One could spend a year in London and still not see everything. So much to do! See the iconic sites– Westminster, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and London Eye. Shop at historic Harrod’s and Fortnum & Mason, or go bohemian chic at Anthropologie, or perhaps admire designer-lined Bond Street. Linger at one of the world-renowned museums: the British Museum for ancient pieces, the National Gallery for beautiful oil landscape paintings, and Victoria & Albert for an eclectic collection of fashion and decorative arts. You can make it a short visit too- they are all free!
Definitely enjoy the vibrant food scene. For markets, go to Borough Market for English cheddar and blue cheese, Whole Foods Market and Planet Organic for high-quality organic foods, and Waitrose as one of the best all-around supermarket. Of course, eat a traditional British pub and order fish & chips. Drink hot tea with milk, you must, along with an order of scones served with raspberry preserves and clotted cream. At least, this is what we did for two weeks this summer in London.
One of London’s most iconic sights, Tower Bridge is both functional and elegant with its neo-Gothic towers and blue suspension struts. Built in 1894, Tower Bridge provided a crossing point in the east, much needed for London as a busy port. The bridge is still raised for oncoming ships about three times a day but mainly for tourism.
The best sight of all- our Mom! She flew over to visit with us for a few days. Palace of Westminster, home of the UK Parliament, view from the London EyeTaking a ride on the London Eye, London’s great riverside ferris wheel. The expansive, 360 degree view is magnificent, even on overcast days. There are 32 capsules, spinning slowly at 30 minutes per ride.A lovely boutique hotel a block from Westminster Abbey. British fish & chips- crispy, flaky cod with thick-cut potato fries, mint pea dip, and finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon and sprinkle of Maldon sea saltSummer flowers add color and cheerfulness over the doors of British pubsThe National Gallery is one of favorites with its superlative collection of pre-modern art. Highlights include works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Turner. The museum is in the heart of London and part of Trafalgar Square.FDR and Churchill visit and watch pedestrians stroll by on Bond Street, a high-end brand-name boutique shopping area. The British Royal band playing Dixie jazz renditions.
Taking tea and milk while listening to the British military band play in square of the Guards’ Chapel by St. James Park.
St James Park, one of many of London’s beautiful green spaces. See Buckingham Palace from the footbridge that spans the lake. The park has brilliant views of the London Eye, Westminster, and St. James’s Palace.
Nanyang Technological University and King’s College London foster research collaboration.
We met with Dr. Zeena Feldman of King’s College London to research Digital Food Studies.
Peering up through pink roses to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the city’s magnificent Roman-style basilica. It was built between 1675 and 1710.
The British Museum has an impressive ancient collection, including the Rosetta Stone, the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic script. Much treasured by linguists!
One decree is written in three different languages on the Rosetta Stone: Egyptian hieroglyphics (language of the priests), Demotic (native Egyptian script used by the people), and ancient Greek (language of administration). Scholars could read Ancient Greek and Demotic, and by comparing scripts, could decipher the Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Built in 1875, the Black Friar pub lies on the site of a former medieval Dominican friary.
Cheese! Glorious Cheese! Neil’s Yard at Borough Market has some of the best British Cheddar and Blue Cheese.
To serve with the cheese, pick up a sourdough loaf, raspberry preserves, and tender pastries at one of the many bakeries.
Enjoy the rose gardens at one of the city’s verdant parks. The beloved parks are especially pretty in June when the roses are bloom.
Take a breather from the museums and shopping and stroll through the parks, which was as you can tell, a daily pleasure for us!
Regent’s Canal on the north side offers a picturesque waterside stretch. The canals once played an important role in transporting goods across the capital.
We stayed at an AirBnB along the waterside stretch of the canal, which runs 9 miles from Little Venice to the Thames. The Tower of London safeguards jewels within its titanic stonework fortress. Admire and savor desserts at Ottolenghi, a deli-bakery run by Yotam Ottolenghi, an Israeli-English chef renowned for his Middle Eastern culinary style. White chocolate cheesecake with raspberry compote, almond cake with chocolate ganache, and raspberry meringues preen in the window.
Try a 99 Flake! Soft vanilla ice cream cone with Cadbury Flake, a nostalgic ice cream.
Met our book editor! Palgrave Macmillan’s Camille Davis
Some of our favorite National Gallery paintings…
Pierre-August Renoir, The Skiff
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, At the Theatre
Vincent Van Gogh’s A Wheatfield, with Cypresses (1889)
Claude Monet (1840-1926), The Thames below Westminster, about 1871
Thanks for reading! Come again and have tea with us. Afternoon tea at St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel.
