As I prepare for my upcoming UK trip this fall, I’ve been thinking fondly of my 9-day trip to London. I was there for a business meeting that took up two of those days, but my husband and I left a full week open to explore this amazing city.

Because we were there for so long, I did some digging and found the London Pass. This pass gives you free and discounted entry to many attractions and is well worth it—not just for the savings, but also for discovering some off-the-radar experiences.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite places from London. There’s so much to explore, so this week I’m starting with one lesser-known spot and two more iconic ones.

We happened upon this quiet chapel while escaping the crowds gathered for the Changing of the Guard. It turns out, if you want to see the start of the procession, standing in front of the chapel gives you a clear view of the parade ground—something I discovered completely by accident.

The original chapel was built in 1838 but was destroyed by a bomb in 1944. The current chapel was rebuilt in 1963 and serves as the spiritual home of the Household Division—an elite division of the British Army that guards the King and the Royal Palaces. While we often see them in ceremonial roles, like the Changing of the Guard, they are fully trained and active soldiers—which, when you think about it, makes perfect sense.

The entrance is dedicated to those who lost their lives in service. Inside, take a moment to admire the hanging colours carried by the Foot Guards since 1770.

Services are held on Sundays at 11am, and the chapel also hosts recitals and concerts featuring their new pipe organ, completed in 2024.

The London Eye may look like a giant Ferris wheel, but it’s actually a cantilevered observation wheel standing nearly 500 feet tall.

Marks Barfield Architects created around 100 variations before settling on the final design. It opened in 2000 to celebrate the millennium and was originally intended to be temporary—just five years. Unsurprisingly, its popularity made it a permanent fixture along the River Thames.

Around 3.5 million people ride the London Eye each year. There are 34 capsules, each holding up to 25 passengers, and a full rotation takes about 30 minutes.

In addition to standard tickets, there are some fun VIP experiences—Afternoon Tea, a Champagne ride, and even a “Cupid’s Pod” for a private, romantic moment.

If you can time your ride for sunset, the views (and photos) are absolutely stunning.

If you’ve been enjoying these London explorations, Berlin is another city that offers that same mix of history and discovery—just with a completely different feel.

After my trip, I created a Berlin travel guide to help make planning easier. It includes walkable itineraries, favorite neighborhoods, and the spots that stood out most to me.

It’s designed to help you explore without feeling overwhelmed—and maybe discover a few places you wouldn’t have found otherwise.

👉 Tour Berlin, Germany

Westminster Abbey was the very first place we visited after arriving in London. Parts of it date back to 960–1040, when it was a Benedictine monastery. It was later rebuilt by King Edward and then largely reconstructed by Henry III around 1245, with the west towers added in the 1700s.

The Abbey isn’t a cathedral or a parish church—it’s known as a “Royal Peculiar,” meaning it falls directly under the authority of the British Sovereign rather than an archbishop.

It’s not only the site of British coronations, but also where sixteen royal weddings have taken place, including those of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William.

The Abbey holds over 3,300 burials, including kings, queens, and notable poets, scientists, and musicians. It’s quite an eerie—and powerful—experience to walk across the floor, knowing there are graves beneath your feet, marked by engraved stones and elaborate crypts.

Services are held multiple times daily and are free to attend. The ticketed tour covers the full Abbey, and while I’m not entirely sure how attending a service works logistically, it seems like a meaningful way to experience the space beyond just touring.

Even if this was all we experienced during our trip, it would have given us a lovely snapshot of what many of us imagine London to be—sweeping city views, inspiring architecture, and, of course, the Changing of the Guard.

But there’s so much more to discover. Be sure to keep an eye out over the next couple of journeys as I share more from this incredible city.

‘til next week, happy exploring!
Kathleen