I can’t lie, London is a pretty city. This is how I spent my day yesterday:
(Window)shopping on Oxford Street, one of London’s main shopping throughfares. I say window-shopping because I am still unemployed (sadness!) and thus have very little discretionary income to spend on yet another pair of cute boots. But oh, how I want to just buy, buy, buy- you know how much I love to shop! I DID, however, spend 45 minutes trying on jean leggings in Uniqlo on Oxford yesterday. Sigh. (Sidenote: can you believe they have already put up Xmas decorations!?! It’s not even Halloween yet!)
In the late afternoon I went to the gym close to where Liebling works (I figure that since I’m unemployed I might as well use all my free time to get fit!). But this isn’t just any gym; it has the distinct honour of being located next to St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is a pretty impressive looking place of worship if I’ve ever seen one. It also happens to be the cathedral where Princess Diana and Prince Charles got married. I caught a few glimpses of the place as I was walking into my gym.
It was on the way out of the gym, after a tiring workout, that I fell in love (yes, I know I am dramatic). St. Paul’s by night is gorgeous. Downtown London by night is gorgeous.
I then quickly walked 5 minutes to meet Liebling where he works (what could be better than being able to meet up with my love muffin every day after work after 1.5 years of living a continent apart?). And then we were off to a first meeting with fellow blogger Fned and her hubby, where we had a great time getting to know each other over dinner at a yummy Mexican place.
Moving to London = WIN.
What are some of your favourite London tourist sites or places to shop/eat/carouse? If you’ve never been to London, what would you like to do or see?
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62 Comments
I haven't been to london since I was 11, so I don't have tons of memories of just hanging out there. So I think that's what I'd do. Just wonder the streets.
You had me until that comment about yummy Mexican food. Lots of good ethnic food in London, but none of it is Mexican.
Ahh drat, I still haven't sent that coin purse but now I know you're there I'll get on it this weekend! Ahhh London, I do love it even though I've never lived it.
I need to go there! I love that you linked a definition for 'love muffin' 🙂
I have never been to London, and I am not sure how close my dream destination is to London, but I would love to visit some quaint English villages in the countryside. Any plans to visit so I can live vicariously through your pics?
I LOVE that you guys get to see each other every day now!! It must be so nice after all that time apart. 🙂
I also love that you met up with Fned and her hubby – it's a small world, I know them back from their Paris days!!
Go vintage shopping around Spitalfields, check out the exhibitions at the Whitechapel, enjoy Borough Market, where you can buy ANYTHING, and hang out south of the river for the great street art. Also, just a friendly tip:it's 'central' London, not 'downtown' London. London doesn't really have a downtown as such, as each borough has its own particular high street bits.
I've been to London three times and each time it has been unbearably cold. But…I still loved it. It is indeed beautiful.
Yay! you moved to London – can't wait to read your adventures… I second Spitalfields. Covent Garden is nice. I love the Camden Markets, Regents Canal and Regent's Park is so pretty.
Notting Hill, Portobello Rd. specifically, is my favorite! I also love gazing at that skyline of the parliament 🙂
When you get a chance, god visit Cornwall. Gorgeous part of the country (southern England).
London (or rather, parts of it) is gorgoeus with old, usually beautifully maintained architecture. They have a mania here for preserving buildings & the original feautures within so for me who adores history it's great. Venturing further out of Central London may not be as pretty, if anything many areas are downright grim or dare I say it, dirty. London does hold a certain magic and charm when one is footloose and not working (or needing to) but it's a whole different ballgame otherwise. I have lived here (on and off for 20 years; fully for 6) and I do have mixed feelings about it.
I guess for me, much of the magic has worn off and I can take it or leave it.:)
Have fun!
PS: a few other places to try great food
1. Wagamama – pretty much authentic asian/fusion cuisine. It's a chain but has maintained standards.
2. Mango tree restaurant, Grosvenor place. Delicious Thai food and Dim sum.
3.Yo sushi-they are literally everywhere..:)
4. Nandos! Is there a Nandos in the States or Canada? Really nice chicken basted with a choice of yummy sauces – if you REALLY like chicken..
5.Prezzo ( a chain, again:)) but have lovely Italian food.
Camden-town was literally the only place I loved in London. So many shops with really awesome clothes!
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Also, I lived in london for 10 years and it is the best place in world for me!
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So awesome! I love that you're falling in love with your new home! And really, I think the rose colored glasses may never come off now that you and Liebling are FINALLY together in the same country, once and for all (? maybe?)!
My favorite place to visit in London, though I am deathly afraid of heights is the London Eye, because on December 29, 2005, my now husband proposed atop the Eye. I'm an American and he is a Brit from Manchester and I was meeting his family and visiting London for the first time. Last time we visited (2010), we started looking into buying studio flats in Central London. The plan is to hopefully buy in 2013.
London looks really cool. I love European buildings. Aw, you sound so in love and happy. Sweet.
You're in London at the best time for the seasonal changes! It seems you're settling in quickly. Congrats. You'll have a job soon, so enjoy a few days off.
I know you don't like museums but I like the Tate and the National Potrait Gallery. I also love Top Shop and any UK chains we can't get in North America (although we do have Top Shop now). There was a place where you can get salt fish on a bagel but I am forgetting the name. 🙂
Some of my favorite places in London have been Bricklane and Spitalfield with numerous food vendors and vintage clothes. I also like to go to reggae bars and listen to live music in Brixton and shorditch.
I"ve have never been to London, but I would love to go there some day!
Thanks for your comment!
First: Welcome to my side of the big Pond!. Hope you'll enjoy it so much, you'd want to stay!!!!.
I agree about Camden market, Notting hill, but Oxford is also busy cute for shopping. A ferry across the Thames is very nice on a (sunny) Sunday. There are lovely businesses, restaurants(albeit pricey) around the river front. I thought going to see the Foos at Wembley was mind boggling. Soooo many people. I felt faint. What I enjoyed most though is just stopping in any pub, having a pint and meeting random people….
Would be interested in knowing how you're faring with the English accent?.
London is definitely on my list of European cities to visit. Like NYC, London is a pretty large with so much to see and do! I wouldn't know where to start.
London's a pretty easy city to fall in love with, and the fact that you're in love must make it even more magical/special. Definitely check out Brick Lane and browse through the classic vintage,then eat some good food.
London's a pretty easy city to fall in love with, and the fact that you're in love must make it even more magical/special. Definitely check out Brick Lane and browse through the classic vintage,then eat some good food.
I was going to say nearly the exact same thing as Try Anything Once ( except I didn't know you didn't like museums). Also, clubs! I'm not a big club person, but somewhere like London you have to go dancing.
I l-u-v London. Nice pics as usual. Enjoy the city for those of use who can't be there.
*us
You're making me so excited to get back to London – it's such a beautiful city, especially with Christmas decorations up (even though I agree that it's way too early!). Plus of course I'm looking forward to seeing you again!
My time spent in London was spent wandering aimlessly, restricted by the district I had chosen for the day to minimize subway fare.
I really liked walking through The Borough and Southwark where the streets become tiny congested brick alleys and you almost feel like you're crawling through an underground maze. But the encroachment of real estate progress and vast sums of money is pretty evident which adds a level of frustration.
I'll second Glam Noir's nod to Brick Lane, although I only waltzed through quickly fairly late at night. Definitely looked like a place to lurk around for a different side of the city. Although someone actually tried to sell me 'bammer weed' which, where I come from, is like telling someone these are fake Rolexes in your coat.
Oh yeah, Bishop's Park in Fulham and the adjoining gardens are nice if the weather's good. Same with the south river walk across the Hammersmith and Putney bridges is nice because it hasn't been civilized yet.
@Deidre: I think I'm more of a street wanderer, myself!
@Monique: Really? The place we went to was pretty decent and the friend we went there with was Mexican and gave it the seal of approval.
@Little Gumnut: Yay! Looking forward to the coinpurse so send it when you can.
@thobeka: I figured I'd put the definition for those who weren't familiar.. 😉
@Mae: We are actually thinking of making some weekend trips to Cornwall, Liverpool, and Kent in the new year so stay tuned!
@Ksam: It is the BEST THING EVER. We look at each other randomly and grin like idiots because we can't believe we made it work! And that's so cool that you know Fned & hubby as well! We should all do a meetup in Paris.
@Anon: Thanks for the tip! As I was writing this I was thinking, "darn, I know downtown isn't the proper term" but I couldn't remember what it was called.. 🙂 I'll be living a stone's throw away from Spitalfields and Whitechapel so will be sure to check it out.
@Teresa: The first time I came back in 2003 it was December and bitterly cold! Not looking forward to winter here.
@Elsa: I heartily agree with all of your recommendations!
@Ashley: I've seen pics of Cornwall and have put it on my list. It is stunning!
@Sprite: You are amazing as I love to eat…. We do have Nando's in Canada but have only been there once. It was really tasty. Will eat at a few of these and report back! Thanks!!
@Risse: I think I may go there sometime this week!
@Maryam: Where did you live in London?
@Kyle: You know, maybe it IS the rose-coloured glasses as being in the same place as L that is making me fall in love with London- but I'm not complaining. Lol!
@clevagirl73: Awww! What a lovely and romantic proposal that must have been! I really want to do the London Eye- I've been advised that you get a really great view of the city, particularly the Northern end.
@Rhona: I SO am!!
@Faith: Thanks! I"m currently on the job hunt and hoping for something soon!
@Terri: Salt fish on a bagel sounds good to me! Let me knwo when you remember the name. I don't like museums but I think I will eventually go to the Tate- how could I not?
@Glam_noir: Hoping to go to Brixton sometime next week!
@Nicole: It's far from HK but not so far from Germany. 🙂
@foosrock: Thanks for the welcome!!!! I had my first Friday night pub experience a few nights ago. 🙂
@Diana: I agree that sometimes it can be so overwhelming! Vast and so many things going on!
@lettersfromval: It most definitely is more magical when you're in love, I agree!
@ramblinbess: I'm not a big club-goer either but will definitely sample while I'm here!
@Aritul: Thanks and I will!
@Emily: I can't wait until you get here!!! Triple date with Fned and hubby, I already told her we need to find a cool place to eat dinner so you can do a review for your blog!
@legrandezombie: Bammer weed sounds like a special sort of grass from Alabama to my ears…:-) Tube fare is so expensive and restrictive but glad that you managed to make your way around despite it!
Oh man I LOVE London! I wish I could live there! Like Terri, I HIGHLY suggest you go to Tate Modern. It is my absolute favorite museum. Go shopping in Covent Garden, I got a lot of really nice things there. Oh and you have to have a picnic in Hyde Park, hopefully the grass is actually green, because last time I went it was extremely dry!
OK I'm all late as usual, but can I just say I'm super jealous you're in London? Love, love, love that city! Brussels just doesn't have the same quality about it.
Congratulations! You've made your dream into reality!
I'm so happy for you and your Liebling. Ciao Bella!
@Naomi P: Thanks for the travel recs!
@ABCiE: You will just have to come back here on a permanent basis.. 😉
@Felicia: Awww! Thanks!
I LOVE LONDON! I'm so jealous of you right now. My favorite tourist spot is definitely Westminster Abbey – so much of England's history in one place.
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