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November 12, 2015 by: Sunny London

Fun, FREE Christmas Things To Do in London!

Finding free Christmas things to do in London is not as hard as you might think. In fact, when you live in one of the world’s most expensive cities, you are constantly looking out for discounts or free events and opportunities.

For Americans or other travellers to London who have a limited amount of time for a holiday, it’s nice to have a guide to direct you to ways to save money and effort on research. London has so much to offer during the most wonderful time of the year. Quite a few things will put you in the Christmas spirit while not costing anything!

To keep it simple, this guide is arranged by area. Further, all the suggestions are within walking distance of each other and can easily be seen in one day. For the most part, the focus is on the West End and surrounding borders.

Christmas Things to Do in London: Covent Garden

Naturally, we’ll start with the area that’s my blog favourite. Packed with theatres, shopping, restaurants, bars and hotels, Covent Garden offers loads of activities year-round. The free Christmas activities range from the obvious to hidden neighborhood treasures.

The decorations in the Piazza contribute to some of London’s most popular Instagram moments. This year’s theme is Mistletoe, which means the piazza is truly lovely!

🎄Covent Garden looks Christmassy! 🎄Don’t you agree?
A photo posted by Sunny In London☀️🇬🇧 (@sunny_in_london) on Nov 4, 2015 at 12:02am PST

After strolling through the Jubilee Market and Apple Market, you can spend some time taking selfies in front of the Covent Garden Christmas tree and watching the very entertaining street performers.

In the past there have been Santa’s reindeer on display for a series of Saturdays. I’ll be sure to update this list when they publish this year’s dates.

Walking North from the Piazza, you’ll find St. Martin’s Courtyard. Aside from numerous restaurants, you’ll be able to see the floral displays of the Covent Garden Academy of Flowers.

Just like the tree and decorations in the Piazza, the arrangements outside create fantastic picture opportunities.

If you are in fact Christmas shopping, I highly recommend one of their classes on making flower arrangements as a gift for a girl who ‘has it all’. Of all the workshops and courses I have taken in London, this class ranks as the best.

Christmas Things to Do in London: Trafalgar Square

In comparison to the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, the tree in Trafalgar Square isn’t quite as grand. Nonetheless, visiting it is something I make sure to do several times during the holiday season.

Like Covent Garden, you are likely to see street performers dressed in holiday style. And, if you look very, very closely (in the bottom right), you might even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus.

Finally, there are Christmas Carol services that you can watch for free on evenings during December.

Christmas Things to Do in London: Carnaby Street

If you want your list of free Christmas Things to Do in London to reflect a more eclectic vibe, Carnaby is the area you need to be. Their holiday lights officially illuminated the sky on November 12th. The dangling disco balls are dazzling.

Just around the corner from Carnaby Street is Foubert’s Place where you will find Choccywoccydoodah. This famous chocolatier has its own successful reality television show. If you take one look at the chocolate cakes, yes this all chocolate in the pictures below, you can see why.

Each year I make a few trips in to the store just to see the gorgeous displays. Again, it’s a great place to pick up fantastic chocolate for gifts. Or, if your diet is waiting until New Year, upstairs has a small but divine chocolate cafe.

Christmas Things to Do in London: Oxford Street

Not too far north of Carnaby is Oxford Street. This street is famous for many retail chains and countless red busses that travel tirelessly under all the strands of Christmas lights.

Aside from gazing at the glistening street lights, for free you can also view the displays at Selfridges.

Some people think Santa’s Grotto at Selfridges is the best in London. However, if you venture inside the department store, you’re very likely to spend money so I’ll refrain from pictures here in the spirit of the promotion of free Christmas things to do in London. 😉

Christmas Things to Do in London: Regent Street

Finally, the last stop is the biggest shopping street in Europe, Regent Street. Their seasonal events and decorations are unrivaled by any London neighborhood, in my opinion. From the Traffic Free Sunday’s in July, to the NFL in London Street Party, Regent Street promotes London love all year long.

Something you can do for free on Regent Street is visit Hamleys. At the entrance you are always greeted with something spectacular. The last time I visited I was showered with bubbles.

The Regent Street location has been there since 1881, so its absolutely iconic. It’s the oldest toy shop in the world, so it’s naturally always crowded.

Free Christmas Things to Do in London: Final Thoughts

When I have a leisurely day in London during the holidays, that’s the list of activities I do. I’m sure other areas have fun options, but the ones above are close to each other and offer beautiful picture opportunties, including some of London’s most iconic images.

What’s on your list of free Christmas things to do in London that you would recommend?

For more ideas, visit my Guide for Visiting London and sign up for a newsletter featuring activities in London. There’s also quite a few blog reviews on saving money at attractions with a London Pass for you too! And of course, the Sunny News YouTube channel has tons of themed things to do lists…

https://youtu.be/q4uRFxWzre4

September 7, 2015 by: Sunny London

My Last Day in London, Saying Goodbye to Summer

Before you panic about my headline ‘My Last Day in London’ let me clarify this is a slightly silly tongue in cheek essay, written in the spirit of back to school season.

At this time of year, I thought it would be fun to write a cliche but actually serious ‘What I did over my summer vacation’ feature on the blog.

After wrapping up a short term freelance position in mid-July, I spent a few days just enjoying London.

What does this mean for me?

Leisurely strolls by the landmarks I love and neighborhoods that I can never get enough of…

On a gorgeous sunny Sunday I hit Regent Street for the Summer Streets. For the fourth year in a row, every Sunday on Regent Street in July features a traffic-free area with pop-up entertainment, and of course excellent shopping.

I started at the top of the street at Oxford Circus and walked South to Piccadilly Circus, stopping casually in all the shops I love.

Generally, I try to avoid Piccadilly Circus because it’s full of tourists (says the non-UK citizen in a thick American accent).

This guy, representing the Cool Britannia store, sure was amusing everyone passing him in a bus or by foot. I give him tons of credit for his energy and playful spirit.

Next, I wandered over to Leicester Square and bumped in to a few of London’s street performers.

From there, I took a leisurely walk down to Trafalgar Square. I don’t think many Londoners spend much time here due to all the tourists, but it’s a fantastic spot to see many of London’s landmarks. By just rotating your stance in Trafalgar Square, you can see parts of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and of course, the National Gallery.

Finally, I headed over to my favourite area, Covent Garden. I had seen Covent Garden Station’s Periscope about their entry in the Bloomin’ Underground competition and wanted to see the decorations in person.

Just a few days after this, I boarded a plane to America where I spent the next four weeks in Florida. While Londoners think this is just a brilliant opportunity, I will declare it’s not that great in August because the humidity is horrid. Each day the temperatures hit around 90 degrees and severe afternoon thunderstorms are commonplace.

Some highlights of my time in Florida include visiting with my family, attending the Jacksonville Jaguars Training Camp and interviewing an NFL player about playing in London, and stocking up on tons of Michael Kors through great deals at Macy’s.

On a few days, I did have the opportunity to take long walks on the beach in the morning. But honestly, by 10am it was excruciatingly hot, so I didn’t last longer than noon in the sand.

Just like my last day in London, I wanted to do something characteristic of the location just before I left. So, the morning of my return trip to London, I shot the sunrise at 6:45am with my GoPro HERO as I also did a Periscope of the Daytona Beach, Florida sunrise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT0qbxHE7tM

No matter what the temperature, seeing the sun rise on that gorgeous deep, flat beach is always remarkable. In December, Mr. Sunny will finally have a chance to see my hometown. At that time of year the weather should be gorgeous, so we’ll be on the beach every day!

I always love returning to London, even though the Autumn means shorter days and not as much sunshine. There are so many unmissable London activities that began at the end of summer and will stretch through the upcoming months. For example, the Victoria and Albert ‘Shoes: Pleasure and Pain Exhibition’ is high on my list of things to do.

https://youtu.be/SV5Cx7pf_nI

Where did you venture to this summer, Sunny friends? What’s on your horizon now for Autumn? Will you be attending any of London’s exhibitions or free events?

July 17, 2015 by: Sunny London

The London Pass- What You Can See in One Day

Are you visiting London for the first time and have no idea what to see and how to organise your trip? If you read the Sunny Getting Around London Transportation Guide or watched the YouTube video, you heard me mention the London Pass.

I tested the pass on a few attractions so I could give you some ideas for what to do for a day on the London Pass.

This is what I did:

The London Pass: The Tower of London (£24.50 adult ticket)

I started my day later than planned because of delays on the Underground. However, I arrived to the Tower of London at around 11:00am. With the pass, I didn’t have to worry about buying a ticket, but I did need to stand in line to go through security.

Even though I had visited the Tower of London years ago, I was overwhelmed with how much I wanted to see and learn. You could spend an entire day here.

I went to the building where the Queen keeps her Crown Jewels. For obvious reasons you can’t take pictures or film video. In fact, when you move through the part where the big bling is displayed, you must stand on a conveyor belt.

I spent an hour walking around trying to find relevant historic information and teach myself about the bloody Tower. Then I popped in the cafe to grab a quick sandwich and water.

Next, I enjoyed a tour of the Tower with a very charismatic Yeoman Warder.

While the Tower was the home of many English kings and queens, its history is dark and bloody. For example, you end the tour on a grave site that has over 1,500 unidentified burial remains. They aren’t distinguishable because each skeleton was decapitated.

The London Pass: Tower Bridge Exhibition (Adult £9)

Next, I took a short walk (about 5 minutes) to the Tower Bridge Exhibition.

I bypassed the short line with my pass. I was at this attraction for about 45 minutes, 15 of which were spent staring through the glass floor.

The London Pass: The Monument (Adult £4)

For my final stop, I hit the Monument. The views at the top were great, but the experience was terrifying. You’ll have to read that review to learn why.

After carrying around a tripod, camera and other equipment for four hours in the sun, I was very tired and ended my day then. If you really want to power up and get big savings on the London Pass, I would add a few attractions to this day.

The London Pass: What to Add

Start your day at 9:00am when the Tower of London opens so you can include London Bridge.

I haven’t been to this attraction yet because it’s supposed to be ‘London’s most terrifying attraction.’ So, I am waiting for a day when Mr. Sunny can join me. The cost is $24.

Also, you can use the London Pass for the City Cruises Thames River Cruise. It’s a really fun way to get from Tower Bridge to Greenwich, the London Eye, or Westminster. However, note that the London Eye is not a part of the London Pass offer.

You can take a boat to all four places. There’s a review of the roundtrip cruise experience Mr. Sunny and I took during the Spring on the blog too.

If you visited the Tower of London, Tower Bridge Exhibition, The Monument, London Bridge and took city cruises roundtrip, your day would cost £79.52. With a one day, Adult London Pass it is £52.

These are the individual reviews I have of all the attractions listed above, including advice for the London Eye:

– A Test to Tour the Tower of London
– The Monument London: A Tower of Terror?
– How to Take the Best Picture of London at Tower Bridge
– The London Eye: Advice on How to Fly High

I would definitely suggest the London Pass for people visiting for the NFL in London games who want to maximise their time at attractions and see many landmarks while in town. Be sure to read my NFL in London: An American Expat’s Game Plan for Your Trip, leave questions you may have in the Comments below, and enjoy this two minute London Pass video from the day I used the London Pass…

July 13, 2015 by: Sunny London

Shopping in London- An American Mall Comparison

‘What’s the mauuuuuuul?’ Ruth asked me as we were enjoying drinks somewhere trendy in London in the late 90’s.

She is a fabulous British girl that Mr. Sunny introduced me to when I lived here first as an intern for NBC News- London Bureau.

Through the conversation, I learned that British girls didn’t really understand the concept of shopping malls because they had ‘high streets’, which was a term that she needed to translate for me since it is foreign to Americans.

Mall Shopping in London has come a long way since then, thanks to Westfield London.

There are actually two ‘malls’ now in London that I feel are equivalent to the concept of a galleria in America. They are both Westfield and are located in Stratford and White City. Both feature stores that have items which are priced from moderate to luxury, as well as have a ‘food court.’

These are observations I have made based on visits to them all:
– Crowds generate during peak times no matter where you are. Big surprise.
– Products may vary, but the standard stores you see in American malls (American Apparel, Banana Republic, Gap, Apple, H&M) are the same.
– The layout is identical. Multiple floors, open space in the middle, corridors of shops.

– American food courts aren’t too impressive. In London, you’ll find fish and chips, Indian and Vietnamese cuisine, as well as other international foods.

While American food courts focus mostly on pizza, shakes, burgers and fries, I did notice this sneaky new addition to Westfield London.
– Anchor Department Stores are less exciting in London. In large American malls you generally see Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s or Nieman Marcus. Westfield London has Debenhams, House of Fraser, M&S and Next, which I don’t feel are very chic.

For those types of department stores in London, you must go to Knightsbridge and shop in Harrods or Harvey Nichols.

Special Services:
Aside from being the only two locations to offer a shopping experience in London which mirrors that of an America mall, Westfield also offers an array of special services. I enjoyed using the app which directs shoppers to stores and sales based on preferences selected. My variables entered indicate:
I found that fairly accurate, except I am neither interested in music production nor a collector of any sort. I guess if you are but you’re not coming to London to have a look around at the audio equipment, you’ll have more joy searching around equipment sites like this that offers the top phono stages – Graham Slee HiFi.

Westifeld London also offers valet parking and free wifi that works fairly well.

Shopping in London: Final Thoughts

Since the Westfield locations are on the outer East and West edges of Central London, you should visit them if you’re in London for an extended amount of time and want to isolate all of your shopping to one indoor area.

I plan to write and vlog later about where to shop in London, especially for my American friends who are visiting London for the NFL games and want to pick up some truly unique British items and souvenirs. So, if you’re a Londoner, please leave your shopping at Westfield London experience information and shopping in London suggestions below!

A Guide to London for Americans- Visiting for a First Time

Welcome to the Guide to London!

If you live in London or are visiting London for the first time, use this Guide as a resource.

You can search for specific categories to learn about in the Menu Bar. However, this is a single page you can bookmark and share with friends also obsessing about London.

As a Florida girl who’s lived in London for six years, I share my foodie travel experiences from an American perspective and am married to man who was born in London.

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. 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!

Frequently, I attend restaurant, event and attraction openings. Let me be your virtual tour guide so you get the most of out of your London experience. Use this guide as a direct connection to show you what’s hot in London and Pin it to your London Trip Planning Board!

These are the Guide categories which are regularly updated: (Last on May 2019)

Advice and Culture
Attractions, Events, Things to Do
Food and Restaurants
Afternoon Teas and Pubs
Hotels
Shopping
Day Trips

Don’t miss the Sunny News weekly YouTube updates too.

Advice and Culture:

NFL in London: An American Expat’s Game Plan for Your Trip

NFL Games in London: How a Team Prepares– an exclusive interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars about how they prepare for an NFL Game in the UK.

5 Crime Prevention Tips for London– you can read my advice in this blog post or watch the updated version (as of July 2016) below. It’s well worth your time to learn these tips before you pack for your London trip.

10 Things to Do in Hyde Park

11 Best Places to Take a Selfie in London

British Things to Do in London

British vs American Stereotypes- Myths Busted!

Christmas Celebration Differences between the UK and USA– for a look at the major differences I’ve experienced, you can read this blog post. For a fun look at food, take a couple minutes to see What British People Eat for Christmas on the Sunny News.

Differences between British and American Schools

Differences between British and American Culture– being an American expat in London who is married to a British bloke has taught me a lot in four years. In this video I share some of the not so obvious differences between the two cultures.

Differences Between British and American Grocery Stores

Differences Between American and British TV

First Time Tips for Visiting London

Getting Around London- A Transportation Guide- everything you need to know about airports, buses, trains, cabs and more.

Getting Around on the Underground- 20 Tube Tips in Two Minutes, 5 Strategies for Riding the London Tube and How to Ride the Underground: Not Like an Arse

Guide to Covent Garden– advice about food, attractions, shopping and more in this neighborhood

How Americans Celebrate 4th of July in London

How to Tip When Visiting London

Is Duty Free at Heathrow Worth It?

Jamie Oliver Cookery School Review– Mr. Sunny and I spent an evening at this famous British chefs school and can give you the scoop on if it might be for you.

London Places to Visit in Spring

NFL Games in London– An exclusive interview with a player on his thoughts on playing American football in London

World Duty Free Secrets– Things You Don’t Know about Heathrow Airport Duty Free

Moving to London from America: What You’ll Miss

Moving to London: Shipping Electronics

Moving to London: An Expat’s Tips to Saving Money

Shopping in London: American Malls vs London Malls

Tips for Visiting London

UK vs USA- What the British Do Better!

UK vs USA- What Amerians Do Better!

USA vs UK: 5 Life Conveniences You WON’T Have if you Move to London from the USA

Visa Advice- Tips for the UK Visa Process

What Not To Do in London– For a list of things that will definitely get you weird looks from Londoners (including American expats like me), take a look at this.

Attractions, Events, Things to Do:

9 Attractions in Two Days: Only have a short time to visit London? This is an itinerary you can use to hit some highlights on a fast trip.

10 Best Things To Do in London at Christmas– highlights of what are unmissable events and attractions in London for Christmas.

Best Views in London– highlights of the best places to take your camera for jaw dropping pictures of Big Ben, Parliament, The London Eye, The Tower, and everything in between.

Big Bus Tour London– one of the most popular ways to see tons of London attractions and monuments while not being limited to a tight schedule.

Christmas in London- read about Fun, Free Things to Do and the Best Things to Do, including where to go ice skating. Or, you can catch the YouTube video that shows highlights of everything!

City Cruises– I can’t endorse this company enough. When my father-in-law won tickets for a day cruise on the River Thames, it launched several experiences with the company.

Climb the O2: One of the most adventurous things I have done in London and something I recommend to those ready for something different.

Covent Garden Academy of Flowers– if you really want to try something different, take a floral arrangement class here. This link features the experience I had on an all day course.

Covent Garden- Places You Can’t Miss– a few highlights of places I love in Covent Garden

Eating London Food Tour– this tour is in East London and focuses on historic and cultural information. You do have the chance to try many foods in London, but it’s important to know food isn’t the only feature. There’s also the Sexy Soho Food Tour, which is definitely for an adult audience.

Helicopter Tour?– Please don’t take a London helicopter tour until you’ve had a chance to watch my advice. This includes a video with what you will (and more importantly WON’T see).

How London Won the Olympics– A Walking Tour of Olympic Park. Whether you’re an athlete or not, you can learn so much about London’s pride and how the British rocked the 2012 Olympics.

How to Take the Best Picture of London- Tower Bridge– Of all the places in London, the Tower Bridge Exhibition offers the best place to snap a selfie that will be the envy of all your friends. Examples are included in the story.

James ‘Bond in Motion’– a review of the James Bond exhibition in Covent Garden, London.

Kenwood House and the Spaniards Inn (Pub)– in North London, outside of Zone 1 on the Underground. Great if you’re interested in art, English heritage and one of the oldest and most famous pubs in North London.

Kew Gardens– tips for visiting one of London’s most beautiful locations

Harry Potter- Bus Tour Around London, How to Get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour London, Hogwarts in the Snow- 5 Reasons You Must Go!

Hotel Chocolat- A Chocolate Making Class– take a several hour course in Covent Garden which focuses on how chocolate is made. This is not an actual hotel.

London Pass– a review of what you can see in one day.

London Transport Museum– visiting this museum isn’t just for curious adults, there are tons of activities and sights for children too.

London Zoo- Things NOT to Do at the London Zoo!

Lord’s Cricket Ground Tour– a look behind the scenes at one of London’s most prestigious sports venues.

Madame Tussauds– a fun look at the Star Wars exhibit and celebrities you may ‘see’ at the world famous wax museum.

The Monument, A Tower of Terror?– This review of the Monument is a must read for anyone considering this experience. It’s not an attraction suited for everyone.

Primrose Hill: Serenity and Celebrities– Popular location for celebrities to live and Londoners to enjoy a picnic and exercise.

Ride the Emirates Cable Car– Outside of Central London near Greenwich and Canary Wharf.

Ride the Slide!– Review of the #1 attraction in London for 2016 the ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide and video…

Royal Albert Hall Tour– what you should know about visiting this attraction on the London Pass discount system.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre– information about touring the Globe in London.

South Bank: How to See Four Attractions in One Day (The London Eye, Shrek, London Dungeon, London Aquarium)

Stanfords Horse-drawn Omnibus Tour– Take a look back a century or so and ride in a horse-drawn carriage in London via Stanfords in Covent Garden.

The London Eye- Advice for Riding High!

ThamesJet Speedboat Tour on River Thames– YouTube video of jet boat experience. The most thrilling experience we’ve had in London. Not for the weak of heart.

Tower of London– This little test will let you know if it’s worth taking a free tour at the Tower of London.

Visit to The Shard– tips and strategies for how to enjoy the highest location in Europe.

How to Make Winter Wonderland Wheely Fun!– My VIP experience on the Wheel at Winter Wonderland and advice for visiting London’s most popular winter attraction how you can enjoy it.

World Travel Market (WTM London)– This is a guide for anyone attending the travel conference. It includes tips and strategies for before, during and after the conference.

Food and Restaurants:

5 Foodie Streets in London– blog review includes maps and there’s a video too…

Bumpkin– British cuisine. Frequently seen in London’s reality shows Made in Chelsea and Ladies of London on Bravo.

Burger and Lobster Review- £20 of Juicy Love– chain all over London. Only three (damn good) items on the menu.

Byron Burger– chain throughout London.

Carnaby Burger Co– quick and easy burgers in Carnaby.

Cha Chaan Teng– a fantastic restaurant in Holborn with a secret view you would never expect.

Charlotte Street- All you can Eat on One Street! If I had to pick one street in London that has food and restaurants for every type of eater, this is eat. I mean ‘it.’ 😉 It’s near Goodge Street Underground Station.

Chi Kitchen– having visited this pan-Asian restaurant in London three times, I can completely vouch for its quality of service and food. The restaurant consultant is Ping Coombes, the 2014 winner of Master Chef.

Choccywoccydoodah- What’s Behind the Chocolate Empire– Carnaby Street’s chocolate claim to fame. There’s a reality show for the chocolatiers because their cakes and chocolate are so extraordinary. It’s worth popping in just to see them (picture below). There is a chocolate cafe too.

Chocolate: The 5 Best Places to Buy it in London

Cocochan– Pan-Asian restaurant and lounge bar in St Christopher’s Place by Selfridges in Marylebone. It’s where I took Mr Sunny for his birthday because we wanted absolutely amazing sushi. If you go here, please let me know (and invite me!)

Dean Street Townhouse– excellent find in the Soho area. Visited by Londoners often.

Five Guys- A Comparison between the US and UK– There’s a few locations in London now.

Holly Bush Hampstead Review– if you’re looking for a hidden pub in North London that delivers not only a great local experience but fantastic food, take time to read this.

Inamo Restaurant– Oriental fusion bar and restaurant in several locations in London. You can order your food and drinks by touching images projected on to your table. Mr. Sunny also beat me in a game of Battleship projected on the table too.

L’eto Caffe– has several locations in London and features perhaps the most gorgeous pastries and food you will find.

Le Garrick– French restaurant in Covent Garden that has existed for decades. Excellent for pre-theatre dinner and very romantic.

Le Pain Quotidien Covent Garden: London’s Healthiest Bakery

Pan Chai– for a luxurious experience at Harrods, this pan Asian spot in the Food Hall is worth a visit.

Pho Restaurant– a chain of Vietnamese restaurants in London that have ultra healthy and delicious food.

Pizza Express- Eat Gluten Free– pizza chain where you can have fantastic gluten free pizza.

Rocco– Italian restaurant in Chelsea, Fulham. The owner is one of the most charismatic people in London. Food is amazing too!

Shake Shack– I’m very open about it being my favourite burger joint. The main one is in the Covent Garden Piazza. Expect long lines.

Snowflake Gelato– on Wardour Street in Soho. The pictures in this review don’t do the experience justice.

The Real Greek– I’ve eaten at several locations of this London chain and every time has been been top notch with regard to food quality and service.

The Ship Tavern- Mr. Sunny and I feel this Holborn pub has the best food in London.

Smiths of Smithfield– delicious steak just across from London’s most famous wholesale meat market

Tommi’s Burger Joint– burger chain in London. This is the review of the Mayfair location.

Wagamama Menu– A moderately priced Japanese chain all over London with a very extensive menu. Tables are in rows, so you are eating next to other people not in your party.

Whyte and Brown Restaurant– in Kingly Court, Carnaby. Everything on the menu focuses on chicken or eggs. Interesting concept. I had a fantastic experience here.

Afternoon Teas and Pubs:

24 Karat Gold Afternoon Tea– the most expensive afternoon tea I’ve attended in London. Excellent food. Located in St. James near Buckingham Palace and Westminster Cathedral.

Ampersand Hotel Afternoon Tea: Science and Chemistry– located near the V&A Museum. They offer this themed tea periodically. It’s explosive fun.

Bill’s Restaurant Covent Garden- Afternoon Tea with a Color Explosion– a restaurant chain around London and other areas of England. Very affordable afternoon tea.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea– a themed tea in the lobby bar of One Aldwych Hotel near The Strand in Covent Garden.

Conrad London St James– Christmas Afternoon Tea. This hotel is directly across from the St. James Underground station and is just a short walk to Westminster, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace. The hotel showcases its proximity to London’s politics extremely well.

Corinthia Christmas Afternoon Tea– a majestic Winter Wonderland setting all year. Other features of this luxurious hotel are its award-winning spa. It’s also super close to an exceptional view of The London Eye.

Covent Garden Hotel Afternoon Tea– a Firmdale Hotel. The two properties I have been to in London offer the best priced afternoon tea in town. The hotels are also known for exquisite interior design.

Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea– a truly British experience of traditional afternoon tea.

Kick Arse Irish Pubs in London– these three Irish pubs near Piccadilly Circus in Soho are super close and offer a unique experience in the way of atmosphere and, of course, beer.

Playboy Club Afternoon Tea– the only place my husband ‘Mr. Sunny’ would have afternoon tea with me. We both had a blast. I highly recommend it.

Sofitel St James- Christmas Afternoon Tea– a French hotel in London that frequently hosts fun events celebrating their French brand.

St James Hotel- Royal Afternoon Tea– I made the mistake of not touring this hotel’s garden area the first time I visited. It’s stunning. It’s located just a few minutes walk from Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, and Trafalgar Square.

The Admiralty– billed as the Most Central Pub in London, this could easily be mistaken for a touristy place to eat and drink. Read this review to see why this is wrong!

Tombo Afternoon Tea– a cafe with a Japanese menu. Amazingly affordable. Delicious food. This one is in South Kensington.

Aside from the pub crawls and pubs below, we strongly recommend American visitors (especially those who will have limited wifi while in London) grab a copy of Mr. Sunny’s favourite book The Good Pub Guide.

Covent Garden Pub Crawl and Street Performers

Hampstead Pub Crawl: Hot Beer Gardens– area of North London outside of Zone 1 that is simply gorgeous.

O’Neill’s Pub in Muswell Hill– this Irish pub is in a cathedral. Read about how their ghost chili wings nearly killed my husband. (He loved them, but they’re damn hot!) It’s out of Zone 1, but it’s a favorite pub for Londoners.

Mr. Sunny’s Pub Crawl for Avoiding Shopping in Selfridges– my husband invented this pub crawl for all the ‘blokes’ who would prefer to drink beer rather than shop with their girls.

Nicholson’s Pub Crawl London: Exchanging a Shoe for a Kwak?– Mr. Sunny surrendered his shoe for a beer in this Soho pub crawl.

Sun Themed Pubs in London- A Pub Crawl– yes, they do exist here.

Woodstock Pub– Japanese pub in Mayfair. Great place to stop for drinks and snacks.

Hotels:

Bloomsbury Hotel– part of the Doyle Collection. If you’re a literary lover, this is THE place to stay!

Covent Garden Hotel– a Firmdale Hotel. Known for interior design and excellent food and cocktails, this is one I highly recommend.

Every Hotel– opened in Spring of 2015 in Piccadilly Circus. ‘Excellent no fuss, just the basic amenities you need’ hotel. Location is right in the heart of London life. New Yorkers- it’s like staying in Times Square.

Generator Hostel: What’s Hot about a Hostel?– I attended their launch party but haven’t stayed here. It’s the one hostel I would recommend to travelers.

Georgian House Bed and Breakfast- if you want to live every muggle’s dream, stay at this hotel’s Wizard Chambers.

Kensington Hotel: London’s Largest Luxury– if you can afford this townhouse, please invite me to visit. 😉 The rest of the hotel is gorgeous as well. Their mixologist at the bar and the General Manager

are both exceptional.

Lancaster London– Located right on the edge of Hyde Park. The Executive Chef is a previous Master Chef contestant. He’s the life of the hotel. It’s affordable, and I’ve stayed here. If you’re looking to avoid the prices at The Ritz and Savoy, this is a great 4-star alternative.

Ham Yard Hotel- A Firmdale Hotel. This hotel has its own bowling alley and is located in a secluded area of Piccadilly Circus. The pictures show its cheery design.

One Aldwych: 7 Hotel Secrets- This five-star hotel offers an entire experience of luxury and stellar service. I begged them to let me stay longer in my YouTube review.

St. Ermin’s Hotel- Flights of Fancy Champagne Afternoon Tea– If you’re looking for a hotel that would be gorgeous for wedding photos, you can’t beat the staircase here. The champagne tea is fun too!

Windsor- Macdonalds Windsor Hotel– the view of the castle from this hotel is breathtaking. It’s also in the centre of everything.

Shopping:

Guides- Beginner’s Guide to Shopping in London, British Brands to Buy in London, VAT Shopping Advice for Visitors

Gunwharf Quays- Outlet Shopping outside of London– this is certainly a day trip because it involves taking a train for about two hours from Waterloo station. It’s not economic to do on a short trip to London. I include it in this guide to show you that there are outlet malls in England.

St. Martin’s Courtyard- A Hidden Treasure in Covent Garden– a hidden area of London near Seven Dials and Covent Garden. There’s a few unique stores and an equal number of popular restaurants.

Day Trips:

Curious What the Harry Potter Studio Tour Involves?– The Warner Bros studio tour is quite a ways from London. Mr. Sunny took me there because we have a car. It’s really fun, but you will have to do research before your trip on how to get there, either by a very expensive car hire or a group trip. A Harry Potter lover’s dream day though! There’s also a comparison story on the blog of how it measures up against The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Kingston Upon Thames- Walking Tour– if you have a day to spend in Kingston Upon Thames (about a 45 minute journey on the train from Waterloo Station), this walking tour is fantastic! Great for English history lovers.

St. Albans Market, Sun and Stinking Bishop Cheese– about a 45 minute journey on the train from Central London. This English countryside town has a strong Roman connection and a fun market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Stonehenge and Bath Day Trip– advice for how to see Stonehenge when visiting London

Warren House- This luxurious Victorian mansion is beyond stunning, especially in the spring. Their afternoon tea and my experience at the hotel is something I will treasure forever.

Windsor Castle– This ‘weekend home’ for the Queen is something you should not miss if you’re a royal watcher. In fact, I think it’s worth a weekend to visit Windsor and this is why…

Guide to London: Your Requests

I regularly add to this page when I publish blog features relevant to Americans visiting London. Please, use the comment section to leave questions and ideas of what you’d like me to cover on for the ‘Guide to London’ on Sunny in London.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the emails. I’m also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Let me show you how to find sun and fun in London!

April 27, 2015 by: Sunny London

Parts and Labour- It’s Where to Eat in London

How do you decide where to eat in London?

There are so many options that it’s truly overwhelming. The East End is particularly flooded with multi-cultural cuisines, which makes it even tougher to make decisions if you’re in that area.

This is why I am super excited to share with you a new discovery on London’s restaurant scene that will blow your mind. I. Am. Not. Kidding.

When I received the invitation to enjoy a complimentary meal with Mr. Sunny at the newly opened Parts and Labour restaurant located in the ground floor of the Qbic London City Hotel, I was curious. The website is still building, so the mystery about the menu was big. It was suggested that we try their coffee, but since we knew we were travelling a long distance from North London, we wanted to go big with food. And we did.

To be honest, if you didn’t know about this new restaurant that features Modern British cooking, you could likely walk right by it. And what a shame that would be.

As Mr. Sunny and I entered the hotel, we still weren’t really sure what to make of the opportunity. The Scandinavian influenced design of the restaurant leaves some room for imagination.

The decor includes bold primary colours with white retro tiles and brightly coloured and exposed furniture. It almost seems like an upscale university dining hall or lounge in a business centre.

At a quick glance, you could pass judgment on the restaurant and miss undeniably exceptional food. Honestly.

We looked over the menu, which features a mix of small and large plates, and dessert of course. Still undecided on how our food labour of love would unfold in these parts, we asked for recommendations of popular items and ordered them.

I did mention during our order that I was choosing the Roast Aubergine, Mixed Grains, Parsley, Lemon, Pomegranate, and Mint Yoghurt because it sounded fantastic and photogenic.

When it arrived, I was pleased with both expectations. However, the Chef sent over a sneaky plate of Ham and Cheddar Croquettes, Herb Mayonnaise tasters for us too.

Yep. Not as camera friendly as the other dish, but sweet heavenly ham my Sunny friends! These two treats are worth serious labour at the gym to enjoy them. They include bechamel as a bit of a secret ingredient, and their explosive taste had Mr. Sunny and I fighting over them.

They also said the salmon would be something to talk about too. And like the croquettes, it is indeed extraordinary.

I wish you could see in real life how brightly coloured the fish displayed on the plate. It’s Hansen and Lydersen Smoked Salmon, Lemon with Buttered Brown Bread. It’s smoked in Islington, and the taste registers high above what I’ve had other places.

With these big successes down our stomachs, we hoped the Main courses would dazzle too. I picked the Gnocchi, Wild Mushrooms and Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan because I don’t think I’ve ever ordered gnocchi to eat in London.

Let me just say to all my Italian friends, this is gnot your mother’s gnocchi! Usually, both homemade and restaurant gnocchi can have a very doughy consistency, which makes it very filling, very fast. This is not the case at Parts and Labour.

They are cooked perfectly. In fact, I gave them a fast shoutout on the Sunny in London Instagram account with this caption: ‘I’ve hit heaven! These gnocchi are like potato pillows covered in sheets of Parmesan and a layer of lemon flavour.’

I stand by this declaration whole-heartedly.

Mr. Sunny chose Lemon and Thyme Spatchcock Chicken and wasn’t disappointed either. He did say it was more of a poussin.

As sides with that he selected mashed potatoes and broccoli. But seriously, who needs to see pictures of those? 😉

I passed on sampling the vegetables and am grateful Mr. Sunny knows me well enough just to scoop off a spoonful of mash for me without even asking. I have no reservations about fessing up to my carb obsession. I sure am glad I tried them. Again, Parts and Labour didn’t serve an average potato!

At this point we were definitely giving the restaurant two thumbs up, so dessert was just going to be icing on the cake.

Meet my chocolate, salted caramel tart…

‘Captivating’ summarises the consistency of this dessert. Yes, the flavours all balance beautifully together, but the texture of this treat took me to a new level of a foodie high. It was so creamy and chocolately that I will dream about it for months.

Mr. Sunny had the Lemon Parfait. You probably wouldn’t even believe me at this point if I said it rocked. But. It. Did.

That picture doesn’t do it justice.

We think Parts and Labour is a great place to eat in London not only because our meal registered off the superior scale, but also because the service is personable. Our experience lasted nearly three hours because we had so many conversations with staff members who were eager to say hello and make a great impression.

They all did.

Final Thoughts about Why Parts and Labour is a Great Place to Eat in London:

– The restaurant is a two minute walk from the Aldgate East Underground Station.
– The current Chef previously worked at Fortnum and Mason.
– Service at the restaurant is personable, polite and customer focussed.
– Their breakfast menu is a huge hit. In fact, if you’re popping in while staying at the hotel or before heading to work, it could be quite busy so allow yourself some extra time.
– Their key focus is actually coffee.
– Their Sunday Roasts are highly regarded too.
– They have a DJ some evenings and get fairly busy.
– The quirky decor of the hotel also adds an extra flavour of character for a place to stay and eat in London.

Parts and Labour is located in the Qbic London City Hotel at 42 Adler Street London, E1 1EE. You can also contact them on the telephone at: 020 3021 3300. They are on Twitter too. Be sure to let me know if you go. I can’t wait to hear about your experience!

December 15, 2014 by: Sunny London

Moving to London: An Expat’s Tips to Save Money

Moving to London is a dream for many people. London has some of the world’s best museums, a fantastic theatre district, stunning architecture, and yes- incredible food! But, sadly it is often credited as one of the world’s most expensive cities in which to live.

When I first lived in London during my Florida State University Study Abroad Programme years, my parents financed my life. I was extremely lucky and lived on Great Russell Street next to the British Museum. It’s when I met my husband (Mr. Sunny) too.

Our lives went different directions, and we reconnected in 2010. Deciding which one of us would leave our country was difficult. Family, money, culture and lifestyle were discussion points. We decided it would be me moving to London.

A huge part of the conversations involved financial decisions. When I was invited to write a sponsored post on my experience of moving to London and expat tips to save money during the process, I immediately said ‘Yes!’ Americans, other expats and Londoners frequently ask me about my experience, so an advice post was a great idea!

Moving to London: Two Visas and a Wedding

Any person living in London on a fiance or spouse visa could write pages on that experience. In summary, know all of the costs before even planning a wedding. Also, plan on the fees increasing and the unknown to happen. It sure did to me.

I had the misfortune of sending my fiance visa application to the UK Embassy in New York City the day Hurricane Sandy took seige of the area. What was supposed to be a ‘two week process’ per our immigration attorney’s advice, was two and a half months of agony.

The smart things I did prior to my plan for moving to London were not purchasing the airline ticket for the flight and arranging to stay with my parents while waiting. The not so smart things in my moving to London process: resigning from my very lucrative job and renting a flat in London prior to my visa’s approval.

Once I did arrive to live in London on my fiance visa, I only stayed a few months. I had to return to the US because of my father’s illness. This stopped my ability to work, and my fiance visa expired.

We were finally able to get married in November 2013 in the US and opted for a wedding ceremony with four guests to save money. Saving money on the wedding was pretty easy, There’s lots of tips on how to save money here that might help you out if you’re looking to save too.

We had to pay for the entire UK visa process again. This time we paid the additional priority process fee. It was perhaps one of the best investments we ever made because my visa was approved and returned in 10 days. No matter what type of visa for which you apply- pay priority! It will probably cut down on the ‘ride’ you have while waiting for your approval.

Moving to London: Job Search Expectations

Once we were finally married and I could begin job seeking, a whole new set of problems surfaced. Monthly prices on flat rentals had increased as much as 20%. We were forced to live even further away from Central London than the year before, and it had been 14 months since I worked fulltime.

People warn you about how difficult it is to get a job in London. Listen to them and plan for it. Prior to moving to London, double the time/money you think you will need to job search. So plan accordingly to this and be savvy on things like bills. For example, if you are looking for the cheapest broadband you should try to use a comparison site like Simply Switch. Also, expect the currency exchange rate to fluctuate wildly. Since moving to London, I’ve seen the dollar equal anywhere from £1.49 to £1.71 in less than a year.

If you are moving to London for a job transfer, you’re certainly one of the lucky ones. If not, be ready to accept a position for which you are drastically over qualified. This also means calculating your lifestyle on a budget lower than what you are accustom.

Moving to London: Food and Travel

My husband and I shop carefully but still treat ourselves to dining out as often as we can. The concept of coupons barely exists in London. However, grocery stores still have things ‘on offer’ regularly. Having discount cards on restaurants and pubs helps tremendously. Research these through your bank and online as soon as you can.

Don’t mistakenly think you’ll save a lot by forgoing a car, in fact, I looked into getting a car, and found cheap insurance online. There a ton of different places online for you to find cheap car insurance if you are interested in driving in London, for example, somewhere like cheapautoinsurance.co.uk and Admiral to name a couple. Cabs in London are very expensive. Plan on using busses or the Underground as much as possible. I’ve written a separate advice post on that. But, buying an Oyster card and avoiding peak travel times are some of my top tips to save money on travel in London.

Since London is in such proximity of fantastic holiday destinations, you’ll have many travel temptations. Be advised a train is not always the cheapest alternative. In fact, many times it’s more expensive than flying.

Don’t underestimate all the free museums and historic locations in and around London that you can visit also.

Moving to London: Final Expat Tips to Save Money

Making money decisions is never easy or perfect. My husband and I know that once I get situated with a permanent job, our next step is to buy a home in London. For me this will be particularly intimidating because I will be a first time home buyer in the UK. Thankfully, like the US, it seems there are several types of mortgages available for people in my situation who are challenged with an expat move, job searching and the rising costs of property in London.

Did you find a move to London challenging?
What advice do you have to add either as a Londoner or expat?

What can you add to my advice for the UK visa application process?

You can read more about the expat experience on the blog. Be sure to see the review of an international shipping company, which includes a discount for you.

If you’re visiting London for the the first time (especially the NFL in London Games this Fall), read my ‘Guide to London for Americans Visiting the First Time!’ Or you can subscribe to Sunny in London emails. I’m happy to help Americans find their way here faster, so share this post or that one if you have friends travelling here soon.

December 3, 2014 by: Sunny London

Corinthia London Afternoon Tea in a Snow Globe!

Where should you go if you’re looking to have a sugary holiday feast set in one of London’s most luxurious hotels?

The Corinthia London Afternoon Tea!

I spent a few hours enjoying this decadent event, and I’m so excited to share the details with my Sunny friends. This 5-star hotel has been located on Whitehall Place for over a century. Its proximity to so many London landmarks makes it a practical venue for so many occasions.

However, ‘practical’ is not the word I would use to describe the interior, but that is exactly the point of luxury, right?

Come and take a journey through this glittering gem with me as we explore their festive tea…

I was excited to find the hotel just around the corner from Embankment station. I did try to take a picture of The London Eye from the same spot that I took the photo above, but a big London bus planted itself in front of me. Honestly, I was just too excited to go in Corinthia London than stand around waiting to take yet another picture of the London Eye.

As I wrapped around the building, the prestige of the hotel seemed to stand taller than the Shard. I mean really- who’s the genius who arranged to have a matching Burberry cab sitting outside?

I quickly learned that entering this year’s Corinthia London Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Lounge means being immediately transformed to winter wonderland in epic style.

I have always loved the elegance of gold and ivory at Christmas. This tree covered in shimmering butterflies and ornaments is a striking start to your tea.

The Lobby Lounge has a giant ‘centerpiece’ in which tables are placed around. Parisian designer Chafik Gasmi’s Full Moon chandelier floats high above the center of the Lobby Lounge in the dome. The Baccarat crystals flickering against all the snowy white decorations covered in butterflies make you feel as if you are inside a whirling snow globe.

Because attending such a luxurious occasion was so special to me, I invited my Sunny mummy-in-law to be my guest. She has had a fascinating career as a model and fashion agent in both London and around the world.

Plus, she certainly appreciates a glass of champagne, just like me. So, that’s exactly how we started our Corinthia London Afternoon Tea.

Next, we chose our tea.

She picked the 1885 Afternoon Blend from the Corinthia London Tea Blends. It’s a smooth, elegant muscated Darjeeling, blended with a hint of smoky Lapsang and a touch of Keemun and Oolong. Since this was the second guest I brought to a festive afternoon tea in one week who picked a smoky tea, I opted for the peppermint tea just like I did earlier in the week. I quite fancied it and will continue to drink it as much as possible now.

The afternoon tea sandwiches in comparison to other Christmas teas are especially festive. We actually couldn’t pick a favourite when we were asked because we really did feel they were each extraordinary.

The Corinthia London Afternoon Tea sandwiches are:

– Roast Turkey and Stuffing, Fresh Cranberry Compote
– Loch Var Smoked Salmon
– Roast Sirloin of Beef, Wholegrain Ale Mustard
– Organic Egg Mayonnaise, Micro Watercress
– Creamed Innes Goats Cheese and Cucumber

Once finishing our sandwiches, we moved on to indulge in English Tea Fancies inspired by the Festive Season.

Our two story tower stretched up to our eyes and featured so many wonderful flavours capturing the true spirit, and actually tale, of the holidays. The plates hold treats called the Jack Frost, Stocking Stuffer, Sugar Plum Fairy, The Scrooge, Rudolph, Yuletide Treasure, Santa’s Little Helper and Avalanche.I’m going to tease you by only telling you the composition of my favourite- the Scrooge. It features chocolate roulade, tea infused Ganache and gold chocolate. It’s a little shout out to my mom in Florida too because it’s our favourite film to watch every year for Christmas.

Oh, Sunny friends, and let’s not forget the scones… The Corinthia London Afternoon Tea serves warm, scrumptious plain and raisin scones with their house preserves and clotted cream.

We loved this luxurious afternoon tea for its ambiance and truly festive food. The Lobby Lounge was filled with friends, families and business meetings, so it appeals people for an array of occasions.

The Corinthia London Afternoon tea experience is luxurious in quality and atmosphere. The food is outstanding and very festive. If it’s not an extravagance in your holiday budget, I absoutely recommend popping in for a glass of Laurent Perrier to at least enjoy the breathtaking decorations.

The Corinthia London Afternoon Tea also makes season specialities for the Chelsea Flower Show and London Fashion week.

You can follow the Corinthia London on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Google+. To read reviews and receive excellent rates, click here.

Finally, guests of the hotel on New Year’s Ever will receive wrist bands for this year’s firework display in London. This means they will be exempt from the £10 charge that is starting this year.

Our afternoon tea was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This did not influence my opinion of the experience. The only thing that would’ve made the experience better is if my mother could’ve joined us too. Bah humbug! 😉

November 9, 2014 by: Sunny London

The London Eye: Advice on how to Fly High!

The London Eye has skyrocketed to one of the most recognisable features in the London skyline in just 15 years. In fact, the first time I lived in London, it didn’t exist. At first, I found it kind of an odd figure protruding out of London’s regal skies. Among centuries of historical monuments, there now sits a giant cantilevered observation wheel.

It took a while, but it started to grow on me.

I’m afraid of heights. But, that’s something you have to put aside sometimes in life to have an epic worldly experience. After I survived a sunset at The View from the Shard, I figured I’d be able to ride the London Eye.

However, I was holding out until my mother could come across the pond again to visit me.

When we turned back the clocks on Sunday October 26th, I panicked. Dude, it seriously got dark fast. While I am a perpetual promoter of sun in London, I get that there’s a lot of liquid sunshine and inner sunshine compensation around this time of year. So, I had to head to the sky to be closer to the sunshine. This, my Sunny friends, is what Iearned…

See the London Eye Advice #1- Set your alarm

Book your tickets ahead of time and get there early. You can book tickets online if you do it at least 24 hours in advance. Try to plan your trip around the weather, obviously. I was there on the hottest Halloween on record. Naturally.

When I went to the View from the Shard, they suggested sunset for the best time to visit. They even gave me a suggested arrival time so I got it just right. The London Eye representative advised that views were always fabulous and to start with the first rotation.

I figured arriving at 9:45am would be fine. It opened at 10:00am. Whoa! Queues were already stretching beyond the barriers. I was shocked. It was a weekday!

See the London Eye Advice #2- Watch the movie

The representative I worked with suggested watching the 4D movie prior to boarding. Great tip! I don’t want to ruin it for you, but take the five minutes to watch the movie. It’s an absolute adrenaline rush and gets you totally pumped to tour the London sky.

See the London Eye Advice #3- Fast Track

At least do yourself a favor and fast track your entrance. Like I said, the attraction gets mobbed before it even opens. Paying extra to skip the line would be a real benefit. My friend and I walked on to the loading dock within minutes. The ultimate experience would be to reserve your own capsule. If you’re able to do that, give me a call. I’m an excellent camera caddy. 😉

See the London Eye Advice #4- Jump in

My blogger mind took over, and I went in to the ‘tell the story for the reader’ mode. I wanted to get great ‘action’ shots of boarding a capsule. So, here they are…

What I didn’t realize was while I stood on the dock taking pictures, all the cheeky buggers in my pictures got on the capsule first. They reserved the best viewpoints, the far end of the capsule. You’ll want to be opposite the door facing Big Ben. It’s the best spot.

The pod wasn’t too crowded, but I feel like I missed out a bit on some great shots. However, at one point I stood on the bench in the center of the capsule so I could be a bit creative. Sometimes I have no shame.

People were gracious about moving for me to take pictures, occasionally.

See the London Eye Advice #5- There’s a glare

Let’s face it, there has to be some type of barrier between you and the open air at 135m. So, know ahead of time that clear focused pictures are tricky if you’re not a professional photographer.

See the London Eye Advice- Isn’t it obvious…

Here’s a picture I just couldn’t resist.

Oh geez, thanks for the warning.

See the London Eye Advice- The Golden Rule

No matter how much I write, the best piece of advice comes from Mr. Sunny. Back in the days when he was an international journalist for NBC, he was invited on a Press Trip when the London Eye opened. In his words of wisdom, “Go to the bloody loo before you get in line. It’s a loooooong trip around if you don’t!’

And there you have it. You can follow the London Eye on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Many thanks to the staff at The London Eye for the complimentary tickets. If you’ve been on The London Eye, please share your advice below.

I really want to go back at night.. Have you had your own capsule? I’d love to try the Hotel Chocolat Capsule, Wine Tasting Capsule, Champagne Tasting Capsule, or even Cupid’s Capsule? What do you recommend, Sunny friends?

If you’re visiting London for the the first time (especially the NFL in London Games this Fall), check out my ‘Guide to London for Americans Visiting the First Time!’ Or you can subscribe to Sunny in London weekly emails. I’m happy to help Americans find their way here faster, so share this post or that one if you have friends travelling here soon.

August 17, 2014 by: Sunny London

Moving to London from America- What You’ll Miss

Do you dream of moving to London from America? Or maybe it’s the other way round! If so, there are many top national moving companies out there that can give you a helping hand when it comes to this big moment in you life. You never know what life can bring, so it is important to plan ahead. When a few of my friends decided to leave London for America, they decided to look into companies such as Bright Homes, as this way, doing their research into reliable companies meant that they would be in the best hands possible when it came to making such a massive change in their life. It worked out for the best and now they are all living their best lives. Even if you are just considering moving states, just by doing some research into homes beaufort sc, this can get you on the right track when it comes to this transition in your life. No matter where you end up, as long as you are doing it in the right way and are doing it for the right reasons, that’s all that should matter. There’s a few life conveniences that you need to know that don’t exist on this side of the pond. And they’re things that people living in the great all-American suburbs will really, really miss.
Let’s get to the list, Sunny friends!

1. Super Stores

Think of how many times you rely on places like Target, The Home Depot, Best Buy, Office Depot and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Stores like that pretty much don’t exist in London. Yes, there’s department stores like John Lewis and Debenhams here. But, you aren’t going to find the vast selection of items at fairly reasonable prices like you can in America.

The philosophy of “I’ll buy it when I get there’ might not work out the way you anticipate. With many items, it might be more feasible to ship them from the US to London. When you calculate the cost of a shipping container against what it will involve to buy new items here, you may be surprised to learn that you’re better off with shipping. A few items I wish I had shipped but didn’t are: an iron, a Dustbuster, and a dish drain/drying rack. Of course they have them here, but they’re either astronomically priced or the selection is extremely limited. With regard to electronics, you might not think it’s worth sending your American products due to the different electrical outlets in the UK. However, converters are fairly cheap and work really well.

2. Drive-thru Coffee Shops

Most Londoners are shocked when I explain that drive-thru Starbucks not only exist but also are in abundance in suburban America. Brits are pretty fascinated with this phenomenon. It’s a great conversation topic, if you’re ever stuck in awkward British silence.

You might think if you’re living in Central London you have no need for a car, much less a drive-thru anything. Point taken. However, some people living in Greater London own and use a vehicle. Drive-thru coffee locations are few and far between.

3. Shopping in Malls

There are two malls in London like the ones we know in the US. You may recognise the company who owns them both, Westfield. They are on opposite ends of the city, East and West. They are Westfield Stratford City (East) and Westfield London (West).

So, let’s be clear- London does have malls. You’re ability to get to them can be a challenge not worth taking.

In all the time that I’ve lived here, I have only been to each one once. As a North Londoner, the journeys are just too difficult for me. So, if you’re a girl who loves that weekly shopping trip with your friends to Sephora (Yeah, that’s not here either), Yankee Candle (Nope. In fact, I’ve written a separate post on that) and Ann Taylor (nada), forget it.

4. Television Shows

I still haven’t quite adjusted to British television, so I find myself watching the E! network here if I do turn on the ‘telly.’ Episodes of ‘Fashion Police’ and ‘E! News’ are always out of date in London. Obviously it’s due to the time change. It affects me the most when it’s the big broadcasts that are important to me.

Do you have any idea what it’s like trying to watch the Super Bowl, Academy Awards or Grammy Awards at 1:00am? Neither do I. That’s because I’ve never been able to stay awake to see them. To be honest, I can’t even remember who played in the Super Bowl this year because no one here talked about it, much less watched it. And, as a Florida State University graduate, you guessed it… I’m sick about not seeing my team play football in the fall!

And, obviously, there’s no Today Show here. 🙁

5. Paper Towels

I bet you are laughing right now. But, it’s true. They’re tough to find in certain places. You can buy paper towels at the grocery store. No problem. But, you can kiss them goodbye in the loo. It’s really rare to find paper towels in a London restroom. Get used to jet drying your hands every where. Meet the Dyson Hand Dryer…

If you’re in a girl in long distance relationship with a Brit, I have a tip for you. Back in the day when I was travelling to London to see Mr. Sunny before we got married, I took stacks of paper towels at JFK airport and put them in my carry-on when flying to London. After an exhausting 7+ hour flight, I always liked to brush my teeth, wash my face and re-apply some make up before Mr. Sunny met me at Arrivals. There are no paper towels in the airport bathrooms. A supply for yourself makes the whole freshening up process faster.

Oh, and once you move here, try to keep a stash of hand cream in your bag. During the winter, the extensive use of those hand dryers can be brutal on your hands.

So, there you have it! I’d love to hear from other US readers who either are moving to London from America, have done it, or are considering it. And, my international and British readers can certainly add some thoughts about their experiences too. Of course, if you shared this post on your social networks, I think we could help a ton of people considering the move as well.

Cheers, Sunny friends!

You can read more about the expat experience on the blog. Be sure to see the review of an international shipping company, which includes a discount for you. Below are my 10 Tips for Applying for a UK Visa (based on my experience and an interview I did with an immigration attorney after the Brexit vote). Also you’ll find the differences between US and UK schools.