I will say, I’ve always enjoyed a little trip to London. I used to think the only exception was during periods in which my anxiety was at its most nightmarish. However, I’ve recently come a long way in my thinking about this – because to be honest, going anywhere is nightmarish when you’re feeling a bit rough and raw to the world’s busyness. I’m no longer convinced London is any different.
The number one highlight for me might seem like a boring one – but it’s always the tube. I can’t help but love every second of it. Even when it’s busy. I love the different designs of the stations, a clue as to what era they were built as you travel round. And the Elizabeth Line made getting from Heathrow Central Coach Station an absolute breeze.
Mum had only really properly been to London as a little girl. Her Mum and Dad packed her and her brothers into the car and drove them down overnight – after a long day of work. They got in all the tourist hotspots, got back into the car the following evening and off they went back to Bangor. So, off we went to try and get as many of the same spots as possible. More than 50 years later.
I’ve never seen my poor Fitbit as overrun as it was last week. It quite literally couldn’t keep up with my 64-year-old Mum. She’s a retail manager, spending all day on her feet. So she regularly already beats my daily step count no matter how hard I try! Seriously, 10 miles a day is nothing to her.
We hit all the tourist stops. Buckingham Palace, of course. We even got in the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and the Thames Clipper to Greenwich. Though, despite one of the reasons for our trip being to get our christmas shopping done early, most of the things we’d bought we were so excited to give to each other or Rob, that they didn’t make it under the tree. But there we are.
On a side note, we both had the same thing to say about how much bigger Buckinham Palace seems on TV (and in memory). And don’t get me started on Harrods. If you’re looking for a stress free luxury browse, Harvey Nicholls is a much more bearable time. We walked from Buckingham Palace, through Knightsbridge, taking in all the obscene wealth and luxury consumerism (and cosmetic clinics), on the hunt for a Harrods bauble. We left the very crammed department store with some coffee for my Dad, and vegan hot chocolate for Rob, no bauble. We quickly made our way as far as we could get before going for lunch.
I also introduced my Mum to Leon (the fast-food chain, not a person). I know there is absolutely nothing special about the place, but anywhere that serves coffees and lentil dahl rice boxes alongside turkey and stuffing wraps clearly deserves to be in every town across the nation. Make it happen please; Cardiff needs a Leon. I need those waffle fries as often as possible. Though, while you’re listening Mr Leon, where are those vegan nuggets? Bring them back ASAP!
One of my favourite stops was the Tate Modern. I’ve been twice now in about a month – but that’s because it’s one of the best free things you can do in London. Even ticketed exhibitions are quite reasonable. Especially for the expansiveness of what you get for your money. On a relaxed day, there’s nothing more fun than trotting around at your own leisure, taking everything in. It must surely also have the best gift shop in the UK?
We took our first day quite easy, as it was already unplanned. We were supposed to be travelling down from Cardiff the following day but the flooding on the line from North to South Wales was so bad that train services weren’t running – and we had no idea when they would be. However, getting from North Wales to London is actually quicker anyway, so some last-minute rejigging of Mum’s ticket was carried over the phone on Sunday night, and off we were the following morning.
There was a lot of coffee stops – and many slices of cake. Though horrifyingly, just a week later, the only one that still sticks in my mind was the chocolate fudge cake from John Lewis. Seriously? All that way for John Lewis cake? We also made an error that should be unheard of on any Christmas trip… not a single mince pie was consumed.
I’ve curated all of my favourite little moments from the trip below.
Tim Wynne 