Written by Jaden Parker
Delta Airlines has recently released data that Cancun, Paris, and even Rome were beat out as far as popular summer international vacations by UK’s finest: London! I had the opportunity to interview Patricia Stiles, a Pennsylvanian turned Delawarian, who regularly travels to London from America. Continue reading for the inside scoop on England’s capital.
Q: Hello, Patricia! Thank you for agreeing to talk with me about one of your favorite travel spots! Tell me, how often do you travel to London?
Well, my husband Russell and I have been visiting London just about every year since 1979. We have come on our own for as little as a long weekend to as long as six weeks. We also lead student groups on educational trips to London!
Q: How wonderful! What would you say are your favorite things about London culture?
Oh, there are so many. Theater. History—the fact that I’ve leaned on a Roman wall from 500 B.C., sat in a pub built in the 1400s, stayed in a flat in a building that existed during the reign of George III, the “last King of America.” The feeling that you’re in 1957 and 2040 at any given time is remarkable.
Q:What is something you wish you’d known on your first visit to London?
The ease and efficiency of public transportation! On our first trip, we took way too many cabs. We’ve now learned that the Underground, busses, trains, even walking are much better ways to get around. London Transport will get you anywhere!
Q: What were your favorite foods you enjoyed in London, and how would you describe them?
This is a difficult one as the British Empire, at one time, encompassed the globe; so food choices are varied and wonderful. We go to Brick Lane for amazing Indian food, Soho for Chinese, south London for Afro-Caribbean, but there are pockets of Portuguese, Thai, literally any international food you could imagine!
British food gets a bad rep, but there has been a huge push to “posh up” traditional British fare, and so a Pub Lunch—bangers and mash, Shepherd’s Pie, Traditional meat pie, Ploughman’s lunch, Sunday roast with Yorkshire Pudding—is not the “overcooked meat and veggies” that it used to be. Plus, pubs are known to employ award-winning chefs!
Fish and Chips is a traditional meal. Find a fish and chips spot that the London cabbies stop at—it will be good. Also, look for a traditional “Pie, eel, and mash shop.” Goddards at Greenwich is our favorite! A “Full English Breakfast”—eggs, bangers, rashers, beans, blood pudding, fried bread/toast, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms—will raise your cholesterol but definitely fill you up for the day.
We mostly buy fresh food at the grocery store and cook. The British have a non-GMO policy; so fruits and vegetables are sold only in-season and are fresh and flavorful. The fresh strawberries and raspberries are amazing! Cheeses, like British and Irish cheddars and some delicious European cheese, are rich and flavorful, too. No Velveeta here! And one can usually find a great bakery in any neighborhood. For one-stop-shopping, we go to Borough Market on the Southbank for fresh fruits, veggies, meats, fish, cheese, bread, and desserts, but there are also smaller neighborhood markets all over the city.
Q: My mouth is watering just at the idea of those! Speaking of food, most know that tea is a huge thing for Europeans. I’m curious. What’s your impression of tea (tea times, drinking tea, how tea is prepared) in London as far as its importance?
So, tea is a British staple. It’s a comfort drink, a necessary drink; essentially, everyone drinks it. It’s what gets you up in the morning, what you drink when socializing—you’ll often hear people say “I’ll put the kettle on” when guests arrive at the house during the day. It provides comfort; people put the kettle on when someone is sick, distressed, has a problem, or has died. Day-to-day tea—our friends have called it “Builder’s Tea” because it’s like the tea that regular workers might drink: nice and strong with “no fussy bits”—would be like a PG Tips or Yorkshire.
There was a time, when we first visited London, where it was difficult to find good coffee! Coffee was mostly instant Nescafé. But in the last 20 years or so, coffee has gotten more popular. And there are lots of cool coffee places. Not too many Starbucks, but mostly European chains and family-run businesses. Pitted Olive on Leigh St. is our favorite. Bar Italia in Soho is where you’d go if you wanted to see someone famous!
Then, there’s the traditional “Afternoon Tea.” It’s a special event, something one does as a special treat. This involves tea sandwiches, sweet cakes, scones, and “fancier” tea. It takes time to prepare and is considered an afternoon meal. If you wanted to indulge in Afternoon Tea, I’d recommend Kensington Palace Pavilion or Fortnum’s, but pretty much any nice hotel will offer an afternoon tea.
Q: That’s wonderful! I’ll definitely have to look out for my favorites: chai and chamomile! Last question. Give me the top three lesser-known things a first-timer should check out while in London.
#1. Pub/Fringe theater: People know about “West End” shows, similar to Broadway, but we’ve seen some amazing theater in pubs and fringe venues. Check out London Pub Theatres and Off West End.
#2. After you’ve seen the hot spots, get out of Central London—Greenwich, Hampstead, Richmond, Windsor. Spend time in East London, like south of the Thames. Transport is simple, and it’s fun to go to a neighborhood.
#3. Take a London Walk. The only ones we’d recommend are London Walks. We’ve taken dozens of these and learned so much, from Jack the Ripper to the Beatles to Legal London to Haunted London.
Well, you’ve heard it here first. Make sure to visit on an empty stomach and bring your favorite teacup when you book your next flight to the home of Westminster Abbey!
