London. A world class city with plenty to see and do. Lots
of history. Tons of sightseeing options. We’ll start in the city of London but
by no means limit yourself only to the city. Getting out into the English
countryside is well worth the effort.
Both of the London international airports (Heathrow or
Gatwick) are outside the city and getting into the city by taxi can be a long
and expensive trip. My preference is to fly into Heathrow and take the Heathrow
Express directly into the city. The high speed train will take you nonstop,
directly from the airport to Paddington Station in central London. The entire
trip will take about 15-20 minutes. Much quicker and ½ the price of a taxi.
To make life even easier, I like to stay at the Hilton
Paddington, connected directly to the train station.
From Paddington
station, take the London underground system to anywhere in the city. It’s a cheap, fast, safe way to get
around the city.
What’s a trip to London without a visit to Buckingham
Palace? For updated details on dates and times for changing of the guard, check
out the official monarchy website.
The city, of course has lots of sights to see. Piccadilly
circus, the London Eye, the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the Parliament,
Big Ben, St. James and Hyde parks.
Enjoy shopping? A trip to London is not complete without a
visit to Harrod’s and at Christmas, the windows of Harrods mirror the Christmas
windows in the shops of NYC, like Macy’s and Bloomingdales.
To get around London, take the tube, it’s convenient and
inexpensive. Mind the gap! Or hail an iconic London cab.
Try the local cuisine. You can’t go to London without having
some fish and chips, or mushy peas, or cottage pie. But don’t limit yourself to
the Brit’s. London offers a great variety of international cuisine; maybe some
of the best Indian food outside of India. Two of my other London favorites are
Gaucho’s Argentinian steakhouse (several locations in London) offers some of
the best cuts of beef anywhere.
And Jamie Oliver’s restaurants can be found throughout the
UK. Jamie’s Italian in a favorite with healthy, fresh ingredients in a fun
atmosphere. The London location can be found on Canary Wharf. Union Jack’s is a
Jamie Oliver restaurant with a true British menu and can be found at Covent
Gardens.
But to really experience England, leave the city. Just
outside of the London city limits you can head to Windsor. Haven’t had your
fill of royalty? See Windsor castle. The town of Windsor is easy to walk around
and offers good food and shopping options.
Feeling scholarly? England is home to some of the oldest,
most prestigious Universities in the world. Oxford and Cambridge. I prefer the city of Cambridge over Oxford,
perhaps because I’ve spent more time there, but I do love both. The architecture
of the Universities is amazing.
Punting is a great way to see either University. A punt is a small, non-motorized watercraft…think combination canoe/gondola.
You can do a self-hire and attempt to row yourself along the waterway, or in my mind, grab a pint to go, maybe a snack too, and hire a punt for a guided tour.
Let the strapping young man do the work, sit back and enjoy the ride. You will see the Universities from a new perspective with views you can’t get from the street.
Punting is a great way to see either University. A punt is a small, non-motorized watercraft…think combination canoe/gondola.
You can do a self-hire and attempt to row yourself along the waterway, or in my mind, grab a pint to go, maybe a snack too, and hire a punt for a guided tour.
Let the strapping young man do the work, sit back and enjoy the ride. You will see the Universities from a new perspective with views you can’t get from the street.
Both Oxford and Cambridge are about a 1 ½ hr drive from London
but in completely different directions. Cambridge is north of London. Oxford is
west of London.
Bill’s Café is a favorite breakfast spot for me in Cambridge
and although I’ve only been to the Cambridge location, I have recently learned
that there is also a Bill’s in Oxford. I’ve also only ever been to Bill’s for
breakfast but they do have lunch and dinner menus and I can’t imagine anything
but a great meal. Fresh food.
Sticking to Cambridge for a moment, the Doubletree Hotel by
Hilton is a great place to stay. Located on the Camb river, it provides a very
central spot to stay. Parking in Cambridge is difficult at best. Staying at the
Doubletree allows me to walk to entire city.
Take a late afternoon ride on a punt and then head to the
Mitre Tavern for a great dinner. It’s a
typical British pub with good local ale but the food is also amazing. Try the
cottage pie! YUMMM!
You can find it on Bridge Street, near the intersection of Trinity Street. Very centrally located and easy to find.
You can find it on Bridge Street, near the intersection of Trinity Street. Very centrally located and easy to find.
Skipping over to Oxford, if you’re looking for a great place
to eat, try the Quod Brasserie. It’s a beautiful restaurant with good service
and great food. You can find it directly across from the Church of the Virgin
Mary on High Street.
Feeling slight smarter already? But you’ve gotten your fill
of academia?
Historic, mystical, and a bit quirky, but how can you go to
England and not visit Stonehenge? Giant stones, arranged in a circle. Dating
back to 2000 BC. How did they get there? And Why?
One my last visit, they were just days away from opening the
new visitor’s center.
The drive from London is about 1 ½ hrs, southwest.
If you have decided you’re heading west of London, why not
map out Oxford, to Stonehenge and then south to my absolute favorite spot in
the UK. The New Forest!!
The New Forest is a treat for children and adults alike and
if you’ve been to the UK but never to the New Forest, you are missing out!
The town of Beaulieu, right in the middle of the New Forest
has lots to offer. Hiking, canoeing, horseback riding. Beaulieu is the home to
the National Motor Museum for car enthusiasts.
Beaulieu is also home to Palace home of the Montagu family
and the Beaulieu Abbey.
But the most famous and irresistible occupants of the New
Forest are the wild donkeys and ponies that roam the forest (and the streets).
Have a picnic lunch, or enjoy an ice cream cone as you walk the streets, but
beware. Someone (or something) is watching and they are not shy. I’ve seen
donkeys help themselves to an ice cream cone and invade a picnic, grabbing a
bag of chips, and though children and adults a like, may scream, they seem
completely unphased.
My favorite place to stay in the UK is by far the Montagu Arms
Hotel in Beaulieu.
Hands down. It’s a little treasure in the New Forest. The
accommodations are quaint and comfortable. Every room is different and unique
but all are beautiful.
The staff is welcoming and made me feel comfortable from
the start and after any visits, I feel
like a regular. The garden is beautiful.
The restaurant is wonderful. The pub is a favorite. The only
downside...occasionally a wild pony or donkey may block the driveway. And I
love it!!!
Enjoy your time in England.
Robin
