20230320_113001Tower Bridge (March 2023)

Although I would be in London for an additional four nights, it was my last full day of sightseeing in town before I would be using the rest of the time to take day trips from the capital. It was also my last day of staying with my friend “E,” as she could only have me for four nights in her flat. E also had to work, so I spent my last full day in London on my own, checking out places I hadn’t seen the few days prior.

I had a quick, but delicious breakfast at the café near E’s flat, which we’d gone to on my first full day in town. It was so good that I had to go back, this time trying a heavenly lamb roll and chai: I also got a rose-pistachio cake, which was moist and fragrant. If I return to London some day, I’m definitely heading back to that café!

Afterwards, it was a matter of taking the Tube into the heart of the city. I started my day at St. Paul’s Cathedral, an 18th-century cathedral located in the Financial District. It was interesting to walk through such sleek, modern high rises and in the middle of it all is this historic landmark that’s been around for over two centuries– goes to show the juxtapositions throughout London that tie the past and present together.

I’d seen St. Paul’s Cathedral during my first visit to London, but I didn’t go inside. This time, I paid the £23 admission fee to enter: the nave inside was absolutely stunning, Baroque style and with a stark contrast between the monochromatic black-and-white checkered floors and golden archways on top. I also had a gander in the crypt and proceeded to climb the 528 steps to the top of the dome, where I got sweeping views of the city– from the London Eye to the looming skyline of the Financial District, I got to see a huge spread of London from above.

20230320_105704St. Paul’s Cathedral

20230320_094625Inside the cathedral

20230320_101457Views from the top of the cathedral

Next was a walking along the Thames, this time towards the iconic Tower Bridge. Even though I’d visited it before, the landmark never gets old and is a true icon of London. I also passed the Tower of London, and I took a quick walkthrough of St. Katharine Docks nearby, which was tranquil and a lesser-known site near these two hugely-popular landmarks.

20230320_113607On Tower Bridge

Getting away from the City of London, I took the Tube out to Kensington, a wealthy neighborhood west of the city. I was there to specifically look for mews in what I call “mews hunting.” Mews were once horse stables that have since been converted into small flats today, and many of them are on side streets with cobblestone and an archway overhead. Many of the homes are painted colorfully, and they’re really charming spots for a wander to admire. I saw four of them in Kensington: Kynance, Osten, Adam & Eve, and Cornwall. I had a lot of fun discovering them!

20230320_123715Osten Mews

One can’t be in London without trying Nando’s, a chain of Portuguese chicken that’s popular in the UK. I got a late lunch in the area: food took forever, as I was in during the lunch rush, but eventually I got my chicken (spicy level “Hot”), along with peas and rice. Unfortunately, the chicken fell flat, as it was on the dry side and was by no means spicy– medium at best. At least I got to try the “cheeky Nando’s!”

20230320_140752Cheeky Nando’s

I returned to E’s flat to grab my bags and to say goodbye, thanking her for the stay before I headed to check in at my hotel, where I would spend the rest of my time in London. The hotel room was absolutely cramped (10m2), but it did the trick for sleeping and showering at the end of a long day of sightseeing.

There was a bit of daylight left after I checked in, so I dropped off my belongings and headed over for a quick look at Collinge & Clark, a bookstore that’s known as the setting for the 2000’s cult series Black Books (which is absolutely hilarious). The shop sells antique books, dating anywhere from the turn of the 20th century to as back as the 16th! I was shocked that these books could be sold so casually in a store, but the shopkeeper merely shrugged and said that a 16th-century old book isn’t “that old,” in terms of English history. Very true, as it’s even older than my home country, the United States!

It was then a quick look-through the dazzling St. Pancras Station (where I would be going to take the Eurostar to Paris later) and a visit to Coal Drops Yard, a shopping and eating center where I got a pint to enjoy by the water. I grabbed a quick bite on my way back to the hotel and I returned to shower and crash for the rest of the evening. I went to bed early, as I would be waking up early to head out for a day trip outside of London to explore more of England.

20230320_164254St. Pancras Station

My second time in London was a lot better compared to my first visit in 2015: I had more time to sightsee, eat, and overall enjoy the sites and sounds of the bustling English capital. It is a massive city that can be overwhelming for first-time visitors, but is rich with history, culture, and establishments that are well-worth seeing in one’s lifetime.

Thanks for reading about my adventures in London. We’ll continue with my travels to the rest of England, so stay tuned for them! Have a wonderful day, folks. 🙂

— Rebecca

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Published by Rebecca

Blogger, world traveler, poet, foodie, part-time penguin. Welcome!

57 thoughts on “Destination: London, England (St. Paul’s Cathedral, Mews Hunting, and Cheeky Nando’s– DAY 4)”

  2. Oh, I haven’t heard about that bookstore and TV series. I need to check it out. I remember climbing up St. Paul’s cathedral on my first ever trip to London. The fee was much cheaper then though

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  5. I have never tried Nando’s, but I’ve been very curious about them. However, when you said the chicken you had was dry, it makes me think twice. Maybe other less famous places would be a better option. Anyway, the skies of the city on this particular day look very… “London” — grey and cloudy. 🙂

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    1. That was my first time trying Nando’s, and sadly, it was lackluster. I’m sure there are other much better chicken shop restaurants out there! There’s the stereotype of London (and the UK, in general) being perpetually grey, cloudy, and rainy, but it’s often the case! Thanks for stopping by, Bama 😊

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  6. I also visited Saint-Paul last summer. I liked the visit at the top of the dome, the sun was a bit hot though. The crypt is also fascinating, with all the tombs of famous figures from the country’s history.

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  7. Glad to see you made it to St. Paul’s, what an incredible building it is inside and out. I’m wondering what the cafe you loved so much is called? Might be useful for readers to know. London is so blessed with gorgeous historic bookstores and you certainly found another in Collinge & Clark. It’s such a charming shop, you didn’t take any photos? Black Books is a great tip for an under-the-radar classic British comedy, it”s been twenty plus years since I watched it. Nando’s is a right of passage I guess for a visit to London ha ha. And we are all obliged to put the word “cheeky” before it.

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    1. I did take photos of Collinge & Clark! The interior is quite small and cramped, so I didn’t get great photos: the TV series makes the bookstore look bigger than it actually is (although it’s probably a stage set, haha). Sadly, my first experience with Nando’s fell flat, as the chicken wasn’t very good, but I’m glad to have tried it! Thanks for reading, Leighton. 🙂

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  8. You really saw a lot! I think when we went to St. Pauls so we couldn’t climb to the top. It’s such a beautiful cathedral. I loved walking around Kensington too, it’s such a charming neighborhood. I was also secretly hoping I’d see Kate Middleton haha. Looking forward to hearing about the other parts of London 🙂

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    1. Kensington was a lovely stroll (and very posh)! This is actually the last part to my London series for the time being; I’ll be recapping my adventures in the rest of England in the next post!

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  9. I’m continuing to enjoy seeing London through your eyes. It’s decades since I went inside St Paul’s so it was great to see that again. I’m not a fan of Nando’s however so unsurprised that you were disappointed. I’m looking forward to seeing where else you went in England!

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    1. I really enjoyed my visit of St. Paul’s! I do love climbing stairs or hiking up to a summit to see the city from above; it’s something I try to do whenever I travel! Thanks for reading, Rebecca. 🙂

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  11. These are such beautiful photos, Rebecca. I’ve been to London many times yet never made it to St. Paul Cathedral which dominates the skyline of England’s capital city. You made me google Collinge & Clark bookstore – as someone who often travels just to see bookish places, I was eager to set my eyes upon it and it didn’t disappoint. What an absolute gem of a place to browse and find inspiration. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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    1. It took me years just to get to St. Paul’s, so I hear you! Collinge & Clark is a charming bookstore that sells plenty of antique books (for the book nerd at heart)! Hope you can head over and check them out. Thanks for reading, Aiva 😊

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  12. I am surprised to hear Nando’s is so well known to tourists! . It is only mediocre at the best of times. Give me fish and chips any day!! Oh and I miss a good Sunday Roast. Well, a few week s more and I will be there! Interested in seeing what places you chose to visit outside of London.

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    1. I learned about Nando’s due to watching British YouTubers and knowing a few British teaching assistants when I lived in France craving a “cheeky Nando’s,” so I’d been interested in trying the restaurant out! Glad I satisfied that itch, and now, the next thing to try is a Sunday Roast!

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  13. Glad you enjoyed your stay! I’ve been around the Tower of London area recently, it is a great place, I was wondering around the area and I found a balloon museum close by that I had no clue about, you can always find interesting things in London!

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  18. Although St Paul’s is expensive I think it’s quite good value as there is much to explore especially in a clear day from the top of the dome. Your photo from the balcony in St. Pancras is really good Rebecca. Incidentally, I’ve never been in a Nando’s despite adoring chicken!

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    1. Thanks, Marion! St. Paul’s certainly waa a highlight of my time in London. Honestly, Nando’s was a bit underwhleming, but I’m glad I got to try a staple of British cuisine!

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    1. Collinge & Clark is understated, but famous! The book owner told me at least a dozen people visit the shop in a week because of Black Books (myself included)! Thanks for reading along, and we’re moving on to more of my England trip outside of London!

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