The Mayflower Pub: A Historic Start
Now, if you’re coming to London and you don’t have a lot of time, yeah, this is our list of top must-dos, can-dos, or maybe should-dos for you. We’re on a limited time frame, long weekend—this is our top, our top. Let’s go now. Because London has so many pubs, we only like to go to the oldest pubs in London. And starting off this vacation, we’re going to the Mayflower, located directly on the Thames River.
I believe it was built in 1550—I’m correct—and that’s where all the pilgrims left for the Americas. That’s why it’s called the Mayflower. You can take a subway right there in the neighborhood of Rotherhithe. You can take the subway—it is a bit confusing, but once you’re over in that district, they have food, pints, and absolutely everything to spend a few hours on, or you can spend the full day there.
You could totally do it because it’s so charming and unique. Now, it’s dimly lit. They do have fireplaces, but we love them. It’s one of our top must-hits if you’re coming to London on a short or long stay. You’ve got to hit the Mayflower.
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Jubilee Walkway: Scenic Routes & Hidden Gems
Next on our list, we love doing the Jubilee Walk. The great part about the Mayflower is that it’s part of the Jubilee Walk—or at least at the very beginning of it. Right? It’s hooked into the Jubilee Walkway. So, the Jubilee Walkway is a network of trails and paths, and it’s all laid out along London and takes you to some iconic sites.
Because the Jubilee Walkway meanders through the River Thames, and goes through the wharf area over by the Mayflower. So, when you walk back from the Mayflower and you’re heading towards Tower Bridge along this walkway, you’re struck by all the old buildings that have been converted over the last—I don’t know—decade or two into these fantastic-looking dwellings. Anyway, that is this area.
Marylebone: Charming Streets & Unique Shops
Next on our list now: Marylebone. Marylebone is located above Mayfair and beside Soho. But once you find it—once you get into these unique little streets—it’s a charming district area. But yeah, our friends introduced us to it last year. Mike and I tried to find it independently and couldn’t, but today we did. And in this bur, they still do flower deliveries by bike.
And how many did you say he’s going to do? 30 deliveries? Yeah, and some days he can do up to 30 deliveries daily. And we’re talking about high-end flowers, which are beautiful. And when you’re coming to an old bur like this, unique, full of these outdoor cafes or outdoor eating, lots of shopping. They still have the old pasty and pastry shops, coffee shops—everything you would expect. Everything fresh, everything so home-cooked, made-to-order. Some of these establishments have been in operation for more than 100 years.
So, you-you know that—you feel it once you’re here. Yeah, I think it’s a little more posh, but you can still do some great things here. Yeah, totally. And because when it’s more posh, I think you get nice establishments and eating areas. We’re clean here. We scored today with the weather—it’s 16 and sunny in London in March. So, last time we were here, it was raining and cold.
Daunt Books & Baker Street Tube Station
Now, there’s also a unique bookstore that we’re trying to find. That’s what we’re trying to find. Very tiny, located on the High Street. Now, Daunt Bookstore is probably one of the oldest in London. Three stories that have a basement, a main floor, and an upper floor. On a Saturday—very busy, really fun, quaint, awesome gift ideas. You know, they have tons of books, obviously, but great gift ideas.
Next on our list: we love to walk. We like to get lost, but we also like to take the tube. And then, when we’re taking the tube, we want to max out our Oyster card. So, sometimes we go to the weirdest tube stations possible—some of the oldest ones, like Baker Street here.
I think it is one of the oldest tube stations that is operating right now in London. And then, if we’re coming to this Tube Station, we will check out the Sherlock Holmes Museum, located right across the road. Now, you’re just going in there for little collectibles and keepsakes, but if you’re a Sherlock Holmes fan, obviously, you know why you’re coming here.
Soho: Food, Shopping & Nightlife
Now, when it comes to shopping, eating, and getting away from the hustle and bustle of London, we always come to Soho, where it’s actually—I think it’s a really interesting, unique area to do shopping in, and grab food—lots of kinds of great-priced establishments. Yean, we came from Marylebone, which is a little more high-end, but I find Soho has prices for everybody. That’s some more middle points for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There are tons of outside establishments to eat at. And right now in London, the weather is fantastic for mid-March. Yeah, 16°, sunny outdoors. And there are also a lot of pubs here. So, when we’re talking pubs at 5:00 in the afternoon—oh my gosh—the pubs spill out onto the roads, into the alleyways here. This place will be super busy then. But you’re also—if you’re coming here and looking for higher-end, good shopping—they do offer it here, but I think it feels high-end, but not with the high-end prices.
Yeah, no, I think that there—I think it suitsmanyf people. Yeah. So, we come down here for dinner and to eat because I think you can get great value for money here. And you can go to some really interesting establishments that are just specialized in what they do and what they make. And tonight, we’re going to the Kiln. It’s got like an open-pit area of charcoal. So, they make these thin noodles. They have awesome chicken, sausage, and vegetable dishes. They also play awesome music—tightknit, grab food, and enjoy yourself.
Harrods: Luxury Shopping & Food Halls
Next on our list is Harrods. And now, when we’re talking about Harrods, we might not be able to come here and afford Harrods, but we would like to go and observe Harrods. Yeah, it’s just a great experience. They have tons of shops. How many floors? I think it’s like five to six stories high. Six stories below ground? The property is the size of three football fields in length. It’s huge—easy to get lost, but they will give you a guide.
Yeah, we got lost twice. They also have an amazing food court located on the ground floor. So, if you’re hungry—yeah—full of everything you can imagine. Yeah. Now, if you’re taking the tube and coming to Harrods, and you come above ground—well, you kind of know where Harrods is because you look at the surrounding buildings, and they’re gorgeous. Yeah, this area is stunning—it’s beautiful. Yeah, it’s where the wealthy like to come and shop.
Even if you can’t afford it, observe i ando see what’s going on. Check out the food court, some chocolates, and some keepsakes. We stumbled upon the pizzeria last time. Yeah, it was great. I had a pint of beer, some pizza, and a great chat. Yeah. And you know, there are things that you can do for all price points. Kind of. But Harrods doesn’t have to be expensive—just great to check it out, say that you’ve been there.
Sky Garden: Panoramic Views & Greenery
Yeah, if you’re a shoe person—like Jenny is—especially sneakers, they have some amazing footwear and footwear that you won’t find anywhere else in the world but here. And we’re talking specialty. So, do you think you can see an Adidas style online? Well, you won’t find it anywhere but Harrods.
NNexton our list is the Sky Garden. Yeah, we tried to go last year. Every time we’ve come here, you have to book tickets well in advance even though it’s free. So, we’ve missed out. But this time, I got us tickets. The top of the building is gorgeous, and the location is Winter Garden-style, right? Totally. It’s going to be a beautiful garden.
If you want to come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they offer—you have to make reservations for all that. Yeah, and you get an amazing view of the city, encapsulated in this beautiful garden in a solarium. It’s just amazing what they actually can grow up here. Yeah, it’s lovely—just gorgeous. And the smells, the aroma, were incredible. Yeah. And the coffee is really good too.
Sunday Roast: A Traditional British Experience
Last but not least, it’s a Sunday roast-style dinner. Traditional Sunday dinner here in England—at a pub. At a pub. So, pint in a pie, meeting up with some great friends who are expats from Canada. GWe’re goingto enjoy a meal with them, and that’s where wwe’llpretty much end this article. Yeah. Now, this pub is—I think—367 years old. Old, absolutely stunning, beautiful. Great pints and a great time in London.
Final Tips & Farewell
London doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be—it will be—but it doesn’t need to be. Doesn’t have to be. No. We walked 30 km in 2 days. Walking—plus we maxed out our tube card every single day. So, the tube is the best way to get around in this crazy city. No matter what you do, London is still on our bucket list for next year. Yeah. Sometimes we question coming back, and Mike even this time was like, “Maybe we don’t need to go to London.
” But guess what? Mike’s grandparents are from London. Mike’s parents are from London. So, it feels like home. And we’re working on our British passport. And for anyone who’s from Britain that are watching us—like and subscribe! It relps us out because guess what? I’m going to be in this country as a Brit soon. Anyway, coming at you live from London—like and subscribe! And guess what? We’ll see you in the next article. Mind the gap, please!
