A Heart-Healing Getaway: A London Escape
Sometimes a trip arrives at exactly the right moment, even if you don’t realize it at the time. For me, that moment was April in London. I was heartbroken from a recent breakup, and my sweet Bichon Max had started showing signs of dementia. I needed a break. London with one of my best friends turned out to be the balm I didn’t know I needed.
We filled our days with long museum strolls, incredible food, and pints in cozy pubs. A few days in Bath gave me the space to breathe. Soaking in the historic spring waters and climbing to the top of Bath Abbey felt like shedding a heavy emotional coat.
In London, I stayed at the May Fair on Stratton Street — large rooms, quiet, and near two Tube lines. Later, I moved to St. Martins Lane, which had a cool, modern vibe and was just steps from some of our favorite restaurants. Pro tip: bring earplugs! I recently learned they have sound ratings, and the right pair makes a world of difference.
The weather was magical, it was one of the first warm weeks of the season, and the city was bursting with blooms. Kew Gardens was a highlight, with tulips and spring flowers in full glory. Even better, most of London’s best museums are free. We explored The British Museum, Tate Britain, Apsley House, the Wallace Collection, Courtauld Gallery, and Sir John Soane’s Museum. As an art lover, I found peace in the quiet halls and moody paintings. Turner’s seascapes at the Tate gave me chills — it’s as if the waves carried emotion. Sir John Soane’s was a delightful rabbit hole of artifacts and architectural marvels, while the Wallace Collection stunned with its Canaletto-filled rooms and richly styled decor.
The food scene was a surprise and a delight. We wandered through Borough Market, starting with raw oysters and ending with savory pies. At Seven Dials Market, we fueled up with chai, coffee, conveyor-belt cheese, and a few fun surprises. Kriket Soho served one of my favorite meals…I’m still thinking about the rabbit biryani. We also loved Bocca di Lupo’s Italian fare, Dishoom’s flavorful breakfasts, and Bombay Bustle’s vintage train car vibe. At St. John, we leaned into the adventure with their iconic bone marrow dish, truly unforgettable.
No trip to London is complete without a good pub crawl. We made stops at The Old Bank of England and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, but the real gem was Gordon’s Wine Bar. We wandered in by chance and ended up drinking wine and snacking on cheese boards in a candlelit wine cave. It was one of those perfect, unplanned moments.
To wrap things up, we did a little shopping—Harrods, Liberty, and Varley for my favorite athleisure finds.
This trip wasn’t just a getaway, it was restorative. It gave me time to ground myself, to get lost in beauty, and to remember what joy feels like in the simplest moments. London showed up for me when I needed it most, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.
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