I’ve been eyeing London for years, no pun intended. Honestly, maybe decades. It’s one of those cities that’s always lived rent-free in my head. The kind of place you feel like you already know before you ever arrive. So finally seeing it in real life felt a little surreal, like meeting someone you’ve followed online forever and realizing they’re even better in person.
London is iconic in a way that doesn’t need to explain itself. I finally saw Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and Big Ben standing tall like he knows he’s famous. The red double-decker buses, the red telephone booths, all of it. The stuff you grow up seeing in movies and postcards that somehow still hits when you’re standing there in real time.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but one thing I loved most about London is how spread out it is. If you compare it to cities like New York, you really feel the difference. New York can be exciting, but it can also be loud, crowded, and overwhelming all at once. London, on the other hand, gives you space. Yes, the tourist areas are busy, but the city itself feels more breathable. There’s room to walk, to pause, to exist without feeling like you’re being pushed along.
And then there’s the Tube; intimidating at first, humbling even. It took me a minute to get the hang of it, but once you do, it connects the entire city so seamlessly that you can see just about everything without much stress. When I say it took me a minute to figure things out, I really mean I was moving in baby steps. I was asking everyone for help. I’d ask one person where to go, they’d tell me to go down the stairs, then I’d get downstairs and ask the next person where to go. Rinse and repeat until I reach my destination.
The first time I used the Tube, it took me about an hour and a half to get to my destination. Not because it was far, but because I was double-checking everything. Platforms, lines, directions. I think I was asking station staff, strangers, and probably my own inner voice for reassurance.
But once that first trip was out of the way, everything clicked. After that, it was pretty seamless. The Tube started to make sense, the signs were easier to follow, and I stopped second-guessing myself so much. It was one of those moments where you realize you can actually navigate a big city on your own, even in a foreign country. And once that confidence kicks in, the whole experience becomes a lot more fun. London feels big, but accessible. Massive, yet also manageable.
For some odd reason, I felt really comfortable there. Maybe it’s because I speak the language, even if there’s a bit of an accent barrier that keeps you on your toes. There’s something comforting about being in a foreign country where you don’t have to translate your thoughts before you speak. Little things stood out to me, like how instead of saying “exit,” they say “way out.” And the most popular, “Mind the gap.” Small detail, but it made me smile every time.
There were so many sights to see, and of course, I didn’t get to everything. Abbey Road will have to wait, along with a few other bucket list spots. But I did make it to Platform 9¾, which felt like a win for my inner Harry Potter fan. I also wandered through Notting Hill, and if you’ve seen the rom-com, you already know exactly what I’m talking about. Charming, colorful, and effortlessly romantic.
Now, let’s talk food. I’ve heard the rumors about British food, and honestly, I kind of avoided most traditional British dishes. I did try fish and chips, though. It was good. Crispy, comforting, but nothing spectacular. Most days, I found myself stopping at healthy food markets and grabbing something quick to go while I explored, which felt very on brand for how much walking London requires.
London was absolutely beautiful. Timeless without feeling stuck in the past. Busy without being overwhelming. It was such a great trip, and I already know I’ll be back. There’s too much left to see, too many neighborhoods to wander, and too many moments I didn’t even know to look for yet. And honestly, Lofton in London has a very nice ring to it, ask Big Ben. 😉
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
