Exploring London with Lindsey
I was incredibly lucky to call London HOME for almost 5 years. Here are some of my favorite places and things to do. I am a big history buff and Royal Family fan so you will see a theme here coming up.
Churchill War Rooms & Portobello Market
For tourist activities, I highly recommend doing the Churchhill War Rooms. It's the underground bunker used during the bombings in WW2. My favorite "touristy" thing here! It is featured in “The Darkest Hour” movie.
Definitely go to Borough Market on a Friday or Saturday - it’s foodie heaven.
Portobello Market on Friday or Saturday - all sorts of antiques and vintage items along with souvenirs. Lots of good food trucks. Try the donut place at the end. They have a creme brûlée cronut! This is in Notting Hill so make sure to walk around and see all the painted townhouses, too.
Tower of London & Kensington Palace
The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels are a must! The audio guide is good to do so you can go around and get the most out of it pretty quickly.
A pop by Buckingham Palace is always no e for a stroll. They offer tours at certain times of the year. I liked the tour I did in the fall of the carriages and staterooms.
Check the schedule online for Changing of the Guard. If you want to see it, you should get there at least an hour in advance to get a good spot. The best place to see it is on the steps of the Victoria Memorial out front in the middle of the roundabout.
You can take a tour of Kensington Palace and they usually have a small royal fashion exhibit. Walking in The Gardens and having afternoon tea in The Orangery is a nice treat when the weather is good. There is a memorial garden for Princess Diana that is very pretty.
St. Paul's, V&a, & Covent Garden Delights
I love St Paul's where Charles and Diana got married. Lots of history and there's a US military memorial in the back. You can climb all the way up to the top of the dome or halfway up to the whispering gallery. There's also a famous staircase inside that was in the Harry Potter films. If you go in, you should do the guided tour to get the most out of it.
The Victoria and Albert Museum is my favorite. They have a huge permanent fashion exhibit.
Covent Garden for shops & restaurants. This is where the first scene in “My Fair Lady” was filmed. Good place to walk around and pop into a pub. Big Easy BBQ right there on Maiden Lane has the best ribs I’ve ever had, and I grew up in the south!
London's Afternoon Tea Delights
Afternoon Tea - My favorite meal/ activity of the day!
Sketch has a pretty parlor for afternoon tea. They have other rooms for drinks and dinner. Make sure to visit the “loo” here! Fun place. Great decor. Must have a reservation. Their 2-star Michelin restaurant is one of the best meals we’ve ever had.
Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard
Beautiful views overlooking all of London. Options for classic English or Asian Afternoon Tea. Make sure to visit the “loo” here, too!
Restaurants & Nightlife in London
Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone. Must have a reservation. Go whenever you can get in!
The Edition Hotel has a cool lobby bar and a reservation-only Punch Room (it's easy just call). Berners Tavern is in the hotel too. Great bar and dinner. Very old London feel.
Bob Bob Ricard in SoHo is one of my favorite restaurants. Each table has a "push for champagne" button. Gorgeous inside! Nice bar area downstairs.
London's Culinary Delights
The Wolseley - get the Eggs Benedict
Milroy’s of Soho at 3 Greek St - Speakeasy. Go to the back, through the bookcase door, and down the stairs.
Dean Street Townhouse in Soho - cool bar, very British menu. Where Harry and Megan had their first date.
Mr Foggs is another favorite new place to get cocktails on Dean Street.
Kettners - Pretty French restaurant in Soho
Cicchetti - good Italian place right by Piccadilly Circus
Fumo - another good Italian right off Trafalgar Square
Cheerio!
