Alka Gurha 7 Aug, 2024
I’ve always wanted to explore London and now that my children are there, visiting the city seemed like a good idea to escape the Gurgaon heat. Also, it was May and it was spring. The weather was temperate and we were able to explore places without getting drenched in the rain or bothered by the piercing sun. In fact, if you are planning a London vacation, spring is the ideal time of year to beat the summer rush and long queues.
Our trip began outside London, with a week-long sojourn in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, to the northwest of the capital. While autumn is the best season to admire the vivid colours, spring was equally resplendent. After a drive of five hours, we stopped at the glistening Lake Windermere (England’s largest), which allows cruises, scuba diving, hiking and sailing. Given the similarity, people also call it the Lake Como (Italy) of England.
We had booked an Airbnb in Hesket Newmarket, and the journey to here from Lake Windermere was breathtaking. We drove past several gleaming lakes, verdant hills and gurgling rivulets. It was so scenic that after a point, clicking pictures seemed futile. The following day we drove around the stunning town of Keswick, which sits on Lake Derwentwater and is surrounded by lush green mountains. Keswick is famous for its hikes, restaurants, outdoor activities, pencil museum, and the ruins of Lingholm Castle.
Grasmere, another small village, is so beautiful that it served as an inspiration for the great poet, William Wordsworth. Whatever your age or interest—hikes, hamlets or history—the scenic landscape of the Lake District is sprinkled with everything.
Tip: Spend 3-4 days and hire a car to explore the Cumbrian charm and history
Tip: With the sinking value of the Rupee, and almost every brand available in India, shopping is not a great idea unless you are a designer-brand buff
Back in London, it was time to explore the city that opens like a novel, with chapters on history, food, theatre and art. If I had to pick a modern city with a soul, the mascot has to be London. Unlike Dubai and Singapore, London is a labyrinth of streets, each one leading you to a new discovery and a new experience. If it’s your first visit, the famous HoHo buses are a good way to explore the city as you can get down anywhere you wish. I had visited London long ago and had no distinct memories, so it was fun to soak in the famous landmark sights of Notting Hill, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and London Bridge.
The Thames River Cruise may seem routine but it’s worth the ride for the panoramic views, of the past and future intersecting on both shores. The cruise gives you a view of the modern Canary Wharf area, where skyscrapers kiss the skies and urban life collides with natural beauty.
Tip: Tickets for the hop-on hop-off (HoHo) bus include the river cruise and are available through apps like TopView. London is huge, charming and easy to cover on foot. There’s a lot of walking, so don’t forget to carry comfortable walking shoes—and an umbrella!
Tip: Sit outside if the weather permits and soak in the multicultural vibe
The following day was booked for theatre as watching a play in London is one of the ‘must do’ things. Pick any of the shows from ‘Mamma Mia’ to ‘The Lion King’ and be amazed by the 100-year-old theatres and the performances. And if you are watching a show, do take a wander around Covent Garden and its open-air restaurants, where history peeks out from every nook and corner.
What I liked most about London was how the city has preserved its green spaces. Stroll down the busy financial district around Big Ben and within minutes, you can be in St. James Park observing horses, sheep and hens. Do not miss the sprawling Kew Gardens, Regent’s Park and Hyde Park in the centre of the city. A walk around Regent’s Canal and a visit to London Zoo makes for a great weekend activity. And talking of gardens, an outing to Sky Garden is a wonderfully touristy thing to do.
Tip: Kew Gardens are botanical gardens with an entry ticket. I’d suggest visit any park that’s free and enjoy the verdant surrounds
I call London a city with a soul because you can go from a museum to a park to a cathedral to a shop and spend days exploring a place that breathes history, culture, nature and diversity. You can walk around and enjoy a beer or a coffee, and listen to musicians play with gay abandon. Talking of beer, London pubs are quintessentially British and some of them were visited by Shakespeare and Dickens. Whether it’s a Sunday roast, quiz show or music, pubs are a great place to hang out with family. And if ‘people watching’ was a sport, I would win a gold for not getting bored, and for endlessly observing folks from diverse ethnicities, cultures and races.
The last day in London was reserved for a trip to the famous Borough Market—the British Chandni Chowk. This bustling market has food retail shops that date back to the 12th century, and is packed with stalls featuring artisanal cheese, fried insects, oysters, rare spices, fruit and more. Some eateries selling authentic British food have queues that are almost a kilometre long! Borough Market was also the location of the leaky cauldron in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’.
What more can you say about a city that has inspired thinkers, poets and authors for centuries? Do plan a visit, to celebrate diversity and watch the tapestry of culture unfold in myriad ways. #londonvacation #LakeDistrictNationalParkinCumbria #NationalMuseuminLondon #LakeDistrictNationalPark #LakeWindermere #Londontravelguide #Londonattractions #Londonshopping #Londonhistory #Londonculture #BicesterVillage #ThamesRiverCruise
