A Mother-Daughter London Adventure: Exploring the City, Hidden Gems, and Classic Favorites

This autumn, I had the perfect excuse to revisit one of my favorite cities: London, this time with my mom. We spent a few days exploring the city together during the half term break, mixing must-see attractions with hidden gems, matcha taste tests, and a few shopping adventures. I’ve been to London countless times, but seeing it through my mom’s eyes made this trip extra special. In this post, I’ll take you along on our mother-daughter adventure, from our comfy Eurostar journey to quirky markets, museums, and sweet treats, sharing all the tips and little surprises along the way.

How We Got There

We traveled from Brussels-Midi to London St Pancras with the Eurostar train, and as always, it was smooth sailing. Comfortable seats, no delays, and before we knew it, we were in the heart of London. With our hotel only a 10-15 minute walk away from the station, it couldn’t have been more convenient. Traveling by Eurostar is my go-to for city-center London trips. It’s easy, fast, and stress-free!

Where We Stayed: City Sleeper Hotel at The Royal National, Bloomsbury

For this trip, I booked the City Sleeper Hotel at the Royal National, part of the Imperial London Hotels chain. Having stayed at the Royal National in the past (in the older, cheaper rooms), I was excited to see the City Sleeper rooms, which were renovated and felt more luxurious with extra facilities.

Heads up, there’s no air conditioning, so summer visitors may want to keep that in mind. We requested a room with a bath at check-in, and while the staff couldn’t guarantee it, we were pleasantly surprised to find a bath in our room! Now that’s what I call service!

The room itself was basic but perfectly comfortable, though very noisy. Our neighbors’ conversations and anyone walking by could easily be heard, but for the central location alone, it was worth it. We didn’t book breakfast, and our total cost for four nights was €755. If you’re looking for a quieter option with airconditioner, the newly renovated Ibis Earls Court, I stayed at this summer, offers a similar experience at a slightly lower price point, but farther from the city center.

Day 1: Museums, Banana Bread Matcha, and Shopping

Our first morning started at Wetherspoons in Holborn (my mum’s obsessed with Wetherspoons for some reason haha), followed by a visit to Sir John Soane’s Museum. This quirky museum is housed in Soane’s former home, and it’s a treasure trove of art, antiques, and curiosities he collected during the 1800s. Entry was free, but we bought a £3 guide and wandered through tight rooms filled with trinkets from the 1800s, architectural models, and paintings. It’s a small, but incredibly charming museum, definitely worth an early visit to beat the long queues.

Next, we popped into Blank Street Coffee where I tried their limited-edition banana bread matcha, absolutely delicious! Not too sweet, perfectly balanced with the matcha flavor still coming through.

Afterward, we strolled over to Oxford Street for some classic London shopping. Stops included Lush (to treat myself to a bath bomb for our tub at the hotel), HMV, Marks & Spencer, and a special detour to Liberty to admire their festive Christmas department. The decorations were stunning, and my mom was in awe. We wrapped up the day with a tasty dinner at Shake Shack.

Day 2: British Museum, Chinatown, and Sweet Treats

We started with another Wetherspoons breakfast (near Euston Station this time), then headed to the British Museum with free tickets booked in advance (anything to skip the long queues). Highlights included the Egyptian galleries (my mum really enjoyed this part), the Rosetta Stone, and the Great Court (Sir Aston Webb and Norman Foster designed its iconic glass roof). While it was crowded, it’s one of those museums you have to experience at least once.

For a quick snack, we stopped at Fortitude Bakehouse, a hidden gem with mouthwatering pastries near out hotel. I had a cardamom croissant bun that was divine. The dough and filling was unlike anything I tried before!

Midday, we ventured to Chinatown, where I revisited my favorite K-beauty shop, P2bus. I resisted buying anything, but indulged in a mozzarella corn dog with spicy Buldak mayo at Bunsik, a must-try for a flavor punch!

We also visited Harrods’ Christmas department, where I grabbed a red velvet cake slice to enjoy back at the hotel.

Day 3: Kensington Palace, Markets, and Bookish Finds

Our third day included a trip to Kensington Palace, booked via the GetYourGuide app (use code THEBUGGIRLADVENTURES5 for 5% off your first in-app booking!). The tickets came with a free audio tour and map. Highlights included the King’s and Queen’s state apartments, Queen Victoria’s upbringing exhibition, and a temporary fashion exhibit. After the palace, we took a stroll through the Princess Diana Memorial Garden and a corner of Hyde Park.

Another visit to Blank Street Coffee had me trying their Apple Butter Matcha, unexpectedly fantastic!

We timed our trip perfectly with the Shotengai Market at Coal Drops Yard, so that’s where we headed that afternoon. This monthly market features a lively mix of local vendors selling crafts, handmade goods, unique food, and artisanal drinks. The vibe was young, energetic, and colorful, with an emphasis on small creative businesses.

We also visited Word on the Water, the canal-side book barge, a haven for book lovers. You can browse books and soak in the unique floating atmosphere, an absolute must-see for book nerds like me!

We finished our London adventure with a classic Nando’s dinner, ending the trip on a cozy, familiar note.

Xo Bug Girl

Instagram: @thebuggirladventures