My first trip to London was fun, even though I thought the city was overcrowded and chaotic.
My friend came from the US and asked if I wanted to hang out with him in London.
While I didn’t have plans for Christmas and New Year because I was working, I thought doing something spontaneous for a change would be fun.
So, I booked a return train ticket from Manchester Piccadilly the day after my trip to Blackpool.
Yeah, I knew I was setting myself up by planning two-day trips back to back, but I really had no choice.
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My London Walking Tour
When I arrived in London via the Euston station, my friend and I agreed to meet at the Millennium Bridge.
For some reason, he was being delayed, but we needed to meet somewhere to begin our London exploration together.
So I jumped on a bus and ended up on the Blackfriars Bridge.
After going back and forth, I decided I wouldn’t wait for my friend again.
I was gonna get started with a short walking tour.
Just before I decided where to go next, two women approached me and asked for directions to the London Eye.
Apparently, it was just close by, and I had no idea.
I figured I could quickly start there and go as far as my feet could.
Whatever happens, my friend and his friend will find me.
My actual London Walking Tour Itinerary.
From the Blackfriars Bridge, I walked towards Marigold Alley and exited the Oxo Wharf Tower on the South bank.
Lo and behold, I was facing the iconic River Thames. I waited for a while to take in the river’s serenity.
If I had my way, I would have stayed there much longer, just watching the river, but I took pictures and kept it moving.
Next, I took the Queen’s Walk towards BFI Southbank where there were a bunch of kids playing with soap bubbles.
It looked like fun, and I wished I could join them.
Instead, I joined a few other people to watch the kids for a few minutes.
Now, this is where it got busy with foot traffic.
Apparently, just ahead of me was the London Eye, and it was the holiday season, which meant it was fully booked and busy.
There was literally no space to breathe.
But I watched a few kids skate at the Southbank Skate Space before I got there.
Then, I did some window shopping at the ongoing Southbank Winter Christmas Markets and the Southbank Centre before climbing up the Waterloo Bridge.
Again, it was busy, so it wasn’t very enjoyable.
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Next, I came down the bridge and found some girls my height to take some pictures by the London Eye Pier.
Finally, I got to the Coca-Cola London Eye and stood in awe.
Yass! I was here! Finally!
Just under the London Eye, at Jubilee Gardens, were a few attractions, like the Charlie Chaplin statue, a saxophonist giving a romantic rendition of Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On and On, and the Golden Carousel.
I tried to enjoy myself a bit, but it was too crowded.
Instead, I took a few videos and walked towards the London Marriott Hotel County Hall, which housed the London Dungeon.
Further ahead was Shrek’s Adventure London.
It was time to head back to the South bank to wait for my friend.
When they finally arrived, we found our way out of the craziness by walking towards Westminster Bridge.
This time, my friend consulted Google Maps to help us navigate a few attractions before dark.
We walked towards the Palace of Westminster from the Westminster Bridge while watching the sunset and taking goofy pictures.
We ended our walk at Westminster Abbey before taking a bus to Hyde Park to glimpse the Winter Wonderland; we met another concert-like queue.
Of course, we just took pictures and headed home.
What next?
I feel like I just narrated one-quarter of London.
This means I will definitely be returning and sharing my London adventure series, so watch out.
Watch a short clip of my brief London Walking Tour:
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