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When I traveled to London in June, for BritMums Live, I was able to spend an extra couple of days in the city after the conference. I caught up with family and enjoyed being a tourist, taking my own walking tour of London!
After graduating from University, I moved to London to start my first job with a large engineering consultancy. I lived there for almost ten years.
I loved living in London; I had a great job, worked on fantastic projects, had a wonderful group of friends, and it’s where I met my husband.
Ultimately though, the shine wore off; commuting became a chore instead of simply a means to an end, the busyness and rushing became overwhelming instead of exciting, the need to escape seeped into every weekend instead of just occasionally.
When my husband and I decided to get married, we also decided to leave London and move back to Edinburgh.
And while I don’t miss living in London, I absolutely love to go back and visit!
In fact, it is a place that I immediately feel relaxed in; as soon as I get on the tube at Heathrow and start the journey into central London I can feel myself begin to smile, as I step out of the station at the other end of my journey, my step is lighter.
I look around, I look up, and I breathe in all the busyness, and it is no longer overwhelming. It is exciting again.
Taking My Own Walking Tour of the City
On the Monday after BritMums I got to play tourist for the morning and it was wonderful. It was raining, but I didn’t care. I was able to walk a route through London that I have done many times in the past and it was such a stroll down memory lane.
As I walked I thought back to all the times we had taken this walk, and to the friends and family that had accompanied us at one time or another.
I remembered taking a photo here, having lunch there. Strolling in summer sunshine, or taking a break and sitting on a bench people watching.
The Museum of London
I walked from my hotel down on to London Wall and headed towards St Paul’s. As I made my way along London Wall I spotted the Museum of London, which I had never been to, so I took a slight detour and spent a fabulous hour in there.
I wish I had had longer, and I will definitely go back, hopefully with the kids. Absolutely fascinating.
London Wall and St Paul’s
Conscious that my main priority was to get to the Tate Modern, I headed out in the rain again, passing a section of the old London Wall before getting to St Paul’s.
The Millennium Bridge
By this point it was very wet! I splashed across the Millenium Bridge, spotting the Shard on my way.
I have loved this walk from St Paul’s to the Tate Modern ever since the bridge opened (and stopped wobbling!). The view of the Tate as you cross the bridge is wonderful, and looking back towards St Paul’s is pretty special too.
Tate Modern
Tate Britain has always been one of my favourite galleries, their collection of Turners is spectacular. But, when the Tate Modern opened it quickly became a firm favourite too. I enjoyed a wonderful hour or so wandering the galleries. The space is fabulous, and the collection is amazing; eclectic, interesting and challenging.
I wish I’d had time to do Tate Britain as well… And, I can’t wait to see Tate 2!
The South Bank
From the Tate, I continued my walk along the South Bank, passing the Globe Theatre, several pubs where we have stopped to refuel in the past, and the Golden Hinde.
After passing Southwark Cathedral I caught another glimpse of the Shard.
I had hoped to reach the Shard, and get a proper look, but my wet feet didn’t want to go any further and I had arranged to meet a cousin for coffee later that afternoon. So, I headed back north over London Bridge and enjoyed a welcome (and warming) cup of tea!
London is such a vibrant city, and even on a wet day like this, there was a sense of busyness and vitality. I would have loved to have got some sunny photos, instead of this rather grey set, but I’m so pleased that I got the chance to wander a familiar path and see some of my favourite parts of London.
I’ll save the Shard and Tate Britain for the next time!
Sounds like you really made the most of your trip hon. I really empathize with what you’ve said. Even though I was born & bred in London I ended up feeling like that too. I love visiting and being a tourist these days. Lovely post xx
Thank you lovely. I do love spending time in London, and it is wonderful to go back and visit :)
I’m sure that after all that walking your feet were tired as well as wet. But it’s a great way to see London xx
They were quite tired :) But, it’s such a lovely walk!
Sounds like a great trip, I love going to London. Something special and exciting going here :) Lovely pictures..
You’re right, it is always exciting to arrive in London x
You’ve made me appreciate London all over again – just an hour’s train journey for me. And also given me a kick up the backside to go to the Museum of London with my daughter – which I have been meaning to do for way too long!
The Museum was fab, having not been there before I didn’t know what to expect, and it’s not huge, but it’s fascinating x
You really got around, it must have been nice to just set off and explore, especially as you know the city so well. I would love to see more sights in London and it has been so many years since I have visited…I bet the museum of London is fascinating! xx #sharewithme
It was wonderful, I really do feel at home there. It was a lovely wander x
London is obviously where I live, so I can appreciate why you love it so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. I can always while away an afternoon or so at one of The Tates … #sharewithme
Oh, very easy to while away an afternoon at one of the Tates!
I don’t get into Central London very often on my own, but when I do it is especially nice to visit all the places that I want on my own timescale. Rain be damned. :) #allaboutyou
Exactly, I wasn’t going to let the rain stop me :) I love the chance to have a wander on my own, a bit of a luxury really!
Like you I lived in London for years – it’s my home city and where I was born – and although I’m now a country girl at heart I do love visiting the big smoke from time to time. Your post brought back so many happy memories of time spent in all those places – I used to walk past St Pauls and the Hind for work many years ago! But like you I’ve never been to that museum – so thank you for the tip! x #AllAboutYou
I know, it’s a wonderful place to go back and visit, especially when you know the city well. The museum was great, so interesting :)
I havent really seen London much since I arrived here in the UK. I would want to see these places but theres no chance for me to roam in there as my husband doesnt know the place much. But someday haha! #sharewithme
Someday! It is amazing to walk around London, soaking it all up x
Wow, London looks good even in the British rain!
I’m so with you; London is a fascinating place and one with so many nooks and crannies to discover and things to do, especially now that the majority of the museums are free. We love visiting and experiencing all London has to offer without the hassle of living there.
Lovely post and I didn’t realise how much you got to see during your time here; you really did use your time wisely!
#BrilliantBlogPost
xx
I did manage to do a fair bit! I do love walking around London :)
How fabulous just to escape for a bit and go on a wander around London. So many great sights to take in as well. You’ve reminded me I’ve not been to the Tate Modern for ages. It’s much better being away from London, you get to appreciate it so much more when you return. Wonderful photos too :)
I think you’re right, you really do appreciate it more going back x
Looks like you had a fab time, I’m glad you didn’t let the weather get you down!
I’m a Londoner and still live here, but must admit my grumpiness factor has greatly improved when I stopped having to commute into Central London every day for work, hehe. Now I feel much like you did – I quite enjoy hopping on the bus or going for a wander, because it’s a choice rather than just travelling for work!
Not been to the London Museum since I was a kid – I always remembered it though because they had a Great Fire of London ‘show’ – that covered the map as the fire spread across the city. It was a really cool exhibit. Funny what memories you hold on to for years and years, hehe. I’ll have to pop back there one day :)
The commute really gets to you after a while, doesn’t it! Having the choice to wander makes all the difference :)
I know the route you walked well – it really is a great walk! I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted to live in London but we’re less than an hour away by train and I love to visit (although always enjoy going back to the sticks afterwards).
It’s one of my favourite walks through London. I would generally have continued on as far as Butlers Wharf, but the rain got the better of me :)
Your photos make me want to visit!
Thank you :)
I have loved sharing this walk with you; a wonderful (if wet) morning! :)
I’m glad you enjoyed it :)
I have always wanted to live in London until I had kids but I feel the same when I land in london I take it all in and feel relaxed. I love the hustle of the city and all that it has to offer. So glad you got to enjoy a few extra days and sad I didn’t get to see you this year at BML. Definitely next year though. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me, I hope to see you again tomorrow for another great round. #sharewithme
It was lovely to get a few days to enjoy the city :) Thanks for hosting x