London Life: Not Every Trip to Europe Has to Be a Guided Tour

Tourism guides can be great assets to show you where the major attractions of a city are, what prices are charged for admission, and where to find deals on the top tourist choices in town. But what about if you want to experience a city as a local would, without getting lost and ending up in a shady neighborhood? Your average tour guide isn't going to be much help. Maybe you're like me and you've been to London before and you've seen Buckingham, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower and now you'd just like to experience the city's charm without all the tourism clichés. The solution is the non-tourist guide. Here are ten great things to do in London that you won't find in your typical guide book. See this world city from a casual, relaxed perspective and avoid the stress and expense of long lines outside top attractions.

1. View the city from Vauxhall Bridge Road

Exit Victoria Station at the southern exit and walk out right onto Vauxhall Bridge Road. The road will meet up with the Thames less than a mile from the station. This bridge gives a different view of the city than the most popular bridges and outlooks. Here, west of the city, the busiest parts of London are in front of you. Parliament and Big Ben will appear on the left and the London Eye can be seen on the right. This view isn't more than a few tube stops away from the heart of the city, and the heart of the tourism attractions, yet it feels removed and more peaceful. The road does carry more vehicle traffic than those dedicated to site seeing, such as Westminster, but there will be markedly fewer pan handlers, street vendors, and tourists to clog the pedestrian path. This bridge runs through a fairly residential area, making it a more useful driving option for Londoners than the pedestrian-heavy bridges. The view is superb and you'll be satisfied that you've found such a quiet place to view the city and enjoy the view. And don't worry, Vauxhall is just as picturesque as any other bridge in London.

2. Stroll through Camden Town