London is an amazing place to have a girly day out. And it doesn’t matter what age range are in your party, there’s something for absolutely everyone.
Depending on your requirements, there are some amazing things to do with your pals. Perhaps you’re celebrating a birthday or special event. Maybe it’s a hen party or it might simply be a gathering of your best buddies to spend the day enjoying each other’s company.
Of course, there are many companies that can organise your day out for you. Great Experience Days is one such provider, and Experience Days another. But you can’t beat organising your own. So let’s take a look at some of the best tips to the most amazing London day out with your closest girlfriends.
Shopping
You can’t visit the metropolis of the UK without spending a little time enjoying some retail therapy. Of course, Oxford Street is probably one of the first places that springs to mind, and yes, many of the famous chain stores boast their flagship stores here – think Marks & Spencer, Top Shop and H&M. And whilst it’s great to visit these shops, when in London it’s perhaps a bit more special to go to venues that aren’t found everywhere around the country.
For some old style, luxury shopping (or window shopping, when you see the prices), you can’t beat the famous department store, Liberty, on Regent Street. With a history dating back to 1874, this world-renowned shop is perhaps one of the most trendy places in the whole of London in which to spend a bit of cash.
And whilst we’re talking about department stores, we naturally have to mention what is probably the most famous shop in the world; Harrods in Knightsbridge. Even if you don’t have time to browse the many floors of fashion, homeware, jewellery, cosmetics and other delights, it’s well worth taking the time to visit the store’s food hall. There’s often free tastings of various delicacies going on, not to mention the odd chocolate here and there…
Carnaby Street is always good for a visit, with it’s eclectic mix of shops, eateries and boutiques, not to mention being the location of Choccywoccydoodah. And what girl’s day out wouldn’t be complete without chocolate!
Sightseeing
London is great for doing some sightseeing. And for a group there’s a couple of ways that will ensure you see all the sights. The first is to purchase a hop on, hop off bus ticket. Exactly as the name implies, this gives you the freedom to get on and off the bus at any location you choose in a 24-hour period. And in addition to this, there’s a running commentary that provides you with loads of information about all the sites you’ll see.
Expect to pay around £25 per person for one of these tours (although if you’ve got a large group it’s worth giving a couple of operators a call prior to your visit to see if they’ll offer you a deal). Providers include The Original London Sightseeing Tour, and Big Bus London.
For something a bit different, why not check out London Duck Tours. You first go for a ride around the streets of London, seeing all the famous landmarks such as Big Ben, St Pauls and the Tower of London, before heading onto the River Thames to experience the thrill of London from the water. A guide accompanies you, and keeps you amused with a great commentary and some secrets about London that add a real personal touch to the tour.
Theatre Visit
Seeing a West End show with a group of your girlfriends is always a popular choice. And yes, you can book tickets before you go if you’ve already got a show in mind. But if you and your friends are looking for a bargain, it’s possible to pick up heavily discounted theatre tickets on the day – and very often for some of the must see shows. There are a couple of ways that you can take advantage of these bargains.
The first, and perhaps easiest, way is through TKTS, a legitimate cut-price retailer in Leicester Square. Found by the clock tower in the square, you can often find 50% discounted tickets for up to 40 different West End Shows. Expect to pay a £3 booking fee on top of the discounted price. TKTS is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm, and on a Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Get there early to secure tickets to the most sought after shows.
Another option is to pop into the box office of the theatre of the show you want to see, and ask if they have any tickets for that day. Often there are some standby tickets left, or perhaps some of the front row seats with a slightly restricted view. Theatres offer discounts to students, so remember to bring any ID card you might have.
London provides so many different options for a great day out. Some other tips include;
- Visiting some of London’s markets. Great for finding those one off bargains and simply soaking up the atmosphere.
- Browse around an art gallery, such as The National Gallery or The Tate Modern.
- Take afternoon tea at a venue such as Claridge’s or The Shard.
- Watch the street entertainers at Covent Garden, before sitting down to a meal and cabaret at Circus – one of London’s premier entertainment venues where you can enjoy amazing acts, superb cocktails and yummy Pan Asian dining. Beat the crowds by pre-booking your table at OpenTable, ensuring that you don’t have to join the queue at the popular destination.
And one last top tip! Make sure you wear (or carry) a pair of comfy flat shoes. Any day out in London involves a fair amount of walking, and you’ll be glad of some foot comfort later on in the evening!
