Winter Weekend Away in London

Museums

There are so many different museums in London that there is something for everyone! And what better way to make the most of a rainy winter’s day! Many of the museums are free, although sometimes there are exhibits within these museums that charge a fee. It is always better to try to go online ahead of time to secure a timed slot to make going through security quicker and smoother, but they do still allow walk-ins if space permits. From the National Gallery celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, to the British Museum covering various civilizations and empires, and everything in between and beyond, London is the place to go for art, history, science and discovery.

Tours

The double-decker bus is iconic and still offers tours in the cold, rainy winter months. One of the more well-known is the City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off buses, which you can purchase tickets for at their various sights or ahead of time online. There are also various tours offered at some of the more popular sights such as the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. The abbey also offers self-guided audio tours that you may purchase at the entrance.

Walking around

As you stroll along the Thames in the heart of London, you will walk by Big Ben, the House of Parliament (go along the Westminster Bridge for the best photos!), Scotland Yard and, across the way, the London Eye. If you continue along Birdcage Walk from Big Ben, it will take you to Buckingham Palace, where you can get a glimpse of the King's Guard and see if the royals are home. There are also places like the West End and Piccadilly Circus — which will have you constantly looking around at everything going on — and Mayfair and Soho, where the upscale window shopping will have you wandering the streets for hours.

Department stores

Probably some of the most iconic stores in the world are in London, including but not limited to Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Liberty and Selfridges. On a cold winter’s day, you can spend hours wandering through the various displays, going up and down the different floors of clothing, shoes, household goods, perfume and jewelry, and then relax at one of their tea rooms, bars or restaurants. Some of them also have their own specialty grocery stores offering products exclusively for their brand and are not to be missed.

Parks

London has many outdoor spaces to wander around in, in the midst of a large city. Although you would not think that a park would be an ideal place in the wintertime, there are plenty of walkways that are paved so as to avoid the mud on your shoes and where you can stroll under an umbrella while enjoying the green spaces. The Green Park is a short walk to the Wolseley — if you are inclined for a nightcap or an upscale cafe experience — or to the Ritz-Carlton for high tea. Hyde Park is adjacent to Kensington Park and both are near Kensington Palace, which does offer tours certain days of the week during the winter months.

Getting places

London is one of the easiest (in my opinion) cities to get around in, as there are so many transportation options available. The sidewalks and streets are very walkable — and it helps that there are reminders which way to look if you are from abroad! The subway (or Metro or Tube as it is called) is very easy to use and there are always staff members at the Underground stations who are able to help you find what line you need and how to purchase a ticket. You can get tickets one at a time, or there are options for pay-as-you-go using contactless payment or purchasing an Oyster card, which can be reloaded with whatever amount you choose and can be used for both the subway and the public transportation buses (also double-decker) — but not the tour buses! There are also the famous black taxi cabs all over the city that you are able to wave down and hop into. Various app-based transportation companies also work within the city as well and are fairly easy to get ahold of.

• Mihbaj: Part coffee shop, part Middle Eastern restaurant, easy to pick up something on the go or to start and savor your morning more slowly. They offer breakfast all day! My recommendation is the shakshuka, which is made fresh in its own cast iron skillet after ordering.

• The Wolseley: Offers excellent cocktails and wonderful service with special attention to detail. If you want to eat here, I recommend making reservations ahead of time!

• Fortum & Mason: This was one of the best high teas I have experienced, and you can revisit any of the food items and take them to go after the tea is done! Highly recommend reservations.

• Gordon’s Wine Bar: As London’s oldest wine bar, Gordon’s has quite the reputation. Although part of it is a restaurant upstairs, the real place to be is down steep steps into an old cellar with every nook and cranny decorated, where you feel like you've stepped back in time. The wine list is expansive and there is something for everyone.

• Dishoom: Although this is in fact a chain of restaurants specializing in cuisine from Bombay, you would never know it with their attention to detail, quality food and the long lines out the door.

• Many of the old pubs throughout London offer menus of classic British pub dishes including fish and chips, burgers, a variety of appetizers and various types of pies. On Sunday afternoon, they offer the famous Sunday roast, which usually consists of Yorkshire pudding, roast beef, potatoes, some type of vegetable and gravy. Reservations are usually recommended because once the food is gone, it is gone and that’s it for the week! Stop in at any of them for a pint during your stay in London and enjoy the warmth, ambiance and relaxation after a long day exploring.