What ritual or tradition have you witnessed overseas?
London’s changing of the guard is an occasion of much pomp and show (this is England, after all!), but we love the tradition! We wanted to catch it while we were in town, because, why not?
Author: Brianna Shade
My name is Brianna, and I have been in love with photography for as long as I can remember. I am almost never without a camera, eliciting some strange looks toward my shooting garbage (never question a photographer's inspiration!), trepidation from my loving husband when I put myself in some precarious positions to get *just* the right shot, and annoyance from our two cats - frequent subjects of my artistic antics. I welcome you to enjoy my passion with me.
A Taste of the Prime Meridian
What famous “divider” have you visited? The equator? The Great Divide? The Panama Canal?
While in London, we couldn’t see ourselves so close without actually hopping the river to visit Greenwich, the official home of the Prime Meridian. After a long day of Shoreditch, Leadenhall, St. Dunstan’s, and the Garden at 120, we debated even going – but I’m glad we did!
A Taste of the Garden at 120
What’s your favorite spot in London?
Being in London for so long, we found lots of spots to love! One of our favorites was atop the lesser known The Garden at 120. It’s free, like its sister, the Sky Garden, but it’s far less popular (and less crowded!). It also had a small coffee kiosk when we went, so we could sip on a drink while we soaked up the view.
A Taste of St. Dunstan in the East
Where are your favorite ruins?
St. Dunstan in the East is a beautiful church that was demolished during The Blitz of WWII. Instead of rebuilding, the shell was converted into a free outdoor garden. The church had already been through the Great Fire of London and structural challenges from the heavy nave roof. A garden seems like a great use for a structure that doesn’t seem destined for longevity.
A Taste of Leadenhall Market
Which pet would you bring with you to Hogwarts?
You might recognize Leadenhall Market from Harry Potter. It was used as one of the filming locations for Diagon Alley. However, that’s not the only reason we were drawn to this beautiful covered market.
A Taste of Shoreditch
Where have you found the best street art?
Shoreditch was one of our favorite neighborhoods in the city of London. We spent an entire morning exploring its many streets and admiring the vast array of street art.
A Taste of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Where’s the coolest place you’ve seen a performance?
A trip to London isn’t complete with a visit to the famous Globe Theatre. However, contrary to popular belief, Shakespeare never actually performed in this theater. The original burned in a fire, and its replacement was closed down in 1642. This current Globe wasn’t built until 1997, just in time for my previous visit to London for a summer school trip in 1999.
A Taste of Tower Bridge
What cool bridges do you have near you?
Aside from Big Ben, Tower Bridge is probably the most iconic landmark of London. Contrary to the common misconception, this is not London Bridge.
A Taste of London’s Sky Garden
What’s your favorite city viewpoint? Have you ever found one to be disappointing?
If the Cologne Cathedral and the Main Tower are any indication, we love getting up on top of things to view the tiny world below. When we researched things to do in the city of London, the Sky Garden quickly rose to the top of the list.
A Taste of the London Eye
What’s the tallest Ferris wheel you’ve been on?
The magnificent London Eye is another thing that didn’t quite exist when I first visited London back in 1999. This Ferris wheel is now one of the most recognizable features of the London skyline (up there with Big Ben, of course).