I'm from the UK and I am always excited to hear that people are coming over here! Yay!!!
Ok. Here are my favourite things to do in London...
Go for a walk along South Bank. From Waterloo station you pick up signs to do the walk along the riverside. You'll pass the National Theatre, Tate Modern Art Gallery, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the very cool food market. You'll also see the Oxo Tower, the Shard and City Hall which we like to call the Gherkin...because it's shaped like a gherkin! You can walk over Millennium Bridge and...go on the London Eye! You'll need to book tickets to go on the London Eye as it's really popular!
If you keep walking, you'll eventually get to Tower Bridge and you can cross over the bridge to get to the Tower of London.
That should keep you going for a day. You'll get a good feel for the London vibe, the crowds are manageable (I have crowd anxiety but am ok with this walk) and there are lots of nice places to eat at the start of the walk.
If you have time, you can also book tickets to see a play at the Globe. Even if you don't understand Shakespeare language, the acting is soooo good you don't care!
Most UK people hate Trump. We also hate Brexit and don't really understand how it happened! Most people in Southern England are very pro-Europe and pro-immigration and diversity.
If you like curry, go to Brick Lane in the East End.
If you like sushi, Sushisamba at the top of Heron Tower is fab and you can eat on the roof terrace if you want a bit of peace from the crowd indoors. You'll need to book a table now though.
Madame Tussauds is overrated in my opinion, and expensive.
The London Sightseeing bus is very cool and you can hop on and off when you like.
In my humble opinion, London does not reflect England in any way. It's a metropolis! If you get a chance to see some countryside and go to a rural pub for a roast dinner, that is a proper UK experience! Try some local ales. We are also very proud of our gins (many locally distilled) and food! British food is epic! Check out Nigella Lawson, the Hemsley sisters, and Mary Berry to get a sense of British food at it's best!
Welcome and enjoy!! I hope you have a smashingly lovely time!!
British words/slang to make you laugh:
Sod - a total idiot
Avin a giraffe - having a laugh
Utter tosh - lies
50 smackers - £50
Ruby Murray - curry
Trolleyed - drunk (so drunk you ended up stealing a shopping trolley)
Minted - rich
Have a flurry on the mares - have a bet on the horses (horse racing)
Totty - attractive person