A Cool Girls Guide to London
London is usually a city I always pop through- its easy and close from Chicago but its also a really common stopover for me when I'm going somewhere in Europe from Australia including for our honeymoon coming in October. Pair that with the many other...
Map
Where to Stay
Where we're staying on our Honeymoon! Budget friendly but still stylish. Personally I prefer to spend my money on restaurants and experiences then hotels but Ive also aged out of hostels- this fits the bill
Incredibly close to Piccadilly Circus, Westminster and Parliament
A tropical escape WITHIN London
Cozy, home-y and still luxe
Formerly the Ace Hotel where I've spent many drunken nights…
Another Shoreditch option if you'd like to stay in the trendy area
Pet friendly with a spa on site
If you'd like to stay in a more traditionally English type setting
I've mentioned The Corinthia in my Budapest List. Heres the London version.. I mean..the view
Romantic and Stylish with a Michelin restaurant on site
What to do/See
Shoreditch is the “cool” area. Its filled with great street art if thats your thing
The Go City pass if you want to knock out a bunch of stuff in one trip
Tickets for St. Pauls Cathedral
Food tour of the “cool” area. Fun fact, I dont have many tattoos but of the 2 I have- one of them was from a tattoo parlour in Shoreditch
London Eye tickets with a great view of Big Ben
Obviously check what shows are actually playing but if theatre if your thing- you're in the right place
Another one for the Harry Potter fans. Check out the Warner Brothers studio
This includes Tower of London, which tbh is really touristy but I really enjoyed. I loved seeing the Crown Jewels and where Anne Boleyn was held. If you're not a history buff you probably can skip this
Free Art Museum in London- Contemporary Art
Another free museum in London. So many are free though! You're spoilt for choice
Fun fact: Trafalgar is in the dead center of London
If you'd like to actually go inside Buckingham
Walking tour of Buckingham and Westminster. I don't believe this one actually goes inside Buckingham but I have added another one that does
Explore Nottinghill- plenty of cute and colorful houses to explore and admire. Plus this is near Portobello Market if thats ya thing
Tickets to go check out Westminster Abbey
If you're a Harry Potter fan, check out Platform 9 ¾- free!
A farm! With animals! In the middle of London! and its free to visit!
Lots of delicious food and trinkets. Buy a bracelet and place it on the Amy Winehouse statue :)
Winter only obviously. Ice skating at the Somerset House
Shopping at Harrods. Not something I would personally prioritize if you've only got a short time but if you want a shopping day its a great place to start
Tickets to go up to the top of the Shard
Used partly as inspo for Diagon Alley
If its a nice day, why not hop on a boat on the River Thames?
Quirky street with lots of shops. Sort of reminds me of Ted Lasso in a way
Everyone goes to Buckingham but did you know theres a lesser known Palace? And its Art Deco!
An underrated oasis that I highly recommend
Another FREE Art Gallery
Fun Quirky little shop. I mean why not?
A walkable tunnel underneath the Thames. Its not really a toursit site but still good to know it exists!
St Dunstens Church
Swim during summer
Where to Eat/Drink
London Food Tour. As much of a thing to do as it is a thing to eat
Near shoreditch. The go to is salt beef
Brunch spot with a great view of the gherkin
the inventor of the cronut. Just like the NYC version
London Cocktails made by star mixologists but in a cool English setting
You can't go to London and not go to a typical English pub
Another cocktail option with some very inventive options. I go here every time Im in town!
Eat Roast Chicken right under one of Damien Hirst's artwork
Before the famous recipe book- my first introduction to Ottolenghi- there was this
Its sort of Insta-famous and you can probably see why
I'm a Swiftie. I can't help it. This one is more for me- Next Im going to go to The Black Dog
Its a hotel you can stay at obviously but I recommend going for High Tea
Another high tea option, but way way more modern
I seek out Portuguese egg tarts in every city I go to. Dont ask me why, I just do
Eat inside a London train car
A restaurant but the only way to get in is through a sex shop
Quite literally dinner and a show
One of the best views in London
High fashun High Tea
Brunch spot in Chelsea
Market inside an old church
a reimagined ticketing office
Tours + Day Trips
If you'd rather someone find the hidden gems for you
Stonehenge and Bath day trip from London
If you want to see a bit more of the UK- going north to Edinburgh
3 day Guided Tour of London
4 Days in London- over New Years Eve
I would NOT recommend doing a day trip to Paris if you can avoid it. Taking the Eurostar is really easy and you should go yourself for at least 2-3 days minimum! However if you really, really cant- this is a great option to at least see it briefly!
Hop on Hop off Option for London
Remember when Taylor Swift sang about “The Lakes”? These are those lakes
Day trip to Brighton. Its kind of expensive though…if you're up for it I would recommend just taking the train down yourself!
When I think of England, THIS is what I think of
ETC
Traveling Tips and Necessities
Another option in addition to the tube. Travel by boat on the Thames. I don't really love that Uber runs this but such is life and this is 2024 I guess.
If you'd like an esim for the UK
Im a sl*t for good infrastructure. Thats probably a sentence you don't read every day. But I love a good public transport system and London does it well Heres the map. Use it! 😘