Exploring London: Iconic Landmarks, Hidden Gems, and New Year Celebrations!

Intro

Welcome to London, where every corner is a story waiting to be told! 🎡 From the iconic landmarks like the London Eye to hidden gems like Tattersalls Tavern, this city is bursting with charm. 🏰 Wander through Covent Garden’s festive streets or hop on the tube for an adventure through diverse neighborhoods. 🚇

Indulge in an English breakfast at The Table Cafe or savor sharing plates at GŎNG with stunning views of the Thames River and London Bridge. 🍽️ After a day of exploration, unwind at Tattersalls Tavern with a pint of Guinness and classic Fish and Chips, immersing yourself in the authentic pub experience. 🍺

Whether it’s marveling at St. Paul’s Cathedral or joining the New Year celebrations in Soho, London’s energy is contagious, promising unforgettable moments at every turn. 🎉 So grab your Oyster card and let’s dive into the vibrant tapestry of London! 🇬🇧✨

Starting the Day

I had been exploring London the last couple of days, and it was finally New Years Eve. We were staying in the Southbank, and after sleeping in, we decided to go get breakfast.

Even though I live in NYC I had never see an Amazon Fresh store and it was mindblowing.

For brunch, we decided to go to The Table Cafe, a restaurant around the corner of the hotel. I got the traditional English breakfast and it was really good.

GŎNG, Shangri-La The Shard

After brunch, now it was time to eat more lol. I had gotten a reservation months in advance to GŎNG, Shangri-La The Shard. We came here not for the food, but for the views of London from this restaurant in the 52nd floor of The Shard.

Although it was raining, it was amazing being able to see this big metropolis from up here.

And the place and service were really nice. It was a perfect start of this NYE celebration.

The London skyline was easily visible from The Shard.

The London Bridge

We finished the drinks and the bites, and went back to the ground to start our walk to the London Bridge. On the way we passed by the Hay’s Galleria.

And there it was, the London Bridge in the distance. Fortunately, on the way there there was a Christmas Market, where we found Hot Cocoa for this cold NYE day in London.

And in the middle of the rain, there we were, crossing the London Bridge. A lot of visitors in London today, and it was probably in part of the NYE celebrations, very famous around the world for this city.

The Tower of London

The London Tower, a historic fortress and royal palace, stands tall with its iconic white walls and imposing towers. It houses the Crown Jewels and offers captivating views of the city.

The construction of the Tower of London began in the late 11th century, around 1078, by William the Conqueror, shortly after his conquest of England in 1066.

The shops were located right next to the tower…

… and gave us a chance to go for some deserved coffee at Starbucks after a long day of walking.

City of London

We were deep inside the City of London portion of London, the oldest area in this metropolis. But we still were able to see the Leadenhall Market, another galleria style building with Christmas decorations still on.

And not too far from there, the iconic 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin),a distinctive skyscraper in London’s financial district. Designed by Norman Foster, it was completed in 2003, becoming an iconic part of the city’s skyline.

It is one of the most beautiful buildings in London.

But another one that is very descriptive of London is St. Paul’s Cathedral, an architectural marvel in London, that was built between 1675 and 1710 by Sir Christopher Wren. Its majestic dome and Baroque style make it a symbol of British resilience and history.

It was closed when we arrived, but now it was getting dark and we had to get back to the hotel and start getting ready for tonight.

New Years Eve in Soho

Time to celebrate the New Years. And this time I was in London. Yoo-hoo. First time in another Time Zone, different than the typical NYC one. To start we went to Piccadilly Circus to get some vibes, and some food. We got one of the best shawarmas I have gotten right on this square.

We walked Soho for a while but all the bars were already full, so we decided to stay in here for the Countdown in Duke Of Wellington bar, a LGBTQ bar.

Soho was super crowded but the New Year was here!!! And now it was time to continue bar hopping.

After a long night of partying, we had to walk back to the hotel. The trains and buses were not working properly due to the closures. It was a pretty walk tho.

Back to London

The early morning of the New Years I had to go to Edinburg, but that will be in another blog post.

And right after that I would have to come back to London for a few hours before my trip to Oslo, also another blog post.

Covent Garden Mall

For now, after my Edinburg trip, I was just walking around Covent Garden Mall. The LGBTQ flag was painted in some of these poles.

It was so early in the morning that I do not think many of the stores were opened. But the mall was very cute, in this old building.

Some of the Christmas decorations were still up.

Harrods

More on the West of London, I went to Harrods, the world-renowned luxury department store. It was founded in 1834 by Charles Henry Harrod. Located in Knightsbridge, London, it offers an unparalleled shopping experience with its opulent interiors and wide array of high-end products.

Not too far from there it was time to get lunch, and I picked the Tattersalls Tavern. Great choice for a Guinness.

And my never ending addiction to Fish and Chips lol.

Buckingham Palace

It had not been too many months after the passing of the Queen Elizabeth, and of course, even on the first days of the year, a lot of tourists and locals were congregating to the Buckingham Palace.

These were my last hours in London. After here I would go to Oslo, and then back to New York. See you in the next blog post.