London Recap

If you didn't know this about me, I lived in London for 6 months after I graduated from college. I worked at Quiksilver, I lived in the tiniest room ever (which I shared), and I loved every poverty stricken minute :)

I had studied abroad the year before and fell in love with this amazing city. For many years I visited as often as I could, but after moving to Nashville and finally taking the time to explore other places, it turns out I haven't been since 2011 - which is insane! Finally, I was able to take Matt to the city that meant so much to me.

Anyway, we had a great time! It was rainy and grey, but isn't that part of its charm? ;)

Greenwich

Trafalgar Square/National Gallery

Regent's Park

Westminster Abbey

Big Ben/Parliment

The London Eye

We did a lot of fun stuff! I took Matt to all my old haunts, showed him where I worked and lived, and of course we just wandered and wandered. Here are a few highlights from the trip:

Southbank Christmas Market
If you're visiting London anytime in late November through the New Year, you're in luck because the city is DECKED OUT in true holiday fashion. The Southbank Centre is probably my favorite because it has everything festive you could ask for - mulled wine, string lights, fire pits, tons of evergreens, and cute little stalls to buy food & drink from. There was even a pop up skating rink! More info here.

Even if it's not Christmas, the South Bank is worth your time. The Thames Path or the "Queens Walk" has always been a favorite of mine when I visit (and lived there). For the most bang for your buck, start at the London Eye and walk East until you hit the Millennium Bridge (Tate Modern Museum and walks across to St Paul's Cathediral), or if you're feeling really up for it, go all the way to the Tower Bridge/Tower of London. There's nothing quite like it.

Emirates Air Line Cable Car
This was new since I last visited, and it was fun/terrifying :) I don't like hights, but I do like amazing views! Unfortunately it was quite misty the morning we went, but even if it was a little sunny, the views would have been amazing! This cable car takes you across the Thames just like a ski lift but over the city. You can use your Oyster card which is awesome. More info here. 

Greenwich/Prime Meridian
Something I'd never done all the times I've been in London is go down to Greenwich to see where the Prime Meridian is. If you like history at all, do this! Even if you just like adorable English towns, do this. Greenwich is what you *imagine* London would have looked like 100 years ago. It's still part of the Greater London Area, so it's only about 25 min on the Tube to get there. More info here.

We did a lot but those were some of my highlights! Other highlights included seeing old friends, wandering the pretty Christmas decorated streets, and visiting the markets!

I miss it so much already! It's my favorite city in the world! More details on London coming later :)
xo

Wanderlust Wednesday: Hampton Court

As most of you know, i spent 10 days in the UK about a week ago. And my initial thought was to do this weeks post on none other than London itself, but i thought i'd save that for a rainy day. Because i could always write about London. This is slightly outside the London box, but not too far removed.


When I'm in London I want to squeeze every little moment out of this city while it's still in reach, but i always end up deciding it would be nice to see more of England and expand my horizons. I've been to a handful of other places on the country side (Bath, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Dover, Brighton, etc... Those are for another blog day) and this week I decided to escape the city for a few hours and travel to Hampton Court for the afternoon.

Castle parking?

Just 12 miles, aka 30 minutes on the train and a few ££s later, I was in picturesque Surrey, the county just outside of London. Technically, it is still in Greater London, in an area called Richmond Upon Thames, but you wouldn't dream that a city was anywhere around. As soon as I stepped off the train, there was the Thames river... With a royal palace on the other side.

This is the actual view from the train station. No joke.

Hampton Court Palace hasn't had royalty living there in almost 250 years, and was built by Henry VIII (but who knows which wife he lived with there) and massively expanded by William III to be a rival to Versailles palace in Paris. Hampton Court Palace is only one of two (the other being St James Place in Central London) palaces owned by Henry VIII that still exist.

The Palace

The palace grounds are full of trees, gardens, and lush lush grass. It's still very cold here, but they've planted purple and yellow flowers to beckon spring to arrive. The paths wander sound the entire property Until you arrive at a old fashioned maze - yes, a maze!! - made of beautiful, tall, perfectly manicured hedges, and passage ways that measure over .5 miles in distance. Say what you want, but that's awesome.

One of the walls in the small garden. Amazing.

What the maze looks like!

Gorgeous :)

The flowers are blooming... even though it was freezing.

No idea what these are, but they're pretty!

Secret Garden?

I actually was there on the perfect day - it was pretty cold (as it had been that entire week) for February, but it was extremely sunny and the entire property had a glow to it. The Gardens are vast and go all the way until the river, which is usually covered with regatta boats and people rowing crew. As it was lunch time, there were park benches everywhere, covered with people enjoying their lunch in the sun, trying their hardest not to feed all of the ducks and geese that line the river side.

I didn't go into the castle, because they are typically similar, and usually don't have much inside except history placards (but don't get me wrong - I love those), so I figured I'd save my money for something new.

The rest of my afternoon was spent wandering the high street and finding a cozy cafe run by two sisters from Poland. It was called Five at the Bridge... And was the fifth door on the street opposite the bridge that lead you to the palace gates. After two perfect cups of tea I was finally warm, and ready to venture back to the city.

I love these kinds of mugs... but they wouldnt sell one to me!

I'm set for the day!

Hampton court was perfect for a day trip... Beautiful and removed from the hustle and bustle of he city, but really cute and fast to get to.

Thanks Surrey :)

Wanderlust Wednesday: London in the Fall

Hands down - my favorite season + place go hand in hand, with the winning combo of London in the Fall. It is SO pretty, and SO festive, and it stays fall weather for MONTHS! Part of my love for it could come from living there for two falls.... and visiting a handful of other Fall's. I'm addicted! I can't help it.

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

Kings Rd, Chelsea, SW3

Southbank.

St James Park

Regent's Park

Regent's Park

Me and the Thames, a few Fall's ago. 

So true. Especially in chilly temps!

Hyde Park

Chelsea, down by the Thames

Kensington Gardens

I swear there is something about it that makes the light look like sunset all the time. Perfect amount of coziness. PLUS, around this time of year (beginning of November), all of the different areas of town start to decorate and light the streets up with Christmas decor. It's the best!

Regent Street, W1

St Christopher's, W1

South Kengsington, SW2

Sloane Square, Chelsea, SW3

Sloane Square, Chelsea, SW3

Covent Garden, W4

Not to mention all of the Christmas markets, Guy Fawkes day and all of the shops decorating their windows to be festive! If you have the chance, November is the best time to visit London.... it's pure magic. I'm always extra nostalgic for London in the fall months.... it's just not the same anywhere else.

Have you been to London in the fall? Or London in general? Do you love it as much as i do? :)

xo