Here We Go!!!

Our Alison Weir Tour Overview

Hopped on the plane over the pond and landed in London. Luckily, all very noneventful. Took a taxi to the Royal Horse Guards hotel which is located on the River Thames. The location of the hotel was right near the Embankment Tube stop, so totally convenient for everything!

Lovely Royal Horseguards

Got myself checked in, put my walking shoes on and took the Tube to Kew Gardens. Luckily it was a very nice day, so the gardens were gorgeous. It was very busy, and I was happily surprised to be able to visit Kew Palace, which was the home of George III and Queen Charlotte, for any of you Bridgerton fans out there! It was not supposed to be open, but it was, and I was so happy to even get to visit the Queen's gardens behind the house, which were lovely. 

Welcome to Kew

Loved the lily ponds

Kew Palace

I left the gardens in the late afternoon, not seeing everything, as it was such a large place, and took the Tube over to the Fortnum & Mason flagship department store. I love this store and used up a lot of my credit on the Visa card on coronation goodies, including a few tea towels, of course. The place was humming with activity and people were buying like there was no tomorrow.  I think everyone was excited for the coronation. It was very fun, and I had a good time just looking at everything.

Coronation goodies

I gathered up all my bags and I took myself back to the Tube (again!) and returned to my hotel a bit to relax. On the way, I met a French bulldog named Ellie and would have adopted her, if it weren’t for my dear Chip at home.

The hotel was really swanky, and I chose to stay there because my tour was congregating and departing from here in the morning. It was great to be in a nice place as I was pretty tired, and London has become a bit overwhelming. I think it has grown since I was last there. Such a multicultural, fast-paced place. Still, I love it!

That evening I walked minutes from my hotel to the Sherlock Holmes Pub, where I enjoyed fish and chips, along with an English shandy.  I then dropped into bed in the hopes the five-hour time change was not going to be much of a bother.

Loved this pub!