Sunny in London

A Florida girl's guide to finding SUN and FUN

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Food Things to Do in London

What are the most popular things to do in London? You probably guessed ride the London Eye, visit the Tower of London and go to museums. But did you know that there are also many popular food things to do in London?

When you consider the afternoon tea experience and thousands of pubs in London, the realm of foodie activities is huge! It actually can be a bit overwhelming, unless you have a local guide to show you the way.

Sunny friends, this page highlights the most popular experiences I have had living as an American in London and enjoying life as a London food blogger.

After you finish checking out these lists below (or maybe you want to save this to your London Trip Planning board on Pinterest), you can visit my Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies.

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This page is part of a series of resources for those new to Sunny in London and is updated regularly. Other pages include:

Food Things to Do in London: Basic Guide

Food Things to Do in London: Unique Experiences

Food Things to Do in London: Beer and London Pubs

Food Things to Do in London: Sunny Recipes

Don’t Miss Any London Updates!

Watch the Sunny News YouTube to see everything happening each week.

Subscribe to the Sunny News email to receive regularly updates about what’s hot in London. When you subscribe you’ll automatically receive the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London’ which you can download to your phone.

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel

You probably wouldn’t think that there are tons of things to do in London for food travel fans. Most people associate visiting London with seeing iconic attractions, being close to the royal family and going to pubs.

After six years of living in London as a food and travel blogger, I have had the opportunity to learn about and experience tons of food related activities and am excited to share this list of ideas with you.

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Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Afternoon Tea

Let’s start with a twist on the obvious first activity, afternoon tea. Instead of just having a traditional one, consider one of the many themed Afternoon Teas in London. For my top recommendations, read this detailed London Restaurant Guide. It also has restaurants in London suggested for the best views, iconic British food, pub food and healthy food.

Yes, there is a wizard themed Harry Potter tea. No, you can’t go to the Beauty and the Beast afternoon tea anymore. But, now you can eat the London Landmarks.

One of the most prestigious places to have afternoon tea is Fortnum and Mason. It is the ultimate destination for unique gifts such as hampers, elegant wines and spirits, famous teas and coffees. If you are a passionate food traveller, shopping at Fortnum and Mason for gourmet gifts as souvenirs for yourself or others is a must. However, if you miss it, you an always grab some tea at World Duty Free.

Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea Review

In the Sunny News video below, I list the most popular food markets in London, neighbourhoods and streets with a high concentration of restaurants, food tours and classes, annual events and food tours. There is also information about an afternoon tea that travels around London while you eat and drink!

https://youtu.be/F3dkDDKKkQo

But if you prefer to burn calories while you take a sweet themed tour, you can try one focused on English Tea and Desserts.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Tastings and Classes

Aside from the classes I mentioned in the video at Hotel Chocolat, you can also take their Chocolate Tasting Adventure, experience a Chocolate Lock-in, or schedule your children for a chocolate workshop.

Where to Buy the Best Chocolate in London- Hotel Chocolat

The Pied à Tierre news I mentioned in the video features a Masterclass and new wine experience. They open the restaurant every Friday for 5 guests to get involved in the world of a Michelin Starred kitchen and work alongside the team in creating renowned dishes. In August 2019 they are offering a Junior Masterclass. I suggest visiting the Pied à Tierre class experience page to make sure you don’t miss any of their exciting events.

If you prefer a more savoury food travel adventure, then exploring Neal’s Yard Dairy is an idea because they offer cheese tastings and workshops.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Drinks

Mr Sunny and I can’t let all this food talk go by without at least letting you know that there are drink things to do in London too. We have tons of pub crawls on the blog. But, if gin is your thing you can use a London Pass at the Beefeater Gin Distillery. And you can book a Drink Lovers’ Tour with a discount too.

Of course, you can always combine a historic pub with food and a river view too…

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Festivals

On a sunny Saturday, the Duke of York Square in Chelsea explodes with food stalls. From cheesecake to sausage rolls, you will find tons of British small businesses sharing their delicious food treats. It is open from 11am-2pm and can be quite crowded in the later hours, so plan to arrive early.

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New on the food festival block is Le Cordon Bleu, who had their first ever event in June 2019. It gave food fans the chance to explore behind the scenes of the renowned cookery school. They had cookery demonstrations, wine tasting workshops and an all-day Slow Food Market.

In May, there is London Wine Week. Over the summer, there is the London Craft Beer Festival, London Dessert Festival and London Brunch Fest.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Final Thoughts

From dinner cruises to Pancake Day Races, London celebrates food throughout the year.

To get started, you can take a look at these related articles and videos on British food and drinks below. And there is also information on how to get a free, downloadable pocket guide to London restaurants too.

Want a Freebie for London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

Florida Places to Visit for Sun and Fun

What are the best Florida places to visit for a long itinerary? The Sunshine State is huge! Most people just think of the theme park capital of the world, Orlando, for a Florida holiday but there are quite a few other options for travellers who also want to experience the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.

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If you just visit Orlando, you’ll see pools and hopefully sunshine in Orlando. (Keep reading for why I said- ‘hopefully’) But, it is in the area we call Central Florida and looking at a map you will see it’s not on either coast. So, if you want to sit in natural sand (not a theme park’s man-made version) the first thing you need to know is this will require extra time, a car and interest in seeing other Floridian cities.

Florida Places to Visit- Why You Need a Car

Unlike Europe, public transportation and train travel is not popular in the US. The land is flat and most of what’s not near a coastline is swamp land in Florida. Unless you want to see gators, snakes and jaguars, you won’t need to spend much time too far inland. Mickey Mouse is the obvious exception to ‘wild life’. Know that Floridians gravitate to the water.

In fact, if you search ‘Alligator Alley’ you will find it is one of the few main highways that can take you from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf Coast.

When I was a child, Alligator Alley was what you envision in films. No gas stations and somewhere you don’t want to be stranded. The more popular highway by far is I-4.

The memes about Florida roads are comical because there is truth to them. Traffic on I-4 barely moves because anyone commuting to Orlando for work uses it. Tourists have to use it too. It also connects three cities that I feel would make a perfect trip to Florida. Renting a car is the only economical way to travel among them.

Florida Places to Visit- Orlando

Most people’s magical impressions of Florida are because they generally just spend time in Orlando, isolated at a theme park and hotel. While I have visited the Disney theme parks countless times, I am partial to Universal’s attractions. This is mostly because I worked there for a few years.

Let’s face it, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a dream come true at Islands of Adventure. And they just opened a new roller coaster! For those that have been to London’s Warner Bros Studio Tour, be sure to read my Harry Potter London vs Orlando comparison.

Harry Potter Orlando

Universal is definitely the more adult oriented theme park, if there really is such a thing. The rides are designed for thrill seekers and are some of the best in the world. The ‘mouse park’ down the street tends to have rides that you really just sit in little cars and travel through different sets and sound stages to see dancing dolls and other mechanical puppets.

Ahhh, I don’t seem very impartial here, do I?

Either way, these Universal and Disney with their parks and night life venues like CityWalk could keep you busy 24 hours a day.

However, Orlando offers excellent shopping opportunities too. The Mall at Millenia is exquisite. It’s high end shops like Kate Spade New York, Neiman Marcus and Prada could be appealing to British tourists because I generally find items are cheaper in the US. This is especially true when the dollar is low against the pound. Orlando’s International Premium Outlets will give you a great chance to score cool deals too.

And if it is basketball season, catching an Orlando Magic basketball game would be a big win. But you must book those tickets early!

Florida Places to Visit- St Pete/Clearwater

The Gulf Coast of Florida doesn’t get the international fame it deserves. But the Tampa/St Pete/Clearwater area is pristine and trendy. You’ll find many American restaurant chains launch in this area. It also has gorgeous golf courses.

Sunken Gardens would be Florida’s equivalent to London’s Kew Gardens, with an obvious tropical vibe. And of course, with so much access to water and sea life, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium or organised boat tours could be appealing to you too.

St Petersburg also offers something for art lovers to do, and that is visiting Dali Museum.

Florida Places to Visit- Daytona Beach

Of course, this Florida girl has to make a plug for her hometown for anyone who has time for a multi centre Florida holiday when planning places to visit in Florida.

Daytona Beach is best known for its flat, hard packed sand on which stock cars started racing. This beach car racing lead to the development of Nascar and made Daytona an iconic holiday destination for any race aficionado.

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If you want a beach that is wide and spacious, go to my hometown. The most relaxing locations to be are Daytona Beach Shores and New Smyrna Beach. With a car, you could visit the lighthouse in Ponce Inlet. And, obviously race fans would want to see the track at the International Speedway and maybe even take a tour or ride in a race car.

See for yourself how cool the Daytona Beach can be and learn where I suggest you eat in this short video I made while visiting Daytona Beach last summer. I shot it not far from the Daytona Shore Resort and Spa, one of my favourite places to go for their Sunday breakfast when I lived there. It’s also had the best reputation for a hotel in the Daytona Beach Shores area for decades.

Taking I-95 south to Cape Canaveral offers the chance to see Kennedy Space Center, which is a favourite of all Floridians. And just an hour north you will find St Augustine, which lays claim to being the oldest city in the U.S. Their Christmas Nights of Lights doesn’t quite rival Regent Street during the holidays, but it does prove that Florida has the holiday spirit. Even if it means throwing lights on palm trees and surfing Santa images.

Florida Places to Visit- Learn More

The Best Day Trips from London

Whether you are visiting London or living in London, planning day trips from London can be fun. Over the past six years of living as an American in London, I have had the opportunity to take many short holidays and day trips from London on my own and with Mr Sunny. Whether they are via trains, by car or group tours on coaches, each has provided a unique experience that you just can’t compare to what the US offers for travel.

We’ll start with the two most popular day trip inquiries that readers and Sunny News YouTube viewers have when holiday planning.

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Best Day Trips from London- Stonehenge

‘Sunny, I am visiting London and want to see Stonehenge; how can I do this?’

I wish the answer was easy. In summary, I think it’s best to take a coach tour if you aren’t renting a car and comfortable driving here on your own.

Best Day Trips from London- Bath

Since just visiting Stonehenge will take more than half a day, you probably want to combine it with Bath. Many tour companies offer the Stonehenge/Bath combination day. I have been on two of these all day tours. However, since Bath is just 1 1/2 hours from London by train, you could coordinate the day yourself with a train ticket from London’s Paddington Station.

The most popular thing to do in Bath is to see the Roman Baths. It is the preserved remains of one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world. At the site, you will be able to see the city’s unique thermal springs. The Baths still flow with natural hot water.

Next, you can tour the Bath Abbey. If you have more time to make your way around the city, you can take a Jane Austen Walking Tour. Or, you can stroll over to The Royal Crescent to see a semi-circular terrace of 30 identical Georgian townhouses. Bath is also known for numerous fudge shops.

If you want to absorb Bath for longer than one day, you can stay at the MacDonald Hotels Bath location. Mr Sunny and I stayed there for two nights on our first visit. It was a very short, pleasant walk in to Bath each day, and the grounds of the hotel are quiet and gorgeous.

Best Day Trips from London- Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter

Yes, I am calling this a day trip. If you looked at a map of where the studio’s location is in relation to Central London, you will understand why.

It takes a while to get to this attraction that has earned iconic status on the ‘London’ bucket list for many travellers.

Directions for Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London

You can read my Guide to Harry Potter in London for more details, but consider this one a day trip just to be safe when you are planning for a trip to London.

Best Day Trips from London- Windsor

This is my favourite day trip of all the options for London. One day really isn’t enough. After several visits, we feel the Macdonald Windsor Hotel has the best castle view and location for an overnight stay in this royal area of London.

However, for just a one day trip you should arrive early and visit Windsor Castle. You can’t miss it when you exit Windsor and Eton Central Station. Some of the things you can do in Windsor are take a walking tour, see Changing of the Guard, tour Eton College, have afternoon tea overlooking the castle and River Thames, and visit Windsor & Eton Brewery. With more time, you might want to go to LEGOLAND or Bray for a foodie feast.

The journey to Windsor from either Paddington Station or Waterloo Station in London takes under an hour.

Tips for Visiting Windsor Castle, London Day Trips

Best Day Trips from London- Cambridge

The rivalry between Cambridge and Oxford is centuries old, and both are easy day trips from London. In Cambridge you can tour the university and go punting. A punt is a flat-bottomed boat with a square-cut bow, designed for use in small rivers. Perhaps it’s best to think of it as like an Italian gondola.

Best Day Trips from London- Oxford

As England’s oldest university, Oxford offers a very inspirational day trip from London. You can tour the university and aside from its prestigious academic reputation, Oxford University also has received recognition in the film industry too. If you visit Christchurch, you can see The Hall, which inspired the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films.

And, just like any good university town, there are tons of pubs where famous people have had a few pints. For example, it is alleged that the famous Turf Tavern in Oxford is where former President Bill Clinton ‘did not inhale’ one evening at the pub.

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The Hall in Oxford’s Christ Church College inspired The Great Hall replica in the Harry Potter films
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Best Day Trips from London- Stratford-upon-Avon

If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, then a trip to his birthplace could be at the top of your list. Obviously, you can catch one of the Bard’s famous plays at one of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s three theatres. Also in this medieval market town you can see the timber-framed house where he was born, as well as Anne Hathaway’s (Mrs Shakespeare’s) cottage.

Since Stratford-upon-Avon is at the very northern part of the Cotswolds, you would be best to take a coach tour or rent a car for this day trip from London.

Best Day Trips from London- Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is quite difficult to travel through by car if you aren’t a regular driver in the UK. This is why I highly recommend an organised trip for visitors. You can find tons of day trips that feature endless combinations. But, know that the very popular ones sell out quickly, so you will need to book in advance. Some fun tours that Hellotickets offers are:

  • Stonehenge Shuttle Bus and Independent Day Trip
  • Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich + private viewing of Leeds Castle
  • Day Trip from London- Lunch in the Cotswolds
  • Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford Tour
  • Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle
  • Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tour
  • Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Lacock and Bath Tour + Pub Lunch
  • Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Tour
  • England in One Day: Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford & the Cotswolds
  • Downton Abbey: Visit to Highclere Castle

When you go to the Cotswolds, expect very, very small villages and beautiful scenery. They are quite the contrast from London’s congestion and pollution!

Best Day Trips from London- Brighton

For a look at England’s seaside, Brighton is around a one hour train ride from Victoria Station. It has the highest gay population in the UK and celebrates Pride around the first weekend of August each year.

Best Day Trips from London- York

If you are heading toward Edinburgh, York is a fantastic stop for the day. It’s under two hours from London via St Pancras International Station. While in York you can visit York’s Chocolate Story and take an interactive tour. For history fans, you might wish to visit the JORVIK Viking Centre. However the most popular attraction is the York Minster.  It has impressive handcrafted stone and an unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass.

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Best Day Trips from London- Lavender Fields

For those have a car or will rent a car, visiting a Lavender Field is becoming quite trendy. Depending on the weather, the best time to visit is between mid-June and mid-August. If you would like to see what the experience involves, an example of one that is in the Cotswolds is Cotswold Lavender. While you are there you can enjoy a Lavender Cream Tea and have a slice of Lavender and Lemon Cake.

Best Day Trips from London- Paris or Lille

Then of course, there is France. Yes, you can go to France for just a day from London. If you want to do this yourself, the fastest way is via Eurostar from St Pancras International Station. However, for something a bit posh you can do the Luxury Escorted Paris Day Trip with Champagne Lunch on the Eiffel Tower.

To have a super fast French getaway, you might want to investigate a day trip to Lille. This trip takes only 1 1/2 hours each way, however you will need to move your watch ahead an hour when you arrive.

The Best Day Trips from London- Final Thoughts

Sunny friends, you can see there are tons of options when choosing day trips from London. Please know that if you are going to arrange trips yourself and not use a coach tour, you should purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible. Generally you can get them up to 12 weeks ahead of your travel date.

Don’t miss the London freebie!

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. It features top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means finding a fab foodie place- fast!

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads (Best Time to Visit and Things to Do, London Airports, British Food) that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

For related London trip planning videos and blog posts:

tours-theatre-in-london-sunnyinlondon

What You MUST Book in Advance for a London Trip

What’s the next step after booking flights and a hotel for a London trip? Sunny friends, there are several activities you should book in advance of your trip to London. Do you know what they are and how to do it?

If not, you must keep reading.

As TripAdvisor‘s #1 World’s Best Destination for 2019, London features tons of amazing things to do for a short or long trip. However, this means that the most popular activities require that you must book in advance if you want to do them.

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London Trip Book in Advance: Theatre Tickets

Rivalling New York City, London has an impressive Theatre district. Rather than going to all the theatre’s websites individually, I have found Hellotickets to be the most useful website to purchase tickets in advance.

Current shows for which you can buy tickets on their website include:

  • The Phantom of the Opera
  • Motown the Musical
  • TINA- The Tina Turner Musical
  • School of Rock- The Musical
  • Disney’s Aladdin
  • Mamma Mia!
  • The Woman in Black
  • Matilda the Musical
  • The Lion King
  • The Book of Mormon
  • Wicked
  • Les Miserables
  • Thriller Live
  • Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
  • Cirque du Soleil: Luzia
  • The Prince of Egypt

On their website you can also buy tickets for Fast-Track London Eye Tickets, Hop-on Hop Off Original London Sightseeing Tour, Heathrow Express, Stansted Express, Gatwick Express.

London Trip Book in Advance: Day Trips

Another aspect of the HelloTickets website that I like is the numerous day trips available. The list includes:

  • London Escorted Paris Day Trip with Champagne Lunch on the Eiffel Tower
  • Stonehenge Shuttle Bus and Independent Day Trip
  • Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich + private viewing of Leeds Castle
  • Day Trip from London- Lunch in the Cotswolds
  • Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford Tour
  • London in One Day Tour
  • London Day Trip- St Paul’s Cathedral, Changing of the Guard, Tower of London, Thames Cruise with Harrods Cream Tea
  • Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle
  • Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tour
  • Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Lacock and Bath Tour + Pub Lunch
  • Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Tour
  • WWII Tour: Churchill War Rooms & Westminster
  • England in One Day: Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford & the Cotswolds
  • Downton Abbey: Visit to Highclere Castle
  • London Rock Tours- Half Day Tours
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London Trip Book in Advance: Attractions

Chances are that you will want to visit London’s attractions at some point when you are here. There are several passes and tickets I recommend, having used them myself or for family and friends.

The London Pass is the most popular combination ticket available. The most popular attractions on the list of 80+ things to do in London included on the London Pass are:

  • The View from the Shard
  • Tower of London
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Windsor Castle (Free return train journey from London Paddington via Slough)
  • Kensington Palace and The Orangery (Kensington Palace is not open from 6-17 January 2020)
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • ZSL London Zoo
  • Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour & Exhibition
  • Churchill War Rooms
  • London Bridge Experience and London Tombs
  • Thames River Cruise
  • St Paul’s Cathedral

I have indicated in italics the attractions above in which you can skip the line if you have a London Pass. In my 5 Day Itinerary for a Super Tourist, which is part of the Guides to London series I have published, you can learn which attractions are in close proximity of one another. The London Pass is best if you plan to visit many attractions in one day that are in close proximity of each other.

One Day on the London Pass itinerary example from my Guide:

  • The Tower of London (£28)
  • Tower Bridge Exhibition (£10)
  • The Monument to the Great Fire of London (£5)
  • St Paul’s Cathedral (£20)

If you paid for each individual attraction, the total for one adult would b £75. However, a London Pass is £63.

So, I suggest you buy a London Pass in advance of your trip and include an Oyster Card with it if you are keen to see many attractions. Note that if you purchase more than one day, they have to be used consecutively and it starts as soon as you go to your first attraction.

Next is the London Eye combination ticket. Again, I reference how to use this in my 5 Day Itinerary, but it can give you access to:

  • The London Eye
  • Shrek’s Adventure
  • The London Dungeon
  • SEA Life London
  • Madame Tussaud’s

The first four attractions are all literally next to each other in Southbank, this ticket is worth having in advance because lines there are extremely long. I went to all four in one day and wrote a review of the experience.

How to See 4 South Bank London Attractions in One Day

London Trip Book in Advance: Harry Potter

If you have plans to do anything Harry Potter related while you are in London, then realise that you are not a minority. Those books are big business here. I think I have been to every Harry Potter attraction in London and Oxford, including spending the night in a Harry Potter themed hotel!

With the opening of Gringott’s Wizarding Bank at the Warner Bros Studio Harry Potter Studio Tour, an already popular London attraction became even more difficult to visit. If you’re planning on going there, it’s quite a distance from Central London, so I always suggest booking something through a tour company in advance.

For more on all things Harry Potter related, visit my Guide to Harry Potter.

London Trip Book in Advance- More Ideas

I can’t possibly cover every activity for every type of person. However, if you have less than 5 minutes, you can learn about several more in this YouTube video on the Sunny News weekly edition.

London Trip Book in Advance- Final Thoughts

If you’re planning on having a fantastic food experience while you are in London, then subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. It features top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads (Best Time to Visit and Things to Do, London Airports, British Food) that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

Please leave any questions you have for your trip below. Also, if there are specific guides you would like me to publish for you, put those ideas in the comments too.

For related London Trip Planning blog posts and videos:

Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies

London’s food scene can be quite intimidating if you don’t live here or know where to go. This London Restaurant Guide is for people who want to find fantastic food in London- FAST!

As a local foodie blogger, I have had the chance to attend countless London restaurant launches, to conduct formal restaurant reviews and to be a part of popular food experiences.

By subscribing to the Sunny in London weekly email, you immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. It has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood.

With the pocket restaurant guide you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also get several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

Get the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

The Guide features: (updated June 2019)

London Restaurant Guide- Best Views

When considering the best London views you will think of seeing the London Eye, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower and Elizabeth Tower (AKA ‘Big Ben’). However, Londoners know that Big Ben won’t be in sight until 2021 due to maintenance and restoration work. While you can’t see them all at once due to geographic location, some London restaurants offer stunning sights that include many.

  • Duck and Waffle- located on the 40th floor this London restaurant is an Instagram favourite. Food reviews are good, but the breathtaking views are better. It’s also open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY; City
  • Aqua Shard- For a 360 degree view and an opportunity to go inside the Shard this is a posh place to eat. They don’t take booking requests for window tables, but claim all their tables and bar offer a beautiful view. Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, SE1 9RY; London Bridge
  • Smiths of Smithfield– while it is only 4 floors, the rooftop view is a sneaky surprise. Visit No. 3 at ‘Smiths’ for high end dishes and a terrace that will be filled with Londoners on a sunny evening. 67-77 Charterhouse St, Farringdon, EC1M 6HJ
  • Savage Garden– ultra chic and youthful. You would never expect something this cool at the top of a DoubleTree by Hilton Tower. Put your heels on girls and bring a fully charged phone because the sights of the crowd and skyline are memories you will want to share forever! Floor 12, 7 Pepys St, EC3N 4AF; Tower Hill
  • Fenchurch Restaurant at Sky Garden- This location is my top recommendation for free things to do in London. Taking in the gorgeous views at Sky Garden while enjoying British contemporary food at this rooftop space on a sunny day is a must. Keep in mind, there is a smart/casual dress code so leave the tourist clothes and gear behind. Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF; Tower Hill
  • Galvin at Windows- this Michelin star restaurant is in the heart of London’s swanky Mayfair and offers a feast of French fine dining. It’s on the 28th floor of London Hilton on Park Lane, so you can see stunning panoramic views over Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace. 22 Park Lane, W1K 1BE
  • Oxo Tower- see views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the London skyline. Their afternoon tea is quite popular. For a taste of all they offer, follow their Instagram. Barge House St, South Bank, SE1 9PH
  • The Swan at the Globe- Literally located next to the Globe, here you can enjoy views of the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral. Mr Sunny and I have enjoyed cocktails here several times and think it would be a perfect location for pre and post theatre dining. 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT; Bankside
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View on the terrace at Smith’s of Smithfield
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London Restaurant Guide- Afternoon Tea

  • Sketch London- while everyone claims this is one of the most ‘Instagrammable’ place for afternoon tea in London, I don’t see it because images generally seem to be with a yellowish-pink tint. Further, feedback suggests this 18th-century townhouse tea room has the coolest loo in London. I would love to know your thoughts if you have a chance to visit. 9 Conduit St, W1S 2XG; Mayfair
  • Town House at the Kensington– for London’s most iconic afternoon tea, this recently refurbished restaurant holds the title on some of the most sought after afternoon tea experiences in London. The famed ‘Tale as Old as Time’ Beauty and the Beast themed tea had people attempting bookings months ahead. However, I think their current offer ‘London Landmarks Afternoon Tea’ is far better. The quality, creativity and atmosphere doesn’t disappoint foodie fans, and I have visited on several occasions. 109-113 Queen’s Gate; SW7 5LP; South Kensington
  • Conrad London St James- on the two occasions I had afternoon tea in Emmeline’s Lounge, I was wildly impressed. They happened both to be festive themed, but the pastry chef was exquisite. For creativity, delicious food and a boat load of booze, this afternoon tea scores high. However, you might wish to consider the lounge seating arrangement to determine if it offers the best for what you seek in your experience. 22-28 Broadway, SW1H OBH; Westminster
  • Claridge’s- this 5-Star Luxury hotel in the heart of Mayfair offers a place to stay and afternoon tea that makes all travel and food bloggers swoon. For one of London’s best afternoon tea experiences, with a price tag that demands quality, this is one to book. Brook Street, W1K 4HR; Mayfair
  • Covent Garden Hotel- Firmdale Hotels offer the best value for the price of their afternoon tea. Brasserie Max in this hotel offers themed afternoon teas that feature top quality food that is fresh and fabulous. 10 Monmouth St, WC2H 9HB; Covent Garden
  • One Aldwych- the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired afternoon tea is probably the toughest one to book in London. It’s several years old and has maintained high popularity because of this hotel’s superior approach to quality. I have been a guest there in several capacities (hotel stay, spa experience, cocktail menus, and dinners). If you are interested in this afternoon tea, book immediately. 1 Aldwych WC2B 4BZ; Covent Garden
  • Playboy Club London– this is the afternoon tea that Mr Sunny was happy to be my +1 and I am sure you understand why. To be fair, I thought it was fantastic. The bunnies serve Afternoon Tea with a Twist and it’s a quirky, classy experience that I recommend to any confident girl seeking a win-win foodie date experience in London. 14 Old Park Lane, W1K 1ND; Mayfair
  • Cutter and Squidge- rising to immediate popularity in London, this Harry Potter inspired afternoon tea offers more than just food. True wizard fans will love a chance to take a potions class while munching on food from one of the best bakeries in London. Don’t believe me? Visit their Instagram and see! 20 Brewer Street, W1F 0SJ; Soho
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London Restaurant Guide- Food Chains

You will find the restaurants below in quite a few places in London. While I have eaten at nearly all of them, they have not been featured on the Sunny in London blog in a formal capacity.

  • Sticks and Sushi- Japanese sushi restaurants; trendy, highly rated on TripAdvisor
  • Roka- award-winning Japanese dining and slightly more expensive than other chains I’ve listed here
  • Dishoom- Indian; fun, elegant and very popular with Londoners
  • Banana Tree- ‘Home of Indochinese Food’; one my favourite places to have a casual dinner with Mr Sunny; I always order the Pad Thai and have never been disappointed
  • Wagamamma- Asian food; picnic style seating, fast service where you order with a number from a very large menu; consistent quality across London and the UK
  • Pizza Express- offers a gluten free menu that is impressive; Mr Sunny and I have eaten at quite a few locations and always have excellent experiences
  • The Real Greek– fresh Mediterranean cuisine. it’s a frequent meeting place for friends and me; the Greek food is outstanding
  • Cote Brasserie- French Brasseries and Bistros; every time we pass one they are always buzzing with people. That’s always a good sign!
  • Le Pain Quotidien– Belgian owned and recommend for lunch; features simple, elegant food with a focus on organic ingredients; gluten free options are impressive
Le Pain Quotidien Covent Garden London Review
View from an upstairs table at Le Pain Quotidien, Covent Garden

London Restaurant Guide- Pubs for Food

  • The Ship Tavern– inches from Holborn Underground Station but tricky to find; head upstairs for what Mr Sunny and I feel is the best gastropub food in London. 12 Gate Street, WC2A 3HP; Holborn
  • The Admiralty– shockingly good for what appears to be the most touristy location in London for a gastropub; 66 Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
  • Smith’s of Smithfield– located beside London’s famous Smithfield Market, this location has levels of food available. 67-77 Charterhouse St, EC1M 6HJ
  • Butchers Hook and Cleaver- lively, fun and also close to Smithfield Market; 60-63 West Smithfield, EC1 9DY
  • Porterhouse- best bangers and mash I have had in town and it could be the largest bar in London. 21-22 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NA; Covent Garden
  • The Fire Station– wood-fired pizzas, adventurous burgers, beers, ales and cocktails. 150 Waterloo Road, SW1 8SB; Waterloo
  • Hung Drawn & Quartered- great place to stop for food after a visit to the Tower of London. 26-27 Great Tower Street, EC3R 5AQ; Tower Hill
  • The Flask- frequented by famous authors, playwrights and rockstars. Several live within very close proximity so there is a chance you could bump in to one, but it’s outside of Central London. 77 Highgate West Hill, N6 6BU; Highgate
  • The Holly Bush– also in Zone 2, but if you’re around the Hampstead area, this is the local’s favourite pub. 22 Hollymount, NW3 6SG; Hampstead
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London Restaurant Guides- British Food

  • Hawksmoor Seven Dials- British steak and seafood restaurant which is highly regarded by Londoners and reserved for many special occasions. 11 Langley St, WC2H 9JG; Covent Garden
  • Bumpkin- local British brasseries with excellent Sunday roasts and seasonal menus; several locations
  • The Savoy- Mr Sunny and I enjoyed dinner at Kaspar’s at The Savoy, which features informal dining and possibly a beautiful view. Londoners all know that Simpson’s on the Strand is listed as the best roast dinner in the city. Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill is also popular. You could visit the American Bar, but that wouldn’t be very British now would it? 😉The Savoy Hotel, Strand, WC2R 0EZ; Covent Garden
  • Skylon- known for a fantastic view, it is located in the Royal Festival Hall. It has both formal and relaxed dining. Belvedere Road, Royal Festival Hall, SE1 8XX; Southbank
  • Butler’s Wharf at Chop House- in the shadow of Tower Bridge and has excellent views; features all-day menu of chophouse classics, steaks and nostalgic British recipes. 36e Shad Thames, SE1 2YE West End

London Restaurant Guides- Iconic Food Finds

  • Rules- very aristocratic and billed as the oldest restaurant in London; you must book ahead. 34-35 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7LB
  • Le Gavroche- Michelin Two Star dining from Michel Roux JR; luxe French food, impeccable service, ultra posh. 43 Upper Brook St, W1K 7QR; Mayfair
  • Dalloway Terrace- found in the Bloomsbury Hotel this is probably one of the most popular food experiences for Instagram in London. If it might bother you to have constant snaps around as you eat, this food find might not be for you. 16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN; Bloomsbury
  • Roux at the Landau- gourmet French cuisine and one of London’s top restaurants. 1C Portland Place, W1B 1JA; Marylebone

London Restaurant Guide- Healthy Food

  • Wild Food Cafe- if you can find Neal’s Yard, you are in for a super healthy treat. As one of my favourite foodie Instagram accounts in London, Wild Food Cafe offers an explosion of creative, healthy food. 1st Floor, 14 Neal’s Yard, WC2H 9DP; Covent Garden
  • The Detox Kitchen- food free from wheat, dairy and refined sugar. It features few tables but has breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Ground Floor, Kingly Court, 10 Kingly Street, W1B 5PJ; Carnaby

London Restaurant Guides- International Food

  • Clos Maggiore- billed as London’s ‘most romantic restaurant’, this is an extremely popular place that offers French-influenced cuisine. Visit their Instagram for a little taste of what they have. 33 King Street, WC2 8JD; Covent Garden
  • Le Garrick– one of the best French meals I have had in London; family owned; 2 Garrick Street, WC2E 9AU; Covent Garden
  • Cocochan- Mr Sunny’s go to restaurant for his birthday and our favourite Pan-Asian place in London. 38-40 James Street, W1U 1EU; St Christopher’s Place
  • Chotto Matte- Japanese and Peruvian with high-quality Nikkei cuisine. It’s swanky, sleek and fun. 11-13 Frith Street, W1D 4RB; Soho
  • Gaylords- billed as the best Indian restaurant in London. It offers Mughlai and North Indian food. 79-81 Mortimer Street, W1W 7SJ; Soho

For more on food, see what we recommend are the best British foods to eat in England. And of course, leave your ideas in the comments. Can you think of anything else to add?

What to Do If You Win a Lottery Bet in London

Just when you think you have seen all the ‘Things to Do in London’ lists published on the internet, you notice one more and bet on it being a good one. That’s hopefully why you clicked on this blog headline ‘What to Do if You WIN a Lottery Bet in London’. It’s not click bait. I’m actually surprised I didn’t think of this London List post earlier, since I regularly plan to win the lottery. Don’t you dream about it too?

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When jackpots get high or my Taurus horoscope indicates ‘luck is in the air’, I throw some money on lottery tickets. Every time I do, I create a plan of how I would spend the money. It’s annoying to Mr Sunny and my immediate family. They think it’s a waste of time because I am ‘not going to win anyway’. My friend recently told me about a 4d lottery introduction that got her started into playing the lottery. She loves playing it and I don’t blame her! Betting can be fun if you do it in moderation!

My response varies from ‘Luck favors the prepared mind,’ to ‘You have to be in it to win it.’ If I am in a particularly snarky mood I say, ‘Well, I’ll take that as you don’t want to be included if I win.’

Travel plans, houses, cars, shopping, experiences, gifts to family and friends. I ponder and calculate and have even gone as far as putting together an Excel spreadsheet just in case! This allows me to adjust my dreams based on percents I have predetermined are at my threshold for spending.

Obviously this planning is for the big multi-million pound payout, but what if I won something different like the Cash4Life? I had never actually thought of that until I visited the Lottoland website. Mr. Sunny has been playing our numbers lately online, so I was curious because I have always bought tickets at convenient stores.

If you win the Cash4Life jackpot and inherit £1,000 pounds a day, your lifestyle might not change too much compared to a cash lump sum US Powerball payout. In reality, this daily chunk of change would allow you to upgrade your housing a bit and let you enjoy many of the extra treats available in London. The prospect of one day winning a jackpot or a sum of money has always been appealing; so much so that I often enjoy visiting phone casinos on my mobile device for a chance to get lucky and win big!

The list of ideas I put together for what to do if you won a lottery bet in London features my suggestions for activities and experiences that would be splurges you can choose from if you have a large budget for a trip or just want to treat yourself on a special occasion.

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What to Do If You Won a Lottery Bet in London- Where to Stay

I have had the chance to stay in a few five-star hotels since living here. Moreover, after six years and being married to a lifelong Londoner, I know which ones have long standing reputations for excellence.

My recommendations for luxury hotels for an evening or short stay would be: The Savoy, The Goring, The Langham, Covent Garden Hotel and One Aldwych. The last two aren’t quite as swanky but having enjoyed both I can’t fault them for anything. My top dream night would be at Shangri-La at the Shard. Have you seen their Sky Pool on Level 52???

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What to Do if You Won a Lottery Bet- Where to Eat

As a foodie blogger, I could give tons of top level restaurants you could enjoy. But, ones that would be first on my list if spending a few hundred pounds on a dinner for two wasn’t a huge deal are:

  • Rules Restaurant- the oldest restaurant in London
  • Le Gavroche- Michel Roux Jr.’s famous fine-dining restaurant offering luxe French food
  • Tamarind of Mayfair- one of the first Indian restaurants in the world to win a Michelin Star
  • Simpsons on the Strand- one of the oldest traditional English restaurants that Mr Sunny feels could have the best Sunday lunch in London
  • The Araki- a tiny sushi bar in Mayfair that seats 9 and has 3 Michelin stars
  • Mariage Freres- French luxury tea emporium that just opened in 2019

What to Do If You Won a Lottery Bet in London- Shopping

With an extra £1,000 to spend a day, I would probably make weekly trips to Selfridges and Regent Street. Specific stores I would frequent on Regent Street are Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Ted Baker, Kiehl’s and Apple, of course. As a foodie traveller, I would definitely start visiting and shopping at Fortnum and Mason regularly too.

What to Do If You Win a Lottery Bet in London- Experiences

Further, there are things that I would love to do in London that are bucket list items that could be a better reality if I had an extra £1,000 per day. Can you believe I still haven’t been to the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play? Aside from that, I would spend a day at the Corinthia Hotel spa because it is regularly rated the best in London. I would also book a full day at Neal’s Yard Remedies for a massage, facial and other treatments.

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For New Year’s Eve I would book the private pod on the London Eye and in June I would go to Royal Ascot. Ok- so that’s not actually in London, but perhaps it can be an exception?

What to Do If You Win a Lottery Bet in London- Your Turn

Those are just a few ideas of my bigger budget things to do, where to stay, and what to eat if you win the lottery in London.

I would love to know if you have ever made a financial plan when you pick your numbers in the hope of putting that winning attitude out to the universe? Surely, there is a list of things you would add to these activities or experiences in London too, so please put those in the comments.

Finally, a huge thank you to LottoLand for collaborating on this post. Focusing my lottery dreams on a daily jackpot of cash in a way that allowed me to focus on what more attainable bucket list items are in London was a ton of fun and gave you a chance to consider luxury splurges for a visit to London too!

Cheese Afternoon Tea- The Georgian House London

Let’s just get the first pun out of the way- the Cheese Afternoon Tea at the Georgian House Hotel in London is… cheesy! There. I said it. Are we gouda now? 😉

Well, actually I wrote it. And Mr Sunny and I ate it when we stayed at the five star boutique bed and breakfast in Central London just a few days ago.

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You might know the Georgian House Hotel as the ‘Harry Potter hotel’ because it has several rooms called the Wizard Chambers. To learn more about this experience and to see some video of the Cheese Afternoon Tea, you can watch my upcoming YouTube video that I will link to this blog post as soon as it is ready. It captures highlights from our whole experience at the Georgian House Hotel. That is, if you have not already watched a behind the scenes look at my Instastories when we were there.

Just before we left for Nice, France we spent the night at the English boutique. It is a quick walk to Victoria Station, which makes the bed and breakfast very centrally located in London. You can find it at 35-39, St George’s Drive, Victoria , London SW1V 4DG.

Over the course of the evening we had the Cheese Afternoon Tea, a Wizards’ Cocktail Class, a private movie at Pimlico Theatre, a sleep in the Wizard Chambers and their award-winning breakfast. Oh- and their General Manager, Adam Rowledge, recently won the Independent Hotelier of the Year!

The afternoon tea starts with several sandwiches which… all have cheese! They are:

  • Burrata, tomato and pesto bruschetta
  • Sheep’s cheese, Nduja and roasted pepper open sandwich
  • Smoked cheddar Welsh rarebit with apple chutney
  • Potted Stilton with raisins, peppercorns and capers on fig and apricot bread

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I liked the second sandwich the most and had both to myself because Mr Sunny does not prefer red peppers.

Next, you will find a course of cheddar and thyme scones and blue cheese scones served with sliced apples and chutney. We added some butter to ours also. Even though sometimes I think I could live off of a diet comprised entirely of cheese, there are a few I can’t do. Blue cheese is a definite no for me. However, I could not taste it that strongly in the scones.

The final course is our favourite and that is the desserts. Specifically we loved the Raspberries Mascarpone Cheese Cone. This is likely because Mr Sunny and I both loved tiramisu, which has mascarpone as a key ingredient . Additional items in the top tier of the Cheese Afternoon Tea are:

  • Goat’s cheese mousse, beetroot jam and basil tart
  • Blu 61′ drunk cheese with cranberries on Scottish oatcake
  • Black forest cheesecake shot with pretzel crumble

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Cheese-Afternoon Tea-london-georgian-house

Cheese Afternoon Tea: Final Thoughts

For cheese lovers, this themed afternoon tea is different and fun. I emphasise that you really need to like an array of cheeses though because obviously many different ones are featured. The Georgian House is careful to use locally sourced ingredients from London and South England in all of their food to ensure the best quality. The wine flight makes a very nice pairing as well. The accompanying drinks flight features The Bolney Wine Estate’s Kew Red English wine, Trenchmore Silly Moo cider and Ridgeview’s Cavendish, English sparkling wine is available to compliment each dish.  Although we did not have it, your tea could include bottomless Prosecco. The wine flight is certainly a change from champagne, a drink that seems to have nearly replaced the tea in afternoon tea in London over the past few years.

Finally, for those who have a more savoury preference, the Cheese Afternoon Tea could be a better option for you too in comparison to ones that are chocolate or Christmas themed at this time of year. You can certainly check out the Georgian House Hotel and what their latest offerings are via their website.

Our visit was complimentary for the purpose of a review, which does not affect our opinion. For more information on the outstanding ratings of the Georgian House, you can see their reviews on TripAdvisor too.

The Cheese Afternoon Tea is currently served from 14.30-17.00 Monday to Sunday in the Georgian House Hotel’s Pimlico Pantry and reservations in advance are required. You should inform the team of any dietary requirements or allergies.

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Secret Things to Do in Soho London

What are the hidden gems of Soho? My first flat in London was off Tottenham Court Road, which ends at the north east border of this lively neighbourhood. This proximity to the area allowed me to learn all the popular and secret things to do in Soho. If you love theatre, food, shopping and nightlife, then Soho would be a hotspot for you. Plus, there are tons of hotels near Soho for those who are visiting London and want things to be easy.

Let’s start with the areas defining Soho, London.

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Secret Things to Do in Soho for Harry Potter Fans

Cambridge Circus is the southern boundary for Soho. It doesn’t take a wizard to discover the most popular thing to do in this location of London. Since its opening, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been one of the toughest tickets to score in town. You might think it’s actually easier to gain entrance to Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station. However, a secret tip about this enormously popular show is that every Friday they offer the ‘Friday Forty’ on the show’s website. During this limited time, 40 deeply discounted tickets for the following week’s shows are offered to the lucky individuals chosen at random from the virtual queue.

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If that wets your fancy, then you probably want to investigate the magical Potions Class at Cutter and Squidge. In the Spring of 2018, this bakery launched one of the hottest afternoon tea experiences in London. It’s called the ‘Potions Class at the Cutter & Squidge Secret School of Wizarding Alchemy. While it isn’t technically a ‘Harry Potter’ afternoon tea, it is the closest experience you will get in London to feeling like a Hogwarts student. You can read more about it in Potions Class review.

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Secret Things to Do in Soho for Shopaholics

Known for its flagship stores like Hamleys and now Kate Spade, Regent Street is the western border for Soho. The neighborhood’s northern border is Oxford Street. When I want to find familiar things fast, I exit the Underground at Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Circus. Both stops position you well for a sprint to department stores like Selfridges, Liberty and John Lewis. You can find flagship stores like Apple, Kate Spade and Hamleys among the many other familiar names on Regent Street.

However, I never make a trip there without making sure to peek through Carnaby Street, especially at Christmas. If you are here during the holidays, the Carnaby Street lights are always the best. That’s a secret most people visiting London don’t know.

The theme changes every year and it’s always a treat to see what spectacular ideas are above. Below is a photo from the 2017 carnival theme with tropical vibes.

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As a Florida girl living as an American expat in London, I am sure you can see why this was one of my favourite experiences at Christmas last year!

Another sneaky tip is that you can visit the Carnaby Street website to sign up for invitations to their secret shopping parties. You will receive discounts to many of the Carnaby Street shops and restaurants on a designated evening.

What kind of edgy, different things will you see? Take a look at a few shoes from the Irregular Choice flagship store on Carnaby Street.

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Secret Things to Do in Soho for Foodies

I have made it a rule to never walk on Wardour Street in Soho in the early afternoon if I haven’t had a big breakfast. It’s the street I recommend to every traveller to London because it is lined with restaurants representing countless cuisines. However, if you are not confident in just choosing one to walk in and give it a go, then you might want to have a guide take you around the area instead.

I spent a fantastic evening once on the Eating London Twilight Soho Food Tour, an activity that people might not know exists in London. On it you will learn about Soho’s history as an entertainment and fashion zone, as well as some of its darker aspects from years ago. One not so obvious stop to an average passersby is the Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour in Chinatown. If you want to transport back to 1920’s Shanghai, you will need to do some searching on your own for this secret spot. It’s on Gerrard Street, and if you can find the Jade Door when the hinges are open, then find your way up the red stairs, you will hit this oriental themed cocktail bar and Dim Sum Parlour.

In the mood for Mexican food? La Bodega Negra has a shady side that confuses people nearly every time they try to find it. If you search for the location on Google Maps, you might find yourself standing in front of what appears to be a sex shop! But that’s just a sneaky facade to the entrance. Once you make your way to the basement, you will find a brilliant (albeit dark and full of candlelight) Mexican restaurant.

Finally, most foodie fans are all about the gram. Instagram, that is! For a fun night you can show off to your followers, you will want to book a table at Dirty Bones on 14 Denman Street and ask for the Instagram kit. What? You didn’t know they had this? That’s right, the restaurant offers diners equipment to capture their delicious food and in the best light possible. Take a look at the battery charger and light we had at our table…

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You’ll have to stay tuned for my review of the experience to see the amazing pictures I captured of their gorgeous Mac Daddy burger!

Things to Do in London in Soho: Final Thoughts

Sunny friends, please leave your ideas for fun things to do in Soho that people might not know below. And if you have any questions about great foodie spots or other things to do in term of attractions events and places to stay in London, ask me too!

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about visiting London. This includes advice for how to tip when in London, how to spot Americans in London, and exchanging money tips. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

The spending money was gifted by Hotels.com but all views are my own.

Stonehenge and Bath Tour- Day Trip from London

Why would a Stonehenge and Bath tour be one of the best day trips from London? If you are travelling to London on an itinerary that gives you enough time to spend a day outside of London and still be satisfied with your London bucket list, then keep reading.

Oh- and for those who just like to watch, there’s a YouTube video of tour information below too.

I am often asked by Americans visiting London if they’ll be able to see attractions like The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour and Stonehenge. If you’re on a limited schedule, you will have to do some research and then prioritise. This is because some of these iconic places are not within close proximity of London. Seeing them involves devoting a full day of your trip itinerary, and only you can decide which ones make the cut.

I have one reason why my vote is for a Stonehenge and Bath tour.

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Stonehenge and Bath Tour: The Most Unique Day Trip from London

Stonehenge is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. Um, if you think that when you go to Stonehenge they tell you what the stones were used for 5,000 years ago, save your time and money. It’s not like that.

We have all seen the images of Stonehenge, but seeing a picture of the Grand Canyon and taking a helicopter ride over it are two very different experiences. Trust me.

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I’m neither going to waste your time with a blurb about Stonehenge’s scientific and spiritual wonder nor hash through what historians have said in countless documentaries. If you’re at all curious about the mystery of these 40-ton rocks, then go.

There is nothing else like it in England. Period.

Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, St. Albans are all options for fabulous day trips. I have been to each.

But, let’s face it, they can all be billed as charming English towns. With options like staying at the voco Oxford Spires hotel (if you choose to visit Oxford), there’s no rush when it comes to finding out what these cities have to offer.
However, visiting Stonehenge gives you a unique experience of sights that takes your bucket list up to world wonders, not just city name dropping. (Although I do agree saying Ahhhhhhhhhhxsford like you actually went to school there is kind of fun!)

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Stonehenge and Bath Tour: The Best of Both Worlds

A half day to Stonehenge just isn’t worth it, in my opinion. If you are going to do all that traveling, you owe it to yourself to at least see another town in England. This is why I love the Stonehenge and Bath Tour combination. While Bath is the logical answer because of its proximity, I also advocate for it because of what you will have a chance to see in Bath. You will have breathtaking views as you approach the city, and the actual town is less crowded than London, and a lot cleaner in my opinion.

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As part of a several day holiday in the Cotswolds back in the Autumn, Mr Sunny and I spent two nights in Bath. We had a blast, but our big mistake was not actually going to the Roman Baths. Don’t make that mistake if you plan a Stonehenge and Bath Tour for a day. While inside you have the chance to walk around the steaming pool on the Roman stone paving and view the Roman statues and architecture, so make sure you add that to your tour ticket!

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Stonehenge-bath-tour-london-day-trip

This 2,000 year old stone is on Britain’s only natural hot water spring. Make sure you include it on your day trip so you get the most out of the experience.

Stonehenge and Bath Tour- Final Thoughts

To be honest, I have never heard a person say they regretted going to Bath. And, Stonehenge, well, what you see is what you get. That’s the point isn’t it? The rock formation hasn’t changed in 5,000 years and we can’t figure out how and why it happened. So decide how much it means for you to see it- yourself!

If you would like to learn more about the Stonehenge and Bath Tour that I went on as a guest of Tourist England, I created a video below. It includes different information like the worst day to visit Stonehenge, what the day trip is like and how much time you have, and more.

Sunny friends, what is your top attraction you want to see when you visit London? What’s your average length of stay? What other cities would you like me to write reviews for on the blog?

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes tips for choosing a hotel, how to tip when in London, food to eat in London, and advice for exchanging money. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

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THE ESSENTIAL FIRST TIME GUIDE TO

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HARRY POTTER

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YOUTUBE

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