London Calling! We had such a wonderful time in London! We went in March for our son’s birthday, and it was one for the books!
Although we’re curious about Stonehenge, Bath, and Brighton, on this trip, we stayed local, strolling the streets and checking out the sights and veganized versions of traditional British favorites.
And can I tell you, we were not disappointed! What a great city! I can see why it’s one of the most visited in the world. On another note, it was funny for me to be back in a country of English speakers for the first time in seven years.
Although many people speak English worldwide, especially in tourist areas, it was still an adjustment. I can’t help saying Hola or Buenos when I enter a store or greet a waiter -lol.
As well, I was overwhelmed by the social etiquette and manners. There were so many “sorry’s,” “thank you’s,” and “please take my seat.”
It’s been a long time since I chatted and laughed with strangers or had excellent service from the waitstaff. The hospitality alone is reason enough to return to London.
What We Did
London Eye/Big Ben Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
This was a great experience. We could see far and wide and took some great photos. Each pod can fit about 20 people, some standing and some sitting. Our fellow pod people were so friendly, offering to take photos of our family.
The London Eye also has a great gift shop with souvenirs, including photo albums, tote bags, key chains, and mugs. We opted for a package that included a family photo of us taken on arrival in front of a green screen. With the magic of technology, they imposed our photo onto a day and night background of the London Eye views – so fun!
London Bridge/Tower Bridge London EC4R 3TN, United Kingdom
There are quite a few bridges in a row, including the famous London Bridge and Tower Bridge. It’s a beautiful walk along the water, and aside from the many bridges, there are shops, restaurants, ferry boats, and outdoor sculptures. It’s definitely a favorite for tourists and joggers alike.
Buckingham Palace and Park strolls London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
Buckingham Palace was lovely in the midst of Hyde Park. It was nice to finally see it, as I always imagined it was on a busy street, not in a sprawling park. Like Madrid, London is another great city with a wonderful green space network.
We had a great time walking through the parks, balancing our museum visits and endless food consumption with some exercise and fresh air. It was nice to see so many other people out as well.
There is a huge running community in London. Where we live just outside Barcelona, we see a lot of cyclists or people walking with special walking sticks, but not so many runners.
The Natural History Museum Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
This was a nice museum full of all kinds of interesting marvels of science. Definitely a fun place to go with kids. Some of the dinosaur bones were real, and some were replicas. They also had some really engaging exhibits on natural disasters, volcano eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.
The British Museum Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
The museum is physically beautiful, and the artifacts are very interesting. I’m happy I was able to take some photos of the Rosetta Stone, as it was a very busy display.
Although I’m happy the British Museum is free, with donations welcome, it was a lot busier and less organized than other world-class museums. However, we saw some truly interesting mummies and artifacts from all over the world and many historical periods.
I’m not going to lie; the gift shop got me. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a museum shop where I wanted so many things, and I’m so happy with my purchases. My only mistake was not buying a souvenir T-shirt. So now I have to order online. They ship worldwide, and it seems shipping to North America is the best rate.
Tower London London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom
This was a last-minute destination that my husband planned. It was interesting to see all the buildings, armor, and replicas of the King’s court’s favorite horses. It’s always amazing to me to stand in the places people lived in hundreds of years ago.
One building also houses some of the royal jewels and crowns. There is a strict no-photos policy, and some tourists were given stern lectures for attempting to take photos of the sparkling crowns. I’m not sure why it matters, but I like a bit of drama on vacation especially when it doesn’t involve my family -lol!
What We Ate
Purezza 45-47 Parkway, London NW1 7PN, United Kingdom
I heard of Purezza years ago and thought highly of them, as they donated many pizzas to the NHS workers during the pandemic. I have recommended this spot to so many of my students based purely on the photos and their good deeds.
One of my students and I laughed as he recommended this place to many people and finally went two years ago. Sometimes, we wonder how many people go based on our random recommendations. But, I can now say it is a tasty spot with great, friendly service – well worth all of our bravado.
Mallow 1 Cathedral St, London SE1 9DE, United Kingdom
I loved everything about this restaurant, including the hand soap in the washroom. The service and decor were excellent, and the food was delicious, with good service. And although we went on a Monday night, we couldn’t believe how busy it was.
That was actually a common theme in London. Every bar and restaurant seemed just as busy on a weeknight as it was on a Friday or Saturday night. It was nice to see the vegan restaurants thriving so well.
Baba Ghanouj Kensington 105 Gloucester Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 4SS, United Kingdom
I really wanted to try this Zaatar bread, and I was not disappointed. I’ve now tried quite a few of these delicious herbed breads, and I have to say that this one from Baba Ghanouj was one of the best. As well as the Fattoush salad!
I’m obsessed with this salad and crave it regularly. And, of course, falafels. These were quite large and perfectly fried – still crisp, not overdone. If you’re in the Kensington area, this is a great place for vegan options at a reasonable price.
Fed by Plants – Fish and Chips 56 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP, United Kingdom
I had goals but not too many when I found out we were visiting Londontown. Vegan fish and chips were on the list, and they were the first thing we ate when we arrived. This place was just a short walk from our hotel but a hop from the Gabriel’s Wharf river boardwalk and all kinds of shops and restaurants.
The staff were very jolly, and we could tell this was a local favorite as the other diners were quite chatty and seemed to linger happily. Everything was vegan and made with care. The desserts all looked housemade and wonderful. This blueberry cashew cheesecake was heavenly.
The Ampersand Hotel Vegan/Vegetarian Science High Tea 10 Harrington Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER, United Kingdom
Another excellent customer service experience. The servers were polite and made great efforts to explain the high tea options. They even ensured that our dry ice under the Saturn dessert gave the necessary science experiment effect! The Ampersand hotel and dining room were beautifully decorated in a mix of traditional British meets bold contemporary style.
Although they offer a standard omnivore high tea, they also have tasty vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Young or old, children or solo, this is a wonderful place to indulge in this British culinary favorite.
Mildred’s 79 St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4AA, United Kingdom
Now, this is what we came for. Mildred’s is a vegan favorite in London, and it has many locations and some cookbooks. The food was innovative and delicious, and our server holds a world record for the number of “thank yous” in one meal. Literally, every time she visited our table, there was a slew of thank you’s – I loved it. It’s the little things that make such a big difference.
Molly Rose Bakery 74 Old Brompton Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 3LQ, United Kingdom
Molly Rose Bakery is a lovely spot with seating inside and out, but I think they do a lot of takeaways. There was a large selection of vegan desserts and plant-based milk alternatives for coffee. Although it was very busy, the service was fast and friendly.
Hamley’s 188-196 Regent St., London W1B 5BT, United Kingdom
This is such a great toy store! We had so much fun as a variety of employees did product demonstrations. We ended up buying little airplanes that do loop-de-loops, a box of fake snow that’s activated with water, and some amazing markers that make other markers invisible or change colors!
This moment will always stick out in my mind. We came out of the underground, and it was raining(I’m obsessed with rain if you are new here). A man on the street was blaring Taylor Swift’s song, “Cruel Summer.” My son and I love that song and regularly sing little parts of it at random moments throughout our lives. So it was a perfect life moment that had us singing in the rain all the way to Hamley’s.
Where We Stayed
Novotel London Blackfriars 46 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NZ, United Kingdom
We stayed at another Novotel in Paris, and we were very happy with the price and experience. So we decided to take a gamble on this Novotel in London. The hotel is clean and well-run, with super friendly staff. They even have an indoor pool, which needs to be booked to ensure it’s not overcrowded.
I mention this because we have gone to hotels before, specifically because they had a pool and never used it because it was always overcrowded. Aside from the indoor pool, there is a sauna and locker rooms that are well equipped. There is also a nice gym with weights, nautilus, and treadmills.
So that’s it! That was our trip to jolly old England. And I have to say, it truly was. So many nice, friendly people.
My husband is a big fan of London, and I’ve always wondered how he could be so entertained with his visits time after time. Well, now I know. There are so many great restaurants, walks, and sites to see – not to mention all the great vegan fashion and accessories brands!
The next time we visit, I’d like to visit Brighton, Bath, and Stonehenge. Feel free to let me know if you have any recommendations!
