London Trip Report September 2025

Sounds like a wonderful trip! I'd love to do a daytrip to Leicester for the Richard III history. Unfortunately, my daughter is not as into history as I am. I've persuaded her to go to Windsor Castle on our trip this February, and I think that's all I'm going to get! (We've been to London several times and have seen most of the usual sites) I really think I need to do a solo trip so I can see all the things I want to see, like Leicester, Hever Castle, and other historical things. I am going to try to get tickets to the early, before hours tour of Westminster Abbey. My daughter can sleep in while I do that (if I'm lucky enough to get tickets).

Thanks for the report. I head to London in 2 weeks. As an often solo traveler, I too appreciate the convenience of a good café. For the 3 that you mentioned, do you recall if they are counter service or table service?

The Cellarium Cafe in Westminster Abbey offers table service, and so does the 5th floor restaurant/Cafe in Waterstone's Piccadilly store.
Foyles offers counter service. Waterstone's and Foyles have limited menus, but the food is good.
On previous trips I have also found the British Museum to offer reasonably priced meals.

Thanks so much for posting! Your trip sounds wonderful!

I haven't eaten at the Westminster Abbey cafe since pre-Covid so I'm very glad to hear it's still good. Convenient spot and was very cool inside!

I'm also happy to hear about your day trip to Leicester Cathedral. I hadn't thought of doing that and will add it onto my "to-do" list for London, hahaha!! I do think the discovery of his body is a great story! And so cool they could connect his DNA to someone contemporary.

Pam

I hadn't thought about Leicester as a day trip until a member of a FB London group mentioned it.
I am a member of thr American branch of the Richard III Society, and realized that I could see the tomb and visit the centre. At thr centre you can also see the trench in which Richard 's remains were discovered.
I also learned that I coyld turn in my printed ticket and get a ticket that is good for one year for admission to the Richard III centre- another incentive to plan a trip.

Sounds like you had a great trip. Another lunch spot to consider is Huffkins Cafe inside the John Lewis store on Oxford St. In addition to salads and sandwiches they offer both a sweet and a savory cream tea.

What a great trip!! We also saw Daughter of Time (at the end of August) and truly enjoyed it. I’m always inspired when I read about people planning trips around their passions. Hope you’re savoring your memories!

Good to know about Huffkins, and delighted to meet someone who saw The Daughter of Time. I thought it was a very good adaptation of Tey's novel, and a fine cast.

Good report.

Finding a great cafe is always a pleasure.

I still adore the River Cafe across the road from the Putney Tube Station. Old school. Venerable and around the corner from Hurlingham Books.

If walkers and park lovers the cafe in Victoria Park by the tennis courts was good. Discovered in 2024. Lastly, the Queens Wood cafe. Almost magical.

Sounds like a great trip. I read Tey’s book years ago, so it would be fun to see the play.

BarbaraN I think that the London production of The Daughter of Time was its world premier. Thecplaywright would love to see it play elsewhere.