by Rose Conrad

Created on: August 01, 2010

To many, London is the greatest city in the world, with so much history and culture packed into such a relatively small area. Buildings such as Big Ben, the Tower of London, and St. Paul's Cathedral are immediately recognised throught the entire world, not to mention the famous West End Theatres, the big stores in Oxford Street, and the vibrant night life. Therefore, a vacation in England's capital city should be the holiday of a lifetime, but like any large city there are rough areas and danger spots to be avoided, so one should always take care to be safe when staying in London.

First a few general tips on staying safe in London, which are basically common sense tips and applicable to any large city anywhere in the world. Look confident probably sounds a strange thing to say, but if you are hesitant, continually ask for directions, and carry a guide book around with you, then you will immediately stand out as a "foreigner" who may well be carrying large amounts of cash or travellers cheques around with you. There are unscrupulous people everywhere that will take advantage of anyone who seems vulnerable in any way, so always read up about your destination beforehand, plan your route before you leave each day, memorise the main tube stations on your journey, and walk confidently. Also always try to stay in brightly lit, busy areas and not stray off the beaten track, and never carry your Passport or all your credit cards with you. Instead leave them locked in the Hotel safe. It is good idea to carry the number and address of your Embassy with you too. always better to be safe than sorry.  And even though we are in the 21st century and the age of feminism and equal opportunities, please be aware that it  is not wise for a lone woman traveller to stray too far off the beaten track in the evenings in London. So be aware, and one final tip, if possible, always ask your Hotel Concierge for a card from a reputable taxi company to take with you in case you find it hard to hail a Black Cab after a night out.  

On the subject of accommodation, like most large European cities, London has more than one train station, and, in general, the areas around these stations are best avoided if you want to stay safe. The large, covered, heated station complexes are a magnet to street-sleepers, vagrants, and those with drug and drink problems looking for shelter, and although British Transport Police have done their best over the years to stop these people from

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