A brief taste of the summer light year in the UK -10 day tour of London and the southeast coast, UK self guided travel guide

 

Summer in the UK isn’t so fervent, yet it lingers in my mind.

A country that had never appeared on my travel plan became an unexpected rendezvous this summer.
My teammate received an opportunity to do an exchange in London. He asked me casually out of politeness if I wanted to join, and unexpectedly I took it seriously! I hadn’t traveled far for a long time and I hesitated—life entangles us with so many trifles—but in the end I couldn’t resist the heart that wants to see the world.
I didn’t want to wait for “one day”; I chose to set off immediately!

“The IT Crowd”, “Harry Potter”, “Cambridge & Oxford”, “British Museum”, “Britpop”... Before researching, the UK labels in my head were very few. I don’t know European history well and I’m not a British TV fan—“the UK” was the most familiar stranger to me. After a simple prep, I realized there’s far too much in the UK worth seeing. In London I packed six days with nearly 20,000 steps a day of commando-style marching and still didn’t get enough! For the remaining three days, considering time, routes, and sights, I chose the southern coast—to see the white cliffs and wander seaside towns.

Trip Overview

On this 10-day, 9-night trip, I experienced leisurely solo walks on London streets, immersion in temples of art, and strolls under green park canopies; and I also enjoyed feasting at markets, driving on country lanes, and rushing toward the wilderness with friends. Memories of journeys grow fuzzy after many years—thankfully images and words can frame these moments, and for friends who long to visit the UK, you can feel the charm of the UK through my words and pictures first.

At Horizon22, feel London’s charm from a god’s-eye view.

Thames riverside in London under the long summer daylight.

Feel the blend of tradition and modernity through Tate Modern’s “city window”.

A must-see World’s best museum of art and performance — the V&A Museum.

The white cliffs under gloomy rain feel fateful—let the sea wind hit your face and the waves surge.

In the wilderness of life, begin a long dialogue between soul and nature.

Chinatown — a splash of China Red in a foreign land.

Elegant and solemn Buckingham Palace.

Breaking into an oil painting-like English country lane.

A fairytale seaside town — Hastings.

Those elegant, innately relaxed “Londoners” we encountered by chance.

We departed from Shanghai Pudong in the early morning, took an 11-hour red-eye direct flight, and arrived at Gatwick Airport at dawn. Stepping out of the terminal, we immediately felt the coolness of the UK summer. After dropping luggage at the hotel we headed straight to Borough Market on the south bank of the Thames, eager to soothe our tired bodies with good food.

Borough Market
Hours: Closed Mon; Tue–Fri 10:00–17:00; Sat 9:00–17:00; Sun 10:00–16:00
Address: 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL

We entered from Green Market and strolled into Borough Market; it was packed and very popular. The food variety is rich, from fresh produce to chocolate and bread; the displays and the products themselves are super tempting. There are several small coffee stands—grabbed an Americano casually and the good beans made it not bitter! (As a non-coffee drinker I can only “discern” whether it’s bitter )

Lots of cheese stalls, and quirky fruit stands.

We tried a few internet-famous stalls. Highly recommend The Black Pig — the UK’s version of “meat-filled bun”: chewy bread stuffed with juicy braised pork, a bit of tangy-spicy crisp garnish, and plenty of grated cheese. Tastes great, and the slightly sour-spicy flavor instantly awakens appetite, very friendly to Asian stomachs. Portions are sizable and cost performance is high.

The crowd-favorite paella was fine—felt a bit heavy; rice was slightly salty, though the seafood was fresh. Lobster at £27 per portion is a bit pricey.

Donuts look better than they taste, haha. Fried dough is a calorie bomb—chewy texture and very sweet icing.

At the market entrance/exit there’s a little street of specialty shops, including niche buyer stores with plenty of vibe—worth a stroll if you have time.

From Borough Market, walk south across London Bridge for about 15 minutes to reach Leadenhall Market—one of London’s oldest markets, with history dating back to the 14th century, located at the site of Roman-era London’s center, and a filming location for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

We happened to catch an antiques bazaar. Diagon Alley itself isn’t large, but the stalls are great to browse; the goods have design and taste—you can tell Europeans care deeply about life and passion.

The stalls look good—and the people browsing look even better. Many with stylish outfits—elegant and fashionable temperament that makes you look twice.

London is definitely a vinyl paradise.

At one end of “Diagon Alley” stands Lloyd’s Building—a cyberpunk metal-shelled high-tech architecture masterpiece designed by Richard Rogers, completed in 1986. Its metal skin starkly contrasts surrounding traditional European buildings; this extreme functionalism is controversial, but I quite like it—there’s a surreal tension.
Architecture in this district is distinctive—full of collisions between modern and traditional styles—London’s inclusiveness is impressive.

This transparent elevator looks so pure amid exposed building pipes!

Horizon22 is about a 5-minute walk from Leadenhall Market and offers free elevated views. I had been watching reservations—they were always full. Each day they release some walk-in slots that require same-day booking. Luck was good; we booked walk-in tickets on a whim. The elevator shot up to the 85th floor; when the city unfolded before our eyes, we truly felt the trip was worth it! Day one’s “peak” started with a god’s-eye view over London.

London Tower Bridge, crisscrossing streets, the gently flowing Thames, and staggered buildings are all within sight.

Horizon22 ticket booking
Peak summer crowds—book in advance; they likely release the next 14 days every Monday. Also watch for same-day walk-in tickets. All are free.

Free worship times
Mon–Sat Choral Evensong: starts 5 pm, about 45 minutes; Sunday worship: after 3 pm
Note: Free times allow sitting quietly in fixed areas; no roaming, climbing, or crypt visits; photography prohibited; silence required.
Paid visiting times
Mon–Sat: 8:30–16:30 (last entry 16:00); Wednesday opens at 10:00

Ticket includes: main cathedral + crypt + dome climbs (Whispering Gallery / Stone Gallery / Golden Gallery) + Chinese audio guide
Adult £26 | Student/65+ £23.5 | 6–17 £10 | under 6 free

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most famous religious buildings in the UK, Baroque style, built 1675–1710, and a London landmark. We arrived on Sunday—worship day—free entry but only to listen at the entrance, no photos allowed.
Having marched most of the day, we took the chance to sit in the cathedral and listen to prayers—a short rest. The melodious hymns echoed beneath the dome and colonnades, cleansing the heart. At the end the pastor spoke, reflecting on current world affairs and domestic situations—there are still many homeless and many needing help; we should keep compassion and offer more aid.
Though not religious, such ritual and state felt good. Life needn’t be endless commando-style rushing; letting ourselves empty a bit brings more reflection and calm.

The dome of St Paul’s is magnificent—well worth paying to tour and photograph.

Across from St Paul’s, crossing Millennium Bridge leads to Tate Modern. This route has many classic photo spots—not to be missed.
Millennium Bridge is the “wobbly bridge” in Harry Potter. Walking on it feels nothing special; the best angles are along the river near Tate and inside the museum.

Tate Modern
Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–18:00
Address: Bankside, London SE 1 9TG
Main collection free; special exhibitions ticketed.

Street performances in front of the museum vary by time—art vibes maxed.

We were lucky to see Bourgeois’s “Maman” at Tate Modern—her largest spider at ~9m tall and one of her most iconic sculptures. It showed at Tate Modern’s opening in 2000 and now it’s back! Standing beneath “Maman” was quite awe-inspiring.
Tate Modern also has many must-see works: treasure of the house — Duchamp’s “Fountain”, plus Andy Warhol’s “Marilyn Monroe”, Mondrian’s “Composition C (Red, Yellow, Blue)”, Malevich, and Lucio Fontana’s “Spatial Concept: Waiting”, etc. Worth a half-day stroll. (My legs were shot by then; missed many )

On the 4th floor there’s a superb vantage point to photograph Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s; on the 6th-floor café you can dine with a view.

The riverfront outside Tate is relaxing—nice for a stroll after visiting.

From art to architecture, feeling classic British elegance.

Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00
Tickets: Permanent collection free; special shows by reservation
Address: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

There are two Tates—Tate Modern is famous; Tate Britain is more low-key. But Tate Britain is truly recommended—from its building to the paintings, it’s the symbol of the classic. Fewer visitors make for a great experience. My friend and I arrived early and still “rushed” for over two hours—the works are abundant.
The architecture is classic, especially the spiral staircase—elegant with rhythmic beauty. On the top floor many people drink coffee, chat, and work—lots of middle-aged and seniors. I envy those who can idle time in such wonderful spaces.

Tate Britain presents British works from Henry VIII to the contemporary era—each gallery representing a period. Downstairs there’s an unmissable painting guide—follow it to explore.

Most exhibited are works by J. M. W. Turner—the UK’s most famous painter, precocious genius, a master of light and color variation, especially landscapes.

Had to pull out the £20 note for a photo—the banknote’s background is also his painting, housed in the National Gallery (we’ll visit later).

There are several halls dedicated to Turner, showing various works, including unfinished ones.

Turner’s landscapes feel soothing and quiet.

Other themed galleries feature many masterpieces. “The Lady of Shalott” (1888) by John William Waterhouse.

“Ophelia” is another must-see— inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet, where Ophelia falls into a brook and drowns. Everyone stops to admire the brushwork and colors up close—the water plants, blossoms, and clothing are stunning.

Almost every hall provides seating so you can sit and appreciate paintings. Some rooms offer paper, pens, and boards for tracing and capturing inspiration. Many kids were absorbed, “creating” earnestly.

At certain times volunteers give free ~10-minute talks on selected works—their background and stories. The young speaker we met was vivid and sonorous—even though I didn’t fully understand, his emotion was infectious.

The collection is too rich—impossible to see it all!

The contemporary art area felt abstract—my appreciation is limited; classical works appeal more to me.

The space to the basement has a huge painting—a wall of dopamine colors.

The gift shop needs no words—no one leaves empty-handed! The fridge magnets are a must.

We visited must-see Big Ben and the London Eye twice. Once before sunset—the sun was strong—Big Ben was backlit and dazzling by the street, while the London Eye was at its best with blue sky and sunlight.

The opposite bank from Big Ben’s bridge is a superb shooting spot, with a “wall of hearts”. The arch under the bridge forms a great frame. Remember to walk a bit further south toward the hospital side’s small garden—also very photogenic. (I’ll add a point-map later.)

Blue hour Big Ben is not to be missed.

Shooting location guide.

We only viewed the London Eye from afar. On-site tickets are £39—not cheap. (You can check Taobao/Xianyu in advance—might be cheaper.) We already saw London from a god’s-eye view—so we saved the fee.

City views looking west from Westminster Bridge are excellent.

From Big Ben we strolled along the north bank of the Thames to Trafalgar Square. I’d been “planted” by sunset photos online and wanted to check in.

The National Gallery is here ~

Fountains are a necessary element of romance in Europe.

From the square, gaze at Big Ben glowing gold in the sunset.

Grab a £3.6 Tesco “poor man’s meal” and leisurely enjoy the sunset in the square—taste the relaxed life.
It was nearly 10 pm by then…

Day three’s plan: V&A, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum—three adjacent institutions. Recommend a full day.
We chose Tuesday also because Imperial College has a weekly Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays, open to the public—solves lunch and lets you visit a top university.

We arrived around 10 am and found a long queue at the Natural History Museum. Without a reservation, we had to line up—about an hour to enter! I hadn’t expected that—turns out the overseas “kids army” is the same. (Comparable to Shanghai Natural History Museum.) So do book in advance if you plan to go.
We popped next door to the Science Museum first. Fewer people—on-site reservations allowed. We strolled a few galleries; content is rich; many activities and interactive installations—fun for all ages.

Interactive games are thoughtfully designed—visual aesthetics on point.

On the right below is “how to go to the toilet in space”—hilarious. Kids lined up, earnestly “squatting”, while the staff seriously explained the operating steps.

The “good-for-nothing but best-at-eating” underachiever made it to a top global college for food! I locked this into the itinerary when I discovered the Tuesday-only Farmer’s Market at Imperial College.
The market features specialties from different countries. We followed recommendations and tried yaayyaay’s Thai beef rice. Big portion and decent taste, though not jaw-dropping. It was busy with long lines. Overall the market’s food offers decent value.

Chinese “scholars” are everywhere. In London, besides famous sights, you’ll see lots of Chinese people—especially at top schools. While eating we saw many Chinese students. Heard a classic line: “When you don’t know which stall is good, go to the one with more smoke.” Haha—an absolutely Chinese stomach.

Europeans are relaxed at lunch—many bring meals. Parks are canteens. We followed suit—under a big tree we shared a table with a professor. Call it lunch with a top-university professor.

Hours: Daily 10:00–17:45; Friday to 22:00
Tickets: Free; some special exhibits ticketed
Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Underground: South Kensington, ~5-minute walk

The long-anticipated V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum), founded in 1852, is London’s second largest museum and among the world’s top museums of decorative arts and design. The collection is dazzling. I spent half a day and with sore legs still couldn’t finish—indeed, the best of London is free.
V&A holds over 2.3 million objects, covering 5,000+ years of art, design, and craftsmanship. Main holdings include:
— Fashion & textiles: one of the world’s largest collections, from medieval to modern.
— Sculpture: one of Europe’s largest, including masterpieces by Michelangelo, Rodin, etc.
— Decorative arts: ceramics, glass, silver, jewelry, furniture, etc.
— Photography: one of the earliest public photography collections.
— Asian art: rich collections from China, Japan, India, and the Islamic world—bronzes, porcelain, paintings, etc.

The architecture alone is splendid—luxuriously adorned.

The first hall I visited had already looked stunning in photos—the light here becomes soft.

The Trajan Column gallery spans two floors. Though many pieces here are replicas, “stunning” is still the word.

Michelangelo’s famous “David”—this is a plaster cast, the second largest David in the world. The original is a white marble sculpture of a well-proportioned young man, 3.96 m tall on a 5.5 m base, ~6 tons—capturing the thrilling instant before shepherd boy David battles the giant Goliath.
Most photos I’d seen were side profiles. In person, it’s shocking. Standing at his feet looking up—the handsome profile with sculpted features; muscles and tendons rendered with incredible realism. On the second floor, at nearly face level, you see the front—brows furrowed, resolute and slightly tense—an uncommon angle with stronger narrative.

Tippoo’s Tiger

Queen Victoria’s sapphire tiara—designed by Prince Albert himself. A must-see in the jewelry gallery—no one can resist the sparkle!

The scope of V&A’s collections is truly vast.

National Art Library on V&A’s second floor—just a quick look at the entrance.

Beyond collections, the small courtyard is charming—full of relaxed vibes.

Don’t miss the V&A café—the world’s first museum café. When tired, £9.9 buys a pot of English tea and a scone to enjoy authentic afternoon tea in a palace-like café. The scone is excellent—very big—and be sure to spread clotted cream—double the milkiness—great value.

V&A’s merch is top-shelf aesthetics—no way to walk out empty-handed. I’d been eyeing a patchwork printed tote, but didn’t find a pattern I liked—left with regret.

Hours: Daily 10:00–17:50 (last entry 17:30); Friday late night to 22:30
Tickets: Free.
Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Transport: South Kensington, 5 minutes on foot

After V&A it was already 4 pm—we rushed across to the Natural History Museum (V&A’s back door faces NHM’s back door). The rear entrance features a gigantic elevator through the “Earth”—vibes fully loaded. Staff reminded us there was less than an hour to close, so we headed straight to the main hall to see the famous whale skeleton.

“The Cathedral of Nature” — the Natural History Museum is called “Nature’s Cathedral”. The building follows the layout of European cathedrals; construction began in 1873; opened in 1881. The entrance hall feels like Hogwarts; add the 25.2-meter blue whale skeleton and the atmosphere is epic.
To “let every stone tell the story of nature,” the architect avoided cold marble and chose terracotta to soften the building.

Darwin statue

Brimming with architectural detail

We skimmed the ground floor and detoured to the dinosaur section—emm, still, Changzhou Dino-Park feels more “shocking”

The garden around the museum is comfortable ~

Covent Garden is a central London district that combines shopping, food, and leisure, with centuries of history. It began as an open-air market restricted to fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Don’t miss the Jubilee Market—but note it only opens until 5–6 pm and Monday focuses on antiques and jewelry. Some posts show many £1 antique accessories—super pretty. I missed it again!

There are multiple street performance spots, especially the concerts in the central hall—every singer is strong and moving; the architecture adds reverb that gives live performances texture.

Plenty of food around Covent Garden, including several Chinese restaurants. We had biangbiang noodles—emm—when abroad, don’t expect the most authentic flavors.

After work, folks chat and drink at pub doorways.

There’s a Moomin shop—everything is adorable.

Day four focused on the National Gallery; in the morning we strolled the Marylebone district.

Marylebone feels like Shanghai’s plane trees district—many artsy specialty shops.
Daunt Books is called London’s most beautiful bookstore—from the façade and window displays to its courtyard-like interior—exudes vintage elegance. Many book designs and bindings are exquisite—European aesthetic education is everywhere.

This sunlit space is mesmerizing! Browsing bookstores is a joy ~

Swept away by book bindings! So much design sense!

Old artsy folks reading; I’m watching old artsy folks.

Basement shelves are arranged by country—some books on Chinese kung fu were fun.

Clean streets; each shop has personality—no excessive decorations—comfortable and refined.

Florists are fashionable and healing.

Monocle—a small London café by the magazine—also a mini hotspot.

Produce shop displays are meticulous.

Shreeji Newsagents is compact—tempting magazines; lovers of print should rummage.

I don’t love coffee; my friend needs one daily—great chance to shoot a set. Coffee’s vibe is high ~

Carrying the camera, a guy stopped us to ask for a photo—feel the enthusiasm of London’s extroverts.

Hours: 10:00–18:00; Fri to 21:00
Tickets: Free; some special exhibits ticketed
Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Underground: Charing Cross (Northern/Bakerloo) or Leicester Square (Piccadilly/Northern), 5 minutes’ walk
Guided services:
Free Chinese audio guide: 40+ masterpieces, rental £5 (at entrance)
Official free English tours: daily at 11:30/14:30; Friday extra 19:00
Website: ***

Founded in 1824, the National Gallery houses 2,300+ masterpieces from the 13th–19th centuries, including originals by Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, Titian, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, etc. Too rich—another day you can’t finish. Prepare in advance or book a guided tour that covers representative works.
The Gallery has relatively more visitors and is large—easy to get lost if wandering solo.

The architecture is so European ~

There are so many world-famous works—while skimming, familiar images keep pulling you in.

Must-see: Jan van Eyck, “The Arnolfini Portrait”, 1434

Must-see: Georges Seurat, “Bathers at Asnières”, 1884

Must-see: Vincent van Gogh, “Sunflowers”, 1888

Must-see: Hans Holbein the Younger, “The Ambassadors”, 1533
Puzzle: stand to the right at a particular angle to see the skull.

Must-see: Velázquez, “The Toilet of Venus”, 1647–1651

“Leonardo’s Doge Leonardo Loredan”, “The Boy in Red”, “Boy Bitten by a Lizard”

Admire the masters’ brushwork up close.

Van Gogh, “Wheatfield with Cypresses”

The other Turner on the £20 note: “The Fighting Temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken up”

Rembrandt, “Self-portrait with Straw Hat”

Monet, “The Water-Lily Pond”, 1899

Monet—Water Lilies

House treasures (with room numbers):
Van Gogh “Sunflowers” — Room 43
Leonardo “Virgin of the Rocks” — Room 51
Monet “Water Lilies” series — Room 41
Botticelli “Venus and Mars” — Room 58
Turner “The Fighting Temeraire” — Room 34
Michelangelo “The Entombment” — Room 8

I entered around 2 pm and stayed until closing! Didn’t even browse the shops properly!
There are three shops—one at the entrance/exit; near the exit there’s one upstairs; and one downstairs. They differ—visit all.

Evening plan was an outdoor movie near King’s Cross. The British Library, St Pancras Station, and King’s Cross Station are all in this area—so we toured together.
The British Library became independent from the British Museum in 1997. It has study rooms and reading rooms; most areas are free to visitors and there are free exhibitions. In the free Treasures Gallery you can see items related to Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Magna Carta, Shakespeare, etc.

Designed by Colin St John Wilson. Because it’s next to St Pancras Station, it uses red brick to echo the historic style.

Visible on entry—the transparent book tower houses King George III’s collection.

Interior spaces are layered—very orderly.

Writing a travelogue is like a review. This under-prepared London trip left many regrets, especially this segment—missed many classic spots—so many “had I known…” in my head—alas, no “had I known”.

Regret No. 1 — didn’t see “I want my time with you”, the neon message on the platform— a romantic work by British contemporary artist Tracey Emin. We focused on the entrance sculpture and then rushed the movie—perfect miss. (Worse came later—we missed the movie too o(╥﹏╥)o)
When I saw that phrase online, it was deeply moving—Europeans have romance in their bones!

Borrowed one online photo—feel the romance.

Behind this Victorian Gothic architecture, the Eurostar is heading to Paris.

Opposite the station is a designer hotel—the red capsule elevator is its icon—cinematic. A night there reportedly costs over £10,000!

Next to St Pancras is King’s Cross. We passed a street rock performance—traffic noise mixed with rock—truly blasting.

King’s Cross is super modern—stark contrast with St Pancras’s architecture.

A must here—Harry Potter’s Platform 9¾. Near 7 pm there was a long queue to check in with photos. The HP gift shop is right there.

The evening theme was chill at the free outdoor cinema “Everyman on the Canal”. We were late and couldn’t get seats—regret No. 2.
London’s summer breezes feel great—outdoor movies are cozy. The entire perimeter fills up—arrive early and bring dinner/snacks to fully lounge.

They were showing “The Lizzie McGuire Movie”. As someone who watched “Lizzie McGuire” on CCTV-8 in primary school, it felt magical—childhood memories resurfacing overseas. I loved it then—envied the freedom and ease of foreign kids. We were happy too—now such shows are likely gone from TV.

The area around King’s Cross is well worth a stroll: Central Saint Martins; Coal Drops Yard shopping center (by Heatherwick Studio) converted from 19th-century coal warehouses; the mall and restaurants around Google’s office. I didn’t have time—another regret.

Under Google’s office it’s very chill—work environment has great vibe.

I was drawn to London’s Brutalist architecture while researching. The Barbican is a classic by architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon (CPB)—a post-war utopian vision to reshape central London living. It was listed Grade II in 2001 and remains a large upscale residential area with 2,000+ apartments, duplexes, houses, public buildings, and institutions including Barbican Centre, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, public library, and City of London School for Girls.

Once inside, you can tour the whole area rain or shine—everything linked by walkways. I love this rough architectural grain but deliberate forms—with order and geometry.

After the rain, people sit scattered around the plaza—chatting and resting—very casual.

The atrium landscape feels otherworldly.

The 4th-floor conservatory was closed when we went—couldn’t visit.

Entrances to apartments are color-coded—strong industrial feel.

The Barbican shop is great too ~

A must on any UK trip. We booked a 2-hour guided tour—yet still only saw a fraction—the museum holds 8 million artifacts. I again felt London is a warehouse of antiquities! The sheer quantity dazzles; perhaps because of the scale, some exhibits feel like they lack cohesive curating—more like “put everything out”.

Advance booking required—guides can help reserve. At 2 pm, the crowds were massive! Both front and rear entrances had queues, but waits weren’t too long.

British Poet Laureate Tennyson: “and let thy feet millenniums hence be set in midst of knowledge.”
“May your feet, millennia hence, wander this temple of knowledge.”
This line in the Great Court stops many in their tracks.

Statue of Ramses II (our guide told a story of a self-admiring handsome man)

Egyptian bronze cat

Parthenon sculptures—the museum’s jewel—fill Room 18, dedicated to Athena. The Parthenon is the most important surviving Classical Greek building; the sculpture represents the apex of ancient Greek art.

The exhausted horse of the moon goddess Selene feels like a meme for modern “wage slaves”.

The museum houses ~23,000 Chinese artifacts—paintings, bronzes, jade, porcelain, textiles, sculpture, metalware, lacquer, clothing—spanning almost the entire Chinese history.

Dragon-relief glazed bricks (the “Four-Dragon Wall”) from Ming temples in Shanxi, China—cut and looted in the early 20th century during late Qing–Republic turmoil.

The jade vase from the viral mini-series “Escape from the British Museum”.

Room 95 hides the most beautiful Chinese porcelain—the Chenghua doucai “Chicken Cup”.

Kangxi-era imperial ware—the “Twelve Flower God Cups”.

Scroll paintings in corners are nearly life-size copies of treasures—very long—each conservation opens a new section.

The Mummies hall shows 20+ mummies—adults, children, and cats—one of the most popular galleries. The display is quite raw and “explosive”—very direct!

The former British Library reading room—Marx, Lenin, Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde, and other greats read and wrote here.

Lewis Chessmen—medieval Viking-era chess pieces carved from walrus ivory and whale tooth—82 here; 11 in National Museum of Scotland.

British Museum merch is rich—this Peter Rabbit in Egyptian hieroglyphs is adorable.

After the British Museum closed, we ate a quick dinner and took a bus to Tower Bridge. The bus looped along the Thames south bank—passing Southbank Centre, a large cultural complex with many art and performance venues—Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall—worth exploring someday.

At sunset, the riverside promenade south of Tower Bridge is 100% romantic!

On the way back we found we could take Uber Boat to Westminster, so we hopped aboard—didn’t waste the beauty of sunset.

Walk through the cabin to the open stern to feel the cool evening Thames breeze.

At Westminster Pier you can check in with London Eye—great shooting spot.

Blue-hour Thames

Pier and route map—credit cards accepted; fare by zones. Oyster may be cheaper.

Hours:
Sun–Wed, Fri 10:00–18:00
Thu & Sat late opening: 10:00–22:00
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East Storehouse, V&A, Parkes St, London E20 3AX

V&A East Storehouse is a relatively new museum. It overturns traditional flat, historically heavy displays—more like a collection warehouse (which suits Britain’s collecting style). The concept is cool—many call it “IKEA-style”. Collections span art to daily life.
It’s in the Elizabeth Olympic Park, a bit far from the center, but worth a visit.

The closest station is Hackney Wick. Exiting, you pass a graffiti street—slightly desolate. Perhaps because it was early, I was basically alone walking from the station—felt a bit uneasy.

After ~10 minutes on foot, V&A appears—industrial vibe architecture. The 16,000 m² museum houses 250,000 objects, 350,000 books, and 1,000 archives across four floors. Bags must be stored.

From a narrow stairwell it opens up—the warehouse-style display refreshes the senses.

Objects sit on “shelves”. There’s Wi‑Fi (spotty) and a guide web app—scan QR codes on labels for info.

Some areas let you observe behind-the-scenes museum work—how staff restore and maintain pieces.

This 1:1 traditional English kitchen feels like an IKEA sample room.

Most striking to me—Robin Hood Gardens. This East London social housing by Alison & Peter Smithson, completed in 1972, is a Brutalist icon. Over time and management issues, the area was gradually demolished.
V&A collected parts of the building—façade, windows, stairwells—details intact. It preserves the era’s architecture and social snapshot. For former residents, seeing these components must evoke memories.

The transparent glass atrium is popular—the overhead perspective is unique for viewing paintings.

On the ground floor outside the exit there’s a café and seating—not large but bright and comfortable. Furniture colors are pleasant.

From V&A East Storehouse to Westminster Abbey, I walked to Stratford Station (~20 minutes) and took the tube (~30 minutes). Stratford has the UK’s largest shopping center—Westfield—busy and modern.
Hours: Mon–Fri 09:30–15:30; Sat 09:00–15:00; Sun closed to tourists (services only)
Tickets: Book via official site ( ***)—reserve in advance. Price £27.
I bought via Xianyu two days ahead—¥170—cheaper than the official site. But as a third-party purchase, you must queue at the door to enter.

Westminster Abbey was first ordered by devout King Edward the Confessor in 1050 and completed in 1065; the present church was rebuilt under Henry III from 1245.

Since William the Conqueror’s coronation in 1066, Westminster Abbey has been the venue for royal coronations and ceremonies—Prince William’s wedding, Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral were here. Many of the UK’s cultural giants—scientists, poets, politicians—are buried here. It’s a microcosm of British history.
Free audio devices are provided—follow the points on the device to tour—about 2 hours.

A masterpiece of English Gothic—ribbed vaults, rose windows, flying buttresses, stained glass—forming a grand, sacred hall.

Henry VII’s exquisitely crafted fan vaults

Shrine—resting place of Newton, Hawking, Darwin—great souls.

Altar—the most sacred part of a church—where the Eucharist is celebrated.

Stained glass of many colors

Choir stalls

After Westminster, all our London plans were complete! Six full days covered part of the city. I’d also researched many interesting spots—listing them for reference. (Saving them for a second visit someday, haha)
• Courtauld Gallery
• Sir John Soane’s Museum (near British Museum)
• Canary Wharf
• Hayward Gallery (Southbank)
• Paddington area
• Kew Gardens
Recommendations welcome in comments!

Next—southern coastal journey ~

Day 7: Start of the Coastal Towns

Canterbury

Canterbury Cathedral

Dover White Cliffs

Dover White Cliffs

Dover White Cliffs

Dover White Cliffs

Dover White Cliffs

Dover White Cliffs

Dover White Cliffs

Dover White Cliffs

Dover White Cliffs

Eastbourne