I’ll admit it – I wasn’t that excited to travel to London. 

When my family and I booked a northern European cruise that left from the UK, I was definitely excited for the trip, but I really didn’t expect to love London as much as I did.

I (mistakenly) assumed that it probably wasn’t that different from the US – but I couldn’t have been more wrong! Even the drive from London Heathrow Airport to our hotel was absolutely magical. From Gothic churches and Victorian architecture to modern skyscrapers, it was an impressive mix of historic and modern. 

Maybe I was just impressed because it was my first time in Europe, and I absolutely love history and architecture. But, the entire London experience exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to go back.

Although the drive from the airport to our hotel in the St. Katherine’s Wharf area was a bit tedious, due to London traffic, arriving at our hotel was a truly memorable experience…

The Tower Hotel London 

We stayed at the Tower Hotel London because we wanted a room with a view of the Tower Bridge, and it did not disappoint! As we pulled up to the front of our hotel, the grandeur of the Tower Bridge came into view and it was breathtaking. 

We were equally as impressed when we checked into our room and saw that we had a perfect, unobstructed view of the bridge from our window. We paid extra for the room with a view, but it was worth the minimal price increase. (I think we paid around $230 per night). Being able to wake up and see the bridge from our hotel window each morning was one of my favorite parts of the trip. 

Although we didn’t really explore much of the hotel beyond our room, we did appreciate that it had a Starbucks. We were extremely jetlagged and in dire need of coffee, after all! 

Honestly, what really stole the show was the hotel’s prime location. Aside from the killer bridge view, it was also right on the River Thames and across the street from the Tower of London. It was within walking distance to shops, restaurants, pubs, and more. 

If you’re looking for luxury, it might lack the amenities you’re looking for. But if you’re looking for a decent, clean hotel with a killer view and great location, The Tower Hotel is worth checking out! Next time we go back to London, we will definitely stay there again! 

The Dickens Inn

One of the top things on our London bucket list was to eat dinner at a London pub, and drink a non-alcoholic beer. Fortunately, there was an amazing, top-rated pub just a short walk from our hotel.. 

The outside of The Dickens Inn was just as magical as the inside. Tucked away in St. Katharine Dock, the Dickens Inn is a quaint pub with a vintage vibe straight from the 18th century. Although we didn’t check out the attached inn, we did dig into some tasty burgers while sipping on cider and non-alcoholic beer. The place had a cozy feel that made us instantly comfortable, with rustic decor and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for enjoying a meal and drinks.

It was a great way to spend our first evening in London

After dinner, we headed back to our hotel. But not before we stopped for some pictures and a brief stroll across the iconic Tower Bridge illuminated at night. So freakin’ magical! 

The Tower of London 

On our second day in London, we were stoked to check out the infamous Tower of London. It was just a quick walk from our hotel, and it was the highlight of the trip! I had recently listened to an episode of Haunted Places about the history of the Tower, and being there felt like I was stepping back in time. 

We purchased our tickets online, in advance, and we went on a weekday morning in the middle of March, so we were able to get into the Tower pretty quickly. However, depending on the time of year you’re visiting, the line can get pretty long, so it’s highly recommended to purchase your Tower tickets in advance. 

The first thing we did was make a beeline for the Crown Jewels. Luckily, we got there early and breezed through the short line, but I’ve heard it can get crazy busy. I didn’t expect to be impressed, but the Crown Jewels were absolutely breathtaking. Seeing them was like stepping into a royal fairy tale.

After that, we braved the eerie halls of the Torture at the Tower exhibit. It was a real eye-opener, with replicas of medieval torture devices that sent a chill down our spines. It was a bit creepy, and it served as a stark reminder of the darker side of history. Overall, I think it was my favorite exhibit. 

We spent a couple of hours wandering around and checking out the other exhibits, and admiring the Beefeaters in action. I wish we had had more time to explore, but we had a tight schedule and had to prioritize. 

Leaving the Tower, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the centuries of history that had unfolded within its walls. We’ll definitely be going back next time we’re in London, and I would highly recommend putting this at the top of your London travel list if you’re a history buff. 

Brigits Afternoon Tea and Sightseeing Tour

I can’t deny it – I’m a sucker for pastries and snacks. I’m also a big fan of tea. So, finding a place to do afternoon tea while we were in London was a no-brainer. 

There are so many renowned placed to do afternoon tea, and making a choice was difficult. Ultimately, we ended up opting for the touristy option, because we wanted to make the most of our time, and see some really cool sights while we sipped and snacked. 

We booked the afternoon tea sightseeing tour through Brigit’s Bakery and had a great time! We grabbed an Uber to Victoria Station, hopped on the double-decker, and off we went.

Sipping tea and munching on sandwiches and pastries, we got to see all the iconic sights of London—Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, you name it. The tea was pretty standard and it was definitely touristy, but the food was delicious and the views were absolutely stunning.

As a bonus, it was also kid friendly, and they even had an option to order a teddy bear dressed as a Beefeater as a gift for younger guests. Dominic really appreciated that. 

If you’re going to be in London for a short trip and you want to check afternoon tea and sightseeing off your list all in one fell swoop, this tour is the way to go! 

Dinner at Butlers Wharf Chop House

For dinner on our last day in London before embarking on our cruise, we kept it simple and walked over to Butlers Wharf Chop House. It’s situated on the other side of the Thames River, across from The Tower Hotel. It had such a cozy vibe, and the food was top-notch! I had always heard that the food in the UK was kinda meh, but that really wasn’t our experience at all. We had several great meals during our time in London. 

 We were also pleasantly surprised that Butler’s Wharf Chop House had a non-alcoholic beer selection—in fact, most of the establishments we went to in Europe had NA beers – something we wish was more common the US! 

Garrett opted for the beet salad, which he enjoyed (as much as anyone can enjoy a beet salad), Dominic had a burger, and I ordered some type of steak. All of us were impressed with the food, the service, and the ambiance. 

As we headed back to the hotel, taking in the twinkling lights of the Tower Bridge, we knew that London had left its mark on us in the best possible way.

Next Time We’re in London…

I wish we had had more time to really dive into this massive city. London’s got so much going on, and the city is ginormous, so it was impossible to fit it all in. But you know me, I’m always planning ahead for the next trip, and we already can’t wait to go back!

Here’s what’s at the top of my list for next time.

• Buckingham Palace. This is pretty self-explanatory. Between the impressive architecture, the history, and the overall opulence, I can only imagine that it’s like stepping into a real-life fairy tale. My Travelling Circus recommends booking a reservation in advance, and catching the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11:00 AM (verify schedule beforehand). 

• British Museum. Our family absolutely loves museus, and I’ve heard it’s a goldmine of history and artifacts from all over the world. Can’t wait to geek out over some ancient relics. According to Hand Luggage Only, touring the museum can easily take several hours (or more!), so we’ll be sure to allow ourselves plenty of time. 

• Westminster Abbey. Although we technically saw Westminster Abbey on our sightseeing tour, we didn’t actually get to walk around or explore, which I regret. A Lady in London suggests touring the abbey and parliament if possible, and says that booking tickets in advance is recommended. I’m so in next time!

• Jack the Ripper Walking Tour. I’m a bit of a true crime aficionado, as well as a history buff. So, of course this tour has my name written all over it. We actually had this excursion booked for after our cruise last year, but we were so exhausted that we missed it. I definitely will not make that mistake again. There are several tour companies that offer Jack the Ripper Tours, and each of them offer something a little different. 

• Hyde Park. I’ve heard it’s like a little slice of tranquility in the middle of the city. It’s open from 5 am untli midnight, according to Travel for a Living, which will make it easy to visit! I’d love to take a walk around and check out the rose garden, and soak up a bit of nature amidst all the hustle and bustle. 

• Proper High Tea. I’m itching to try high tea at a new spot in London next time I’m in town. The idea of savoring delicate pastries, sandwiches, and fragrant teas in a classy setting sounds too good to pass up. The Infatuation has a comprehensive list of the best high tea in London, and I’ll refer back to it before my next trip! 

Two days in London is not nearly enough time to see everything the city has to offer, but it’s enough to get someone hooked! London’s vibrant energy, rich history, and endless array of attractions have left an indelible mark on my family and we can’t wait to go back.