Despite my chosen residence, smack in the middle of New York City, I’ve always been more of a fan of naturally wild landscapes than ones constructed by humans. Yet I had so much fun interacting and posing with British architecture, I was willing to forgive the monochromatic gardens.
Trafalgar Square Lions
At the base of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, there are four lions. Nobody explicitly says you’re allowed to climb the lions, but there’s no rule against it either. It’s actually kinda dangerous, if you stop to consider it. They aren’t built to be climbed on. There aren’t any good footholds or places to grip, and the lions are placed so only a very narrow strip of concrete surrounds them on three sides. If you slip, which is possible-to-likely, you’re already up more than a meter (over four feet) off the ground, which is also solid concrete.
Not wanting to end my trip short with a broken something and a firsthand experience of the NHS, I resigned myself to the safer poses.
Fortunately, when I offered to take the photo of a lovely group of Spanish tourists, they could tell I wanted a grander photo. I didn’t want to pet the lion. I wanted to ride the lion.
And that lovely group of Spanish tourists helped make it happen.
Princess Diana Memorial Fountain
Finally seeing this in person actually brought tears to my eyes. When I was in gradeschool, I did two different book reports on Princess Diana, and I guess something still resonated. Her grave is elsewhere, but she’s remembered daily inside Hyde Park. Countless children, of all ages, relax and play interchangeably all over the circular fountain. I was so happy to be one of those children. My shoes were off and jeans curled up to wade in the water before I even considered how I would dry my feet afterwards.
Damp socks were worth it.
Southbank Street Art
Despite a lot of internet sleuthing, I couldn’t find the name or artist of this Monty Python-esque street art on the Southbank of the Thames River. It seemed to have no purpose for existing other than to make people smile. It worked!
Hamley’s Lego Store
This giant toy store had a proportionately giant Lego section full of life-sized British symbols. I might not have gotten to meet the Queen when she and I were both at Windsor Castle, but I got to meet her in Hamley’s! She was as she should be; complete with corgi.
TARDIS
There are many police boxes dotted about the city, but only one is blue. It’s locked (The Doctor is NOT In) but somehow that made it better. Turning a corner in actual tangible London to see the TARDIS parked before you on the sidewalk… goosebumps doesn’t quite describe it.
The TARDIS would reappear for me in another place and time at The Dr. Who Shop and Museum.
Shaun the Sheep
The adorable shorn sheep of Wallace and Gromit fame was everywhere I went. Shaun wore a number of different coats, all painted in different British themed ways to support different British charities. There were apparently sixty Shauns in total, but I share here only six.
All of the above were completely free and available nearly 24/7, with the exception of Hamley’s, which has operating hours you can find on their website. Shaun locations and presence may have changed since 2015.
Kaitlin’s Adventure in London was from April 14-28, 2015