Hello London!!!
- Michelle Chew
- Jan 24, 2017
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 18, 2019
The last time I was in London it was two years ago and I must say, I am still in love with this beautiful city (rain or shine!). London, like any big city, has an energetic vibe with some of the friendliest people from diverse backgrounds. What sets it apart is its' beautiful museums, architecture and in my opinion, some of the most amazing restaurants (I'll talk more about the food in another blog post).
Did you know all of London's museums are free admission? With each hosting a wealth of artefacts and exhibitions, there's something for everyone. We managed to visit the Tate Modern, British Museum, National Gallery and the National Portriat Gallery.
This glass box at the Tate Modern was really cool to capture a picture with!
City of London map
Radio Tower, literally.
The British Museum was probably the largest and you would need a few days to see it all.
London by night is just as beautiful. The famous, Harrods can be seen here in the background.
London is easily accessible by public transportation. The underground system and signature red double decker buses are linked by an Oyster card you can purchase for unlimited use depending on how many days you need. Public transportation is your best way to get around, it's fast and efficient and can I also mention how clean it was? Uber is another option. Cars are clean and prices reasonable.
The National Portriat Gallery and the National Gallery
If you've not seen The Tudors on Netflix, you need to! Great series and I loved this exhibit because of it!
Where we Stayed
The Hari is a luxury boutique hotel located in Belgravia. It's walking distance to the famous - Harrods, Harvey Nicols, Sloane Street and Sloane Square for shopping and food.
Hotel Lobby
Good to Know
I was in London the first week of January and I'm not going to lie, it was chilly. Layering was essential as the temperature fluctuates from morning to afternoon to night. It was cold in the mornings and at night but quite pleasant (and warm) in the afternoons. Temperatures ranged from -2c to 6c. I was lucky it only rained two of the six days while I was there.
I tried to pack light so I brought accessories like hats and scarves to change up my looks from day to day. London is a walking city so make sure to bring a comfy pair of sneakers and rain boots or some sort of waterproof type shoe for when it rains. Although most hotels will provide you with an umbrella, it's good to pack an extra portable one with you.
In my opinion, the four easiest ways to getting to and from London Heathrow Airport are by taxi, Uber (probably easier to Heathrow then from), Underground and the Heathrow Express. The fastest way is via Heathrow Express which will take you to Paddington and depending on where your hotel is, you will have to take a taxi, Uber or Underground to continue your journey. I took a taxi as it was the easiest and eliminates all the hassle. For our travel back to Heathrow we took an Uber XL which was cheaper than a taxi.
If you're planning on getting around the city by public transportation, buy your Oyster Card on the first day to get the best value. They can be purchased from any Underground station. I bought a five-day unlimited pass for Zones 1 and 2 for 33£.
When shopping from different brands, try to do all your shopping at one department store -
eg. Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nicols....(unless it is a particular brand that has its' own stand alone shop). Your VAT refund is maximized when you spend at one store. It also eliminates having multiple receipts and forms to fill out. There are express lanes to claim your VAT at the airport at a charge of 10£ per VAT form so the less VAT forms you have the better and the express lane saves you A LOT of time! Remember, the airport is a shopping heaven as well and it's tax and VAT free! Do give yourself ample time to get to the airport, especially if you're claiming the VAT. Remember to claim your VAT before checking in as you will have to show your items to the customs officer. Traffic can be very bad and the lines to claim your VAT could take hours (unless you use the express lane). Be mindful that high value items will require a secondary inspection after you clear customs and if you've selected cash back from your VAT, all funds must be collected after clearing customs. It's a process so give yourself sufficient time. I got to the airport three hours prior.
Hat - Saks Fifth Avenue - Jeans - Gap - Jacket - Isabel Marant Etoile - Boots - Clarks - Handbag - Chanel
Hat - Black Goat Cashmere - Jeans - Gap - Jacket - Isabel Marant Etoile - Boots - Clarks - Handbag - Chanel
Hat - Black Goat Cashmere - Scarf and Bag - Chanel - Coat - COS - OTK Boots - Stuart Weitzman
Coat - COS - Leggings - Titika Active - Bag - Chanel - Sneakers - Brunello Cucinelli
My choice of travel bag for this trip was this cute Kate Spade polar bear bag I bought from the outlet mall the month before. Bag - Kate Spade - Initial Bag Charm - Fendi
Do you have any additional tips for travelling to London? I'd love for you to share!
LOVE xo
M
All photos taken by - Instagram @striking_time
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