Of course whenever people hear about London the classic sights always come to mind, such as Big Ben, Downton Abbey, Buckingham Palace and so on. These London staples are a must see, so with any trip to London you should find time to do them. A hop-on hop-off bus tour will probably be your easiest option. However, there is an abundance of things to do and see in London besides the super touristy stuff. Here are my top four unique experiences in London!

Afternoon Tea

I’ll be completely frank with you all. The food in London is not that great. It’s very bland, which was a huge challenge for me when I studied abroad. Luckily, the afternoon tea in London is without a doubt one of my favorite things of all time! It is such a treat, and one of things I miss most about London. Afternoon tea is not just stopping at a cafe and ordering a cup of tea in the afternoon. It’s a literal experience.

My personal favorite (and affordable) tea shop is Bea’s of Bloomsbury. It’s right by the St. Paul cathedral, so for a perfect afternoon, I recommend climbing the cathedral and admiring the view from the top before heading over to Bea’s for a spot of afternoon tea. Reservations are typically needed, so be sure to call or book online beforehand! Afternoon tea is usually an hour and a half to a two-hour long process. First, you receive some savory sandwiches, such as avocado with dukkha spiced yogurt & pistachio parma ham or a mascarpone cream, honey & fig relish sandwich. My personal favorite there was the smoked salmon with crème fraiche. It’s light, but just filling enough and delicious.The savory is of course followed by sweets, such as scones with clotted cream, pastries and cupcakes! Obviously tea is also provided, but it’s the traditional British experience that makes it so fun.

Graffiti tunnel

Under Waterloo station’s crowded platform and rumbling tracks is a street artist’s playground. A five-minute walk from the main station exit is Leake Street (just off York Street), which will bring you to an authorised graffiti area – a permanent fixture hidden from view and casually bypassed by many. If you’re interested in street art, and even if you’re not, you should definitely see the graffiti tunnel at Waterloo. There’s a constant flow of artists that come and create pieces inside this tunnel. It appears sketchy from the outside, but in reality it is filled with color, political expression, humour and unique designs.

The area was first used by Banksy back in 2008 for an art display with the aim to “transform a dark forgotten filth pit” into “an oasis of beautiful art”. The location was a secret for the longest time, but once it was unveiled it’s since been a canvas for anyone with a paint can, although sadly it no longer lives up to its name of The Banksy Tunnel now that his work has been completely covered over.

Harry Potter Studio Tour

Have you ever dreamed about riding on a broomstick like the characters in Harry Potter? Well, this is your chance! The Harry Potter film series made Leavesden its home for more than ten years. As the books were still being released while the films were being made, the production crew saved many of the iconic sets, props and costumes that were created especially for the films – just in case they were ever needed later on in the series. This has accumulated to become the official Harry Potter studio experience! Even those who don’t consider themselves afflicted with Potter-mania will still appreciate the artistry on display and the astounding work that went into assembling the sets.

The tour will begin with a dramatic entrance through the grand doors of Hogwarts into the Great Hall.You’ll also get an opportunity to walk through Diagon Alley and see the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes joke shop, topped off with a 20-foot ginger-haired mannequin. Dumbledore’s office is on display, along with all the other classrooms at Hogwarts. In the backlot is the famous triple-decker Knight bus, and Privet Drive! You’ll also get the opportunity to purchase a cup of frothy Butterbeer – this non-alcoholic beverage is reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch. You can even get butterbeer ice cream if that’s more your speed! With the music swelling, you’ll come into the final showpiece of the tour: a 50-foot-wide model of Hogwarts. Meticulously created and landscaped to include the smallest of details, this model alone is worth the trip.

It can be a complicated journey to get to the studio if you’re in east or south London, so keep that in mind as you prep for the journey. It took me almost three hours to get there because I didn’t want to pay extra for the shuttle bus, but it was well worth it! You can go here to plan your journey and figure out what the easiest way to the studio is for you!

Markets

There are hundreds of Markets in London, but one is very near and dear to my heart: Borough Market. According to the history of the market, it has existed in one form or another for around 1,000 years. Its precise start date is impossible to pin down: there was no official opening, no ribbon-cutting ceremony, not even a brief mention in a chronicle. The best date available, and the one used as the basis for the Market’s millennium celebration, is 1014. The closest station is London Bridge, which is on the Northern and Jubilee lines of the Underground.

The market is filled with fresh produce, carefully crafted artisan bread, delicious
pastries, fragrant cheese and everything you could imagine. The market sprawls over a large area, providing a labyrinth of food that you never want to escape from. You can take a look at the map of the market. Together, the Market’s stalls, shops and restaurants reflect London’s status as a truly global city, with traditional British produce sitting alongside regional specialities from around the world.

Currently the market is closed due to the recent terror attack there. Here is a statement from the market:

“Soon, although we don’t yet know when, Borough Market will need to reopen its doors and get on with its job of selling food and drink to the people of London—a function it has fulfilled for a thousand years, through plague, political upheaval and the bombs of two world wars. It will be tough at first, but none of us will allow the actions of these individuals to throw the Market off course. Now more than ever, we need to remind ourselves that what we do here matters. A food market has nothing to do with hate. A food market is about sustenance and wellbeing, pleasure and sharing, companionship and family. That’s why it’s important.” (June 2017)

I especially wanted to post this blog in light of all the terror attacks that have been taking place in England. London is an incredible city, and England has so much history to offer. I am very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to live in London. Don’t let fear hold you back from your travels.

Xoxo,

Lexi