London: Part Deux
This is part 2 of our holiday trip to the UK and London in December 2016 and January 2017. Make sure to check out our
London trip part 1, and here is a little background info as a reminder:
Travel Agency: Go-Today
Flight: Delta Airlines
Destination Route: Austin to Atlanta to London
Return Route: London to New York to Austin
Hotel: London House Hotel
Day 3 (Continued)
As I last wrote, Jarrett and I had returned from Bath and Stonehenge. It had been a long day, and we were EXHAUSTED. Yeah, that’s right. I’m a millennial, and I capitalized a word because I couldn't put enough emphasis on how exhausted we were, particularly me. After a nice dinner at a tiny Moroccan place near the hotel, Jarrett and I headed back to the hotel for a “nap.” It was too late for us to try to get any tickets to view the celebrations along the Thames; the city limits the number of people who can attend those celebrations with the fancy fireworks, and you have to get them months in advance. However, we had planned to go to Primrose Hill with a bottle of champagne to welcome 2017.
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| London Eye Fireworks for New Year's. From traveljee.com |
Day 4: New Year’s Day
Unfortunately, my nap ended up lasting several hours because the next thing I knew, I woke up to find that my phone said it was 1:00 a.m. I elbowed Jarrett to tell him we missed the New Year celebrations, and he replied with a very tired, “I know. I tried waking you up several times, and you kept telling me ‘no’ and falling back asleep.” So, we both then got up, had some leftovers and champagne, and called it a night again.
So there you have it. Yours truly ruined our New Year’s celebration in London. I don’t think we’ll ever get over that.
Westminster Abbey
When we arrived at Westminster, we saw a long line ahead of us. Fortunately, the staff at Westminster are very efficient, and we were in the Abbey within 20 minutes. Knowing there was so much history in this building, Jarrett and I made sure to purchase tickets for a guided tour at the front desk.
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| Westminster Abbey at Night |
We are glad we purchased the tickets because our tour guide, a verger, was phenomenal. He guided us into various chapels where many famous monarchs are interred, including Edward the Confessor and Henry the III. My favorite chapel, though, was the one where Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary I are located, side by side and across from their great-grandmother, Margaret Beaufort. However, the big crowds do not allow you to enjoy them peacefully for long. Fortunately, there are pictures to remember that visit by. Towards the end of the tour, we visited the tombs of notable figures, including Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. After the tour ended, Jarrett and I went down to see the most ancient sites within the Abbey. We were hoping for something like the tombs underneath the churches in Italy. Unfortunately, there weren't many for us to see. Nevertheless, the place is magical, and I am so glad we got to go inside and walk around it several times.
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| A quick and sneaky photo from inside Westminster Abbey |
Hampton Court Palace
Address: Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, UK
On the same morning, Jarrett and I boarded the train and headed to Hampton Court Palace. I am a big Tudor history geek, so it was on my “must” list. The palace is gorgeous and immense, spanning both the Tudor and the Georgian eras. I regret that we arrived in the early afternoon, as we needed more time than we had to properly explore the palace.
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| Inner Courtyard at Hampton Court Palace |
The staff at Hampton Court is spectacular. During the Christmas season, they offer guided tours where the tour guide portrays one of Queen Catherine Parr’s ladies-in-waiting. At the time, Queen Catherine is at another palace, anxious over King Henry VIII’s declining health. The tourists follow along as other “noble staff.” Throughout the tour, our guide shares with the staff a brief history of the palace at the time, as well as the rumors and intrigues that plagued the court, and the nuggets of historical gems hidden within the palace.
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| The Great Hall in Hampton Court Palace |
We toured the Georgian section of the palace individually. I love art and had to appreciate all the treasures in there, while Jarrett was more interested in the history. Somehow, we both still managed to finish touring the area. Unfortunately, though, we did not get enough of the palace. By the way, if you go during the winter season, Hampton Court Palace also has an ice rink. Plan accordingly for a great day and night at the palace.
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| William's State Chamber in the Georgian Apartments |
After the palace closed, we headed to town to find a place to eat. We found Poyntz Arms - Shepherd Neame, a nice and cozy place with excellent food and drinks. It even has a nice big dog walking around, so for us, it was just perfect.
Day 5: Warwick Castle
Somewhat late in the morning, we boarded the train for Warwick. I am not as knowledgeable about The Wars of the Roses, but ever since I watched The White Queen, I have also wanted to appreciate the history from that period. It is also a castle in great condition, and I knew Jarrett would love to tour it to see its military prowess.
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| Heading into Warwick Castle |
Warwick Castle is currently owned by Merlin Entertainments, the company that owns Madame Tussauds. Even before that, the Castle had been sold to Madame Tussauds itself. It is officially a theme park, and it does an excellent job of showcasing historical artifacts while simultaneously interacting with tourists. It spans different eras, ranging from the 11th century to the 20th century, from William the Conqueror to the Wars of the Roses to the Edwardian Era. They offer guided tours, interactive exhibits, screen displays, games, and gardens.
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| The town of Warwick is below the castle. |
The Castle exposes you to architecture from across the centuries as well. What stands out to me is the Red Room, a formal waiting room; the dining room, featuring furniture from various exotic places; the main hall, which was actually rebuilt in the 1800s but appears medieval; and the motte, believed to have been there since the Norman period. It is like traveling in time in one place.
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| The Motte at Warwick Castle |
The Castle is filled with wax figures from Madame Tussauds, including those of King Henry VIII and his six wives (though this is largely due to the company having no other suitable place to display them). I think if more museums had the budgets to become theme parks like Warwick Castle, more people would visit them. Even though it was rainy the entire time we were there, we had a wonderful time.
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| Wax King Henry VIII and his 6 wives |
In the evening, following the Castle’s closure, we headed out to find some food. It being so early in the year, the darkness fell quickly, and the town felt eerily desolate. Jarrett and I managed to find a nice place to eat at, though:
The Roebuck Inn
An ancient 1470 hostelry with black beams and white walls serving hand-pulled ales and hearty cooking.
Address: 57 Smith St, Warwick CV34 4HU, UK
I enjoyed the fish and chips; we cannot recall what Jarrett had, but it was scrumptious. We both also discovered Strongbow Dark Fruit, which is flavorsome. We eagerly await the arrival of Dark Fruit in the United States. So, if you find yourself in Warwick, make sure to check out the Roebuck Inn.
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| The Roebuck Inn in Warwick |
Day 6: Magic of London with Afternoon Tea
I am not sure whether I recall the order of the events of this day properly. However, I will do my best to recall the experience.
Tower of London
Address: St Katharine's & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB, UK
Monday 10AM–5:30PM
Tuesday 9AM–5:30PM
Wednesday 9AM–5:30PM
Thursday 9AM–5:30PM
Friday 9AM–5:30PM
Saturday 9AM–5:30PM
Sunday 10AM–5:30PM
Built: White Tower: 1078; Inner Ward: 1190s; Re-built: 1285; Wharf expansion: 1377–1399
On our final day, we took our final Premium Tour, Magic of London with Afternoon Tea. We started the day bright and early with a tour of the Tower of London. There is so much to see there, and yet there is so little time! After a brief tour of the site, which included the locations of historical figures' executions, such as Anne Boleyn, we joined the line for the Crown Jewels. You should get in line as early as possible to see the Crown Jewels, as you will otherwise end up waiting for hours. The items are magnificent to see, and many had me wondering how monarchs ever wore them. As a history buff, though, I was sad to hear that most of the original crown jewels were destroyed after the abolition of the monarchy in 1649. So, most of the exhibited jewels only date back to the period after the Restoration of the English monarchy.
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| The Royal Throne in the Tower of London |
After the crown jewels, I headed over to the towers where the Princes in the Tower are said to have been held. The rest of the tour is now a blur to me. I still regret not having had the time to actually visit The White Tower or the rooms where Anne Boleyn spent the time leading up to her coronation.
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| The Bloody Tower. The murder site of 2 princes in the tower |
Walk through the Palaces
Since there was no Changing of the Guard that day, we took a walking tour of London. We walked by St. James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace. I will say that, having recently watched The Crown, I was able to recognize some places very easily, including Clarence House.
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| A glimpse of Clarence House |
Cruise along the Thames
Following the walking tour, we took a one-hour cruise along the Thames River. The boat was a modern catamaran with indoor cabins, providing a nice relief from the cold and wet weather, which our tour guide assured us was not typical of London’s weather nowadays. I am not sure I can believe him because it was cold and wet the entire time Jarrett and I were there, though. Anyway, it was nice to be indoors, warm and cozy, as we watched the historic city of London. From it, you can see, as the website quotes, “The Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, St. Paul’s, The Shard, The Tower of London, and Tower Bridge.”
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| London from the River Thames |
Tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral
The tour at St. Paul’s was a little faster than the one at Westminster. It features numerous gold and marble elements, as well as an impressive dome at its summit. It is such a sight to behold. I am sorry to say, though, that at this time, I do not recall much of our visit. Probably because it was too short. Such a shame, considering the rich history of the building.
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| The Dome inside St Paul's Cathedral |
Afternoon Tea
Once our tours were done for the day, we went to a restaurant within a hotel for our evening tea. They served us traditional tea, accompanied by a great variety of sandwiches, as well as champagne. It was a great way to end an entire day of tours.
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| The view from Park Plaza Westminster Bridge |
Overall, London and its surrounding towns offer a wealth of sights to see. So much so that six days were simply not enough. I definitely recommend it for a vacation. Just keep in mind that you might need a vacation after that vacation.
While you're at it, let us know about your previous experiences or your dream trip to the UK. Additionally, if you enjoy the blog, follow us on Facebook to stay up to date.
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