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This was our third time visiting London, with our last visit notably being during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the year 2022. On that previous trip, we thoroughly enjoyed many of the classic touristy attractions that the city is famous for.

Since we explored many of the popular activities last time, this time around we had a new list of places that we wanted to check out.

WHERE TO STAY

We booked our stay at the Treehouse Hotel London and it was the most adorable hotel we’ve stayed at thus far in London. This adorable hotel is centrally located in the heart of the city, offering convenient and easy access to various other parts of the city. We were just a brief six-minute walk away from the Oxford Circus tube station, which made our travels around the city effortless.

Treehouse London Hotel King Bedroom — Treehouse Hotel London

On our previous visits to London, we stayed at the Kimpton Fitzroy London and Conrad London St. James Hotel, but the Treehouse Hotel was by far our favorite so far.

Kimpton Fitzroy London Hotel Room — **Kimpton Fitzroy London**

Keep in mind that you will be paying a premium price for staying in central London. If you don’t mind taking the metro (a.k.a. the tube) there are tons of hotels to choose from. Just make sure the hotel is near a metro station.

DAY OF ARRIVAL

3 PM Hotel Check-in

We arrived right around check-in time via the new Elizabeth Line from Heathrow Airport. By the way, this line is brand new (May 2022) and features comfortable cushioned seats that make the journey quite pleasant.

Descending Escalator on Elizabeth Line — Elizabeth Line

Treehouse Hotel London Entrance — Treehouse Hotel Entrance

Holding a cute paper cup — COmplimentary beverage at check-in

The staff member who checked us in at the Treehouse Hotel was incredibly friendly and provided a thorough review of all the wonderful amenities the hotel has to offer. We were feeling quite tired from traveling all day, so we decided to rest in our room until it was finally dinner time.

5 PM Dinner at Madera

Madera is conveniently located inside the Treehouse Hotel, and the atmosphere here is nothing short of phenomenal. The stunning decor, along with the panoramic views of the city, were definitely a highlight for us during our visit. Normally, a reservation is highly recommended to ensure a table, but since we arrived shortly after opening, we were fortunate enough to snag a table.

Madera Restaurant Bar Seating — Bar Seating

Madera Restaurant Panoramic Views — Gorgeous Panoramic views

They describe their food as reimagined Mexican cuisine, crafted with organic ingredients. Although the service was a bit peculiar at times, we both left feeling really pleased with our meals. The food was flavorful, and we were pleasantly surprised that their entrees weren’t overly priced, which we felt was a great value for the quality offered.

Table with a view of the city — table with a view of the city

A twist on Mexican Cuisine — Fajita bowl

8 PM Night Shopping at Liberty London

We don’t normally go shopping at night (nor do we usually have the energy after a long day of traveling), but there was a specific London-based brand, Mint Velvet, that we absolutely wanted to visit. Given our packed itinerary for the rest of our trip, this was the only time we had to make it happen.

Oxford Circus Holiday Lights — Holiday Lights in London

As we strolled through the charming streets of the city, we enjoyed the ambiance and found the store fairly easy to locate. I ended up purchasing a lovely sweater from Mint Velvet that I couldn't resist.

DAY 2

9 AM Breakfast at Blank Street Coffee

There were so many cafes surrounding our hotel that we found ourselves having a difficult time narrowing down our numerous choices. We ultimately settled on Blank Street Coffee. The vibe was inviting, and we loved the bright and airy atmosphere as we entered.

We both ordered hot drinks along with a selection of delicious pastries. We felt so Londony as we made our way to the tube in our fall outfits with warm cups of coffee in hand, fully prepared to take on a day of exploring London.

Walking with a cup of coffee — Love walking around the bustling streets of London

Blank Street Coffee Exterior — Waiting Outside of Blank Street Coffee

10:30 AM Churchill War Rooms

We wanted to visit this museum on our last trip, especially since our hotel was conveniently located within walking distance, but unfortunately, we simply ran out of time. We hopped on the tube and hopped off at Westminster station. After about a ten minute walk, we found the somewhat unassuming entrance to the Churchill War Rooms. We actually almost missed it entirely, as it doesn’t feature a grand or extravagant entrance like most of the other museums we typically visit.

Churchill War Rooms Museum Entrance — Churchill War Room Entrance

I suppose it makes sense, considering this was the actual location where the British government directed top secret operations during the significant events of the Second World War. As we walked through the tight corridors, we got a fascinating glimpse of what daily life was like during those tense times of WWII.

Winston Churchill Peace Sign Keychain — Winston Churchill Keychain

BW silhouette of Churchill — Cool silhouette of Churchill

The space was pretty dark, and towards the end of our visit, we started to feel a little disoriented and a tad claustrophobic in the confined quarters. Throughout the museum, there were knowledgeable docents available, and the one we listened to was pretty humorous, who managed to get a few laughs from us. He pointed out some important moments from the award winning movie Darkest Hour and clarified that while it was a good depiction, it wasn’t the most historically accurate portrayal of the events.

Churchill War Room Underground Bedroom — Underground Bedroom

1 PM Lunch at Windmill Wayfair

We wanted to try a proper English meal, so we decided to try some pie and mash in a classic London-style pub atmosphere. The outside entrance was adorable and the place was fully packed. We thought we wouldn’t be able to sit down anywhere, but luckily one table had just opened up so we were able to settle into our table immediately.

Windmill Wayfair London Entrance — Windmill Wayfair Pie and Chips

We appreciated the presentation of the food, but honestly, all we could taste in our pie was black pepper. Unfortunately, our beef pies were very bland and we both left feeling unsatisfied. That place was buzzing and the online reviews here are amazing, so we’re not sure if it’s just our taste buds or if we just got unlucky with a bad batch of pies.

Classic London Pie and Mash — Beef Pie and Chips

2:30 PM Dessert at Brityard

As we were walking back to our hotel, we stumbled upon an establishment called Brityard, which was right next door to our hotel. We were drawn in by the aroma of freshly baked cookies and were sold when we saw Matcha cookies on the menu. Brityard is a mixed-use retail space and this one had four different retailers: Assembly Coffee, Grape & Fig, Blondies Kitchen, and NYE Timber.

Blondies Kitchen is a build your own hot cookie bar and they claim to be UK’s first and only milk and cookie bar. We had the option to load our matcha cookie with a variety of sweet toppings, but we wanted to keep it really simple so that we could simply enjoy the flavors of the matcha. It was the perfect pick me up cookie after a mediocre pie and mash lunch.

Eating at Brityard London — Enjoying our cookie and coffee

4:30 PM Early Dinner at Pizzeria Mozza

Crystal had plans to attend an Interpol concert later in the evening, so we decided it would be best to dine within the hotel, but this time at their Pizzeria Mozza restaurant. We chose to sit at the bar and honestly weren’t expecting much from a casual pizza joint, but we were pleasantly surprised by how incredibly delicious the pizza we shared turned out to be.

Cheers to red blend wines — Enjoying a glass of wine at the Pizzeria Mozza bar

Pizzeria Mozza Bar Area — Lovely atmosphere at Pizzeria Mozza

Pizzeria Mozza Marghertia Pizza — Marghertia Pizza

6:30 PM Interpol show at Alexandra Palace

This concert was what initiated our visit to London. Crystal is a huge Interpol fan, a band based in New York City, who was having a special 20-Year Anniversary Tour of their iconic second album. She eagerly purchased her ticket earlier in the year, looking forward to the event for months. The entertainment and sports venue is housed in a beautiful building built in the late 1800s and is often referred to as “Ally Pally”. If you love going to concerts, this is a great venue with an excellent sound system.

Alexandra Palace Interpol Concert in London — Interpol Concert at Alexandra Palace

DAY 3

9 AM Breakfast at Joe & The Juice and Paul

Since there were so many cafes to choose from, we weren’t able to settle on just one option, so we decided to grab freshly brewed coffee from Joe & The Juice and then made our way next door to indulge in some pastries from Paul.

Joe and the Juice Signage — Joe & The Juice

Sitting with a cup of coffee — Seating area at Joe & The Juice

Joe & The Juice offers a variety of breakfast combos, but we felt like having something smaller. Paul was the perfect option for a la carte pastries. We had the pleasure of experiencing Paul in France, where the company originally hails from, and we couldn’t wait to enjoy their delicious pastries again.

Paul bakery display of food — Paul’s Pastry and Desserts

10:30 AM Kensington Palace

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we headed straight to Kensington Palace. We got off the tube at the Queensway station, and the walk to the palace was such a lovely stroll through Broad Walk.

We actually sorta lost track of time while leisurely wandering through the picturesque gardens and almost missed our entry into the palace due to the palace reaching max capacity. Luckily, we were among the final two groups that made it in just before the close of the morning slot.

We both enjoy the rich history of England’s long and fascinating monarchy, and during our previous visit to London, we made a trip to explore the magnificent Hampton Court Palace. Just like our last tour of a splendid palace, we found ourselves completely immersed in the historical artifacts and before we knew it, we had spent several hours exploring.

Since we had booked a photoshoot for 3:30, we began to head out of the palace, which meant we had to rush somewhat through the gift shops. By the way, they had an impressive selection of lovely items, including fancy teas, beautifully crafted souvenirs, and our all-time favorite corgi memorabilia pin that instantly caught our eyes.

2:00 PM Late Lunch To-Go from Atis

Since we needed to change into our photoshoot outfits, we wanted to grab something quick yet satisfying to eat that we could conveniently take back and enjoy in our hotel room. Once again, there were so many enticing choices available near our hotel, but after some deliberation, we ended up choosing a build-your-own bowl from atis.

3:30 PM Airbnb Experience Photoshoot

We always try to make it a point to book an Airbnb photoshoot on our travels, as it adds a special touch to our trips together. Over the years, we’ve consistently had great experiences, and it’s the perfect way to get photos together or even on solo trips. We did this on our last trip as well, but this time we decided to choose a different photographer.

Walking in the middle of London — Gorgeous Holiday Backdrop during our Photoshoot

We loved our previous photographer, but we wanted to explore a different location this time, so that is why we ultimately ended up choosing a different one this time around. We met our photographer within walking distance from our hotel and had an incredible time during our shoot. He managed to capture so many amazing photos of us against the stunning backdrop of the heart of London.

Shopping around Bond street — fake shopping at Bond Street

Two girls walking in London — Fake Walking across the street

6 PM Dinner at Pizzeria Mozza (Yes, again)

We actually had plans to eat at a different restaurant, but when we arrived, we discovered that they were temporarily closed for the evening. We would have walked around to find another place to dine; however, it was a busy Saturday night, and it also happened to be the first weekend of the festive holiday lights illuminating the city. As a result, the streets were bustling with people, and navigating through the intense crowds was not particularly ideal, especially since we were starving and desperate to avoid hitting that hangry stage.

Since we had thoroughly enjoyed the food from the previous night, we decided to head back to our hotel and dine at the same restaurant once more. This time, we chose to sit at a cozy table and ordered several more items from the menu to share. Everything we tried was delicious, and our server was incredibly friendly. We actually found ourselves enjoying our time here on the second night even more than we did on the first night.

Pizzeria Mozza Mushroom Pizza — Mushroom Pizza

Some other dining options with great reviews:

Sketch Gallery - The restaurant features amazing decor that draws inspiration from various styles and eras, creating a unique ambiance that is sure to impress guests.
Amazonico - A vibrant Latin American restaurant offering diners an immersive experience through the Amazon River.
Circolo Popolare - A vibrant Italian restaurant nestled in the bustling heart of London's Fitzrovia, known for its lively atmosphere and delicious dishes. Reservations are a must.
Rules Restaurant - The oldest restaurant in London, known for its rich history and offers a delightful selection of traditional British dishes.

LAST DAY

8:30 AM Breakfast at the Parlour

The Parlour is located inside the famous Sketch, a unique venue that has captured the attention of many especially on social media. We had hoped to visit during our last trip to London, but unfortunately, that did not come to fruition.

So, on our final day in the city, we finally had the opportunity to make it happen. The breakfast experience we enjoyed was remarkably different from what we typically see on Instagram, which usually showcases something entirely different. This unexpected twist was a refreshing change from our initial expectations.

The Parlour Breakfast Table — Loved our fancy Tea Cups

The Parlour Magical Bathroom — The Parlour’s Magical Bathroom

While the service we received was somewhat lacking and could have been improved, we genuinely loved our food, which was delicious, and we were captivated by the decor and enchanting ambiance. After we closed our check, we had to to explore the bathroom, which was nothing short of magical. Overall, Sketch definitely did not disappoint us, and we are glad that we finally made the effort to visit this iconic establishment.

The Parlour Waffle Plate — The Parlour Waffle Breakfast

11 AM Heathrow Airport via Elizabeth Line

Our flight was scheduled for 2:50 PM, so after checking out at the hotel, we made our way directly to the airport. We never seem to have enough time to do some last-minute souvenir shopping, but this time we had plenty of time to explore the terminal since our Virgin Atlantic flight was slightly delayed.

Heathrow Virgin Atlantic Entrance — Virgin Atlantic Entrance at Heathrow Aiport

Crystal ended up finding and purchasing an adorable plush stuffed Corgi that she couldn't resist, while I opted for some traditional English tea along with a few delightful treats. Interestingly, some of the items we saw at the Kensington Palace gift shop were also available here.

Royal Corgi Stuffed Animal — A royal Corgi

Carrying a stuffed corgi doll — Crystal bought the Corgi

FINAL THOUGHTS

We had yet another amazing time exploring the wonders of London, and of course, we have every intention of visiting again in the near future. We just love this city and continually find ourselves running out of time to experience all the things we wish to do during our visits.

WHAT TO WEAR

We know that creating outfits for your trip is one of the most enjoyable and fun parts about traveling. As you prepare for your journey, you might start wondering things like, "Is November considered Fall or Winter in London?" and "How cold can it actually get during that time of year?" Don’t worry, we have got all those answers neatly compiled in our detailed guide “What To Wear and Pack for London in November” that will help you plan accordingly.