Stephanie's Travel Diary

Last Friday my mom and I flew to London for the weekend. We both had never been to London in the winter and we wanted to see the London-Christmas-vibe in real life.
If you want to read more about my other trips to London, click here.

Friday

After a quick stop in our hotel (we stayed at The Kingsley) we took the tube to the Tower of London. We walked over the Tower Bridge and visited the Christmas market along the Thames. There were loads of little wooden huts where food, drinks and Christmassy-things were sold. Because it was the afternoon, we bought some samosa’s and some churrios- both were good.


Then we walked over another bridge, passed by St’ Pauls Cathedral and took the metro to Picadilly Circus. We walked along Regent Street, which had the most beautiful Christmas lights.

Later we walked along Oxford Street and saw that the big shops where decorated for Christmas too.
Fridaynight we ate at Prezzo, an Italian restaurant that had good food for a reasonable price and was close to our hotel.

Saturday

We had breakfast at Pret-a-manger, because that is always tasty and cheap. After breakfast we took the metro to Knightbridge, walked along Harrods to the Victoria and Albert museum. This was a lovely museum; a huge collection, interesting exhibitions and the best of all- it was free.


Afterwards we walked to Kensington Palace for an afternoon tea at the Pavillion. The interior was lovely and the staff was friendly. The sandwiches were not very special, but the cakes were good.

Then we visited Kensington Palace and an exhibition about Diana’s dresses. Although it was not very big, it was very interesting to see.

Then we walked through the Royal Gardens to Harrods. But it was so extremely crowded that we quickly left Harrods again after buying some tea.

We walked to Hyde Park to see Winter Wonderland. Again this was very busy. The Bar Ice was a fun. After, we bought some Catbury’s hot chocolate and walked around. There were some very busy parts.

Then we walked out of Hyde Park, through the Mayfair-area to Picadilly Circus, because we have made a reservation at Jamie’s Italian. My mom went for the prawn linguine and I chose the bolognese ragu. We both enjoyed it very much. The atmosphere was relaxed, the food was tasty and the staff was very friendly.

Sunday
After a breakfast at Pret-a-manger, we took the metro to Trafalger Square. We walked around, walked along Strand Street and looked out over the Thames.

Then we visited the National Portrait Gallery. Which has loads of portraits of famous English people. From the Stuart’s and the Tudor’s to queen Victoria etc. It was a nice museum.
After th museum, we went back to the hotel (yay for late check-out!), took the metro to Liverpoolstreet, bought some sandwiches and took the train to Southend Airport. I bought a Black Forest Hot Chocolate at Costa and it was very good!

-> Have you been to London around Christmas time? What was your favorite thing to see there?