Introduction
Dave and I passed through London on our way to and from France to witness our friends get married. Though we were optimistic about exploring the United Kingdom’s capital city, our three full days in London went as such: jet-lag followed by a horrible flu, followed by a travel day to return home. Sometimes, this is just the reality of quick trips.
I didn’t get a chance to do much of my London wish list. I did, however, take a handful of photographs that I’m really proud of. So I wanted to create a space to showcase them. Plus, Dave and I managed to make some valuable memories between our shared bouts of body aches and chills.
Enjoy this glimpse into one of the most iconic cities in the world!
Day 1: The Jetlag
Coal Drops Yard
Coal Drops Yard is an amazing outdoor shopping center and public space. Plus, Screen on the Canal is nearby, which is where Londoners gather to watch movies and football matches. You can walk atop a series of footbridges overlooking the Regent's Canal or, to get closer to the water, you can walk or bike along the towpath, which totals 9 miles. We were lucky enough to see a canal boat navigating the lock.
Coal Drops Yard was a wonderful introduction to the city and a great place to relax in the English sunshine. Plus, we saw a glimpse into the country’s long history of using canals to transport and trade goods.
Westminster Bus Tour
Trafalgar Square in Westminster, with Big Ben peeking through the background. This site commemorates Britain's victory in the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar during the Napoleonic wars.
From Coal Drops Yard, we booked a bus tour, which took us through Trafalgar Square. We revisited this area time and time again. This, like many major squares in Europe, felt like the lifeblood to the city. We were surrounded by buskers, tourists, and locals alike.
Dating as far back as 1066, 40 English and British monarchs have been crowned at Westminster Abbey. This is also the burial site for 18 English, Scottish, and British monarchs.
From Trafalgar Square, we bussed South along the River Thames to see the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, the Palace of Westminster, which is the location of the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace.
All in all, this tour was very informative. I highly recommend this activity if you’re too tired to explore by foot, but desperately fighting to stay awake to win the war with jet-lag.
Fish and Chips
Founded in 1871, Rock & Sole Plaice is the oldest fish and chips restaurant in London.
Fried fish and chips made with a 152-year-old traditional recipe.
Rock & Sole Plaice in Covent Garden is one of the oldest “chippies” in the city. The portions were massive and the ambience was ideal for our first night in Europe. There was a slight wait, but you can book reservations in advance. We opted to sit inside and, though cramped, the dining area was comfortable. This meal was the perfect end to Day 1.
Day 2: The Flu
Brunch in Russell Square Gardens
Caffè Tropea s a charming Italian cafe surrounded by trees.
Desperately fighting a post-wedding flu, Dave and I took it easy this day. We slept in and got brunch at Caffè Tropea. This cafe is nestled beneath the trees of Russell Square Gardens, a public park located in the eclectic Bloomsbury neighborhood.
I would absolutely seek this place out the next time I’m in London. The menu blends Italian and English cuisine to create an absolutely cosy yet sophisticated atmosphere. We weren’t feeling well so we didn’t take full advantage of the options, but the orange juice and ciabatta were both 10/10.
The National Gallery
The lobby of the National Gallery, which is home to one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world.
I’m in love with an art lover. That means that, even when we are both fighting the flu, we never pass up the opportunity to visit a museum with free admission. Lucky for us, The National Gallery is both free and home to one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world.
The Gallery’s collection includes pieces by Caravaggio, da Vinci, Monet, Titian, and van Gogh. Of course, we saw them all. My favorite piece was the “Burlington House Cartoon,” which is one of Leonardo da Vinci’s hand sketches of an unfinished painting.
Covent Garden
Seven streets converge at the iconic Seven Dials Monument in Covent Garden.
Full of inspiration and another dose of antihistamines, we meandered back through Covent Garden, which is a shopping hub in London's West End. In addition to shops, Covent Garden is home to the Seven Dials Monument, which has a unique history and shares a name with an Agatha Christie novel: The Seven Dials Mystery. Beyond that, Covent Gardens also offers the Apple Market, which was once a world-famous fruit and vegetable market that now sells mostly handmade products. From Tuesday to Sunday, you can hunt for jewelry, art, and crafts. Then, every Monday, the vendors focus on antiques and collectibles.
We ended our stroll at the front steps of our hotel, where we proceeded to take a 3-hour nap.
Late Night Ramen
Hare and Tortoise is a Japanese restaurant with locations all over London, including Bloosmbury.
Craving comfort, we grabbed a post-nap meal at Hare and Tortoise in Bloomsbury. The ramen and jasmine tea worked wonders for our sore throats.
Day 3: The Travel Day
Coffee at Casa Jardim
Caffeinating at Casa Jardim before the big travel day back to North America.
After another 10 hours of sleep, Dave and I emerged from our cold-infested cocoon to grab some breakfast. Our hotel was a short walk to Casa Jardim, an adorable cafe filled with houseplants and vegan pastries. The food was good and the people watching was even better. We sat by a huge window and watched all the commuters heading to the nearby Underground stop.
From here, we took the Underground Piccadilly Line from the Russell Square stop in Bloomsbury back to Heathrow. The train ride took about an hour and then we settled into the terminal to await our flight back home.
Conclusion
Being sick while away from home is a scary, uncomfortable feeling. But I felt safe knowing Dave was right there with me. I love traveling together because we always make the most of any situation.
We filled most our time in London with naps, trips to the “chemist” (aka Boots Pharmacy), and a lot of British television, including shows like 8 Out Of 10 Cats (which we never determined a premise for). We also found little pockets of joy and many moments of laughter about how hilariously exhausted we felt.
I sense a redemption trip to London in my future. But, for the time being, I’m glad I have the memories depicted in this photo journal.