A Week in London
Day 1
We arrived in London on the Eurostar from Paris. Very quick and easy way to travel from France to London.
Our accommodation was the Citadines Holbourn Covent Gardens – a fantastic location. So much to see in a 1km circumference. Coffee shops outside, the underground across the road, small supermarket and Covent Garden Square all super close.
It was a warm sunny Sunday afternoon when we arrived, so we dumped our luggage and headed to Covent Gardens via a lovely English pub.
Covent Square was full of restaurants, bars, street performers, English flags, people everywhere enjoying the sunshine.
Day 2
We boarded the Hop on Hop off bus. We went past St Pau’ls Cathedral, Westminster Abby, Big Ben, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and Piccadilly Circus. Great way to see what you would like to spend more time exploring.
We did think the London traffic was horrendous and that we could probably walk to some places quicker than the bus.
We jumped off the bus at Piccadilly Circus and walked back through Covent Gardens. It was a lot quieter on Monday and we found a nice terrace bar to enjoy a Gin and Tonic.
Day 3
Today we went to the Natural History Museum. I have always wanted to visit since watching the Night at the Museum 3. It was filmed in part at this museum.
We decided to walk the 4km from our hotel. It was a beautiful walk through Hyde Park and Kensington Park, through Mayfair, Park Lane, past the Ritz Hotel with all the staff in their three piece suits and top hats.
The museum is divided into major displays. There is dinosaur, mammals, earth, environment massive displays.
We learnt all about earthquakes, volcanoes, how the dinosaurs died, and Lyle even went on a earthquake simulator which had him shaking for minutes afterwards.
The dinosaur skeletons were incredible and the huge whale hanging from the ceiling was mind blowing.
After the museum we walked just up the street to Harrods. Harrods is as special as everyone says. Every display from the shoes, dresses, food hall and even the hot chickens were stunning. You could walk around all day – but we weren’t exactly dressed for the occasion (we were in our Aussie tourist uniform). Lyle was surprised that they let us in, and then that we weren’t frisked when we walked out.
Then we hopped on the bus again and went around Notting Hill area and then back to Piccadilly Circus where we hopped off again and walked back to our hotel. It’s a great walk past all the theatres advertising all their shows like, Harry Potter, Mama Mia, Jersey Boys, Tina and Les Miserable.
Tuesday night we walked back into the West End to see The Book of Mormon musical. It was really funny and we enjoyed it immensely. Probably not for the easily-offended person – but we loved it.
Day 4
We didn’t have anything planned but decided to walk to Buckingham Palace, but first a cup of expensive tea near Trafalgar Square ($10 aussie dollars!!).
We walked through Admiralty Arch through to the mall (the road into Buckingham Palace) and were lucky enough to see the Queen’s Guards just starting their trip down the road to the Palace. The mall had hundreds of English flags flying along the road in preparation for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.
Right next to the mall are St. James Park/Gardens. There is huge pond full of ducks, geese and pelicans. Beautiful trees and flowers and we saw a cute little squirrel.
We continued down to the Thames and crossed the river and went to Westminster Abby. The inside was beautiful. We paid for an audio guide and it was well worth the money. There are so many crypts and burial plaques for authors, poets, explorers and socialites. All the coronations take place here, on the Coronation chair which was made in 1300 (it looks like it was too).
We walked along the Thames on our way home and found a nice Japanese/Asian restaurant called Wagamama.
Day 5
Chelsea Flower show was one of my dream things to do. It was everything I hoped it would be. You can listen to our walk around the Chelsea RHS Flower show here.
Day 6
We walked through the business area to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the mother church of the diocesan of London. Once again, we did the audio tour – well worth doing and part of the entrance fee. This is the church where Charles and Di were married and it’s where the funerals for Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill were held.
The church has an enormous dome which can be seen for miles outside, but inside it is amazing. So much colour and decoration now. The church is quite glamourous, well set out and huge.
There are crypts under the church which you can wander around and read all the plaques.
We found a nice English pub that was exactly what you think an English would be called the Argyle, with wooden beams, low ceilings, British flags, nice pub food and nice beer. It was in the area called the “Diamond Triangle” because there are literally hundreds of diamonds stores all around the pub.
Day 7
Today we walked along the Thames to the Tower of London. It was very busy as it was a sunny Saturday, but didn’t have to line up for too long. The Tower of London is a little walled city with two thick city walls. Built by William the Conqueror to establish his power. The audio guide was brilliant and kept you entertained while you walked around and waited in line to see the Crown Jewels. Lots of stories about beheadings, traitors and love affairs.
There is museum with all the actual armour that Henry VIII wore, horse armour and swords. Very interesting. In the basement there is a massive collection of guns – they are so big and heavy and we wondered how the soldiers could even lift them.
We waited in line to see the Crown Jewels and was definitely worth the wait. There are cabinets full of spectres coated in gold, crowns full of jewels and then you come across the biggest and most elaborate crown of all, rubies, sapphires, diamonds, gold glistening under the lights. You can’t help be impressed by the beauty of the bling.
The Tower of London was one of our favourite places to see in London.
Of course, after all that exploring, we needed a drink. We found a little bar under the Tower Bridge where I tried a Pimms and felt pretty special enjoying the London sunshine.
A perfect last day in London.
Last minute thoughts.
London is expensive
Underground is easy to use (when not on strike)
Walking is the best way to explore
Lots more information in our podcast here
We had an absolute nightmare of a time trying to leave London. Listen to what happened here.