A Few London Secrets

I've visited London nearly a dozen times over several decades, and it continues to be my favorite city. There's an abundance to explore and countless events to enjoy. While the well-known attractions are worth ticking off the list, I've also uncovered some hidden gems and lesser-known details that have been the highlights of my recent trips.

On arrival, our flight from Austin typically lands early to mid morning. We always head to Mayfair/Marylbone for a coffee and bite to eat before heading to our hotel. John Lewis is a well known department store, and for a truly local experience, the Cafe on the top floor is a low key place to land after a long flight. The coffee, tea and food are good, served cafeteria-style, and just the trick for a relaxed sit down before you've had a chance to change from your travel clothes.

My husband and I enjoy walking... a lot! At home, we cover at least 3-4 miles each day, so we begin our days in London with a nice walk. By the end of the day, it's easy to lose count and accumulate many miles. My suggestion is to plan in advance and think about where you'd like to walk to explore your surroundings, and whether you'd like to schedule a private driver or prefer to go DIY with transportation like walking and the Tube. If you plan to take the train, buses or the Tube, pick up an Oyster card. We buy pre-loaded cards and keep track of our fares. They're easy to purchase at stations and reload when needed. Don't forget to read my blog about being fit for travel!

Staying at Hyatt The Churchill feels like being at home in its charming Marylebone neighborhood. We enjoy taking coffees to Hyde Park, just a few blocks away, for a morning stroll, where it seems much of London also begin their day in the fresh air. A highlight is watching horses being exercised in the park. The bridle path encircles most of the park, where horses are trained and taken for a leisurely ride. There are also two riding schools, and you may be able to arrange a lesson or ride in the park, if of interest.

If seeing the changing of the guards is on your list, you may want to also consider the changing of the horse guards. The route they take along the mall from the palace to Horseguards gives you ample opportunity to see them walking in formation. The parade ground at Horseguards is where the ceremonies take place. The horsemanship is amazing (if you see nothing wrong, that's the whole point!) and the horses are spectacular. Conveniently, now you're right next to the Churchill War Rooms, and Trafalgar Square is a close walk where you'll find the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.

Eventually, we like to head to the Tate Modern for the exhibits, but a lesser known highlight is the restaurant on the top floor. The food is amazing and the views of London are spectacular! Definitely a best kept secret. It's best to make a reservation, although you can wait in line as well.

If you have an interest in art collections and wish to steer clear of large crowds, The Courthold Gallery offers a lesser-known yet highly impressive collection. It's definitely worth visiting!