Fototime - Birthday Weekend In London

8 JUNE 2025

Where better to celebrate your birthday than in the capital, But not just London, we classed it up and did in style.

LONDON DAY 1

We absolutely love London, and visit it as many times as we can, which is usually 3 to 4 times a year on average, I have been coming here most years for the last 35 years, and it still has so much to offer, this time I wanted a posh hotel and to visit some bucket list places for cocktails and afternoon tea and nice food, we did it in style, it cost a small fortune, but was so worth it, because as they say you can't take your memories away, and I will not be going to these places again, well not in the near future at least.

For us London is just about one and half hours on the train, and we usually get the silly o clock train so typically about 6.00AM, we are both usually up by 4.00AM anyway, unless were hungover. This time was no exception we boarded the 6.20AM train to Kings Cross.

We arrived at Kings Cross Station just turned 8.00AM and quickly made our way to the underground.

Underground Travel Tip.

Ignore the various discount day or weekend travel cards, they are actually significantly more expensive than pay and go, so my advice is load your preferred debit card into your phone's digital wallet for easy quick access and simply swipe on each barrier payment station as you go through it.

Beware though you must swipe in and out wherever you are going otherwise, London underground will charge you for the full duration of whichever line you a traveling on, because it they wouldn't know where you existed.

The Big Smoke.

So after a watery coffee and dried on sandwich on the train, never again, we are in the Capital.

NEVER GET TIRED OF VIEWING THE LONDON SKYLINE

THE NED A STYLISH 1920S THEMED GLAMOROUS HOTEL

We arrive at The Ned and are greeted by the following image, a chauffeur driven Mercedes Benz, awaiting his guests, and the doorman who turned out to be a really top guy, we had a very good chat at the urinal, as you do.

Is The Ned good value and worth staying at?

I would honestly say yes, we didn't really make use of all the facilities, but only because we had other plans around London, but we had drinks with some other guests who stayed exclusively in the hotel for entire weekend and they loved it too.

Would You Return?

In a heart beat, absolutely, its a 5* from us.

THE NED, AN ART DECO THEMED LUXURY HOTEL IN THE HEART OF LONDON

ACCORDING TO THE DOORMAN, EACH GREEN MARBLE PILLAR COST 1 MILLION POUNDS, AND THERE ARE LOTS OF THEM SUPPORTING THE UPPER LEVELS

QUEEN BED, WE LOVED THE 1920S GLAMOUR IN THE NED

BREAKFAST AT COTE AT ST. KATHARINE DOCKS

Obviously we wanted a good start to the day, with lots of walking planned, I knew we would walk it off anyway, we both had French toast, coffee and orange juice, and we couldn't fault anything would definitely return to Cote.

St. Katharine Docks, is also worth a little look and a stroll its nice to see the boats and have a gander.

BEAUTIFUL, AND NOT TOO EXPENSIVE FOR LONDON EITHER.

ST. KATHARINE DOCKS

SHAD THAMES

From St Katherine Docks we walked across the Tower Bridge and headed for the trendy Shad Thames area, there is a couple of good photo opportunities to be had while we were exploring this area.

We walked along the Thames taking in the views of Tower Bridge, and the skyline opposite, we were actually looking for a pub so we could have a toilet break and cheeky pint, after all it was 11.30AM.

We decided to make our way to The Golden Hinde, as I knew there was a pub right next to it, called Old Thameside Inn, when we arrived the Golden Hinde was partially covered and was undergoing some type of repairs, so I didn't take any pictures.

SHAD THAMES

TOWER BRIDGE WITH THE ICONIC RED DOUBLE DECKER

HMS BELFAST IS A LIGHT CRUISER THAT WAS BUILT FOR THE ROYAL NAVY, SHE WAS LAUNCHED IN 1938 AND WAS DECOMMISSIONED IN 1963.

OLD THAMESIDE INN, LONDON

After a pint of London pride, we are on our way to the underground station.

We head off in search of are next place of interest on the itinerary, and this time its for a decent cup of coffee in a very unusual place.

ONE OF THE MANY UNDERGROUND STATIONS WE USUALLY END UP VISITING

ATTENDANT COFFEE ROASTERS

We are now in Fitzrovia, looking for a victorian underground gents toilet, as you do, this time though we want coffee. Built around 1890 and mothballed in the 1960s, this former Victorian toilet has been transformed into a coffee shop.

The original Royal Doulton porcelain urinals have been transformed with the addition of marble, into table tops and together with green seating which also matches the original Victorian floor tiles, which have been retained, makes for a very unusual coffee and cake destination.

ATTENDANT COFFEE ROASTERS IS VERY QUIRKY

Top marks for taking something unusual and turning it into something special, and as a flat white drinker, your coffee is excellent too, will definitely return if we are ever in the area again.

MICHEL ROUX JR’S REGENT STREET GASTROPUB.

A short walk from here and onto our next destination and its another watering hole, or gastropub to be exact, and its the highly acclaimed, Michel Roux Jr’s Regent Street Gastropub.

We definitely weren't hungry but we wanted to see what all fuss was about, after all it gets some really good reviews, too be perfectly honest, It was ok, but I wouldn't bother again unless I was thirsty and walking past it, perhaps if we had eaten it may have left a better impression on me, after all Michel Roux Jr’s is a 2* Michelin chef.

Amanda thought the cocktail was lovely though, so that's okay.

MICHEL ROUX JR’S REGENT STREET GASTROPUB, THE WIGMORE

NEALS YARD

Next up Neals Yard in the Seven Dials district which is a hidden gem in the most colourful corner of Covent Garden, we have a quick gander and a selfie picture then we move onto our next pub.

MONMOUTH STREET, SEVEN DIALS DISTRICT OF COVENT GARDEN

NEALS YARD, SEVEN DIALS DISTRICT OF COVENT GARDEN

SLINGSBY PLACE, SEVEN DIALS

LAMB & FLAG PUB

This is an easily missed hidden gem in Covent Garden, so easy to walk right past if you don't know where to look, hidden down a very tiny brick alleyway, with only the smallest of signs revealing what you are about to stumble upon.

Voted as one of Londons top pubs to visit, it would be rude not to nip in for a pint or two, well it is my birthday.

In 1772 the pub was known as The Coopers Arms but was later renamed to the Lamb & Flag in 1833. The pub had a reputation for hosting bare knuckle prize fights and quickly earned the nickname of 'The Bucket of Blood'

LAMB & FLAG PUB, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON

INTERIOR / LAMB & FLAG PUB, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON

MIRADORA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT TEQUILERIA

This is a 10th Floor garden rooftop bar which has stunning views of Nelson's Column and is the perfect spot to enjoy a decent Margarita enjoy a bowl of delicious Taco's and enjoy the most perfect sunset.

Unfortunately, Its raining so scrub that idea, it has got some incredible views over London though, the cocktails were also delicious and not bad pricing again for London.

Will definetly return here in the future.

NELSON'S COLUMN, BIG BEN, AND THE VICTORIA TOWER AT THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER PROUDLY FLYING THE UNION FLAG

THE AMERICAN BAR AT THE SAVOY HOTEL

This one I was really looking forward to, I have been to The Savoy many, many years ago, but only to the theatre to watch the "The Rat Pack Performance" so was really looking forward to properly being hosted for cocktails, what an experience this was.

Now obviously this place is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but I was truly shocked at some of the prices on the menu, I regretted telling Amanda to order whatever she wanted, its an experience, I said, its not about the money, I said, just enjoy yourself babe, I said, well that was like a red flag to a bull and I suffered, a little.

Can I have the Sazerac, I said sure, she pointed to the price and I just laughed "NO BABE" £5000 for one cocktail, clearly she was on the wrong page, or maybe even in the wrong book.

We both ordered cocktails and eagerly waited to be served, which literally took around 35 minutes to arrive, the service was impeccable though apart from the wait.

The price was very expensive but completely expected and it was a one off memory maker experience.

THE SAVOY, LONDON

THE AMERICAN BAR, THE SAVOY, LONDON

COCKTAILS AT THE AMERICAN BAR, THE SAVOY, LONDON

THE COCKTAIL MENU AT THE AMERICAN BAR, THE SAVOY, LONDON

BACK TO THE NED, FOR A WELL DESERVED KIP

The plan was to go back to the room, get our head down for a couple of hours then back out for a slap up seafood meal in a posh rooftop restaurant, then jump on the tube and head over to Camden Town to go clubbing at the Jazz Cafe, regrettably this isn't what happened.

We were absolutely burned out from the not stop day and 4.00AM start, too much drink and being too exhausted meant we couldn't even be bothered to get ready, so we decided to give it a miss, relax at the hotel and see what tomorrow brings, was I disappointed, maybe a little, maybe for 10 minutes, but we missed nothing that we can't do on our next visit to London, so it was absolutely fine.

The truth is when I planned the itinerary for the weekend, I didn't account for drinking and traveling and being so exhausted, I have learned from this now.

SPEEDING TRAIN ON THE UNDERGROUND TUBE STATION, LONDON

COMPLETELY DRUNK, LONDON UNDERGROUND

LONDON DAY 2

Early start today after a good nights sleep, the queen bed in The Ned hotel room was so comfortable, anyway, we are up showered, dressed, packed and checked out by 8.00AM.

We always drop our suitcases off at Kings Cross left baggage and then collect them again about an hour be our trains leaves, this usually costs about £6 and is money well spent I think.

COAL DROPS YARD

A very short walk away from Kings Cross station is coal drops yard, a modern shopping area with some nice coffee shops and cafe's, so we are going here in search of breakfast.

COAL DROPS YARD, LONDON

Today is about slowing down, relaxing a bit, enjoying our surroundings, having nice food treats and decent coffee, enjoying life.

We find a nice coffee shop and enjoy a decent flat white and a croissant.

There's around 45 shops here, some designer gear to be had also, its a decent place and well worth a couple of hours.

KENSINGTON PALACE GARDENS

Its so easy to escape the hustle and bustle in London, just disappear into one of the many green outdoor spaces and unwind, so we did.

QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL, KENSINGTON PALACE GARDENS, LONDON

THE CHURCHILL ARMS

The Churchill Arms in Kensington as long been a London pub I have wanted to have a pint in, its only about 30 minutes stroll away from Kensington Palace Gardens and was so worth it.

The Churchill Arms was built in 1750, and is officially the UK's most festive pub. Each year The pub transforms into an epiphany of Christmas time, with extravagant Christmas displays in the festive month's.

Th pub has been described as London's most colourful pub, and is famous for several reasons, Winston Churchill's grandparents frequented the pub in the 1800s and supposedly, Churchill himself, made wartime broadcasts from the pub.

The pub gave off great British vibes and is a big hit with tourists, it was full of Americans when we visited, the inside decor is very interesting, it is decorated with all types of things associated with Winston Churchill, with toby jugs hanging from the exposed beams and memorabilia everywhere.

THE CHURCHILL ARMS PUB, LONDON

INTERIOR / THE CHURCHILL ARMS PUB, LONDON

AFTERNOON TEA AT THE BEAUMONT HOTEL

We are in Mayfair now, and boy can you tell, the cars, the people, the prices, everything is on another level.

Pack of Crisps £8 in the local, I kid you not, that's another memory moment that is.

While we are waiting for our 3.00PM afternoon tea reservation, we had a couple drinks in the The Barley Mow Pub, we opted for the bar stools right by the window looking outside so we could watch the many Ferrari's and Aston Martins drive by.

Oysters or a Pie perhaps, this pub offers a great British Menu with a French twist on it.

We recieved a warm welcome with excellent service from the bar staff and it’s in a lovely location and has a very relaxed atmosphere, will definitely visit here again.

So the great British tradition of afternoon Tea in the Gatsby Room at The Beaumont, wow, pure decadence, extravagance, luxury, words can not express how nice this was, the attention to detail, the presentation, everything was absolutely top tier and we had an amazing experience, such a good Birthday treat, This was something else, Not sure I have had an afternoon tea like this before anywhere else.

We were treated very well to an exceptional afternoon at The Beaumont, from our initial seating, to the first pours of champagne and not to mention expertly selected variety of speciality teas, we knew we were in for a treat.

The food was delicious, the cakes were stunning, the home baked scones were warm and perfect and together with the clotted cream and homemade jam, they were the highlight for me.

The champagne cocktails were exceptional, the staff were very polite, attentive and friendly, its safe to say that the

afternoon tea in the Gatsby Room far exceeded our expectations.

THE BEAUMONT HOTEL

THE GATSBY'S ROOM, THE BEAUMONT HOTEL

AFTERNOON TEA, THE GATSBY'S ROOM, THE BEAUMONT HOTEL

DRINKING CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS, THE GATSBY'S ROOM, THE BEAUMONT HOTEL

THE BARLEY MOW PUB, MAYFAIR, LONDON

TIME TO LEAVE

So its time to leave now, until next time London, you have, as always being amazing, and this entire weekend has been a birthday memory I will never forget, oh and thanks to my partner and best mate Amanda, for making my birthday special, without you and your batshit crazy, inept outbursts at the most random times, which are always welcome though, it wouldn't have been nearly as good, its been great babe, we never stopped laughing did we.

BLACK CAB TAXI, NEW BOND STREET, LONDON

Thoughts on "Birthday Weekend In London"

You may also like