London is not new to us. I first visited as a teenager with my school, fell in love with the city, and knew I would return one day. Between 1999 and 2000, I spent a year elsewhere in the UK and made several trips to London. Later, we took a couple of short trips with the kids when they were small, and in 2015, we stayed for four days. This time, we were all eager to go back—for the city’s unique vibe, world-class museums, endless restaurant choices, and just the joy of wandering its streets. It was a quick decision to book tickets and a hotel for the last four days of the Christmas school holidays, with one new addition: Ricardo brought along his friend Nina.
There are flights every day between Nice and multiple London airports, but I chose Heathrow for its convenient tube access. Our British Airways Friday morning flight went smoothly, though passport control was stricter than in previous visits—both when leaving France and entering the UK. We had reserved two rooms at Premier Inn London Farringdon, near the Farringdon tube station, which is served by the new Elizabeth Line among others. Over the years, we’ve stayed in several Premier Inns, and they continue to be a reliable choice—and this stay was no exception.
Arriving a bit early meant our rooms weren’t ready yet, so we left our bags at the hotel and headed out to explore. A few tube stops later, we were at Leicester Square, which was just as bustling and vibrant as I remembered. From there, we passed through Chinatown and wandered the small streets of Soho before reaching Oxford Circus. We hopped back on the tube to return to the hotel, giving everyone—especially Nina, for whom it was her first time in London—a taste of the city.
After an early start that morning, we needed a short break to relax in the hotel before venturing out again in the evening, ready to continue our London adventure.
Tube vibes
M&Ms Leicester square
One of the main highlights of this London trip was experiencing the city’s famous West End musical scene. That evening, we had tickets for Mamma Mia at the Novello Theatre. The show was simply magical—the singing, dancing, and acting all performed at an impressively high level. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
While West End tickets can be pricey and should ideally be booked in advance, the experience is absolutely worth it. The teenagers were so inspired that they added several ABBA songs to their playlists afterward! We’re already thinking about returning to see another show—London offers such an incredible variety.
Novello Theatre
The next morning, we opted for breakfast at the hotel, partly to check out the vegan options available with the hot breakfast. Refueled and ready, we made our way to Madame Tussauds. Even though it wasn’t my first visit, the exhibition constantly changes, making it a fun experience every time. The kids had a great time posing with the wax figures and exploring the different sets.
I had purchased the tickets online a few weeks in advance, which is highly recommended. The museum limits the number of visitors at any one time to avoid overcrowding, so pre-booking ensures a smoother, more enjoyable experience.
After a fun morning at Madame Tussauds, we continued along the classic tourist route: Buckingham Palace, St James’ Park, the Royal Mews, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben. We were lucky with the weather for January—definitely colder than France, but still pleasant enough for a long walk outdoors. And most importantly, it didn’t rain.
Although the day had already been full, we wanted to make the most of our time in London. After a brief afternoon rest at the hotel, we headed out for dinner at Brick Lane. Finding really good Indian food in the South of France is nearly impossible, so we were excited to have some in London. The meal at Bengal Village was absolutely delicious—even Nina, who had never tried Indian food before and usually avoids anything spicy, loved it.
The following morning, I had reserved tickets for the Natural History Museum. Admission is free, but booking in advance is highly recommended. We had visited the museum back in 2015, but Martin was eager to return. Being Sunday morning, it was fairly crowded at first, though the flow of visitors spread out once we began exploring. The museum is enormous, with countless fascinating exhibitions—we especially enjoyed the dinosaurs and the Earth gallery.
Natural History Museum
After a couple of hours at the museum, we walked over to Harrods, which wasn’t too far away. Known for its iconic status and luxury shopping, it’s also a great place to pick up tea—I couldn’t resist bringing some back to France. The store itself is a landmark, so it’s always worth a visit.
The teenagers were eager for some shopping, so we made our way to Oxford Street. While they explored the shops, Johnny and I took a more relaxed approach and enjoyed a quiet cup of tea at a small nearby café.
For early afternoon, I had booked a late Sunday lunch at the George Inn, one of the oldest pubs in London, built in 1676 and the city’s only surviving galleried inn. The pub is located near Borough Market, though unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit the market itself this trip. The food was classic British pub fare, but I was especially impressed by the vegan option—a Nut Wellington served with delicious sides—proving that even centuries-old establishments can cater wonderfully to modern tastes.
Nut Wellington, carrots, roast potatoes, roasted cabbage wedge, Yorkshire pudding and vegan gravy - delicious
Our last day in London greeted us with crisp cold air and a light snowfall—Nina’s first-ever snowfall experience, which had her beaming with excitement. We also received a message from British Airways advising passengers to arrive early due to potential flight disruptions.
With a few hours to spare, we left our luggage at the hotel and took the tube to Oxford Circus, where the teens squeezed in a bit more shopping. We then strolled along Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus, continued to Leicester Square, and soaked in the city’s vibrant atmosphere one last time before heading home.
Arriving at the airport early turned out to be a blessing rather than a worry. Our flight was on time, giving us the chance to enjoy a final meal—delicious Asian food at Wagamama—before leaving London.
London left us with wonderful memories and an undeniable urge to return. The theatres, museums, food scene, and the city’s unique vibe made us all eager to experience it again. This trip was certainly not a goodbye—it’s a “see you again soon.”
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