Let’s plan a trip to London!
Because why not.
Libre ang mangarap, we say in the Philippines. I’ve never really dreamed of going to London, but then again, I had never really dreamed of going to Paris, or Europe in general, and now all I do is dream of going back. So, in the off-chance that a magical confluence of events somehow makes a London trip possible, it’s always a good idea to have a travel plan ready, right? “Build it and they will come” and all that.
Because the Brits have a sense of humor.
The West End is smack dab in the middle of London, Covent Garden is not a garden, there’s no circus in Piccadilly Circus, and there isn’t as much wood in St. John’s Wood as one would have a right to suppose. Any country that can think of such delightfully misleading names deserves to be descended upon by tourists who can’t pronounce Thames or Marylebone.
Because London is home to Baker Street and Platform 9¾ and George Smiley and Old Bailey.
- Yes, Old Bailey; the bird man from Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, that is. In fact, Neverwhere should be reason enough to visit London.
- I revere George Smiley, despite the unfortunate fact that he’s fictional.
- It turns out there is actually no solid barrier between Platforms 9 and 10 in the real King’s Cross, but it should still be fun to take a look, and they do have this Platform 9¾ wall in the western departures concourse.
© User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 - 221B didn’t exist in the time of Arthur Conan Doyle — apparently Baker Street didn’t go that high back then — and the fact that the building now designated as 221B is actually supposed to be 239 Baker Street kind of wreaks havoc on my orderly sensibilities (hah!) but I still want to go, if only because I’ve loved Sherlock Holmes for decades. (I’m actually rather proud of the fact that my affections well predate the BBC series, and also I wish that the show’s Moriarty and Mycroft were truer to canon, but that’s another story.)
Because Prince Philip is a god.
In Vanuatu, anyway.
Because there are sleeper trains from London to the Scottish highlands.
And I’m a sucker for trains. And the Scottish highlands. Never mind that I don’t drink whiskey and I easily get cold and I probably can’t understand anyone when I’m there. (It’s me, not them.) My favorite Dick Francis book is To The Hilt. Also, there’s a sleeper to Cornwall, where George Smiley has a cottage.
Because England has such a rich history.
I’m no history buff, but a walking tour I did in Munich opened my eyes to the depth that a little knowledge of history can add to one’s experience of a place. I have to admit the little I know of English history is gleaned mostly from fiction: the Blitz from Narnia, for example, the tradition of the Ceremony of the Keys from Tom Clancy’s Patriot Games, and the disappearance of the Ninth Legion from Centurion and The Eagle. But I look forward to learning more and then seeing where it all happened with my own eyes.
Because I like a challenge.
Actually, I’m not sure that I do, but there are so many reasons why I shouldn’t go to London — there’s a gaping hole in the ground where my travel fund used to be, for one — and yet I still feel pulled to it somehow. So…I’m thinking it’ll be fun to find ways to make it possible. London is expensive? No problem, I’ll just walk everywhere and eat cheaply and go to parks instead of plays. October is the rainiest month of the year? No problem, I’ll bring a coat and an umbrella and think what an authentic experience I’m having with proper English weather.
And just, really, because why not.
Care to join me? In subsequent posts, let’s research London attractions, make a shortlist of hotels we can realistically stay in (The Ritz and The Goring are out, I think), put a travel budget together, and keep our fingers crossed the universe decides such diligence should not go unrewarded.
*
“Let’s plan a trip to London!” was created by LSS for travel site Small-Town Girls, Midnight Trains. All rights reserved.
You might also like:
I literally just did a video on cool things to do in London! Everything I show is either free or super cheap, feel free to have a look I hope it’s helpful: http://youtu.be/sj2R6uJ89aQ
Enjoy your trip! 🙂 x
Will do. Thanks for the link! 🙂
I hope you get to go! I went to London in 2012 as a stop between Scotland and Ireland and spent less than 24 hours in the city! Not ideal but I was just happy to step on English soil & see some of the famous landmarks. I’d like to return but I don’t think I can in the foreseeable future. I’m interested in the English countryside too and some smaller cities. I look forward to your London post if/when you get to go.
I hope so too! And I hope you get to return. (Who knows?) I’ve heard a lot of nice things about the Cotswolds. I think it’ll be nice to stay in a small village in the country for at least a night and experience village life. 🙂
That’s exactly what I’m thinking & that would be so lovely. The Cotswolds or someplace similar. I would love to visit Puzzlewood too.
Absolutely love London. I was there for two months last summer on a study abroad program and it was the best two months of my life
Yay, that makes me even more determined to go. What were your favorite places to go or things to do?
“Care to join me? In subsequent posts, let’s research London attractions, make a shortlist of hotels we can realistically stay in (The Goring is out, I think), put a travel budget together, and keep our fingers crossed the universe decides such diligence should not go unrewarded.” Let’s do it, mate. I really want to see Hamlet live, next year and nobody can stop me!
Yay! Good luck to us. I really hope you get to go. 🙂
Loved it when I went. So much to see.
I think I’ll love it too! Happy travels to you!
Yes to Baker Street, yes to Gaiman, yes to all of it! Libre mangarap, and who knows? If we The Secret it, it just might come true. 😀
Okay, I admit I had to Google “The Secret” hehe. But yes! And at the very least it couldn’t hurt. 🙂 Push lang. 😀
Uy, malay mo, magwork. Walang mawawala. Push na yan! 😀
I just posted a list of free things to do tin London on my blog. I think London is one of my favorite places and let’s be honest English rain is lovely and romantic.
I checked it out and it’s really helpful. Thanks! As for the rain, I’ve always wondered how you cope with it. Do you bring an umbrella all the time? Do people wear rain coats? Would one need rain boots?
London is NOT cheap, but I enjoyed it while I was there. It was huge and sprawling though, so just be careful of that. I ended up spending a lot of time in the same places, haha. London is beautiful though– there are hidden pockets that make it magical 🙂 You just have to venture outside of Zone 2 to find them.
Hi Christa! What were your favorite places?
I ended up loving the parks– but I loved Camden Town as a whole. Reminded me of those really cool neighbourhoods that I used to hang out in when I lived in Chicago. I also liked Shoreditch/High Street and Brick Lane, but I wish I could have gone much earlier in the day.
Oh! That’s what I’m really excited about, too, just taking walks in parks, which may sound boring but I’m sure I’d love it. I’ve thought of Camden market but now I think I’ll explore the whole Camden area too. Thanks!
If you can make it out of Zones 1-2, I’d suggest checking out Richmond! It’s a beautiful nature reserve/park. They have deer :3
That’s definitely on my list. Thanks!
I hope you get to go! I’ll be studying in London this Fall and I can’t wait.
Oh gosh, I bet you’re excited about that! Enjoy your stay in London. I’m hoping I’ll get to go too. 🙂
Im in the UK right now! haha. When do you plan on going? It’s hella expensive here, I warn you! hahaha xoxo
I know! Probably September. I am already preparing myself for a few months of being broke. 🙁 But I think it will be worth it. 🙂 Looking forward to your UK posts!