Top Things to do in London This Winter

*This blog was initially written before London was placed under Tier 4 lockdown. Please follow all rules and guidelines that were put in place to ensure your safety.*

London has long been known as the United Kingdom’s premier destination for fun and entertainment. During the winter, the city comes to life with seasonal activities perfect for the whole family. Here are some of the best ways to spend time in London during the winter.

Walk Along Regent Street to See the Christmas Lights

London’s famous Regent Street sparkles during the holiday season when the beautiful Christmas lights are displayed. Colourful bulbs that are formed into exquisite arrangements provide a feast for the eyes. Spectators can tour the street at their own pace to see all the beautiful lights while getting more into the holiday spirit.

Get a Panoramic City View from The Shard

The Shard is one of Europe’s tallest structures and offers some of London’s best views from the observation areas. Viewing the city from inside The Shard can also provide a great way to escape the winter cold. The 72nd floor is a particularly ideal location for getting spectacular city views.

Experience Winter at Kew Gardens

Even though there are no new plants or flowers that grow here during the winter, the gorgeous holiday light displays should still not be missed. Tunnels that are lined with twinkling lights are created to give visitors a memorable walkthrough experience. Additional lights can be seen strewn over the greenhouses and waterways.

Visit Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge serves as a symbol of progress and history. It’s been converted into a beautiful walkthrough museum and adds terrific views of the city. Built in the late 1800s, the bridge allows pedestrians to walk freely across while cars pass below.

Explore the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park, which has long been one of London’s most iconic gathering spots, transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. A Christmas market where people can buy decorations, crafts, and jewellery is a significant part of the event. The UK’s largest outdoor ice rink also opens for the season during the celebration so that first-time and experienced skaters can glide across the pristine ice. Ice sculptures are also on display in Hyde Park to ignite even more of the season’s magic.

Visiting London during the winter can be a more worthwhile experience when people partake in these fun activities. Winter in London can give people opportunities to try new things and see different sides of the city.

January 7, 2021 0

The History of the West End

Throughout most of its history, there can be little doubt that London has been the nerve-centre of English life. Initially founded as a colonial outpost of the then-dominant Roman Empire during the 1st Century AD, London swiftly grew to encompass and absorb several surrounding districts into its boundaries.

By the Middle Ages, the dominant sectors of London included two primary areas established to the north of the River Thames. These surrounded both the early walled Roman settlements and a handful of neighbourhoods connected to the region known as the City of Westminster.

The former district became the financial hub of London is still known as the “City of London,” in fact. The area remains home to some of the world’s largest and most prestigious banking corporations.

Conversely, the so-called “City of Westminster” and its surrounding districts gradually became absorbed into London over hundreds of years. Over time, the region became known as West London or the “West End.” Primarily, the area’s prestige derives from its traditional association with the British aristocracy. It has been the site of Buckingham Palace since 1703 and the Houses of Parliament for hundreds of years; however, the history of local sites such as Westminster Abbey and the original Westminster Palace stretch back to the Early Middle Ages.

Neighbourhoods in West London such as Kensington, Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, and Belgravia are still some of the most aristocratic districts within the city proper.

In parallel to these aristocratic neighbourhoods, a thriving theatre scene has developed in the West End since the 17th Century. To this day, the West End retains many of London’s most prestigious theatre associations. Many of these theatres are located around Piccadilly Circus, and Covent Garden in an area often referred to by locals and visitors as “Theatreland.”

In parallel with the growth of these theatre districts and aristocratic neighbourhoods was the establishment of West London as a premier residential district for the upwardly-mobile middle classes during the Victorian era. Established under the reign of Queen Victoria during the 19th Century, many of the city’s most beautiful and compelling parks, concert halls, museums, and department stores can still be found here.

For anyone visiting London, a trip to the city’s West End is an absolute must. The City of London may be the financial heart of England, but the West End remains the beating heart of London’s cultural life. It is a place that everyone should visit at least once.

November 4, 2020 0

Top Museums to Visit the Next Time You’re in London

As one of the world’s great holiday destinations, there can be little doubt that London, England is home to some of the most excellent museums to be found anywhere on earth. Exploring the collections of this great city would take many lifetimes, it is true, but here are just a few great institutions that every traveller to London should visit at least once.

Victoria and Albert Museum, Knightsbridge

Featuring everything from exhibits on art, history, and fashion to exclusive concert performances, the V&A is famous among fans of London culture for its stunning holdings and cutting-edge curation policies. Just a few blocks down the Brompton Road from the favourite Harrods department store, the Victoria and Albert Museum is a must-see destination on any trip to the capitol.

Natural History Museum, Knightsbridge

With its full Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton and statue of Charles Darwin, the Natural History Museum is a science lover’s dream come true. The museum’s vast complex will be a delight for people of all ages; whether you love astronomy, biology, or good old-fashioned palaeontology, a visit to the Natural History Museum is sure to foster beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.

John Keats House, Hampstead

Tucked away in leafy Hampstead, the John Keats House museum is centred around the life of a person many regards as England’s greatest Romantic poet. Keats lived here near the end of his life and composed some of his most excellent poetry on the grounds of the property. In a state of recovery after hearing the sounds of a beautiful birdsong, Keats is said to have composed his great “Ode to a Nightingale” in the front garden. Nearby Hampstead Village is also full of some of London’s most charming pubs, cafes, and bookstores.

The British Museum, Bloomsbury

With a truly astonishing collection of nearly 8 million pieces to its credit, the British Museum is undoubtedly one of the most significant institutions of public learning in the world. Its collection contains incredible artefacts and works of art spanning millions of years and hundreds of cultures. If you can only stop at one museum on your trip to London, the British Museum might be your best bet.

The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square

If you’re a fan of the visual arts, it’s hard to go wrong with a visit to the National Gallery. Set directly across from Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, the museum’s exhibits feature everything from Ancient Egyptian relics to the works of Vincent Van Gogh. Its central location in the heart of London also makes the institution an excellent spot for families and individuals to start their own unique London journey.

September 8, 2020 0

The Best Day Trips From London

London has long been one of the world’s top travel destinations, but there are other places worth visiting that are within a short distance of the British capital. Taking a day trip from London offers visitors the chance to see other parts of Europe without straying too far from the city. Here are some of the best day trip suggestions from London

Bath

The city of Bath can be reached in roughly 90 minutes by train from London and features some of the most excellent examples of classic Roman architecture. The town gets its name from the Roman Baths that were built centuries ago and unearthed after many years of nonuse. Sally Lunn’s Tea Shop and Restaurant has been serving teas, pastries and delicious meals since the 15th century and is where the Sally Lunn bun was invented. It’s also possible to go on a city tour and be taken to other places of interest such as the Jane Austen Centre and the Botanical Gardens.

The Cotswolds

These off-the-beaten-path villages seem to be stuck in time and are reminiscent of classic British hamlets. Local landmarks around these villages include Chipping Camden and Stow-on-the-Wold. Bourton on the Water is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the Cotswolds” and is also worth seeing. People who want to visit the villages can take a 90-minute train ride or drive two hours from London.

Stonehenge

No visit to England would be complete without seeing this fascinating and mysterious landmark. Tour buses are available to take visitors from London to Stonehenge on a trip that usually lasts just over two hours. Existing since prehistoric times, this series of standing stones continues to capture the intrigue of onlookers. Numerous herds of sheep can also be seen grazing in the adjacent fields and add further charm to the attraction.

Brussels

It’s even possible to take a day trip to a foreign country while visiting London, and many tourists enjoy going on excursions to Brussels, Belgium. A train travelling underneath the English channel can take passengers from St. Pancras Station in London to Bruxelles-Midi station in less than three hours. While in Brussels, visitors can grab a delicious waffle from a local waffle house and head to landmarks like the Grand Place and the Mannequin Pis statue.

Many beautiful places lie just beyond the London city limits. Taking a day trip from London is one of the best ways to spend time on vacation.

May 19, 2020 0

London’s Hidden Gems (And Where to Find Them)

Without question, London is one of the most exciting and dynamic cities in the world. Covering an area of more than 600 square miles, Greater London is home to a remarkable diversity of attractions. Here are just a few of the city’s hidden gems to delight travellers, and why those in the know often make repeat visits to these stunning locations.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

Tucked away in an area of Fleet Street traditionally associated with the city’s freewheeling journalism scene of yore, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a pub that has been around since the time of London’s Great Fire in 1666. The age-old public house certainly looks like it. The building feels a bit like going back in time; that’s something of a fitting thought for a site that once played home to authors like Charles Dickens (who alludes the pub in “A Tale of Two Cities”), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Samuel Johnson (who lived nearby), and the poet Alfred Tennyson.

The John Keats House, Hampstead

If you’re a fan of literature, you can’t do much better on a trip to London than a trip to the home of noted Romantic poet John Keats. Set amid the leafy environs of the city’s upscale Hampstead neighbourhood, the Keats House is where the poet composed his legendary and timeless poem “Ode to a Nightingale.” For readers of Romantic poetry, this place is something of a literary Mecca. A stroll around the neighbourhood’s bookshops and cafes make for a beautiful outing; London doesn’t get much more beautiful or picturesque than this.

Handel House / Hendrix Flat

Although they lived in vastly different eras, it’s a strange twist of fate indeed that the musicians George Frideric Handel and Jimi Hendrix lived in adjacent buildings to one another in the upscale Mayfair neighbourhood of London. The two certainly had different approaches to musical composition, it is true, but music fans will probably get a kick out of the contrast between Handel’s 18th Century digs and Hendrix’s modernist apartment.

Whether you are a music or literature fan keen to check out the stomping grounds of your artistic idols or want to kick back and relax in beautiful and cosy surroundings, a trip to some of London’s secret hotspots can make your next vacation to the city feel extra special. These beautiful locations will certainly make it more difficult to not fall in love with this beautiful city.

April 14, 2020 0

4 Places for Afternoon Tea in London, England

In London, afternoon tea has become a national tradition. This trend started in 1840 when the Duchess of Bedford shared that she enjoyed tea and snacks a few hours before dinner. And thus, afternoon tea began! With flutes of champagne, pastries and finger sandwiches have updated this tradition. From traditional spreads for holidays to modern interpretations, the following are some of the best places to sit down for a spot of tea!

The Landmark London

For an afternoon tea that is classic, chic, and sans tourist gimmicks, you can’t go wrong with The Landmark London. The regal yet traditional setup of the High Palms High Tea ensures a triumphant experience of yummy sandwiches and delicious pastries. Plus, the sounds of piano music fluttering through the glass-roofed Victorian atrium will have you feeling like you’re part of the royal family.

Sketch

A haven for hipsters, influencers, socialites, celebrities, and food bloggers alike, Sketch pulls in a bulk of its clientele with its posh, Instagram-friendly interior; it pulls in repeat customers for its attention to quirky details and lovingly prepared fare. Created by restaurateur Mourad Mazouz and award-winning chef Pierre Gagnaire, this millennial-pink paradise of tulip-shaped chairs and modern art slings savoury staples like a foie-gras tartlet and dainty sandwiches of smoked salmon, cucumber, and coronation chicken. When it comes time to indulge your sugary senses, snag salted-caramel éclairs and shot glasses of white-peach and verbena cheesecake from the trolley, plus more classic dividends like scones and Victoria sponge. As for what you’ll be sipping, sample as many of the 20+ types of loose-leaf teas (carted around in giant test tubes for an added dose of eccentricity, of course) as you’d like— all while the string quartet in the corner plays elegant renditions of your favourite Beatles songs.

By Chloe

Calling all vegans? Feeling a little left out when that three-tiered buffet of baked goods rolls around? By Chloe has got your back with a high tea that’s entirely plant-based. Vegan versions of traditional offerings like smoked salmon, (thoughtfully crafted from marinated tomatoes, seaweed, and chipotle), egg salad (creamy tofu), and cucumber + mozzarella (cashew cheese) sammies could convince any non-plant convert. Served up in a loud, colourful environment, By Chloe offers a glimpse into the future of afternoon tea.

The Coral Room

Mixologists and interior design aficionados will find themselves swooning the moment they enter The Coral Room. Get comfy in your blue-velvet chair and ready yourself to toss back tea-infused cocktails beneath glittering chandeliers and a myriad of colourful, gold-framed illustrations. Warm vanilla scones and fresh raspberry jam pair perfectly with black tea and the restaurant’s signature sparkling wine. Plus, you can even enjoy unlimited refills on drinks like iced coffee, matcha lattes, and yes— tea.

February 28, 2020 0