Our Summer Holiday in London

Welp, this one is full of photos!

Golly, London. Your a City with a Heart Beat all your Own…. Filled with so much positivity, lights, culture, history, fun, food, and hidden gems. I dont think you could discovery every treasure this place holds in a lifetime, let alone a week- but we made a bucket list of top sites, and gave it a shot! Proud to say, we did MOST of what we wanted- As this was a trip all about the kiddos, I think they all walked away with a bit more Travel Education under there belts, and some amazing memories <3

We flew, trained, sub-way’d, bused, cabbed, rode a boat across the Thames- and walked, Holy Cow, we walked! About 47 miles in 4.5 days… here is a glimpse of it…

Just off the train from Gatwick Airport, on our first walk through London- On our way to Tower Hotel, where we stayed…

First Stop, Daigon Alley- Ladenhall Market!

Followed by a walk down by the Thames, a ride on the London Eye, and Carousel riding!

Day 2 started out with Coffeeeeeeeeee…… We had a super cute little cafe on Katherines Dock just behind the hotel- best falafel wraps as well!

Double Decker Bus trip around the City! Took us all around Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) Westminster Abbey, London Bridge, Hyde Park, and more…. such a great way to get a glimpse of the sites… Get a hop on/off pass to use all day!

HUGE Highlight of the trip was seeing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace!!! We had an amazing show this particular morning- The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums put on an incredible performance, playing songs from Queen and the Lion King among others! (this was a bonus we didnt expect… I talked with a guard who says it only happens a few weeks out of the Summer! Right place, right time!) The whole experience was pretty special…

The Vegan Doughnouts and shakes at Crosstown are to DIE for… Must eat in London!

So much Positivity……….

And Harry Potter! Perfect for me, Madi, and now Tea! Big fans……

Camera died at St Pauls Cathedral, womp womp… but a beautiful place to visit… the architecture everywhere is so intricate.

Camdentown. Wow. This is the place for the artists, the rockers, the weird, the eclectic. It was an interesting afternoon for sure! We were able to track down an Authentic Japanese Family run restaurant here… I could have cried- we pulled out our teeny bit of Japanese, and enjoyed every bite of our gyoza and tempura and ramen and sushi… Totally pretended we stepped back in time for the hour we spent there, so nostalgic.

Day 3 we started out with some quiet- St Dunstan’s Church… Dates back 1,000 years, and we were there alone. Bliss.

Next up was the British Museum! The Egyptian displays were insane…..

We grabbed Indian Food for lunch, then…. DRUMROLL….. Frozen at the Royal Drury Theater!!! Unanimously the best memory from the trip- The theater dates back to Shakespear who used to perform here- its the oldest still running theater in London! And so so so beautiful… The performance blew our minds, some of the performers having even been on Broadway! I cried all the way through- picturing Story dancing and signing “Let it Go” in her little Elsa dress I made her years ago…. My heart exploded watching all of the kids in awe of the performance… Im so so happy to have shared this with them… <3

of course we spent way to much $$$ at the Gift Shop- Miss Story had to have a tiara and gloves, haha- She even slept in them that night….

Then it was Picadilly Circus, where we found a Book Store for Birdy…. followed by something special in Covenant Garden! (It will be in the Video ;))

Our views from the hotel room….

Day 4- the Tower….. Crown Jewels, the super bloom, the ravens, all the History! This was a top must see, and it delivered… Tip: get tickets in advance, and get in line by 8:30- otherwise you could wait in lines for hours!

Then a ride on the Thames-

Follwed by a walk down Baker Street for ice cream, Sherlock Holmes, and the Beatles Store!

We walked down through Hyde park, where Pearl Jam was having a Concert!!!! Then to the British Natural History Museum… Dinos!

On Day 5, we headed down to Dorset, where the remainder of our trip takes place…. So many little bits between the pics, so many special memories made… I will forever cherish every one of these family trips-

Stay tuned for the next part of England, and a little Home Movie Im putting together! xoxox