We've visited London on so many occasions, so this isn't the first trip, but was certainly a different one. Distance from Manchester to London isn't the shortest but then again, it isn't the longest neither. Back in 2015 it took us just over 2 hours on a train to get from A to B, which is 200 miles give or take a few. Just to point out, it used to be Virgin Trains service operating between Manchester and London, which has been replaced with Avanti West Coast. For some reason it's taking longer to get to London now, and I presume it's either down to slower trains or the construction of HS2, or both. For those who don't know what HS2 is; it's a high speed train link version 2 being built, which is to reduce the train times between London and other cities (if it ever gets completed).
London is a big city, that's a fact. But when you do venture to London, you, just like us, will probably visit more 'tourist area' part of it. In total, there are 32 boroughs that make London as a whole and more of those famous ones are Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, City of London, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, and Camden; all located in a close proximity to each other. There are many places across London that have plenty interesting and worth sightseeing attractions, but I'll stick mostly to where we were at the time of our visit.
A unanimous decision was made to stay closest to where everything is, and that's Westminster area, which for instance is adjacent to City of London, and both together have the most to see for a young family as ours.
Visiting London for a couple of days as a family was brilliant, but, having a 6-year-old child (my daughter's age at the time) has proven to be something we've not planned for. Back then, my child wasn't keen for walking much or sightseeing, so, we've not been around to many places, or at least not as many as we've planned out for. It wasn't until after we've returned home when she explained to us it was all a bit overwhelming for her and tired her out easily.
London is busy, much busier than any other city in UK we've visited, and far more than a quiet town we live in on the outskirts of Manchester. I've had an opportunity to see many major cities in my life so far, and London is in second place by how busy it can be, right behind Manila, Philippines.
That said, regardless all the rush around you, people stop and rest on the side of the road, randomly lay down on the lawn in a tiny park, or visit a coffee shop whether it's a popular brand name or not. Maybe work - life balance in London isn't as much work orientated as it seems and small things matter more the I thought they do.
I'll post the photos of us as a family as well as us individually, and will go from top to bottom as it happened throughout our visit. Please excuse the quality of photos, some are good, some are decent and some are just pixelated a lot. All were taken between a couple of smartphones.
On the train to London, when hunger strikes.
London underground from Euston station to Victoria station, least busiest I've ever seen it to be.
Our daughter enjoying and in posing for a photo in her own way.
My wife and daughter in front of Westminster Abbey.
Me in the background checking in to our hotel.
Waiting in hotel's bar & restaurant for our room to be ready. (photo above and below)
Our hotel room.
View of London Eye from our room.
View of Big Ben and Houses of parliament from our room.
Visiting Sea Life which is under the hotel we're staying at.
Tired little legs being comforted by me whilst mom takes the photo.
Leicester Square in London, as busy as always.
M&M's World store located in West End, London.
Our daughter enjoying M&M's World and all the tiredness has disappeared.
View of a few major attractions and tourist points as seen from Millennium Bride, London.
We've had our eyes on one of the restaurants on the river Thames.
My wife and daughter just about visible whilst being on one of the floating restaurants on the river Thames.
Just enjoying the view with a drop of vino.
Just me and London Eye in the background.
Walking back to our hotel crossing Westminster Bridge.
Big Ben in all its glory, before all the renovation works started.
Arriving to our hotel.
Waking up with a view and a mischievous daughter.
Visiting Buckingham Palace, and yes, my face almost in the way of it all.
What else then taking a break from it all in St. James’s park with a box full of doughnuts.
Westminster Cathedral
Despite a few hiccups along the way, our short city break ended up being a memorable one, and for all the good reasons.
Nothing in this post has been taken from any other source than my personal photo collection from my social media accounts. Words are all mine as is the longer (different and larger font) sentence right at the top of the post.
Thanks for stopping by and take care.