Live, Laugh, London (Part 1): London Basics

- June 21-22, 2026, Saturday to Sunday.

- Sun's our, crowns out, I'm finally in London!! I've been wanting to visit the UK for some years now but only now did I have the time to go. I'm not totally sure about being there in the "right season" because I arrived in the middle of a massive heat wave. European heat waves are terrible because, being more used to surviving the cold, buildings are often built to trap heat, and electric fans and air conditioning are minimal to none in places. Despite the heat wave, this did not stop me from seeing what London had to offer - drenched in sweat that is.

- I left Manila on the 21st and arrived in London on the 22nd with a layover in Dubai. From the airport, the easiest way to reach the city is via the Heathrow Express; it directly transports people to Paddington Station. The travel time between the airport and the station is around 40 minutes. From there, it was easier (and FAR cheaper) to book an Uber ride to my hostel. 

At Paddington Station. This was around 9PM already! (Summer means longer days of course.)

BT Tower.

- After checking in at Astor Museum Hostel (right beside the British Museum!), I met my friend Bianca at Dishoom near King's Cross. It was a fairly late dinner given how far the airport was from the city, but I was glad she was available to meet up. This was a very welcoming way to start my sojourn across the UK.

Indian food for dinner!

- The following morning, I wasted no time and went to London's most iconic landmark: the Big Ben. "Big Ben" is actually a nickname of the Elizabeth Clock Tower, and is part of the Westminster Palace. Built in the 1800s and still being used today, the building houses the parliament. Often, people take photos of the Big Ben from the Westminster Bridge right in front of it. (Big Ben is closest to the Westminster tube station. The "tube" is the nickname of the London underground metro system.)

Oh look, there's a red double-decker bus too!

Couldn't get any more British than this, innit? HAHAHAHA.

This is view from Westminster Bridge.

You can find this spot at the other side of the bridge.

Also from across the bridge.

I can't believe I'm here already!!

Closer look.

The London Eye is just at the other side of the bridge, along the River Thames.

The pigeons were unpaid actors.

- Just behind the Westminster Palace is the Westminster Abbey. Built in the 11th century, this abbey is known for being the venue of many royal weddings and coronations throughout history. Apart from this, the abbey is also (a permanent?) home to many many famous people, apart from royalty, who come from from different fields like art, literature, and the sciences. Some notable people include Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, and George Frideric Handel.

Saw one of the most photographed red phone booths in London: just outside the Westminster tube entrance, with a view of the Big Ben at the back!

Westminster Abbey from the side.

From the front.

About to enter!

Evolution man himself!

Stephen Hawking!

Inside the abbey.

Isaac Newton and the world!

The choir area.

Tomb of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary I.

Tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Alice in Wonderland anyone?

He's known for many roles, but I knew him first as Zeus in the 1981 version of "Clash of the Titans".

Pride....and Prejudice!

Jungle Book!

It's not yet Christmas, but seeing him in person (his tomb at least) felt like Christmas morning!

I also found George Frideric Handel - hallelujahhhh!! (Yes, he composed the famous Hallelujah melody as part of a larger work.) 

At the cloister.

THE coronation throne. Yes, it has been used for centuries and was most recently used when King Charles was crowned in 2023.

Double-decker bus up close.

- I rushed to Buckingham Palace after my visit to the abbey because I wanted to make it to the 11AM changing of guards. The changing of guards happens usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11AM. I saw glimpses of the changing of guards but the crowd was just too much to handle for me. I realized this was also the perfect time to take photos with the palace guards at the Horse Guards Parade a bit more than a kilometer away from Buckingham Palace. True enough, less people were there, but it was still a crowd. They probably had the same idea as I did!

The guards walk (or ride horses) between Buckingham Palace and the Horse Guards Parade.

From outside the palace.

With horses.

Guards with their horses at the Whitehall side.

Thank you kind Japanese tourist for taking my photo (it was difficult to set up my tripod there.)

 

- I later walked south towards Tate Britain while letting London (and its heat) sink in, as it was my first full day. Tate Britain was established in the 1890s and focuses on British art throughout history. Like most national museums, it is free to enter. (While walkable from the Westminster tube station and surrounding structures, it's closer to Pimlico tube station.)

Inside Tate Britain.

So many nice paintings!

Margaret Thatcher.

Dome.

Museum facade.

- Because of the heat and too much walking, I decided to take an Uber from Tate Britain to Camden Market (near Camden Town tube station). The markets in Camden were developed in the recent decade/s, though their history as areas for stables and warehouses and a small market go back to the early 20th century. The heat and the crowd made it a bit difficult for me to get around, but I was finally able to have my first real "fish and chips" in the UK. I checked out some of the shops on the way to Camden town tube station for my next stop.

At Camden Market.

The photo doesn't give justice to the amount of people that was there.

Finally fish and chips!

Indoor market.

Street with many artsy shops, or souvenir stores.

Didn't buy anything but absolutely loved the look of this store. Very me!

- I alighted the tube at King's Cross Station. Built in the mid-1800s this massive station is home to both local and international train services. More importantly, King's Cross is also known for being the location of the Harry Potter's Platform 9 3/4 where the characters would find their train going to Hogwarts. The film also filmed in the actual station. Now, a photo area with a Harry Potter souvenir store can be found in this spot. (It is also a good way to experience a bit of Harry Potter without going to the theme park for non-Potterheads like me; I'm not the biggest fan, but I know a thing or two about the story!)

The tube.

On to Hogwarts!!

Perfect for Hogwarts' brochure. HAHA.

King's Cross concourse.

Station facade.

- I later had a stroll along Oxford Street, which is one of London's popular shopping streets. I didn't take much photos because I was also told that a phone gets stolen (often from tourists) every few minutes in the area. Oxford Street is also near the theaters of West End, which was my last main agenda for the day.

Whether I buy something or not, a pilgrimage to any Primark branch is a must for me during any European trip hahahaha.

- I planned to watch Les Miserables at Sondheim Theater at long last, after years of evading this musical. I know how big Les Mis is and I love some of the songs in the musical, but the story is just too depressing and heavy for me. But Les Mis being Les Mis, I thought it was about time I saw it on stage. (It was difficult choosing just one show to watch because a lot of good productions - and major productions no less! - are currently being staged in West End!)

Sondheim Theater.

I dreamed a dream that I would see this musical - as long as I am emotionally ready haha.

Very French.

As expected, an amazing show -- and as expected, the story was heavy haha.

Merci beaucoup!!

- With jet lag and around 20-something thousand steps after, I could not believe that I was able to accomplish so much during my first full day in London. The heat was nothing to be desired, but exploring London was far too interesting to let the heat get to me. This was just the start of my long journey across the kingdom, and I couldn't wait to see what was in store for me!