Towards the end of Autumn last year we spent a weekend in London doing a few touristy things. It’s not something we’d exactly planned to do – I had a hotel booking that I no longer needed, but couldn’t get a refund for, so we decided to use it rather than lose it. The hotel was a new Travelodge in Hackney – not my preferred hotel location but I’d booked it for a concert at the Olympic Park which I didn’t go to (but that’s a whole other story). It actually turned out to be a decent hotel and in a fairly convenient location for getting around as it’s about as close to the tube station as it possibly could be. It’s also next to a TKMaxx and a Costa which is handy! The weather was fairly mild, which gave me the opportunity to wear my new Zara military jacket.
The main things on our agenda, and ones I’d booked online in advance, were the Tower of London, a Duck Tour and the London Dungeon. As we arrived at Saturday lunchtime and left Sunday evening it didn’t give us time to fit much more in, but we did manage to squeeze a bit of sightseeing in. As soon as we checked in and grabbed a coffee and a snack in Costa we set off for Embankment for the Duck Tour.
Sitting on a big yellow bus being whizzed around the main sights is a really cheesy thing to do, but the fun part (and what makes it worth the money) is splashing down into the Thames! The DUKWs are amphibious vehicles (in case you were wondering!) which were used in the D-Day landings. There are different types of tours you can take (Pirate Adventure, James Bond Tour) but we chose the classic tour. It was fun, a bit draughty, but kids love it.
The Duck Tours depart from Waterloo, near the London Eye, where there’s a great play area for kids. We spent some time there before the next stop on our itinerary – the London Dungeon! If you’re looking for something fun to do with older children then the London Dungeon tour is worth considering. The recommended lower age limit is 12, but Isobel is seven and wasn’t traumatised by the experience!
Based beneath County Hall on the Southbank (handy if you want to do the Duck Tour and London Eye on the same day) the London Dungeon is a fully themed experience. It’s described as a “110 minute journey through 1000 years of London’s murky past”. Visitors walk through the Dungeon, moving from show to show, guided by professional actors. The shows are based on real London history and legends, including Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, Guy Fawkes and the Great Fire of London.
One of my favourite parts was the Tyrant Boat Ride where a virtual high-tech 3D talking head of Henry VIII (played by Brian Blessed) sentences visitors – now traitors – to death. To make the experience a little more authentic the boat ride takes you through choppy waters, fog, darkness, as well as scurries of rats and the foul stench of sewage…nice!
I took far too much stuff for a one night stay (as usual!) but ultimately I decided to wear my embroidered military jacket and boyfriend jeans. I bought the jacket from Zara when I went to Madrid – even though it was in the high 30s there and I definitely didn’t need a jacket. But I really needed this jacket, if you know what I mean! I love the military trend and already had A/W trends on my radar. I can’t find it on Zara’s website anymore but this one from Mango is similar. Hmm…I may have to buy another one!
SHOP THE LOOK
The Tower of London took up the most time because there’s a lot to see, so we allowed most of Sunday for this attraction. I love history so I was in my element. The highlight of our visit to the Tower was seeing the crown jewels, it really is a magnificent display. Sadly photos are not allowed so you’ll just have to use your imagination! As we were leaving, Isobel told me she really wants a diamond…I wonder where she gets her expensive taste from! 😉 Of course, no trip to the Tower of London would be complete without a photo with a Yeoman Warder, or Beefeater as they’re popularly known. Our jackets were colour co-ordinated!
Before we headed back to the hotel to collect our bags we had lunch by the Thames and then hopped on the tube to see Buckingham Palace.
A walk through Green Park in the afternoon sunshine brought our short, but very enjoyable weekend to a close. There’s still so much I want to see and do in London so I’m sure we’ll go back soon 🙂
Linking up with: Turning Heads Tuesday, Ageless Style, The Pleated Poppy, Wearable Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday, Style Swap Tuesdays, Midweek Inspirations, Good Hues-Day, Brilliant Blog Posts, I Feel Pretty, Pretty and Primp, Celebrating Style, Spread the Kindness, Top of the World Style, Fancy Friday, Color and Grace, Style Sessions, Fab Favorites, Weekend Wear, Up Down All-Around, Friday Faves, Thursday Fashion Files, The Weekly Style Edit, Fun Fashion Friday, Fabulous Friday, Spring Fever Fashion, Hello Monday, Shoe and Tell, #iwillwearwhatilike, Visible Monday, On Mondays We Link-Up, The Saturday Share, Spotlight Weekly, Thursday Moda, On the Edge of the Week, Linkup With Lisa, Confident Twosday, On Trend Tuesdays, Fashion Frenzy, Oh, Hey Girl!, Passion4Fashion, Beauty by MissL, Tina’s Pink Friday Link Up
What a fun trip!!!
Jaymie
Yes it was fun doing all the typical tourist things…I want to visit the Natural History Museum next time 🙂
Great photos and love the military jacket! Those duck tours are great fun. You seem to have nailed most of the great things to do in London. Regent’s Park is a nice walk with cafes and you can climb to the top of Primrose Hill and admire the view.
Thanks Gail, I’ll remember that for next time, sounds lovely 🙂
You couldn’t choose a better outfit for a London tour! Looks like a fab day and the photos are lovely. I like trying out different Tea places in London. Not great for kids though. I love the Bluebird in the kings road. x
http://www.vanityandmmestyle.com
Thanks Laurie! My daughter loves going to cafes so she might like it…especially if it involves cake!
Oh how I would love to visit London! But I afraid it Will be Sussex again! Hahaha! Your jacket is fantastic! Classic, elegant, edgy, it has it all! Lovely pictures too, I enjoyed it!
Thank you Nancy xx
First of all, Emma, that jacket is amazing! And I love how you styled it with comfortable sneakers for walking and the fab red bag! Second, it looks like a great time was had by all. I really need to start taking my little ones on tourist vacations. I don’t think we ever have! Probably because my husband is always away and I don’t want to go it alone. Ha. Thanks for joining my #SpreadTheKindness Link Up.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks Shelbee! We don’t really do enough trips, but having the hotel booking that I couldn’t get a refund for made us do something fun with it 🙂
Such a fun post Emma! Love the jacket, love the pics! xo Zuma
http://www.splashofteal.com
Thank you Zuma 🙂
Oh my goodness, Emma, we did the same thing when living in Singapore, Eve and I. We took the DUCK tour and it was so much fun 🙂 although you’re so much more stylish than I ever was then 😛
Oh I loved Singapore when I had a stopover on the way back from Australia. I bet you have always been very stylish Sheela 🙂
Oh dear, I’m really battling the urge to buy a military jacket too. I’ve been on the shopping wagon since Christmas and will be breaking the dry spell in April when I go to Harrogate on business where there also happens to be a fab TK Maxx…
This is a lovely post, full of all sorts of interest. I love the jacket, obviously, but really like that you styled is simply.
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Thank you Anna! A shopping ban is so hard isn’t it? I didn’t buy anything in January, but then needed to buy a few things for holiday last month. I’m trying to be strict until mid April when I might allow myself a cheeky purchase. I know if I venture into TKMaxx all good intentions will go out of the window!
Wow, great blog post. Both my sons work on the River Thames for Thames Clippers, such a great way to travel on the Thames, I’ve not been on the yellow Duck tours but have seen them. Love visits to London, you certainly were dressed for the day! Nice to link up with you. Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
Thanks Jacqui! I had a look at the Thames Clippers website…looks fab! I’ll remember that for next time 🙂
I have been wanting to go to London the next time we travel abroad, never been there. These duck tours sound fun, tho! I just love that jacket, it is so perfect!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you Carrie xx
Your jacket is amazing! Sounds like you had a fantastic time in London! I loved looking at your gorgeous pictures!
-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much Katie 🙂
That jacket is amazing!! Love the embroidery detailing! The pops of red look great with your red purse. Thank you so much for sharing with us at On Mondays We Link-Up!
Sarah
Trendy & Tidy
Dear Emma, thanks for linking up with tinaspinkfriday. I love your style and this post! Both great! And you have done a duck tour! This is so funny!
Our favorite things to do are Skygarden near monument, Borough Market and Shakespeares globe theater. Afternoontea in St.Pancras Hanson lodge and cocktails in The Alchemist. Museum is also great. On rainiy days, museum or maybe shopping in westfield shopping centre.
Xo Tina