24 Hours in London

On Friday, I went to London for a quick 24 hours. There were two objectives;

1. See my youngest sister, who moved to the city in September last year.

2. Witness the miracle that is Harry Styles

Of course, when the trip was planned back in January, it was hard to fathom that we would be wandering around the city in what felt like an oven. We had, of course, stumbled into the Great London Heatwave of 2026.

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more grateful to be staying in a hotel with AC than with my sister and her many housemates in what feels like a constant hair dryer being pointed at your face. I stayed in the New Road Hotel in Whitechapel, a short distance from where my sister resides, and it was an entirely new neighbourhood for me. It was a fine hotel and served its purpose. The AC was the biggest selling point.

London never ceases to excite me. Each time I return to the city, I am met with awe and fascination at the endless things to see and do in the city. It’s like New York City; I can never tire of visiting or running out of things to do.

I hopped aboard the Thameslink from Gatwick Airport, and in 35 minutes, I was exiting at Blackfriars station and making my way up to Covent Garden. I love the streets around Covent Garden, especially if you get there when the streets are mostly filled with delivery vans and a few people milling around. It’s quiet and allows you to appreciate the facades and hidden alleyways that lead to little gems. Neal’s Yard is one of those gems located off Monmouth Street. Lights strung across the courtyard, small bistros and a quaintness that belongs only in London. I make a point of visiting it every time I’m in the city.

I opted to take a longer route to my hotel in Whitechapel and hopped on a bus that was more like a driving sauna than a mode of transportation. It took double the amount of time, and I sweated profusely, but there’s something about sitting on the top deck of a London bus and watching the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral pass by your window. Perhaps it’s the history attached to these well-known monuments, or that they’re simply recognisable names - I’ve yet to visit Tower Bridge, see the Crown Jewels or Buckingham Palace despite having visited London at least 20 times. One day I’ll get around to ticking those places off my London bucket list.

On Saturday, we walked from Whitechapel up to Columbia Road, where you’ll find their infamous Columbia Road Flower Market on Sundays, from 8 am until 3 pm. I’m happy that I got to browse the absolutely stunning stores that line this infamous street. It’s quaint and perfect in a way that made me stop and say at least twice per hour, “Oh, how I wish I lived in London.”

Sidenote: I completely regret not moving to London during my twenties.

We continued our exploration, passing Hackney City Farm, looking at sheep and piglets before continuing up to Broadway Market. Vendors selling delicious sandwiches, wraps and every cuisine you can imagine pop up each weekend in Hackney from 9 am until 5 pm. Vendors encourage you to try their offerings (sometimes quite aggressively) as you slip in and out of the stores.

We sat in London Fields before meandering home via Regent’s Canal. Walking along the many houseboats and dipping into an English pub for a half pint of cider felt like the perfect end to a quick 24 hours in London.

London will never cease to entertain me. I hope I never get tired of wanting to live there (unlikely - too costly), or that I manage to tick off all the bucket list sights I keep adding to my Google Maps. London fizzes with a vibrancy that comes off as effortlessly cool, charming and regal. It might just be time to purchase an I Heart London T-shirt on my next visit.

And yes, before I close off. Harry Styles was incredible. A performer that wears his heart on his sleeve, delivers a 10/10 experience and leaves you feeling like you’re part of a community. If you get the chance, go see him do his thing.

Finally, what does London mean to you? Have you been? Hated it? Loved it? Ambivalent?

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