London Musings

Apart from a very long week of travel, I wanted to share what I've been up to in London.

As part of my goal of seeing more of London before I leave, I've been taking walks in new areas and exploring. I've also just been enjoying some of my favorite things that the City offers.

I took in three performances. 

I finally got to see Les Mis live. 

Miss Saigon returned to the West End for the first time in 15 years. This was an amazing performance and well worth opening prices. 

Handbagged is a parody play on the relationship between the Queen and Margaret Thatcher when Thatcher was Prime Minister. I was on the floor laughing the entire time. 

Last week, I went and had high tea with my friend, Chelsea, at Bond and Brook. 

The MPA had a picnic last week as a study break. Alyssa and I were fully enjoying the sunshine! 

And, my friend and sorority sister, Steph, was in town. She just graduated with her masters from Syracuse. I hadn't seen her since we graduated in 2012, so it was a fun evening!

Ben Franklin's House, St. Martin in the Fields, and the National Gallery!

Last Saturday, I booked a  ticket to visit Ben Franklin's London home.  It's tucked on a side street near Charing Cross, and not only have I walked by the street several times. I've also walked down the street past the house before. Strange how that happens sometimes.

I booked an advanced ticket to visit his home which includes a guided tour and video segments.  The tour featured a woman dressed in period costume.

Main Staircase

The tour started in the basement or what was once the garden. There was an exhibit about the medical bones that were found in the ground during renovations of the house. It turns out there had been a boarder in the house at once that also operated a medical school.

Bones

The first video of the tour gave information about Ben Franklin's life in London leading up to the American Revolution. The house is actually the only remaining building in the world where Ben Franklin lived! 

Bad Photo- But...Ben Franklin's Eye Glasses 

While the house has been renovated, there is no furniture or furnishings. Instead, each room features a small chair or table that included what could have occurred in the room.  For example, the parlor featured a small tea table. In each room, our guide spoke to us about the history of the house which was also supplemented by videos.

It was an interesting tour and for under a tenner, it's definitely a place for all to check out!

Trafaglar Square

Since Ben Franklin's house is practically in Trafaglar Square, I wondered over to also check out St. Martin in the Fields and the National Gallery. Again, two things that I actually have never done despite studying abroad!

St. Martin in the Fields

I visited St. Martin in the Fields first where I ran into a small orchestra preparing for a concert. 

St. Martin in the Fields is famous for the alter window.

Alter Window 

Inside St. Martin in the Fields 

After looking around in the church, I wandered down to the Crypt. No longer an actual crypt, I stopped in to the cafe for a quick cream tea!

Cream Tea 

And, finally, I ended this big day of tourism at the National Gallery. I stopped in quickly to see some of Monet's work as it was too crowded to make it through any other rooms. Will have to go back!

Kensington Palace

If you read my post yesterday, the last few weeks have been a bit stressful. 

I've been trying to balance the load of homework and job applications on my plate with activities in London. It's part of my whole goal to see as much of London before I leave at the end of June. 

Last Friday, the weather was gorgeous. I wandered through Kensington Gardens after having a working breakfast and a quick haircut. 

Kensington Palace

Stopping by Kensington Palace, I saw they had a few new exhibitions open. I hadn't been inside Kensington Palace since I was abroad in 2010. Then, it was still under renovations. So, I was quick to buy a ticket and check it out! 

There was a photography exhibit which featured the famous photo of Wills, Kate, and Prince George. 

There was also an exhibit about Queen Victoria and other royals during that age of British history.

My favorite exhibit was the one that featured the Queen's dresses from the 1950s- 1970s. 

Dress of the Queen's 

Dress of the Queen's 

Lizzy's Fashion

The exhibit also had a small section dedicated to Princess Diana and her fashion. 

Princess Diana's Gowns

It was a perfect Friday afternoon! Although, I did not run into any members of the royal family...

For those students reading my blog, make sure to show your student ID to get the discounted entry fee. There are two different cafes at Kensington Palace. There is one directly inside the Palace post the gift-shop. Yet, I recommend going outside to the Orangery. I've been there several times, and I've never been disappointed!

Have you visited Kensington Palace? Did you happen to see the sighting of the royal family? 

High Tea: Waldorf Hilton Version

Since moving back to London in September, my quest to find the best afternoon high tea began. As May begins, I think that I've made tremendous progress on my hunt. I've done numerous small hotels, the Orangery at Kensington Palace, Harrods...and now, I've done the Waldorf Hilton. 

A couple of months ago, Zaina and I bought a Groupon for high tea at the Waldorf. We scheduled it after we both were away for break. It served as the perfect way to catch up as well as indulge ourselves in scones, clotted cream, and macaroons. 

As for the experience, this tea was one of the best ones that I have had. We had a lovely time catching up over the champagne and the luxury teas.  The service was great- as I expected it to be from a Hilton. If you are looking for a more moderate-high end tea experience in London, I recommend the Waldorf!

White Cliffs of Dover...

"There'll be bluebirds over, The White Cliffs of Dover Tomorrow... Just you wait and see"

As a history nerd and a lover for travel, I've always wanted to see the White Cliffs of Dover. Yesterday, I finally had a chance to do so!

It was my first day-trip outside of London as I left early morning and got back around 8pm. Nicole joined me for the excursion to the southern most tip of England/closest to the continent.  We took off from London Victoria for a two hour journey through the English countryside, arriving in Dover around 10:30am.  We decided to do the cliffs before lunch with the rest of the town and the Castle post lunch.

Grabbing a quick bus ride, we came to the base of the first of many footpaths of the day. In England, for those of you who don't know, there are tons of public footpaths throughout the countryside. Designed to showcase the history and landscapes of the UK, they often run along coasts, through farmlands, cities, you name it. It's an awesome way to get to see a lot more than on a coach.  Starting at the base of the cliff, we worked our way up to the start of the National Trust site. While there is a brief 10-minute overview walk, Nicole and I kept venturing for the final destination: the lighthouse.

White Cliffs of Dover

 Looking into Dover Port

Start of the Public Footpath

Along the journey to the lighthouse, it was a bit muddy post rain showers the day before, but it took us over old farmlands as well as old stone remains from houses. Thankfully, the rain held off while we were there, and we were able to see the coast of France in the distance. From Dover, it is about 20-22 miles from France. Next time I go, I will have to bring my passport to take the fairy back and forth. I've gone in the Chunnel from taking the Eurostar to Belgium, but taking the boat on the Channel needs to happen in the future!

just hanging out...

France is right below the clouds 

Upon arriving to the lighthouse, we had a nice cream tea to refresh from the almost three hour hiking journey. The tea room included photos of those who work there- old family members, as well as photos of those who used to work the lighthouse. 

Post tea and scones with clotted cream (yum!), we took a public footpath that led us to one of the main roads that runs into Dover. Taking the scenic route of farmlands/cluster of houses with the Channel to the other side allowed us to see more of the countryside.

Arriving back into the town centre, Dover Castle was next! Because we spent a lot of time walking the cliffs and the countryside, we really only had time to do one of the many tours offered at the castle. Thus, we chose to do the Wartime Tunnels from World War II on how they were used for the Battle of Dunkirk.  I've done a lot of tours on the UK in WWII as well as how other countries handled the war, fought, etc. (Poland trip in 2010), but this has to be one of the best I've done. The exhibits are built into the actual tunnels, carvings are still on the wall from the soldiers that were stationed there, and the experience of a blackout was amazing.  It's worth the money to do it. I couldn't take any photos inside, but here's one on the outside!

Entrance to Wartime Tunnels

Nicole and I arrived back at the train station exhausted this evening. It was a jam-packed day, but worth it! I know I'll be taking other day trips and trips before visiting Dover again. Yet, I will go back as you can clearly spend more than one day in the town, and may still not see it all!

Have you ever been to Dover? Stay tuned for my travel trips there! 

"Tea with jam and bread"

1st. If you know the song reference of the title, excellent job!

Last Sunday, Nicole and I had high tea! We had found a GroupOn for high tea for 30 pounds. Splitting the cost, we got a normal high tea service that costs 75 pounds for roughly 15 pounds plus service. It's the little bargains in life. 

Arriving at the hotel overlooking Kensington Gardens, we were swept away right away to an age gone by. Of course, high tea is served everyday, but the hotel decor reminded me of the Victorian era. The first part of  tea? Champagne, of course!  A quick toast to being in London for one month was followed by tea. I choose traditional breakfast and was very glad I had quite a large pot for myself as it was a bit chilly that day. 

Tea and Champagne

Tea time!

With the tea came out the three-level tray of food! Eating our heart's desires...sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cupcakes, tarts, and macaroons! Yum!! And yes, I posted the photos to make you hungry!

Scones with clotted cream and jam

Spice Cupcake

Whipped Tart

Macaroons!

Tray of Food

As you can see, we left full! It was a great adventure, and I cannot wait for my next experience. On the bucket list is to eventually have high tea at Harrods!