Heading to London this year? Take it from this Fat Girl these are just a few of the musts when visiting old smoky! London is an incredibly fat-friendly city. What’s not so friendly? The foot pains you will get from walking all over this gorgeous city. So make sure to pack comfortable shoes and take your time exploring because London is waiting for you! What are you waiting for?
Afternoon Tea
Can one go to London and not have afternoon tea? I think not. Whether you’re counting your pennies or wanting to splurge, there is a tea for everyone and every budget. Here are just a few of my favourites (note the English spelling using a “u”).
Sanderson’s Mad Hatter Tea
It might be pricey but it is a priceless way to spend your afternoon at one of London’s most iconic hotels. The Sanderson invites you to tumble down the rabbit hole and discover a tea party beyond your wildest imagination, inspired by the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland.
B-Bakery Afternoon Bus Tea
Often when one thinks of London, we often think of its iconic double-decker red buses. In fact, you can’t not go to London and not ride one. What if I could tell you that you can also enjoy a spot of afternoon tea whilst you take in the sights of London on a double-decker bus? Learn more about the London experience here.
Royal Horseguard Hotel
By far one of my favorite splurges is an afternoon spent at the beautiful Royal Horseguard Hotel! Near Big Ben and Westminster, a walk after a few hours eating delicious sandwiches, trying new teas and the best scones I’ve had is the perfect ending to a very London affair. What I love most about this tea is not only the service but the fact that you can get a refill of whatever you want. #GettingYourMoneysWorth You best believe that I got my salmon sandwiches and scones (made to order so they are warm from the oven) fill.
Department Stores
London doesn’t just have one iconic department store, they have multiple and lucky for us many offer a fairly decent afternoon tea! From Selfridges, Liberty and of course, Harrods… all offer basic cream tea to champagne and treats! You can get a basic cream team for as little as ten pounds. That’s a bargain, especially in London!
Groupon
Groupon is a great place to find affordable afternoon tea options as well. If you want a bit more local then make sure to check Groupon out for their latest offers.
Catch a show
I wrote a Fat Girls guide to London’s West End here. Make sure to catch a matinee or an evening performance if you can.
Take a Day trip
With so many beautiful places just a short train ride away from London, make sure to take advantage of the railways and enjoy a day excursion. If you aren’t comfortable planning one yourself, check out Groupon for some great deals too! My favorite day trips have been to Bath, Oxford, and Cambridge. I also did this tour to Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral with Golden Tours and enjoyed it.
Just make sure to book your ticket in advance as trains can get quite expensive last minute. Book off-peak hours to save more cash. If you head to any of those places make sure to get in touch so I can recommend my favorite places to eat including the best buns I have ever had in Bath!
The Sky Garden
A visit to the Sky Garden is a must. It offers 360 views of London (on a clear day you can see for miles and miles out of the city of London) while being surrounded by tropical trees and plants. Their bar also serves some of the best cups of coffee and blueberry muffins to😍
Entry is free but tickets tend to get booked up fairly fast. My trick? Make a reservation for the bar. Often times there will be a space available and if you can, go at 9 AM so you can enjoy it without as many people as doors don’t open for those with tickets till 10! It’s a great way to walk around, enjoy a coffee and the perfect place to cross the London Bridge and head to the Globe Theatre alongside the Thames to have a perfectly London morning.
BONUS TIP: To keep the views going, head to the new building at Tate Modern and enjoy London from another angle. PS if you are a Harry Potter fan you will recognize the bridge just outside the Tate and if you cross it to the other side you will be just steps away from St Paul’s Cathedral.
Gin Distillery Tour
The gin n’ tonic is not merely a drink but a national pastime in the United Kingdom. Over the last few years, more and more distilleries are popping up in the city. A quick trip to the distillery is a great way to learn more about gin from how it is made to the history behind it and of course a taster at the end. A quick Google search will show you lots of options but I personally can recommend the Beefeater Gin Distillery and its fabulous tour. #Cheers
Get some cheeky Nando’s
Nando’s is one of the UK’s most treasured places to eat… It’s the perfect place to end a long day of walking around for meat-lovers, veggies and even those of you who are gluten-free. All without breaking the bank, perfect for London!
Visit the Southbank
When I think of iconic London, I think of the Southbank. It’s a place that no matter the time of year is always busy with locals and tourists alike. It’s gorgeous during the day and so romantic at night with the lights of the city. I used to say that the Southbank was the ultimate wing woman.
Whenever I have friends in town, I make sure to head to Southbank. It’s close to the London Eye, Big Ben, and the Tate. There are restaurants, an incredible Museum, The National Theatre, Skate Park and always some festival or exhibition at the Southbank Centre.
On the weekend there is normally live music, food markets or more. In the summer there is a small funfair and during the winter a mini-winter market full of stalls selling trinkets and boozy hot chocolate. There’s also massive street-book fair that takes place on the weekend selling some rare finds and the more modern-day books and even a few comics.
Grab a pint and eat a Sunday roast
If you are lucky enough to be in London on a Sunday make sure to head to a pub and grab a traditional roast. It’s only cooked on Sunday and will keep you full all day long. They don’t come cheap though but trust me when I say, you get a whole lot for your money! Some of my favorite places to grab a roast is at The Beehive (my old local and boy do I miss it. They also serve INCREDIBLE burgers), The Hawksmoor and when in doubt, just ask a local where they go.
So there you have it my lovelies! These are just a few of the incredible things you can do when visiting London. There are so many museums (The Victoria and Albert is one of my faves), food markets (try the Maltby St. Market for one full of more locals than tourists) and so much more that’s just waiting to be explored.
One of my best pieces of advice is to take the bus. Not only is it a great way to see everything and get an idea of where things are but it is much cheaper than the Tube. #MoreMoneyforFood Also, don’t be afraid to just pick an area and walk around. That can be the best way to find the hidden gems that make London so special.
My other tip is to make sure to check out Time Out London for events that take place during your time as London constantly has something going on! Let me know if you’d love another London Guide to how to get around or what picture-perfect areas are a must below.
