"Sherlock," "Doctor Who" and Tom Hiddleston! My dreams came true! I finally went to London! No, I didn't get to see Tom Hiddleston. But I did get to see the Queen of England. So I guess that made up for not seeing him. This past June, I spent six days in London. While I visited many tourist-y places, I could have spent weeks and weeks in England. This article features my top five favorite places in London, England.
1. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace. The jewel of London. The residence of Her Majesty the Queen and her husband. It is a beautiful palace. Unfortunately, it is only open to the public for eight weeks in August and September. However, every year on one Saturday in June, the Queen and the royal family leave the palace for the Queen's Birthday Parade. Brits and foreigners come for this special day in order to catch a glimpse of the royal family. Fortunately, I was able to witness this special celebration!
2. Tower of London
Filled with numerous towers, guards and the royal jewels, the Tower of London was an exciting experience! I even got a fantastic selfie with one of the Queen's Guards if I do say so myself!
3. Platform 9 3/4 stand at King's Cross Station
An attraction at King's Cross Railway Station is Harry Potter's Platform 9 3/4. This is where the legendary Harry Potter began his journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I recommend spending some time to take a few pictures, which are free, and explore the nearby themed shop. Before your picture, you may choose a scarf from one of the four houses. As you can tell, I am a Gryffindor fan. You can also try on Harry Potter glasses and hold a wand if you would like. It was a magical experience that I will never forget!
4. Big Ben
Yes, Big Ben was the perfect partner in a selfie. It was beautiful. I felt like Peter Pan and company were going to fly by it any moment when I was there.
5. Westminster Abbey
Yes, I visited the church where Will and Kate got married. It is gorgeous! Definitely worth the visit. Students even get a discount on a ticket with your school ID. Unfortunately, you cannot take pictures inside, only in the courtyard when the tour is done. The tour is voiced by Jeremy Irons. You may not have heard of him, but you have probably heard of his son, Max Irons. The burial sites of Geoffrey Chaucer, Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin are located in Westminster Abbey.
Out of all of the cities I visited before studying abroad in Spain, London was my favorite. London definitely was not a disappointment. I visited all of the popular sightseeing places. I even saw the Queen and her Duke ride a carriage out of Buckingham Palace. I was also able to witness Harry, William and Kate in real life. That was an unplanned special treat during my visit! My memories from London will be never forgotten.
