A quick weekend in a bustling London Town

The main purpose of this trip was to see the NFL Bears vs Raiders game in Tottenham Stadium. It was fun to see how many American football fans traveled for the game and it was especially fun to see how locals embraced the event and wore their favorite NFL attire. My favorite part of the game was overhearing avid rugby fans compare and contrast the strategy of rugby vs. American football!

Helpful Tips:

• Like many cities, pretty crime can occur. Try not to look totally lost and frustrated and keep track of your belongings.
• Always carry an umbrella. Lots of friendly locals we spoke to said they loved London, but you always have to be prepared for rain. It could look like a perfect sunny day outside, but the rain could roll in within a matter of minutes.
• London can be broken down into many neighborhoods including Chelsea, Greenwich, Kensington, Soho, and more than 40 more. Breaking down your trip by neighborhood is a good way to maximize your day.
• As of August 2017, Big Ben is under renovation. They expect to be finished around 2021, hopefully. It was covered in scaffolding when we went.

Sites Around London

The City

• See where a walk takes you
  • I love to walk. For me, walking around gives you the chance to see more than you would in a quick car ride to your next destination. I especially loved admiring the contrast of skyscrapers and historic narrow streets while walking around The City.
• The River Thames
  • There’s a lovely walk along the river, called Old Watermen’s Walk. There are lots of restaurants and shops as you make your way down.
• Millennium Bridge
  • The famous steel suspension bridge. Harry Potter fans- this bridge is in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the film.
• London Bridge
  • it’s not falling down
• Tower Bridge
  • Don’t forget to take your picture of this iconic structure. If only David Beckham was a permanent icon there…
• The Tower of London
  • It seems most people visit to catch a glimpse of the Crown Jewels, but if you love history, this is the place for you. This is the site of many of England’s historic events. It has served as a fortress, palace, prison, arsenal, and jewel house.
  • Tips
    • There are beautiful views of Tower Bridge
    • Buy your tickets online in advance. It’ll save you lots of time. The ticket line we saw outside was crazy long.
    • If you’re interested in seeing the Crown Jewels, go early or keep your eye on the line. We noticed the popularity of the line fluctuated. We went first thing in the morning, so we had no problem with seeing it promptly.
    • The amount of time spent here depends on how much you read, how much you want to see, and how busy the day is.
• Leadenhall Market
  • I’m clearly a Harry Potter fan… Leadenhall Market is Diagon Alley!
  • This is a beautiful Victorian covered market with shops and restaurants. However, it’s important to know that the market is more of a weekday spot than a weekend. We were here on a Saturday, and most of the stores were closed. Luckily, a few restaurants were open so we grabbed lunch.

King’s Cross

• King’s Cross Station
  • This is a famous and very busy train station in London. Go for the people watching, or if you’re like me, go for the Harry Potter love.
  • Of course, there’s a Harry Potter store with a setup Platform 9 ¾ photo opportunity. There’s a long line, of course. The worker told us that coming 20 minutes before opening is usually a good time to get in line without waiting too long and that the typical wait time is 45ish minutes.
• Pancras Station
  • This is a beautiful railway station with shops and restaurants. We went to Searcy’s for afternoon tea!

Buckingham Palace

• The Changing of the Guards
  • Watching the ceremony is free! The ceremony begins at St. James’s Palace while the Old Guard leaves to make way to Buckingham Palace. You can watch the march, changing of the guards, and the musical numbers. The music selection changes, but we were able to hear some patriotic songs, the theme from Jurassic Park, and a short medley of The Beatles.
  • Tips for Changing of the Guards
    • The times often change, so it’s recommended you check and double-check the website for the schedule. The ceremony is subject to cancellation if the weather is unfavorable.
  • The entire ceremony lasts about 45 minutes.
  • Go early to get your viewpoint. We got there 35 minutes prior during the off-season, and the crowd was already starting to build up. We were able to get a view near the gate but were the second row back.
  • The guards will remind you to watch your belongings, as pickpocketing does occur. The guard near us had cheeky humor, so it wasn’t so gloomy of a message. However, do keep an eye on your belongings.
  • Bring water. Once you get your preferred spot, you won’t want to leave it until it’s all done.
  • You’re going to be in a crowd of people…. Be patient and be kind. You’re all there because you’re interested in seeing the same event.

Westminster

• Westminster Abbey
  • An iconic destination for visitors. Make sure you check the times if you want to visit inside. They are closed during services and every Sunday.
• 10 Downing Street
  • The headquarters of the UK Government and the residence of the Prime Minister. Yes, there are guards outside. No, you cannot go past them just for a photo…
• Trafalgar Square
  • Busy and historically important square. You’ll see lots of people taking pictures, eating, drinking, and generally hanging out.
• The National Gallery
  • The famous art gallery is free to enter. Their large collection includes pieces from Monet, Rembrandt, van Gogh, Michelangelo, and so many more artists. It’s such a special gallery and impressive that it’s free to the public.

Interested in reading what I ate and drank in London? 

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