London greeted us in its own quiet way. Not with anything dramatic, but with soft light, old buildings that felt steady and familiar, and that calm hum a city carries when it’s been lived in for centuries. Even before we fully settled in, something about it felt comforting, like a place that holds a lot of stories and doesn’t mind sharing a few.

We only had two days here, but they unfolded slowly. Morning walks through green parks, the sweep of Buckingham Palace, cozy cafés tucked into corners, and those red buses passing by in their steady rhythm. It wasn’t about rushing to see everything. It was more about letting the city show up in small ways and meeting it at our own pace.

We wandered through historic streets, crossed bridges with views that made us pause, and found comfort in simple meals at the end of long days. London felt warm in its own quiet way. A little grand, a little gentle, and exactly what we needed.

A Note Before We Begin

London was the starting point of our 17-day trip through Europe, the place where everything truly began. We gave ourselves two full days here, just enough time to wander, get a little lost, and let the city show itself one neighborhood at a time. This isn’t a checklist or a strict itinerary. It’s simply how our days unfolded. The places we felt drawn to, the corners we didn’t expect to love, and the small moments that made the city feel both historic and alive.

Think of this as part travel journal and part gentle guide. A look at where we went, how it felt, and what stayed with us. If you’re planning your own visit, let this be something soft to reference. Not a rulebook, just a companion to help you imagine what your own days in London might be like.

London was the beginning of our story on this trip, and this is how it opened its arms to us.

Unforgettable Things to Experience in London

When you only have a little time in London, it helps to focus on the moments that really carry the city’s energy. The small experiences that make you pause for a second and take everything in.

Ride a Double-Decker Bus
Sit on the top level and watch the city move around you. The colors, the traffic, the old buildings. It’s simple and classic and such an easy way to see so much at once.

Stroll Along the Thames
Walk the river or take a boat. Either way, the views feel bigger and softer than you expect, like you’re seeing the heartbeat of the whole city.

Ride the London Eye
It’s touristy, but it’s worth it. Watching London stretch out in every direction is one of those quiet moments that stays with you long after.

Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral
This place makes you stop at the doorway. The light, the stone, the sense of history. It’s a space that fills you before you even step inside.

Wander Through St. James’s Park
Green and calm and peaceful. It’s the kind of place that slows you down without you noticing.

See Buckingham Palace
Standing at the gates feels a little surreal, like you’re stepping into something you’ve only ever seen on a screen.

Have a Full English Breakfast
Hearty, warm, and comforting. The kind of breakfast that sets the tone for your whole day.

Walk the City
London shows itself best when you let your feet lead the way. Through narrow lanes, past old brick buildings, along busy streets and quiet corners. That’s when you really feel it.

London Day 1: Stepping Into the City

Double-Decker Bus • Thames River • London Eye • Pub Food • First Impressions

Our first day in London started the way most first days do, with a mix of excitement and grogginess and that familiar rush that hits the moment you arrive somewhere new. We landed at Gatwick around 10:00 AM, backpacks heavier than they needed to be and energy already pushing through the tiredness.

The air outside felt crisp in a way that let us know we weren’t at home anymore. We made our way into the city, ready to see the things we’d only ever watched on screens or in photos. The icons. The classics. The landmarks that don’t fully make sense until you’re standing right in front of them.

Since we already had our tickets, the whole day felt easy. A ride on a double-decker bus, a cruise along the Thames, a turn on the London Eye. Simple, steady, and full of that first-day excitement where everything feels a little bigger and brighter.

Here’s how our first full day unfolded.

Day 1 Timeline

• 10:00 AM — Arrive at Gatwick Airport
• 11:00 AM — Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus
• 11:45 AM — Thames River Cruise
• 1:00 PM — Lunch
• 2:00 PM — London Eye
• 3:00 PM — Check into St. Athans Hotel
• 5:00 PM — Dinner

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

We landed at Gatwick around 10:00 AM and took the train into the city, ending up at Victoria Station with backpacks on and that familiar mix of tired and excited settling in. Even the short walk to the bus stop felt like a small introduction to London. Old brick buildings beside modern glass ones, people slipping in and out of cafés with their coffees, traffic moving in its steady rhythm.

Climbing onto the top deck of the open-air bus felt like everything opened up. The breeze, the height, the slow pace through the streets. It gave us a chance to take in the city without rushing. Rows of historic buildings, sudden glints of modern architecture, and that soft gray sky stretching quietly above us.

From up there, London felt both huge and welcoming. Westminster Abbey came into view and looked almost unreal, its towers sharp against the sky. A few turns later, the Thames appeared beneath us, boats drifting and bridges arching as the skyline rose in every direction.

What I loved most weren’t the big sights, though. It was the quiet moments between them. Watching how the buildings changed from one block to the next. Seeing people on their morning walks. Feeling the weight and history of a city that has existed long before anything in my own life.

It was the perfect introduction. Wide views, slow movement, and the space to let the city settle in. After looping through the heart of London, we hopped off along the Thames, ready for the next part of the day.

Thames River Cruise

After the bus tour, we made our way toward the river, weaving through the crowds until the Thames came into view. Wide, steady, and a little hazy in the summer light. Boarding the boat felt like slowing down. The city buzzed behind us, but on the water everything softened.

As the boat pulled away from the pier, London opened up in a new way. The Shard rose in the distance, sharp and bright against the sky. The Tower of London sat quietly along the water, solid and weathered, surrounded by modern buildings that made it feel even older. Bridge after bridge arched above us. Each one different, each one carrying its own piece of the city.

From the river, even the landmarks felt calmer. Parliament and Elizabeth Tower looked warm in the sunlight, and the London Eye glinted overhead in a way that felt gentle instead of overwhelming. Seeing the city from the water made everything feel slower and more grounded.

What stood out most was the mix of it all. Old stone beside new glass. History and modern life pressed close together. It gave the city a feeling of movement and memory at the same time.

The breeze off the water was exactly what we needed after sitting in the sun on the top deck of the bus. It cooled the air and made the whole cruise feel peaceful, like a quiet reset in the middle of a full day. It was only about forty minutes, but it was enough to feel connected to London in a way walking couldn’t quite match.

When we stepped back onto the South Bank, we felt warm, a little sun-tired, and ready for something to eat.

The Hop Locker + Truffle Burger

After drifting down the Thames, our stomachs reminded us that we hadn’t eaten since early morning. The line for the London Eye was long, the sun was warm, and the South Bank had that easy mid-day energy that makes you want to linger for a minute. Instead of rushing to the next thing, we wandered along The Queen’s Walk and found a quiet little detour tucked beneath the Hungerford and Golden Jubilee Bridges.

The Hop Locker sat under the bridge like a small burst of color. Turquoise walls, string lights, and a chalkboard menu full of local beers. It had that relaxed, come-as-you-are feeling where locals and travelers mix without trying. We grabbed cold beers and settled at a wooden picnic table. It felt good to just sit for a moment, breathe, and watch the river move. Even the bold little pigeon strutting across the tables felt perfectly on-brand for London.

Hunger eventually took over, and the smell coming from Truffle Burger was impossible to ignore. It was only a short walk away, still tucked under the bridge, and the whole area smelled warm and savory. We ordered burgers and truffle fries, then brought everything back to our table. It was quick, simple, and exactly what we needed. Good food, an easy atmosphere, and a chance to rest before the next part of the day.

Sitting there with a burger in hand and the London Eye peeking out beyond the walkway, it felt like one of those small travel moments that stays with you. Nothing fancy, nothing planned. Just a quiet break in the middle of exploring, surrounded by the buzz of the South Bank and the comforting familiarity of being together in a new place.

Once we finished eating, we made our way back toward the river, ready for the next view waiting for us: the London Eye rising against the soft gray sky.

London Eye

The walk from the South Bank to the London Eye felt calm and easy, the river beside us and people moving in every direction. With every few steps, the skyline shifted a little. By the time we reached the base of the Eye, that quiet kind of excitement had settled in. The kind you feel when you know you’re about to see something you’ll remember.

Stepping into the glass capsule felt like stepping into a small floating room. Everything was bright and open, and as the wheel started its slow climb, London unfolded beneath us. Rooftops, bridges, and green patches of parks. The river curving through the city in a way that made everything look connected.

From above, London looked endless. Neighborhoods blended together. People below moved in tiny patterns. Boats on the river left soft ripples in the water. The higher we went, the more the city came into focus. Parliament, with its warm glow in the summer haze. The Shard rising in clean, sharp lines. Bridges stretching across the Thames in neat intervals.

Some moments didn’t need words. Leaning against the railing, feeling the gentle sway of the capsule, watching everything open up around us. Snapping a few photos. Pausing just to take it all in with our own eyes.

By the time we reached the top, the city felt a little softer. Not quieter, not still, just easier to understand from above. The view made everything make sense in a way that only distance can.

By the time we reached the top, the city felt softer. Not less busy, not less alive, but clearer somehow. The kind of view that makes you understand a place a little better just by seeing the shape of it.

When the capsule touched down again, we stepped back onto the walkway with that lingering after-a-view feeling. A mix of gratitude, wonder, and the simple thrill of knowing the day wasn’t over yet. We wandered back into the flow of the city, ready to find our hotel and settle in before the evening.

Check into St. Athans Hotel and Explore

By the time we made it to Bloomsbury, everything felt a little softer. The light, the noise, even the way people moved around us. Rows of brick buildings lined the streets, warm and familiar in a way that made the neighborhood feel steady. We walked along the tree-lined sidewalks and let the rush of the morning settle. It felt like the city was slowing down with us.

St. Athans Hotel sat along Tavistock Place with its small neon sign tucked into a row of old townhouses. It wasn’t fancy, just simple and lived-in, the kind of place that holds a lot of quiet stories. The stairs were narrow and creaky, the hallways were tight, and the room was basic but comfortable. The shared bathrooms were down the hall, and the window let in warm air and soft street noise. At first it felt a little unfamiliar, but it didn’t take long for it to make sense. It felt like the quieter side of London.

The best part was the location. Cafés on corners, little shops, pubs, and garden squares all within a short walk. It was the perfect middle ground between a full day of sightseeing and the slower evening ahead.

We dropped our backpacks, took a moment to breathe, and then headed back out into the neighborhood, ready to find something to eat.

Dinner and drinks at the Museum Tavern

We wandered toward the British Museum area without a plan, letting the streets decide for us. That’s how we found the Museum Tavern, sitting on the corner with warm light spilling through the windows and flowers framing the doorway. It felt right the moment we saw it. One of those places you step into without hesitation.

The pub had that classic old-London comfort. Dark wood, soft lighting, mirrored panels, taps lined up behind the bar, and a steady hum of people settling in for the evening. The kind of place where your shoulders drop as soon as you sit down. We ordered drinks and let the day slow down. Spritz for me, cask brewed beer for Nick.

When the food came, it was exactly what we needed. Shrimp, chorizo, toasted bread. Simple, warm, and comforting after a day of walking. We lingered longer than we expected, watching people filter in and out. At one point, we ended up talking with a man who told us bits about the neighborhood and which pubs had changed over the years. It was small, easy conversation, the kind that makes a place feel more real.

There was something grounding about being there. Not sightseeing, not rushing, just sitting in a pub that’s been around for generations, letting the evening settle in around us.

Eventually the sky turned a deep shade of blue, and we headed back toward St. Athans. The walk was quiet, and we felt that good kind of tired that comes after a full day in a new city. Everything felt both peaceful and full at the same time.

It was the perfect way to end our first night in London.

London Day 2: Cathedrals, Parks, and Quiet Magic

Full English Breakfast • St. Paul’s Cathedral • St. James’s Park • Buckingham Palace • Lunch • Airport

After a full first day in London, we woke up with that familiar mix of tired feet and quiet excitement. Morning light made the city feel softer and calmer, almost like it belonged a little more to us than it had the day before. With no tours booked and no real schedule to follow, we let the morning unfold at its own pace.

We checked out of the hotel around 9:00 AM and stepped into the cool air with our backpacks, the streets slowly waking up around us. Cafés opened their doors, buses rumbled by, and a handful of early risers moved with purpose. All we wanted in that moment was coffee and a full English breakfast to carry us through the day.

There was something peaceful about starting without a plan. Just wandering and letting the city guide us one block at a time. It felt like a small reset before another day of exploring, a day that would take us from quiet cafés to grand cathedrals, through green parks and past royal gates, and eventually back to the airport for our flight to Paris.

Day 2 Timeline

• 9:00 AM — Check out of Hotel and explore
• 10:00 AM — English Breakfast at Water Rats
• 12:00 PM — St. Paul’s Cathedral
• 1:00 PM — St. James Park
• 2:00 PM — Buckingham Palace
• 3:00 PM — Lunch at The Phoenix
• 5:00 PM — Catch the Piccadilly to the airport
• 6:00 PM — Dinner and waiting at the airport to head to Paris, France

English Breakfast at the Water Rats

The morning felt slow in the best way. Cool air, quiet streets, and that calm you get after checking out early with a whole day ahead of you. We wandered without any real direction, just following the buildings and the promise of something warm to eat. That’s how we found The Water Rats, tucked along a row of brick buildings with a blue sign that felt a little quirky and familiar at the same time.

Inside, everything felt worn in and comfortable. Wood tables, soft lighting, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to sit a little longer than planned. It felt like the right place for a slow start. No rush, no schedule to worry about, just a pot of tea warming our hands while the city slowly woke up outside.

Breakfast arrived in that classic Full English way. A plate full of everything, hearty and comforting, the kind of meal that grounds you before a day of exploring. It felt simple and meaningful, and somehow very “London.” Between bites of toast and sips of tea, we talked through the day ahead and let our plans settle naturally.

There was something nice about starting the morning in a place with its own long history of music and late nights while we sat in the early quiet. Once we finished eating, we stepped back outside and began the walk toward St. Paul’s Cathedral, ready to trade the cozy feel of the café for the wide, open space of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

There’s something about walking toward St. Paul’s that makes the whole street feel quieter, almost like the city softens around it. As we approached, the cathedral rose above everything else, all stone and symmetry, steady and full of history. The steps were busy with people, but somehow it still felt calm. Everyone seemed to slow their pace without thinking about it.

The closer we got, the smaller we felt in the best way. St. Paul’s makes you look up. It makes you take a breath. It pulls you into the moment without asking much from you at all.

Inside, everything shifted. The noise of the city faded behind thick stone walls, replaced by a stillness that stretched all the way to the ceiling. The ceiling itself felt endless. Painted panels, soft gold details, arches curving into each other in a way that made the whole space feel both grand and somehow gentle. Light streamed in through quiet corners, changing the color of everything it touched.

We wandered slowly, taking in each room and each detail. Checkered floors, dark wooden choir stalls, mosaics tucked into corners you’d miss if you weren’t paying attention. It all felt intentional, like the whole place was carrying the stories of everyone who had ever stepped inside.

After exploring, we stepped back into the sunlight and followed a small path along the side of the building. Trees swayed around the dome, and for a moment, the rest of London felt far away.

When it was time to keep moving, we flagged down a classic black cab. I held my arm out just like they do in the movies, and for some reason it felt like one of those silly, small, iconic travel moments that sticks with you. We hopped in and headed toward St. James’s Park, ready for trees, water, and a slower pace before the next stop.

Walk through St. James Park

Leaving St. Paul’s, the afternoon felt warm and bright. It was the kind of light that makes wandering easy. We didn’t rush. We let the streets guide us, moving past shops and old stone buildings until the sound of hooves caught our attention. Two police officers on horseback passed by, their white horses moving calmly through the sun. It was a small moment, but it felt very London, a mix of history and everyday life at the same time.

Around the next corner, we saw a red telephone booth with Big Ben rising behind it. It felt too classic not to stop. Yes, it was touristy, but it made us smile. Some moments are worth leaning into, even if everyone else is doing the same thing.

From there, the city opened into green. St. James’s Park stretched out in front of us like a quiet pause. The water shimmered, willows hung low over the pond, and ducks drifted along as if they had all day. The whole place felt like a small breath of calm tucked inside the city.

Artists had set up along the path, painting the same scenes we were walking through. Watching them work felt grounding. Seeing the park through their brushstrokes made everything feel even softer. We followed the path under the trees while sunlight spilled across the ground and reflected on the water.

St. James’s Park became one of those places that stays with you, not because it was a big planned stop, but because it offered a quiet moment between everything else. A small pause before the next stretch of the day.

When we stepped out of the trees, Buckingham Palace came into view across the water, glowing in the afternoon sun. We weren’t far now, just a short walk toward a place we had only ever seen in photos until that moment.

Buckingham Palace

Leaving the calm of St. James’s Park, the path widened and the city shifted again. Trees opened up, voices got louder, and that familiar glint of gold appeared ahead in the light. It’s funny how you can know exactly what a place looks like and still feel a small spark of awe when you see it in person.

The gates were the first thing to catch our eye. Black iron curling into ornate patterns, topped with bright gold crests that stood out against the clear sky. People gathered in loose groups, taking photos, pointing out details, and moving around each other with that easy, shared excitement big landmarks always seem to create.

We walked along the fence and took our time. Watching the guard stand perfectly still in his red uniform, looking up at the architecture, following the rows of windows with our eyes. Even with the crowd, there was something peaceful about being there. Maybe it was the sun, or the gardens in bloom, or just the simple moment of standing together in front of a place we’d only ever seen from afar.

Eventually the walkway started to clear, and we stepped back from the gates. We drifted toward the next path, the palace behind us, the rest of the day ahead, and lunch starting to sound pretty good.

Lunch at The Phoenix

By the time we left Buckingham Palace, the afternoon heat had settled in and everything felt slow and bright. We didn’t have a plan, so we just wandered and let the day lead us. That’s how we found The Phoenix, tucked between modern buildings and baskets of flowers. It looked both classic and a little unexpected, the kind of place you notice without needing to think about it.

Inside, the upstairs bar was quiet in a rare, peaceful way. Sunlight drifted through tall windows, and the checkered floors reflected a soft glow. We were the only ones there besides the bartender. After hours of walking, the cool air and calm atmosphere felt like a small breath of relief.

We ordered drinks, a beer for Nick and an Aperol spritz for me (obviously). Bright, cold, and exactly what we needed in that moment.

Lunch was simple and really good. My salmon came with grapefruit and black sesame, and Nick’s fish and chips were warm and crisp, the kind of meal that makes you relax without even realizing it. We stayed longer than we meant to, talking and cooling off, letting the quiet settle in before the day picked up again.

When we stepped back outside, the hanging flower baskets framed the street in bright colors, and the shade made the heat feel easier. It was one of those unexpected travel moments that becomes a memory. A small pause between places that left us feeling reset before the next part of the day.

From there, we headed toward the Piccadilly Line with our backpacks and that growing feeling of excitement. Paris was waiting. But that slow, sunlit lunch at The Phoenix settled into the day as one of those gentle memories that stays with you long after.

Catch the Piccadilly to Heathrow Airport to wait for flight to Paris, France

Leaving The Phoenix, we wandered back through the late-afternoon heat and let the city lead us toward Victoria Station. It felt like the gentle winding down of a long, full day. Backpacks on, the city buzzing around us, that soft in-between feeling of closing one part of the trip while another waited just ahead.

On the walk, we passed a bright rainbow-painted dog sculpture standing in the middle of the square. A small burst of color in an unexpected place. It felt like a playful little goodbye from London.

At the station, the navy and white Piccadilly Line sign pointed us down the stairs into the warm, tiled tunnels below. Trains pulled into the platforms with their usual rush of noise, commuters moved quickly around us, and we joined the crowd. We stood together on the train, holding onto the rail, swaying with the movement. Tired, content, and already imagining what Paris might feel like.

Heathrow was busy in the way airports always are. Travelers everywhere, departure boards flashing, the smell of food drifting through the terminals. We found a place to sit with bowls of noodles warming our hands and a couple of drinks between us. It felt like a quiet pause before the next step. A moment to think about everything we had fit into twenty-four hours. The guard in red, the palace gates, the park, the phone booth, the river, the views from above. London had surprised us again and again.

We lifted our glasses in a small toast. Nothing big, just a quiet cheers to the adventure continuing.

Before long, our gate appeared on the screen. We put our backpacks on again, grabbed our boarding passes, and began walking toward our flight. Paris was next, and it felt like the perfect continuation of the story we had started in London.

What London Left With Me

London surprised me in the gentlest ways.

It wasn’t loud or overwhelming. It moved at its own steady pace and invited us to move with it. From cathedral echoes to the shade in the parks, from the little wobble of the taxi I flagged down to the quiet hum of the Tube tunnels, the city felt like one long exhale.

There was something comforting about how everything flowed. Classic landmarks tucked beside calm corners. Busy streets opening into soft pockets of green. It let us wander without rushing and settle into the day without thinking too far ahead.

Looking back, London felt like a place that didn’t try to impress us. It simply existed around us, steady and warm and lived-in. And somehow, that made it even more special.

A gentle beginning to a trip that kept unfolding in ways we couldn’t have imagined.

Next Stop: Paris, France

Where the lights and bridges and nighttime energy pulled us into the next part of our adventure.

All the photos featured in this blog post were taken by me, or of me, unless otherwise noted.