There is nothing better than having a day in London.
The atmosphere as soon as you leave the train station gets me every time.
It has me walking down the street with a huge grin on my face. London is somewhere I will never ever tire of. I may even be a bit of a bore when it comes to our great capital city. But what’s not to love? When I got the chance to spend the day with the lovely Donna. I was a bit giddy. Thanks to Red Letter Days we got to spend a day checking out view from the top of the shard. And then after headed over for afternoon tea in London at the Sofitel St James.
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If you haven’t spent a day doing tourist things in London then you must. And visiting the top of the shard is a great place to start. The whole shard experience as soon as you enter the front doors is a lovely experience, and bag searches make you feel at ease that security is taken seriously.
The lifts are part of the experience with images of London projected on the ceiling, tracking the sunrise and sunset along the Thames. It really is very beautiful and something I could have watched for ages. The lifts move at lightening speed and before you know it you are half way up and moving into another super fast lift.
It took no time to navigate all the way to the top. With London sitting elegantly below, looking somewhat like an exquisite model village. Although it was a cloudy, rainy day the view is breathtaking.
There are virtual telescopes where you can explore the view below and directions to all the landmarks of London on each side. Should you wish for further facts, there is also a headset giving lots of information. Donna and I were a little too busy chatting, taking photos and sipping champagne as we enjoyed the view to listen to ours! But part of me wishes we had. However it does give me a great reason to return. And when I do it will most certainly be at sunset, I just can’t imagine what watching the sunset from the shard would be like?
We then jumped on the tube for afternoon tea at the Sofitel St James, the grandest of hotels. With a super stylish restaurant offering the best afternoon tea, exactly what was needed after battling storm Doris.
The staff at the Sofitel are so attentive. They could see our windswept state and quickly ensured we were comfortable with a glass of champagne. Following this the service was relaxed and attentive.
Our glasses were kept full. And with tea arriving just at the right time we not once did we feel rushed. The whole experience felt relaxed and leisurely. So much so we stayed longer than planned. You know when you feel so chilled and have eaten a little too much cake, just because it was so delicious. Although is there such a thing as eating too much cake?
We left full and happy and decided to weather the storm and walk to Liverpool Street Station to walk of our feast. And of course enjoy the evening bustle of London. This was the perfect treat day, ticking of a few things off my London wish list.
Spending time with one of my faves and being thoroughly spoilt in the process. Thanks you so much Red Letter Days for a wonderful experience, what a great way to plan a trip to London. Also if you fancy a great afternoon tea in Essex check out this post from Emma.
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I agree, one can never tire of London. There is so much to see and do! The afternoon tea looks so good, glad you could spend a day with your bestie, those are the best days 🙂
Ah thanks os much Nano, I know cities are so vibrant aren’t they, and omg the afternoon tea was delicious I would thoroughly recommend it x
I know exactly what you mean. I love London so much (probably because I’m a visitor rather than a resident, though). I was due to take James the day after Storm Doris but our train was cancelled. Hoping to reschedule for Easter, instead. I’d love to do afternoon tea but I think it might be a year or two before the boys would sit through it.
Oh no such a shame Rachel, do you know there are a few places that offer kids afternoon tea x
I’ve been to that Sofitel and it’s just so beautiful. The spa next to there is amazing too but I’ve never done afternoon tea…in fact i can’t remember the last time I actually had afternoon tea. You make me want to go down to London and see the Shard!
I must say I did have a peek at the spa and it looked amazing, what a gem of a place in London. And you need to do it Tas I loved the Shard and then a lovely afternoon tea now x
What a great day out and even better that you got to share it with one of your besties. I adore afternoon tea but have never had it in London. Another thing to add to the ‘list’. You can tell through your posts that you adore London so much x
Oh Tracey you need to rectify this, and definitely go for bottomless fizz too. I so miss living near to London I feel so many people just take it for granted when they live near, and not all people in the North realise how accessible it is and easy to get to, we are so lucky to have such a wonderful capital city that people come from all over the world to visit x
London is somewhere to discover something new on each visit. I must confess that I haven’t visited the Shard as yet but it does look fantastic. Your afternoon tea looked delicious!
Oh Sarah it was amazing and I would thoroughly recommend the Shard x
Oh wow! Looks like the best afternoon tea ever!! #MondayEscapes
It was amazing Lolo so tasty x
What a fab spot for afternoon tea #mondayescapes
Thank you it was x
I loved our visit to the Shard and the fact that the kids all had their own devices to show them what they were looking at. The afternoon tea looks amazing
It was amazing Caro so delicious and yes I think I will have to return with the boys as I know they will love it x
Now that does look like a special treat, I love your first photo looking up at the building, it is such an incredible size and scale.
I know it takes your breath away Fiona I just loved visiting and ooh the afternoon tea was amazing x
I went to uni in London and now live in Wiltshire, but I still love going back into the city for a day trip and doing the touristy things. The city stil has so much I haven’t seen yet, I agree that it’s great to go and experience London as a tourist would! #Mondayescapes
Same here Keri, I used to work in London and so miss it, and no matter how often I visit I find something new and exciting x
This looks amazing, I have always wanted to visit the Shard!
It was a great experience Kerry I loved it x
Amazing views! I contemplated on going up during my last visit in London, but found it too exprensive!
Love the afternoon tea as well…mostly for the desserts and the presentation! #mondayescapes
Ha ha the deserts were amazing, but so were the sandwiches, and the Shard is worth the cost, it really is incredible to see that view x
What a great treat! Amazing views and lots of happy memories #mondayescapes
What a thoroughly delicious way to spend the day in London. I would love to see those views from The Shard and that afternoon tea looks amazing. Not to mention the bubbles! How fab!! #MondayEscapes
Claire it was such a lovely day with amazing food and lots of fizz, the Shard is fantastic well worth visiting x
It looks like it was a great visit to London! The views from the Shard are amazing. We had lunch at Hutong a few months ago and enjoyed the views from there and Aqua. The afternoon tea also looks wonderful, what a lovely treat! #MondayEscapes
ooh that looks amazing I will have to try that out, but yes thank you we had a wonderful day, those views are just magnificent aren’t they ? x
I love Sofitel St James! I was eyeing up the afternoon teas when I visited, for a pampering session at their spa. Do try it, if you get a chance. Phenomenal massages! #MondayEscapes
Ha ha I was eyeing up the spa, i need to do both on one day, maybe with a stay over its so beautiful there x
That looks great!!
Thank you x
Went have visited the shard when the boys were little but they were both a little too tired to filly appreciate it, but the views were awesome! Afternoon tea looks amazing though, how decadent! #farawayflies
Oh it was Andrea, ah thats such a shame as yes the views are incredible x
That lift up the Shard is really quite something! Love your photo from the top and very envious of the tea.
We always stand and admire the Shard whenever we are at London Bridge station but we’ve never been inside. It sounds fab. Sarah #MondayEscapes
Sarah it is so fab, definitely worth visiting x
The last time I was in London, the Shard wasn’t even built yet! Have to get my crew over there sometime soon. What a fantastic day you had!
#MondayEscapes
Wow you do, that is crazy x
The views are just great from The Shard, and I do love the building itself. What could be better than quaffing champers and cake whilst enjoying it all! #mondayescapes
Exactly Megan if you are going to do it, do it in style ha ha x
What a wonderful treat! I love London so much, and we need to go soon now we are back. We have yet to go up the Shard, but it’s on my list, and I know where to go for afternoon tea now as well! 🙂 #mondayescapes
Emma it is such a great view we loved it, and yes the afternoon tea is amazing x
The little handheld dodad in the picture above looks nifty for making sure you don’t miss out on a landmark. Was that part of the audioguide?
Yes it was Sol it was so great x
Afternoon tea with bottomless Champagne? Yes, please, especially after this amazing view! x
Jen it was wonderful, the view, the food it was such a wonderful experience x