LONDON, ENGLAND
May & August, 2022
During the summer of 2022, I got the opportunity to visit London twice - the first was with Donavan and Audrey in May (while we were visiting her study abroad in Scotland), and the second was with my parents on the way to watch my brothers performance in Portugal the following August. As an American, it's a very comfortable city to visit - most obviously because they speak English. It's almost strange - being in Europe but also understanding the signs and not feeling as lost. I completely fell in love with the vibe of the city; it's historical and classy, but also very artsy and "hip". London will be a place that I know I will visit time and time again to continue exploring all that it has to offer!
Things to do
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, United Kingdom
If you are into decorative arts and design, this is the place for you! They have a permanent collection of textiles and garments which I highly recommend checking out if you're a fashion-lover like me. Dating from the early 1800s, they show the progression of fashion over the past two centuries and how war, history, and other movements have all affected the evolution of what we wear today.
Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
A tourist classic but something fun to watch is the changing of the guards and see how these monocratic customs still exist in our world today. I would suggest looking up the schedule of when this happens ahead of time for your trip! Regardless, it's still a beautiful cultural landmark to visit and take some photos at!
Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW, United Kingdom
We stumbled upon this market on our way to our Airbnb on the way from the airport and it was the cutest place! It used to be a place to trade fresh produce and fruits, and has been there for 250 years. They now have shops, food stands, and stands to buy some hand-crafted souvenirs. I only window shopped at a few places, but I would've loved to try the food. I definitely want to go eat here the next time I'm in London (and if you check it out before me, let me know how it is)!
Westminster Abbey, Dean's Yard, London SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom
Known for its royal weddings, coronations, and burials, Westminster Abbey is probably the most famous church in the United Kingdom. The church hosts over 3,000 burials, including monarchs, scientists, artists, and politicians. It's one of the most important historical symbols for the UK, and I really enjoyed learning more through a guided tour.
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom
Another great option if you like to visit museums when you travel, and it's also free to visit! With pieces from the 13th-19th century, it hosts some of the finest art from artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and many other renowned artists.
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL, United Kingdom
To all my fashion/shopping lovers: you NEED to visit Harrods. I'm sure most of you have heard of it before, but it's a huge luxury department store that has restaurants, a salon, boutique, almost every designer, and other high-end clothing brands. I enjoyed walking through the hallways and looking at what new styles Chanel, YSL, and all my other favorite designer brands were currently creating. They also have some ready-to-wear products - weirdly enough I bought some New Balances here (it was the only place I could find the pair I wanted in the city!).
Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom
One afternoon, when my mom was at a museum, my dad and I were wandering around the city and my dad decided he wanted to visit the Tower of London - a fortress and infamous prison, and also home to the Royal Armories and Crown Jewels (which I personally found most interesting to see on display). To be honest, I would've never visited had my dad not been eager to, but it ended up being an interested learn. Definitely a spot to visit if you want to learn more about the execution/prison practices throughout London's history!
The Kensington Gardens are such a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy the landscape on a warm, sunny day. We specifically visited the Italian Gardens and let me tell you I felt like I was living out my Bridgerton dreams! You know that promenade they always walk along in the show? This reminded me exactly of that. I always love finding nature in a big city and this was just stunning.
Other classics/tourist sites:
Big Ben, London SW1A 0AA, United Kingdom
London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
London Bridge, London EC4R 9HA, United Kingdom
Dining
The Victoria, 10A Strathearn Pl, Tyburnia, London W2 2NH, United Kingdom
This was by far my favorite place I ate at in London. It's a small pub that serves drinks and delicious comfort food, and the historic, 19-century design offers the coziest classy ambience, especially for dinner. The place was packed with locals and it was one of those places that made you feel like you fit in with the crowd and lifestyle of the city. We visited multiple times during our short stay and I can't wait to go back one day!
Beluga Persian Grill & Bar, 147 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3LF, United Kingdom
Whenever I'm in a big city (or really any other city) I always try to find a Persian restaurant because unfortunately, there is not a single one in Indiana. This one definitely met up to my standards, and even my Persian dad approved. My favorite dishes are kashke bademjan (an eggplant appetizer), and beef koobideh (grilled beef skewers with basmati rice). If you're feeling adventurous for dessert, try the faloudeh - it's a frozen desert made out of rice noodles and rose water, and it's soooo refreshing after a heavy meal!
If you didn't know, London is known for their amazing Indian food, and Dishoom is one of the most well-known Indian chains in London. Although it wasn't the best Indian food I've ever had, the food was pretty good and the restaurant is really nice. There are many locations around the city so it's a great option if you pass by one while looking for your next meal!
The Hillgate, 24 Hillgate St, London W8 7SR, United Kingdom
During my trip with Donavan and Audrey, we were looking for a place to have a pre-dinner Aperol Spritz when we happened to find this little gastropub. Located in Nottinghill, it has an outdoor seating area right along the beautiful streets. It had a very local-vibe - it was fun to watch parents stopping in with a friend before picking their kids up from school. We only got drinks and small snacks, but I'm sure their entire menu is delicious. Another place I will come back to next time I'm in London!
Camino Bar and Grill, 2 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3BL, United Kingdom
An eclectic and vibrant Spanish restaurant in Shoreditch that we stopped at to enjoy some tapas and sangria for lunch. The outdoor patio was also really nice and I loved the relaxed vibe. A cute place to try if you're wanting a different cuisine!
Queen of Hoxton, 1 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3JX, United Kingdom
Okay so I found this rooftop bar/club on TikTok, and we went to check it out in hopes of being able to eat and get some drinks. Unfortunately they didn't have any food, so we went Camino which was close by, but if you wanted to enjoy a couple drinks during a summer day on the roof, this is the perfect spot! It's such a cool venue and I would also suggest making reservations ahead of time because it was packed.
Nostos Coffee, 10a Battersea Park Rd, Nine Elms, London SW8 4FF, United Kingdom
The first time I was in London this summer, we stayed near Battersea (I loved the area but didn't love our place) and one morning we just walked into this coffee shop. It was packed with locals (again - another great sign that you're in a good spot) and it was almost impossible to get a spot to sit. The coffee and croissants were great and it was a cute little place! Check it out if you find yourself on the other side of the river.
