Before the pandemic changed everything about daily life, Joe and I were lucky to get in a trip abroad for his senior Spring Break. We spent considerable time in London visiting several close friends. It was my second visit (the first time being in October) and Joe’s first trip outside of North America, so we were both very excited. While there we had the luck of a few sunny days, but spend the rainy afternoons in museums. Here is a quick breakdown of the highlights of our sightseeing whirlwind (of course there will be separate post dedicated entirely to food).
We landed in the morning and took the Gatwick Express in to London. Joe took some rest while I re-toured the surrounding areas, then we met with our friend for dinner before seeing Cyrano de Bergerac at the Playhouse Theater. It was one of the final nights and I was beyond thrilled to be able to see one of my favorite actors, James McAvoy, live. The show was a wonderful adaptation and the perfect welcome to London.
The next day, post English breakfast, Joe and David did the Parliament tour while I did work in cafe. Afterwards we saw BUckingham, as one must, then with the sun out (barely) went out to Hampstead Heath as we heard the view was a good one. We ended up doing a good bit of muddy walking through the park in a half-rain but it was very enjoyable. We saw plenty of dogs and found a lovely view of London before heading back for pints at the pub.
The next morning post pancake breakfast we walked the bridge then went to the Brick Street Markets. I was disappointed at being too full for street food, but managed to find a book shop where I could buy a copy of Pride and Prejudice, which I had been meaning to re-read for some time. We went back towards Westminster for more sightseeing before our sushi dinner.
The next day started at the British Museum, which features my favorite interior. After a quick English breakfast we met with friends to attend a session of Parliament, which was beyond fascinating. The way the parties parry across the aisle and respond to each other’s formal quips was engaging and kept us enthralled until it was time to head to Westminster Abbey for a quick evening service. The choir sings at the evening service, and it was quite beautiful.
The next day was sunny, and Joe and I went off to see Abbey Road. Iconic photos obligatory, of course. Afterwards we attended afternoon tea, escaping the chill for a few hours in the name of scones. We spent the last daylight hours wandering from Notting Hill over to Kensington for a tour of the gift shop and Hyde Park.
Of course we wouldn’t get two sunny days in a row, but we escaped the rain the next day indoors at the National Gallery. Joe and I went to Covent Garden after to see the James Bond auto exhibit (post to come) which was fascinating, and possibly my favorite museum because I had been to the rest previously. We visited Harrod’s and bought some truffles before heading to the pub once again.
Our final day started with perusing Daunt books before escaping the rain yet again in the V&A museum. Later that night I took an obligatory walk down Bond street to window shop after dark. And just like that, our time in London was ar an end and Munich was calling. I managed to get a jog in before our Friday flight, and almost died running up Primrose Hill but it was worth it for this final sunny view.
~KS
Katydid in NYC 