After being in London for around 4 months, I learned that there are so much to do aside from the generic tourist attractions. Here is a list of my top 10 things to do while in London: Tip: Download StudentBeans and Unidays for information on student discounts (and always ask stores if they have). 1. BOOK AN ESCAPE ROOM Escape rooms are one of my personal favorite activities to do with friends - so I was super excited to find that London has them too! While there are a ton of companies to choose from, we decided to book a room with Breakin' Escape Rooms due to their student discount rates and epic themed-rooms. I had the opportunity to try Sherlock's Despair and Heist Plan, with both experiences being incredibly fun! 2. WATCH A WEST END MUSICAL Attending school in London means you will the ability to delve into the city's theatre scene by watching a West End show! Similar to its Broadway counterpart in New York City, the West End is known to have some of the best commercial theatre in the world. You can read my review on various West End musicals here. 3. VISIT FREE MUSEUMS One of the great things about the UK is its free admission to national museums. The objective of providing universal free entrance was to broaden the range of visitors. As a result, well-renown museums such as the V&A, British Museum, Tate Britain and Natural History Museum are completely free to enter and roam! 4. SHOP AROUND COVENT GARDEN, PICCADILLY CIRCUS & LEICESTER SQUARE Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square are all stations on the Piccadilly metro line. While these stations are located right next to each other, they are practically less than a 10 minute walking distance from one another. Each of these areas have a plethora of restaurants and stores surrounding them, making it one of the best places to go shopping in Central London. 5. RELISH THE SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF LONDON AT SKY GARDEN Sky Garden is London's highest public garden, providing amazing views of the city during both the day and night. Booking a visit to the Sky Garden is completely free and can be done online here. There is also a restaurant and bar upstairs if you feel like spending a longer time embracing the beautiful views of London. 6. EXPLORE VIBRANT SOHO & CARNABY STREET Soho is a trending district residing in London's West End and is known for their fashion, nightlife and shopping options. Located in Soho is a shopping area called Carnaby Street. Here, you can find a ton of fashion and lifestyle retailers, ranging from enterprise businesses to independent boutiques. One of my personal favorite souvenir shops, We Built This City, is situated on the corner of Carnaby Street. 7. LET OUT YOUR INNER ROM-COM AT NOTTING HILL You may have heard of Notting Hill from the 1999 romantic comedy directed by Roger Michell. The film was based off an actual area in London by the same name. Notting Hill is one of London's most Instagrammable places, with iconic pastel-colored houses covering practically every street. Along with the beautiful buildings, the area is also home to one of the largest antiques market, Portobello Road Market. With over 1,000 dealers, you can find cute trinkets and collectibles for any occasion. 8. EAT YOUR WAY AROUND CHINATOWN London's Chinatown has been the one area I visit whenever I need to stock up on asian food ingredients or miss asian cuisines. The entire area of Chinatown is lined with restaurants, markets and dessert shops that specialize in Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese cuisines. Some of my favorite dessert shops in Chinatown are Bubblewrapwaffle, Dirty Ice Cream, Xing Fu Tang and Machi Machi. 9. ENJOY A FANCY OUTING WITH AFTERNOON TEA Afternoon Tea was introduced in Britain during the 1800s as a tea-related ritual. Similar to a "mini meal", it is comprised of finger foods such as sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes. Today, Afternoon Tea or High Tea is an iconic activity people associate with British culture. I had the opportunity to try some Afternoon Tea at this stunning restaurant called The Delaunay near Covent Garden. If you want an even more unique experience, I would suggest even trying Afternoon Tea on this Tea Bus Tour! 10. BROWSE FOR VINTAGE SWAG AT CAMDEN MARKET Camden Town is an area located northwest of London and houses one of the most retro markets in all of London. This entire area is extremely artistic, with walls filled with stunning graffiti art and uniquely decorated buildings. At the center of it, Camden Market has to be one of my favorite places in all of London. Not only is there a wide arrange of food options (all of which are tasty), there are also a ton of boutiques, vintage stores and independent shops to browse through. If you're looking for handmade, vintage, retro or antique finds-- Camden Market is the place for you! WINTER EXTRAS: ICE SKATING & CHRISTMAS MARKETS
If you have the lucky opportunity to study in London during Winter, there are a ton of seasonal activities to do ranging from ice skating to visiting Christmas markets! The Natural History Museum has one of the largest and nicest outdoor ice skating rinks in all of London (just make sure to check the weather before you go). Some of my favorite Christmas markets included Winter Wonderland and Southbank Centre Christmas Market near the London Eye!
0 Comments
- Week Thirteen -
When coming to London, many people were warning me about how "bland" food was going to be in England. In contrast to popular belief, London is filled with so many great eateries and a variety of diverse cuisines. Here are a few of my favorite restaurants and dessert places to eat at: RESTAURANTS
DESSERT
CAFES/PUBS
FOOD MARKETS
- Week Ten -
Studying abroad in London also means you have a plethora of musicals available to watch on the West End. Similar to its Broadway counterpart in New York City, the West End is known to have some of the best commercial theatre in the world. You can purchase theatre tickets online directly at each show's UK website. I would also suggest using SeatPlan to look at reviews of the seating chart for each theatre, so you're guaranteed the optimal seats for the price. I have always loved listening to soundtracks of various musicals and was so excited to be able to see them in person. Here are short reviews on the five musicals I had the opportunity to watch while abroad: THE BOOK OF MORMON - Rating: 4.5/5 The Book of Mormon is a musical comedy that satirically scrutinizes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints'. The plot follows two Latter-Day Saints missionaries, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, who are sent to Uganda to convert people to their Mormon faith. Out of all the musicals I've watched, this was definitely the most comedy-focused one. Although I personally enjoyed this musical, I can also see how it can come off as offensive since the jokes are very explicit and derogatory. If you are open to satire, I would definitely recommend watching this musical. I found myself constantly laughing at the ridiculous dialogues and catchy songs! Favorite songs from the musical: Hello, Turn It Off, Two By Two You can purchase tickets for The Book of Mormon here. WICKED - Rating: 4/5 Wicked is based off the 1996 novel titled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The plot of the musical switches from before and after Dorothy arrives in Oz, as you probably know from The Wizard of Oz. I had the opportunity to watch Wicked through the Social Programme at the University of Roehampton. While I honestly wasn't expecting much from the show, I was so incredibly surprised at how well the set was designed and how talented each cast member was. The actress playing Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West (protagonist), was an amazing singer and even gave me goosebumps with her rendition of Defying Gravity. Although the soundtrack isn't one my favorites, the execution of the storyline made Wicked very entertaining to watch. Favorite songs from the musical: Defying Gravity, Popular You can purchase tickets for Wicked here. MATILDA - Rating: 4/5 Matilda the Musical is originally based off the 1988 children's novel depicting the life of a brilliant young girl named Matilda and her destiny to stand up to her school's headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. This was the most interactive musical out of all the ones I've watched, primarily because the show is enjoyable for people of all ages (the audience was filled children, teenagers and adults!). It was particularly amazing to see such talented child actors showcase their singing and dancing skills on stage. Although there were subtle mistakes in reciting certain lines, the musical was overall very entertaining and fun to watch! Favorite songs from the musical: Revolting Children, Naughty, School Song You can purchase tickets for Matilda here. WAITRESS - Rating: 5/5 Waitress is based off the 2007 film of the same name, with the soundtrack created by Sara Bareilles. The story follows a waitress and pie-maker named Jenna, who ends up getting pregnant with her emotionally-abusive husband's child. I was first introduced to the Waitress soundtrack by my sister with the song She Used To Be Mine (to this day, it's still one of the most emotional songs I've listened to). Being my all-time favorite musical soundtrack, I was so excited to finally be able to watch Waitress in person. I'm happy to say the musical did not disappoint and is definitely one of my favorites to date. The storyline was a perfect balance between comedy, romance and emotion. Although this musical is not as well-known as its other broadway counterparts, it's unquestionably a must-watch when in London or New York! Favorite songs from the musical (yes, there's a lot): She Used To Be Mine, When He Sees Me, It Only Takes A Taste, What Baking Can Do, Bad Idea, I Love You Like A Table You can purchase tickets for Waitress here. HAMILTON - Rating: 5/5 Hamilton tells a story of American Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton. Created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the music is heavily influenced by hip hop, R&B and pop tunes. The musical uses a modern take on storytelling and even incorporates diverse casting of people from various races. Being another soundtrack that I have followed for years, Hamilton was one of my most anticipated musicals to watch. I was a bit afraid the UK cast would not meet my (very high) expectations for the show, but am proud to say they did an amazing job! Each song gave me goosebumps and the cast did superb in executing American accents. In the end, I went home with a newfound appreciation for Hamilton and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in delving into musicals! Favorite songs from the musical: Alexander Hamilton, My Shot, Wait For It, Non-Stop, The Room Where It Happens You can purchase tickets for Hamilton here. - Week Five - Our Social Programme has taken us on yet another day trip, this time to Bath and Stonehenge! Starting our day off early, we hopped on a coach and headed west toward Bath. There, we explored the Roman Baths, drank some healing water and grabbed a light lunch. The ride from Bath to Stonehenge took around 1.5 hours, passing views of vast farmland fields. Stonehenge greeted us with slight rain, but also stunning views of the prehistoric stone monument. ROMAN BATHS This Roman site was constructed in 70AD and was used for public bathing. Walking through the museum, you can see a ton of artifacts and historical objects from the Roman period. Although you can't actually immerse yourself in the water, you can drink some "healing water" at the end of the tour. BATH ABBEY This landmark is a parish church of the Church of England and is located right next to Roman Baths. The architecture is stunning and the church itself is filled with a lot of history. Although we didn't go inside, the abbey was a marvel to look at and admire. THE FOOD Right outside of Bath Abbey and Roman Baths are a ton of stores, food stands and street performers to enjoy. We spent our free-time time walking around the square, listening to some music, and eating yummy food. STONEHENGE These prehistoric stones are located in Wiltshire, England and showcase a ring of standing stones. Archaeologists believe it was built from 3000BC to 2000BC, during the Neolithic period and Bronze Age. It is one of the most iconic and perplexing archaeological sites in the world. Our visit to Bath and Stonehenge was mesmerizing and really taught us a lot about the historical aspects of England. The monuments were truly something special, a must-see while in the UK.
- Week Three - As a part of our Social Programme, all the Hawaii students had the experience to take a boat cruise to Greenwich. Starting at Westminster Pier, we headed east toward Greenwich Pier while listening to tales of London's maritime past along the way. When we finally arrived at Greenwich, we got to enjoy a walking tour of the Royal Naval Hospital and College, visit the Royal Observatory and wander around the vintage stalls at Greenwich Market. OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE The Old Royal Naval College is an 18th-century landmark from Maritime Greenwich. Interestingly, this college was also one of the filming location for the popular film, Les Miserables! ROYAL OBSERVATORY This observatory is located on a hill in Greenwich Park, overlooking the River Thames. It is also the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and contains the Prime Meridian, a line where east meets west. As cool as it was to be able to stand in the middle of east and west, it was a bit sad to see "Honolulu" spelled incorrectly. GREENWICH MARKET Open seven days a week, this market showcases a variety of street food, antiques, fashion and boutique stores. We had a wonderful time browsing the stalls and eating delicious foods from all over the world! Although a bit short, our time in Greenwich was truly a fun and memorable one! It was interesting to hear more about London's maritime history, while walking around classical architectures on the banks of the River Thames. I would highly suggest visiting Greenwich sometime during your stay in London!
- Week One - During the weekend following our orientation, the University of Hawaii students decided to participate in the self-delegated Photo Frenzy challenge around central London. The ride to the center of the city took around an hour, with us struggling to navigate the public transportation system. These are the landmarks we had the opportunity to stop at: 1. BIG BEN The original name for Big Ben was the "Clock Tower". It is one of the most notable symbols of the United Kingdom and was mentioned in one of my favorite childhood movies: Mary Poppins. As we exited the station, we found ourselves looking at (the unfortunately under construction) Big Ben. Although we couldn't get to experience the true marvel of Big Ben, some of us were satisfied with just buying souvenirs at one of the nearby carts. 2. TOWER OF LONDON This beautiful castle is officially known as "Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London". It's a historic castle that is home to the Crown Jewels of England. The entrance fee to tour the inside of the castle was a bit out of our budget range, so we settled for taking a picture outside the castle grounds. 3. TRAFALGAR SQUARE This public square is a short walk away from Buckingham Palace and features four lion statues at the center. Its been a significant landmark since the 13th century and has been used for many community gatherings and political demonstrations. Being a beautiful and bright afternoon, a lot of people were relaxing on the stairs and taking pictures with the large lion statues. 4. CHINATOWN Although it wasn't a part of our photo frenzy challenge, we decided to make a trip to Chinatown since it's near Covent Garden and Leicester Square. Many of us missed the taste of asian cuisine, so we stopped by a Japanese restaurant for lunch and got some milk tea for dessert! 5. KENSINGTON PALACE This palace is located in Kensington Gardens and has been a residence to the Royal Family since the 17th century. Similar to the Tower of London, the entrance fee to tour around the State Room was quite expensive so we ended up just roaming around the gardens. 6. SHAFTESBURY MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN and COVENT GARDEN The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain is located near Piccadilly Circus and is (mistakenly) known for featuring Eros, the god of love, at the tip of the fountain. In comparison, Covent Garden is located in the West End of London and is an extremely popular shopping site. The two landmarks are surprisingly only a 10 minute walk from one another, making it really easy for us to explore both areas. 7. RED TELEPHONE BOX Although this was also not part of our photo challenge, can we really say we've been to London without having taken a photo with the iconic red telephone box? We all had a super fun experience adventuring around the city for the first time. Although it was a lot of walking, we made a ton of great memories and have (nearly) mastered the public transportation system!
|
AKI'm truly grateful for this opportunity to study abroad and would like to share my experiences with all of you! Ranging from pre-departure tips to recommended travel destinations, I hope this blog will serve as a inspiration and reminder to always explore. Archives
December 2019
Categories
All
|