LONDON
LONDON was on our list for the long time and our visit there was incredibly intense. Within just a few days during our stay in June 2023 we had a chance to explore this dynamic and multicultural city with its historic landmarks, business centers, incredible views, world-class museums, excellent theater scene and diverse districts. Despite the fact we hoped for some charming rainy day, our stay there was full of sun!
We checked into a cozy hotel in the heart of the Canary Wharf, located close to the Elisabeth Line Underground as it was easier to start exploring the city. Canary Wharf is known for its impressive skyline and it is full of modern architecture buildings. Canary Wharf offers also a wide selection of restaurants and bars for people to have some after-hours meet up or to just enjoy dinner with the family and friends at the pontoons on the river.
There was no time to waste, so on the next day we started with exploring Notting Hill, which is one of the London’s most charming neighborhoods. Notting Hill is famous for its colorful houses. It was worth to take a walk through the neighborhood to admire the charming facades which has been backdrop for many films. In the heart of Notting Hill you can find the Portobello Market located, famous for its stalls and shops. Here you can find a little bit of everything: antiques, vintage clothing, jewelry, art and food. After the long walk it was worth to step by to Kensington Gardens for some rest, which are just a short walk away from Notting Hill. Kensington Palace, located there, has been a royal residence for the many British Royal Family members, including “the queen of hearts” Diana.
Our stay in London would be incomplete without some viewpoints photos. On the next day we decided to take our chance to find some and we have started with exploring the “City of London”. It is one of the most important business districts in the world and serves as the heart of London’s financial and professional services sector. One of the most popular viewpoint here is the Sky Garden located at 20 Fenchurch Street, this public garden beside the views offers a bar and restaurant. The entrance is free but you need to sign up earlier on the website, which unfortunately we missed. As it turned out it was not hard to find another one, just a few streets later we stopped by at the Garden at 120. It was free of charge and non prior registration was required. This public rooftop garden is located at 120 Fenchurch Street and offers a serene green space with panoramic views of the city skyline including the Thames River, Towers Bridge and the Shard.
It may be surprising, but just walking in London is an experience itself. On every corner there is something to be found. In our case it was enough to take just a stroll along the Thames river to find stunning views of iconic landmarks like the Tower Bridge, the views on the City or hidden between skyscrapers food markets. All off that in the June flowers bloom season.
The last viewpoint we have visited is located in the Greenwich district. Taking the trip there turned out to be the perfect plan for the evening, as we ended having a picnic at the hill of the Greenwich Park with the view of the Canary Wharf across the river. That gave us the chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, but still enjoy the city view. The center of Greenwich is also a charming area with historic streets, shops, cafes and restaurants, easy to explore on foot.
The London trip would be incomplete without seeing its historic part. We saved few days for the Westminster. This historic district is located in the heart of central London where iconic spots are located like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street and the majestic Big Ben. The district is quite wide, so it is worth to take one of the hop-on/hop-off red buses to see them all. After the long walk there we decided to have a break in a nearby British pub and taste famous meal of fish and chips.
More food and cultural entertainment can be found in Soho. This district is a fantastic destination for culinary experience, as there is located a wide range of international cuisines restaurants as well the street food markets. Soho is the cultural center with variety of theatres, comedy clubs and art galleries can be found, which make it fantastic destination for cultural experience. The combination of the cuisine and festive atmosphere can be found at Chinatown located there. We were surprised with wide variety of special street decorations there, including lanterns, banners, and Chinese zodiac symbols.
We took our chance while being in London and bought tickets to the musical as well. Our choice was “The Lion King” performed at the Lyceum Theatre in London. This production is an impressive stage adaptation of the famous Disney movie. The musical incorporates incredible costumes and breathtaking sets design to bring the African savannah and its animal characters to life on stage. Seeing that in the historic theater located in the Covent Garden area of London’s West End make it even more special.
On our last days we decided to visit British Museum and the Natural History Museum, which were free of charge. The British Museum houses a vast and diverse collection of art and artifacts from all over the world, spanning centuries and civilizations. The Natural History Museum on the other hand houses an extensive collection of specimens, including fossils, minerals and rocks.
To describe the whole wonders of the London is not an easy task. Within a few days stay we had a chance to explore just a part of this city, it has indeed much more to offer!