Shhh! Are There Quiet Spots in London?

The first time I visited London, I didn't enjoy it that much. We came in the middle of summer holidays and wanted to see all the big tourist stuff. Unfortunately, lots of other people were doing the same thing.

If you're also not a huge fan of crowds, but don't want to miss out on London's excellent sights, I have some suggestions for you. Duck into one of these relaxing places near the top sights.

Near Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

The area between Parliament and Westminster Abbey is regularly mobbed. Yet just around the southern edge of the Parliament building is the surprisingly serene Victoria Tower Gardens.

This park is never crowded, still has a lovely view of Parliament and also looks out over the Thames. Go watch some boats from the tree-shaded walk before you dive back into the mayhem.

Near Tower of London

Get some space back by walking across Tower Bridge (that's the pretty one) and stepping into Potters Fields Park. This park is more of a green space in between the riverside walking path and some very large buildings, but it spreads out the crowd.

This is also an excellent place to take pictures with Tower Bridge behind you.

Near The British Museum

Head to Russell Square for a break from the museum crowding. This park has a cafe at one end, though I recommend going a bit further to Fortitude Bakehouse. This bakery is famous for their cream-filled beignets, but everything I've tried here has been delicious. Bring your treats back to Russell Square for an impromptu picnic.

Near Oxford Circus

Shopped and now you're about to drop? In less than 15 minutes you could be in a gorgeous townhouse perusing art or sitting down with a cup of tea.

The Wallace Collection is a free museum set in a grand old house. Lots of interesting bits to see here and the cafe is in a beautiful atrium. It's less well-known than the big London museums so doesn't tend to crowd as badly.

Visiting Scotland Beyond Edinburgh

Want to add more variety to your Scotland itinerary? Don't miss my newest article with the 14 best day trips from Edinburgh!

Did You Know? US Expats Still File Taxes

It's almost tax season again. Did you know that Americans have to file income tax returns every year - even when you live outside the US and have no US income?

It's a real pain to gather the paperwork each year, even though we haven't had to actually pay US taxes in a while. We hire an expat tax service to file our returns for a few hundred pounds, so even paying nothing to Uncle Sam costs something.

Travel Find of the Week: Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts

Want to really escape the city? I recently stumbled upon the adorable acommodations at Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts. Based in Kent - about an hour south of London - these luxurious little cabins perch in the middle of a family-owned sheep farm in the English countryside.

This would be a fantastic stay for anyone longing for a country escape that isn't on the standard tourist track. From here you could easily visit Dover or Canterbury, or just take some country walks and enjoy the quiet.

You will need to rent a car to get here - find the best rates and availability for any UK road trip with Discover Cars.

See you next week!

Victoria

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PS - What type of travel do you like most? Heading off on an exciting city break or taking long walks in the country? Hit REPLY and let me know!

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