I love London! You managed to pack so much into your trip! A book shop that has plenty of charm is Daunt Books and a lovely museum to go to is the Wallace Collection.
My first London trip was a bit miserable as well as I didn't plan accordingly. However, thanks to tour groups, I could hit most of the major tourist spots. Learning from that experience, I look up a highly rated tour with every new place I visit. Then, I just allow myself to explore 😊 That being said, the bookstore looks gorgeous, and this post made me want to go back!
I've never considered joining a tour but that sounds like a great idea! I usually have my own list of places but I think joining a tour for 1 or 2 days would still be fun. Thanks for the tip!
Interesting to see your experience of London. I live in the UK (in the far north of Scotland) and grew up only 70 miles from London. I used to love going there as a teenager (I am now 65😁)— walking round London nonchalantly used to make me feel so cool and grown-up!😂 I adored all the second hand bookshops in the Charing Cross Road, but when I spent a day there in the 2000s, it seemed to have changed so much. I think it might really help in London to know someone who can take you to good places—places where maybe the tourists don't necessarily go. Last time I went there, I was struck by how we seemed to be the only people around over about 40! It is so expensive to live there now, that young people rent (at extortionate prices) for a while and then move out. Far too busy for me now, but I have lively memories of it in the 70s—dirty, not so many people or shiny things, but a cool place to be😁 I recommend forging ties with someone who knows it well and will take you to places😊
You're right! I think traveling with someone whos more familiar would've given me a different experience. Maybe next time! I'll also add Charing Cross Road to my list. I think I was near that area but I'm not sure I checked it out. 😊
Sorry to butt in, Charing Cross doesn't have many bookshops left but nearby Cecil Court has some quirky shops selling maps, stamps, books and antiques :)
It's always been famous for its bookshops😊 Have you ever seen the movie "84 Charing Cross Road"? Beautiful movie charting the relationship over years between a man who owns a bookshop in London and a woman who lives in New York.
Your trip looks so fun! You didn't just do the classic landmarks 😊
I always plan my trips assuming I'm going to be sick and the weather is going to be terrible. It lowers my expectations, and I'm not as disappointed if something is closed or if it's too crowded. It never goes as planned, but that's the charm of it! 😌
I tried doing the same thing! Every day it would rain in Canada before my trip I would take note of it because I anticipated experiencing lots of rain in England too. 😊
My recommendation for London is .... not going to London. It's grey and crowded at any time of year, it's too big for a place so flat. Oh alright, if you went around Christmas there's a bus tour at night that's okay, and there's also a boat tour up the Thames that's funny if you get it on a day where the proper tour guide is off. The pilot ended up giving the tour off the top of his head, and he took immense glee in pointing out that the people who live in the expensive skyscrapers alongside the river aren't celebrities, but the people who sell cocaine to celebrities. I'm sure if I knew locals I would like London more because I'd find out where the fun places are.
Since you like landscapes, come up to the Lake District. I think it's the most beautiful place we have, although the Norfolk Broads is also nice.
If you like rugged cities, I think Manchester is better than London. It's full of art and music and history and still has it's jagged edges and realness right in your face rather than having to push through the bland touristy facade that London has. It has some of the best Mexican and Chinese food in the UK. It's full of weirdness and it just vibes with me in a way that no city really has before or since.
If you like Roman and Viking history, York is nice, and has a decent food scene.
Edinburgh is wonderful, beautiful, friendly and welcoming, but it is very hilly.
Thank you for the tips! I'll keep it in mind for next time because I know england is more than just london. London was a trip to get experience traveling. I has hoped it'd at least go better but I think I agree with your first sentence 😅
That bookstore looks amazing. Haven't been to London yet (well, apart from the airport), but will add the bookstore to the list of things to see when I finally get there.
I love London! You managed to pack so much into your trip! A book shop that has plenty of charm is Daunt Books and a lovely museum to go to is the Wallace Collection.
I haven't heard of that museum. I'll check it out next time!
My first London trip was a bit miserable as well as I didn't plan accordingly. However, thanks to tour groups, I could hit most of the major tourist spots. Learning from that experience, I look up a highly rated tour with every new place I visit. Then, I just allow myself to explore 😊 That being said, the bookstore looks gorgeous, and this post made me want to go back!
I've never considered joining a tour but that sounds like a great idea! I usually have my own list of places but I think joining a tour for 1 or 2 days would still be fun. Thanks for the tip!
Interesting to see your experience of London. I live in the UK (in the far north of Scotland) and grew up only 70 miles from London. I used to love going there as a teenager (I am now 65😁)— walking round London nonchalantly used to make me feel so cool and grown-up!😂 I adored all the second hand bookshops in the Charing Cross Road, but when I spent a day there in the 2000s, it seemed to have changed so much. I think it might really help in London to know someone who can take you to good places—places where maybe the tourists don't necessarily go. Last time I went there, I was struck by how we seemed to be the only people around over about 40! It is so expensive to live there now, that young people rent (at extortionate prices) for a while and then move out. Far too busy for me now, but I have lively memories of it in the 70s—dirty, not so many people or shiny things, but a cool place to be😁 I recommend forging ties with someone who knows it well and will take you to places😊
You're right! I think traveling with someone whos more familiar would've given me a different experience. Maybe next time! I'll also add Charing Cross Road to my list. I think I was near that area but I'm not sure I checked it out. 😊
Sorry to butt in, Charing Cross doesn't have many bookshops left but nearby Cecil Court has some quirky shops selling maps, stamps, books and antiques :)
That was the street I went to! I did see a few shops but if I remember clearly I think some hadn't opened yet since I was early. 😊
Thanks for "butting in"!😁 I haven't been to London in a VERY long time!
Unfortunately I haven't been back to London in a while after living there for 20 years, it has so much to offer!
It's always been famous for its bookshops😊 Have you ever seen the movie "84 Charing Cross Road"? Beautiful movie charting the relationship over years between a man who owns a bookshop in London and a woman who lives in New York.
I haven't but I have heard of it! Maybe I'll check it out one day 🙂
That should be ”lovely memories"*!
Your trip looks so fun! You didn't just do the classic landmarks 😊
I always plan my trips assuming I'm going to be sick and the weather is going to be terrible. It lowers my expectations, and I'm not as disappointed if something is closed or if it's too crowded. It never goes as planned, but that's the charm of it! 😌
I tried doing the same thing! Every day it would rain in Canada before my trip I would take note of it because I anticipated experiencing lots of rain in England too. 😊
My recommendation for London is .... not going to London. It's grey and crowded at any time of year, it's too big for a place so flat. Oh alright, if you went around Christmas there's a bus tour at night that's okay, and there's also a boat tour up the Thames that's funny if you get it on a day where the proper tour guide is off. The pilot ended up giving the tour off the top of his head, and he took immense glee in pointing out that the people who live in the expensive skyscrapers alongside the river aren't celebrities, but the people who sell cocaine to celebrities. I'm sure if I knew locals I would like London more because I'd find out where the fun places are.
Since you like landscapes, come up to the Lake District. I think it's the most beautiful place we have, although the Norfolk Broads is also nice.
If you like rugged cities, I think Manchester is better than London. It's full of art and music and history and still has it's jagged edges and realness right in your face rather than having to push through the bland touristy facade that London has. It has some of the best Mexican and Chinese food in the UK. It's full of weirdness and it just vibes with me in a way that no city really has before or since.
If you like Roman and Viking history, York is nice, and has a decent food scene.
Edinburgh is wonderful, beautiful, friendly and welcoming, but it is very hilly.
Thank you for the tips! I'll keep it in mind for next time because I know england is more than just london. London was a trip to get experience traveling. I has hoped it'd at least go better but I think I agree with your first sentence 😅
That bookstore looks amazing. Haven't been to London yet (well, apart from the airport), but will add the bookstore to the list of things to see when I finally get there.
The airport was an expereince in itself. Hope you get to visit one day!