London

Taking photos of London is one of my favorite pastimes, and I’ve put together a list to share some of my favorite spots with you! Whether you are looking to capture unique views of the city or the perfect picturesque hangout spot, you have come to the right place. Don’t brush aside some of these places just because you have heard of them before. While some of these locations may be well-known and popular, they are iconic for a reason! Here are my ten most instagrammable spots in London:

1. Notting Hill

Notting Hill is known for its iconic pastel-colored houses and Portobello Market (a world-famous market featuring clothing, antiques, food, and many other things). Westbourne Park Road has some of the most beautiful colored houses. There are also a number of famous mews (stables) in that area including St. Luke’s mews which are pink! If you are looking for other things to do around the area, I recommend visiting Portobello Market on a Saturday. Bluebelles of Portobello is a cake shop on Portobello Road with a beautiful window display of their cakes.

2. The Churchill Arms 

The Churchill Arms, built back in 1750, is one of the older and historic pubs in London. I love it for the beautiful flower display on the outside, but there is so much character inside as well! Winston Churchill’s grandparents were regular visitors, hence the name The Churchill Arms. Check it out – even if just to take a picture outside!

3. Tower Bridge

Located right near the Tower of London, Tower Bridge is the castle-like bridge that most people mistake for London Bridge. It is well-worth a visit!

4. Peggy Porschen Cakes

If you are searching for the perfect afternoon tea spot, Peggy Porschen Cakes is where it’s at! The building is pink entirely and as you sip your pink tea outside you are surrounded by stunning flower décor. The inside is just as aesthetically pleasing!

5. Columbia Road Flower Market

I recommend visiting Columbia Road Flower Market in warmer weather to admire the hundreds of flowers that people are selling. Whether you are there simply to admire the variety of flowers, or you want to purchase some to spice up your accommodation in London, it is certainly a refreshing market to visit!

6. The Shard / Sky Garden / London Eye

In this next choice of mine, I combined the most similar viewing places in London that are both wonderful and popular! The Shard is a skyscraper and the tallest building in the UK. For a charge of about £40, you can take the elevator to the 69th floor for some breathtaking views! There is also a restaurant and bar on the upper level of The Shard. The London Eye is essentially a Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames, meant for observing London from above. It is perhaps one of the most famous tourist destinations. For about £30 you can take a 30-minute ride to view all of London and its beauty. Sky Garden is exactly as it sounds – a viewing gallery on the 43rd floor of a building called the Walkie Talkie.

All three of these options offer stunning panoramic views of London that I highly recommend! It is arguable whether the view from The Shard or London Eye is better – in my personal opinion, despite the £10 difference, I preferred The Shard because you are not limited in the time you can spend up there compared to the London Eye. If you plan on visiting The Shard, I recommend going late afternoon and staying till dark so you can see the view of London during the day, during golden hour, and at night when the city is lit up!

Regardless, I highly recommend a visit to the Sky Garden because it is FREE! I repeat: F-R-E-E!!! Be sure to book in advance online because spots fill up fast!

7. St. Paul’s Cathedral

Although St. Paul’s Cathedral offers panoramic views of London as well as the above three, I decided it was deserving of a separate category. You can visit for a tour of the inside AND if you are feeling up to it, climb 528 steps to the top to see magnificent views of London. St. Paul’s Cathedral is stunning inside AND outside!

8. Elizabeth Street

Elizabeth Street, located nearby Peggy Porschen Cakes in Belgravia, is one of the most picturesque streets I’ve ever walked along. Flowers upon flowers upon flowers! Shops are lined with beautiful window displays/décor. It is all of the London charm in one street, I promise.

9. Butter Believe It

Butter Believe It was a sneaky find for me. Something I love about London is that you can be walking towards your destination and an instagrammable gem will sneak up on you. Stop at those places because it is so worth it to live in the moment. I was walking home from running errands when I spotted Butter Believe It with a friend. It is both adorable and delicious!

10. Oxford Street / Regent’s Street

Last, but certainly not least, are Oxford Street and Regent’s Street…or really any of the shopping streets. They are great for pictures, especially around the holidays when the lights are up. It’s lovely to make a day out of shopping (or window-shopping!).

I kept my list narrowed to ten, but I promise you all there are SO many more than that. Don’t be afraid to get out, explore, and live in the moment!

Rewind to one year ago, before I studied abroad: If there was one constant whenever I asked someone about studying abroad, it’s that somehow every single person had the perfect experience. If asking a peer, it is likely that you’ve heard stories with some choice phrases such as ‘best semester of my life’ or ‘a life-changing experience.’ I am not to say that those statements are false, but I do feel that there is neglected conversation around the challenges that accompany a study abroad experience. Perhaps people don’t want to discredit their impressive abroad stories by admitting to any challenges that may jeopardize the image of that picture-perfect, life-changing semester. But I created this blog with the full intention of helping out others in a similar position to myself, so let’s get real. It’s time to talk loneliness and homesickness.

Homesickness is normal. You are choosing to depart from friends, family, and all sense of familiarity. Below are some of my favorite things I’ve done this semester to combat my feelings of homesickness and feel connected to the people I miss:

1. Listen to music they like on the way to class. Playing their music on the tube in London has been one of the most comforting ways to start my days here. Have a loved one make you a playlist and share it with you, or you can spend time crafting a thoughtful playlist for them. Either way, it feels like an activity that we can share despite being 3000 miles apart.
2. Send pictures of things that remind you of them! When walking around in London there are so many things and places I see that make me think, Oooh [they] would love that! Rather than just explain over a phone call, I love to snap a picture of whatever caught my eye because it feels like I am sharing part of my experience with them.
3. Buy them things (within reason)! I love visiting markets to purchase Christmas gifts for the people I miss. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture while also giving your days a purpose. Giving gifts is one of my favorites because it is a tangible way to share my experiences abroad with those I care about.
4. Write home. Send postcards to friends and family. To me, a letter or postcard feels much more personal than a quick text message. Let them know you are still thinking of them! If you’re lucky maybe you will get a letter back.

Aside from homesickness, it’s possible that after adjusting to your new country you may experience waves of loneliness. In most study abroad situations you are intentionally placing yourself into an unknown area, fully well knowing that you will likely be surrounded by strangers for the next few months. In a way, I think studying abroad is comparable to the start of college. It is highly likely that given the unfamiliarity of the circumstances and the people you will be susceptible to loneliness. So how do you deal with it?

IES Abroad offers a number of day and weekend excursions. Getting out of the direct area you live in can be refreshing and a great way to meet new people. If the costs of IES Abroad excursions are not feasible for you, IES Abroad also offers a number of clubs and teams. These vary anywhere from creative writing and photography to sports games – there is something for everyone! Aside from IES Abroad-sponsored events, try to do one thing that scares you each day. This might be striking up a conversation with someone in class, trying out a new club, or even something as simple as saying hello to someone in your building. I am aware that these all feel harder than it sounds, but even you know it will be worth it. While it is ok to feel lonely at times, it is important to try to combat those challenges and go beyond your comfort zone!

Homesickness and loneliness are very real challenges abroad that people don’t often talk about. It’s ok to feel these feelings, but don’t let them limit you. If any of these issues persist and seem to be getting worse, don’t be afraid to reach out to IES Abroad for support. Remember why you came to this country in the first place. Remember that crave for new adventure. Manage these challenges and don’t let them hold you back!