Top 3 Things To Do In London
Lauren Eidson
11.2.21
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England has beautiful, flourishing landscapes and a fascinating source of history. There are many places I havenβt visited in England that are still on my list, including the White Cliffs of Dover, the Roman Baths, castles, country sides, and of course Stonehenge!
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After spending two weeks in London, I discovered the top 3 things to do in this gorgeous city. Yes, I could provide a vast list of restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, etc. that I could recommend, but I honestly loved every local eatery I visited! When traveling around London, itβs a must to purchase an Oyster Card for the Tube (also called the London Underground rail network). And be prepared for a strenuous amount of walking! This is how the majority of locals get around the city. Although, a ride on a double decker bus is certainly a fun experience!
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Everyone knows about the London Eye, the British Museum and others, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. However, let me share my top 3 things to do that will provide a magically different experience of London.
1. Kew Gardens. If I had a favorite place in London, this would be it. This botanical garden is located in southwest London and houses the βlargest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the worldβ (www.kew.org). They have quite the collection of greenhouses, including my favorites: the Palm House, the Alpine House, and the Temperate House. The Temperate House is historically special because itβs βthe world's largest surviving Victorian glass structure. It contains plants and trees from all the temperate regions of the world, some of which are extremely rareβ (wikipedia.org). My favorite part was the second floor view of the Temperate House. It allowed a new perspective and appreciation for the work and detail put into the gardens. I also must say, donβt skip The Hive exhibition! It was fun to learn about the kinds of bees and their importance within Kew Gardens.
2. Tattershall Castle. At first, you might think Iβm referring to a castle, but this establishment is actually a boat located in Westminster on the River Thames. You have to be at least 21 to enter because they serve booze and want to attract an older crowd. I highly recommend trying the variety of gin cocktailsβ specifically the Pimmβs in the Sunshine. :) This ship offers a relaxed and enjoyable experience from comedy shows to Jazz nights and even a nightclub. All of this overlooks the longest river in England and the London Eye!
3. Treehouse Hotel. Once you step inside, itβll definitely be hard to leave... Itβs truly a one stop shop for everything you may want or need. Not only do they provide a luxury spa experience, but they have exquisite food and booze. They have 4 different restaurants, a backyard cafe that feels like an actual treehouse, and a wine bar and shop. The lounge areas inside are full of green life, and the rooftop has a view of the entire city! Itβs a very different vibe than the cobblestone streets and industrialized downtown area, so come here if you want to get away from the bustling city.
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All these experiences require Euros, but each of them has a special place in my memories. Kew Gardens is the least expensive and the Treehouse Hotel can be very expensive depending on what youβd like to take part in.
Aside from what youβll see, it was truly a fun experience to hear the English dialect of locals. Meeting people from the UK in pubs and other events was eye opening and I highly recommend going out and spreading your wings in this lovely city.
Before you go, donβt forget to βmind the gapβ!