Some of My Favorite Spots in London

Over the years of dating my boyfriend---who is currently my fiancé, we have been on several trips to London! He lives in Oxford, which is about 45 minutes from the global city.

During my first trip to the big city, we went on a touristy boat tour and rode the London Eye. If you are looking for something a little different, here are some recommendations of some of our favorite spots from our visits there <3

See a play at Shakespeare's Globe

Shakespeare's Globe is a reconstruction of the Elizabethan playhouse, where William Shakespeare wrote his plays. It is a three-minute walk from the Millennium Bridge in London, which makes it a convenient stop for a London itinerary. The theater aims to harness the power of performance, cultivate intellectual curiosity, and excite learning to viewers from all around the world.

There are two performance venues, one outdoor and one indoor theater. My fiancé, Kieran, and I have really enjoyed our experience in seeing plays at the outdoor theater. Even with rain, there is cover for those who are not sitting in the yard. We have sat in the yard before because tickets are relatively cheap for that option. However, we did have to stand the entire time and it was crowded prior to COVID-19 protocols. If these aspects do not bother you, then I would recommend saving your money and choosing to stand in the yard as you could always wear a rain poncho. The plays are definitely worth it.

We watched "Much Ado About Nothing" in 2017, which I had never read before watching the play. I thought I would be confused since I did not know what it was about, but I was able to catch on easily. The cast members were captivating with their performance, making every minute of it engaging and vibrant to the audience.

We recently saw "Romeo and Juliet" during the summer of 2021. Although I have read this play many times throughout my life, Shakespeare's Globe demonstrated a new perspective on this tragedy. The city of Verona is depicted in a modern landscape. The play highlights major themes such as social sickness, gang violence, youth disillusionment, and trauma. Although this content may be sensitive or triggering for many people, I admired how educational the play was about statistics in our actual society. It felt like a wake-up call. Alfred Enoch (Romeo), Adam Gillen (Mercutio), and Sirine Saba (nurse) were personally my favorite cast members.

Visit Portobello Market, Grab a Pint at the Churchill's Arms,

& Enjoy the Beauty of Kensington Gardens

Notting Hill is a colorful neighborhood in London with old-fashioned charm, which is a short walk to Portobello Market. As one of the world's largest antiques market, there are over 1,000 dealers selling different collectibles. Since I was visiting from abroad, I found many options for souvenirs to give to my family and friends. The market's main trading day is on Saturday, so make sure you arrive early as it gets very crowded with people. Portobello Market is also fitting for lovers of fashion, food, books, and music.

When Kieran and I travel to London, we arrive into the city on a bus from Oxford. Therefore, we rely on public transport to get us from one place to the next. After our visit to the market, we used London's public cycle hire scheme--Santander Cycles. It was a convenient way to get around the area, in which we headed to a pub for some drinks!

The Churchill Arms is known for its recognizable flowers and Churchill memorabilia, but it also serves real ales and authentic Thai cuisine. The staff were friendly, offering their suggestions on popular drinks to order. The interior decorations were also interesting. Kieran and I were able to relax while we enjoyed our pints of beer.

London has eight Royal Parks, including Kensington Gardens--which covers an area of 265 acres. Kensington Palace is the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but parts of the palace are open to the public. I loved walking around the garden because it has more of a private character compared to other parks in the city. Located on the other side of the Serpentine Bridge, Hyde Park is just a short walk away. You could easily spend the entire day in these parks as they offer a tranquil atmosphere. If I was there longer, I would love to sit by the park to read or have a picnic with friends. The Buckingham Palace is on the other side of Hyde Park, which is the Queen's residence. I enjoyed watching the guards and their serious demeanor :)

Wander Around Camden Town

Before heading towards Camden Town, Kieran and I had to stop at King's Cross Station. Although most people come here to travel, we came here for the sole purpose of witnessing Platform 9 3⁄4 from the Harry Potter series. Part of a luggage trolley was installed into the wall along with a sign for photo ops, but the line was ridiculously long. We were happy just taking a selfie from afar. We also had to go in the gift shop of course.

About a mile away, we eventually ended up in Camden--passing many crazy and eccentric shop fronts along the way. This area also has a ton of street art in almost every corner you turn. From hunting down for treasures at Camden Market to strolling along Regent's Canal, there are many options to keep yourself entertained. The market has all sorts of things including traditional souvenirs, street food, and vintage clothing.

Walk down Regent Street, Visit the National Gallery,

& Head Towards Covent Garden

During one of our trips to London, we got off the bus near Oxford Circus Underground Station. We walked down Regent Street, which is a famous shopping area with upscale stores. I don't know about you, but I could easily spend hours in Anthropologie on its own. Kieran and I love goofing off together, which usually leads us into places like the M&M and Lego store. Fortunately for us, we are easily entertained and tend to go with the flow.

Towards the end of the street, we ran into Trafalgar Square. I recommend visiting the National Gallery that is across the street, where entry is free to its visitors. There are over 2,000 paintings that range from the mid-13th century through the 1900s. I thought it was so cool to see Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers.

Later in the day, we walked less than half a mile to Covent Garden. The Apple Market is a shopping and entertainment center that attracts both food and fashion lovers. While we were walking around, the market was filled with music from street performers that made the ambience even better. Neal's Yard is another area that features quaint little shops and quirky boutique, which are fun to look at even if you do not plan on spending money.

Stroll through St. Dunstan in the East Church Garden

St. Dunstan was originally a Church of England, located about halfway between the London Bridge and the Tower of London. The church was unfortunately damaged in the Second World War, but the ruins remain a public garden. It is a living testament to the resilience of London.

It is hidden away on a secluded street, making it a peaceful spot for visitors. The area is overgrown with trees, ivy, and wall climbing flowers along the ruined arches. There were many people reading books along the benches and enjoying a bite to eat in the serene garden. I recommend bringing your camera because it has become a popular place to take pictures. It offers an escape for its visitors, away from the bustling city that is London.

Have Brunch at the Ivy, Walk through Borough Market,

& Visit Tate Modern

The Ivy is a modern British restaurant, which is located on the south bank of River Thames and offers stunning views. It tends to be crowded, so we made sure to make reservations in advance. I was looking for an alcoholic drink--our server recommended the Tropical Paradise: chia-infused Havana Club 3 Year Old Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, mango, orgeat, orange flower water and grenadine. Safe to say...it was delicious! Many other tables ordered the Candy Floss Fizz, which also looked interesting to try.

For an appetizer, we ordered the Buffalo Mozzarella with Salsa Verde. For our entrees, I had the Ivy Shepherd's Pie along with a side of peas, mangetout, and baby shoots.

Kieran ordered the Ivy Hamburger as he likes more simplistic meals! Our server was very helpful in deciding what to order and suggesting some popular spots to visit in London.

It was a beautiful day in London, so we decided to walk along River Thames. We made a pit-stop at Borough Market, which is a historic market that emphasizes high quality food. This site dates back to at least the 12th century, featuring many traders who offer a diversity of international flavors. Artisan Foods is known for its handmade cakes and pastries--so of course Kieran and I had to get a pain au chocolat. I loved looking at the wide variety of foods and drinks as they were beautifully displayed for customers. There are non-food items such as flowers, beauty products, and ceramics for those who are not looking to grab a bite to eat. Personally, I enjoyed witnessing how passionate these traders were about their product and how much work they put into their business.

Tate Modern is about 0.6 miles from Borough Market. The entry is free for everyone, which makes the museum a wonderful option for anyone looking to save some money. Their mission is to educate people's understanding of British art from the 16th century to the present day. The art collection has an extensive range of media such as paintings, sculptures, photography, and manuscripts.

Hopefully you make it to London some day--it is definitely worth the trip!