My husband has always wanted to visit London and being completely honest, I was more than happy to oblige! London is a huge city that is so absolutely gorgeous and full of life. We visited over Christmas and it was such a lovely way to spend the holiday.
We stayed in Notting Hill at a simple little hotel called 10 Pembridge Gardens. We saw the touristy sites that one absolutely must see while in the city: Big Ben, Tower Bridge, The Globe and Westminster Abbey. We splurged on Christmas tea at Brown’s Hotel and popped into pubs to sample local brews (of which my favorites were The Crown in Soho and Churchill Arms in Notting Hill). One can’t visit London without enjoying a plate of fish and chips, and almost every corner pub provides an excellent offering. Also on our trip we discovered that London has great shopping everywhere, with Harrods being an institution offering amazing window-shopping. We spent our last morning wandering through Notting Hill’s markets and antique shops, which I highly recommend!
Because we were in London over Christmas and Boxing Day, getting around the city and visiting almost anything was pretty tough. If you’re thinking about traveling during the holiday, know that the tube and all buses are completely shutdown for Christmas Day. Most restaurants were closed, so we stuck to hotels that would be open for their guests and opted for an Indian restaurant for dinner. Even though it was tough, it was oh-so-lovely. The city is decorated beautifully for the holidays and one can feel the Christmas spirit in the air. It’s a truly wonderful place to be!
Stay
10 Pembridge Gardens
6-14 Pembridge Gardens, Nottinghill Gate
London W2 4DU, England
The Details
If you’re in London over the holiday, Christmas tea at Brown’s Hotel is a splurge you won’t regret.
Jordana Hazel is a wedding & lifestyle photographer based in Los Angeles. She lives for food, traveling the globe and documenting the everyday. She is currently spending six weeks living la vie Parisienne. You can follow along on her adventure at Cocktails For Breakfast and Hazelnut Photography.
