller for their trip.LOCAL TIP“London has more parks andgreen space than most majorcapital cities – great for relaxingaway from the busy streets”Hannah, from Notting Hillvisitlondon.com/outdoorsToiletsPublic toilets are provided atcoach and mainline rail stations.Most charge 30p, and there arefacilities for people with disabilitiesand for those with babies.‘Superloos’ are also availableacross London.Public holidaysYou can expect to find mostbusinesses closed on thesepublic holidays, but some shops,bars and restaurants will remainopen as usual or operate to theirSunday hours. On 25 December,most shops will shut.2012/1325–26 December1 JanuaryTelephones+44 is the international diallingcode for the UK. Public telephonestake coins, telephone cards(available in newsagents, postoffices and bureaux de change) orcredit cards. The minimum cost fora call is 60p. The operator is on 100(calls within UK and Eire) or 155(calls abroad or to a ship).Medical helpNHS DirectT: 0845 4647(24-hour advice within UK)nhsdirect.nhs.ukAmbulance 999 or 112 (24 hours)For minor ailments, pharmacists candispense certain drugs. The largestchain is Boots, see boots.comfor locations. To find a 24-hourpharmacy see nhs.ukLOCAL TIP“Walk! Taking the Tube can beaddictive, but by walking aroundyou’ll gain a different appreciationfor the city, and often it’s muchquicker too. For starters trywandering around KensingtonMews, Soho, and the old City”Stefan, from HoxtonEmbassies and ConsulatesAustraliaT: +44 (0)20 7379 4334CanadaT: +44 (0)20 7258 6600ChinaT: +44 (0)20 7299 4049FranceT: +44 (0)20 7073 1000GermanyT: +44 (0)20 7824 1300IndiaT: +44 (0)20 7836 8484IrelandT: +44 (0)20 7235 2171ItalyT: +44 (0)20 7312 2200NetherlandsT: +44 (0)20 7590 3200New ZealandT: +44 (0)20 7930 8422PolandT: +44 (0)20 7580 4324SpainT: +44 (0)20 7589 8989SwedenT: +44 (0)20 7917 6400USAT: +44 (0)20 7499 9000Drinking agerestrictionsThe legal age for buying alcoholin the UK is 18 years old, althoughsome bars and restaurants will onlyserve customers over the age of 21.If you are lucky enough to lookunder 21 it is a good idea to carrysome identification with you.SmokingSmoking is banned in all enclosedpublic places, including publictransport, restaurants, bars and clubs.Emergency services999 or 112 (24 hours) forambulance, fire or police services.Notting HillLondon Eye14 visitlondon.comtfl.gov.uk 15