Free London and UK guide library

Katerina Galkina · EN · 04/10/2026

This library brings together open Tell Me UK guides for planning London and British trips. Start with the kind of day you want, open a detailed route and check arrangements for your own dates. The articles are free to read; this library does not require a paid file or access purchase.

Your first visit to London

For a first sightseeing visit, open the first London walk ↗. Choose a convenient start, leave time for lunch and resist trying to see the whole city in one trip. Then add places from this library to suit your interests.

For details that help you notice the city, explore interesting facts about London ↗ and the United Kingdom ↗. Pair them with a route: history is easier to remember when it connects to a street, building or view in front of you.

If you have recently moved to London

For your first weeks living in the city, begin with part one of the relocation guide ↗, then read part two ↗ and part three ↗. These cover settling in, housing, banking and other everyday arrangements. Return to the relevant section as you work through each practical task.

Unusual places and neighbourhood walks

Unusual London ↗ and the hidden gems atlas ↗ can help build a day beyond the usual landmark list. Choose one area and a few nearby stops, add coffee and leave time to turn down an interesting street.

Hampstead, Greenwich, Richmond, Highgate, Dulwich, Marylebone and Wapping all offer ideas for a local escape. Approach the day as a small trip: a clear outward journey, a walk, lunch and an easy return.

Where to eat

Find food along your route with restaurants by neighbourhood ↗ and the food and drink atlas ↗. For familiar regional flavours, see London restaurants serving cuisines of CIS countries ↗.

Save a first choice and a backup. Check opening days, kitchen hours, menus and reservations before travelling. Dinner across the city makes sense when you want that particular experience, rather than simply having found an attractive photograph.

Weekends without a car

The complete weekend guide ↗ helps you choose between coast, city, village and countryside walking. The London day trips atlas ↗ offers more destinations. For a first outing, a single town with a walkable centre and simple journey home is a good starting point.

• Seven Sisters ↗ — the coast, white cliffs and preparation for a walk.

• Canterbury in a day ↗ — an independent visit to a historic city.

• Port Lympne without a car ↗ — a different kind of Kent day or an overnight escape.

Compare weather, journey length and physical effort. An exposed cliff walk and a slow day on town streets are not interchangeable options for every forecast.

Build a Cotswolds trip step by step

Begin with the Cotswolds from London overview ↗, then use the car-free guide ↗, village guide ↗, itinerary ↗ and walking guide ↗.

Choose one base and a small group of nearby places. Check buses for your specific days, particularly Sunday, before booking accommodation and trains. Two villages and a satisfying walk are more enjoyable than five stops spent worrying about connections.

Practical preparation

• Train travel ↗ — stations, tickets, connections and returning home.

• Where to stay ↗ — choose an area, room and base that fit the trip.

• Travel essentials ↗ — maps, charging, clothing, useful apps and a backup plan.

• eSIM for Europe and Britain ↗ — connectivity, coverage and phone compatibility.

• London passes ↗ — compare a pass with individual visits.

• Tours and tickets ↗ — when booking helps and what to check before paying.

If you want company, read the women's community rules ↗, including links to the chat and friendship bot.

Turn the library into your own day

Pick one main purpose, save places on a map and calculate the journey from door to door. Check trains with National Rail ↗, London journeys with TfL ↗ and the forecast with the Met Office ↗. Book the essential visits, leave time for lunch and choose a shorter alternative if it rains.

You can separately compare paid walks and excursions on GetYourGuide ↗. The library remains free; this is an affiliate link, and Tell Me UK may earn a commission from a booking at no extra cost to you.