London with The Girls
Whatever the reason, wherever the destination; take the trip. There are memories to be made and time marches on whether you want it to or not, so do yourself a favor and lean in to the relationships that make your soul complete. Go out and discover new places and take pictures and laugh and cry and fill up your brain with a lifetime of moments.
I've been gifted these amazing friends in my life. We have a continuous text thread that is sometimes hopping at all hours of the day and night and sometimes goes a couple of weeks without a single thing. Isn't that how you just know the friendship is worth it. Doesn't matter where you are in life, everything just picks up where you left off and keeps trucking along. So after a shit year, when one of our friends said they wanted a big trip for their 45th birthday, we said “yes, of course, when do we leave?”.
And that's how we ended up in London. Here are our Top 5 takeaways and favorites. I'll do a full list of restaurants next!
Ceremony of Keys
The Tower of London is a must-see historical sight but did you know it's home to the Yeomen Warders and their families, the Resident Governor, and a garrison of soldiers. There is a doctor and a chaplain. And there is even a pub! By far one of the coolest and most beautiful experiences of my life, the Ceremony of Keys is a tradition that dates back to the mid-1300's when Kind Edward III walked into the tower unchallenged and decreed that the castle should be locked at sunset and unlocked at sunrise.
You are guided throughout by one of the Yeoman and the tour includes some very interesting behind the scenes of the facilities. We were there the night before Easter Sunday and got to see the church all set up for services the next day, which was so very cool!
While Queen Mary I, in 1555, is responsible for the ceremony as it is carried out today, it wasn't until 1826, that the Duke of Wellington, then the Constable of the Tower, changed it from the arbitrary 'sunset' to 10pm every night. At exactly 7 minutes to 10pm, the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower emerges from the Byward Tower, wearing the traditional red Watch Coat and Tudor Bonnet. In one hand, he carries a lantern, still lit to this day with a single candle. In the other he carries a set of keys – the King’s Keys.
The ceremony itself only lasts a few moments, ending with 'God preserve King Charles' and a resounding 'Amen' but it was the solemnity and history surrounding it all that really touched me. It was if you could feel the weight and responsibility of the last century in their movements and words. To know that you are participating in a tradition that has been done, rain or shine, war or peace for hundreds of years is humbling to this American whose cultural history is so short in comparison.
You can get all the details here https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/the-ceremony-of-the-keys/#gs.yz87s1
Participating in this event requires some planning as only so many are allowed in each night. You are not allowed to take pictures of the event itself but I promise you won't forget a moment.
Tea at Fortnum & Mason
An iconic London institution + an iconic British experience = an afternoon you will treasure. It was exactly what my little girl heart always wanted out of teatime in London. The setting on the 4th floor of the departments store is elegant and I adore the turquoise color palate and crisp white linen. Waitstaff is attentive but not overbearing, and guided us through the options so well.
The menu boasts everything from traditional to experimental with surprisingly, amazing Vegan options and a High Tea featuring options like Welsh Rarebit and Rhug Estate Lamb. Creative fillings for the finger sandwiches, a plethora of deserts and classic scones with clotted cream are of course on the menu and the tea selection is never ending… but being as it was girls trip we all went for a champagne cocktail, which were also lovely. Fortnum & Mason has it's own line of Champagnes which are perfection.
We had the Savory, High and Vegan menus. I love a Scotch Egg and truly enjoyed the restaurants take on the classic, featuring a quail egg and lamb sausage. There was also this Blue Cheese Mousse with micro popcorn on it and y'all! The audacity of that little appetizer! Yum! The Smoked Trout finger sandwich was my personal favorite and the Caramelized Onion Chutney served alongside the savory scones was heavenly.
The Vegan desserts blew our minds, I swear the Almond & Raspberry Sponge with Chocolate Ganache was the best I've ever had with or without dairy and eggs. We all agreed that while we loved everything the Vegan desserts might be our favorite from the whole trip. It's so evident that the Chef has focused their attention on perfecting something that is so often overlooked.
Come prepared to relax and plan to stay after to shop! Explore the Food Hall and bring home some the delicious preserves and chutneys to enjoy at home, as well as the spirits and wine. We happened to be in the week they opened their Gin Distillery (3rd floor) and you best believe I came home with both bottles: Amalthea Dry Gin & Amalthea Pink Gin
For more details: https://www.fortnumandmason.com
Book a Tour
If you ask me who my favorite person in London was, it's a very easy answer, his name is Kevin. What was supposed to be a 3 hour tour focusing on movies shot in London, specifically 'Knotting Hill' turned into a 5.5 hour day exploring what felt like the entirety of London. From the steps of St.Paul's Cathedral where Princess Diana once drug her giant train to the alter, to the original and the new sites of The Globe Theatre, to Portobello Road and the book shop the iconic movie was based, it was a day filled with so much history and facts and laughter and joy. Kevin guided us through a day we could never have done on our own. I promise that booking a tour from a local will change the way you see the city. Be open to changing the itinerary and listening and learning, it'll be better than you could ever expected.
Message me for info regarding our tour guide and I'd be more than happy to connect you!
Dinner at Sticks n Sushi
Delicious. Yummy. A superb experience from beginning to end. Based out of Denmark, Sticks n Sushi serves a unique combination of traditional sushi and yakitori from the grill and boasts one of the most impressive vegan menus I've ever seen.
My friend and I split the Carpe Diem which featured a smattering of just about everything from the menu and I'll be dreaming about the Kani Korokke (crab croquettes) for the foreseeable future. AND the broccoli… seriously broccoli has no right being that good! The cocktails are a sublime blend of Japanese flavors and British mixology with Gin being at the forefront of most options.
If you are seeing a show in the West End, this is definitely the place to stop in before or after your show. I also highly recommend seeing a show! Especially if you are a Broadway lover. I adore New York and those old theaters but the West End is it's own stunning beast and should not be skipped!
Check out more info here: https://sticksnsushi.com/en/restaurants/london/covent-garden
Find the Texas Legation
Did you know for those few years that Texas was it's own country we had a Legation (like an Embassy but smaller) in London and in Paris? Neither did I! It's near Buckingham Palace just off St. James Street and feels almost as if it's from another time. It's located at Pickering Place, the smallest square in London and the home to last duel fought in London. So ,much history for such a tiny little place! Original gaslights and Georgian architecture abound and you really do feel like you stepped into another era. Whether you are from the Lone Star State or not, it definitely should not be skipped!
