London: Historic and Dynamic

Rick Steves' Europe Travel Guide © 2012 | In many-faceted London, we'll ponder royal tombs in Westminster Abbey, discover treasures in the British Library, enjoy the vibrant evening scene in Soho, uncover Churchill's secret WWII headquarters, join the 9-to-5 crowd in the new London, shop where the queen shops, and straddle the Prime Meridian in Greenwich. #ricksteves #ricksteveseurope #london
Visit www.ricksteves.com for more information about this destination and other destinations in Europe.
Check out more Rick Steves’ Europe travel resources:
• “Rick Steves’ Europe” public television series: www.ricksteves.com/watch-read...
• “Travel with Rick Steves” public radio program: www.ricksteves.com/watch-read...
• European Tours: www.ricksteves.com/tours
• Guidebooks: store.ricksteves.com/shop/gui...
• Travel Gear: store.ricksteves.com/shop/
• Travel Classes: www.ricksteves.com/watch-read...
• Rick Steves Audio Europe App: www.ricksteves.com/watch-read...
Rick Steves, America's most respected authority on European travel, writes European travel guidebooks, and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.
00:00 Intro
01:13 Buckingham Palace
02:22 Houses of Parliament
03:30 Whitehall
04:33 Churchill War Rooms
06:05 Admiral Nelson Monument
06:54 Trafalgar Square
07:32 The City
08:33 St. Paul's Cathedral
10:35 Shopping Districts
13:53 Aster House
14:25 Westminster Abbey
16:11 The Tube
17:20 British Library
19:10 Docklands
21:03 Greenwich

[@gordonsmith8899]

This man is such a modest tour guide - A wonderful video, narrated with gentle confidence.

[@sarahbrooks5993]

Usually American documentaries about London are disappointing but this was a delight - so much information! Thank you so much for portraying my city as it truly is.

[@roeese1]

What a self-endearing thing to say.

[@pre-debutera6941]

Rick Steve's Europe is truly perhaps the greatest travel series ever made.

[@md.rezaulislamchowdhury3185]

@@pre-debutera69414

[@tuffg.5469]

@@roeese1 America is the greatest propaganda nation. They tell their citizens they have the greatest country on earth by misleading information about other countries

[@sylviacarlson3561]

@@tuffg.5469 Oh! Please! Where are you from? Why don't you give us an example of misleading information that we have about other countries dear.

[@iftekharalmazi2296]

As a lover of English literature London is always in my bucket list.

[@LeafInTheWind88]

Mine too!!!

[@hippogriff4793]

and me!!

[@mehitabel6564]

Thanks Rick. I'm a Brit and I felt oddly quite tearful and emotional watching this. I've worked extensively in London while living in the Cotswolds - yes, many of us commute. I've visited many of those places and must go again. It is quite true that there simply isn't enough time in one lifetime to see all that London has to offer, but you've done a great job in this and your other London videos to give first-time visitors an intro. One of the city's greatest charms, and why it will remain great, is its ever-changing dynamic nature and its embrace of so many different people.

[@linguatutors]

Hello, may I please how you commute from Cotswolds to London if it's not driving? Londoner trying to figure out how to visit the Cotswolds without a car

[@mehitabel6564]

@@linguatutors Paddington to Kemble (on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds) out and return hourly. The journey time varies between 1hr 10 and 1hr 15 mins. After peak hours tickets can be obtained for around £28 each way. You'd need transport once you're there though, as the Cotswolds are fairly spread out. Bicycling would be good, or if you're planning a multiple day visit, hiking. Otherwise depending whether you want to visit the south, mid or north Cotswolds, look at journeys to the following stations: Banbury, Bath, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Charlbury. If I were you, I'd aim for a minimum one or two night stay, plan a cycling or walking route, then choose your train arrival / departure stations from there. Actually, to give you a varied view, I'd think about arriving and departing from different train stations.

[@linguatutors]

@@mehitabel6564 Thank you!! I have actually just booked for a few days in Christmas in a village called Monkton Combe which is convenient as it is fairly close to Bath so I can combine a traditional English Christmas in a village and a town like Bath. Hope I made a good choice...

[@mehitabel6564]

@@linguatutors Excellent choice! Monkton Combe is very prettily situated up the steep sides of the beautiful Limpley Stoke valley (I have cycled there and drive past it often). The inn at Freshford has very good food, and is a 40 minute walk along the valley from Monkton Combe. One and a half hours walk will take you to Bath's little sister, Bradford-on-Avon, which is beguiling at any time of year. I always think it's best to see the Cotswolds in several visits, concentrating on a particular area, a bonus for those of us who live in the UK.

[@linguatutors]

Sue Montgomery thank you so much for your suggestions!! I'll look them up. I appreciate it!!

[@brandonmika74]

Nobody does these shows as good as Rick Steves

[@gelesrodriguezlopez3683]

London is so beautiful, historic, dynamic, modern....

[@acbc3543]

I need London so badly

[@RedroomStudios]

"many of the locals speak English" - very funny stuff!

[@gbyrne]

Haha,I noticed that too .Bloody Hell.

[@isunlloaoll]

Well you know... Americans :D

[@friskyfellow]

ARVIN ....most as thick as brick's!!!!

[@lukek8453]

i think it was a reference to immigrants. although knowing rick, probably not but theres a hell of alot of people who come to england and think its alright to not even bother learning the language. pure arrogance. in a country like the US i'd understand. a mix of cultures. but england/english... its literally in the name. learn the language.

[@mayumiueyama2252]

Not to be unfair to the Americans, but brits are as less interested when it comes to learning any language. They'd go to Russia, they'd go to France, they'd go to Egypt, they'd go to Sri Lanka, they'd go to Japan with the pretense that the citizens of the said countries to understand English to assist them with their daily lives and not bother to learn a lick of Japanese, Russian etc. It would be ok if they visited other countries for the purpose of short stay - Tourism, Business etc.- however, there are britons that have every intention to reside in a foreign nation for years yet never think to study its native tongue, which is a necessity whatever the excuse. You don't have to be fluent to speak their language, basic to intermediate level comes in handy. Of course, not all Brits are like this but there are those who are. Wherever we go, whichever country we belong to we have to respect one another's language. It's the bridge of communication, which ever part of the world we come from. Love and Peace to all of you!

[@lowesonia8551]

Rick Steve Thankyou from an English lady , from Richmond Surrey . Who will never again return to much loved London . Beautifully brought back memories when i worked in knightsbridge in the 50's. you are delightful to listen to and seem an amicable gentelman. Iv'e lived in southern France for 50 odd years.

[@shom1995]

Marvelous writing mam. God bless you :)

[@sg_1541]

I literally read the whole comment in a heavy British accent. Lol,, 😂😂

[@naufala93]

What I love about London is that every building and every corner of the city has its own history. Many famous people such as the Prime Minister, Nobles, Statesman, Politicians, Businessmen and Military have been born, lived, and worked in various buildings in London. Old buildings are very well preserved there. A very beautiful city that is witness to different historical events

[@lenoxlenox9447]

Only men?

[@fabiolahatib4810]

My dream is to visit London With this nice film I will come nearer to my dream

[@GreatCityAttractions]

London has some great things to do and see - a most iconic city with a great history.

[@mclovinmuffin03]

Oh god he spoke to people on the tube

[@zyxwut321]

Yeah, Rick's not afraid to be a wide-eyed American tourist. I bet he's the type of guy who makes new friends on every vacation.

[@bonnievandergriff8272]

I would hope that Rick was spontaneous when speaking to the gentleman on the Tubes. However, since it was being filmed, I suspect it was staged and not spontaneous.

[@adrianelias2365]

What's wrong with speaking to people in the "tube"

[@noneofyourbeeswax01]

@@adrianelias2365 Sirrah, it is simply not done, not if one wishes to be regarded as a gentleman and true scion of the Empire. Only blackguards, scoundrels, rogues, jackanapes, poltroons and those of the lower orders would deign to commit such a gross faux pas. Of course, to be seen travelling on the tube in the first place is somewhat dubious, one simply does not compound the offence by engaging in dialogue with one's fellow traveller. A brief and curt nod of recognition is permissible in the most extreme of circumstances of course; one might without fear of reprimand or social embarrassment, for example, give such a fleeting sign of recognition were one to spot one's wife comporting herself with her lover in an adjacent seat. One would of course cut the lover. These things are known to all who aspire to the gentry.

[@L-mo]

Publius Cornelius Scipio you do not look, let alone engage with, strangers on the tube. It's just not done.

[@zogzog1063]

You've done it again Rick! Simplicity, incisiveness, understated humour.

[@louders7452]

Rick is the master of tour guides.

[@LE672AJ]

Rick stuck on the train in the end is hilarious. Evokes memories of traveling with friends on trains and occasionally one gets distracted and left waiting for the next one 😆

[@tylerb6066]

London is the greatest City on Earth for many reasons.

[@redsquirrel1086]

Greatest city in the world. Nowhere mixes the old with the new like London.

[@redsquirrel1086]

@@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR I'm referring to cities. Not countries. My view of London is based purely on personal experience and is a personal opinion.

[@frankinglima3889]

"Whips!? Oh, for horses!" lol

[@durba-718]

Yep

[@markmoyer]

You can see him excited in the reflection :D

[@Thursdaym2]

My wife has one for me so why not a horse!

[@sylviacarlson3561]

@@Thursdaym2 were you a bad boy?

[@SevenDaysToNoon]

I can't believe some people disliked this video! I used to live in London. I miss it so much. :(

[@Scandilady]

I lived in London for years, now visit there as often as I can, all booked for this summer, my 17th time in the good ol'London town.

[@bermondsey548428]

well done rick.i am English you put this together brilliantly I know a lot from the great county of Yorkshire call York there capital.it is worth a visit.

[@annehunter-compian1125]

I've watched these episodes over and over. I never get bored and I always feel relaxed 😊

[@SparklingDiva1111]

I love London! Need to go back at least 1 more time as I didn't get to see all I'd wanted to see. Thank you for showing us this!

[@sleeth]

This is somewhere between a documentary and a travel guide. Great video!

[@anndeakin1508]

A rather trip to London museums and church’s love StMartins in the fields services spectacular Saturday praise and reflective Saturday prayers.great churches museums walks .Love history and walks#.London so much to see Ann Deakin 16. April 2021

[@petrameyer1121]

Somewhat strange he totally ignored the British Museum. I it is awesome wandering its halls and realising how many of the exhibits you know from your schoolbooks. :)

[@KarlAOsorioWooHoo]

I loved the British Museum!! I remembered and recognised ALL of my history schoolbooks' pictures in their exhibits. My face when the Rosetta Stone received me in the Egiptian Hall... Priceless!!

[@sherrynickels5560]

He did show it in another video.

[@c.t5136]

he covers it in another video... well :-)

[@adrianelias2365]

This video alone seemed to discuss a lot. To fit everything London has to offer would require a much longer video than 25 minutes.

[@wendi2819]

There's just so darn much to see in London, it requires many videos.

[@jocarvalho541]

The BEST CITY IN THE WORLD....LONDON LONDON LONDON

[@spinyprince]

London City of Pride. A dream come true. Hats off to all the Londoners

[@mirandasanchez2044]

I am such a huge fan of history, your video had me squeeling with excitement! I cannot wait to experience London in person!

[@GreatCityAttractions]

London is one of the places people simply have to visit once in their lifetime.

[@joloy5394]

As a Londoner, I used to love the place but for me it has changed from all recognition, I still pop back from time to time. I live in the Lake District now. Lovely account Rick. :o)

[@paulm2467]

I’ve gone the other way, up until I was 18 I lived in the Lake District, too dull and limiting, London has been my home for 40 years and I’ve loved every minute.

[@sylviacarlson3561]

Jo Loy - How has it changed?

[@sonalvyas2592]

Keep on travelin'😊

[@user-hj2xr3tz1j]

I love UK

[@rtravelbd8844]

Beautiful London

[@GreatCityAttractions]

agreed. London shines.

[@ConnieBach]

London! I was born there before this life time! Love!!!! Thank you Rick!

[@Sykats77]

I loved the city of London, order, wonderful views, kind people, etc. Terrific!

[@zzzzz77771]

Kind people? Are you sure you were in London?... It's notorious for rude, horrible people. I worked there for years and can confirm this claim

[@livw3090]

@@zzzzz77771 I feel like you've met all the wrong people, I'm there a lot and have had very few rude encounters

[@farnyone]

Kind people? In london? Hahahah

[@m.ramzanabid5558]

Hi friend

[@user-gh7wd5ko2i]

You are very beautiful woman with a beautiful smile, I wish you all the best this year, how is the weather over there now

[@sandramara3766]

Rick Steves good evening, thank you London is belissima

[@aaronescobedo2906]

I like Rick Steve's travel. I watched him in the late 80's when his show would come on PBS. Am glad to see he's still traveling!! :)

[@FaDeNitroz]

London is my favourite city in europe

[@76juno33]

Not just Europe. The world.

[@lmameli2804]

After Rome same for me

[@markchristmas743]

london has won tripadvisors 2016 travelers choice award for the worlds top destination

[@donrobertson4611]

Rick is like touring with a good friend. And the photography of St. Paul's is wonderful at 10:30

[@evelynlong2372]

No picture taking is allowed in the Abbey. I assume Rick and his team were given special permission to film. It is a beautiful place and so much to take in.

[@robnewman6101]

For Majesty and Country.

[@annbush1826]

A delightful tour of one of the grandest cities in the world . Thanks to the camera work. we can really see each area as Steve guides us so knowledgeably. As the pandemic rages towards year end, these tours have become my great diversion. Remembering London in the summer of 1971, when we took our three children for a month, we went to Greenwich. Here we saw the famous chronometer of John Harrison's. (There is an excellent little book "Longitude" by Dara Sobol.) Two areas of London that were then famous for antiquing were Portobello Road and of course Covent Garden. The Brits love to poke fun at some of their more famous figures. An Englishman told me how they were taught the wives of Henry VIII: "Divorced, beheaded, died. divorced, beheaded. survived." On the statue of Queen Anne standing in front of St. Paul's Cathedral: "Anne, Anne, you're left inthe lurch, your face to the pub and your back to the church."

[@marlyhurtado130]

Thank you Mr. Steeves! This video was a delight to watch. I like your gentle style. I just came back from London and what I liked most was the Londoners: super nice and friendly people. I already miss you London!♥️

[@williamcooper2415]

Thank you Mr Steves, for this enjoyable documentary of London. If I could do just one thing in London, it would make me so happy to have tea time with some nice people to talk to.

[@rdee742]

....just started watching your travel shows and I'm addicted already. Brilliant.

[@gitabaraily8234]

Nice place unforgettable! lovely place London ! I am proud of London 🇬🇧

[@frantisekjanosik4186]

London city is beautiful AND WITH MANY ACTRACTION

[@sheetalj9484]

camera quality is superb ,making it m0re beautiful

[@prativamanjarisingh7283]

Thank you sir❤

[@amirmousa4988]

I am follower of you, dear , because I love you Europe and I hope to live in it

[@kinopiko01]

London is very underrated.

[@chad24ist]

Nice to see the part were we show how grateful we are to the USA for the help they gave us.

[@avib3661]

If Indians were not there Brits don't dare for war with Nazis .......

[@ynasche]

Thank you Sir Rick Steves for posting ;) One of my dream DESTINATION!!! God bless.

[@hellohellohistory7727]

Great clip, Rick. Your love of London shines through. As a tour guide in London I really like seeing the crowds of people and hope they will be back soon :)

[@acbc3543]

I’m a real fan of Rick and he shows Europe to Americans as it should : legit and honest .

[@HBC423]

When I found out he was a pot head it made me love him even more

[@rachelmayjebulan2766]

Im a filipino.since I was young,I am very interested in England... Thanks a lot to this video for giving another info... Job well done...:D

[@emmanuelskywalkers9272]

Hi! Rick Steve's Europe. I went to Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, Soho, CARNABY Street, Kings Road, Stonehenge, Camden Town London, Buckingham Palace, Tower Of London, Windsor Castle only 25 mins, Trafalgar Square , Kensington Palace , Piccadilly Circus , Roman Baths , Salisbury, I saw Big Ben, Churchill Statue , I was only 10 days in England, I wish it was longer. I love London lot. I didn't get go everywhere in England, We where in London on September,8th-18,2017. I would go back to England. I will never book bus tour, it only give us 25 mins to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Roman Bath, my Parents pay so much money to see Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Roman Bath, we won't do that again. I did buy thing's when I was in London. When I was in London I take Underground London Trains.

[@RuslanaDemille-do9kq]

... immensely enjoying visiting mesmerizing Europe one enchanting video of charismatic Mr. Rick Steves at a time, thank you, love ❤️ you...

[@hieuvu7984]

Delightful Video. Thanks Steve 😊

[@TVSCDN]

My bestest KZbin video ... thanks 😍

[@tiffanyhyman5227]

This is the best documentary I have seen of London.

[@adammizeraify]

At 17:00 "Confused? Many locals speak English." Reassuring to see that they still speak English in London :)

[@ivanashley7875]

Thanks Rick, I have visited London many times but I need't have bothered, your talk and tour showed me so much more than ever had time to see.

[@rajendragurjar831]

Hey Dear Rick ! We have touched nearly eleven countries in Europe. Your vlogs are tempting me to visit Europe again. And we will....very soon !

[@munasinghesajith3361]

What a nice narration...

[@TheLloydA1]

Love London !

[@nitinwilliamson749]

London A Stupendous Phenomenon

[@louisetheresia6748]

London has so many faces. A mysterious city never ends to explore in variety views. Great video. Rick Steves, thank you for sharing.

[@BimboCornejoVlogs]

Miss london so much...

[@RuslanaDemille-do9kq]

...magnificent beautiful video with stunning fabulous narrative by charismatic Mr. Rick Steves, thank you, love ❤️ you...

[@TataDgebuadze]

Thank you for such an amazing guide of London! I really enjoyed of watching the video!

[@zeeba4938]

amazing video . you let me travel virtually. your every trip is awesome.

[@The2Pandas]

I love all of your videos... you always come up with such a scenic cities.... London is really best city on this globe.. Thank you for presenting part of it.

[@mcorall]

i love london

[@elephantminds6855]

Our students LOVE this city. Thank you for sharing the video

[@lenvilballonico4660]

I love LONDON! From Manila here in the Philippines

[@annakatzenstein9632]

Most enjoyable piece of journey through marvellous London ... thank you so much

[@MsBackstager]

I could live in London and have a jolly time. I've been there, on a university theater tour, at least 7x and feel safe and at home walking about on my own.

[@norachamberlain5187]

Wonderful. I loved watching because I lived in London as an Art Student. Great video!!

[@robnewman6101]

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN.

[@dik8559]

Omg, London I love you❤❤❤💖 When I'm in London, I feel like I'm in my hometown🌸 Really want to stay there

[@sadikahmed1982]

The sun never sets in the British Empire

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Because God doesn’t trust the British in the dark.

[@airaroni4043]

Dream place😩😍

[@pronoysarkar5654]

thank you..thank you...thank you sir for this video....london is my life....i love london very much....

[@hameedurrehman7625]

London is not a woman shown in this video.He is talking about the city

[@rochford1000]

Excellent, thank you Rick

[@Pablo260492]

I ❤ LONDON

[@GreatCityAttractions]

A wonderful city.

[@rushanranathunga8840]

a greatest program to see. i like your way of explaning

[@amiyshrivastava4088]

It was extremely Nostalgic for me. I've been to all the places shown in this video except the Library. St. Paul's Cathedral. Westminster Abbey. Trafalgar Square. Churchill's War Rooms. National Maritime Museum. Royal Observatory. Canary Wharf. Truly a Magnificent City. Looking forward to visiting London again.

[@markomusic7582]

I Love This City Very MUCH MUCH MUCH ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@DokktorDeth]

Having watched a number of Rick's guided tours, he certainly likes the pub!

[@banankriger]

LOL 11:40 Brit: This is where members of royal family buys their umbrellas, gloves, and whips. Rick: Whips?? Rick: Oh, for horses.... Brit: Yes, of course. Rick's face :S

[@Iankameel]

A classic rick steve stonerism!

[@wanderer1955]

Well not exactly. Prince Andrew buys the whips for fun and games with his underage ahem!! "Girlfriends"😲

[@sylviacarlson3561]

@@wanderer1955 naughty naughty!

[@chuckkottke]

Lol, you just never know when a whip can come in handy!🌞🎩☂️

[@bulletproofkam7931]

London’s twice the size of Americas biggest city New York, just shows how huge London is and it would take months to visit just half of it.

[@zhanglin3265]

ENGLISH! We hear each other so well. Thank GOD!

[@jenelyncaminade707]

Thank you sir for the amazing tour. It helps me a lot during this quarantine. This video motivates me in many ways. Godbless😊.

[@anndeakin1508]

Another tour of London a city of great churches waterfronts museum s and art history.A city to come back to again and again lots to view.Ann Deakin 24Th Feb 2021

[@Marktaxi]

Nice thorough engaging video pointing out the must see attractions of this amazing city.

[@arela1030]

Hello Monsieur Rick one of my favorite city I been there’ and I lots fun I enjoyed very much and people’s so sweet ,gentleman and funny I loved everything excellent ,, thanks Alleluia god bless and peace ,your voice is great

[@wh781231]

The greatest city in the world... London.

[@MsBeryl6]

wael helwan I agree with you. Also Love Rick Steve's Travel Video's.

[@MsBeryl6]

Have watched many of Rick Steve's Video's. Can understand him, and he makes them inviting.

[@viktorschubernel258]

wael helwan and Wien.

[@asheableashraf6724]

so nice beautiful London

[@muhammadmohsinali6258]

Thank you Nick Steve I loved this video.