Hello! This is my second week-long series, and this month I have chosen to focus on one of my favourite cities in the whole wide world, LONDON! Every day this week I will be posting a blog all about London. Get excited and let’s explore London together.

My dream to travel to London first came to life when I was 8 years old and I watched Mary-Kate and Ashley’s movie Winning London. Growing up I was a huge fan of Mary-Kate and Ashley, I watched all of their movies, read all their books and played with their Barbie dolls. my younger sister and I would go to Blockbuster (RIP), rent one of their awesome movies and then played out our own version in our playroom. All of these movies had Mary-Kate and Ashley travelling around the world, living their best life, wearing great clothes and falling in love with cute guys, and they helped create my passion to travel. As I watched Winning London, I longed to be able to have my own London adventure and get to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and take a ride on The London Eye. I would dream about getting to ride in a red double-decker bus and enjoy tea and a tasty biscuit. As I grew up and learn more about London my passion to want to travel there grew deeper and deeper.

Finally, in 2013 I spent 5 days exploring the beautiful and wonderful city of London. It. Was. Amazing. The city was everything I had thought it would be and so much more! As I walked around and explored it I felt like I was living out my own version of Winning London, and it was fabulous. The vibrant energy that London has made me feel alive and excited to explore every inch of it. It is a city that I hope to return to again and would recommend to everyone.

Here is a guide for exploring London:

Explore:

Like any other great city London, has a lot going on for all ages, all year round! There is a lot to see, do and taste, and I wish you could experience it all! However, I know that doing everything isn’t always realistic so here are a few attractions that I recommend you see.

1. TAKE A HARRY POTTER TOUR. If you love Harry Potter this is a must! It is a great experience that will take you to platform 9 ¾ and other set locations. You can also visit the Warner Bros Studio, and explore the sets, props, costumes and more!
2. Enjoy a ride on The London Eye. This iconic Ferris wheel is a very popular tourist attraction, but it is 100% worth it. You will get the best view of the city and have the chance to take some epic photos.
3. Piccadilly Circus. Visit one of London’s busiest squares. Take selfies, and explore the area.
4. Visit Big Ben. Big Ben is the name given to the House of Parliament,  Elizabeth tower, and a huge bell inside the tower. It is probably London’s most popular tourist attraction, and definitely a must see.
5. Watch a live show. While I was in London I got to see The Phantom of the Opera, and it was absolutely perfect. It was a great way to end a day of sightseeing!
6. Museums. London has a lot of museums, I recommend you try to visit at least one. There is so much history in London and it is also great to learn new things. Bonus, some of the museums are free!

London is a huge city and is home to some of the coolest neighbourhoods I have ever explored. I highly recommend taking the time to explore the following two neighbourhoods. Pro Tip: Be ready to take heaps of photos, because there is so much to see at both of these locations.

Peckham: This is one of London’s coolest neighbourhoods in South London. It is home to a growing art scene, trendy cafes, hipster shops, yoga studios and more. The best thing about Peckham is probably its vibe – it feels like a community. Be sure to enjoy a drink at Franks, the very famous car park rooftop bar.

Brick Lane: You can’t visit London without visiting Brick Lane! Located in East London, Brick Lane has some of the coolest street art that I’ve ever seen, delicious and cheap street food markets, and an amazing mix of vintage shops and trendy new designers. It is a neighbourhood filled with culture and history, with a pleasing cobbled stone aesthetic.

Where To Eat:

London is home to some great food from all over the whole world! Explore any of these places and let your taste buds rejoice!

1. 222 Vegan Cuisine
2. Itadaki Zen
3. Loving Hut Archway
4. Zeret Kitchen
5. Bar 61 Restaurant
6. Fishers
7. Cookhouse Joe
8. Pizza Union

Nightlife:

Be sure to enjoy London’s awesome nightlife. There are tons of pubs, bars, and clubs opened every night of the week as well as fun events happening throughout the year. Check out the following:

1. Bar Americain
2. Oriole
3. Piano Works
4. Milk & Honey
5. The Shrub and Shutter

Transportation:

If you want to save money and explore the city like a local, skip Uber and take the Tube, London’s subway system. There are heaps of trains that can take you to every inch of London, it is fabulous. I do recommend taking a ride in one of London’s classic black taxis at least once, it is a pretty cool experience.

Where To Stay:

Budget:

1. YHA London Central Hostel
2. Astor Hostel

Luxury:

1. Sofitel London St James Hotel
2. The Kensington

London is filled with amazing attractions, delicious food, unique neighbourhoods, and friendly people. It is a city that you will fall in love with and want to visit again and again. If you haven’t been to London let me know in the comments below, what you are most excited to see and do. If you have been to London, let me know what you love most about this great city. If you need some help figuring out what to do in London, join the Loving Life With Cass Adventure Challenge and complete the challenge during your time in London.

Have a great time exploring one of my favourite cities!

Love,