This February, Kat and I spent another week on holiday in London. We loved our last trip there so much we’d been plotting reasons to return. Luckily, a stage version of The Killings at Badger’s Drift announcement gave us reason to return. Once again, I want to log the trip here so we can relive the trip in digital form.

Be sure to check out part 1, part 2 and part 3 if you haven’t already.

Saturday

My final full day in London. We went to Gail’s again for breakfast to try their porridge. Mine came with blueberries, nuts and maple syrup and was pretty good. Washed down with a flat white.

Rows of bread, rows of ceramics

Then off to check out Notting Hill (South Kensington → District → Notting Hill Gate). It was a big day for Portobello Rd. Market, and very busy. We walked along the market and took a look at some of the wares, but nothing really caught our eye. We stopped in to the Daunt Books branch, but it was much smaller than the one in Marylebone. We tried to go into Notting Hill Bookstore, but it was super busy. I guess it was in the movie so it was super popular ¯\(ツ)/¯ .

We made our way from the insanity of Portobello Rd to the high street. We found a Daylesford and had a lovely mooch about. It was really nice. Also popped in to another Toast, Space NK, and Oseyo. Then back to South Kensington (Notting Hill Gate → District → South Kensington).

Puzzle at Daylesford asking the important questions

We stopped by Honest Burger for lunch, right at opening. Same order as before, fritter and vegan burger. They had some sort of issue and it took a while for our food to come out. Didn’t really bother us but they gave us some free onion rings and fried halloumi. It was a nice gesture and that halloumi was outstanding.

We popped in to the V&A one last time to see the ceramics. Holy cow they have a lot of ceramics, dating from BC up to modern day. Definitely worth checking out.

Afterwards we decided to head to Battersea Power Station. South Kensington Station → 360 Bus (on diversion!) → Lister Hospital (just north of the Chelsea Bridge). We crossed the bridge and it marked our first time setting foot south of the Thames! We walked over to Battersea Power Station, a very cool conversion of an old coal power station into a mall and community space.

They had a nice outdoor area along the Thames, and inside was modern and 2-ish floors of stores, restaurants and coffee shops. I think there were offices or residences on the upper floors. Out the South Entrance was an outdoor area with shops and nice high rise apartments above. Very nicely done. We got coffee @ Blank St. mooched into Salomon, Space NK, Waterstones, UNIQLO, Boots. We oogled some Tudor and Cartier watches through the windows.

Then it was back to the hotel for a break. Battersea Power Station → Northern → Embankment → District → South Kensington. The rugby was on (England v Wales!) and the Zetland Arms and accompanying outside area was crowded (there were bobbies trying to keep the crowd from spilling onto the street). We had a bit of a rest, bit of a pack, then headed off to Pizza Pilgrims for dinner. It was a nice walk into Chelsea one last time. They had an aubergine pizza that was quite unusual but very good and probably something you can only get in the UK.

We decided to be tourists one last time and took the 11 Bus (Markham St → 11 Bus → Westminster Cathedral) (on diversion!) to Big Ben. It was very cool to see Big Ben and Westminster Abbey lit up at night. They were filming a TV show nearby, but we couldn’t tell which one. Then it was a short District Line ride back to the hotel - Westminster → District → South Kensington.

Westminster Abbey
Ben

Sunday

Short day in London for me, long day overall. My flight home was around 2 in the afternoon, so we only had the morning together. Kat was staying an extra week for work.

We grabbed breakfast @ Ole & Steen. I wanted to get their sausage roll again.

Then we set off on another walk, again heading out to Earl’s Court before deciding to head up to Hyde Park. We walked around the Kynance Mews and narrow streets north before making it up to the park. We stopped by the statue of Prince Albert, and looked across the road at the Royal Albert Hall. There were lots of runners about, but it was quiet and peaceful. On our way back to the hotel we walked through the Reece and Kendrick Mews, and marveled at the fancy Aston Martins on display.

Albert's statue, Albert's Hall
Man, every time I see this it moves me. To see this absolutely beautiful facade pockmarked from war, it's just really powerful to see in person.

Then it was time to say goodbye and head home. South Kensington → Piccadilly → LHR Terminal 3 → ORD → home.