Visiting London
London is one of the best cities in the world. There are endless things to see and do. We hope that our friends & family can experience one of the most significant cities in our relationship and fall in love with the city’s charm as Olivia has.
Where to Stay…
We recommend staying as close to central London as possible, as it is easiest to get around from here and has some of the best things to do.
London’s public transportation is world renowned. make sure to take the Tube but walk when possible - you don’t want to miss the amazing architecture that is all around you! Use the easy-to-use app, “City Mapper” to help plan your journeys.
Some areas to stay that are in central London include:
Mayfair
Soho (Olivia’s personal fav)
St. James’s
Strand
Marylebone
What to Eat & Drink…
Dishoom
amazing Indian food. Small plate style so we recommend ordering a bunch to share. The ruby chicken and black daal are favorites. This is our favorite Indian restaurant we’ve ever been to. If you go to any of our recommendations - GO HERE.
Cecconi’s
we’ve gone to the Mayfair location and the one in The Ned. Olivia’s recommendation: go for a shop and a wander around Mayfair - especially Bond Street and Burlington Arcade - and then go here for lunch. We sat up at the bar and had bubbles, Cacio e Pepe and the chicken paillard. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere is great. We saw Gordon Ramsey here and apparently he eats here often!
Fortnum & Mason
Founded in the 1700s, its been a supplier to the British royal family for centuries. you can have afternoon tea here- super English and yummy. Definitely go with an empty stomach!! You get bottomless sandwiches and desserts. You can also just walk around the store - It’s beautiful with great quintessentially British gifts. They are known for their iconic hampers filled with lots of goodies.
Cafe Pacifico
Mexican restaurant in soho. Casual yet feels fun with a good atmosphere. Order the sangria and beef nachos as a starter! Sometimes there’s a mariachi band playing. You can go out to other bars in Soho and Seven Dials after.
Thai Square
Go to the Trafalgar Square location then walk around the square. Order the Aromatic Duck…We promise that you won’t be let down. Apparently there is a night club in the basement? Let us know how it is!
English Pubs
none in particular, there is one on every corner essentially - you’ll have to go at least once to experience true English culture. Order a Pimm’s or a pint! If you are here on a Sunday, Try and find a place with a Sunday roast which is a very English tradition (roast meat, gravy, sides and Yorkshire pudding!).
Sucre
delicious Argentinian restaurant in the heart of SoHo located in an old ballet studio. All of the starters and the branzino are delicious. George recommends walking to Little Italy after dinner, which is a quaint little restaurant that turns into a bar/dancing spot at night that his parents used to frequent when they were young!
Borough Market
If you’re a foodie, this is your spot. This is an outdoor food market with Amazing street food of all kinds. We recommend walking from here to the Tate Modern along the river. It’s a bit of a walk but it is lovely if the weather is nice. You can stop for a pint along the river.
What to do…
The West End
The West End is home to London’s iconic theater district. This area is very central and easy to get to. We recommend going to dinner in Soho and walking to your show. Olivia’s fav shows are Wicked, Les Mis, and Moulin Rouge!
Museums
There are plenty of museums in London. The NAtional Portrait Museum, The Tate Modern (Olivia’s fav), The Victoria & Albert Museum, The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The British Museum (George’s Fav), The Churchill War Rooms, plus many more.
The Tower of London
If you like history, there is a really awesome tour here! The tower is guarded by the famed Beefeaters. This is where all of the criminals were imprisoned and beheaded. This is also home of the royal crown jewels.
Soho
Great area to walk around. lots of charming stores, restaurants and bars to stumble into! Especially fun at night. Covent Garden and Seven Dials are both areas in SoHo that are super lively with lots to do.
Train to Paris
Take the Eurostar train to Paris from St. Pancras station in central London. It is about a 2hr train ride! Wonderful 2-3 day trip, but you can make this trip in a day if you time the train correctly. Ask Olivia for her list of Paris recommendations…
Buckingham Palace
There are plenty of tours here. See where the royals live and the iconic changing of the guard, then have a lovely stroll through Green Park and St. James’s Park. You Could walk up to Fortnum and Mason for afternoon Tea from here!
Liberty London
This is one of the first department stores, founded in 1875. Known for their unique and colorful textiles. Olivia recommends buying a very British keepsake from here - either a purse, wallet, or scarf in the Liberty print! There are lots of other well known brands here as well. Shop along Regent Street which is iconic London shopping, from high end to more affordable.
Westminster Abbey
One of the most famous churches in the world, located next to the Houses of Parliament and Big BEn. It is over 1,000 years old and has been the site of every British coronation since 1066. It is also a burial site for hundreds of notable people such as Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, Mary, Queen of Scots, and many more.