Back in 2024, I was still working at my previous job. There was a sudden change in the workflow and within weeks things became really terrible and unbearable for my team. We ended up working more than before for, actually, less money than before! 🤨
There was a lot of resentment, but nothing we could have done to prevent the changes. Inevitably, stress and tension started building up and we were all overworked. Burned out and in desperate need of a mental break, I went on a travel spree, covering three destinations that summer – Ireland in July, Malta in August, and London in early September! 🌍
After Malta, I thought I was done traveling. The previous two trips had let me relieve some of the built-up stress, though not completely. But then I had the opportunity to visit London for a week, and I couldn’t possibly miss it! 💙
💂♂️ DAY 1 – ARRIVAL 💂♂️
Nothing interesting on this day, to be honest. I boarded a plane at Sofia Airport and landed at Stansted Airport. Managed to find my way to London, then managed to find my way through London, then managed to successfully check-in at my accomodation. 😂
It was late in the afternoon, so I just had a little walk to explore the neighborhood, got some food supplies, and returned to my accomodation to settle in.
💂♂️ DAY 2 – THE BRITISH MUSEUM 💂♂️
On my second day, first for sightseeing, I went to the British Museum.
I’m sure you already know that there’s barely anything British in it. But it’s still worth visiting. It’s sad there are so many exhibits from all over the world that aren’t “at home”. At the same time, it is great to be able to see “the world” in one museum. I have very mixed feelings for this establishment. But it was nice to see that something from my country can be found there, as well.
Needless to say you can basically spend the entire day at The British Museum. Whoever has visited it, knows the building is extremely large and contains soooooooooo many sections with all kinds of exhibits from all kinds of epochs and parts of the world. But don’t worry, there are a few food courts and even a restaurant where you can have lunch or grab a snack.
💂♂️ DAY 3 – BUCKINGHAM PALACE + LONDON EYE 💂♂️
On my third day, I took a walk to The Buckingham Palace.
Most time of the year, it’s closed to the public. But during the summer, part of the palace is open to tourists who are allowed to walk inside and explore the State Rooms (July-September).
I had booked a ticket in advance and walked inside at my designated time. I was given a special portable device with a screen and headphones. Basically, it’s a self-guided kind of tour. You walk in your own pace and you can see and hear what a guide would say and show right in front of you. Quite convinient, if you ask me. Otherwise you risk missing something or end up at the back of the group and miss everything. 😂
You are allowed to walk inside the palace on this tour, but you are not allowed to take photos, in order to protect the delicate artwork and historic interiors. So I don’t have any photos to share with you, but I would recommend taking this tour, if you are interested to see the palace on the inside.
After the palace, I walked towards the London Eye. On my way I passed by many of the other trademarks in London – Westminster Abbey, The UK Parliament, Big Ben, and the Thames.
For the afternoon I had booked a ticket to ride the London Eye.
I know there are a lot of people who are afraid of heights and would skip this attraction, but I really recommend it. You get a spectacular view of the city and I have a friend who says that the view is even more spectacular at night!
On my way home after that, I enjoyed a nice walk in St. James’s Park.
💂♂️ DAY 4 – MADAME TUSSAUD’S WAX MUSEUM + THE SHERLOCK HOLMES MUSEUM 💂♂️
My forth day in London happened to be museums day again.
I began with Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. The venue is really big and it features a considerate number of wax figures and other attractions, so I definitely recommend it! You can “meet’ with your favorite singers, bands, actors, and movie characters. And in the end, you board the so-called Spirit of London Ride. It is a convoy of “taxis” that takes the visitors on a ride throughout London’s history. An entertaining finale of the visit for sure.
Furthermore, there are sections specifically dedicated to Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
One of the places I wanted to visit the most, was The Sherlock Holmes Museum. As many people out there, I absolutely love detective stories and Sherlock Holmes is my favorite fictional character! And, expectedly, my favorite TV show is BBC’s Sherlock. 🤭 So two things happened on that day that I was very excited about!
You see, after visiting Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, I went to have lunch. Where so special, you wonder? I went to Speedy’s Sandwitches Bar and Café, of course. 🤭
If you don’t know what that is, well… it is one of BBC’s Sherlock’s filming locations! It poses as 221B Baker Street.
The enterior of the café also features photos from the TV show on the walls and meals named after the characters. I had “Sherlock wrap”. 🤭
In the late afternoon, it was time for my visit to The Sherlock Holmes Museum. I was super excited!
The interior reminds of the Victorian Era and it looks as though this was indeed the detectve’s home. It is furnished after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s description of Sherlock Holmes’s and Dr. John Watson’s lodgings.
The museum also contains various props from movies and shows filmed throughout the years, book editions and manuscripts, busts of the most popular actors that had potrayed the famous detective, and many more.
There’s also a small room that represents a study with a desk, chair, and a typewriter. A speaker makes it feel like a gramophone is playing a record in which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is speaking about his most popular character. I definitely recommend the museum, if you love the character or want to learn more about it!
💂♂️ DAY 5 – LONDON AQUARIUM + TOWER OF LONDON + STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW 💂♂️
Now, this was quite the busy day. I think I overdid it a little bit. 😂 I mean, I visited two different sights and went to a play in the evening. And I really said “no public transport, I’ll walk to all the destinations”. 😂
I’m a hiker, so it wasn’t that big of a deal, but I sure was quite tired at the end of the day. 😂
I started with the London Aquarium. It is a really big and impressive facility, so you can spend a lot of time inside. If you love marine life, it’s definitely worth the visit. There are all kinds of sections with all kinds of marine animals!
After the aquarium, I quickly had lunch and walked all the way to The Tower of London. It isn’t that far away, but it’s not that close, either. It is also quite big, so I’d recommend visiting it individually on a day or at least don’t fill up your evening, as well. 😂
Because I had to walk all the way to West End in the evening, I skipped some parts of the London Tower. But what I saw was quite interesting. It has served as a fortress, royal palace, state prison, armoury, treasury, royal mint, and home to the Crown Jewels over the years. It includes all kinds of exhibits from the 1070s to present day scattered within a few buildings.
There have also been all kinds of “pets” kept in The Tower over the years, including lions, tigers, elephants, and monkeys. The most impresive one is a polar bear that allegedly was kept on a really long chain and allowed to swim in the Thames to feed.
Nowadays, there are only ravens kept at The Tower considered as its “guardians”. Sadly, the ends of their feathers get clipped, which disturbs their flight, so that they can’t fly away. 😔 It was interesting to see ravens this close around you, but I feel bad for the poor birds. 😔
I nearly and I really mean that I nearly forgot that Stranger Things: The First Shadow was still being performed in London back then. 😵 I mean, I nearly missed my only chance to watch the play. 😵
Luckily, I realized it on time before I left for London, so I booked a ticket in advance and actually watched the show!
I wouldn’t say it really mattered whether you’ve seen the play or not (regarding season 5), but it was a spectacular show on its own! And I mean WOW! The actors were amazing, the stage and decor was incredible, the special efects quite mind-blowing! I’m glad I got to see it, even as a stand-alone show.
💂♂️ DAY 6 – ABBEY ROAD + TRAFALGAR SQUARE + THE MOUSETRAP 💂♂️
Walking any crossing around the world is like 🤷♀️
But you all know there is the crossing!
Another attraction in London is, of course, Abbey Road Studios where The Beatles recorded their famous album and shot the cover photo. The recording studio is not open to the public, but there is a gift shop next to it, so you can find something cool to take home with you or give to a loved one.
And, of course, you can take some photos and videos on the crossing. 🤭
After visiting Abbey Road, I walked around London all the way to Trafalgar Square. I had a break there, grabbed a bite, and took some photos before continuing to my next destination.
In the evening, I went to West End once again. It was another opportunity I couldn’t miss – Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, a.k.a. the world’s longest running play!
Is it worth watching? Well, the play has been performed over 30,000 times for over 70 years. I think that answers the question. Agatha Christie is a the master of “whodunit”. Definitely go watch it!
💂♂️ DAY 7 – HYDE PARK 💂♂️
Day 7 was a bit more relaxed. After running back and forth so much the previous few days, I wanted some more chill pace. I didn’t book or plan any special visits, so I just walked around London.
First, I went to Hyde Park. The weather was atually quite sunny and warm on that day, so I just walked around in the park all the way to Kensington Palace.
Then I just roamed the streets of London as far from my accomodation as I could. Why? Because I had spent 7 days in London without boarding a double-decker bus not even once. 🤯 I nearly left London without riding one of their famous red buses, because I prefer to walk places. 🤣
In the evening, when I decided I had walked enough and wanted to go back to my accomodation to rest and pack, I boarded a pulic bus and sat on the second deck. I must say a really cool ride for a tourist. 🤣
💂♂️ DAY 8 – DEPARTURE 💂♂️
Nothing interesting on this day, as well. I got up in the morning, checked-out, grabbed a bite, and left for the airport. 😂
The flight was interesting, though. We left London in the late afternoon and by the time we reached Sofia, it was already night. I couldn’t see the sunset itself, but observing the way the light changed from day to night from up in the sky, was also quite interesting.
For even more photos and videos you can follow me on Instagram 💙
One week seemed too short. It’s definitely not enough to explore all there is in London, but I’m happy I got this chance! I also did some shopping and got some great souveniers both for me and for my loved ones. Thank you, London! 💙
Till the next time!
Lina Dimitrova
11/05/26
Part 1: Visiting Ireland | Part 2: Visiting Malta | Part 3: Visiting London
Rings of Saturn Blog 