Every year, I visit London in May/June/July timeframe and this is the first time in over ten years that I’m not in the city and to be honest, I miss it.  I even miss the political discussions that ensue once the black cab driver hears my American accent. I miss my friends, my walks along the Thames and fun nights in the pub watching local sport. It’s no secret, I would live in London if I could but alas visa/immigration is a hurdle I’ve not been able to clear despite years of trying.  Tomorrow, June 8th, the UK Home Office implements yet another barrier to London, the UK 14 day quarantine for visitors. Essentially, summer in London has been canceled, or at least it seems that way.

Travel Covid Testing and Quarantine

With the world slowly coming out of lockdown, we are seeing “travel bubbles” or “air bridges” being formed between countries for travel (i.e. Australia and New Zealand) and borders closed to American visitors by many countries that are still coming to terms with their covid19 crisis and recovery.  The last thing anyone wants are resurgent waves in a destination that spreads around the world again that stresses the health system and puts us back on stay at home orders.  Can we 100% keep that from happening?  Probably not, but for now, governments around the world are trying to navigate the best steps to restart their economies while many of us sit at home waiting for the green light to travel again, to emerge from our homes and see what the next phase of the world looks like. For now, it seems that it will be a patchwork of requirements by each country or collection of countries working together.

One big unknown which changes daily is whether travelers will be subject to a mandatory quarantine, testing or other upon arrival.  St. Lucia opened to visitors last week (June 4^th) and are one country requiring covid19 testing results done prior to arrival (max 48 hours).  That’s tough for some folks still not able to get testing where they live.

Australia, on the other hand, has had a hard line and will continue to do so until 2021.  They closed borders to all but their citizens returning home.  Citizens are subject to a government paid mandatory 14 day hotel quarantine with strict guidelines.  You can read about a few Australia quarantine experiences which were imposed even for those who live in Australia.  They weren’t allowed home to quarantine for fear of breaking isolation.  Personally, a hotel room closes in quite quickly if you can’t get fresh air (open windows or go outside) so I’m not sure I could mentally handle a 14 day hotel quarantine. My friend has canceled all future plans to go home to Australia to visit family due to quarantine requirements.

London Travel Quarantine for Visitors

So what about London?  Can I just jump on the plane for a London weekend visit as I have in the past?  Find a points award flight (availability is wide open) to go meet friends for dinner and pick up my favorite London chocolates and Blondie’s Kitchen cookies?

Right now, the answer is not really.   During the stay at home period, which started in March, the UK did not quarantine arrivals to the country as they kept their borders open and now, starting tomorrow, June 8^th, they will have a mandatory quarantine (self-isolation) of 14 days upon arrival. So technically I could go to London but the quarantine time and cost is prohibitive. Who can afford 14 days in a London hotel room or long stay apartment?

Logic would have said to implement this when the virus was spreading, when everyone was on home lock down but that didn’t happen.  Travelers could come and go. Mind you the number of travelers were only a handful of a normal day but still, why disrupt it all now?  Why not just close borders like Australia has?  I know, despite my over twenty years of London visits and following UK politics, I still ask silly questions. The travel and tourism industry has been decimated by the world’s pause of the past three months. This quarantine could be the final nail for many businesses that won’t survive without a summer season.

London Quarantine – Business Travelers and Tourists

For business travelers, this 14 day mandatory quarantine is a non-starter and they will likely stay home until a quarantine is no longer required.  Many business trips from the US to London are less than a week (five days) and already expensive to stay in small hotels rooms.  I couldn’t, in good faith, approve a business traveler to go through that process.  I would ask them to zoom that meeting which would save time, money and preserve sanity.

For the U.S. leisure traveler, a quarantine is not an option unless they are wealthy with a boatload of vacation time to use and enjoy staying indoors for a fortnight.  If they are retired and housesitting, well that is the only way I see this working out right now.  With the UK not scheduled to open until late June/early July, why bother with planning a trip this summer.  You would have spent three months at home waiting for the day to travel again only to land in the UK and self-isolate for 14 days relying on takeaway and food deliveries – no thank you!  I’d rather roadtrip in the US as it’s less restrictive.

It pains me to say “don’t go to London or the UK this summer” as London in summer is marvelous. There’s so much to do, see, eat, drink and enjoy in the city and surrounding cities and villages. But right now, they are technically not open to receive you.

If you do need to travel to the UK in the short term, be prepared as this could change at any time.  You will need to complete a form indicating where you will self-isolate for 14 days (at your own expense) and be subject to spot checks and a 1000 GBP fine for violations. If you are an athlete (or other deemed essential person on the list), then you are exempt from UK quarantine which has caused a lot of backlash for the determination of “exempt vs. non-exempt”.

London Travel Quarantine Backlash

Backlash over the mandatory 14 day London travel quarantine has been swift with British Airways and other airlines filing a lawsuit claiming “unfair exemptions” and “disproportionate” restrictions on visitors. Traffic to London airports is down 97-99% and this won’t help them restore flights in my opinion. BA is already having a row with pilots, the unions and staff.  The best scenario is to get everyone back to work in the already decimated travel industry.

From an outsider view, it’s definitely full of contradictory items.  For example, employees and self employed folks who travel weekly between the UK and EU are exempt from quarantine rules but travelers from the EU have to quarantine.  Athletes from cricket and F1 (the British Grand Prix will be in July) are exempt.  You can see why folks are a bit chuffed.

The policy notes it will be evaluated every two weeks so as my British friends like to say “watch this space” as things are fluid and changing each day.  It’s the UK so with politics afoot as well as business interests for the City of London and travel industry there’s a lot of input, anger and confusion with what seems a quickly put together moving target of a policy enforcement.

European Summer Travel Without Quarantine

Countries experimenting with courting tourists without quarantine are Portugal, Spain and Greece for summer travel in Europe.  Other European “air bridges” are being created for residents of x, y, z countries to visit neighboring countries.  But of course, some are claiming discrimination in the selection of countries and quarantines mandated. The U.S. and UK have been hit hard by covid19 cases and deaths so it’s not hard to understand the reluctance of the world to allow those citizens into their countries as they protect their citizens. Don’t even think about a European cruise right now!

For Americans, as of now, only Portugal (great country to visit) will be ready with open arms and no quarantine in July.  Iceland is planning to test tourists arriving into the country starting in July.    The list of entry requirements is changing almost daily with a good amount of commentary from around the world.  I suggest researching the destination visitor website for up to date government requirements.  Don’t rely on the airline, train or ferry information regarding immigration needs.

London Travel Quarantine – My Status

I’m trying to remain positive here and hopeful that my annual November/December visit to London will be able to go forward.  It will be the longest time I’ve been away from London – whatsapp, skype and zoom can’t replace the pub nights, the hugs and the feeling of home that I’m missing.

Thoughts on the 14 day London quarantine going into effect tomorrow?

London Art museums can be overwhelming for me as I don’t know where to look first and how to navigate the vast space packed with tourists to ensure I experience the art and the curation properly on my own timeline.  My first visit to the V&A was supposed to be the highlight tour and I couldn’t leave once the tour ended and thus spent hours exploring nooks and crannies.  Well, imagine my surprise at the hidden gem of an art collection (museum) in Marylebone – the Wallace Collection.  I walked up to the grand home, Hertford House, on Manchester Square and was gobsmacked by the sheer volume of art that was in the home, a home that from the front seems small but once inside you realize it is a city block in length which would have included outer buildings and a stable.

I left the quiet street and walked up the circular driveway admiring the small garden and view of the square from inside.  The benches along the path were filled with what seemed like local workers enjoying their lunches in the sun. Once I entered the home, I was greeted by staff and given a map for a self-guided visit (there are guided tours throughout the day for a fee). Admission to the main collection and house is free, however, special exhibits will have a fee and may need advanced tickets. On the day of my visit, there were no tour buses/groups (The Wallace Collections limits groups to 25 people given the size of the rooms) so that was a nice surprise. Photos are allowed without flash which means I took enough to create my own souvenir guide book.

For a video tour, check out their London wedding video as it guides you through all of the rooms of the museum. It’s pretty cool to see how the collection is curated and a glimpse into what to expect when you visit.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFsuvJqGgRw[/embedyt]

Hidden Art Gem in London at The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is probably an art museum you’ve not heard of or if you have, you’ve not yet visited. Big mistake!  For even the casual art enthusiast will be impressed and instantly fall in love with how easy it is to navigate, to linger and to experience.  The collection is beyond impressive with 17^th, 18^th and 19^th century furniture, paintings, sculptures, clocks, jewelry, wine cups, porcelain, arms and armor and so much more.  If you are keen on masterpieces, there is a Rembrandt painting, “Titus, the Artist’s Son” but the rest of the collection are lesser known but equally impressive artists. The museum hosts daily events so check their website for details during your visit.

The Wallace Collection Galleries

Even now, months later I’m still struck by how amazing the collection was and how well curated.  There is a room of armor and a room of jewelry, rooms of paintings and tapestries and small boxes covered in leather to avoid light on the miniature artwork.

What is now an art collection given to the British government, was once just part of the family home’s decoration.  Think about how you have decorated your home – you choose objects, paintings, art that reflects your taste and preference and that’s what struck me about the Wallace Collection.  It was a family collection that continued to grow with each Marquesses of Hertford and one son, Sir Richard Wallace and his wife, Lady Wallace.  It feels personal. There’s no theme to the collection that I could pinpoint and that made it even more interesting for me.

Wallace Collection Rooms of Color

Upstairs the rooms were easily identified by the wallpaper color – of course, they have formal names but I preferred to reference by color.  The purple room was one I spent a good amount of time in reading about the art from the room books available.

I knew when my tour around the collection was complete when I ended up in the original room of blue wallpaper. In some ways, I was reminded of how The Barnes Collection in Philadelphia is curated with many art pieces on the walls causing the visitor to linger and try to find a common thread/theme in the art.   One wall had ten or more paintings above a chair or table – it was spectacular.  Another wall was full of women.  Another wall had hunting and animal paintings. So there were some themes.

Wallace Restaurant Couryard Brasserie

On the main floor of the building, there are front rooms on either side as you would expect in the grand home and then hallways on either side of the building that had a view of the interior covered courtyard which serves as a sumptuous Parisian brasserie, The Wallace Restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner during opening hours with late night service on Friday and Saturday nights to dine under the stars.

Medieval Rooms and Armor at The Wallace Collection

In the back rooms of the home the theme was medieval with armor, arms (weapons) and art from around the world.  If the rooms were movie settings, then the men would be drinking and smoking in the downstairs rooms, while the women enjoyed the lightness of the front room and also that of the upstairs gallery suite with window seats.

Final Thoughts – The Wallace Collection in Marylebone, London

I’m not an art historian to deep dive into the collection, I’m just someone who can appreciate the artistry of the clock design, the care taken in carving the furniture, the beauty of an everyday object that holds water or wine.

The Wallace Collection is art that made me smile, made me appreciate the skills and artistry as well as the fact that Lady Wallace wanted folks to enjoy the art.  She didn’t sell it or give it to charity, she bequeathed it to the British Nation to maintain, preserve and showcase.

The Wallace Collection opened as a museum in 1900, the turn of a century.  Now over a hundred years and twenty years later you can still discover and enjoy the art collection just a short walk away from the crowds of Oxford Street in Marylebone. Get a peek inside the marvelous history of art from a time we only read about in history books.  We often talk about hidden gems in a city and The Wallace Collection is that gem you need to visit on your next trip to London. Shame it took me over twenty years of London visits to discover it!

The Wallace Collection is opened daily from 10 am – 5 pm except during Christmas (24-26 Dec).  You can rent the building for (quite memorable) corporate events, meetings, filming/photoshoots and weddings.  Groups are limited to 25 people as the rooms are small and you don’t want to impede visitors.

The Wallace Collection is fully accessible for limited mobility, deaf/hearing impaired as well as blind/partially sighted visitors.  The website has information for Wallace Collection accessibility and the front desk has aids and assistance available.  It’s quite impressive how much care has gone into making the art accessible for all – young and old.

My family is planning for Thanksgiving and asked me “when do you leave and/or when does your flight land?” as I have spent many years away for Thanksgiving (great award flight availability) as an add on to my birthday trips.  I’ve landed in Perth (Australia) on Thanksgiving, celebrated with friends for a Thanksgiving in Paris and have spent more than one Thanksgiving in London. This year, however, I’m in a job search so there is no birthday trip, no flights landing or taking off on Thanksgiving and I’m pretty sad about it.  But my sadness begets this Thanksgiving in London post so there’s something positive right?

My First Thanksgiving in London

My first trip to London in 1988 (eons ago) was over the Thanksgiving college break. I sat in the airport eating leftover birthday cake waiting for my first TWA flight to London from JFK.  It would ignite my travel bug and introduce me to a city that would become like a second home given the number of visits since that first one.  My friend Christine and I spent Thanksgiving in a popular (at the time) Soho restaurant called The Long Island Ice Tea Bar.  Yes, we definitely had a few of those signature drinks with our dinner (not turkey).  The restaurant is long gone and replaced by a few others over the years, I often walk by to revisit those first Thanksgiving in London memories as well as memories of Christine who passed too young.

First of all, Thanksgiving is not a holiday in the UK for obvious reasons so everything is open as normal on Thursday. The bonus is that the normal American business crowds are gone as are most of the American tourists, except folks like me keen to take advantage of the day off and award flights. You can however enjoy a proper Turkey dinner in London at a few restaurants (reservations are required) and if flying home on Thanksgiving (which I have done a few times) enjoy a turkey dinner on the British Airways flight.  I’ve flown the early flight from London and have been home in time for Thanksgiving dinner – a win/win in my book – turkey in two of my favorite places – up in the air at 30,000 feet and on the ground with my family.

Hotels in London for Thanksgiving

While hotels in London are expensive normally, you can find deals during the week of Thanksgiving as business folks are not traveling to the city and many meetings are canceled as US staff are not available so that’s good for you.  I would suggest booking direct with the hotel (they may have specials like upgrades or breakfast included) or use Hotel Tonight  to see what is available. Also, if you have miles and points to use, now is the time to find open award space.

This might be a great time to upgrade neighborhood, hotel type or splurge out on a flat rental and cook your own version of Thanksgiving in London.

Thanksgiving Dinner in London Restaurants

When I was last in London for Thanksgiving, staying at the Park Lane Hotel, I had a few options for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in London – some had a British spin to the traditional turkey dinner and trimmings.  I ended up canceling my reservation to Blue’s Kitchen when my friend wasn’t quite into my US tradition of Thanksgiving and preferred his local pub.

Here are a few restaurants in London for thanksgiving dinner (everything is open unlike at home) that I considered – note that most are set menus, require tickets/reservations in advance (far in advance), are subject to change and aren’t quite cheap (think 30 GBP+). There’s always a Subway or other takeaway sandwich shop to do the more affordable “I had my turkey today”.

1. Blue’s Kitchen in Camden Town was my first choice as they have live Blues music –sadly I canceled my reservation on Open Table.  You can take the tube or an Uber from central London.
2. Boondocks London on Old Street has a set menu
3. Bodean’s BBQ Smokehouse (Soho) and Big Easy (Covent Garden) – it’s already an American BBQ place so adding turkey dinner is what they both do. You might be able to catch an American football game too!
4. The Breakfast Club – this American breakfast staple also has American styled lunch and dinner and for Thanksgiving requires tickets for diners (their restaurants are small so limited seating).  With a few locations, you can indulge in Thanksgiving Turkey dinner.  The Mondrian Hotel London is in walking distance of the Borough Market location and Z Hotel Soho is near the Soho location.
5. Bumpkin in South Kensington – not far from The Ampersand Hotel. OneFineStay South Kensington or my luxury Airbnb in South Kensington
6. Riding House Café in Fitzrovia near my one of my favorite hotels – The Charlotte Street Hotel

Luxury Thanksgiving Dinner in London

For those wanting to spend A LOT of money for luxury American options consider these three chef driven restaurants in London for Thanksgiving dinner.

1. Balthazar in London is a famous NYC restaurant located in Covent Garden (walking from The Rosewood Hotel is quick and easy).
2. Bread Street Kitchen in Mansion House where UK chef Gordon Ramsey puts a bit of a British twist on the American Turkey dinner (think bacon popcorn and a few other “I’ve never had that on my Thanksgiving table” additions)
3. Cut at 45 Park Lane is by Wolfgang Puck is uber expensive (think over 100 GBP) in Mayfair as is JW Steakhouse.  But frankly, if you are staying at a 5* luxury hotel in Mayfair you can easily afford this meal and probably wouldn’t venture too far to the other options above.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland London is a celebration of the Christmas holidays with amusement park rides, games, food stalls and live music.  Let’s not forget the appearance of Father Christmas (Santa Claus to us Americans).  Winter Wonderland is held yearly in Hyde Park and is very popular.  I enjoy walking around to get in the Christmas spirit and also to see the UK versions of amusement park foods and games. There is a small ice skating rink (there are so many throughout London during the holiday season).  Winter Wonderland is free to enter but there of course are fees for food/drink, rides, shopping and ice skating.

Note: The underground lines will be crowded so plan to be sardines for a few stops until Hyde Park Corner when the Piccadilly line spills out people.   If you are keen to walk from Soho along Piccadilly, it’s about ½ hour or longer if you stop to see the Christmas lights at Bond Street and Jermyn Street as well as the many arcades and Ritz Carlton on your walk.

Christmas Lights London

If you love Christmas lights like I do then you might catch them (depending on Thanksgiving date) along Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, Jermyn Street as well as other places around the city.  Christmas Trees are not normally up yet (but that continues to change as we decorate after Halloween now) but stores are decorated as are shopping arcades along Piccadilly Street.

Ice skating rinks are quintessential holiday must dos throughout the city and those open at different times (check Time Out London app).  Along the Thames, Southbank Winter Festival has Christmas Market stalls (at least on weekend at first) and you will see the Instagram famous igloos along the water (reserve the igloos and enjoy drinks with a view). Christmas lights in London are fabulous especially at night when the streets are empty and you feel like you had the city to yourself.

Heathrow Airport on Thanksgiving Day

The Heathrow airport on Thanksgiving tends to be normal crowded for a weekday if not a bit lighter without the American business travelers.  You may be able to buy the Christmas Harrods’s Bear as he arrives in mid-November along with the Christmas tins of biscuits (cookies), candy and teas. Time to stock up for Christmas at home.  Arriving in Philadelphia the airport was quiet for a holiday.

British Airways Thanksgiving Dinner

One surprise I had flying home on Thanksgiving a few years ago in business class (Club World) was a thanksgiving turkey dinner special.  I had flown a few times on Thanksgiving (award flights tend to be plentiful especially to Asia and Australia) but this was the first time that this American dinner was served.  It was honestly a good meal and nice treat.  I know that business class likes to serve fancy steak, fish, etc. but a good turkey dinner with gravy and mashed potatoes was comfort food that made me happy along with dessert on the ground and in the air.

I lucked out on that flight because while they catered my “special meal”, they had enough turkey dinners for me to swap out.  So when I arrived home in time for another Thanksgiving dinner, I was pretty happy.  Where else can you have two Thanksgiving dinners in one day? (yeah time difference)

Christmas Shopping in London at Thanksgiving

So the shops are open, don’t worry so you can begin your Christmas shopping on your vacation if you want to be that person who says “I bought that in London” (c’mon we all know that person or might be that person).  If you are keen to shop here are a few of my favorite Made in the UK gifts  Of course, my favorite London gift is chocolate and biscuits and I bring those home for Thanksgiving dinner dessert table.

Shopping Tip: Bring your own bag to the shops (I like my recyclable Lululemon bags) as some stores will charge you for bags. Have a copy of your passport in your phone photos or email draft in case you buy so much that you need VAT reclaim receipts (no need to bring passport out shopping with you – leave it in the hotel safe or other secure location). At Heathrow, go to the VAT reclaim before you check in for your flight (located behind the check in area desks)

Celebrate Thanksgiving in London

So if you are lucky to find yourself celebrating Thanksgiving in London or planning to visit in the future, know that you can enjoy the best of both worlds and not miss out on your yen for turkey tradition. It does feel a bit weird to be honest to have a day exploring the city (like when I toured the Paris Christmas Markets at Thanksgiving in Paris) and then go have turkey dinner without the cooking time, cleanup and stress of family drama.  So while I’m grounded this year, hopefully next year, I can explore a new destination for my Thanksgiving memories (I wonder if they have turkey in the Maldives? or Antarctica?).

If you don’t celebrate the American holiday, you can still participate by taking a few minutes to be thankful for someone or something in your life. Then you can go about planning your Black Friday shopping, Small Business Saturday shopping, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday adventures.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A funny thing happens when your train leaves London, you get to see open green spaces and the countryside.  After years of navigating the historic streets of London and walking along the Thames multiple times, I’ve rarely had a chance to leave the city other than my first visit eons ago when I did the whole touristy bus thing (visiting Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford on Avon, Windsor Castle and Oxford).  It’s easy to forget that England (and the United Kingdom) is more than London. There is so much to see outside of the city and I’m starting to look further afield to find the England I’ve read about, the one I’ve watched over the years and heck maybe just the lovely estate that they film The Great British Baking Show or Downton Abbey.   This exploration led me to the Hitchin Lavender Farm (fields) in Hertfordshire.  Now, apparently, everyone (ok, instagram chasing folks) is finding out about my secret lavender field outside of London

The stress of the city quickly melts away as the train speeds past fields with horses and through tunnels (so quickly that my ears pop).  I was staying with a friend outside of the city (a quick 35 minute train ride) and he was prepared to show me all the attractions in the area (there aren’t many although the villages do have many signs saying otherwise). Knowing that I love to take photographs of nature, he waited for the perfect day to surprise me with the lavender fields in the nearby town of Hitchin.

Insta-Perfect Hitchin Lavender Fields in England

Arriving at the farm in the late afternoon on a weekday, we easily parked and walked toward the fields.  There is a gift shop on the property (of course, selling all things lavender) as well as a snack shop with lavender infused foods like gelato (interesting), homemade cakes and lunches. Walking toward the lavender field, we saw a small patch of flowers not available to be cut just yet.

At the field, we encountered the ticket booth (there is an entry fee which includes cutting of lavender) which was empty, the fallen rules sign and a box of shears to cut the lavender.  The flowering season is mid-June to the end of August so our July visit was literally picture perfect. We saw a few folks in the field leaning over to cut their lavender as well as a professional photographer arranging his shots (note: there’s a photo fee for professional shoots). We continued to look for someone who worked there and with no joy we just entered and began to walk up the row to admire the purple flowers and watch the winds blowing through the fields on the blue sky puffy cloud day.

It had rained the prior two days and this day was almost too perfect for this to be England!  We didn’t cut any flowers, instead opting to just wander and enjoy the gorgeous views as far as the eye could see (they have nearly 20 acres of flowers which is almost 25 miles of lavender!).  I was in a relaxing dreamlike state until my serenity was disturbed by a familiar buzzing.   The bees were flying around the lavender so I stayed on the outside bumpy path rather than walk (or run scared) among the rows because once you start up the row you can’t exit until the end.

The smell of the lavender was faint for me, my friend said it was not as overwhelming as we expected but quite fragrant and questioned my sense of smell!  Leaving the main cutting field we walked the perimeter to see the other flowers, sunflowers and wildflowers, on the property.  I didn’t get to cut any flowers (maybe next time) but I loved the photos and the calming experience. We left the farm, turned left and then stopped at the first pub we found to enjoy drinks outside (can’t get anymore British than a pub in the afternoon).

Final Thoughts -Visiting Hitchin Lavender Farm

If you want to cut your own lavender, the cost is £6.00 adult (£3 for kids up to 14 with under 5 free) which is much cheaper than flying to Provence in France to see their lavender fields.   They sell Hitchen lavender products online domestically and internationally.

Lavender in England, who knew? I do now and can’t wait to go back!

Note: Since my visit, Instagram trips to the lavender fields have become quite popular so expect crowds unlike my visit where we had the field pretty much to ourselves.  Do make sure to take time out and smell the roses (um, lavender) because life is about more than instagram and selfies folks. Little did I know I was ahead of the insta lavender craze crowd.

Have you visited the lavender fields of Hitchin, England?  or other lavender fields? Was it an insta-trek just for the selfie?

Updated August 2019

In the distance, I could see a concrete pole across the road that looked out of place here in the seaside town of Brighton, just an hour outside of London by train.  A few minutes later when I looked, I saw a glass orb encircling the pole and inching upwards quite slowly.  This was the i360 attraction I had read about that took you from the beach below up in the sky to have a panoramic 360 degree view of the city.  Unlike other viewing platforms, this does not rotate but rather can accommodate up to 200 people inside who walk around to find their best view.

How to Buy Tickets for the i360 Brighton

It was a Wednesday in May before the summer crowds would arrive.  The only competition for tickets and space would be one of many school groups.  Thankfully, we were told of the groups when buying tickets and picked a time that wasn’t packed with children. I’m not anti-children, I’m anti school groups of 50-100 children at one time with a few adult chaperones. We could have purchased online for a slight discount but decided to buy i360 tickets in person once we saw the weather.  The day we arrived was rainy and overcast vs the day of our visit when it was bright sun but fierce winds. The tickets cost £16.50 per adult. For summer visits, I would recommend pre-booking by buying online to avoid disappointment.  There are also fun events like yoga and silent disco events for adults and children so definitely pre-book those events.  They also host special events – fancy a dinner, wedding or christmas party here?  Sounds fun!

BA i360 Queue – Arrive Early

You are told that it’s mandatory to arrive 20 minutes early and with regular crowds I would suggest arriving 30 minutes in advance to go through security, watch the film and then get ready to board.  They will also do the customary photo pitch before the ride, we tried to skip it but it was part of the queue experience.  The film told of the history of the pier that was destroyed in a fire (a bit remains in the water, too expensive to remove fully so they are waiting for nature to do that eventually) and the folks who thought to rebuild the ticket booths and create the i360 attraction.  The toilets/bathrooms (note unisex) are inside the building so use those before getting in line.  The staff are quite mindful of the times on the tickets so don’t be late.

Boarding the British Airways I360 Glass Pod

When our group (about 20 people in total) boarded, we all quickly walked around, checked out the bar and its offerings and then found a seat (there are only a few against the inside).  We quickly began the slow ascend and then one by one folks got up to get closer to the windows and edge to look around.

It was very sunny this day so there was a bit of a glare, some hot spots if you stayed in the sun too long (don’t worry the pod is air conditioned) and a need for sunglasses.  I felt bad for the bartender and guide standing in the direct sunlight as he narrated some history and sights over the loudspeaker. As this is sponsored by British Airways, the televisions are playing highlights of destinations from London that BA fly to. The bar offers cakes, coffees, cocktails and ice cream as well as souvenirs.

The pod moves so slowly you barely notice it until you do by looking outside.  For those afraid of heights, I’m not sure I’d recommend this but the seats in the middle might help if your family pulls you along.

Brighton Views on the i360 – Up in the Sky

A few buildings and hotels have painted their rooftops with street art that can be seen from the i360 (smart idea and of course there’s a hashtag).  You can see the railway station and beyond to the tree line and the town or city of Brighton is quite vast from above.  It’s easy to see the historic rows of homes as well as the newer configurations a bit further away.

Looking out to the remaining pier in the water signifies the old while riding inside the i360 is the new Brighton.

Video Views of Brighton from the BA i360

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKFsALvjmMM[/embedyt]

The water, beach, pier, buildings and landscapes were all pretty cool to see from above.  Even my friend who was kinda blah initially about this attraction was quite impressed and surprised how much she enjoyed the ride. It is a slow ride up and then you stay a while before beginning the descent.  Of course, when you arrive at ground level you exit back to the small gift shop where you can view your souvenir photo and buy it for a fee.  There is a small café/bar area inside and outside to enjoy pre/post ride.

Overall – British Airways i360 Brighton

I had no expectations of the i360 so was pleasantly surprised by it.  Having only twenty passengers vs. up to 200 passengers definitely made a difference in my experience.  I wouldn’t want to deal with crowds for a photo spot or viewing point but that said, it’s a big pod that can handle the crowds.  Arriving early you can see the film to provide history and staying a bit later to explore the gift shop with many local artists’ products for sale completes the experience.  This is the new Brighton with nods to the past while exploring the future.

It’s crazy how many times I’ve visited London and still have not checked all the boxes in “things to see”.  With the Diana, Her Fashion Story exhibit, I thought it was about time to venture over to Kensington Palace for a tour.  As I exited the Kensington tube station, I had a bit of a walk through the park and gardens which were a lovely starting point as I made my way past the ponds and on the tree lined walking path toward the palace. If the weather isn’t good, consider a cab to the entrance as it can get windy on the path.

It was a brisk January day and yet the residents of the park, namely the birds, swans and ducks were swimming and flying around. More were swarmed around tourists with food (do not feed them!).  I can imagine the large pond is a wonderful gathering place in warmer weather.

As I approached, the Queen Victoria statue welcomed me. A nice feature is the London Talking Statue program that you can access to learn more. There are 30 Talking Statues in London if you want to add that to your “to do” list.

Visiting Kensington Palace Pricing & Hours

Unlike the museums in the city, Kensington Palace charges an admission fee.  The price of 19.50 GBP (adult ticket) which can be bought online (cheaper), in person or via many tour groups.  While there are a few ticket cashiers, its a small area so don’t be surprised by the queue (line) which moves relatively quickly.  Hours are relatively short each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with last admittance at 5 p.m.  The public displays at Kensington Palace are set up for ease of access and in bite sized portions so that everyone can enjoy their visit. In the winter, one hour is enough to tour the property inside, in the summer when there are crowds you might need two hours set aside and longer for the gardens.

Kensington Palace Visit

Kensington Palace is divided into the private side that Royals live in (no, I didn’t see Wills and Kate or the kids) and the public side that allows you to visit the Kensington Palace State Apartments and public rooms.  Whilst onsite you can also visit the palace gardens, which include the Sunken Garden, and the cafe.  As it was January, I was able to visit in just over an hour as part of the Victoria Reveled section was closed.  I would budget two hours maximum for you to wander and enjoy the history of the palace.

Once you have your ticket in hand, you have two directions to go – one leads you through the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments which then leads you down one floor to the exhibit space for temporary attractions before returning you to the starting point where you can go upstairs to the Victoria Revealed section (part of which was closed during my visit).

The King’s and Queen’s Apartment

You can see in the King’s rooms life in the 1700’s as the Georgians discovered music, fashion and art.  There’s a unique feeling to the eight rooms design and flow.  It’s like music filling each room and you can imagine the merriment. It’s full of gold, glory and glamour.

The Stuart dynasty is represented in Queen Mary II private rooms.  Six rooms encompass the queen’s drawing room, bedroom, dining room, closet and gallery before the staircase leads you to current exhibit.

Exhibit: Diana, Designing for a Princess

There’s a separate review about Diana, Her Fashion Story which encompasses six rooms each with a theme as Diana’s fashion evolved from teenager to worldwide celebrity and icon.  Now Kensington Palace is showcasing Diana: Designing for a Princess.  Admission to the special exhibit is included in your palace ticket. If you are keen to visit the exhibit, I would recommend advanced tickets to make sure you don’t miss it.

Special Exhibit: Victoria Revealed at Kensington Palace

After my visit to the V&A Museum, I was quite interested to learn more about Queen Victoria and her true love Albert as so much of London is in tribute to Albert.  During my visit there was a special exhibit upstairs – Victoria Revealed.

The exhibit was a mix of her life as Queen in three rooms: The Saloon room, where at age 18, she became Queen and held her first Privy Council meeting; The “Family Life” room representing her life as a mother; and the “Falling in Love” room about her true love with Albert. Don’t we all wish we had a “falling in love” room?

I was able to get a seat at the formal privy council table to learn more about Victoria from the guide.

Overall – Visiting Kensington Palace

Since this is a working palace, there are a few rooms on the ground floor that serve a singular purpose and are off limits (there were staff roaming in and out of the lamp room – I can only imagine how many light bulbs they have to change!).

I’m glad I was able to visit Kensington Palace on this winter trip as it was less crowded and gave me time to linger where I wanted.  The details are lovely and understated as you would imagine the British Royals to be when compared to Versailles in Paris or the Vanderbilt Newport summer home, The Breakers in the U.S.   Visiting Kensington Palace is great for those who want an inside peek at Royal life.  The cafe serves tea and cakes you can enjoy in the garden and sells souvenirs if you need royal memories to bring home.

New Year’s Eve has never been my favorite holiday.  The forced “fun”and thinking that life changes at midnight wiping the old year’s slate clean and offering a tabula rasa isn’t quite realistic in my experience.  As I entered my 40’s, I settled into my single girl comfort (after work) of the couch, pizza and wine to toast the New Year at 7pm East Coast Time when London celebrated because I knew I’d long be asleep by my midnight. Each year, I said “I’m going to go to see the London Fireworks for New Year’s Eve in London next year and not be on this couch”.  So I signed up for the email notices from the City of London but then missed the email notice so I ushered in 2017 back on my couch. 2018 was going to be different – I was determined to be in London, on The Thames, to watch the London fireworks with The London Eye and Big Ben in the distance.

Tickets on Sale Now at https://www.seetickets.com/content/london-new-years-eve-fireworks#

The Bucketlist Plan – London New Year’s Fireworks

So I made a note of when the tickets would be released (October) and put the date & UK time in my calendar for a reminder.  The City of London, in their effort to produce a safe environment on New Year’s Eve by controlling crowds and keeping a secure border, has implemented a ticket fee (£10 GBP for 2018), which seems fair enough but for many locals it caused an uproar when first announced.  So this time, my notification led me to check my email for the notice to buy a ticket. I quickly began my research into what area what best before hitting “buy”.  I bought two tickets to the “Pink Area”  on Waterloo Bridge, received my confirmation email and was thrilled to be able to be “live in London” at midnight hoping that this bucket list item could be crossed off.

I would still be single going and was doubtful of a midnight, romantic comedy, “When Harry Met Sally”, kiss but I wouldn’t be on my couch and that was a plus.  When my job was eliminated and I was made redundant a few weeks after booking my trip, I was a bit apprehensive about taking a trip whilst unemployed because of the costs but I had already booked the non-refundable trip so I was a go.

Researching the Pink Area of Waterloo Bridge, it was imperative that I avoid any form of transit that night as it would be packed with people all night long.  The underground tube journey would be free after a certain time to make the crowds easier to deal with and avoid lines at tap in/tap out.  I decided that I would walk to Waterloo Bridge and looked at all the hotel options on the south side of the bridge to make life a bit easier.  I had two interesting choices – Sea Containers Hotel London (formerly the Mondrian Hotel London) at Sea Containers and Citizen M Bankside.  Both were easy walking distance to the Pink Area security checkpoint.

Collecting Tickets for London Fireworks at New Year’s Eve

When buying tickets, you can opt to have them mailed to the U.S. or pick them up in person.  At the time, I wasn’t sure what I was doing but having dealt with international mail before, I took no chances and chose to pick up my tickets in person.  “See Tickets”, the ticket distribution company, set up a collection booth at Trafalgar Square starting at 8 a.m. for two days prior to the event as well as day of event.  Since a majority of attendees live in the UK and could get tickets in the mail, I was happily surprised that the booth was empty when I arrived to pick up my tickets.  I needed the confirmation number (email) and photo ID and I was now in possession of my tickets and overall instructions for the night.

Pre-Event Walk Through – Pink Area on Waterloo Bridge

I don’t like surprises so I did a walk through inspection of the area the day before.  I walked along the Southbank from the London Eye down to my hotel, The Mondrian Hotel at Sea Containers, easily finding my Pink area entrance at the IMAX Centre (hard to miss circular building with Times Square lighting and displays at the base of the Waterloo Bridge).  The signs for the various security entrances had been placed and the area was getting ready for street closures to complete the process.

London Fireworks Street Closures and Hotel Access

As my hotel, Mondrian London, was within the street closure area, the hotel provided wristbands to wear the day of fireworks to be able to access the hotel without fireworks tickets.  The roads near the hotel were closed and the main road lined with portable loos (port a potty) and signage.  The intent was to drive pedestrians in one area to control the crowds and flow of people to the underground station to queue up.  When I returned to the hotel at 6 p.m., the roads were just starting to close and no one was checking for wristbands.

Security Check at London Fireworks

The line for security was quite long as it wrapped around the block directly below the bridge. There were two lines in the area so make sure you are in the right one.  Luckily the rain had stopped and while the streets had a few puddles, the night sky was clearing.  It was cold but not so bad.  Since this is London, you are allowed to bring alcohol in with you but nothing in glass bottles.  The guy in front of me left the line and ran into the corner store to buy some beer.  You are also allowed to bring blankets, food and friends (with tickets of course).

The couple in front of me and the couple behind me were each speaking in another language so I didn’t make any friends in the queue to adopt me for the fireworks.  The line ended up moving quite quickly and in less than an hour I was on the bridge.  Just prior to the bag check, there was, as expected, people who thought they could blend into the line (in London queue jumpers) but I wasn’t having it neither was the local man a few people behind me.  This is where my very American personality comes in handy as neither couple in front or behind me were pushing the two groups away.  The local guy and I got the groups to walk toward the end of the line.  None of us would let them skip the hour wait and butt in.

Watching London Fireworks from Waterloo Bridge for New Year’s

Waterloo Bridge is a motor roadway with a small center divider.  The sides of the bridge have pedestrian walkways but those were closed to ticketholders and allocated to event security.  The bridge contained a plethora of portable loos and nary a line.  My map also said there was food and drink for sale but I never got that far over the bridge.   My initial spot on the bridge, I was standing with many people huddled on the ground to keep warm.  One guy was swaying back and forth and with two hours until midnight he was clearly drunk already so security easily removed him.  I decided to venture to the loos (thankfully I had a US flashlight (UK torch) with me as they don’t have light inside) and then on the way back found a small slice of the curb to sit on for the next hour and a half.  No one spoke to me but I had a great people watching spot for the night.  It was a nicely mixed crowd – young, old, families, groups of friends and a few solos like me – overall a happy crowd.

There was room to walk for most of the night on the back of the bridge.  The music was on the other side of the river and faint in the distance.  I should have tuned into the television coverage while I was waiting but didn’t want to drain my battery as I was saving it for the photos and videos of fireworks.

London New Year’s Fireworks on the Thames

With five minutes to go, I stood up on my small spot of a curb so had a nice elevated view over most of the people.  Then the countdown began…….5…..4…..3….2…..1 followed by 12 (exact) minutes of fireworks.  Unfortunately with the restoration of Big Ben ongoing for the next couple of years, the bells were silent.  I was bummed by this but hey I was finally off the couch with an up close view of the fireworks in my favorite city.  Starting the New Year differently than any in the past.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETAgPPBTGAw[/embedyt]

Overall Thoughts – Pink Area Waterloo Bridge Fireworks

It was easy to secure London Fireworks tickets online and pick them up in person.  I spent £20 for two tickets and wasn’t able to convince my friends to sit with me on the bridge as many were happy to avoid the transit and be on their own couch with wine.  Staying near the Waterloo Bridge, I only had to walk ten minutes to the Pink Area was a fantastic decision.  And the fireworks were just stunning.  Watching them for years on television was always pretty cool but seeing them in person was wonderful.

London Fireworks Tips – Waterloo Bridge:

1. Allow an hour for security line if you want to arrive early to find a great spot on Waterloo Bridge
2. Bring a blanket and scope out the elevated middle divider curb for your group so that you can stand above the crowds for an unobstructed view. 
3. For most areas you will be crowded as the clock nears midnight obviously so be prepared to stand in the cold for the few hours. The key is layers, layers and more layers to keep warm.  
4. You might want to pack a thermos of hot chocolate, mulled wine or tea to keep you warm.

Tickets on Sale Now https://www.seetickets.com/content/london-new-years-eve-fireworks#

The British Museum is massive, no other word for the sheer size of the building and the collections.  It is free to visit so I entered from a back entrance street, walked past the guard and up the steps to explore the galleries. It was weird (but also quite nice) to just walk in – not buy a ticket, not get my hand stamped, not hand over a reserved timed ticket, etc.  I was expecting a bit of stuffiness (it is a museum after all) but I was pleasantly surprised to see the old and new co-exist.

Visiting The British Museum – Collections

Without a plan for visting the British Museum (you need a plan folks!), I walked through galleries, followed hallways with curiousity waiting to be surprised.  I found my first surprise when I entered the currency collection at the end of the display.  A quick flash of “old lady” entered my head when I realized cash registers and credit cards were a part of the musuem collection?  Items that I grew up with were consider museum worthy to teach the next generations.  Ouch!  Luckily we haven’t completely gone paperless but how many years when your phone or a chip in your hand is your method of payment?  It was an interesting room to peruse especially as the rise of the credit card spawned the award points that I so lovingly use.

Realizing the sheer volume of holdings after the currency collection, I decided it was easier for my short visit to focus on the photos (you can take photos without flash).

Moving through the galleries, I was drawn over to the cabinets with the jewelry collection. What girl wouldn’t want to wear the intricate art around their necks? Just looking at the jewelry made me create a time in my head when I could wear the necklace and earrings to complete my outfit to the ball. It’s quite nice to live in the movie in my head.

Seeing the crowds converged around the Rosetta Stone (in a glass enclosure), a photo was tricky. It is quite impressive sight and if you hold your ground you can get close to view the writings.

After viewing the Rosetta Stone, I considered my “drive by” of the British Museum, albeit way too short, complete for the day.  Happily the rains led me to the musuem for the first, but not that last time.  Have you visited The British Museum?  If so, what is your favorite collection, gallery or holding in the collection?

Londoners are quite funny as they name the new buildings in the city based on their shapes – there’s the Gherkin, Cheese Grater, Shard and the Walkie Talkie.  I’m not sure of the proper names of the buildings or even their addresses but everyone seems to know what you are talking about if you say the names in the city’s financial district.  When all of these skyscraper (for London anyway) buildings were built, only the Shard had an observation area (for a price).  For other views of London, you can ride the London Eye, climb the stairs at St. Paul’s (not that high) or the free rooftop at New Change Mall on Cheapside.  Now you have Sky Garden.  The aptly named Sky Garden London is just that – a green space in the sky located at the top of the Walkie Talkie building.  Unlike the Shard and London Eye, the Sky Garden London is FREE to visit.  There are, of course, a few hoops to jump to get up in the sky but let’s look inside first.

Sky Garden London – Outdoor Observation Deck

When you exit the elevators and make a right you enter the vast terminal in the sky – it feels almost like T5 at Heathrow but despite the airport security you just endured in the lobby, there is no gate to run to and the food options are much tastier.  If you walk straight through the doors, you are outside with a glass paneled view of the Thames and London below. While I was enjoying the views, there was a guy not content to take a photo through glass that put his camera above the glass for an unobstructed photo and was quickly reprimanded by security due to safety issues (what if he dropped his camera over?).  The sunny day and warm temps made the outside visit quite nice.

Sky Garden London – Indoor Seating & Café

If you choose to sit inside there is a center café selling drinks, snacks and sandwiches.  Some tables have blankets (the air con was quite cold) and can be reserved  but on the day of my visit the sun was streaming in the glass walls and windows making a few spots warm and in need of sunglasses inside.  There was ample room to sit and enjoy the views and greenery (the number of visitors is controlled to avoid crowds).

Sky Garden London – the Gardens

The greenery is located up and around the top floor in a U shape.  There are stairs up and around providing you a 360 degree view of London along the windows.  You need to be able to climb stairs for this part of the visit.  On the interior of each staircase there are benches to sit among the plants.

Sky Garden London Views

The day of my visit was bright sun, hazy and humid (the hottest September day breaking records).  The interior windows are tinted as you can see from the photos and have markers on the windows for the viewing descriptions. The views are 360 degrees which is fabulous although your camera may have issues with the tinting.  As you can see I took a photo of Tower Bridge not of London Bridge which was in front of the marker.

Sky Garden London –  Food & Drink

Also inside the U shape above you are the two posh restaurants, Fenchurch and Darwin Brasserie, (reservations required) which are further enclosed and their views while nice seem a bit obstructed in my opinion.  The two bars, City Garden Bar and Sky Pod Bar also have tables (with reservations).

Sky Garden London Free Admission

While the views and admission are free, you do need to reserve a timed ticket in advance as the number of visitors is limited each hour.  If you are unable to find a general admission ticket, you can always book a restaurant reservation which allows you to visit the Sky Garden at your leisure.  The restaurants are open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. whereas the public free viewing access is open Monday/Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sky Garden London – Check In & Security

You will see a staff member outside the doors as there is a separate entrance on the side of the building.  You are directed into the queue to check in – one line for general admission and another for restaurant guests.  Make sure to have your confirmation page printed out or on your phone to make the check in quicker.  Also bring photo ID to match the names on the reservation. Once you’ve checked in, you move forward to the airport style security check.  Once you’ve cleared security, you can board the elevators (lifts) to the top floor where the Sky Garden is located.

Sky Garden London – Final Thoughts

I was really impressed with our Sky Garden London experience. My mom was with me and she was able to go outside and then sit inside while I explored up, around and down the various viewpoints.  The windows have markers with important buildings that you are viewing.  The café costs were reasonable for bottled water and sweet treats. I’d love to go back to experience the sunset as well as the city aglow at night.  Next time!  Sky Garden London is a wonderful opportunity to see the city from all angles and a great option for families since it is free.

Book Your Reservation at Sky Garden London

When I first visited Venice, Italy, I remember buying handmade paper by the sheet.  It was elegant, unique and something I wanted to write on.  But what to write?  What was worthy of this special paper?  As silly as it sounds now, that paper could only be used for a love letter, those love letters featured in newspaper articles, the ones shown in the movies, the ones found years later that evoked tears of happiness and sadness. The letter that would have been put in the mailbox to work its magic across the city, state, oceans, etc. to arrive in the mailbox of the intended paramour.  The logistics of the letter delivery lost to the sender and recipient but happily recreated by the Postal Museum and Mail Rail in London showcasing the transit of that letter across London (and the world).

The problem was I didn’t have a love to write to so I saved that paper as a piece of art – it really is a piece of art in the craftsmanship as well as in the intent.  An intent lost today in the world of swiping left and right, a world full of emojis and disappearing messages and one that “likes” my post but doesn’t actually converse with me.  That paper reminds me of history, a history of conversations that often took days or even weeks to initiate and continue.  A time when I had pen pals in Australia and Italy.

The Post Office Railway “Mail Rail” is Born

It’s easy to romanticize the piece of paper and the letter because it all seemed so simple in the early days (at least the movies and books make me feel that way). Central in all of this letter writing and waiting for the postman is the post office – the logistics of how that letter leaves your hands and gets into another is fascinating.  And in London, they found a new way to get the mail moving across the city by moving it underground.  Why bother with the mess, traffic and time-consuming horse-drawn carriages above ground when you can utilize the tunnels underground?  And thus the London Post Office Railway “rebranded Mail Rail in 1987” was born.

The underground mail tunnels were born to transport mail across London (about 6.5 miles of tracks) with multiple stops at key destinations in the city between Paddington and Whitechapel stations.  At each platform, men would have little time (about a minute) to remove the sacks of mail and replace them with other sacks that arrived by chute in an operation that ran nearly 22 hours a day.  The work was physically demanding and exhausting.  But logistically it was so advanced in my opinion.  The trains were driverless and controlled centrally.  If you ever need to be “wowed” just try to fathom the London underground system and this mail tunnel built so long ago. Visiting the London Transport Museum is a great complement to the Postal Museum Rail Mail visit.

For nearly 75 years, the mail traveled underground across London but as new forms of communications were born namely the telephone, fax and then ultimately the smart phone, the mail rail was nearing the end of its efficiency and usefulness in a world less interested in the letters and more focused on emoji’s and quick hits of texts.  The mail rail train was eventually decommissioned in 2003 but lucky us that Royal Mail decided to open up (in 2017) the Mont Pleasant station and build a wonderful attraction that celebrates the era long gone.  Mail Rail is part of the Royal Mail Postal Museum.

Where to Find Mail Rail at the Royal Mail Postal Museum

The Postal Museum is hidden industrial building about 15 minutes walking from Chancery Lane (Central Line) tube station.  Following Google Maps I was led down laneways and small roads away from the crazy that is The City.  The beige factory like building across from the empty lot with cranes ready to build a new London structure was easy to find and it took a few doors down to enter the Postal Museum shop.  The security guard directs you to leave all bags (purses, backpacks, etc.) and coats in the storage lockers (need to deposit £1 coin in the locker as security).  The staff member checks your ticket time before showing you the stairs to descend to the attraction.

Note: Buy your Mail Rail Ride ticket in advance online as there are a limited number of riders and time slots.  You can visit the Postal Museum without riding Mail Rail but for the best experience, plan ahead. 

Riding the Mail Rail Ride at the Postal Museum

When you enter the large room the video projection is on the right hand side which provides a short film history of mail rail.  Around the room are various descriptive boards and the main attraction is on the left – the small trains that have been upgraded to (snugly) fit people into the compartments that used to carry mail bags.

When your ticket time is listed you go queue (line) up and wait to board.  You can leave all bags, coats, etc. in the cubbies if you want (avoiding the deposit lockers upstairs).  Then you are asked to board (or smush into) the train in pairs.  As I was solo, I was allowed to be by myself.  The trains limit tickets to 20 people per time slot so lucky for me I didn’t have to share the small space with a stranger that day.

The glass overhead is closed to secure the train (claustrophobic feel for some) and the driver has a short announcement before we are off and the audio tour begins (speakers overhead).  The narration follows the train and we stop at the first platform to see a video projection of the history of mail, the mail rail and London.  It’s a bit Disney-fied which frankly was a great touch.  The experience transports you back in time and follows the letters, the workers and the people behind the stories over the years.

The fifteen minute ride is not enough as everyone moans upon returning to the platform.  The cost to fully restore all of the stations to take the train across the city is not feasible.  The one station and back is just enough to provide insight into the mail rail history.  You then disembark to walk through the small but nicely curated postal museum and mail rail displays with a few interactive sections.

Royal Mail Postal Museum and Rail Mail Exhibits

The U-shaped exhibit area begins when you disembark the Mail Rail Train.  The wall showcases a map listing the stations across London that the Mail Rail serviced.  Next to the map is the train driver’s car used to maintain and ride the rails – super small if you try to climb in – I tried and didn’t fit. Second is the workers storage lockers, a few intact from the final days of service.  The interactive part is for children mostly to try on the equipment and clothes.  In this area there is also a tool box to show a few of the necessary objects needed to maintain the mail rail train cars, tracks and other equipment at the platforms.

As you walk through the history of the mail rail, each section is a glaring reminder to an industrial mechanical age.  There is the control center which provided updates as to the location of the trains which were unmanned and ran on their schedule.  The display to show the large leather satchels on a mail on a hook that the train delivered as it passed by.  There is an interactive travelling post office (mail train) train car that provides a timed game to sort the mail as the train moves from side to side (I beat the clock and sorted the mail but was annoyed it wasn’t alphabetical to make it easier). Now imagine the train is moving at regular speed and like a pinball machine you are bouncing side to side against co-workers as you sort the mail.

My Mail Rail Ride & Postal Museum Experience

As a super fan of all the “How it’s Made” and “How Do they do that” type of TV shows, documentaries and behind the scenes films, I was super intrigued by all of the displays and the history of Mail Rail. For a unique peek into the history of London and its postal service, a visit to Mail Rail is a must.  The kids growing up today, in my opinion, are so far removed from mail and the post office they may one day never know the feeling of receiving a hand written letter or postcard and that would be a shame.  I’m glad Royal Mail has created this small slice of history to share with everyone.  A visit takes about an hour so you can easily fit this into your London itinerary.