Tea Rooms, Palaces & The English Countryside
May 6, 2026
A Storybook Trip to London
A girls’ trip with my mom and sisters
There are some trips that feel special while you’re on them… and then there are the ones you know will stay with you forever. This was one of those.
This trip to London was the first time my mom, my two sisters, and I were able to take a true girls’ trip together—and that alone made it meaningful before we ever stepped on the plane.
Our First Day in London
We landed in London and, after dropping our luggage at The Clermont Victoria, we headed straight out to the London Eye.
It was one of those classic London days—gray, overcast but daffodils were in full bloom all over the city. From the top, we could see Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, both of them so iconic and even more striking in that soft, diffused light.
From there, we went to one of my favorite places of the entire trip—Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly.
Fortnum & Mason is over 300 years old! It has been around since 1707, originally founded as a grocery store supplying luxury goods. There’s an incredible story behind it—the founders, William Fortnum and Hugh Mason, were connected to the royal household, and Fortnum reportedly sold used candle wax from the palace to start the business.
Today, it still holds a Royal Warrant, meaning it officially supplies goods to the royal family.
The store itself is extraordinary—seven floors, multiple restaurants, and the most beautiful packaging you’ve ever seen. The sweeping central staircase (added during a 2010 renovation) winds upward like something out of a dream. Everywhere you look: delicate teas, hand-packed biscuits, marzipan, honey, and confections that feel more like art than food.
We also popped into the oldest bookstore in London. Hatchards was established in 1797. It was the perfect spot to purchase a linen-covered book of Paddington Bear stories.
The Cotswolds: A Real-Life Fairytale
The next day, we headed out to the Cotswolds—and it was every bit as magical as I had imagined.
We visited Bibury (home to Arlington Row, one of the most photographed streets in England, dating back to the 1300s), Bourton-on-the-Water (often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds”), and Stow-on-the-Wold, a historic market town that dates back to medieval times.
Each village felt like stepping into a storybook—honey-colored stone cottages, little bridges over quiet streams, shops filled with treasures you didn’t know you needed.
We had fish and chips, tea, and scones… and just wandered. It was peaceful, charming, and one of those days you wish you could stretch out a little longer.
A Day of Shopping (and One Extraordinary Exhibit)
Our next day was dedicated to shopping—and a very special exhibit I had been planning this trip around.
We started at Liberty London, which is unlike any department store I’ve ever seen. The building itself dates to 1924 and is constructed from the timbers of two old ships, giving it that rich, dark wood interior with open balconies and layered floors. Liberty is known for its iconic floral fabrics (dating back to the late 1800s), and everything inside feels artistic and curated.
Then we went to Harrods for afternoon tea to celebrate my sister’s birthday. It was elegant and fun—beautiful pastries, incredible presentation, even a taste of caviar. Chandeliers overhead, a pianist playing nearby… a truly magical experience.
But the highlight of the entire trip was the Marie Antoinette Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
This was the reason we came.
The exhibit walked through her life—from her arrival in France in the 1770s to her legacy in fashion and culture. Very few of her personal items survive (many were lost during the French Revolution), so pieces marked with her personal “M” were incredibly rare and special.
There was a replica of her wedding dress that her sister in law wore for her wedding to the King of Sweden —tiny, intricate, woven with silver thread—and rooms filled with textiles, furnishings, jewelry, and even modern interpretations of her style. They included costumes from the Marie Antoinette, including the shoes worn by Kirsten Dunst in the Sophia Copola Movie.
The exhibit itself was breathtaking—dark rooms, glowing chandeliers, and this almost ethereal atmosphere. It completely lived up to everything I had hoped it would be.
It’s one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had.
Blenheim Palace
The next day, we took a train out to Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
Built in the early 1700s, the palace is enormous—set on over 2,000 acres of parkland designed by the famous landscape architect Capability Brown.
We took a tram tour through the grounds (very worth it—it’s massive), saw the lake, waterfalls, and endless gardens, and then toured the palace itself.
We had lunch in a beautiful glass conservatory-style restaurant, which felt like something out of a dream.
Windsor and an Evening at the Ballet
Another day, another train ride—this time to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.
The interiors were stunning (no photos allowed), especially knowing parts were restored after the 1992 fire.
That evening, we went to the Royal Opera House to see Giselle performed by The Royal Ballet.
It was breathtaking—haunting, emotional, and beautifully done. The theater itself is exactly what you imagine—velvet curtains, balconies, and that old-world elegance.
I loved being able to bring something home for my daughter from the ballet shop—it made it feel even more meaningful.
Stonehenge and Bath
On our final full day, we took a tour to Stonehenge and Bath.
Standing at Stonehenge—built around 3000–2000 BC—is surreal. There’s a quiet, almost unexplainable feeling there. It’s one of those places you can’t fully describe.
In Bath, we toured the Roman Baths, built nearly 2,000 years ago around natural hot springs. The architecture, the history—it’s incredible to think how much has been preserved.
We also visited the Jane Austen Centre, which was such a fun stop, especially knowing how much of her life and writing was tied to this city.
Where We Stayed (and Little Things I Loved)
We stayed at the The Clermont Victoria, originally built in the 1850s, and it truly feels like a grand London hotel—beautiful interiors, a lovely restaurant, and one of the most convenient locations imaginable.
It’s directly connected to Victoria Station, which made getting everywhere incredibly easy.
And one of my favorite little routines? Most evenings, we walked across the street to an excellent Italian restaurant named Harry’s Victoria for dinner. Something we all looked forward to after a long day of walking.
Final Thoughts
This trip was everything I hoped it would be—and more.
The history, the beauty, the shopping (I did have to buy a second suitcase), the experiences… but more than anything, the time with my mom and my sisters.
I already know I’ll go back to London again and again. There’s just so much to see, and it somehow never feels like enough.
And the best part?
I’m already going back in May.
More London adventures to come..
