I arrived on the streets of London for the first time, with only 24 hours. I knew I had to make the most of it. I’ve always wanted to go to Britain and truly immerse myself in the nation’s culture. After all, it is largely the place from which American society initially descends. Not to mention the countless historical figures –Winston Churchill, William Shakespeare, the Beatles and many more– who also emerged from the region (not just London).
So, when my Dad told me that we would have roughly 24 hours to spend in London on our way to Greece, I was ecstatic.
As soon as we arrived at our hotel in the late morning, my Dad and I quickly left, ready to maximize the exploring we could get in – and maximize we did. By the end of the night, I had taken 37, 395 steps and walked 16.58 miles. I got a great feeling of the city’s vibe and saw several different neighborhoods and landmarks.
First, we took a brief walk through Soho before seeing a little bit of Chinatown London. Then, in classic European fashion, we sat down for a coffee and people-watched to heal our jetlagged selves and prepare for a long day of walking. Then off we went.
My Dad, having lived in London for a few years, knew all the best places to take me. We started by getting a sense of the more touristy attractions of the city. We took a stroll down on the south bank of the River Thames, seeing the narrow streets adjacent to the river where, in the old days, freshly imported goods arriving from around the world would be sold to the people of London.
The Narrow Streets Running Parallel to River Thames
We passed Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, an old 16th-century edifice amid buildings from later eras. We eventually made it to Tower Bridge, which we crossed before taking the Tube to Westminster – where we saw many great attractions, namely Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster Abbey. As my Dad and I passed the entrance to Churchill’s war rooms on the way to Buckingham Palace, we discussed Churchill and British World War II history. It is something I have studied a lot in my life, but being near the very place where all those important decisions were made was a special experience. Indeed on top of its architecture, vibe and culture, this is really why I liked being in London so much – the city allows you to uniquely immerse yourself in the fascinating centuries upon centuries of history and literature that took place in and around it.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
After getting a feel for the tourist experience in the city, I went off on my own to walk around other parts of the city, seeing the places where Londoners live and work. I walked towards the north, passing through less well-known, but still interesting historical places, such as Brunswick Square Gardens. This little park was once upon a time home to important thinkers such as Bloomsbury Group members Virginia Woolf and John Maynard Keynes.
Brunswick Square Gardens
I continued my walk through the city, now an evening stroll. I made my way to the financial area of the City of London, which made me feel like I was right at home in midtown Manhattan. I walked by St. Paul’s Cathedral, realizing the level to which the architects of the American Capitol took inspiration. But as the sun set over England, and my jet lag took hold, it was time to end my journey through this great old European city.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
In these 24 hours, I learned a lot. I learned about the history, geography and culture of London. But I also learned just how much of a city you can really absorb in a day. It is a lesson that we all should learn and apply in our lives – if you have 24 hours somewhere, make the most of it.
