A Texan's Top 10 things to see in London
81London is a city filled with history and amazement. In many ways calling London a city is a misnomer. It is a collection of cities. There are the cities of London, Westminster and others which collectivley combine to form Greater London. To outsiders, we consider them as "London". The city has long been a center of international commerce and at the crossroads of cultures. It seems that every street or tube stop is filled with some historic event or person who lived there at one time. Since I am a native Texan who grew up in the sixties, my tastes and choices are a product of the time grew up. My list is composed of events that interested me about London.
- The location of the Texas Embassy in London. Texans are proud of their heritage as a nation. The "Republic of Texas" restaurant is NOT where the embassy was actually located. Nearby is Fox's Cigar Shop. (This is the Cigar Shop where Sigmund Freud, Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde each purchased their cigars. Oscar Wilde was known for not paying his bills, and Fox's retains some of Oscar Wilde's outstanding bills. Fox's also has Winston Churchill's hat and leather chair on display.)
- Abbey Road Studios. Anyone who grew up in the sixties has to ‘talk the walk” across Abbey Road. If you are a Beatles fan, you recall the famed Abbey Road ablum cover. Here you can have your photo taken while crossing the same crosswalk on the album. It is also interesting to visit the other Beatles photo shoot sites and those seen in the movie ‘Help!’.Recall that it was Roy Orbison of Texas who opened for them at one time. If you are a Rolling Stones fan, there are tours of Rolling Stones sites as well.
- The Tower of London. Many influential people were imprisoned within its walls. For freedom lovers, you can pay respects at the site where William Wallace was dismembered which is located nearby. William Wallace was an ancestor of legendary Texas Ranger "Bigfoot" Wallace. Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned in the tower as well.
- Visit 221 B Baker Street, home of the legendary literary figure, Sherlock Holmes. A shop and tour of the location is now available. The legendary literary detective that sprang from the mind of Arthur Conan Doyle is the image of Victorian London that many people still hold. Galveston, Texas celebrates its annual "Dickens on the Strand'. Visiting 221 B Baker Street is like a visit to the genuine Victorian England rather than some imagined Victorian episode.
- Visit Metropolitan Tabernacle, the Church of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the "Prince of Preachers". The church was built on the site where Christians were martyred in earlier centuries. Although the original building did not survive the bombings in London, the facade of the building did. Growing up in Pasadena, Texas, there was a publishing company (Pilgrim Bookstore) which published many of Spurgeon's works. I grew up being familiar with his preaching so seeing the place where this occurred was important to me. If you are a Texan brought up anywhere near a Baptist church, you are likely familiar with the preaching of Charles Spurgeon.
- Seeing the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles and the Sutton Hoo Treasures at the London Museum. The museum has free admission and contains wonders from all over the world. Many historically significant items are located in this museum. During the time of the British Empire, some of the world's best antiquities were collected and deposited here.
- Visit the home of Sigmund Freud. His friends and family saw to it that his study was set up exactly as it was in his original location of Vienna. The museum does not allow photography. Seeing his collection of Freud's antiquities is itself a fascinating trip. Freud was an avid collector of antiquities throughout his life. He considered himself quite an archeologist.
- See Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. These are popular hangouts for the locals. The Texas Embassy Cantina is located nearby.
- Visit the Globe Theatre. The present Globe is a reconstruction of the one used by Shakespeare during his time in London. The Globe Theatre continues producing Shakespearean plays. Inside the theatre is a museum housing artifacts and memorbilia for those who admire Shakespeare and theatre history. If you have ever enjoyed the Shakespeare Festival in Wimberley, Texas at the Emily Anne Theater you will appreciate the Globe theater and the accomplishments of the bard.
- Visit the Golden Hind. The Golden Hind was Sir Francis Drake's flagship which provoked terror to Spanish sailors. Drake once left some men in Mexico after a raid. Those men were the first Englishmen who travelled through Texas.
- Tour the London of Charles Dickens, including visiting the site of the Curiosity Shoppe. Charles Dickens never visited Texas, although the city of Galveston hosts the annual Dickens on the Strand. Charles Dickens was an avid supporter of Texas and the Southern cause as documented in his letters.
- Tour the haunts of Jack the Ripper.
- Visit Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey contains the burial sites of many British notables and was the coronation church for many British kings.
- Tour Big Ben and Parliament. (Big Ben was nickname3d that after the first caretaker of the clock).
- Visit the Knights Templar sites in London. There are graves and 'temples' of the order located in London.
- Visit the home of George Frederich Handel. If you have ever enjoyed the 'Hallelujah Chorus', then this is a site to enjoy. Within the same apartment building is the apartment belonging to the 60's musician Jimi Hendrix.
- If you are inclined to spit your tobacco juice on graves, the grave of Karl Marx is located in London. His sister ended up marrying a man from Texas and settling in the State near Comfort, Texas.
What is Your London Favorite?
What is your favorite "Texan's Choice" site in London?
See results without votingCharles Dickens stated " The Northern onslaught upon Southern slavery is a specious piece of humbug designed to mask their desire for the economic control of the Southern States".
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Comments
I tried to select a variety of things. It is ecclectic, reflecting my tastes and interests.
I tried to select a variety of things. It is ecclectic, reflecting my tastes and interests. I hope the hub community enjoys it.
Sooo. what was your fav?
All very interesting stuff. It would be difficult to pick a favorite,
Desert Blondie,
Each was different. It was fun finding the Texas plaque. I felt accomplished in doing so. Crossing the Abbey Road cross walk made the Beatles experience of my teen years very real. Touring the tower made all that British history come alive. It is one thing to learn about Ann Bolyn and Lady Grey, yet quite another to see where they were killed, and the axe used to do it. You realize it is not just stories. These were real people.
Touring Freud's house brought a sense of closure. Since I am a counselor, it was like doing my pigrimage to the home of a mentor.
Each of these were big moments and faves in different ways. Each appealed to a different part of myself, which makes it hard to list my Fav.
Constant Walker,
Picking favorites is like selecting one all time favorite Beatles song or one all time favorite movie. Each has its place and time. They were all enjoyable. One that I didn't mention was taking a river tour of the River Thames. When you do that you see a mixture of old and new, historic and outlandish. I learned about "The Gherkin" as locals call one of the modern buildings in the city.
So much impressive and important history. From William Wallace, to Freud, to The Beatles. Quite the place.
London is quite a place, with the exception of British food. It was quite a jolt to order ham and eggs for breakfast and to find them covered with beans. When we go places, we like to try the local cusine. British food is ....not very good.
I love to try new foods, especially international, but I've heard the same about thing about British food. Blcch! Maybe that's why their teeth are so screwed-up.
Just a joke! ...any British readers.
In all fairness, the fish and chips were tolerable. We did enjoy the Scottish food. It was consistently good. I even enjoyed the haggis, whidh my sons were loath to even try. Although they didn't try haggis, they did try the blood pudding, which is ....British food. It does give us something to talk about. I tried several dishes, including "Toad in the hole", which was ok, yet bland.
Hi J D Murrah.
As a Londoner, its interesting to see what a Texan like about London!!. I would love to oblige by visiting Texas one day!!
PS, thats the best looking toad in the hole ive seen lol..also its funny because aside from toad in the hole, fish n chips is a very popular English dish aswell as chicken Korma curry!! from india!! which has become part of british tradition very much!!
;)
JD Murrah,
Thank goodness you didn't disappoint Texas and listed the Texas Embassy Cantina first! lol Food was good, and the T-shirts were some of our favorite treats to send home to the kids. Great London ideas.
Compu-smart,
We enjoyed London. The list did not include th ebest British experience, which is th esense of humor. londoners have some of the best humor I have seen anywhere. I hope that you do come to Texas someday. I was surprised to find out how many languages are spoken in London. If I remember the number is over 200+ which is a testimony to its designation as a world city.
In the Doghouse,
The Texas Embassy Cantina is often confused with the REAL Texas Embassy. My brother worked at the Cantina for a while, so I am familar with it. Since you have kids, things like the London Eye and the London Aquarium might be more to your tastes. Our kids enjoyed them as well. It was challenging trying to limit myself to the amazing things about London.
JD,
My friend, my kids are all grown up, they loved the humor of Texas having their own Embassy. The cantina was just precisely the kind of thing they would have loved to see, oh yeah, that and the Dr. Martins outlet! lol
In the doghous,
It looks like I am "in the doghouse". I assumed too much from your profile picture. How could I forget Doc Martin's and the cultural statement they make? When I was in Fox's the proprieter told me how during Chruchill's time, Londoners placed great emphasis on good quality hats, shoes and clothes. He told me of where the old Londoners shopped and some of what they looked for as to quality. doc Martin's are a better made boot for young folks.
Yes J D, London has soo many languages and cultures and i believe is one of the most diverse multi racial (something along those lines!) city in the world..Not sure of exact figures!!
When i hear the word Texas, i have the Texas chainsaw massacre in mind and the tragedy that happened in Waco with David koresh!! it would be nice to have different, and more pleasant Texas memories!
:)
compu-smart,
In many ways Texas would benefit from a makeover. People forget that it was engineers at Houston that stressed and solved the problems with Apollo 13, that Houston was where JFK made his famous space race speech, that the Pope's visit to San Antonio was a big success, and other notable events occurred here. Frequently the press seems to enjoy making Texas look bad and make fun of the culture. Even in the recent movie, The Great Debators, efforts were made at stereotyping Texas and Texas culture in a negative light. People forget that Texas was its own nation once, exchanging ambassadors with England, Belgium, France, Hannover, etc. They forget that the Texas Navy was once the fastest navy in the Gulf of Mexico (yes, it was even faster than the ships of the US Navy during the Republic years). Culturally, many of the country music starts began in Texas well. Kris Kristopherson, Willie Nelson, Boxcar Willie, Gener Autry, George Jones and many others were from the here.
Is this an expensive place?
Descrendo,
I assume you are referring to the toad in the hole. This was at a moderately priced restaurant in London. So it was not expensive.
J D Murruh...Thanks for this additional info..
I knew Texas would have had so much more going for it other than the negatives i mentioned!:)
Thnaks :)
Nice hub--love the Texa take on London. Must say that the Brits do cook some things well though--the pub food can be terrific and nobody does Steak and Kidney Pie and Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding like the British. I love the food names like Toad in the Hole. My all time personal favorite is a dessert called " Spotted Dick" LOL. One of my favorite museums in London is the National Portrait Gallery-- it is like the English family album--just fascinating. I knew Texas was a Repbulic before joining the Union and also seem to remember from SocialStudies class that it is the only state that has the right to divide into five separate states anytime it wants to--is that right? Good job JD:-)
Robie,
We had some good pub food in Scotland, It is quite possible that we missed the good pubs in London. We discovered the Pret a Mangers in the city, which we used while on the go sightseeing.
London has more than its share of fascinating museums, one ws the Jir John Sloan's Museum. It was wonderful.
Texas did enter the Union with that right. The topic spurred some heated debates at times. During Reconstruction, they almost split Texas into several states. During the Roosevelt years, Jack Garner, the VP from Texas often used this topic to provoke FDR on policies. FDR and Garner had a fascinating relationship. FDR stood aghast when Garner slapped the King of England on the back during one of the state visits. Garner often did such things just to get a rise out of old FDR.
Pret a Mangers were a life saver when I visited London (alone). I'd take the PaM box and a bottle of their wonderful lemonade into a nearby pocket park, which are all over London, and people-watch. As for the diversity of languages, it became a game while traveling on the Tube to try to identify the origin of other Tubesters by their speech or dress. Many times I'd be the only one whose first language was English...well, the bastardised American version of it anyway. The Texas Embassy was on my "must see" list too, but for various reasons, I never got to it. I did find the British sense of humor delightful, but since very few native Brits live in London, this was mostly during the second week on the Isle of Wight...where I was shown the site of Jimi Hendrix's very last concert!...and in the West Country (Glastonbury and other parts of Somerset).
Great hub!
Pret a Mager was certainly a life saver for us as well. When on vacation, we often find ourselves going all the time. Pret a Mager was open when we needed it, plus we are big coffee consumers, which gave Pret a Mager an added plus in out eyes.
Ah...here I am seeing this column! I too, like Robie, enjoy the National Portrait Gallery, but if had to choose, would rather take a river cruise on the Thames as you mentioned above. I love this city, and just from reading your take on it, I have several new things to discover next time I'm there!
desert blondie,
London is truly a city filled with wonders around every corner. The city is filled with culture and history at every street corner. I enjoyed it, but was also concerned with the many changes to the British culture I saw when I visted there.
Did you visit Temple Church?
No I did not. I wanted to. When we visited London, we tried to see as much as we could that we could cram into our time. Missing the Temple Church was one of the things I could kick myself for, since we stayed near the area where it is located and walked by it on one of our excursions through the city. I also wanted to see Douglas Adams grave, the original curiosity shop, the inside of Westminster, William Wallace's execution spot, Handel's apartment, and a few other sites. The city is so rich in history and culture it is difficult to see it all.
Ah, a fellow Texan with as much pride in Texas as myself. I too have written hubs on my UK experiences. I have flown into Gatwick Airport twice and have yet to visit London! LOL My English hubby refuses to let me visit there until he's shown me all the parts he loves more. I will be sure to look for the Texas Embassy!
I have also written a hub about my favorite foods there. I liked the food in the parts of the country I ate. Around Christmas my husband attempted to make a Toad in the Hole here in Texas and it certainly didn't look as good as the one you pictured here. LOL He enjoyed it, but I'm not big on sausages so I didn't try it.
I asked about Temple Church, as you mentioned Templar sites. There are graves in the crypt of about 4 -5 Knights Templar.
KCC Big Country,
I can understand your hubby's desire for you to see other parts first. London is overwhelming in many ways. When you appreciate the other parts, it would likely enhance the London experience. The richness of the many statues, historic sites, modern sites and experiences is overwhelming. It is as if each step you hear history or culture squeak right before you.
The Texas Embassy location is a a pilgrimage for all Texans. We can take pride that we were represented at St. James Court on equal footing with the United States.
AVOID the black pudding. I won't tell you what it is, but avoid it. If you want your husband to feel at home, just pour a can of pork and beans over his fried eggs, and he'll feel like he's back in London.:)
PS - is it my imagination, or is your list of the top ten things 50% over budget?
LondonGirl,
The templar graves would have been fascinating to see. I find the history of the Templars of interest, not becasue I am a Dan Brown fan, but because my family hails from the Sinclair clan. It is more about family history and connecting the pieces rather than chasing after Dan Brownisms. Dan Brown has muddied what was a murky history to follow in the first place.
LondonGirl says:5 minutes ago
PS - is it my imagination, or is your list of the top ten things 50% over budget?
I caught that too LondonGirl! LOL I loooooooooooove how you worded it!
I've not had the Dan Brown pleasure, but I am a member of Middle Temple.
KCC and LondonGirl,
I never said they were affordable, just that I wanted to see them or do them. I left London feeling unfinished in terms of all the things we wanted to do and see. It was a wonderful place to visit. I enjoyed seeing the parts of the city I did. We also managed to do many things within our budget as well, but that is another story.
LondonGirl,
That is fascinating that you are a member of Middle Temple. It must be quite an experience to have that as a regular part of your life. It would mould and shape how you see the world. Although your a Londoner, I wish you a Happy Robert Burns Day!
LOL.......LondonGirl-shall we tell him what we meant? I'm afraid he's not catching it.
:) OK, it is the top 15 things to see in London. I kept the top 10 in the title since people understand and think in those terms.
"I never said they were affordable, just that I wanted to see them or do them."
Nothing to do with affordability - you say 10 things at hte top, and list 15, hence (a weak joke) 50% over budget.
All barristers have to be a member of one of the four Inns of Court, and Middle is my Inn.
LOL.......you got it! Yeah, we understand why you did it. It was a pretty clever way to put it though, I had to hand it to her.
LondonGirl,
I remember seeing the statue of Moses standing atop the court building in London. My heart goes out to you being a barrister in a time when the culture and laws of England are in such a mix. I have read some of the history of English law, in order to better understand how the law evolved. The temples are an important part of the English legal system. I enjoyed what I read along with the accounts of my wife's ancestor, William Pitt.
You were clever with the budget observation. I am sure that you are quite a barrister at Middle Temple.
I love it - it's a fantastic job. I spend a fair bit of my court time in the Royal Courts of Justice, on the Strand - you should visit that too when you go to Temple Church!
KCC-
It took me a while to catch on to the over budget. Since I responded to the comments rather than read the copy ahead of it I missed it at first. I'll still keep the top 10 title though. I may have to say that the other five are a Bonus for those who decided to visit the hub.
LondonGirl,
I'll have to add that to my list of 10 (15) things a Texan Still Wants to do in London. I may have to do some hubs on other cities as well. I considered doing my Texans top 10 things to see in Rome, and a Texans top 10 things to see in Edinburgh as well.
Hi but do you know where one can get Shiner Bock in London? Shamefully it does not seem to be on The Texas Embassy's drink list!! The horror!
Jonny,
That is horrid. Especially since they have a new release this summer, the Smokehaus brew. It is a smoky summer brew, great for accompanying bar-b-que or enjoying a cold one after mowing the yard.http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/143/50270
- Jeffrey Murrah's Storefront - Lulu.com
Jeff Murrah's award winning, Texans Always Move Them: A True History of Texas. In it you will find accounts of the Republic of Texas and its national policies during its existence, including the claims on Cozumel island and California. - Texas Embassy Cantina - London
- Texas Legation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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British Food
white atlantic says:
2 years ago
nice places