I do so love the streets of London. It seems that no matter where I look, there is something to delight my heart and stir a sense of recognition, of names and places oft read about but never seen.

When I return to London (fingers crossed!!), I’m going to set aside one whole day just to peruse English bookshops like this beauty.

My friend Katy and I had such fun looking in windows and dreaming of long, lazy days with nothing to do but drink copious amounts of tea and read for hours on end.

London bookshop

 

After a whole morning of wandering, Katy and I were famished and popped into a tiny cafe for scrumptious salads and fabulous people-watching.

I loved seeing the various fashions (so different from the streets of Italy and Amsterdam), delighting in the eclectic mix of posh business wear bustling alongside punk street garb and traditional Indian saris.

gluten free in London

After lunch we strolled through exquisitely beautiful Hyde Park.

I love this expansive stretch of lush green lawns, curving pathways, and wonderful old trees that dropped armfuls of leaves perfect for crunching through.

Hyde Park entrance

 

There’s something about London in Autumn that makes my heart flutter.

Hyde Park London

 

We emerged onto a busy street crowed with shiny London cabs that made me grin. It’s such a lovely thing to find your imaginings of a place come to life.

 

London cabbie

 

We joined sparse crowds ogling Buckingham Palace, watching the beaver-hatted guards march back and forth.

Buckingham Palace

Soon it was time to step out of the cold and tuck into a real English tea.

Katy found the perfect spot and soon we were visiting happily as we sipped cups of strong and creamy Earl Grey tea and nibbled our way through hot-buttered scones slathered with jam.

Twas a dream come true for me.

afternoon tea in London

 

Thoroughly warmed and satiated, we bundled up and headed to Piccadilly Circus to see what we could see.

 

Criterion Theatre London

Do you have a quintessential English experience that you’ve always dreamed of fulfilling?