Just Touched Down in London Town
“A bad day in London is better than a good day anywhere else.”
As I walked through London on a miraculously warm day in October, I saw this phrase written on a wall and it stuck with me throughout my entire trip.
Full transparency, I don’t think it is possible to have a bad day in London, but all the same, there are few places in the world that I would rather be than here!
Anywhere I travel to, I try to immerse myself in that location as a “local” as much as possible to see if I can envision myself living there, and in London, that answer is a resounding YES. While it remains one of the largest cities in the world, London still has a unique ability to present itself as quaint and charming, with distinctive districts and neighborhoods that all work seamlessly together to create a prideful patchwork that makes up this incredibly diverse melting pot.
The Big Smoke truly is a city set apart on its own, filled to the brim with activities for every type of traveler. Architecture, check. History, check. Culture, check. Diversity, check. Sports, check. Good food, check (I promise the food is actually really good!).
I only had a a little over a week to explore and enjoy all things London, so I would absolutely recommend more time if your schedule permits so you won’t be so knackered! However, I still managed to soak up as much of this lovely city as possible in my short trip and I can’t wait to share my favorite aspects of the capital of England, so grab a cuppa and dive on in!
Must See for First Timers
Let’s face it, London is chock-full of tourist attractions, but I honestly believe that anyone visiting for the first time should embrace it! Below are some of the most popular (and yes, busy) sites in the city. They are acclaimed and sought-after for a reason, so get on your walking shoes and don’t miss these remarkable locations!
Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
Buckingham Palace
London Eye
Tower Bridge and Tower of London
My London Favorites
Now that you have seen some of the iconic highlights of London, it is time to delve into some of my personal favorites that pleasantly surprised me on my trip!
The Royal Parks
Rooftops/Observation Decks
Borough Market
Famous Museums
A Magical Adventure
Inevitably there is always one part of any vacation that seems to top all of the others, and for me that was a visit to the Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter. For any kid like me who quite literally grew up with Harry Potter, a day trip to visit the actual sets and studios where my favorite books came to life is one of the most noteworthy and significant experiences in my entire travel life. This tour affords guests to get a true behind-the-scenes glimpse into how each movie was made over 10 years, from the genuine props our favorite actors used to the authentic costumes they wore. You will be able to gape at the Great Hall, traipse through the Forbidden Forest, and dodge dragons at Gringotts, all while seeing the elaborate magic of visual effects and unbelievable creations from the art departments that devised such a prosperous film franchise. Grab a butter beer and hop on the Hogwarts Express but remember, tickets can sell out months in advance as this is a very popular destination that is only a 30 minute train ride from central London, so book as soon as possible! I cannot overstate how extraordinary this tour was!
An Overtime Bonus
Other than the reward of getting to come back to one of my most beloved cities, the predominant reason for my visit to London was for an NFL game between my favorite team, the Denver Broncos, and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium! This was a true bucket list item for this sports obsessed traveler, and even if you are not a fan of (American) football, the Brits created an astounding atmosphere that is unimaginable unless you witness it in person. It was also a lot more enjoyable when your team wins too!
Cheers, London!
No amount of time is ever enough in a place as exciting and distinguished as London, but I am chuffed that I was able to spend my second trip here doing all of the things I love to do! I already cannot wait to plan my next trip here and I hope my post helps you plan yours! Until then, I will be dreaming of my next adventure to good ole London Town!
