london calling: a guide to a great london vacation
London has always been high on my travel bucket list. I even told my husband that if I could visit both London and Paris in my lifetime, I would be incredibly grateful. As a child, I dreamed of being in London, the land of fairytales, where I constantly heard stories about the royal family, kings, queens, princes, and princesses! Most of the storybooks I read seemed to talk about far-off magical places like London.
When we decided that this summer trip would be a reality, we realized we could add Paris at the beginning and England at the end, allowing us to fly in and out of Heathrow Airport. The idea of visiting both cities in one trip became a no-brainer, as it’s only about a two-hour bullet train ride between them. With everything booked, I eagerly dove into my research and trip planning, excited to explore these two incredible destinations!
We flew from Orlando to London, and immediately made our way to St. Pancras train station for our journey to Paris. After our time in Paris, we returned to explore London and other parts of England (stay tuned for an Exploring England blog coming soon)!
Upon our arrival in London, we dropped off our luggage at the hotel room before heading to Hampstead, England, to dine at The Holly Bush and explore the area. The Holly Bush embodies the quintessential English pub experience. My main motivation for visiting was to try the Sunday roast and experience an authentic English pub, unlike the one I have been to at Epcot LOL. Hampstead is a charming and affluent neighborhood in London, beloved by both locals and tourists alike. The Holly Bush was exactly what I had envisioned, having originally been a home in the 1700s before being transformed into a pub in 1928. It exudes a cozy, old-world charm, featuring traditional wood paneling throughout. To my surprise, the Sunday roast was truly impressive! I ordered the corn-fed chicken supreme, served with vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and gravy. *This is a very popular pub and can be hard to get into so I suggest making a reservation.
The Borough Market:
During our trip, one of my favorite experiences was exploring the Borough Market. Nestled near the River Thames and London Bridge, this market is a perfect place for foodies and ranks among the most renowned markets in London and worldwide, with a history of over a thousand years!
Borough Market seamlessly combines traditional and modern flavors. Walking through the market is a fantastic experience, with a lively atmosphere and enticing aromas that immediately spark your appetite. You'll discover an eclectic mix of vendors offering everything from cheese and international street food to chocolates and more.
My favorite treat by far was the warm chocolate drizzled over fresh strawberries—an absolute must-try for any chocolate lover like me!
My top 3 Borough Market Vendors:
Bath Soft Cheese Co.- Delicious cheese selections made from a family run farm
Bread Ahead Bakery- Freshly baked bread and Pastries. known for their amazing donuts
Turnips- Fruit and veggie market that has a section offering delicious fresh strawberries dipped in warm chocolate
Borough Market
St. Paul’s Cathedral:
we had a great time at St. Paul’s Cathedral that is located in the heart of London and stands as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. You simply cannot miss its stunning dome, designed by the renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London, and completed in 1710. The interior of the church is equally beautiful, with impressively high ceilings and exquisite marble floors that will leave you in awe.
We had the opportunity to tour the church and even ventured inside the dome, which was an incredible experience. There are multiple levels to explore on your way to the top, allowing you to decide just how high you wish to climb. With around 500 steps leading to the very peak, each gallery provides spectacular views. If you make it all the way to the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of London.
St. Paul’s Cathedral has also played host to numerous historical events and church services throughout the week. The church welcomes visitors from Monday to Saturday during select hours. Be sure to purchase your ticket through your preferred booking platform; otherwise, you may find yourself waiting in a long line to enter.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Westminster Abbey:
A Must-See in London! When you're in London, visiting Westminster Abbey is essential! This iconic site boasts a fascinating history, having been established in 960 AD as a monastery. It has played a significant role in many of Britain’s most momentous occasions. Over 40 English and British monarchs have celebrated royal weddings and coronations within its walls.
Tips for Your Visit:
I recommend arriving early in the morning or ensuring you book a tour through your preferred booking platform. The abbey is open for visits from Monday to Saturday, with services held on Sunday.
Westminster Abbey
Tower Bridge:
Tower Bridge embodies everything I envision when I think of London. It is a stunning example of Victorian engineering, having opened in 1894 after years of dedicated construction. The bridge makes you feel as if it has stepped right into a fairytale!
You can also explore the interior of the bridge, which features several levels and engine rooms that provide insight into the engineering marvel that is Tower Bridge. One amazing and really cool aspect of its interior is the glass floor that connects the north and south towers, offering beautiful panoramic views of London.
Tower Bridge
Tower of london:
The Tower of London is a remarkable and historic castle located in London, established in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Over the years, this castle has served various purposes, including a royal palace, a prison, and much more!
One of our primary motivations for visiting was, of course, to see the Crown Jewels. This impressive collection features 23,578 gemstones, which are still protected and utilized by the monarch during ceremonies and other events.
I strongly recommend securing your tickets in advance through your preferred booking platform, as it tends to get quite crowded and the lines can be very lengthy!
Tower of london
sky garden:
The Sky Garden, often referred to as the "Walkie Talkie" of London, is named for its exterior shape that resembles a walkie talkie. It gets the title of London's highest indoor public garden, offering a stunning 360-degree glass viewpoint of the city’s skyline, along with beautiful gardens to explore.
The venue features a restaurant and bar that fills up quickly, so I would advise getting reservations. When you reserve a table, you also receive a complimentary ticket to visit the Sky Garden. You can also obtain a free ticket, but be sure to book in advance, as spots tend to fill up quickly.
Visiting the Sky Garden was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my trip to London. Its modern and unique design, combined with breathtaking views of the city below, creates a truly magical experience.
Sky garden observation deck-london skyline (me in the pic haha)
Big Ben:
The Great Bell! The Big Ben is famously named after the clock housed within the tower. This remarkable bell is massive, weighing 13.5 tons and standing over 7 feet tall. The clock itself has impeccable accuracy, making it a true engineering marvel.
You can't miss Big Ben! Upon our arrival in London, it took me seconds to shout , "There’s Big Ben!"-embarrassing my teen lol! The tower rises to an impressive height of 316 feet, making it impossible to overlook. To me, seeing Big Ben felt like a rite of passage in experiencing London, as it is such an iconic landmark.
The bell's chime is legendary, having been broadcast to audiences worldwide since the early 1900s. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to enter the tower, visitors can climb to the top, which requires ascending 334 steps—there's no elevator!
London-Big Ben
Reflecting on our time in London brings a smile to my face because we had such an amazing experience. The city exudes a vibrant vibe, blending rich royal history and historic architecture with contemporary structures. Some of my highlights include visiting Hampstead, which had a charming small-town feel; enjoying a meal at Holly Bush, the quintessential English pub, where I experienced Sunday roast; and exploring the Tower of London and marveling at the Crown Jewels. Each moment added to the magic of our trip!
for those curious about our london trip, including accommodation Recommendations, where we enjoyed afternoon tea, food & store recommendations, excursions, must see spots, check out our custom curated travel Itinerary templates in pdf format in our store section of our website that includes our full itinerary including links, custom map, tips, etc. (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf yosemite itinerary template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation.
*Be on the lookout for our upcoming London blog
Happy Travels!
Mandy
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