A Girls day in London

Annually around this time of year, the girls in my husbands family get together for a kid free outing somewhere lovely. Previously we have enjoyed a weekend in North Yorkshire, I missed the one 2 years ago, but this year (last week), we managed to steal a lovely day out in London together – tiring but oh so fun. Here’s what we got up to.

Brunch at Plant – Nr Bond Street

Once we had all arrived from various locations around the country (mainly Yorkshire and Norfolk) we hopped on the tube for brunch at Plant. Plant is a beautiful little vegan restaurant a couple of streets over from Bond Street tube station (like 1 or 2 mins walk). It is well known as “Deliciously Ella’s” place and is all plant based.

Being in London, and also with being a bit “famous” you can expect to pay a little more for things that up here in Yorkshire. Even so, I found it reasonable and well worth it for the lovely vibe and delicious food.

We all had a mixture of things which looked so scrummy, but I especially enjoyed the pancakes I ordered – blueberry pancakes smothered with dark chocolate sauce, topped with roasted coconut – Oh my!

Shopping – Oxford Street/Regent Street

Once we had consumed our delicious meals and chatted plenty, we made our way over to Oxford Street and then along to regent’s street, where we perused many of our favourite shops. It was super busy, but felt so festive and lovely – especially to be able to shop and browse without 4 kids hanging off you or grabbing everything!

Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre 

Our main activity was to see a show in London. After great reviews from my mother in law/Sister in law (and also with what was available this close to Christmas) we chose to see Come From Away at the Phoenix (near Soho). It is a small theatre down a side street which I loved because everyone had a really could view, and it always feels a little more intimate to be a part of.

Come from Away tells the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives. It is a musical and is very well done with only a few chairs as the set and a handful of actors who switch up throughout to portray and array of characters.

It is funny, tense and also emotional as it tells their stories, and shows how uneasiness becomes trust, friendships develop, and a general story of humanity, hope and unity unfolds.

I loved it – we all did – and it is definitely one I would recommend and see again.

Christmas Lights 

We left the theatre around 4.30pm and so it was already dark. We wandered about through SOHO and back up towards regents street to catch the Christmas lights in all their glory (and of course wander round a few more shops/get some dinner – Wasabi thank you).

Above the busy streets of London are the magnificent Angels – so beautiful. They were a whole new level of christmas lights and made me feel a sense of awe and joy. All around that part of London the lights are lovely and the window displays intriguing.

Carnaby street is fun to see and Hamley’s hsd festive tunes and dancing elves outside – it was great!

I wish we would have had time to go to covent garden and see the festivities and general loveliness of the area, but there wasn’t enough time and with only a few hours in the capital you can’t see it all. Even so, it was great to have a girls day in London – it was such a fab day with great company, doing the things I love and enjoying some of my faves to eat! What a treat!

I booked my tickets from Doncaster to Kingscross in advance to save money. It was about an hours drive to Donny (and then home again after) and quite tiring travelling, but very worth it.

If you ever get the chance to see London at Christmas time, do it – it is so pretty and joyful!