What
Travelex set me a challenge to take $150 AUD and turn it in to the best day out I could possible have in London. Travelex, I accept your challenge and here are the results…
I made my way to the Tower Hill Travelex branch to pick up my Multi Currency Passport. $150 AUD was loaded on to my card and I was ready to go.
Where
Darwin Brasserie at The Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is a glass domed conservatory which sits on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch Street, commonly known as the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building.
Once at the top, head up the winding staircase and between the trees you will find Darwin Brasserie. It offers the best views of the city, spectacular altitude foliage and one of the best breakfast menus around. If I could spend every morning here, drinking a detox-zing juice and carving eggs benedict, believe me I would.
Cost
Detox-Zing juice £4.95, Eggs Benedict poached eggs with smoked salmon on a toasted muffin with hollandaise £12.50
The Monument
A short hop, skip and a jump away is the infamous Monument. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and his pal Dr Robert Hooke to commemorate the Great Fire of London, which started at the baker shop on nearby on Pudding Lane in 1666. There are 311 steps to climb up the winding spiral staircase to reach the viewing tower at the top. You are rewarded however with a 360 degree view of London and a certificate.
Tower Bridge Experience
Anyone can walk across the most iconic bridge in London, but why not walk over it? As part of The Tower Bridge Experience, you can walk on the glass floor. I must admit stepping on the glass for the first time is a little daunting, but I really enjoyed the view of the Thames below. The feint hearted can walk around the glass, just don’t look down!
Cost
£10.50 combination ticket for entry to both Tower Bridge Experience and The Monument
Borough Market
After crossing the Thames, we took a stroll down the Southbank and into foodie heaven, Borough Market where the best of British gourmet goodies fill each market stall. My absolute favourite is the Borough Cheese Company, where I ordered a wedge of comté, cut into slices, to chomp on for the remainder of the walk down the Southbank.
Cost
£5.60
The London Dungeon
Step back in time at The London Dungeon to be part of a thrilling interactive adventure through the more gruesome history of London. Get a haircut in Sweeney Tod’s barber shop, ride the last journey of Anne Boylen before her blood-soaked demise and suffer the hangman’s nous at the long drop. Although I must admit there were times I was scared out of my wits, the London Dungeon is wildly entertaining and suitable for families.
Cost
Adult Ticket £28.95
Gordon’s Wine Bar
Rumoured to be the oldest wine bar in London, Gordons Wine Bar is romantically candlelit, atmospheric and a perfect place to rest those tired feet after a day out in the greatest city in the world. This little hidden gem lays a stone’s throw away from Embankment pier. We ordered two glasses of Malbec, settled on a table in the underground cave and laughed about the tales of the London Dungeon.
Cost
Small glass of Malbec £5.90
The Thames Clipper
There was only one thing left to do, and that was to return back to where my adventure began. There are many ways to travel in London, but only one way gets my adrenaline pumping – the Thames Clipper boat. It’s frequent, fast and offers a much better view than disgruntled tube commuters. We hopped on the boat at Embankment pier and cruised down the Thames back to Tower Hill.
Cost
Single ticket £6.50
How did I do Travelex?
See how far your spending money can go here.
Filed under: Food & Drink, London, Travel
