Highlighting ideas for a fun time in London…
- Visit the gorgeous Victoria and Albert Museum and view the Ball Gown exhibit for a limited time.
By the way…after reading last month’s Traditional Home magazine London issue, we checked out
Egg (clothing store in Belgravia) and Mungo and Maud (pet store). Both were a little underwhelming.
- Check out trendy housewares and furniture at Andrew Martin. There is a Madeline Weinrib section in the back.
- Have a delicious prix fixed lunch at The Enterprise. I could not decide what to order–everything sounded so good. Settled on Tuna Tartar and Wild Mushroom Fresh Pasta…great.
- Go see a show. We LOVED “Wicked.” You can get half priced tickets at TKTS in Leicester Square. The “Wicked” tickets were not discounted (but we got great seats). However, many shows are a good deal when bought the same day.
- Want a “proper hamburger”? We were not sure they existed in London but Byron passed my husband’s bar for a late dinner after the theater.
- Tour the National Gallery. TALK about an exquisite collection of premier artwork!
- Eat at the gastro-pub, The Thomas Cubitt (thank you, Katie D). Charming atmosphere and great food. I had to hide my Buckingham Palace gift shop bag to “blend in” like a local. 🙂 Delicious fresh trout.
- Stop by Wild at Heart and smell the flowers. I bought one of the white pitchers below there. Have to bring in with my carry on.

- Wear a cross over the body bag like mine from Cole Hahn…there are “Beware of Pick Pockets” signs all over… due to increased Olympics tourism.
- Dine at the Asian Fusion restaurant, Eight Over Eight in Chelsea. Try the crispy pork belly and bok choy vegetables and green curry.
- Also, try Essenza in Nottinghill for delicious Italian food. Ask for Maurizo. Carpaccio and Spaghetti Vongole.
- Make a reservation at all of these places.
- Have dessert at The Orange…fresh shortbread cookies with Earl Grey Ice Cream and Lemon and Earl Grey Posset (a custard–wow). Served with a glass of Chateau St. Helene Sauterne. Then, walk it off visiting the pretty decor shops on Pimlico.
- And back to our nice hotel… The Kensington Hotel, where in spite of all the unusual July rain. We have a rainbow outside our window.
For more London information, read my previous post.
Thanks for visiting.
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Wonderful pictures of your great trip. Love the ironstone pitcher.
Wow Mary Ann – it sounds like you had a fabulous trip and I can't wait to hear all about it! Glad that you enjoyed Wicked – we saw it with the original cast when we were in London a few years ago and it was incredible! Have bookmarked this post for future reference. Reading this post makes me miss London – can't wait to go back!!
Love London and this post! So fun to see all the places you stopped. Thanks for sharing!
Kim:)
Mary Ann,
I want to see, stay, eat and shop this exact trip! Looks like a fantastic time! Your dessert at The Orange looks so good and love that stitching on the napkin…it's the little things…you know?
xo
annie
oh my! what fantastic tips! london is on my WISH list of places to visit. i am sure i will make it there someday….
the restaurants you highlighted look divine! thanks for giving me a little peek at this amazing city!
I have loved traveling with you on your trip to London. We were there a couple of years ago and saw many of these beautiful sites, but needing to go back to catch others!!
Love seeing your trip and it looks like you are having a fabulous trip.
Thank you for taking us along on your fabulous trip, Mary Ann! I hope to visit London in the next couple of years.
Have fun and happy Monday.
Teresa
xoxo
Loved this post! I visited London 15 years ago (and got pickpocketed), and I can't wait to go back one day. I want to do, see, and eat everything you recommend.
what a lovely trip! We are going in September to Paris and one day in London, it is fun to see it through your eyes, Have a wonderful remainder of your trip,
Kathysue
Thanks for the insights, keep up the amazing work.
Thanks everyone for the comments…such a fun trip. I would like to go back to all of these places again. My husband is complaining that he didn't get enough Indian food (only one restaurant)…I have to go on a diet now 🙁
Great tips! Thanks for this, saving it all!
Everything looks sensational! I haven't been to London in years, but seeing all of your photos makes me long for another trip. So glad you're having a fabulous time!
Great tips. It looks like you are having a wonderful, wonderful time- xo Diana
Looks like you're having an amazing time! I love the ball gown exhibit. How fun!
You find the best places! I'll definitely have to file this one away just in case I find myself in London someday! Would loved to have seen the ball gown exhibit and shared a sweet treat at The Orange! I'm a big "crossbody" bag fan and loved your Cole Haan bag. Did you get it recently? I looked it up but couldn't find the faux reptile leather anywhere…but the red one was pretty cute! Have a safe trip home and can't wait to hear more about your wonderful London holiday.
Wonderful photos!! The shopping looks fabulous and your accommodations looked perfect. Glad you got to see Wicked! I enjoyed it 🙂
Looking forward to seeing more photos!
leslie
Thanks for all the tips. I've got to make a return visit soon.
Looks like you're having a wonderful time!
Claudia
what fun!!
it looks like sheer bliss.
have fun & be safe.
xox
Looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing your favorite spots. I will be in London in the fall, and will have to check them out. (Especially The Orange. It looks AMAZING!)
I have a favorite little Tapas restaurant in London on Down street called Il Pirata. They have an amazing variety of yummy small plates.
Looks like such a fun trip! Fab hotel too!
xo-Lisa
This looks like a great trip! I will have to bookmark it in case I ever head over to London! Happy Summer to you!
This is one amazing post on one amazing trip. Thanks for this, saving it all!
Wow looks like one awesome trip!! So much beauty, sophistication and fun. You covered it all..restaurants, shopping, hotel and culture…its like a mini Fodors guide. Now I have to figure out when and how to get there sooner than later:) Enjoy and safe travels home.
it looks like you are having such a great time. I am so envious. We are going to London at the end of the year so these tips are most welcome! Although I realise I might have to ditch my boys when I visit some of these places. Decor shops aren't high on their lists of things to do! x Sharon