Being a tourist is fun, but being caught up in tourist trap one after another is just an exercise in frustration. If you want to see the best parts of any city and save money to boot, then you need to travel like the locals live. This is how you’ll find truly wonderful things, from things to do to things to see. It’s a mistake to assume that those who live in London don’t act like tourists themselves. They want to see and do the next biggest thing. They want to go through all the old palaces and royal residences. There are a lot of ways that a smart traveler to London and a local Londoner are alike, and with this guide, you too can travel like a local in London.

London’s Lockdown

Lockdown in London is easing, and by summer, everything should be open back up. That being said, there are a few things you need to know. Face masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport. You will also need to book timed entry tickets to all of the big destinations, even if the ticket itself is free. This is to make it easy for guests to socially distance themselves, and it’s actually for the best. Many popular places (even for Londoners) can become crowded, so the timed tickets actually can help you enjoy museums, galleries, and other destinations that much more.

Scout Out Great Places to Eat in Advance

London is a modern metropolis, which means that though it is the capital of England, it is also an unofficial capital of the world. Here you will find people from everywhere, and more importantly for your trip, you’ll find restaurants from around the world. There are many, many options, however. Some are great. Others are not worth the hype. A great way to make your trip great is to follow local foodies and to make a list of top restaurants, like cafe-luca.co.uk, before you head out.

This doesn’t mean you cannot duck into a good-looking restaurant when you are out and about, but by having a list of great options, you can take the stress out of finding somewhere good to eat. Checking through to see where you want to eat is also a great way to make the planning portion of your trip that much more fun.

Explore Neighborhoods for the Best Experience

You will not and cannot see all of London in one trip. People who live in London for years still haven’t seen all of London, and even if they did, new things are always cropping up. This summer alone, a new hill in Hyde Park is in the works, as well as many big art events throughout the city to bring in tourists and to wow the locals.

That’s why it’s a good idea to not waste time traveling from one place to another. Instead, pick one destination. This could be Kensington and Chelsea. It could be Notting Hill. It could be the City of London. Whatever area you choose, go there, and do all you can in that one area. This is how you will get a real feel for it and how you can enjoy yourself that much more. You’ll find your own hidden gems, and you’ll save time and energy by focusing on one area per day.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

Day 5628623562 in the Rosie and Boo house and lockdown lunches have lost their shine. the appeal of Boo being able to choose and make her own lunch each day soon wore off and we found ourselves in a bit of a midday rut. I ventured down the pasta for lunch road but quickly realised I was adding to my cooking quota and I like lots of parents will be glad to see the back of a saucepan once ‘this’ is all over. 

Ham and Cheese seem to be the order of everyday but I wanted to diversify it; the ham part was an easy swap, Boo’s favourite: chorizo – but which cheese? I’ve previously written about Bonomelli teas – part of the Ciao Gusto family of brands and they suggested we try Auricchio Provolone cheese slices; I love the taste of Provolone cheese – it’s distinct without being overpowering but hadn’t thought to use it in sandwiches. 

The Auricchio Provolone cheese slices would work really well in burgers; I set Boo the task of lunch and I think you’ll agree she did a pretty good job. The lettuce was a great addition, all the flavours came together really well – taste and texture was perfect – a big deal when winning over children.

Auricchio is part of the Ciao Gusto family which is available on Ocado – I’ve come to see it as a dedicated one-stop Italian delicatessen offering all the Italian food brands that are so hard to come by during your weekly shop but bring those authentic tastes of Italy into your home. Being in one easy place means it’s so easy to shop, there’s so much to discover. Ocado delivery slots have been hard to come by since the beginning of lockdown, yet it has become easier over the past couple of weeks and I’m hoping to be able to secure a regular weekly delivery in time for back to school in September. In the meantime for over 200 authentic Italian recipes featuring Ciao Gusto’s brands head to www.ciaogusto.com

Have we reinvented the lunchtime sandwich wheel? I wound’t dare claim to, however, we managed to to beat the boredom when it comes to lunch with a little help from Auricchio and Ciao Gusto and in these strange times where the world (and endless maths worksheets) feels as if it revolves around mealtimes that’s a win I’m happy to take.

Disclosure: a fee was received for my time.

The Coronavirus has caused all of our lives to come to a halt. However, there are plenty of ways you can stay occupied to try and make the most of it. When you have small children, the very idea of staying indoors for a long period may seem daunting and somewhat overwhelming but being creative with your time can make the entire experience much more enjoyable, and you may potentially even make lasting memories for the years to come.

In this guide, we’re going to list just a few ways you can spend time with your children in lockdown:

1.  Get cooking.

There is never a better time than now to teach the kids to cook. In usual circumstances, you may not have time to get experimental with ingredients and help the kids cook meals with you; however, with not much else to do, why not get creative in the kitchen?

Set a couple of hours aside out of your day to prepare the meal and ensure the kids get involved – from shopping for the ingredients online to introducing them to different tools.

It would be a good idea to find recipes that are easy to follow and include foods they’re likely to eat. However, don’t worry if your child is a picky eater. Teaching them to cook is a great way of boosting their interest in food and even trying foods they may never have tasted before.

2. Teach embroidery or knitting.

Embroidery and knitting are greats skill to teach the children while in lockdown and is a past-time to get their creative juices flowing. Mastering embroidery is a tricky skill that takes a great deal of time and patience. However, there are many benefits of teaching your children how to sew and knit, including improving their muscle and hand-eye coordination and developing their self-confidence in the ability to create something entirely from scratch.

When choosing materials, ensure you select heavy threads and wool, and long needles, making it much easier for little hands to retain a solid grip. You can browse through a selection of materials and supplies from this embroidery shop in London.

3.  Create a family time capsule.

We are going through one of the strangest and unprecedented situations in modern history, so why not spend time putting together a time capsule with your kids? In particular, older children may enjoy this project as a lasting memento of your lockdown experience to look back on and even pass down the generations. Your time capsule could include –

• A document of each family member with a hand-drawn portrait and description of personal appearance and hobbies/ interests
• An interview with each family member of how they feel about lockdown.
• A diary of how you’re spending each day in lockdown.
• Explain what you’re looking forward to doing or achieving once has ended.

While being forced to stay indoors may be a difficult pill to swallow, we hope that the three tips above have given you some food for thought on how you can stay entertained as a family until restrictions lift.

 Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.