5 Things That Will Make You Fall in Love with London

How I fell in Love with London

Although I lived in England until I was 18, and then moved only as far as Scotland, by the age of 40 I had only visited London once!! Shocking I know! It didn’t take me long to fall in love with London though once I did visit. Why had I only been once? I’m going to share with you 5 things that will make you fall in love with London.

My family didn’t travel and my one visit was a day trip courtesy of my best friend’s family taking me along, I think I was maybe around 11? I can tell my age because of the extremely bad hair I have in the photos.

I had a great day. My strongest memory is of climbing the lions in Trafalgar Square and my friend getting annoyed with me because I banged her head on the lion’s mouth when we were taking a photo that looked as it if were eating her!! Don’t worry, you were allowed to climb the lions back in those days – I don’t recommend you trying it on your next visit! (P.S I did try to get the photo, but it sadly appears to be lost in the mists of time. Either that or deep in someone’s attic!)

More about fell in Love with London

I kid you not, the next time to London, I was 42 and taking a group of around 50 teenagers on a theatre based school trip. Isn’t it funny how we neglect to be tourists in our own countries? We take our own heritage so much for granted.

However, since that trip I’ve been around 5 more times in quick succession. I fell totally in love with London, it has really got under my skin. I too my daughter for a special weekend for her 16th birthday, I’ve taken more school trips and a couple of solo trips – such a different experience visiting without 30 plus teens following me about 😀

What I Love About London

I adore the architecture, the warm cream of the stones, and the tree-lined avenues. I enjoy the parks and museums; the possibility to acquire incredibly inexpensive last-minute theatrical tickets as a solitary female visitor; and the ease of getting around. I appreciate the variety of activities available – you may spend your day meandering through quaint neighborhoods with colorful buildings, dressing up for afternoon tea, or touring old heritage sites. On warm days, patrons flow out onto the pavements from bars, deck chairs are set out in St. James Park, and just thinking about it makes my heart sing.

I’m sure you can tell that I could wax lyrical about this for quite some time! Prior to visiting I think I had the impression that London would be a dirty, scary city, I don’t know why? But it is anything but. Let me give you 5 things to do in London that will make you fall in love with it too.

5 Things That Will Make You Fall in Love with London

1. Visit the Houses of Parliament

I absolutely recommend taking a tour of the Houses of Parliament. They are free for UK residents. I only went last October and was in awe of the history that is in the building. When you enter Westminster Hall on your arrival, look up. The hall is the oldest part of Parliament and the wooden roof survived the Great Fire of London in 1666. It dates back to 1393 and doesn’t have a single nail holding it together. It’s absolutely incredible.

And then you have to look down. The floor contains plaques in honour of some of the historical events that took place in that very room. Robert the Bruce was sentenced to death here. The trial of King Charles 1st was held here. It just blows my mind. #history geek! And that’s before you even begin to tour the rest of the building!

More about parliament building

Depending on what is happening in Parliament that day, usually you will get to see either the Commons Chamber where Parliament sits or the House of Lords Chamber. There are 2 other highlights for me. The first is the statue of Queen Victoria in the Prince’s Chamber. I love the story that Prince Albert had it commissioned to help her feel comfortable as she was the only women in the House at any time. As everything is still closed due to Corono-19 the UK PArliament have kindly put some virtual tours up on their webite 🙂 Here’s a wee glimpse of a tour: https://www.parliament.uk/g/modules/visiting/local-module-set-liz/

My second favourite was a tiny cupboard in which Emily Wilding Davison hid overnight in the crypt chapel in order to give her residence on the form as the Houses of Parliament.

There’s a plaque on the back of the door commemorating her and her protest.

Again – so much history!!

2. Take a walk along The Embankment

If you need a break from the weight of history pushing down on you take a walk across the Millennium Bridge and along the Embankment. Once a marshy edge of the Thames, this riverside walk will definitely help you fall in love with London.

Turn left and you will discover South Bank book Market sheltered under Waterloo Bridge. It’s open every day and has a wide variety of second -hand books, maps and prints. If you’re anything like me, the temptation will be too strong to resist.

Turn right instead to stroll for a view over the Thames that includes the Houses of Parliament down to Tower Bridge. there are numerous pubs alog the way to stop for refreshment. There’s also Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Cutty Sark, Southwark Catherdral, The National Theatre and Borough Market along the way.

Out damned spot! Out, I say!

The Globe, which is Shakespeare’s theatre, does actual performances during the summer months as well as daily tours and workshops. I love it and deeply respect Sam Wanamaker for reviving it. It’s wonderful to have this re-creation near where the original was built, as Shakespeare is such a significant part of our cultural heritage.

The National Theatre

I love the philosophy behind the National Theatre. The idea was to bring theatre to the masses, for it to be affordable, in order to make it available to all. It has charity status and has tickets for sale for as little as £10. There are 3 theatres within the complex and you can take a backstage tour, which is great fun. The theatre is open all day as a space to sit and work, offers free wi-fi and there are cafes open to the public. It also offers work experience placements if you are over 18.

The Golden Hind

The Golden Hind is a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship which circumnavigated the globe back in the 1700’s. This replica has itself sailed the equivalent mile of tracing the globe five times. Nowadays you can find it moored (check out my proper nautical terminology there 🙂 ) just south of Borough Market on the embankment and have a nosy around for only £5

Southwark Cathedral

Southwark Cathedral is most definitely worth a peek in at. It maybe doesn’t seem that much from the outside, tucked away as it is in a tight corner between Borough Market and the Thames. but, trust me, the inside is worth it. Beautiful stained glass windows and, if you time it right over lunch, you may find yourself, like I did, enjoying a free organ recital whilst you get your tourist on.

3. Visit Borough Market

Turn right instead and as you continue along the embankment you’ll pass Shakespeare’s Globe, which shouldn’t be dismissed so briefly. Sorry Shakespeare!! Shortly after you will come across Borough Market, which is a feast for the senses. Every type of food yo can imagein is on offer. From British staples like sausage and mash, to Pad Thai, curries, fried chicken and a huge variety of cakes. As I’m from Shetland, I was entertained by a stall advertising shellfish from my island home -it had travelled a long way!!

4. Take a stroll around Notting Hill

The 90’s chick flick Notting Hill made the area forever made famous for some of us ladies. I can’t promise you a Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant moment, but I can guarantee the cute coloured houses and cafes will have you swooning regardless. I followed a route from A Lady in London and totally recommend having a look at her site. She has lots of insider tips.

5. It was hard to narrow everything down in London to a fifth choice….

I decided to go with the theatre, because when I go to London I always binge on going to shows. I love a musical and Les Mis has to be my all time favourite, I’ve seen it 3 times now and would happily go again. The theatre district in London is in the West End, in the entertainment district surrounding Leicester Square and Covent Garden. There are around 40 theaters, so you’ll definitely find something you love. The area is also filled with bars and restaurants to help you create a complete evening of it.

A great tip, especially if you’re travelling solo, or you and your partner don’t mind sitting apart, is the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. It opens at 10am every day and sells last minute tickets for lots of shows. You can get absolute bargains.

If that doesn’t quench your inner thespian, you can also go on backstage tours of The Royal Opera House, Royal Drury Lane or the London Coliseum theatres.

I hope that these little tips help you to fall in love with London too on your next trip. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve been to any of these places, or which other bits of London you love.

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