London, England, United Kingdom
In January 2022, London found its place on my vision board, and by June of that year, I found myself in the U.K., completely unaware that my visit would coincide with the grand celebration of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, adding an unexpected layer of excitement to my trip. Dive into my Jubilee experience in London and explore my travel guide to make the most of your visit to this vibrant city!
The Queen's Jubilee: On February 6, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II marked an unprecedented milestone as the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, commemorating 70 years of dedicated service to the people of the United Kingdom. The Jubilee celebrations unfolded throughout the year, reaching a climax during the four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday, June 2, to Sunday, June 5. This extraordinary period featured public events, parades, appearances by the Royal Family, and national moments of reflection on the Queen's years of service. To witness such a historic moment became a memory etched in my travel diary.
Best Time to Visit London: Determining the "best" time to visit London is subjective; while the summer months offer vibrant energy, London's Christmas festivities is a tempting reason for me to return during the holidays. My June visit had pleasant weather, considering London's reputation for rain. Pack an umbrella, as rain is consistent throughout the year. London, amusingly, became the only place I've encountered all four seasons in mere minutes, a quirk to keep in mind when packing for your trip!
Getting Around: London's Tube system impressed me, especially having lived in Washington, DC, and currently residing in New York City. If you are familiar with mass transit, the Tube is fairly easy to navigate; otherwise, utilizing maps on your phone provides a good starting point for navigating from A to B.
Duration of Stay: My London trip spanned 4 days and 3 nights at the urban-chic Hyatt Place London City East, boasting an incredible rooftop bar, Pocketsquare Skyline Bar and Terrace, which offered breathtaking views. Consider this recommendation as you explore other enticing accommodation options.
Must-See Attractions: Explore iconic landmarks, from Big Ben and the Tower of London to the vibrant streets of Notting Hill and the cultural hub of Brick Lane in East London. The Big Bus ticket facilitated a seamless exploration of many of these attractions, with the added bonus of a complimentary river cruise, delivering stunning views of the Tower of London and the London Eye.
Make sure you check out:
Big Ben
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
Museum of London
St. Paul’s Cathedral
London Eye
Oxford Street
Buckingham Palace
Notting Hill
Brick Lane
Brixton
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