With lockdown restrictions easing across the United Kingdom, Londoners will soon find themselves free once again to explore the capital – and to enjoy the sunshine while doing so. The city is likely to have a very different atmosphere to previous summers when it welcomed huge volumes of international tourists.
How to Get There
Travelling by train remains the obvious choice for travelling into and around the capital. While a private car remains the safest way to travel, as it doesn’t force you into the same space as other people, the trains and buses remain broadly safe, provided that the right precautions are taken. Wearing a facemask and carrying hand sanitizer with you at all times will help you to cut the risk considerably. Air travel will remain off the cards for most of us, even if the flight is domestic. Wherever you’re based, it’s likely that you’ll be able to catch a train to the capital with just a few stops. A train from York gets you into King’s Cross in around 2 hours, following which you can get a tube or taxi to your accommodation.
What to See?
With the pandemic still ongoing, it’ll mostly be the city’s open spaces that enjoy the greatest footfall. Parks and other outdoor areas are inherently safer, as ventilation vastly reduces the ability of the virus to pass from one person to another.
Hyde Park
At the very heart of the city, Hyde Park is the go-to space if you’re looking to unwind in the open air. There’s plenty of historical and cultural interest around the place, as well as opportunities for activities. If you’d like to hear some controversial opinions, then you might take a visit to speakers corner.
Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park is an ideal place for a stroll amongst the trees, but it also provides a home for an abundance of varied wildlife. It was named after George IV, during his days as Prince Regent.
Kensington Gardens
Kensington Gardens once formed park of Hyde Park itself, but now it’s more of an open-air museum, packed with historical monuments and kid-friendly attraction. Part of the scenery here is the Royal Albert Hall, which will re-open only once the worst of the crisis has been dealt with.
National Gallery
Arguably the foremost gallery in the country, the National Gallery is home to a wealth of eye-popping exhibitions and masterworks from everyone from Monet to Vermeer. While the museum is conducting virtual tours during the lockdown, it can’t really replace a face-to-face confrontation with these works – and thus a visit to this place should be made a priority by any art aficionado visiting the capital in the latter half of the year.
V&A Museum
The famous Victoria and Albert Museum showcases more than two million interesting objects from across more than five thousand years of ingenuity. Whatever facet of art and design you’re interested in, whether it’s furniture, jewellery, or theatre, you’ll find something in here to interest you.
