Yes, I returned to London yet again! In the last 12 months, I think I have been to London about 5 times. I truly feel like I belong in London, which is probably why I keep finding excuses to return. This was my first time truly visiting London in winter, and it is still such a magical place. We began our UK visit by visiting Tor’s family. My brother-in-law and his family do not live too far outside of London, so of course we were craving some quality family time. The fact that it rained the entire time didn’t bother us. Laughing, drinking wine, and eating delicious home cooked food in great company was the best part. We also may or may not had been trying to convince our family that they need to visit Iceland, since we had just flown in from Reykjavik.
If you follow me on any of my social media accounts, you’ll know that for the last three months I have been obsessed (more like OBSESSED) with the Netflix series The Crown. My husband jokes that I have become their unofficial promoter or publicist since it’s almost the only thing I like to talk about. Originally, we weren’t planning on spending much time in London. We originally booked a trip to visit the Cotswolds, but Tor could tell I was itching to get back to London after all my Crown binges, so we changed our plans at the last minute. I am a huge royal history buff (Tor and I just started Victoria and Secrets of the Six Wives on PBS), so of course with our trip to London we had to revisit my favorite royal sites including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle (both heavily featured in The Crown).
We usually stay in the Knightsbridge or Mayfair area. I prefer taking subways over taxis, and we stayed at a hotel with a close proximity to a very convenient Underground station (Green Park) as well as the iconic Buckingham Palace. We had a decadent afternoon tea fit for royalty at The Lanesborough just a few blocks away from Buckingham Palace (the hotel looks like a grand palace itself!) with The Rollinson London and Victoria Metaxas (see my previous work with Victoria here and here), and I must stay at The Lanesborough the next time I visit in London for its splendor made my inner princess squeal with glee.
The next time we visit the UK, we are already planning to take a tour of the Cotswolds, thanks to the recommendations of some of Tor’s Reign costars and our friend Nathan of The Rollinson London. Me + charming English countryside villages is probably one of the best matches you could make.
Photos by Torrance Coombs.
Victoria is fantastic (I liked it far better than the Crown). There is also a companion book to the series (which I gave my daughter for Christmas). It might only be available here in the UK though. I believe they are doing a second series sometime next year.
You’ll have to try the Mad Hatter Tea at the Sanderson next time you’re in town. It’s really fun and definitely invokes a child like feeling!
Hi Andrea! I will have to look into the book series! And yes I heard it’s already been renewed for a second season! That’s so exciting. Only bummer is we have to wait a year, don’t we? 🙁
And thanks for the tea recommendation!
I love these photos, and I’m in love with London too! With my country (Italy), England is my favourite country but unfortunately I’ve been there only once, because I can’t afford to travel abroad as much as I would. I read on twitter that you started “Victoria”: it’s absolutely amazing, I’m in love with it! The characters, the story, the music (I’m obsessed with the intro), the setting… wow! I’m glad that you appreciate it too! Can’t wait to hear more opinions on Victoria (I like it more than The Crown) and for you to come back to London so you can tell us more about this amazing city x
(P.S. for the next time in London I suggest you to take a look to the “Britannia International Hotel” https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/the-international-hotel/ ; it is located in Canary Wharf. i stayed there when I was in London ad it’s wonderful)
Hi Francesca! Thank you so much for the tips! So far I am really loving Victoria! I am obsessed with the costumes and music 🙂
Absolutely love that coat!
Thank you Meghan!
London is probably one of the city I love the most! Everything is gorgeous, I can’t wait to go back there!
I’ve started to watch The Crown and I’m totally in love with it!
All of your photos are incredible as always,
Take care. xx
Chloé
Hi Chloé! I’m glad to hear you love London and The Crown too! And thank you so much!
Hi Alyssa !
I discovered London in december with a friend and I literally fell in love with this city ! It was a magical place during the holidays !
I absolutely wanted to visit this city after watching The Crown (and besides I am also completely OBSESSED with it !!).
Seeing Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle was a dream come true, and I particularly enjoyed walking in the queen’s gardens.
The musical Wicked is also one of best memory !
Your pictures are amazing, I also took some at the same spot 🙂
Your article brings back all the fantastic memories from my time in London so thank you for that !
xoxo, Marine
Hi Marine! I am glad my post brought back happy memories for you! I am also glad to see someone else is as obsessed with The Crown as I am! I cannot wait to get back to London 🙂
Love the scarf & boot combo! Did you find that your rain boots were obnoxious to walk around in during the day? I’m headed to London in March and don’t want to pack them if they will be a nuisance.
Thank you Alexandra! I actually didn’t find the rain boots obnoxious. It had rained pretty hard right before we stepped out to explore, so they definitely came in handy especially in Green Park where there were a bunch of big puddles. Plus you’ll see a lot of other Londoners rocking their Wellies when the weather turns! Have fun in London!
Amazing pics ! I have been there so many times but looking at your post gives me a fresh perspective . I have seen Crown but I still like Reign.
What camera do you use?