We are four longtime friends from Atlanta, traveling again on our first trip together since the plague. I make the plans, and my friends are some of the lowest-maintenance, most generous, and fun loving travelers I know. We’ve hit all the big name spots on other London trips, so we’re planning this one around great gardens and some fun-sounding local events.
We’ve always rented apartments in London, until our previous booking company went under with Covid, taking along a lot of unreturned deposits, so I won’t mention their infamous name. I’ve had only good experiences with Sawday’s properties in Europe, so for this trip tried a B&B in Hammersmith for our six nights. Have never stayed this far out of the center, but we were a 5 minute walk from the Hammersmith tube station, where the District line is a straight shot to Westminster and Embankment (Trafalgar Square) and the Piccadilly train goes right to Covent Garden. The Hammersmith & City (the Hot & Cold to locals) is a quick ride to Paddington. An added bonus was taking the Piccadilly train direct from Heathrow to our B&B in a fast 30 minutes, avoiding the traffic slog that usually sends me into a coma after an overnight flight.
http://www.abetterwaytostay.co.uk
We opt for the later night direct Delta flights out of ATL, hoping for sleep, so usually aren’t in our space until early afternoon. Everyone’s entitled to her own opinion, but I’m a lot happier after a mostly sleepless night to get a short nap in a real lay-flat bed before heading out. A great dinner at the Hawksmoor Knightsbridge Steak House followed by walking and window shopping. Tomorrow’s a big day, and we’re in early tonight.
LONDON
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show! I bought four tickets in November as soon as they went on sale, before I even asked anybody if they wanted to go. I’d been once years ago, and it’s a fun and memorable day if you love gardens. The Sloane Square tube stop is only a ten-minute walk from the show, and we arrived soon after the opening at 8AM. Landscape designers build complete gardens for the six-day run of the show, and there’s a huge exhibition hall filled with cut flowers and mass plantings. Food trucks and a few sit-down restaurants, but next time I may take a picnic like many locals. It can get crowded, but it’s festive. A special day for gardeners, for sure!
Japanese dinner at the Hare & Tortoise in Kensington, a taxi driver rec, then a front seat, top of the bus ride to Covent Garden for gelato at Venchi. (We discovered one of the scenic bus rides in the RS London book goes from Trafalgar Square all the way to Hammersmith. #9, possibly? A joyride in low traffic when there’s no hurry.)
Friday morning was a float down the Thames on the LondonWalks Brunel’s River Cruise, with Martin. We boarded our boat outside the Embankment tube stop, and got in an extra long walk when the regular boat was cancelled. Grateful for another stunningly sunny day. An unusual LondonWalks involving a boat, a couple of overground trains, and plenty of walking, but a knowledgeable guide and a unique river viewpoint for London landmarks usually seen from the sidewalk. We ended at the historic Mayflower Pub where the Pilgrims launched their trip to the new country. Excellent fish & chips on the deck overlooking the river.
https://www.mayflowerpub.co.uk
A stop on the way back at the Museum of Natural History to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit and a quick run home before tubing to Covent Garden to see Mrs. Doubtfire at the Shaftsbury Theatre. Over 20K steps for the second day in a row. I’m sure my Apple Watch thought it had been stolen and was now on somebody else’s arm.
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year