My Place

England is a very expensive island. London is the most expensive. Whatever you plan to take with you as spending money, multiply it by 3. Restaurants are unbelievably expensive unless they are fish and chip shops - small cafes which serve fried foods. Most foods are fried. If you eat in a Pub your food will be better but very expensive. Picnics are a great idea and you can get an excellent selection of food in local supermarket. Best location to stay in London...Knightsbridge (if you can find something near Harrods). Worst locations... East End and South East London. Underground trains provide excellent transportation all over London and extend out as far as Kew Gardens which is beautiful. Kensington Gardens in Central London is good. If cost is not a concern, stay in hotels on Park Lane near shopping and entertainments. If you want to meet REAL cockneys, go on Sundays to The Lane in Whitechapel where the enormous flea market is but forget bargains. You may get lucky and see the Pearly King and Queen. You cant mistake them. Some of the best Jewish delis are here.
Because London is a very large city it is not wise to rent a car - no where to park it anyway. Cost of gas/petrol very expensive. Better to take taxis - also expensive but plentiful.
Many immigrants have now settled in London so important to secure money and passport INSIDE your clothing. Back pockets and purses are an open invitation to pickpockets!
Do not expect England to be disabled friendly. They have not caught up to U.S. in this regard and many areas have cobbled streets, lots of steps with no railings, and cars do not always stop at pedestrian crossings, so be careful! Oh yes, and look LEFT when crossing street.My fondest memory of London is eating the finest cod in the world and enjoying the beautiful gardens. May is best time to visit.