After leaving the hotel our first stop was Piccadilly Circus.
From there we went to see Platform 9 and 3/4 at Kings Cross. I didn't bother getting my photo took at the trolley - only cos I didn't want to queue.
After there we went on the London Eye. We weren't entirely sure we were going to do this on a visit to London because we didn't want to do it if the weather was bad. We were very very lucky and got a glorious blue skies sunny day. As we weren't sure we were actually going to do it we left buying our ticket until we got there. The queue was MENTAL!!!We paid for fast track by booking on our phones instead of going into the queue. Not entirely sure this is worth £34.95 per person but thenviews over London really are amazing!
I wouldn't say this is a must do in London. I think you might be better off booking a bus tour and seeing the landmarks from normal height.
Started to get hungry so made our way to Selfridges and grabbed some food at the Brass Rail Salt Beef Bar.
Somewhat of an institution at Selfridges from what I can gather. Came here on a Friday just as lunchtime was starting so we missed any large queues. Lots of comfy seats to choose from. Rather than a sandwich I went for their mac n cheese and added pastrami with a lemonade. It was SOOOOOOO good!!! I ordered the small rather than a large but that was more than enough. The fresh cracked pepper on the pastrami was v nice.
Also got to try a bit of the salt beef - which was also really good.
Had a wander around Oxford Street - this display at John Lewis made me giggle...
Spotted some of the BFG dream jars...
Then went to Choccywoccydoodah and after a wander around the shop I finally got to try the Bar du Chocolat upstairs.
I wanted to try the chocolate everything cake (five layers of chocolate cake with truffles) but they didn't have. I ordered the chocolate cake instead and a lemonade. I then chose to order a plumpie as well (a way better version of a teacake as it has salted caramel inside)
The cake unfortunately was a letdown. It was dry and I can't believe I have to say this but it was bordering on stale. Such a shame.
The plumpie however was AMAZING and I still enjoyed wandering around the shop downstairs somewhat in awe at their displays.
I got some chocolate to bring home. It actually survived the heat in London that day :)
After here we went to see the Shard. Loved this view!
Stopped in at The Bunch of Grapes and had a drink in the lovely sunshine - a great place to try out while on the tourist trail.
After here had to see Tower Bridge - can't visit London without seeing it really can you?
Headed back to the hotel for a quick shower and change before going out to dinner.
We chose The Bird in Hand for dinner. We were really lucky to get a table as it got crowded a short time later. I had wine rather than beer and went for Picpoul de Pinet which was v good, Plenty of options on this menu for small plates. They bring them out whenever they're ready and encourage sharing. Got to try lots of different plates and each one was delicious. We tried the smoked haddock croquettes, the flatbread with hummus, courgette flower stuffed with goats curd and honey, trout with chorizo and tuna carpaccio on charcoal toast. We had a watermelon and mint granita for dessert.
My top three were the tuna carpaccio, the flatbread and the stuffed courgette flower.
The staff are really nice. Its a dog friendly place so it was really nice to see dogs popping in and out. What a really great gastropub should be!!
Last stop of the night was Brewdog Shepherds Bush.
Really nice atmosphere with a lot of quirks. Seems to be a lot of the newer hipster pubs in Dublin have pretty much modelled themselves on here. Really really good spot! Also I really liked their glasses and the bathrooms are super quirky :)
A pretty top Friday in London :)
