In June of 1969, while living in Germany, my father and I visited London, England for a week. It was a memorable experience, combining the elements of history with the “mod” era of Carnaby St., Mary Quant, Twiggy, George Best.
The Beatles were still together then, and I was so disappointed we didn’t run into them! 😉 Unfortunately, photos were lost over the years, so this post will lack a particular personal touch, but I hope it’s still interesting, based on my recollections.
London, England [Wiki Commons]
This tourist video will give you a little taste of London:
My favourite attractions included the Tower of London, which had the Crown Jewels on display. Mind-boggling ostentation! Apart from that, I’m a real history buff and was soaking it all in.
It dates back to the Norman conquest of England and was used as a prison from 1100 to 1952.
Tower of London [Photo Credit]
Nearby is the world-famous Tower Bridge; even more spectacular in person! Construction began in April 1886 and took eight years to complete.
Tower Bridge [Photo Credit]
Another fascinating historical site (on the UNESCO World Heritage list), is Westminster Abbey, a large Gothic church, whose construction began in 1245, as ordered by King Henry III. Most Royal weddings have taken place there (but not Charles’ and Diana’s).
Over the course of history, it became one of Britain’s most significant honours to be buried or commemorated in the Abbey.
Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum is another attraction one could spend hours exploring! The likenesses of the wax figurines to their human counterparts are spot on.
Particularly fun for me were the battle scenes, complete with sound effects, sparks and smoke. The Planetarium is worth a visit, as well.
Wax Museum and Planetarium [Photo Credit]
After all that sightseeing, you’re bound to be hungry, yes? How about a hamburger at Wimpy?
Have you ever been or would you like to go to London?
Looking forward to your comments!
#AtoZCHALLENGE 2014: L is for LONDON #dogladysden Share on X
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
38 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge: “L” is for LONDON”
I’m also the type who gets disappointed that I didn’t meet celebrities when in their country/city ? London is definitely filled with history, there’s something on every corner.
UK is the only place I visited outside India. And the whole country is seeped in history. And London is just amazing. I used to walk the whole day to see the historic places of London. And you are right, the Tower Bridge is so much more beautiful than its pictures. Its stunning.
Hey Debbie,
Day 26, bravo my friend and looks like you’re going strong.
I’ve never visited London or the UK for that matter. It’s not on my list of places I want to visit but I wouldn’t complain if I ended up going there for some reason.
I’ve never been a history buff. Mom was laughing at me actually this past Sunday as we toured Bishop’s Palace in Galveston. I hadn’t been in probably a good 35 years but I was always the kid who went in, ran through it all and was sitting at the end waiting on everyone to hurry the heck up. The structure is cool looking but I didn’t care anything about the history. I care more now of course, it’s interesting.
~Adrienne
Actually, this one is only day 12, but I hope to make it to day 26. WHEW! 🙂
If not London, you might enjoy some of the other places I’m writing about Adrienne. Thanks for visiting and have a good rest of the week.
I was in London yesterday for a meeting, which we continued over a pub lunch. It was a nice day, so rather than get the Tube, I walked from the far end of Regent Street all the way back to Victoria Station.
Lovely, Stevie. Glad the weather is good there now. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
This is great Debbie! Back in 84-85, I toured Europe with my school. We spent a few days in London and it was fascinating. Thanks for reminding me of it. I might have to dig my pics out again!
Hi Bren; Glad you enjoyed your trip and this post. 🙂 I would love to go back to London, sometime. Thanks for visiting. This A to Z Challenge is taking up all my internet time, but, I will try to make some of the usual rounds when I get a chance.
I loved London–I was there for a month in ’79 on an extremely limited budget, but there was so much to see I didn’t care! I even got to see Madame Butterfly for 99 pence and Carmen 2 pounds. Wonderful (in Piccadilly circus). I left the day of the Scotland/England soccer match. WHOA! Thanks–I also wish I had my photos from there. Oh! The best photo I had was of me standing next to a member of the Scottish Guard at the Palace–he had a grin that went from one ear to the other–it’s in Italy somewhere, now. heeheehee
Sounds like you had a great time, Mary! I loved Piccadilly circus too. Must find an image…….
I don’t think having a layover in the London airport counts for me! I need to actually see the city 🙂
London is well worth the visit! Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
These posts are totally making me want to get off my butt and take an overseas trip already! I think I need to win a lottery or something. 😉
Wouldn’t that be nice! 😀 I think we’d sell the house and just travel the world, if we won the lottery. London is a fabulous city and well worth a visit.
Yeah, I finally got to your REAL blogsite; I think WordPress is going to finally cooperate with me (but I’m not saying that too loud because then you know what happens). You covered a lot of territory for only one week. I chuckled at your “mod” references – part of me wants to forget those years and part of me goes ahhhhh weren’t they good years? Too funny – I can’t imagine being a Brit during those years where so many of the trends and music originated. I thought we were pretty groovy just to be importing all that “cool”. Hope you’re doing well.
Hi Sammy; Welcome back! 🙂 I don”t know why WordPress still has the old site hanging around but, good to know it’s resolved now. I loved that point in time and 1969 was a pivotal year for me, in all respects. Definitely groovy! 😀 Starting to run out of gas a bit with this daily blogging challenge and haven’t written Q-Z posts yet! :O How are you doing?
That’s a fab virtual tour of London for us! Thanks for taking us on this trip with you, Debbie 🙂 ♥
Glad you enjoyed it, Shilpa. 🙂 It is a fascinating city!
I envy you. I would love to go to London someday! I loved reading about your adventures there! ♥
London is well worth the visit, Kathy. Hope you get there one day. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
This is in my to be visited list.. hope I do it soon!
It’s an interesting city and I hope you get there! 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
London really is one of the greatest cities of the world, isn’t it? I was lucky enough to take a trip there in 2009 to meet email friends. I stayed in a hostel near St. Paul’s Cathedral, the cathedral from Mary Poppins and “Feed the Birds”. So magical listening to it chime. The room, not so much magical but the price was right! I also went to Devon and Manchester but could have easily spent all my time in London with so much to see and do there. Another time! Sounds like you enjoyed your time there! Pity you didn’t get to see the Beatles!
Yes, I loved London and want to go back, someday. 🙂 You’ve been there more recently and it’s good to know the charm is still there. We had similar low-budget lodgings. I desperately wanted to meet The Beatles, especially John. Oh well….
I have always wanted to visit London…I want to go there for it’s the land of some of my favorite writers! Thanks for taking me there through this..
Great writers, great musicians, too! 🙂 Hope you get there one day. Thanks for visiting.
Its my one of the dream cities…lets see when that happens
Hope you get there! 🙂 It’s a fascinating city. Thanks for visiting.
Was there for three months staying in Tooting.. It was fun. I loved London and explored almost everything I could in that time.
PhenoMenon
It is an interesting city and I’d love to go back sometime. Glad you enjoyed it too, Pheno. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
Great video. It really showed the beauty of London. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed this, Debi. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
I used to date a Brit… which made me never want to go to England (just kidding)… Thanks for the cool info. 🙂
Hahaha! You would like London – it has a cool vibe and so much interesting history. 🙂
I appreciated the history and the photos you shared to create the desire to visit this incredible city. My husband had been there many times and one of these days…… maybe I will go. Thank you
My pleasure, Carol. You should go! 🙂 London is a great city and there’s lots to see and do there. Thanks for visiting.