Don't you just love finding a great cafe? One with wifi when you're abroad is especially good. Send some quick messages out to family and friends to let them know everything is good while you are thousands of miles away without paying an arm and a leg for overseas data on your phone if you haven't got a local SIM card. What about finding a great cafe with an art gallery inside? Are you intruiged?! Come along!
The cafe offers a variety of fairly reasonably priced drinks and sweets. (I paid way more in DC for coffee & treats!) Check out the menu below. At least this is the menu they had in December.
I guess they serve union coffee? I had an espresso DH had a mocha, I believe. Looks like some cocoa powder sprinkled on top. I love a good sprinkling of cocoa powder, myself! That cookie, though, was sooo good. It had a texture that was a little crisp and almost merengue-like on the outside, and chewy in the inside. Man, I could go for one of those right now...
If you head downstairs, there is a free art gallery that you can peruse. I'm not sure what the schedule is as to when it rotates artists, but it was a fun thing to do after my espresso and before the cafe closed for the day. As with most art, some of it I found a little unusual, even unsettling, and other pieces I found interesting and amusing. Check out this bee keeper!
I would recommend checking out this cafe for a chill place to enjoy a cuppa with a friend or while you get some work done, and enjoy some free culture downstairs!
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Most of us have heard this childhood rhyme, so naturally when visiting London, we want to see this Bridge! Turns out that much like "Big Ben", the London Bridge is not quite what we expected! While we were picturing the magnificence of the Tower Bridge, we were actually standing on this bridge below!
While it still seams uncertain what the actual meaning of this rhyme is (some of the possibilities are logical, some quite disturbing), what can be said for certain is that the views from this bridge are fabulous! It's so pleasant to stroll along it in an evening and see London lit up. You can enjoy the view of the famous Tower Bridge in the not-so-far-off distance. We just sat (stood) for a while taking in the sighted, enjoying the crisp air, and sipping a coffee. Speaking of coffee.... have you been to Koppel Cafe? Come on, I'll take you!
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There are a lot of statues and monuments around London. There is a lot of history in this country. The Romans established London around 43 AD.
I am not a huge history buff, but I do enjoy learning more about history as I travel. Seeing how places developed the culture they have is interesting. As you travel through London or anywhere, really, you can give yourself a homework assignment! Snap a picture of some of these landmarks and monuments.
They usually have a plaque that you can snap a picture of also if possible. you may not have time to examine every one in detail, but later on you can look into the history of them. If kids need to write a report for school while on their holiday to excuse their absence, this is a great idea. But it will add more substance to any trip really. It's ideal if you can learn it while you are standing there, but that is not always practical. Just learn it when you can learn it! :) It also gives you more insight to share with friends who are looking through your photos!
Oh and while you're at it looking UP, don't forget to look down! Not just so you don't trip, but also for details like this one! (And to scout out great kicks! By the way, we rocked Ugg Australia Brooks Leather Boots and Clarks Buschacre Desert Boots all around London with great success!
More From London:Recommended Footwear For London in Winter:
Camden Town is an area you may enjoy checking out on your visit to London. A canal runs through this town complete with occupied houseboats. You can even rent some houseboats for your visit, if you'd like! It's really charming to see them all lined up. A few things to do in Camden:(in no particular order)
1. Check out the Houseboats2. Floating Chinese Restaurant3. ZSL London Zoo
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I can't say I would love it if crowds of people hung around outside of my house all the time... then again, my house is considerably smaller than the Buckingham Palace. lol! At any rate, besides observing the building and the guards dutifully standing and marching back and forth, take time to admire some of the details. The gate has some elaborate and very regal elements. Depending on the crowds, you may be able to get some creative pictures of these elements, looking through the bars, or even other angles like through a keyhole! |
As it happened, we arrived in time for the changing of the guard! This was purely a happy coincidence! It was really quite a spectacle as parades of uniforms marched out in step to their self-provided music. They came in multiple waves and I loved the Irish bunch and the music that accompanied. The schedule for the changing of the guards can be viewed online where it will be updated if it happens to be canceled on any occasion. Some people say to skip this and that there are too many people, but I quite enjoyed seeing the theatrics and formality of it all on my first trip to London. I think your first trip to any destination it is great to see some of the standard tourist things mixed in with some wandering and finding the local spots. Then when you come back, you'll have ticked those major sights off your list already and you can explore something new !
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The Shard is an instantly recognizable building in the London Skyline, a 95-story skyscraper in Southwark. It's the tallest building in UK which means you can see some great views of London if you take time (and say bye bye to cash) to visit.
The Shard offers various experiences and you can enjoy the view by visiting any of several restaurants and bars or paying to go to the observation floor. "The View From The Shard" - The cheapest price is about 16 pounds if you reserve ahead of time online.
The Shard offers various experiences and you can enjoy the view by visiting any of several restaurants and bars or paying to go to the observation floor. "The View From The Shard" - The cheapest price is about 16 pounds if you reserve ahead of time online.
Even if you don't go up, it's still a cool building it pick out as you walk through the city. At night time they will often do a laser show. I know this because I overhead a grandmother tell her grand children as we roamed the streets. I promise I wasn't eavesdropping, we were close and she spoke loudly!!
Always keep an eye out for cook architecture and buildings. This other building had a neat light display that kept changing colors.
Always keep an eye out for cook architecture and buildings. This other building had a neat light display that kept changing colors.
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If you love history and travel, you may enjoy touring the reconstructed ship of expedition its Sir Francis Drake, known as The Golden Hinde.
During the Elizabethan era, Drake was chosen by Queen Elizabeth I in 1577 to sail around the world in a fleet of 5 ships. In 1580 Drake returned after an incredible voyage full of ups and downs. Check out the ship if you're into this sort of thing for about 7 pounds.
During the Elizabethan era, Drake was chosen by Queen Elizabeth I in 1577 to sail around the world in a fleet of 5 ships. In 1580 Drake returned after an incredible voyage full of ups and downs. Check out the ship if you're into this sort of thing for about 7 pounds.
Coming Up:
- The George Inn
- The Shard
- Convenience Store Ciders ;)
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The Tate Modern is a modern art gallery in South Bank, London. It is free to enter and there intriguing, inspiring, cheering, and confusing displays. Let's just say, it's good to have the explanatory plaques..
Check the hours of operation on theTate website. Since we were distracted making our way over to the museum, we didn't have much time before it closed that day. But no big deal, it was free after all!
Coming Up:
- Sir Francis Drake's Ship
- The George Inn
- The Shard