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Hoomph… hoomph… hoomph… A strange noise seemed to be following me as we cycled past Hyde Park. More than a little concerned with the structural integrity of my e-bike, I barely had time to notice the many grey squirrels Wessel had spotted hopping around the grass. Hoomph… hoomph… eventually, the noise became a soothing cadence after we found out my bike simply had a severely buckled wheel, which would be nothing more than a minor inconvenience as we continued our way to Rovi for a (gluten free) lunch.
Despite the small problem, cycling around London was one of my favorite experiences of the weekend. Besides a sense of freedom, it gave me some clue of what it would be like to truly know the city. Although the magnitude and number of people on these 1572 square meters will make sure you never feel like you know the place through and through, it will ensure that your experience exploring will be as multi-faceted as the city itself. These seven activities we were lucky enough to experience during our three days in London, will help you uncover some of London’s intricacies, and leave you wanting more in the process.
1. I Want to Ride My Bicycle, I Want to Ride My Bike
The soft wind blowing past your face, the warmth of the sun on your skin, and the thrill of cycling on the left for the first time ever: cycling through London is more tranquil and exciting than it seems. Although we meant to book a bicycle tour for one of our 3 days in London, our tight schedule would not allow us. That is, until we saw the Uber Lime bikes dotted around the city. With their green baskets and chunky white frames, they seemed harmless enough to take us around town and see some sights along the way.
As soon as we hopped on the bikes, I knew I did not want to explore London or commute any other way ever again. Too stubborn to buy an e-bike at home (my legs are strong enough, so why bother?), feeling the speed and the ease that comes with it was intoxicating. Throw some fabulous weather in there and you have got me hooked. The second time we took the bikes out we accidentally took the scenic route, passing Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the spring festival in the Kew Gardens. Renting these bad boys is also super easy, just open the Uber app and scan the QR code on the bikes, and you are good to go.
Of course, taking these bikes will mean you have to do your own research on which route to take and the history of the sights before you. I am a bit of a nerd, and pre-trip research is definitely half the fun to me, but if you wish for a more laid-back experience, there are many bicycle tours you can take that will show you both the highlights as the hidden gems of London. You can find the best option through GetYourGuide, which offers both e-bike tours as your what I call analogue bike tours, taking you past landmarks and through undiscovered neighborhoods. And if you do, please send me a picture of the great places you have discovered, as I would love to hear your stories!
2. Become a Dancing Queen at Abba Voyage
It is 1 AM, you have had more drinks than you can count, and your friends are telling you how much they love you. Suddenly the entire dance floor grabs their neighbor by the shoulder, sways from side to side and raises their drinks to the sky: Dancing Queen by Abba just started blasting from the stereo and you cannot help screaming the lyrics from the top of your lungs. Imagine this without the amount of booze on a Thursday night at 8 PM for two hours straight: would you not say that closely resembles heaven?
As we walked towards the Abba Arena in London, we spotted our fellow dancers and vocalists from miles away: with feathers, sequin dresses and knitted hats à la Eurovision 1974, we fit right in with the flowers in our hair. With some overpriced drinks we stood in front of the stage in anticipation of the spectacle we would be observing in just a few minutes. As the live band started to play epic music, we saw the holographic band of four emerge from the stage floor. Agnetha, Anni-Frid, Björn and Benny looked so real, I got a little adrenaline boost, especially when I looked into their robotic eyes and realized they were holograms.
After the initial shock wore off, but with the goosebumps still on my skin, the night turned into a party. We danced to the songs and the amazing solos and performances of the live band on the left of the stage, and laughed as the Abba band gave their speeches which were recorded by them beforehand. The latter made the hologram show much more personal. Although I enjoyed the video clips in between a little less, as it made me feel like I was at the movies instead of a concert, the technological ingenuity and back-up singers stole the show. Okay, I should be honest, the person who really stole the show stood before us in the audience: a man dancing extravagantly by himself and clearly having the time of his life. I watched him as much as the band, as his dancing just made me very happy.
I would definitely recommend this experience if you are an Abba fan, as it proves to be a great night out in the big city. You can get your tickets through the Abba Voyage website, or book a combo ticket here, where an electric bus will take you from Victoria to the arena, while showing you some sights along the way. Voulez vous danser avec moi?
3. Stand-Up Ovation at the Comedy Store
One thing I love about Great Britain is their sense of humor. From Monty Python to James Acaster, I have always enjoyed a good laugh. The capital seemed the perfect place to spend an evening observing what talent the country had to offer. Wessels dad found the Comedy Store: located near Picadilly Circus, the stage showcases both weathered professionals as jittery newbies. After ordering some burgers and beers, we sat down for the opening act.
While I definitely laughed at his jokes, you could tell there was a clear build-up in the entire program: from semi-experienced, to a newbie who was actually applying for a fixed spot, to another semi-experienced, to eventually two professional comedians. The last two had jokes that worked together seamlessly, while the first three seemed a little more rigid and rough around the edges. We were extremely happy though, that there were very little niche political jokes, and more ‘universally themed’ gags, meaning us tourists could follow the entire show without any issues. I would ten out of ten recommend coming here at least once, if you can handle the post-laughter stomach aches!
4. Cliché or Classic? Ride a Double-Decker
Besides biking through the city, another great way to see it is from the front window on a cherry red double-decker. You might find this tip a little cliché, and a little short, but I ensure you, it is quite impressive to see the bus drivers maneuver such a hefty vehicle through the sharp twists and turns of London. Although buses take a lot longer than the tube, you get to see so much more of the city above ground than below. If you suffer car sickness like me, I recommend a short ride though, and a seat at the window. You will not regret it!
5. Free Museums Everywhere
Unlike many other countries, museums in the United Kingdom are free to enter. With some exhibitions being off-limits without a pre-paid ticket, you could spend your entire weekend browsing art collections, historical stories and natural facts without spending a dime. Having visited the Natural History Museum as a kid, it was such a fun experience going back there. Even though the escalator through the center of the earth was out of order, there is so much to see: the most beautiful gemstones, a Japanese convenience store that replays the devastating 1995 Kobe earthquake (the store actually shakes), and the best-preserved dinosaur skeletons.
Even if you do not enjoy natural history or astronomy, just visiting for the building itself is already worth it: every corner portrays some type of animal in its stones, or herbs or plants. I think the museum itself is an architectural wonder that should not be missed. Do make sure to reserve your free tickets in advance to skip the lines, and if you require some extra guidance and in-depth information on everything on display, you can always book a private guided tour that will serve your needs!
6. Explore the Different Neighborhoods
My favorite way to explore a city is not to check out the highlights and cross them off my list, or to make sure I know every street in the city center from the back of my head, but to do research in advance of the most beautiful and/or interesting neighborhoods. Especially neighborhoods well-loved by locals. I feel like this way (and activity seven), is the best way to truly get to know a city and its people. Even though every neighborhood in London has its touristy spots, wandering around empty streets in Notting Hill or Shoreditch makes you feel like you are the main character in a classic romcom.
Whether you check out the flowers in Belgravia in spring, Notting Hills colorful houses and romantic cafés, or hip Shoreditch with its Berlin-esque street art and alternative spaces, every neighborhood has got something unique to offer. Do your own research beforehand, or click here to read this blog, all about my favorite neighborhoods in London. This blog is a great one, as it contains many photos of which I am not only proud, but also of which I am sure will inspire your next trip to London!
In the meantime, here are the neighborhoods with amazing hotels I would love to stay in, next time I visit London. Either stay at the Portobello Hotel in Notting Hill, mixes maximalism with classic and baroque styles, or the simpler, but just as beautiful Abbey Notting Hill. Shoreditch would also be a great place to stay, with hotels like the eclectic but classy Redchurch Townhouse or the apartment Sleepy Joes, with wooden walls, concrete floors and designer furniture. I wish my job was hotel specialist so I could try out all of these dreamy properties!
7. Eat Your (Gluten Free) Heart Out
Once you have picked the neighborhoods you wish to explore, it is time to deep dive into the London food scene! With such a diverse population, you can find great authentic cuisines from all over the world as well as bold fusion kitchens. Not to mention the wealth of gluten free options for you to try. Whether you try fish and chips at Wicked Fish Spitalfields, or the genius combination of Mexican and Japanese food at Los Mochis, I think you will not be disappointed.
Lucky for you, I just wrote my gluten free guide to a weekend in London, where you can find all of the great places we tried, and those I wish I had tried. Needless to say, I was blown away by every bite of food. Even the simplest bunless burger made me happy, or the Thai take-out that was so much better than those I can find at home. So, if you want to be as happy as I was, read my latest restaurant and food reviews, and once they make you hungry, you can book your train ticket to London here. Rather fly? Then click here to find the best fares through Skyscanner.
Final Thoughts on Our 3 Days in London
My favorite activity probably was our bicycle ride through the city, or no wait… I also loved eating at all these amazing places. Or was Abba my favorite? I cannot choose, and neither should you! As all these tips are doable in three days, which I think is the perfect amount of time to spend on a city trip. Please leave me a message if you tried any of these, as I would love to hear all about your adventures.
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