Last summer, I went on a study abroad trip and studied in Germany for a month. I loved it so much, that I started planning on places to go next time I travel to europe. However, during my short excursions outside of the city of Munich, I wasn’t able to go everywhere I wanted. So here’s my list of places I want to go in London, or in general, the United Kingdom.
- Kings Cross Station
I was in London for two days, that’s it. I didn’t get to see King’s Cross, which is very unfortunate since I’ve wanted to go there since I was little and read the first harry potter. There’s also a shop there, for Harry Potter fans called “The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4 that I really want to visit. Yeah, a bunch of these will probably be related to Harry Potter or history.
2. Leadenhall Market.
Actually, I did briefly visit this market. I did not however, get to enjoy it that much, as me and my family kept walking through it. This was the site used as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter Films. I’d like to go back and actually pay attention to what’s actually there and go inside a few shops.
3. Westminster Tube.
This is the station next to the parliament building. But Harry Potter used this station to go into Ministry of Magic. The scene where Harry Potter is riding the subway (or underground) was filmed at Westminster Tube Station.
4. Tower Bridge/Millennium Bridge.
Harry flew over/around the bridge in Order of the Phoenix while going from Number 4 Privet Dr. to 12 Grimmauld Place. Not to mention the whole London Tower’s Falling Down song. Basically, this bridge is important.
5. Edinburgh Castle.
It’s beautiful. 400 miles north of London, and in Edinburgh Scotland, it houses the scottish crown jewels. And the dungeons sound fun to go through and see.
6. Leeds Castle.
It looks beautiful and near a lake, which I love. It’s also really old, 900 years old, and home of one of my favorite monarchs: King Henry VIII. It also has a fascinating American historical connection.
7. Tintagel Castle.
King Arthur and Merlin. Basically, this was thought to be the site of Camelot. This is the site of many revolutionary and/or civil war reenactments.
8. Warwick Castle.
Medieval castle built by William the Conqueror, but more importantly to me, there’s an attraction there of interest: Merlin:The Dragon Tower. You can meet The Great Dragon from the BBC series Merlin there.... Or at least a theatrical theme park version of him. Anyways, another pop culture visitation place.
9. Tower of London.
I saw the outside of this last time I was in London, but it was too expensive for me to go in and look around. This tower houses the English Crown Jewels, and for me, also has a Doctor Who and Sherlock fascination. In Sherlock (BBC’s rendition), Moriarty breaks into the Tower to “steal” the crown jewels, but really breaks in to frame Sherlock. In Doctor Who, the Tower is used to house UNIT and the Black Archive.
10. Westminster Abbey.
Made famous, or re-famous a few years ago with the wedding of Will and Kate, it is a great place to visit. I actually did get to see it in person, but I was not able to go inside. It was too expensive for my student budget. Many monarchs or royal family members were either buried, married, or both at Westminster Abbey.
11. Warner Bros. Studio- Making of Harry Potter.
Again, back to the Harry Potter modes. Yes, I know, I'm obsessed with Harry Potter. I just really want to go to Hogwarts... Too bad I can't. I'd also go to Ilvermorny... But either way, it'd be great.
12. London Eye.
Another one I saw, but did not go up. It was too expensive for my student budget, but next time I definetly want to go up and see the London City Skyline.