A Day in Westminster
Today, we started our day by taking a train into London, the "City of Westminster," to explore a couple of tourist destinations—one of them being Buckingham Palace (where the royals live full-time) and a few other iconic areas. We kicked off our adventures with coffee and a little work session at Westminster Chapel.
ahhh a warm salted maple latte to bring in the fall weather
time to work w groupies :)
our walk over to buckingham!
Whenever I arrive in a new area, it doesn’t make sense to stick to the usual, common spots. All around Buckingham Palace, there were coffee shops, but they were packed and felt basic. Instead, we discovered this calm, smaller, yet incredibly personal and friendly coffee spot. The barista, an older lady, seemed to know everyone in the community well, asking her regulars personal questions and sharing laughs as they picked up their usual orders. It felt like being welcomed into a close-knit neighborhood.
By 2 PM, we headed to Buckingham Palace. We decided not to book a tour, and honestly, I’m glad we didn’t—it just didn’t have the same grandeur as Windsor Castle. After snapping a few photos, we were on the move to our next stop.
I didn’t realize that many of the major tourist spots in London are within a few blocks of each other. Instead of taking public transport, we decided to bike through St. James's Park, enjoying the greenery and peacefulness, making our way over to Big Ben.
Another attraction that amazed me—not by the clock itself, though it was very detailed—but by the huge Parliament building attached to it! I couldn’t believe it—a whole four-story building that spans several blocks. After taking some pictures, we walked over to Westminster Abbey because I really wanted to go inside after visiting St. George's Chapel in Windsor. I was excited to explore inside, but unfortunately, it was closed, and the entrance fee is 50 pounds. Still, we admired the exterior, especially as they’re currently touching up the structure. The architecture and history of it all were remarkable.
made it to buckingham!
st. james’ park- so dreamy
westminster abby
big ben!
the other part to big ben
After that, we strolled back through St. James’s Park, soaking in the late afternoon light as we planned our next move. We decided to walk from Westminster to Knightsbridge in Kensington. It didn’t even feel like an hour’s walk—the scenery was stunning, especially as the sun dipped below the horizon and the city lights came on. We eventually made it to Harrods, the store my mom has been raving about. It’s the most bougie store—nothing costs less than a thousand pounds (maybe I’m exaggerating, but it sure felt like it!). After some window shopping, we called it a night and headed back to our Airbnb.
snapped this pic for our mama <3
Traveling with family and friends is such a joy, bringing out different elements than you would experience when traveling solo. It’s the little moments and shared laughs that make it special. I’m glad I get to explore with the people I love most.
Maybe after journaling, I’ll create a list of things you should know when traveling with family and friends before you do it… I will say, it’s not for the weak, but when it’s all said and done, I know I’ll look back and be thankful I did it, lol.
tata for now,
-xoxo
Mutanu
