First time commenter and RAN to the comments to recommend the medieval women's lives exhibit at The British Library. I just saw it when I was in London two weeks ago and it was incredible! Saw so many amazing objects including Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love, Hildegard's letters and writings from Catherine of Sienna. It was one of the best parts of my trip! The exhibit is there until March 2.
Just a head’s up that the curators of that exhibit drove me nuts with their reading modern narratives onto medieval women! 😂 So you may want skip a lot of the “explanations.”
(Also, the tiny coffee shop outside the front of the building has amazing coffee.)
I lived in London for 12 years and I just tell people to walk. Just walk the streets because you will discover magical hidden corners everywhere. Youve seen tourist London. But the real London, I always think, is best found through walking the alleyways and side streets .
The Wallace Collection is my favourite museum in London, alongside the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Spitalfields market is a must - there is some great fashion there! - exploring the rabbits warren of side streets surrounding the Market is also fun. Butlers Wharf is a great place to have a drink and contemplate Tower Bridge. From there, walking the into Rotherhithe and stopping at the Mayflower Pub - where the actual Mayflower took off from - reveals a whole new London. Bermondsey Street has some *phenomenal* restaurants. Pizarro is my favourite. Taking an old riverboat from Westminster to Richmond, through the locks, is a really fascinating experience. If you haven't been to Liberty, that's a must. I love walking through Bloomsbury. A great little book is "Quiet London." That will take you to all sorts of out of the way places.
And you can take a boat all the way to Hampton Court palace which Henry would have done… It’s an amazing place to walk through each room focused on the next wife, and the next…
St. Etheldreda's church is the oldest Catholic Church in London (and I think England). Built in 1290 it survived the reformation because the Spanish ambassador made it his residence in 1620, thereby preserving it for the Catholic Church. It might be the only Catholic Church in England that pre-dates the reformation. (not sure, but there can't be many) Most of the others were confiscated and converted to Anglican churches if they weren't outright destroyed. When you walk in, you feel like you've been transported to the days of Robin Hood. The full history is here. https://www.stetheldreda.co.uk/history
I love tea at Fortnum and Mason's, too! I go to the ground floor cafe (for relative affordability's sake) and get a hot chocolate, which they bring in a silver pot.
MY HOUSE!!!! Is a mandatory stop on your London tour! Jk jk I’m sure you’re swamped but if you need anything while you’re here do give me a shout, can DM you my number.
Greenwich is an incredibly cute little village (actually a UNESCO world heritage site!), features the city sark ship/museum, and is attached to the gorgeous Greenwich park which includes FOUR other museums (royal observatory, queens house, maritime and rangers house). Definitely worth a day since you’ve already seen a lot of the bits in central London. You can also get there via a Thames ferry or uber boat (I kid you not) which adds a great and cheap Thames river tour into the mix.
Borough market near London bridge is a GREAT food spot -tons of options and it’s a real experience just to walk through it. They have lots of yummy packaged food too in case you’re looking for souvenirs (including Turkish delight for any narnia fans!)
I purchased your Sister Seraphina series for my 5 yo niece for Christmas - she and my sister have been reading them at bedtime. My niece informed me the other day that ‘We finished the mouse books.’ and ‘I liked them!’ ☺️
London -The National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery. Go to Chez Patrick in Kensington. If Patrick is still running things, he's a very sassy French man, and his food is fabulous. Rent a bike and go through Kensington Gardens while you're over that way. A show in the West End. See what's on that night and you can get last minute tickets for very cheap. Westminster Cathedral. The Tate Modern and St. Paul's while you're over there. Do the whisper experiment in the Dome. And of course, many proper English breakfasts with baked beans, eggs, and sausage. Enjoy! One of my all-time favorite cities.
Haley, G.K. Chesterton’s grave and the parish church he and Frances attended are in the town of Beaconsfield, not far from London. Definitely check out Beaconsfield if you get a chance and say a prayer at Chesterton’s grave.
My godchildren love that mysteries series, and I’ve been able to get all 3 of them into my local public library system, along with your Jane Austen book. They also added your Catholic Kids’ cookbook to their shelves without my prompting (they ordered it before I recommended it to them, so your books must get a decent amount of circulation 🙂)
The Globe is always on my list if you can find out what sort of interpretation (or not) the director is into. We saw a straight Elizabethan version of Twelfth Night there a few years ago and it was amazing! If you don’t mind standing for 3 hours you can be right in the crowds, but if you prefer a seat there are good ones to be had and I recommend splurging £1 to rent a cushion ahead of time so you’re sure to get one :)
London food recs: Forno near Bethnal Green (incredible pastries!), Yeast Bakery around the corner is also good, Bread Ahead for their doughnuts (the borough market location does get crazy busy), the Tea House Theatre in Vauxhall for cakes and cosy vibes (there is a cat that chills by the fireplace), Udderlicious in Covent Garden for ice cream
Things to do: Evensong at St Paul's or Westminster Abbey (a way to enter for free, and their choirs are world class), Parliament Hill viewpoint in Hampstead Heath, Columbia Road flower market on Sundays, Tate Britain
We're flying out of London at the end of our 3 week trip to Europe this summer. We will only be there for 1 day and my youngest 2 kids and I are going to go to the Harry Potter Studio. We've spent the last year reading the series together so even though there are other things I reeeeally want to see, I can't wait to do that with them!
My oldest turns 18 next month and it's such a weird feeling. This human that I birthed and raised is about to be a LEGAL adult. I think the craziest part is that I vividly remember what it was like to be his age...
I always recommend Sir John Soane's Museum for people looking for things to do in London, but honestly if you didn't get a good look at the V&A that's probably the priority! I hear the BL Medieval Women exhibit is great but very busy so I would book in advance.
First time commenter and RAN to the comments to recommend the medieval women's lives exhibit at The British Library. I just saw it when I was in London two weeks ago and it was incredible! Saw so many amazing objects including Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love, Hildegard's letters and writings from Catherine of Sienna. It was one of the best parts of my trip! The exhibit is there until March 2.
I am so glad you reminded me of this exhibit! I remember seeing something about it when it opened and then completely forgot. ON MY LIST!
Just a head’s up that the curators of that exhibit drove me nuts with their reading modern narratives onto medieval women! 😂 So you may want skip a lot of the “explanations.”
(Also, the tiny coffee shop outside the front of the building has amazing coffee.)
I lived in London for 12 years and I just tell people to walk. Just walk the streets because you will discover magical hidden corners everywhere. Youve seen tourist London. But the real London, I always think, is best found through walking the alleyways and side streets .
The Wallace Collection is my favourite museum in London, alongside the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Spitalfields market is a must - there is some great fashion there! - exploring the rabbits warren of side streets surrounding the Market is also fun. Butlers Wharf is a great place to have a drink and contemplate Tower Bridge. From there, walking the into Rotherhithe and stopping at the Mayflower Pub - where the actual Mayflower took off from - reveals a whole new London. Bermondsey Street has some *phenomenal* restaurants. Pizarro is my favourite. Taking an old riverboat from Westminster to Richmond, through the locks, is a really fascinating experience. If you haven't been to Liberty, that's a must. I love walking through Bloomsbury. A great little book is "Quiet London." That will take you to all sorts of out of the way places.
Making a note all of these places!
And you can take a boat all the way to Hampton Court palace which Henry would have done… It’s an amazing place to walk through each room focused on the next wife, and the next…
Thank you for speaking up about cuts to foreign aid!
St. Etheldreda's church is the oldest Catholic Church in London (and I think England). Built in 1290 it survived the reformation because the Spanish ambassador made it his residence in 1620, thereby preserving it for the Catholic Church. It might be the only Catholic Church in England that pre-dates the reformation. (not sure, but there can't be many) Most of the others were confiscated and converted to Anglican churches if they weren't outright destroyed. When you walk in, you feel like you've been transported to the days of Robin Hood. The full history is here. https://www.stetheldreda.co.uk/history
Oh I'm sold!
Yes this is so cool!! A beautiful little church as well
I recommend:
1. Fortnum and Masons - so quintessentially British. Their hampers are often spotted in shows too (The Crown, All Creatures Great & Small).
2. Cabinet War Rooms - the underground HQ Churchill used during WWII
I love London; what a perfect antidote!!
I love tea at Fortnum and Mason's, too! I go to the ground floor cafe (for relative affordability's sake) and get a hot chocolate, which they bring in a silver pot.
MY HOUSE!!!! Is a mandatory stop on your London tour! Jk jk I’m sure you’re swamped but if you need anything while you’re here do give me a shout, can DM you my number.
Greenwich is an incredibly cute little village (actually a UNESCO world heritage site!), features the city sark ship/museum, and is attached to the gorgeous Greenwich park which includes FOUR other museums (royal observatory, queens house, maritime and rangers house). Definitely worth a day since you’ve already seen a lot of the bits in central London. You can also get there via a Thames ferry or uber boat (I kid you not) which adds a great and cheap Thames river tour into the mix.
Borough market near London bridge is a GREAT food spot -tons of options and it’s a real experience just to walk through it. They have lots of yummy packaged food too in case you’re looking for souvenirs (including Turkish delight for any narnia fans!)
Other fav restaurants:
Bar Douro
Casa do frango
Brasserie zedel
Lina stores
And of course, a cheeky Nando’s
Love these recs and let's PLEASE get together!
I purchased your Sister Seraphina series for my 5 yo niece for Christmas - she and my sister have been reading them at bedtime. My niece informed me the other day that ‘We finished the mouse books.’ and ‘I liked them!’ ☺️
Aw! I love to hear this!
Hampton Court Palace if you like Tudor history - it's a hike outside the city center though!
Hampton court is our FAVORITE place to bring out of town visitors. It is magical!
I LOVE Tudor history. I am IN.
London -The National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery. Go to Chez Patrick in Kensington. If Patrick is still running things, he's a very sassy French man, and his food is fabulous. Rent a bike and go through Kensington Gardens while you're over that way. A show in the West End. See what's on that night and you can get last minute tickets for very cheap. Westminster Cathedral. The Tate Modern and St. Paul's while you're over there. Do the whisper experiment in the Dome. And of course, many proper English breakfasts with baked beans, eggs, and sausage. Enjoy! One of my all-time favorite cities.
Great ideas!
Haley, G.K. Chesterton’s grave and the parish church he and Frances attended are in the town of Beaconsfield, not far from London. Definitely check out Beaconsfield if you get a chance and say a prayer at Chesterton’s grave.
My mouse nun mysteries are set in Beaconsfield! So fun!
My godchildren love that mysteries series, and I’ve been able to get all 3 of them into my local public library system, along with your Jane Austen book. They also added your Catholic Kids’ cookbook to their shelves without my prompting (they ordered it before I recommended it to them, so your books must get a decent amount of circulation 🙂)
Sweet Haley, you are not old 💕. I’m old - my son turns 35 this year. Such a blessing ❤️
In January I ate a delicious meal at The Swan restaurant (associated with the Globe theater) with fabulous views of the Thames.
I've never been to the Globe, either!
I haven’t been inside that one, either. Only the one in Staunton, Virginia 🤣
The Globe is always on my list if you can find out what sort of interpretation (or not) the director is into. We saw a straight Elizabethan version of Twelfth Night there a few years ago and it was amazing! If you don’t mind standing for 3 hours you can be right in the crowds, but if you prefer a seat there are good ones to be had and I recommend splurging £1 to rent a cushion ahead of time so you’re sure to get one :)
London food recs: Forno near Bethnal Green (incredible pastries!), Yeast Bakery around the corner is also good, Bread Ahead for their doughnuts (the borough market location does get crazy busy), the Tea House Theatre in Vauxhall for cakes and cosy vibes (there is a cat that chills by the fireplace), Udderlicious in Covent Garden for ice cream
Things to do: Evensong at St Paul's or Westminster Abbey (a way to enter for free, and their choirs are world class), Parliament Hill viewpoint in Hampstead Heath, Columbia Road flower market on Sundays, Tate Britain
Thank you, Helen!
We're flying out of London at the end of our 3 week trip to Europe this summer. We will only be there for 1 day and my youngest 2 kids and I are going to go to the Harry Potter Studio. We've spent the last year reading the series together so even though there are other things I reeeeally want to see, I can't wait to do that with them!
My oldest turns 18 next month and it's such a weird feeling. This human that I birthed and raised is about to be a LEGAL adult. I think the craziest part is that I vividly remember what it was like to be his age...
I always recommend Sir John Soane's Museum for people looking for things to do in London, but honestly if you didn't get a good look at the V&A that's probably the priority! I hear the BL Medieval Women exhibit is great but very busy so I would book in advance.
A great exhibit at the British Library....
ttps://www.bl.uk/whats-on/medieval-women/
I look forward to meeting you at the Conference!
Looking forward to meeting you, too, Margaret! Please wave me down and say hi!